Blackheath, Australia

There are more lookout points at Blackheath – just as impressive as Echo Point and much less busy. One of the best is Govetts Leap, at the end of Govetts Leap Road (just over 2km east of the highway through the village centre), near the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre at Blackheath (daily 9am–4.30pm; Tel:02/4787 8877), which acts as the Blue Mountains National Park headquarters. The two-kilometre Fairfax Heritage Track from the NPWS centre is wheelchair- and pram-accessible and takes in the Govetts Leap Lookout with its marvellous panorama of the Grose Valley and the much-photographed Bridal Veil Falls. Many walks start from the centre, but one of the most popular, The Grand Canyon (5km; 3hr 30min; medium difficulty), begins from Evans Lookout Road at the south end of town, west of the Great Western Highway.

Govetts Leap Road and its shady cross-street, Wentworth Street, have lots of antiques and craft shops, an antiquarian bookshop, and great cafés and restaurants. Some 10km southwest of Blackheath, across the railway line, the beautiful, unspoilt Megalong Valley is reached via winding Megalong Road; it's popular for horseriding, and there are creeks with swimmable waterholes.