Hike more worry less.

Australia never fails to amaze me.

I was up early to get on a train going to Kootomba, very excited! I am one of those weird people who enjoys a morning hike instead of being in bed. Honestly, 7AM isn't too early for me as I usually wake up earlier than that. I put on my regular sneaker and made sure that I have a jumper just in case it gets cold somewhere on my hike. As I headed to the central station, I managed to grab a cuppa with a ham and cheese croissant. Who doesn't love a good croissant in the morning?

I couldn't hide my excitement as I tapped on my Opal card to get to the train going to the Kootomba mountain. The ride takes 2 hours long from Central Station Sydney to Kootomba station. The train was so clean and quiet. To make it better, the ride only cost me $3 because it was on a Sunday. All trips are discounted on Sunday in Sydney. Paying $3 for a 2 hours train ride must mean somebody is doing this country right.

Without a doubt I know that I will enjoy this train ride. Time to put my records on.

Was that the easiest train ride? 100%

The beautiful change of scenery for two hours with your favorite songs on. I couldn't ask for more. As we got out of the train, the cold instantly hit me on the face. "That was a cold welcome! but here I come mountain show me what you got!" said the excited little voices in my head.

The beginning of the hike wasn't as pleasurable as there are so many tourists who flocked into the area for a quick sneak peek of the mountain. It was very obvious they weren't there for the hike. I was a bit impatient as I don't like slowing down on my activities. There were young children on the big stairs were parents assisted them. I just can't wait to pass them and continue my actual adventure.

20 minutes into going down the big stairs from Scenic World, is where you actually start the hike. I had to walk fast as it was getting cold. The path was manageable at first but it gets tricky in the middle. Then, the beautiful wonderland forest and of course more stairs ahead. It was so quiet, so serene. The sound of the trees and the creek is like an angel singing to me. Earth is just so beautiful.

As we continued our walk, through the forest we encountered some detour due to COVID. A lot of areas were closed and we had to go back or finish the hike early. There were a bunch of warning tapes around the area and one of them is broken. We felt adventurous enough to go through it as the fence is also broken. Terrifying but we did it anyway. Possibly the naughtiest I've done in terms of hiking.

Turns out the best route ever! Ok hikers, with that being said I hope you understand that the reason being for going through the warning tape is it was already broken so people might have gone through them. But remember to be safe during your hike.

As the route reveals the beautiful forest, we had to stop to admire the waterfalls. We were on top of it and it was amazing. I always imagine myself jumping off whenever I get to the top of anything and instantly scare myself. Back to appreciating the waterfalls.

Time to move on and get going before it gets really cold. The trick in combating the cold during your hike is to not stop for a long time, keep moving! and so we did.

Well what do you know, I can’t remember how long it took us to get to the bottom of the waterfalls because I just couldn’t stop admiring everything around me. It was just magical!

This is why you need to get out there and discover. We should always make time to appreciate how beautiful the space that we have in the universe.

Anyway, at the bottom of the waterfalls is where we stopped for lunch. Ha! The best decision ever although it was a bit cold. I grabbed my jumper and continued to shove the roll in my mouth. I had a Vietnamese roll that I have been waiting to eat since the train ride.

Time to keep moving again.

As we are doing one of the big stairs on the route we saw an opportunity to sit on the edge of the rocky terrain. We accidentally discovered a great spot to gaze at the three sisters. It was so scary getting on the side of the rocks but there are no warning tape so it must be safe. Sitting there is where you can have a good view of the beautiful waterfalls and the "Three Sisters" all to yourself. No tourist and free of screaming kids. It was so wonderful but frightening as well. We tried not to move as much as it was very narrow.

It is time to go again as it was getting dark and cold. We also have some big stairs ahead of us and we want to get to the top before it gets dark. Loving the stairs though. I remember how I used to hate stairs but now, as part of my work out, I love them! I thought to myself every time I see long and big steps “hold my beer” Obviously I don’t have beer that time but it would be a great idea after the big hike.

We finally made it to the station where we can catch the bus back to Kootomba station. We were really exhausted but feeling good that we finished the entire hike. The hike was 4 hours long. The thing is, we could go longer and see other cascades but we have to go back before it gets really dark.

Kootomba hike accomplished as I high five my hiking buddy.