Blue Mountains (New South Wales)

Blue Mountains New South Wales
The Three Sisters sandstone rock formation, one of the region's best-known attractions
Coordinates	33°43′05″S 150°18′38″E
Population	162,000 (2006?)
• Density	14.21/km2 (36.8/sq mi)
Area	11,400 km2 (4,401.6 sq mi)
Location	50 km (31 mi) NW of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	Blue Mountains, City of Hawkesbury, City of Lithgow and Oberon Shire
State electorate(s)	Blue Mountains, Penrith, Bathurst, Hawkesbury, Londonderry and Riverstone
Federal Division(s)	Macquarie, Lindsay, and Calare
Localities around Blue Mountains: Central West Central West Hunter Central West Blue Mountains Western Sydney Southern Tablelands Southern Tablelands Macarthur

Aboriginal hand stencils in Red Hands Cave, near Glenbrook

The Blue Mountains is a region in New South Wales, Australia. The foothills start about 50 kilometres (31 mi) west of the state capital, Sydney. The area begins on the west side of the Nepean River. It goes west as far as Coxs River. The Blue Mountains is an Australian natural wonder and World Heritage-listed area.

Geography

It is mainly a sandstone plateau. The highest point of the range is Mount Werong. It is 1,215 metres (3,986 ft) above sea level. A large part of the Blue Mountains is in the Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Site. The area has seven national park areas and a conservation reserve.

The Blue Mountains area includes the local government areas of the City of Blue Mountains, the City of Hawkesbury, the City of Lithgow and Oberon.

Fauna

The Greater Blue Mountains Area has over 400 different forms of animals. Among them are rare mammal species like Spotted-tailed Quoll, the Koala, the yellow-bellied Glider, and Long-nosed Potoroo. There are also some rare reptiles, like the Blue Mountain Water Skink. There are also some dingos in the area. They are the top predators and hunt for grey kangaroos.