Kevtoberfest #11 Blue Mountains Part Two
After wandering at a leisurely pace from Katoomba Falls to Echo Point and stopping again to admire the expansive views, our walk continues to Spooners Lookout. There’s a good reason we’ve chosen to walk in this direction. The next section, downwards from the Three Sisters to Dardanelles Pass at the base of the cliffs, includes 900 steps!
From Echo Point we’ve already seen where we’re going next – to Honeymoon Bridge. This narrow footbridge links the main part of the range to the first of the sisters. It crosses the gap high above the valley floor and leads to a wind-eroded sandstone overhang halfway up the rocky outcrop.
We cross the bridge over and back, and then begin the downward climb on the Giant Stairway. Some of the 900 steps are metal and easy to negotiate, while others are made of timber sleepers or simply cut into the sandstone.
There are switchbacks and curving turns, wider sections where gaps between the trees reveal more beautiful views, and several benches where we stop to rest awhile; we’re in no hurry.
Near the halfway point, we hear bellbirds. Their chiming song fills the canopy, although again the elusive birds remain hidden in the dense forest.
Finally, we reach the last few steps down to Dardanelles Pass. More benches set into the narrow pass at the base of the steps beckon and we take a break for lunch.
After walking down the Giant Stairway, the next section of level track is easy. We turn onto the Federal Pass track, which curves around the base of the Three Sisters and heads across the valley towards Scenic World. Tree ferns shade the path and, as we look back, we can clearly see where we’ve come from.
Ahead we hear moving water. After flowing over the cascades at the top of the range, the waters of Kedumba Creek drop over the cliff edge, falling more than 200 metres to the valley floor.
At last we reach the entrance to Scenic World.
After meeting only a few other walkers on the track, we can now hear many people up ahead. They’re seeing the Blue Mountains from yet another perspective, and we’re about to join them.
To be continued…
Join Jo for more Monday Walks
What a spectacular walk Carol. 900 steps is a decent workout. Love the sound of bell birds too. Beautiful post.
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It was a good workout and we didn’t even have any cake at the end. 🙂 Aren’t the bellbirds wonderful.
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They really are. We used to hear them around here when we moved in but sadly over the years they seem to have disappeared.
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Awesome views👌
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It is the most beautiful place to spend a few days. Thank you.
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Yes.I went there 3 years back🤗
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Bellbirds were extremely interesting – never heard anything like that. Walking down 900 steps in quite a feat. But, if you had to walk back up, now that is something that pains me just to think about. 🙂
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Judy, I wouldn’t even consider going up and we knew Scenic World was at the other end so there was really no choice. 🙂 You might like to see these other bellbirds videos too. https://theeternaltraveller.wordpress.com/2018/02/18/by-day-into-night/
https://theeternaltraveller.wordpress.com/2013/08/20/road-trip-3-country-roads/
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Thank you. That sounds is truly amazing. The next time I hear bells around the holidays, I’m going to be thinking of these guys. 🙂 You do a wonderful job of showing your readers about the beauty of your home land. Thank you. 🙂
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I’m pleased you’re enjoying seeing it with me, Judy.
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How did you get on going downhill for so long Carol? I often find it more tiring on the legs than going uphill.
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Downhill is definitely the way to go for me, Denzil. Uphill is so much hard work.
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The bell birds are delightful, chiming away. I can see why they are called that. As for 900 steps! My knees are throbbing from here! I never knew there was a bridge connecting the first sister – just goes to show what my far distance eyesight is like! And I can totally see why you chose this direction. Looking forward to the next part. I think…
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I find going down is far easier than going up. Next time you go, head around to Spooners Lookout and you’ll see the sign to the bridge. It’s only 80 steps down. The last part of the day was very exciting so I think you’ll enjoy it too.
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I had a look at one of my photos, and yes, there is the bridge. I think we did walk a bit further along the trail, but not far enough to the bridge. I could possible manage 80 steps.
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It’s not as far as it sounds. I’m sure you could do it.
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Wow 🙂 sure different from the Blue Mountains I know in Oregon, Yankee Doodle Land
Thanks for sharing
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Glad you enjoyed visiting these ones with me. 🙂
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What a great walk this is, Carol. I love the views of the Three Sisters. Just think how much work it must have been to build all those trails, stairs and bridges!
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It would have been a mammoth task, Cathy. The sisters really dominate the views here.
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It’s blissful, isn’t it? I’d love to see this, Carol. Thanks so much for the link. 🙂 🙂
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And once we got past Spooners Lookout there were hardly any other people. Tourists on buses don’t have time for this type of walk. You and Mick would love it.
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Wonderful walk! I can quite see why you did it in that direction though.
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Oh yes, down was the way to go. And we wanted to leave all the fun stuff till the very end.
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We’ve been listening to Bellbirds in Wanaka these past few days ET and I think they sound the same as yours except yours maybe have an Australian accent……… I love the three sisters.
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I never heard bellbirds in Wanaka. I need to go back and listen better next time. Maybe the NZ accent threw me! 🙂
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I’m so glad you took us down the steps for this walk and not up them! The bell birds are lovely, though they are currently competing with a bird which is trilling and chirping very loudly just outside my window. 🙂
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There is no way I would choose to go up 900 steps. I would be too worn out to enjoy the views.
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Loved listening to the bellbirds, Carol. I’m quite envious of all the exercise you had on those steps. Not much chance for that in flat Florida. 🙂
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And we didn’t even reward ourselves with cake at the end. There was too much else to do, as you’ll see in the next post. 🙂
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Well that’s good, not to put all the calories back on again as a sort of reward for the effort. 😀
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That is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
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Glad you enjoyed it. More to come in the next post.
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So peaceful! I don’t do many challenging walks but it means that I miss out on the view.
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I depends on where the lookouts are. This walk was great.
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I like that 1/2 way marker…good idea! 😉
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It was hard to tell how far we’d come and how far there was to go, so the half way stone was good to see.
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OMG I’m exhausting just looking at the photos.
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We didn’t rush so it was quite pleasant.
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900 steps… phew. Not sure we could do this with the baby strapped to us! Or maybe we could but very slowly! It does look lovely, what an experience. The views from the bridge look amazing
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A great walk with great views. The bellbirds sound lovely, and I love the first photo 🙂
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It’s always magical when you come across bellbirds in the forest. You can’t see them but the sound is beautiful.
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I reallt wish we could go out walking. The safety is an issue :{
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There’s no problem with safety on this walk. There is a fence on the steep sections.
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