When the Blue Mountains made the World Heritage List in 2000, many people thought it was not before time.  In 2008, the area was given further recognition, being officially declared one of Australia's National Landscapes.

The National Landscapes program is a partnership between Tourism Australia and Parks Australia.  It is designed to "identify the best of Australia's national and cultural landscapes - inspirational destinations that transcend borders and boundaries".  It is a partnership between conservation and tourism.

In announcing the decision to add the area to the list, Tourism Australia described the Greater Blue Mountains as "Australia's most accessible wilderness, stretching over one million hectares ... an inspiring and diverse mix of rainforest, canyons, tall forests and heathlands.  The Greater Blue Mountains offers scenic beauty across diverse landscapes like sandstone cliffs and rugged canyons to waterfalls and caves.  The region is also home to the Wollomi Pine, a plant with ancient significance.  Food and wine are also important attractions for the region."

The Greater Blue Mountains covers 1.03 million hectares between 60 and 180kms from Sydney.  The area contains seven National Parks and is home to six Aboriginal language groups - Wiradjuri, Gundungurra, Dharawal, Darug, Darkinjung and Wanaruah.  It supports more than 100 of the world's Eucalypt species and more than 400 kinds of vertebrates, including mammals, birds and reptiles.