Blue Mountains National Park (AU), Three Sisters -- 2019 -- 1987-9

About this work

Three Sisters, Blue Mountains National Park, New South Wales, Australia The Blue Mountains National Park is located west of Sydney and is one of Australia’s most famous natural areas. Its history is closely linked to Aboriginal culture, particularly that of the Gundungurra and Darug peoples, who have inhabited the area for tens of thousands of years and have a spiritual connection to the landscape. For European settlers, the rugged sandstone plateaus were long considered an insurmountable obstacle. It was not until 1813 that Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson, and William Charles Wentworth succeeded in crossing the mountains, opening the way for the development of the Australian hinterland. In the 19th century, parts of the region were used for logging and mining, while at the same time its scenic appeal was discovered. In 1959, the Blue Mountains National Park was officially established to protect the unique eucalyptus vegetation, deep gorges, and waterfalls. In 2000, UNESCO declared the area part of the Greater Blue Mountains Area a World Heritage Site. Today, the park stands for nature conservation, tourism, and recognition of Australia’s indigenous cultural history.