Tuesday

Arianis Hernandez - Marketing

Our day started with a walk to the bus stop as we headed toward the Blue Mountains. Since we were close to downtown Sydney, I spent the walk and ride admiring the architecture, which reminded me a little of Chicago. The bus ride itself was an adventure with the winding roads made me nauseous, and my ears kept popping as we climbed higher into the mountains.

Before reaching the Blue Mountains, we stopped at Sydney Zoo in Bungarribee. We saw grey kangaroos called Buru, native Australian plants, and eucalyptus trees that filled the air with a fresh, earthy scent. The zoo also had a nearly 20-foot-long crocodile and what felt like most of the cast of Madagascar, minus Gloria! The very playful half brother elephants easily stole the show for me followed by the roaring lions.

Large crocodile swimming in a glass-walled tank at Sydney Zoo

Two students sitting with a giant koala statue at the Sydney Zoo entrance

Grey kangaroos standing in a grassy zoo enclosure

Two women smiling with the giant koala statue at the Sydney Zoo entrance

Rainbow arching over the misty Blue Mountains, viewed from the Scenic Skyway

When we arrived at the Three Sisters, the rain started almost immediately. With temperatures in the low 50s and strong winds, it felt much colder, so I picked up a hat from the gift shop that perfectly matched my pink sweater.

The highlight of the day was riding all three Scenic World attractions. The Scenic Railway, known as steepest passenger railway in the world, plunged us 1000 feet down into the rainforest, the Scenic Cableway carried us back up to the clifftop after a walk through the rainforest, and the Scenic Skyway gave us breathtaking views of the mountains. Halfway across, a rainbow appeared, making the experience feel almost too perfect where we were able to enjoy the incredible panoramic views of the Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls, Mount Solitary, and the endless mountain landscape stretching far beyond the horizon.

Group selfie of four people smiling at a Blue Mountains lookout

After grabbing some popcorn and browsing the gift shop, For lunch, we ate at the café on the second floor, which had a beautiful view overlooking the mountains. It was the perfect place to relax after a busy morning. We later stopped in the charming town of Leura before making our way back to Sydney.

Most of the group headed straight to the hotel once we returned, but Anais and I weren’t done exploring. We set out to find Made in Italy, a pizza spot recommended by our TAFE coordinator, Fumi. After wandering around longer than expected, we discovered it tucked away in York Lane, a cozy alley lined with restaurants and bars.

From wildlife encounters and rainforest adventures to rainy mountain views and a surprise rainbow, the Blue Mountains gave us a day full of unforgettable memories. Even getting a little lost on our way to dinner ended up becoming part of the fun. Today was one of those travel days I’ll remember long after the trip is over.

Panoramic view of layered rocky cliffs and forested valleys in the Blue Mountains

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