Scenic World facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scenic World |
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Scenic Skyway
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| Nearest city | Katoomba |
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Scenic World is a fun, family-owned place to visit in Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia. It's about 100 kilometres west of Sydney, in the beautiful Blue Mountains. Scenic World has four main attractions that let you explore the amazing natural scenery. These are the Scenic Railway, the Scenic Skyway, the Scenic Cableway, and the Scenic Walkway. The Walkway is a long boardwalk that takes you through an ancient rainforest. You can also find free parking here all day.
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Discover Scenic World's Rides
The Scenic Railway: A Super Steep Ride!
The Scenic Railway is a special train ride now used for tourists. It's known for being incredibly steep! The steepest part of the track goes down at a 52-degree angle. The whole ride is about 310 metres long.
This railway was first built in the 1880s. It was used to carry coal and oil shale from the Jamison Valley floor up to the top of the cliffs. From 1928 to 1945, it carried coal during the week and passengers on weekends. After the coal mine closed in 1945, it became a full-time tourist attraction.
The Scenic Railway closed for a short time in 2013 for upgrades. New tracks and carriages were installed. It reopened in April 2013, ready for more visitors. People often say it's the steepest passenger railway in the world!
The Scenic Skyway: Flying High!
The Scenic Skyway was built in 1958. It's like a cable car that glides across a deep gorge. You'll travel 270 metres above the valley floor, right over the Katoomba Falls.
The first Skyway cabin was retired in 2004 after many years of service. A new, improved cabin took its place later that year. This new Skyway was built by Doppelmayr and CWA Constructions. It can hold 72 people and has cool glass sections in the floor. These sections turn clear as you ride, letting you see straight down!
In 2005, a second station opened on the other side of the cliff. This lets Skyway passengers get off and explore walking trails. You can even walk to the famous Echo Point from there. In 2017, the newest Skyway cabin was launched. It's 30% bigger and even has free WiFi!
The Scenic Cableway: A Smooth Descent
In 2000, Scenic World added another ride, first called the Sceniscender. It's now known as the Scenic Cableway. This large cable car can carry 84 passengers. It travels over a 25-metre-high tower on the cliff edge. Then it goes 510 metres down to the bottom station in the Jamison Valley, about 200 metres below. It offers a smooth and scenic way to reach the valley floor.
Food and Drinks at Scenic World
Scenic World has two places where you can grab a bite to eat: EATS270 and the Terrace Café.
The EATS270 used to be a revolving restaurant. It was updated in 2012, and the floor no longer spins for everyday dining. However, it can still be turned on for special private events. Both EATS270 and the Terrace Café have outdoor balconies. These offer amazing views of the Three Sisters rock formation and the Jamison Valley.
These dining spots are usually not open for dinner to the public. But you can book them for private parties or company events.
Images for kids
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The Scenic Skyway cabin from 2004 to 2017
