Australia
Blue Mountains
Eucalyptus haze turns a labyrinth of canyons and waterfalls into a blue hallucination.
Blue haze pools between sandstone cliffs and softens the forested ridges into receding washes of colour. Eucalypts dominate this vast World Heritage landscape, while deep valleys, waterfalls and exposed lookouts change character with weather and light. The mountains do not perform on schedule; that uncertainty keeps the view alive.
The Blue Mountains form a deeply dissected sandstone plateau west of Sydney, with valleys, gorges and waterfalls cut through extensive eucalypt forest. Echo Point looks across the Three Sisters on Gundungurra and Darug Country, while Scenic Railway descends at up to 52 degrees into the Jamison Valley. Formed tracks range from short lookout walks to steep canyon routes, so weather and walker ability decide which layer of the landscape a day can honestly hold.
Solo
Choose a formed canyon or ridgeline track for your ability, leaving route details with someone before setting out.
Couple
Pair cliff-edge lookouts and a heritage guesthouse with a slow descent beneath eucalypts.
Family
Echo Point, short formed walks and Scenic World's railway and cableway make the sandstone landscape accessible at several levels.
Friends
Share a longer track or licensed canyon activity, letting the group's newest walker set the difficulty.
- A 52-degree railway descent carries visitors from the cliff top towards the Jamison Valley.
- The Three Sisters rise above a landscape with continuing Gundungurra and Darug cultural significance.
- Tracks move from high sandstone lookouts into fern-filled gullies and narrow canyons.
- Heritage guesthouses and mountain towns make a natural base for several walking days.
Slow-cooked lamb ragù pappardelle at Azzurro, finished with pecorino and parsley.
Azzurro’s potato pizza: rosemary-garlic Kipflers, caramelised onion, mozzarella and green sauce.
Jasper
Canada
The whole town sits inside the world's second-largest dark-sky preserve.
Banff
Canada
Canada's first national park began as a bathhouse, and you can still take the waters.
Hadrian's Wall
England
Roman stones marching across empty moor, still drawing the line after two thousand years.
Grand Canyon
United States
A mile-deep silence broken only by ravens circling in thermals below your feet.
El Questro
Australia
Warm springs hide beneath palms while red gorges split a working Kimberley cattle station.
K'gari (Fraser Island)
Australia
Freshwater lakes glow blue above the sea on the world's largest sand island.
Sydney
Australia
Ferries carve blue water between surf beaches and opera sails as cockatoos screech overhead.
Great Ocean Road
Australia
Limestone apostles crumble into furious surf while the road clings to cliffs above.