Now is the time to visit the Blue Mountains
Posted by s411y in Ecotourism, Farmstay Blue Mountains, Tours From Sydney | November 07, 2013At the beginning of this month there were serious bush fires in the Blue Mountains.
But, they are contained now, and pose no threat to visitors to the region.
The fires were huge, one more than 50,000 hectares and with a front longer than 200km.
But the Blue Mountains National Park is MASSIVE, at over 1,000,000 hectares, so the fires affected only a small fraction of the National Park as a whole.
Most of the Blue Mountains spectacular bush was untouched by the bush fires
The fires were very serious with lives, houses and infrastructure threatened. Almost 200 houses were destroyed and millions of dollars of damage was recorded (though thankfully no lives were lost).
But the major tourist attractions of this world renown region were untouched by the fires. All the favourite venues, Scenic World, Waradah Aboriginal Centre, Segway Tours, Norman Lindsay Gallery, Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens, Aussie Farmstay and Bush Adventure tours and more are open for business having not been affected.
Horse riding with Aussie Farmstay and Bush Adventures at Centennial Glen Stables in the Kanimbla Valley of the Blue Mountains
Whilst the fire emergency lasted hundreds of Mountain residents gave up their usual jobs and acted as volunteer fire fighters, helping to save lives, property and the bush.
But now that the fires have been contained these hard working men and women (or heroes as we like to refer to them) are back at their usual employment. For many of the Blue Mountains population that means serving the tourist trade.
World Heritage wilderness of the Blue Mountains National Park, the view from Shipley Plateau to the Megalong Valley, completely untouched by the fires
The Blue Mountains is a World Heritage Wilderness area, so very little commercial activity can be conducted. The tourist industry which facilitates responsible access for visitors to appreciate the many natural wonders that the Blue Mountains has to offer, is the major source of income for the many villages which line the thoroughfares through the mountains.
Unfortunately bad news spreads like the wild fires which ravaged parts of the Mountains, however good news doesn’t quite get the same media attention. So many tourists heard that the Mountains was in trouble, few have since learnt that the mountains are back open for business.
So now is the perfect time to visit the Blue Mountains. The weather is glorious, as spring is one of the best times to see the Mountains. The population are ready to welcome you with open arms, so come on back to the Blue Mountains today!!