Glenbrook area

Blue Mountains National Park

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Overview

Glenbrook area is your eastern gateway to Blue Mountains National Park from Sydney. Camp in the wild and enjoy natural swimming spots, Aboriginal rock art, walks and mountain biking, so close to Sydney.

Read more about Glenbrook area

Glenbrook area is a favourite nature escape for families, locals and Sydney daytrippers.

Pack a picnic and head to the sandy beach at Jellybean Pool or the more secluded Blue Pool, both a short stroll from the carpark. Tuck into a leisurely lunch then cool off in the calm waters as currawongs and rainbow lorikeets chatter above.

If you’re feeling active, the car-free Bennetts Ridge fire trail or Woodford-Oaks trail offer safe, well-maintained trails for trail runners, casual cyclists and pro riders. Mountain bikers can also ride the purpose-built 1.5km section of Woodford-Oaks trail, with its graded technical challenges. A shorter option is the mountain bike and 4WD trail along Murphys Road from Woodford to peaceful Murphys Glen campground.

Get a fix of the outdoors along the family-friendly Nepean River walking track. Try the short but challenging Glenbrook Gorge track or intrepid Jack Evans walking track. A visit to the hand stencil rock art at Red Hands Cave is one of the best ways to experience the fascinating Aboriginal culture of the Blue Mountains.

Euroka campground is your best base to explore the area’s tracks, trails, lookouts and waterholes. Pitch your tent among the grassy clearings and tall gums, and fall asleep to the sounds of the bush.

Round off your visit with a ride or drive up to the wheelchair-accessible Mount Portal lookout. Perched atop the sandstone escarpment, you’ll see where the Blue Mountains meet Sydney.

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/glenbrook-area/local-alerts

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See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about the Glenbrook area.

Getting there and parking

To get to the Glenbrook area of Blue Mountains National Park:

From Sydney:

  • Take the M4 Motorway then Great Western Highway
  • At Glenbrook, turn left onto Ross Street and continue past the shops to the end
  • Turn left onto Burfitt Parade, which becomes Bruce Road and leads to the national park entrance.

From Katoomba:

  • Take the Great Western Highway east towards Sydney
  • At Glenbrook, turn right onto Ross Street and continue past the shops to the end
  • Turn left onto Burfitt Parade, which becomes Bruce Road and leads to the national park entrance.

Parking

Road quality and access restrictions

  • Park gates are closed and locked at night.
  • The road crossing at the causeway may be closed after rain, so check park closure alerts on this website.
  • Vehicle length restrictions exist for buses travelling over the causeway at Glenbrook and Murphys Glen. Restrictions are 7m for a fixed length bus or 10m combined length. For example, a bus with a trailer.

  • Mixture of sealed and unsealed roads

By public transport

Trains run from Sydney Central Station to Glenbrook Station. It’s a 1.5km walk from the station to the park entrance. Visit Transport for NSW to plan your trip.

Best times to visit

The Glenbrook area offers plenty of things to do and see all year round.

Autumn

Enjoy a gentle stroll or get your heart pumping on a hike, trail run or mountain bike ride. May is prime time to see flocks of migrating red wattlebirds, honeyeaters and noisy friarbirds around Tunnel View lookout. After rain, you might also see colourful fungi around damp creek beds.

Spring

As the weather warms, wildflowers bloom attracting birds (and photographers). Nepean lookout is a bird watcher’s paradise where you can spot silvereyes, thornbills, pardalotes, or peep-wrens. Across the heath and in the woodland you'll see pink boronias, white flannel flowers, waratahs, grass trees and the creamy spikes of woody pears. Orchids are at their best in October. If you’re lucky, you might see a purple fringe lilly which flowers only for a day.

Summer

Escape the city for a relaxing picnic. If it’s safe, swim or lilo Glenbrook area’s serene natural pools. You might see azure kingfishers and peregrine falcons around Jellybean Pool. Clear your head on a bushwalk. Nepean River walking track heads through a narrow, shady canyon, where the sheer walls create a rainforest hothouse for ferns, towering lilli pilli and coachwood.

Winter

Winter doesn’t have to mean staying in. Enjoy cool climate camping at Euroka or Murphys Glen campground. There are plenty of brisk walks and mountain bike trails nearby to warm you up, or sign up for a professional run or ride along Woodford-Oaks trail. After an active day, cook up a feast around the campfire as the night sky fills with stars. Keep an eye out for the local nightlife at Murphys Glen — you might spot possums, sugar gliders and bats.

