“What good moving mountains when it is so easy to pass over ?” Boris Vian

Those who know us well know that a day in a big city is ample, that is why as early as Monday 11 may in the morning we drive to the East and the Blue Mountains. They begin less than an hour's drive from Sydney peak 1100 metres above sea level at Mount Victoria village. The bluish-tinted mist from which they take their name owes its color to the evaporation of oil from the eucalyptus trees filling the valleys..

Under the cliffs at Wentworth

Above Wentworth Falls

We stop at Wentworth Falls which in addition to its three hundred meter high waterfalls, gives us our first panorama of the Jamison Valley. The short walk to the Princes Rock viewpoint is worth doing because it allows you to take in the entire waterfall., to flying waters on windy days. From here two trails go to the top of the falls and the “Undercliff track” seemed the nicest to me, a path under the rocks, sometimes cry, offering a few glances at the waterfall or valley amidst the vegetation.

Wentworth Falls

Undercliff walking track

Further, and more touristy, it’s the almost obligatory stop at Katoomba – park in town and walk to avoid paid parking – with its Echo Point viewpoint over the Three Sisters, three rock formations in the foreground of Jamison Valley. Using the Blue Mountains Drive rather than the main road to reach Katoomba, you will have some nice views from the vehicle.

Three Sisters

Blue Mountains in Katoomba

Arrival at Blackheath and descent of the Megalong Valley, the only road where we find ourselves at the bottom of the mountains – unless we go hiking – and where we will spend the night sheltered from the wind.

Grose Valley

Bridal Veil Falls

On Tuesday 12, we start the day with a breathtaking stop – as much for the wind as for the view – at Govetts Leap Lookout which opens onto the Grose Valley – I think – with Bridal Veil Falls on the right, the highest waterfalls of the Blue Mountains and on the left a little brother of the Three Sisters : Pulpit Rock.

Blue Mountains à Blackheat

Pierces Pass

We return to the East using the Bells Line of Road, more natural and prettier than the one we took on the way out.

Break at an artistic gas station

Tamworth Golden Guitar

Between the Wolleni and Yengo national parks we then drive north to join the New England Highway which we were recommended more than the coastal road where the towns pile up one after the other.

New England Highway

Crooked Creek

So we cross the Australian countryside for three days with a few cold nights in Moonby, a gas station transformed into an art station before Singleton, eucalyptus forests, a giant, golden guitar in Tamworth – home of a famous country festival, a campfire at Crooked Creek, green hills, une naissance chez nos amis français de Melbourne 😀 alors que nous arrivons près de Lismore… !

Nimbin Street Code

Plan de Nimbin

Nous passons la fin de semaine dans la ville artistique et décontractée de Nimbin – camping au Showground dans Cecil St., à droite juste avant de rentrer dans la ville : 10$ par personne et par nuit, électricité et douche. 🙂 Début de soirée au pub où à la taille de la barbe et des cheveux des habitués l’on peut presque deviner depuis combien de temps il vivent ici. 😉

Rochers de Nimbin

Plage de Byron Bay

Le lendemain matin nous nous baladons dans les rues colorées et visitons quelques galeries d’artistes locaux, ainsi que la Hemp Embassy où ils vendent – entre autre 😛 – des vêtements fabriqués à base de chanvre, ou encore le Hemp Bar où l’on peut en apprendre plus sur l’usage médicinal du cannabis.

Après un tour à Byron Bay, la Nouvelle-Galles du Sud c’est fini !