Blue Mountains detour

At the recommended surf beaches the swell is not so good at the time we arrive, so we decide to head back inland to make a stop at the Blue Mountains. The lady at the information desk tells us we can’t stay at the bush campground we wanted to go because of big bush fires in the area. So we end up in a nice historic hotel in Blackheath. But first we went to see the ‘must do’ sights in Katoomba: the Echo and the Three Sisters. Very impressive!
From a lookout point near Blackheath an interesting hike through the Grand Canyon starts, that was still possible to do according to the lady. So we went to the lookout the next morning and saw the fires at the other side of the valley. Many helicopters were flying back and forth with tons of water. There was a warning at the beginning of the track, but it only said that you weren’t allowed to cross the valley because of the fire danger. So we went down in the canyon and it was just another world; so green and like a fairy tale. The sight of a lyrebird even added to that special feeling. When we got back up on the ridge some hours later, a ranger stopped us. He told us to leave the area as soon as possible, because the wind had turned the fires in our direction. Heading back towards Sydney, we drive past a playground, where the firemen seem to have their head quarters. Lots of fire trucks and men dressed in their big protective outfit. One of these big guys is relaxing on a little swing.