| Week of March 6-12, 1997 |
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Making the most of a few days in Oz Question: I will be traveling to Australia in March. I’ll be flying into Sydney and only have a couple of days. I’d like to see some of the natural areas of Australia and wondered what areas you would recommend. Steve Plut ϳԹ Adviser: Well, my first question would be: Why go all that way to only spend a few days? But assuming that there’s probably a decent reason (business trip? no spare time? I know how that goes), I’ll cut right to the chase. The best cure for trans-Pacific jet lag is a few days in Blue Mountains National Park, an easy 90-minute drive Start from the trailhead at Victoria Falls Lookout, near the village of Blackheath, and take the zig-zagging track through the Blue Gum Forest to the campground (no permits or reservations required), about six hours in from your car. After a night under the stars (the Southern Cross is the bunch of stars that looks like a kite), hike the 12-mile loop to Govetts Leap through If you didn’t bring your gear (and, realistically, who would for a three-day trip?) and can’t be bothered to rent the necessary stuff, sign on with Blue Mountains ϳԹ Company for a one-day hiking or rappelling excursion ($67-$80) in Claustral Canyon near Mount Tomah, about 10 miles north of Blackheath. Or, if you decide to blow off work or whatever other commitments Finally, if what you want is just a no-sweat ramble and an overnight at some cushy inn, bed down at the historic Avonleigh Country House in Leura, about 15 miles east of Blackheath, and hike the 2.5 miles on the Prince Henry Cliff Walk from Echo Point to Leura Falls. For more details, call 011-61-47-82-1534. One more thing: Keep in mind that March in Australia means cool, |
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