An hour or so west of Sydney, the Blue Mountains trade skyscrapers for eucalyptus-hazed valleys and sandstone cliffs. This long day trip takes in the Three Sisters at Echo Point, the steep railway and cableway at Scenic World, and time with koalas and kangaroos, with hotel pickup so you can doze on the way. It is the classic escape from the city and well worth the early start. Pack a warm layer even in summer, as the mountain air runs cooler than the coast and the lookouts catch the breeze.