Three Sisters (Australia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Three SistersStratigraphic range: Triassic |
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|---|---|
The Three Sisters towering above the Jamison Valley. |
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| Type | Rock formation |
| Unit of | Great Dividing Range |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Sandstone |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 33°44′8″S 150°18′52″E / 33.73556°S 150.31444°E |
| Region | Blue Mountains |
| Country | Australia |
| Type section | |
| Named for | Indigenous mythology |
The Three Sisters are a unique rock formation in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. These towering rocks stand on the northern edge of the Jamison Valley.
They are very close to the town of Katoomba. The Three Sisters are one of the most famous sights in the Blue Mountains. Their names are Meehni (922 meters), Wimlah (918 meters), and Gunnedoo (906 meters). More than 600,000 people visit this amazing rock formation every year.
How the Three Sisters Rocks Formed
The Three Sisters rocks were shaped by natural erosion over millions of years. This process started about 200 million years ago during the Triassic period.
At that time, the sandstone in the Blue Mountains was slowly worn away. Wind, rain, and rivers gradually broke down the cliffs around the Jamison Valley.
Long ago, the Blue Mountains area was covered by seawater. The ocean carried lots of sediment, which slowly settled on the seafloor in layers. These layers later became rock beds and shale. Around 200 million years ago, volcanoes erupted. They pushed through the coal, sandstone, and shale layers. This activity helped create the ridges and the special shape of the Three Sisters.
The Legend of the Three Sisters
A popular story about the Three Sisters tells of three sisters named Wimalah, Meeni, and Gunedoo. They lived in the Jamison Valley as part of the Katoomba tribe. They fell in love with three men from the nearby Nepean tribe.
However, tribal law said they could not marry. The brothers did not like this rule and decided to try and capture the sisters. A big tribal battle began. To protect the sisters, an elder used his magic to turn them into stone. Sadly, the elder was lost in the fighting. Because he was gone, no one else could turn the sisters back into people.
This story is often said to be an Indigenous Australian Dreamtime legend. But the story as it is commonly told today might have come from a non-Indigenous schoolgirl named Patricia Stone. She was 16 years old when she gave the rocks their "Indigenous" names.
The Aboriginal traditional owners, the Gundungurra, have their own different legends that include the Sisters rock formation. In January 2014, the Three Sisters were officially named an Aboriginal Place. This made it the 98th place in New South Wales to receive this important recognition.
Exploring the Giant Stairway
From Echo Point, which is a lookout nearby, you can find a walking path to the Three Sisters. This path then goes down to the valley floor. You walk down more than 800 well-kept steel and stone steps. This path is known as "the Giant Stairway."
After that, a 1.5-hour walk on The Federal Pass trail leads you to the bottom of Katoomba Falls. It also takes you to the Katoomba Scenic Railway. If you don't want to climb all the way back up, you can take the Scenic Railway back to the top for a small fee.
