Last updated: March 4, 2024
The Portal Lookout in the Glenbrook area of the Lower Blue Mountains is a scenic vantage point with great views of the Nepean River and beyond.
This family-friendly, wheelchair-accessible lookout is easy to get to by car, with various other sights and trails nearby to have a fun day out.
In this article, we’ll share photos of this lookout, explain how to get there, and recommend other things to see and do nearby.
Short video of the Portal Lookout:
How to Get There
The Portal Lookout is located at the end of Mount Portal Trail, and is accessible by car (see map location).
To get there, turn onto Ross Street from the Great Western Highway, followed by Euroka Road and Bruce Road. On Bruce Road, drive beyond the park entry gate and follow the signs for Mt Portal along The Oaks Trail, Euroka Road, and Mount Portal Trail. Mount Portal Trail is unsealed but is in good condition. A 4WD vehicle is not required to navigate this road.
There is an $8 entrance fee per vehicle per day for the Glenbrook area. The park gates (on Bruce Road) are open between 8:30 AM and 7 PM (6 PM outside daylight savings).
Public transport is challenging, as the walking distance from Glenbrook Station to the lookout is quite far. Otherwise, bring your bicycle along and cycle from the station to the lookout.
Map
Here is a map of the drive from the Great Western Highway to the lookout:
Portal Lookout
Once you arrive at the lookout, find a spot in the purpose-built car park. It’s a sizeable car park, so it being full would be highly unlikely.
From the car park, follow the wheelchair-friendly boardwalk to the fenced timber viewing platform that is the Portal Lookout, also known as the Mount Portal Lookout.
The lookout is situated on a ridge high above the junction of the Glenbrook Gorge and the Nepean River, with views reaching as far as Western Sydney over the Cumberland Plain.
The information board at the viewing platform explains in more detail how the Cumberland Plain was created, and makes for an interesting read.
Interestingly, the Portal Lookout is also a popular spot for abseiling and rock climbing. Professional abseilers even have their own little access gate, as you’ll notice when walking along the boardwalk.
Portal Lookout in a nutshell:
- Parking next to the lookout
- Fenced viewing platform
- Wheelchair accessible
- Family-friendly location
Things to Do Nearby
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. - Blue Pool:
The Blue Pool is another natural swimming hole near the Jellybean Pool. It’s a pretty spot but typically doesn’t attract the large crowd numbers that Jellybean Pool does. - 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.
