Red Hands Cave walking track, in Blue Mountains National Park, offers impressive Aboriginal stencil art with picnicking and birdwatching, near Glenbrook.
Red Hands Cave Walk: A Journey Through Time. For millennia, Aboriginal people have traversed this land, and the Red Hands Cave Walk offers you the chance to follow in their footsteps. Nestled in the Glenbrook area of Blue Mountains National Park, this walk winds through peaceful bushland and leads to one of the most significant Aboriginal stencil galleries in the Sydney Basin.
Your adventure begins at Glenbrook Causeway. Follow the moderately challenging track alongside Campfire Creek. Keep an eye out for ancient axe grinding grooves etched on the water's edge – remnants of Aboriginal tool creation. At a fork in the path, veer right – you might even spot an eastern water dragon basking in the sun as you continue your journey. The track gradually climbs through a gully until you reach the awe-inspiring sandstone overhang that is Red Hands Cave.
Take a moment to marvel at the ancient Aboriginal stencils adorning the walls of Red Hands Cave. Imagine the stories these artworks tell and the cultural significance they hold. Red Hands Cave will mesmerise you with its layers of hand prints and stencils; one of the best examples of Aboriginal art in the Blue Mountains.
After immersing yourself in history at Red Hands Cave, unwind with a picnic lunch amidst the pristine bush. Breathe in the fresh air and listen to the calls of rainbow lorikeets and gang gangs serenading you.
Once you've had your fill of the sights and sounds, you can choose to retrace your steps or embark on the extended loop walk. For a dip in cool, refreshing water, take a detour via the Blue Pool walking track and discover its hidden swimming holes, adding another layer of adventure to your experience.
You can also drive 13km past the park entry to Red Hands carpark, along The Oaks trail and Red Hands trail, for a 1km return walk or 4km circuit walk. See route maps below.
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the
AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
- Please remember to respect this precious site and help protect it by not touching the art and avoiding flash photography. The Aboriginal artworks are incredibly significant and irreplaceable.
- Park entry fees apply
- Toilets are located at Red Hands Cave carpark.
Total distance: 8151 m
Max elevation: 219 m
Min elevation: 80 m
Total climbing: 272 m
Total descent: -274 m
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Red Hands Cave via Link Track and Red hands Gully (4km)
Total distance: 3969 m
Max elevation: 219 m
Min elevation: 106 m
Total climbing: 149 m
Total descent: -149 m
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The Oaks and Red Hands Trails (1km)
Total distance: 948 m
Max elevation: 218 m
Min elevation: 196 m
Total climbing: 40 m
Total descent: -39 m
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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.
Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting to the trailhead: Blue Mountains National Park.
If you’re driving into the Glenbrook area, the gates are open:
- First Sunday in October to first Sunday in April 8.30am to 7pm
- Rest of year 8.30am to 6pm
Red Hands Cave walking track, starts at the causeway, in the Glenbrook area of Blue Mountains National Park. To get there: Turn off Great Western Highway at Glenbrook on to Ross Street. Turn on to Burfitt Street, which becomes Bruce Road Park at the national park entry station, or continue past the park entry gate to the carpark on the southern side of Glenbrook causeway. There’s no parking at the causeway. The track starts at the causeway.
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.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
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
Glenbrook, the eastern gateway to Blue Mountains National Park, beckons nature lovers. This haven, ideal for families, locals, and daytrippers, boasts stunning scenery, Aboriginal history, and activities – all near the city.
Unwind by Pristine Waters: Picnic on sandy shores of Jellybean Pool or secluded Blue Pool (both car-accessible) and cool off in calm waters.
- Embrace Adventure: Challenge yourself on car-free trails like Bennetts Ridge fire trail or Woodford-Oaks trail, catering to runners, cyclists, and mountain bikers. Explore the shared mountain bike and 4WD trail along Murphys Road.
- Explore Nature's Wonders: Hike the family-friendly Nepean River track, conquer the challenging Glenbrook Gorge track, or discover Aboriginal culture at Red Hands Cave.
- Camp Under the Stars: Make Euroka campground your base to explore. Pitch your tent and sleep beneath the gum trees.
- Witness Panoramic Vistas: Conclude your visit with a scenic drive to wheelchair-accessible Mount Portal lookout for breathtaking views where the Blue Mountains meet Sydney.
Glenbrook offers an unforgettable escape, blending nature and adventure. Explore Sydney's mountain paradise!
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