Facilities

Maps and downloads

Fees and passes

$8 per vehicle per day applies at the Bruce Road entrance to the Glenbrook area. You can also pay for your visit via the Park’nPay app.

  • All Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (including Kosciuszko NP) $190 (1 year) / $335 (2 years)
  • Multi Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (except Kosciuszko) $65 (1 year) / $115 (2 years)
  • Single Country Park Pass - For entry to a single park in country NSW (except Kosciuszko). $22 (1 year) / $40 (2 years)
  • Country Parks Pass - For all parks in Country NSW (except Kosciuszko) $45 (1 year) / $75 (2 years)

Annual passes and entry fees (https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/passes-and-fees)

Safety messages

All Blue Mountains National Park visitors planning a long hike, off-track or overnight adventure, or visiting a remote part of the park, are recommended to fill in the trip intention form and carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Find out more about hiring a PLB and completing a trip intention form on the dedicated iPads at Blue Mountains Heritage Centre (Blackheath), Katoomba Police Station, and Springwood Police Station.

  • Keep well back from cliff edges and waterfalls at all times, especially when taking photos. Read our waterfall safety tips.
  • Please stay on tracks and be aware of your surroundings and footing.

Bushwalking safety

If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

Cycling safety

Hundreds of cyclists head to our national parks for fun and adventure. If you're riding your bike through a national park, read these mountain biking and cycling safety tips.

Fire safety

During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

River and lake safety

The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

  • Avoid jumping or diving into natural pools. Beware of submerged objects and changing conditions underwater.
  • Bacteria levels in natural pools can be high after rainfall (and at other times) due to run off from surrounding urban areas. It’s best not to go swimming until several days after rain.

Permitted

Camp fires and solid fuel burners

Campfires are permitted only in the fire pits provided. Solid fuel burners and campfires may be prohibited during high fire season.

Prohibited

Hunting

Recreational hunting in NSW National Parks is an illegal activity and is a fineable offence.

Gathering firewood

Bring your own firewood.

Pets

Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

Smoking

NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

Nearby towns

Penrith (10 km)

Summer is an ideal time to visit Penrith - one of Sydney's best inland aquatic playgrounds. Have fun riding the rapids at Penrith Whitewater Stadium,, visit Sydney International Regatta Centre, paddle on Nepean Gorge in a canoe or relax with a picnic by the Nepean River.

www.sydney.com

Springwood (14 km)

The Sassafras Gully Loop is one of a number of excellent walks in Springwood. The trail takes you from Springwood Station and past wonderful rock features, dense bushland and waterfalls. It's a nice cool walk in the shade and you're never too far from water.

www.visitnsw.com

Learn more

Glenbrook area is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:

Plants and animals protected in this park

Animals

  • Yellow-tailed black cockatoo. Photo: Peter Sherratt

    Yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus)

    The yellow-tailed black cockatoo is one of the largest species of parrot. With dusty-black plumage, they have a yellow tail and cheek patch. They’re easily spotted while bird watching, as they feed on seeds in native forests and pine plantations.

  • Brush tail possum. Photo: Ken Stepnell

    Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

    One of the most widespread of Australian tree-dwelling marsupials, the common brushtail possum is found across most of NSW in woodlands, rainforests and urban areas. With strong claws, a prehensile tail and opposable digits, these native Australian animals are well-adapted for life amongst the trees.

  • Swamp wallaby in Murramarang National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

    Swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor)

    The swamp wallaby, also known as the black wallaby or black pademelon, lives in the dense understorey of rainforests, woodlands and dry sclerophyll forest along eastern Australia. This unique Australian macropod has a dark black-grey coat with a distinctive light-coloured cheek stripe.

  • Eastern water dragon. Photo: Rosie Nicolai

    Eastern water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii)

    The eastern water dragon is a subaquatic lizard found in healthy waterways along eastern NSW, from Nowra to halfway up the Cape York Pensinsula. It’s believed to be one of the oldest of Australian reptiles, remaining virtually unchanged for over 20 million years.

  • Lace monitor, Daleys Point walking track, Bouddi National Park. Photo: John Yurasek

    Lace monitor (Varanus varius)

    One of Australia’s largest lizards, the carnivorous tree-dwelling lace monitor, or tree goanna, can grow to 2m in length and is found in forests and coastal tablelands across eastern Australia. These Australian animals are typically dark blue in colour with whitish spots or blotches.

  • Closeup of a laughing kookaburra's head and body. Photo: Rosie Nicolai/OEH

    Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

    Of the 2 species of kookaburra found in Australia, the laughing kookaburra is the best-known and the largest of the native kingfishers. With its distinctive riotous call, the laughing kookaburra is commonly heard in open woodlands and forests throughout NSW national parks, making these ideal spots for bird watching.

