Tourist chief warns visitors to stay away from Blue Mountains
Tourists have been warned to stay away from the Blue Mountains in Australia’s New South Wales as fire crews continue to battle bushfires raging in Lithgow and Mount Victoria.
The local tourist body has suggested to hotels and other accommodation providers that they defer bookings until dozens of fires – some as high as five-storey buildings – are under control. New Sales Wales has declared a state of emergency.
"The risks we face over the coming days should not be underestimated," said Blue Mountains Lithgow Oberon Tourism chairman Randall Walker in a statement." It is our paramount mission to ensure that no visitors to our region are injured due to bushfires."
The Blue Mountains lie to the west of Sydney and are often included in tours of the region.
Parks and reserves in the area have been closed and only the major lookouts on the southern side of Wentworth Falls, Leura and Katoomba with vehicle access remain open.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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