Brookvale Public School

To the west of Sydney about 100 kilometres are the Blue Mountains. They are called this because of the vapour given off by the gum trees makes them look blue from the distance. They are part of the Great Dividing Range which goes almost all the way down the East coast of Australia.

Aborigines used to trade and travel across the Blue Mountains. But it took until 1813 (25 years) before the first European was able to discover a way across.

At first explorers used to try to follow the creeks and rivers but at the end they were met by huge cliffs which they could not climb. Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth made it across in 1813 by sticking to the ridges.

The first road was built across in 6 months. The convicts were given a ticket of leave when they completed the road. It was very rough and steep. It was so steep down Mount York that they had to tie logs to the back of the carriages to stop them rolling too fast.

If you visit parts of this road you can still see the chip marks that the convicts made with their tools. It must have been very hard work.

The Blue Mountains, especially The Three Sisters are popular for tourists and bush walkers.
 
 
 

	The Three Sisters, a popular tourist spot.
	A view North. Huge cliffs and deep valleys with very dense bush kept explorers back for many years.
	Part of Cox's Road dug by hand with convict labour. If the road was completed in 6 months they were to be given a ticket of leave, (freedom).
	Looking up Cox's Road to Mount York, dug by convicts. It was very steep.
	Governor Macquarie's carriage couldn't fit through this pass. He sat there while the convicts chipped the rock away. You can still see the chip marks in the rocks today.
	The view west from Mount York. This was the point where explorers Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth stopped.
	A scribbly gum tree, see the unusual patterns on the bark caused by insects.