The Portal Lookout, located in the Glenbrook area of the Lower Blue Mountains, is a scenic vantage point with sweeping views of the Nepean River and beyond.
This family-friendly, wheelchair-accessible lookout is easy to reach by car, with several nearby sights and walking trails to help make a fun day out.
Getting There
The Portal Lookout is located at the end of Mount Portal Trail and is easily accessible by car (see map).
To get there, turn onto Ross Street from the Great Western Highway, then follow Euroka Road and Bruce Road. Continue past the park entry gate on Bruce Road, and follow the signs for Mt Portal via The Oaks Trail, Euroka Road, and Mount Portal Trail.
There is an $8 entrance fee per vehicle per day for the Glenbrook area. The park gates on Bruce Road are open from 8:30 AM to 7 PM (or until 6 PM outside daylight saving time).
Below is a map of the drive from the Great Western Highway to the lookout.
Portal Lookout
Once you arrive at the lookout, you’ll find a purpose-built car park. It’s quite large, so it’s unlikely you’ll have trouble finding a spot.
From the car park, follow the wheelchair-accessible boardwalk to the fenced timber viewing platform known as the Portal Lookout, or Mount Portal Lookout.
The lookout sits on a ridge high above the junction of Glenbrook Gorge and the Nepean River, with views stretching across Western Sydney and the Cumberland Plain.
An information board at the platform explains how the Cumberland Plain was formed, and it’s an interesting read.
The Portal Lookout is also a popular spot for abseiling and rock climbing. In fact, professional abseilers have their own small access gate, which you’ll spot along the boardwalk.
Portal Lookout in a nutshell:
- Parking next to the lookout
- Fenced viewing platform
- Wheelchair accessible
- Family-friendly location
Nearby Sights
There are many more things to see and do in the Glenbrook area of the Blue Mountains to make a day of it.
Here are some ideas:
- Tunnel View Lookout:
The Tunnel View Lookout is a must-visit when going to the Portal Lookout as it’s only 1.5 km away. A short 200m walk will get you to this lookout from the car park. - Jellybean Pool:
The Jellybean Pool is a popular natural waterhole on Glenbrook Creek, with easy access and lots of space to settle in with a towel and go for a swim. - Red Hands Cave:
The Red Hands Cave is one of the best showcases of Aboriginal rock art in the Blue Mountains. It can be accessed via the moderately challenging Red Hands Cave loop walking track.
