Natural Wonders #7.

[bumpkin]

A slow jaunt through The Blue Mountains, a spectacular part of The Great Dividing Range with a little special tour of interest for motorsport fans first.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr020.jpg
Waiting to take off from Bathurst Aiprort in the Auster.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr021.jpg
Approaching the city of Bathurst.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr022.jpg
Over The Pit Straight and start/finish line of the world famous Bathurst, Mount Panorama Race Circuit. Between the wheels of the aircraft is turn one which then leads up Mountain Straight.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr023.jpg
Around the bends at the top of the hill and onto The Mount Panorama Scenic Route.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr024.jpg
After going through the area known as Brocks Skin, the circuit weaves down the other side of Mount Panorama...........

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr025.jpg
............and onto Conrod Straight with the chicane section towards the end before turning left and back onto the Pit Straight.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr026.jpg
Leaving Mount Panorama behind as I head East again.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr027.jpg
Following The Great Western Highway.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr028.jpg
Out of the photoscenery area and back into the Vista Australis textures over the town of Lithgow, looking towards The Blue Mountain National Park.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr029.jpg
Having flown down the Western edge of the park we reach Katoomba and the dirt airstrip which will be our landing place is visible under the left wing.

more in the reply............

[bumpkin]

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr030.jpg
To the South of the area lie The Three Sisters, the entire range was once a great sandstone plateau but over millions of years the soft rock has eroded and left mountains,gullies, cliffs and vast valleys. I think this view is almost Swiss in nature.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr031.jpg
Simply breathtaking.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr032.jpg
Looking over Penrith.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr033.jpg
Turning to re-enter the park at Richmond.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr034.jpg
This area is known as The Devils Wilderness.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr035.jpg
It is incredible to believe that this remote looking area is only a short drive away from Sydney.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr036.jpg
Approach to Katoomba, visible at the right of the shot.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr037.jpg
Landed.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr038.jpg
Parked at the rusting sheds.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/bumpkinbucket/flight2/blue%20mountains/fsscr039.jpg
The caravan looks like it is serviceable and if that old Toyota starts up, I might just go for a drive around!

Thanks for looking
Brian.

[NMLW]

Very nice post Brian. That scenery looks swell.

[adamb]

Fantastic post Brian,very enjoyable flight:cool::cool::cool:

Adam

[peer01]

Fantastic scenery shots again! :cool::cool:

[ccb777]

Some realy nice shots in there Brian, especcialy like the views of Mount Panorama.

Welcome to my back yard,
Chris.

[Constinator25]

Very nice shots Brian.

[aircav1970]

Beautiful flight Brian,the Auster makes a perfect VFR bird for low-n-slo work!:cool:

[mjanicki]

Wonderful set of shots, Brian. It's always nice to see a bit of low-and-slow.

-- Mike

[Smutley]

Simply awesome once again Brian. :cool::cool::cool::cool:

[lifejogger]

Great tour with great scenery, enjoyed it.