The Blue Mountains is one of the best adventure playgrounds in Australia. But that statement is not merely a parochial boast.
The globally-recognised destination, home to a million square hectares of pristine wilderness, appears twice in global travel authority Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Adventures guide.
Published this month, the book features 100 top 10 lists of the world’s most exciting activities and challenges to captivate and inspire gung-ho adventurers and armchair travellers – from the epic to the local, on land, sea and in the air.
The Blue Mountains were recognised for Adventures in Tandem: Abseil in the Blue Mountains and Most Thrilling Canyoning Adventures: Blue Mountains categories.
Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism (BMLOT) chairman Randall Walker congratulated outdoor adventure tourism operators such as Blue Mountains Adventure Company (BMAC), High n Wild and River Deep Mountain High for the quality of their abseiling and canyoning experiences.
"We know we live and work in one of the most magnificent regions on the planet, and we know our abseiling and canyoning guides are some of the most qualified, experienced, responsible and environmentally-conscious in the world."
"So it is wonderful when that quality is recognised by such an impressive authority as Lonely Planet."
BMLOT board director responsible for adventure tourism and BMAC owner Dylan Jones said: "All adventure tourism guides are passionate about this region and love sharing it with visitors."
"To be included in this list by the best travel writers in the world who have literally experienced it all is fantastic."
Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase welcomed the news that NSW had been named ahead of other states as offering the most in ultimate adventure travel experiences in Australia.
"NSW offers a huge diversity of exclusive adventure travel experiences and to be acknowledged by such a world renowned travel publishing organisation as Lonely Planet is recognition of the world-class quality of our tourism products."
"Nine NSW-based thrills have been listed by the Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Adventures guide from 58 of Australia’s ultimate adventure experiences."
"To be chosen ahead of other Australian states in this highly competitive field is a great achievement and is a testament to the unique experiences that NSW has to offer visitors."
An international group of 30 travel writers selected the nine NSW travel adventures to appear in the publication including:
- Adventures in Tandem: Abseil in the Blue Mountains
- Best City Hikes: Great Coastal Walk, Sydney
- Best Hidden Huts & Shelters: Illawong Lodge, Kosciuszko National Park
- Best Urban Climbing Adventures: Plumbers Mate, Bondi Sea Cliffs
- Get on Board!: Wakeboarding, Stoney Park, Telegraph Point
- Legendary Odysseys: Captain James Cook Collection, Australian Museum, Sydney
- Most Spectacular Honeymoon Adventures: Lady Bay Beach, Sydney
- Most Thrilling Canyoning Adventures: Blue Mountains
- Old School Adventures: Australian Billycart Championships, Corowa.