  • Sugar glider. Photo: Jeff Betteridge

    Sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps)

    The sugar glider is a tree-dwelling Australian native marsupial, found in tall eucalypt forests and woodlands along eastern NSW. The nocturnal sugar glider feeds on insects and birds, and satisfies its sweet tooth with nectar and pollens.

  •  Superb lyrebird, Minnamurra Rainforest, Budderoo National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

    Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)

    With a complex mimicking call and an elaborate courtship dance to match, the superb lyrebird is one of the most spectacular Australian animals. A bird watching must-see, the superb lyrebird can be found in rainforests and wet woodlands across eastern NSW and Victoria.

  • Superb fairy wren. Photo: Rosie Nicolai

    Superb fairy wren (Malurus cyaneus)

    The striking blue and black plumage of the adult male superb fairy wren makes for colourful bird watching across south-eastern Australia. The sociable superb fairy wrens, or blue wrens, are Australian birds living in groups consisting of a dominant male, mouse-brown female ‘jenny wrens’ and several tawny-brown juveniles.

Plants

  • Wonga Wonga vine. Photo: Barry Collier

    Wonga wonga vine (Pandorea pandorana)

    The wonga wonga vine is a widespread vigorous climber usually found along eastern Australia. A variation of the plant occurs in the central desert, where it resembles a sprawling shrub. One of the more common Australian native plants, the wonga wonga vine produces bell-shaped white or yellow flowers in the spring, followed by a large oblong-shaped seed pod.

  • Smooth-barked apple. Photo: Jaime Plaza

    Smooth-barked apple (Angophora costata)

    Smooth-barked apple gums, also known as Sydney red gum or rusty gum trees, are Australian native plants found along the NSW coast, and in the Sydney basin and parts of Queensland. Growing to heights of 15-30m, the russet-coloured angophoras shed their bark in spring to reveal spectacular new salmon-coloured bark.

  • Old man banksia, Moreton National Park. Photo: John Yurasek

    Old man banksia (Banksia serrata)

    Hardy Australian native plants, old man banksias can be found along the coast, and in the dry sclerophyll forests and sandstone mountain ranges of NSW. With roughened bark and gnarled limbs, they produce a distinctive cylindrical yellow-green banksia flower which blossoms from summer to early autumn.

  • Flannel flowers in Wollemi National Park. Photo: © Rosie Nicolai

    Flannel flower (Actinotus helianthi)

    The delicate flannel flower is so named because of the soft woolly feel of the plant. Growing in the NSW south coast region, extending to Narrabri in the Central West and up to south-east Queensland, its white or pink flowers bloom all year long, with an extra burst of colour in the spring.

  • Coachwood flower. Photo: Michael Van Ewijk

    Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum)

    Coachwood trees are Australian native plants that grow in warm temperate rainforests along coastal NSW. Also known as scented satinwood, the mottled grey bark of the coachwood has horizontal markings and a delicate fragrance.

  • Blueberry ash. Photo: Jaime Plaza

    Blueberry ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus)

    The blueberry ash is a rainforest shrub which produces blue olive-shaped berries and spectacular bell-shaped flowers, which often appear on the plant together. It is a tall slender shrub or small tree found in rainforest, tall eucalypt forest and coastal bushland in eastern NSW, south-east Queensland and Victoria.

  • Grass trees, Sugarloaf State Conservation Area. Photo: Michael Van Ewijk

    Grass tree (Xanthorrea spp.)

    An iconic part of the Australian landscape, the grass tree is widespread across eastern NSW. These Australian native plants have a thick fire-blackened trunk and long spiked leaves. They are found in heath and open forests across eastern NSW. The grass tree grows 1-5m in height and produces striking white-flowered spikes which grow up to 1m long.

  • Close up photo of a waratah flower, Blue Mountains National Park. Photo: Simone Cottrell/OEH.

    Waratah (Telopea speciosissima)

    The beautiful waratah is not only the NSW floral emblem, it's also one of the best-known Australian native plants. This iconic Australian bush flower can be found on sandstone ridges around Sydney, in nearby mountain ranges and on the NSW South Coast. The waratah has a vibrant crimson flowerhead, measuring up to 15cm across, and blossoms in spring.

Environments in this area

What we're doing

Glenbrook area has management strategies in place to protect and conserve the values of this park. View the detailed park and fire management documents. Here is just some of the work we’re doing to conserve these values: