Greater Blue Mountains Area: Australia’s Spectacular Natural Wonder

With 1.03 million hectares of awe-inspiring views, spectacular sandstone plateaus, sheer cliffs, gorges, and swamps teeming with life, the Greater Blue Mountains Area provides a significant representation of Australia’s biodiversity. Situated 60 to 180 kilometers (37 to 111 miles) inland of Sydney in New South Wales, this natural wonder is a unique place for the study of the evolution of Australia’s eucalypt vegetation. It also contains species of immense global significance, such as the critically endangered ancient Wollemi pine, a “living fossil”, that is one of the world’s oldest and rarest conifer trees. On November 29, 2000, the Greater Blue Mountains Area was listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to preserve its geographical and cultural importance. The name “Blue Mountains” stems from the dreamlike blue haze that seems to envelop the area. The Greater Blue Mountains Area are home to over 400 different species of animals. The Greater Blue Mountains Area is managed and protected under national legislation, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The major challenges include inappropriate tourism and recreation activities, loss of biodiversity, and the impacts of climate change.