This is not so much a walk as a 'park the car and enjoy the lookout'. The walk is short but the views are great. If you are in the area this spot is well worth a visit. The views from the lookout include Glenbrook Gorge the Nepean River and Western Sydney looking over Penrith. The lookout is accessible by people in wheelchairs and worth the drive along dirt road to get there.
Perched atop the lower ridges of Blue Mountains National Park, Mount Portal lookout offers magnificent views of the junction between Glenbrook Gorge and the mighty Nepean River. With a wheelchair-accessible path, it's a perfect pit stop on a car tour or a base for more adventurous thrill seekers who love abseiling and climbing.
Gazing across the dramatic tree-lined gorge to the water, you'll see how the grand sweep of Nepean River opens up to the Cumberland Plains on the western edge of Sydney. Evidence that the ridge top was an ancient river bed can be found in the large rounded pebbles, called lapstones.
The shapely angophoras, with their elegantly contorted limbs, thrive in this rugged terrain and bearded dragons are often seen sunning themselves on the surrounding rocky outcrops.
If you're keen to explore the region further, check out the unique Aboriginal art at Red Hands Cave or stay overnight at Euroka campground.
Take a virtual tour of Mount Portal lookout captured with Google Street View Trekker.
Grade 1 (All-abilities) -Â Perfect for Families and Beginners: Grade 1 on the
AWTGS represents the easiest walking tracks, perfect for families with young children or those new to bushwalking. No prior experience is required. These gentle walks feature a flat, even surface with no steps or steep sections. They are suitable for wheelchair users with assistance due to the even terrain. The total distance of a Grade 1 walk is typically no greater than 5 kilometers, making them a comfortable and manageable option for all ages and fitness levels.
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Leave a trip plan
Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.
Getting there
Getting to the trailhead: Blue Mountains National Park.
Mount Portal lookout is in the Glenbrook area of Blue Mountains National Park. To get there:
- Take Great Western Highway to Glenbrook
- Turn off the highway at Ross Street, opposite Glenbrook Oval, and follow through town to the end
- Turn left onto Burfitt Parade, which becomes Bruce Road.
- Continue around 2.5km beyond the park entry gate, crossing the causeway, then turn left towards Euroka
- Turn left onto Mount Portal trail and continue to the end.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Accommodation nearby
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: Blackheath, Bullaburra, Hazelbrook, Katoomba, Lawson, Leura, Lithgow, Mount Victoria, Springwood, Wentworth Falls, Woodford
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