The Blue Mountains World Heritage National Park and surrounding towns are situated approximately 2 hours west of Sydney NSW. There are many types of accommodations available throughout the area including motels, hotels, bed and breakfast lodges and camping grounds. The region is a popular getaway destination for tourists, couples and families visiting Sydney and offers spectacular views, bushwalks, and attractions such as The Three Sisters, Jenolan Caves and Wentworth Falls. The area is also a popular backpacker's stop with alternative lifestyle shopping, cafes, book and antique stores. Community markets held each weekend are a great place to pick up locally grown produce, gifts and artwork by local artists. Seasonal discount accommodation is advertised in the local Blue Mountains Gazette and travel information centers such as the one at Glenbrook in the lower mountains area. The most popular travel times are during summer for bushwalking and camping and during winter for snowy Yuletide celebrations in July. http://www.infobluemountains.net.au/ http://www.bluemts.com.au/

There are always cheap accommodation at the youth hostels and camping grounds within the Blue Mountains.

Backpackers:

• Here's a list of some of the most popular backpackers:
• Blue Mountains YHA - Katoomba - $28 per night
• The Cecil Guesthouse - Katoomba - $25 per night
• Jenolan Caves House - Jenolan - $30 per night http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/nsw/bluemountains/directory/hostels

Camping:

• Camping is a great way to enjoy a low cost holiday and enjoy the natural surrounds of the national park. There are camping grounds throughout the Blue Mountains. All have toilet facilities but campers must bring their own drinking water and fuel stove:
• Perry's Lookdown - Blackheath
• Ingar - Wentworth Falls
• Murphy's Glen - Woodford
• Euroka - Glenbrook http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/nsw/bluemountains/directory/hostels

For more luxurious budget accommodation the area has plenty of bed and breakfast lodges for singles, couples and families. Some of the more popular are listed below:

• Victoria & Albert Guesthouse - Mt Victoria - $100 per night
• Braeside Bed and Breakfast - Woodford - $90 per night
• Monique's Bed & Breakfast - Katoomba - $120 per night http://www.totaltravel.com.au/results.asp

TIPS:

• Take advantage of festival time to find great last minute deals:

The Gnome Convention - Glenbrook - held every Australia Day in January The Winter Magic Festival - Katoomba - held in June Yuletide - Upper Mountains - held in July

• In summer ( December to February ) the Blue Mountains can get very hot. Bring a hat and sunscreen so day trips don't turn into a painful experience. Remember to bring plenty of water and good walking shoes if you are planning on bushwalking - the terrain is dense and steep in many places.

• In winter (June to August ) it can snow in the upper Blue Mountains and get very cold. If you are planning on visiting in winter remember to bring a jacket.

• The Blue Mountains covers a wide area, roughly divided into upper and lower mountains. Be sure to plan your accommodation near the sites and towns you wish to see. Many sites are within walking distance of Katoomba and Mt Victoria or a short bus trip away.

By Train

• One of the most enjoyable and cheapest ways of getting to the Blue Mountains is by train. City Rail has regular services from Central Station in Sydney to the Blue Mountains every day. The trip takes approximately 2 hours from Central to Katoomba. The air-conditioned train line cuts through sandstone cliffs giving you a glimpse of the dense Australian bush. If you are on a tight budget this is the perfect way to get there.http://www.cityrail.info/

By Car

• There are two ways to travel by car to the Blue Mountains.Traveling along the M4 tollway from Straithfield the drive takes approximately 90 minutes to Katoomba. An alternative route is via Bell’s Line of Road This route takes you through Mount Tomah, Bell and ends at Mount Victoria. The journey from Sydney to Mt Tomah is around 120km and is slightly slower than the tollway but very pretty and relaxing.http://www.infobluemountains.net.au/

By Coach

• Many tourist companies run day trips to the Blue Mountains, leaving from the major city hotels and Circular Quay on the city harbour. If you are traveling through a travel agent you can find out specific details of coach travel through them.http://www.infobluemountains.net.au/