The Rock Lookout, located in the Mulgoa Valley, provides stunning panoramic views of the Nepean River and the Lower Blue Mountains.
Nearby Rileys Mountain Lookout is also well worth a visit and can be accessed via a 5-kilometre return bushwalking track that winds through beautiful scenery.
Keep reading to discover how to get there, where to park, and how to find these two scenic lookouts.
| The Rock Lookout to Rileys Mountain | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 5 km (return) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate (mildly steep sections) |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
The Rock Lookout is accessible via a short trail that begins at the car park located at the end of Fairlight Road in Mulgoa (see location on map).
From Penrith or the M4 Motorway, head along Mulgoa Road towards the Mulgoa town centre, then turn right onto Fairlight Road.
Be aware that the final couple of kilometres of Fairlight Road are unsealed and have several potholes. However, the road is generally manageable for a 2WD vehicle if driven with care.
The car park at the end of Fairlight Road is fairly spacious, so finding a spot to park should not be an issue.
Track Notes
In the map below:
- The Rock Lookout
- Rileys Mountain Lookout
The Rock Lookout is located just a short distance from the car park, while Rileys Mountain Lookout is a bit further away.
To reach the Rock Lookout, follow the short walking trail that heads west towards the river from the car park.
The trail is easy to follow and relatively short, but it does feature some steps and uneven ground, so sturdy hiking shoes are recommended.
1. The Rock Lookout
It’s easy to see how The Rock Lookout got its name once you arrive at this vantage point.
The lookout sits atop a large rock on the rim of Nepean Gorge, also known as Fairlight Gorge, offering scenic views of the Nepean River.
A set of stairs with handrails on the left side of the rock leads to the top, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the river and the Blue Mountains.
Keep in mind that The Rock Lookout is unfenced, so take extra care, particularly if you’re visiting with children.
When you’re ready to move on, retrace your steps to the car park, where you can choose to continue hiking to Rileys Mountain.
2. Rileys Mountain Lookout
If you’d like to visit Rileys Mountain Lookout after The Rock Lookout, follow the walking track signposted as the Rileys Mountain Trail.
Keep in mind that this trail is also popular with mountain bikers and horse riders, so you may need to share it with others.
The track features a gentle ascent up to the mountain without any steep sections, making it manageable for most hikers. The return trip is even easier, as it’s mostly downhill.
Rileys Mountain is named after James John Riley, the first mayor of Penrith in the 1870s.
The lookout itself is slightly smaller than The Rock Lookout and, like its counterpart, is unfenced, so take care while exploring.
The views from Rileys Mountain are similar to those at The Rock Lookout, but being at a higher elevation, they offer a slightly more expansive perspective.
For those keen on a longer hike, the main track continues to Mulgoa Trig and eventually to Nepean Narrows Lookdown, an additional 3 kilometres one way.
