Red Hands Cave walking track - Blue Mountains National Park is a 8km, grade 3 hike located in the Blue Mountains National Park, New South Wales. The hike should take around 3.5 hrs to complete.
Hike summary
This track has most likely been used by the Darug people for thousands of years, and you too can walk in their footsteps. Red Hands Cave walking track, in the Glenbrook region of Blue Mountains National Park, winds through remote bushland to one of the best Aboriginal stencil galleries in the Sydney Basin.
From Glenbrook Causeway, follow the medium track along Campfire Creek where you'll see axe grinding grooves on the water's edge. Keeping to the right at the track junction, you might see eastern water dragons sunning themselves. Climbing steadily through the gully, you'll reach the sandstone overhang of Red Hands Cave.
Enjoy a picnic lunch while taking in the unspoilt bush, as rainbow lorikeets and gang gangs chatter above. Retrace your steps or continue the longer loop walk. For a refreshing swim, detour via the swimming holes along Blue Pool walking track.
Take a virtual tour of Red Hands Cave walking track - Blue Mountains National Park captured with Google Street View Trekker.
Route and GPX file
This hike is missing a route map and GPX file. If you have one for this hike, please upload your .gpx or .kml file here.
Tips
Please take extra care not to disturb the painting by taking flash photographs or touching the art. This will help protect the site for future generations.
For a longer hike, you can walk from the Glenbrook park entry down to the causeway. Make sure you allow extra time for the steep walk there and back (approximately 3km one-way). Or you can drive to Red Hands Cave, and hike the 6km loop walk.
It's a good idea to fill in the free trip intention form and hire a PLB when planning your hike. Bring a topographic map and compass, or a GPS
Check the weather before you set out and ensure you're well prepared. Weather can be unpredictable and extreme in Blue Mountains National Park.
Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch
Visit NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for more information on this trail.
The longitude and latitude of the start and end points are approximately only and should not be used for navigation purposes. Please contact me if you know the correct coordinates.
Gear you might need
As well as including the Ten Essentials, my planning, food and packing checklists provide an summary of things to consider on your day, overnight and multi-day hikes. Every person and every hike is different, so customise your kit according to your needs. Download your free checklists here >>
Location
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Getting there
To Red Hands Cave track carpark. Red Hands Cave walking track, starts at the causeway, in the Glenbrook precinct of Blue Mountains National Park. To get there:Follow the signs from Great Western Highway. The main entrance to the park is via Ross Street, then Bruce Road.Park at the entry station, or alternatively, drive towards Glenbrook causeway. There's a carpark south of the causeway. However, there is no parking at the causeway.The track starts at the causeway Park entry points Red Hands Cave track carpark See on map Parking Parking is available at Glenbrook entry station, the Blue Pools and Jellybean Pools carparks or south of the causeway. It can be a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited.
Let someone know before you go
It’s a good idea to let someone know where you’re going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact. If you are lost or require help and have phone reception, call 000 and ask for police. The international standard emergency number is 112, if you dial this number in Australia you will be treated exactly the same as a 000 call. If you believe your life is at risk, activate your personal locator beacon (PLB), then make your position visible to rescue teams and keep warm and dry.
About the region
Blue Mountains National Park in the Sydney and surrounds and Country NSW regions
Blue Mountains National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger. Some parts of the park close overnight; details are provided for specific attractions.
9am to 4.30pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
Gallery
If you have any great photos from this hike and are happy to share them, please upload your .jpg files here.
Please note: Uploading photos does not transfer ownership of copyright away from you. If requested, you will be credited for any photos you provide and can ask they be deleted at any time.
Let someone know before you go. Register your trip intentions here. Your trip intentions will be emailed to your emergency contact.
Does this hike info need updating? maybe the route, features or access conditions have changed? Suggest an edit here.
Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.