So for both visitor and Sydneysider out for a day of relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Australia's Blue Mountains beckon appealingly.
Just past the western outer Sydney suburb of Penrith, the M4 freeway, once a tollway, rejoins the Great Western Highway which then begins its climb to the Blue Mountains.
There's a series of small Blue Mountains towns on the way where you can stop for coffee and refreshments or just for a break from driving.
Unless it’s a hot summer weekend or it’s school holiday time, the drive up the Blue Mountains should be fairly fast and easy — but there are many turns and twists in the road, so take care with your driving.
Hand stencils on the walls
The first town you hit on the highway is Glenbrook. It has a visitor centre and tourist office and is a wonderful first stop if you haven’t yet planned your trip fully. It adjoins a small park where you can stretch your legs, partake of refreshments, or simply rest for a while.
There’s an entry point at Glenbrook to the Blue Mountains National Park, part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage site, and if you’d like to picnic here and explore the bush, this is as good a place as any to spend the day.
Don’t forget the 7km return walk southwest of the National Parks and Wildlife Service visitor centre and explore the Red Hand Cave, an old Aboriginal shelter with hand stencils on its walls.
The Blue Mountains National Park covers a large area north and south of the Great Western Highway. A landmark feature is the Three Sisters farther west at Katoomba.
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