On Saturday morning (March 13), we decided to explore Scenic World. The first thing we did was ride on the Scenic Skyway - what a thrill! The Skyway glides you smoothly across the sky on a 720 meter journey, 270 meters above ancient ravines and dazzling waterfalls. We were suspended over Jurassic-like rainforests.
Above is the original cabin used for the Katoomba Scenic Skyway. It was built inhouse in 1958, utilizing bucket hangers from the Glen Davis Aerial Ropeway. This cabin completed 587,401 return trips across the valley, travelled 200,000 km (5 times around the world) and carried over 7 million passengers. It was removed from service on April 4, 2004. Below is the Skyway used today.
The most exciting part of this for me was the Electro-Sceniglass floor which, at the flip of a switch, I experienced breathtaking views through the cabin floor. The 360-degree bird's eye view from the Skyway takes in the Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls, Mount Solitary and the never ending expanse of the Jamison Valley.
The Legend of the Three Sisters: Three beautiful sisters named Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo once lived with the Gundungurra people in the Jamison Valley. The maidens fell in love with three brothers from the neighbouring nation of the Dharruk people, but marriage was forbidden by tribal law.
The brothers were warriors and decided to take the maidens by force. Tribal war forced the Kuradjuri (medicine man) of the Gundungurra people to turn the sisters into stone. He intended to restore them after the danger had passed and the war had ended. Unfortunately, the Kuradjuri was killed in the battle and to this day nobody has been able to break the spell and turn the Three Sisters back to their natural form.
When we made the trip across the sky, we departed and did some hiking through the rain forest before returning to the main station.
Part 3: The Scenic Railway and the Scenic Cableway -coming soon.
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