Blue Mountains Touring Guide - Blue Mountains, Australia

	Megalong Valley 135 km from Sydney A journey into the majestic Megalong Valley is a feast of flora, fauna, amazing sandstone escarpments, rainforest and history. Megalong is an Aboriginal word thought to mean ‘Valley below the cliffs’. The first record of a European coming to the valley was of Thomas Jones, a natural history specimen collector who, in 1818 followed the course of the Coxs River from Burragorang to Hartley. The first land was taken up in 1838. It’s known that before this, the Valley was home to an Aboriginal community. The drive down to the valley begins at Blackheath rail crossing and take you beneath a memorable canopy of ferns filtered by dapplied sunlight. You will pass the path to beautiful Mermaids Glen (used in Mad Max: Return to Thunderdome film). After Coachwood Glen (great forest camping) as you reach the end of the bends, the farmhouse on your right holds a secret for history enthusiasts. In front of the old sheds you can see an old steam engine under wraps. This is in fact the original engine for the Carrington Hotel - and therefore for the whole of Katoomba. A few hundred metres further on, also on your right, the old shack at the base of the cliffs is the former Huntling Lodge of Mark Foy, who developed the Hydro Majestic Hotel, which you now see perched proudly on the top of the spectacular sandstone escarpment on your left. Horseriding in the Megalong Valley Spectacular is a word you can’t help but use when you’re in the Megalong, which now has a reputation as the region’s horse-riding centre. Vast views from Mount Blackheath	BLUE MOUNTAINS TOURING GUIDE Blue Mountains Grand Circular Drive Click on village names to see full details All material contained in this touring guide is copyright of Jayarnda Pty Ltd and may not be reproduced for any commercial purpose whatsoever without permission. Ph 02 6355 6292 Holiday cabins and bunkhouse accommodation are always popular in the valley which attracts vast numbers of adventure seekers and lovers of the tranquil untarnished Aussie bush. The best bushwalk in the Megalong is the ‘Six Foot Track’ which weaves its way from the base of Nellie’s Glen, but for this section you’ll have to climb over a couple of locked private gates (it’s worth it). The Megalong is also home to ‘Old Ford Reserve’ one of the region’s best picnic grounds. The valley is also home to one of the whole region’s biggest drawcards and attractions - the Megalong Australian Heritage Centre, open every day of the year (more than worth it). Back up at the top of the valley, turn left along Shipley Road and head out to Shipley Plateau (famous for its apple orchards) for some of the biggest most breathtaking views you’ll ever see. The road forks left to Hargraves Lookout where the view of the Megalong Valley and south to Kanangra Walls will delight you. The fork to the right takes you to Mount Blackheath where the view of the Kanimbla Valley and the Great Dividing Range will leave you speechless. When you see the running boards for the hanggliders... you may just feel a shudder at the sheer thought! Please select to see what's close by view accommodation view restaurants & dining view other business

	Blue Mountains Grand Circular Drive Penrith/Emu Plains to Lapstone ~ Glenbrook to Blaxland ~ Springwood & Valley Heights ~ Faulconbridge Linden to Woodford ~ Hazelbrook/Lawson/Bullaburra ~ Wentworth Falls ~ Leura ~ Katoomba Medlow Bath ~ Blackheath ~ Megalong Valley ~ Mount Victoria ~ Hartley & Hartley Historic Village Hampton to Jenolan Caves ~ Oberon ~ Lithgow ~ Mount Wilson ~ Bells Line of Road The Hawkesbury Richmond/Windsor ~ Bathurst/Mudgee & Beyond The Blue Mountains