Hiking in Australia's Blue Mountains took me back to my childhood

A writer describes walking the new two-day, 19-kilometre Grand Cliff Top Walk in the Greater Blue Mountains, noting native wildlife, varied ecosystems and childhood memories tied to the region.

Window-seat views approaching Sydney reveal the Blue Mountains' sandstone cliffs and wide eucalypt forests. The Greater Blue Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Area covers about one million hectares and includes seven national parks on the traditional lands of six First Nations. The writer returned to hike the Grand Cliff Top Walk, a new two-day, 19-kilometre trail opened in 2024 that links Wentworth Falls, Leura and Katoomba. The walk highlighted diverse plant communities, abundant birdlife and personal memories from childhood. Key details: - The Greater Blue Mountains area is around one million hectares and contains seven national parks. - The region sits on the traditional lands of six First Nations: Darkinjung, Dharawal, Dharug, Gundungurra, Wonnarua and Wiradjuri. - Wollemi National Park is notable for the Wollemi pine, rediscovered in 1994; the grove's location is kept secret and conservation efforts continue. - The Grand Cliff Top Walk opened in 2024; it is a two-day, 19-kilometre route linking Wentworth Falls, Leura and Katoomba and is graded at level 3. - Observations on the trail included superb lyrebird calls, glossy black cockatoos and sweeping views over the Jamison Valley. Summary: The new Grand Cliff Top Walk has renewed attention on the Blue Mountains' landscapes and wildlife while prompting personal reflection for the writer who grew up there. Conservation work for species such as the Wollemi pine continues alongside efforts to provide trail access. Undetermined at this time.