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Glenbrook area

Blue Mountains National Park

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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)
    Buy now | More info
  • Multi Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (except Kosciuszko) $65 (1 year) / $115 (2 years)
    Buy now | More info
  • Single Country Park Pass - For entry to a single park in country NSW (except Kosciuszko). $22 (1 year) / $40 (2 years)
    Buy now | More info
  • Country Parks Pass - For all parks in Country NSW (except Kosciuszko) $45 (1 year) / $75 (2 years)
    Buy now | More info

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.

Glenbrook area

Contact

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