Almost every other activity costs money, but bushwalking (hiking) is the exception to the rule that nothing in life is free. There are some 50 walking trails in the Blue Mountains, ranging from routes you can cover in 15 minutes to the 3-day Six Foot Track that starts outside Katoomba and finishes at Jenolan Caves. The staff at the tourist offices and national park office will be happy to point you in the right direction, whether it be for an hour's stroll or a full day's hike.
One of the best adventure operators in the area, High 'n' Wild, 3-5 Katoomba St., Katoomba, NSW 2780 (tel. 02/4782 6224; www.high-n-wild.com.au), offers a series of canyoning expeditions, taking in scenic rainforest gullies and caverns made up of dramatic rock formations and fern-lined walls. There's a bit of swimming and plenty of walking, wading, and squeezing through tight spaces involved -- and sometimes rappelling (called "abseiling" in Australia) -- but fortunately, being double-jointed is not a prerequisite.
If you really want to test your head for heights, try High 'n' Wild's 150m (492-ft.) "Mega Jump" -- the highest continuous rappel in the Southern Hemisphere. This heart-pumping descent down a sheer cliff is suitable for the fearless beginner, but the staff assures me that you soon settle in by learning the ropes on the 10-story-high junior slopes beforehand.
If that's too much to handle, you could always try a day on an inflatable raft between huge towering rock walls on the Wollangambe River. There are a few minor rapids to navigate, and the bushwalk down to the river and back up again can be a little testing, but it's certainly suitable for a family outing. Prices start at A$95 (US$85/£43) for abseiling and A$155 (US$140/£70) for canyoning. Guided mountain biking costs A$145 (US$130/£65) for a full day.
Other excellent adventure operators are the Blue Mountains Adventure Company, 84a Bathurst Rd. (P.O. Box 242), Katoomba, NSW 2780 (tel. 02/4782 1271; www.bmac.com.au), located above the Summit Gear Shop; and the Australian School of Mountaineering, 166 Katoomba St., Katoomba, NSW 2780 (tel. 02/4782 2014). Both offer rock climbing, rappelling, and canyoning trips. The Adventure Company also offers caving and mountain biking, and the School of Mountaineering offers bushcraft and survival training.
If you feel like some adventure on your own, you can rent a mountain bike from Velo Nova, 182 Katoomba St., Katoomba (tel. 02/4782 2800). Standard mountain bikes cost A$25 (US$22/£11) for a half-day and A$40 (US$36/£18) for a full day.
See the Mountains Through Aboriginal Eyes
Blue Mountains Walkabout (tel. 0408/443 822 mobile; www.bluemountainswalkabout.com) is an Aboriginal-owned and -guided walk that follows a traditional walkabout song line. This 8km (5-mile) challenging off-track walk explores secluded Blue Mountains wilderness for 8 hours in the bush (including 4 hr. walking and 4 hr. of relaxation and activities). Along the way, you'll see ancient art, ceremonial sites, and artifacts, and hear Dreamtime stories. Also included is ochre-bark and body painting, bush-tucker tasting, wildlife viewing, sandstone cave exploring, and bathing in a crystal-clear billabong (pond) below a waterfall. The tour leaves every day in rain, hail, or shine. You should be reasonably fit. Bring wet-weather gear, good boots or walking shoes, and lunch. The walk begins in the Blue Mountains on Faulconbridge Railway Station platform at 10am. From Sydney, buy a A$11 (US$10/£5) off-peak return fare to Faulconbridge and take the Lithgow train departing 8:25am midweek (arrives 9:42am) or 8:18am weekends and public holidays (arrives 9:43am). From Katoomba, buy a A$5.40 (US$4.90/£2.45) off-peak return fare to Faulconbridge and catch the 9:25am train (it carries on to Springwood); the journey takes 30 minutes. You can be back in Katoomba by 6:30pm or Sydney by 7:20pm. The trek costs A$95 (US$85/£43).
