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Katoomba
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Ballast Pit
Katoomba started out in the 1860's as the site of a quarry and rock-crushing plant,
used to produce railway ballast, & hence became known as The Crushers. At around the
same time, the Glen Shale Mine commenced below Narrow Neck. The opening of additional
shale & coal mines led to the development of a network of
mining tramlines, a small portion of which remains as the Katoomba
Scenic Railway.
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Local
Business Links
Fantastic Aussie Tours
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Coach & 4wd tours
Cecil
Guesthouse, The -
Traditional guesthouse
Cloudlands -
Cottage accommodation.
Scenic Railway -
Plunge into the rainforest.
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The Blue
Mountains' trademark landmark, the Three Sisters, seen from Echo
Point. Just back from the cliff are a tourist information &
map centre, restaurant & souvenir shops. |
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Accommodation
Antiques
Cycling
Dining
Hiking
Rock Climbing
National Park
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Tourist Capital
The Katoomba - Leura region has since developed into the tourist capital of the Blue
Mountains, offering spectacular views over the rugged wilderness of the southern
Blue Mountains National Park, and a variety of galleries,
specialty shops, restaurants and accommodation ranging from backpackers hostels to luxury
resorts.
Circuit buses connect the railway station with many attractions; including the
tourist information centre at Echo Point from where
you can view the Three Sisters and access the Giant
Stairway.
Getting off the road, the area has much to offer bushwalkers, rock climbers &
mountain
bike riders, including the opportunity to end some walks at the base of the Scenic
Railway, a welcome relief for tired legs!
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Federal
Pass -
Valley walk.
Furber Steps -
Descent at Katoomba Falls.
Giant
Stairway -
Descent at Echo Point.
Prince Henry Cliff Walk -
Cliff-top walk.
Scenic Railway -
Easy way out of the valley.
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Station Street. On the left, with 4 chimneys, The
Bank Building, c1885, now houses shops. The Victoria & Albert
is straight ahead.
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Katoomba's
Development
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Chronological table.
Echo Point Panorama -
360° panorama.
Katoomba Scenic Railway -
with virtual reality ride.
Mining Tramlines -
Trestles, tunnels, & cables.
1894 Bushwalking Map
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Katoomba Falls area.
Railway Station
- Historic photo.
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Monthly Sunday market in Imperial Park. The park is lit
by gaslamps.
Photos ©2002 D. Martin
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Ride
Across the Mountains!
Glenbrook
Valley Hts - Springwood
Faulconbridge
Woodford
Lawson
Wentworth Falls
Leura
Katoomba
Blackheath
Mt Victoria - Hartley Vale
Bell - Clarence - Zig Zag
Lithgow - Bowenfels |
Check the Brakes!
Downhill (up) steam trains had 15 minutes at Katoomba for handbrake attention and
general brake examination before the 32km (20 ml) of 1 in 33 ruling
gradient down to
Springwood. All goods trains were required to have 85p.s.i. in their brake pipes before
departure, with 100p.s.i. being maintained for the run. Handbrakes were set on all cars. |
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