Glenbrook and Lapstone Village Guide 

Crest Lapstone Hill and things start to change. The city skyline is replaced with dense bushland, the sandstone cliffs start to rise, and there’s a sense of ‘ahhhh’ in the air. That’s when it hits you: you’re in mountain country now. 

Sitting high above deep gorges and home to Aboriginal rock art, historic railway relics, and a lively village, Glenbrook and Lapstone mark the true beginning of the Blue Mountains. And it’s a place you should do more than just drive through. 

Nature is the main drawcard here, but history runs just as deep. You can follow early rail lines in the morning, swim beneath sandstone cliffs in the afternoon, and still be back in the village before dinner.  

If you’re headed into the Glenbrook entrance to Blue Mountains National Park be sure to check the opening times as the gate gets locked at closing. At the time of writing, from the first Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April: park gates are open 8.30am to 7pm. Rest of the year: park gates are open 8.30am to 6pm. 

Hikes and Walks 

• Lapstone Zig Zag Track: Step back in time on this 4km family-friendly walk following the route of Australia’s first major railway, zig zag (in operation from 1867 to 1892). The track crosses the sandstone Knapsack Viaduct, passes old railway cuttings and an abandoned platform. Don’t forget to pause and enjoy the views back across the Cumberland Plain toward Sydney

• Red Hands Cave Walking Track: This 8km loop leads to one of the most significant Aboriginal artworks in the Sydney Basin. Ochre handprints remain pressed into the rock, telling stories that stretch back thousands of years 

• Glenbrook Gorge Track: A more demanding walk involving creek crossings and rock-hopping. It’s uneven and adventurous in parts, so not for the fainthearted. The good news is you can choose your own adventure: keep going until the creek meets the Nepean River or simply find a swim spot along the way and spend the day relaxing before taking the steep uphill track back to the carpark 

• Glenbrook Lagoon Walk: A gentle 1km circuit around wetlands rich in birdlife, ideal for families or if you’re just after an easy leg stretch 

• Jellybean Pool: A local’s favourite, this 1km return fairly steep hike leads to a natural swimming hole framed by sandstone cliffs. Forget the beach, this is what a summer day should look like

Lookouts  

• Portal Lookout: A wheelchair-accessible path leads to epic views across Glenbrook Gorge and the Nepean River. One not to miss. 
• Lapstone Lookout: A short walk from Lapstone Railway station leads to a quieter, unfenced lookout that’s the perfect way to while away some time as you wait for the train.

• Top Points Lookout: Reached via the Lapstone Zig Zag Track and offering yet more ‘woah-look-at-that’ views over the Cumberland Plain

• Woodford Oaks Trail: A 27km point-to-point route that calls to mountain bikers looking for distance and elevation 

• Euroka Campground: Wake up to kangaroos and kookaburras at a campsite tailor-made for adventure  

• Lennox Bridge: Built in 1833, this is Australia’s oldest surviving stone arch bridge and a reminder of the craftsmanship that helped establish the route west

Food and drink

Step off the train and you’re within metres of a flat white, a sourdough toastie or something sweet to stash in your bag for later. 

Places like Kickaboom, 2773, Glenbrook Underground and Meet Gerard are home to the brunch scene, drawing a steady mix of locals, cyclists and hikers fresh off the track. Grocers, bakeriesand delis along the strip make it easy to stock up before heading into the park. 

After a swim at Jellybean or a loop of the Zig Zag, settle in at the Lapstone Hotel for classic pub grub, or head to Vincent Diner for Mediterranean plates and a longer sit down dinner. 

Shopping and culture

If browsing is more your pace than bushwalking, Glenbrook definitely delivers. It leans independent, with small boutiques and specialty stores where the shelves feel considered rather than crowded.  

Like many Blue Mountains villages, Glenbrook also has a small but active creative scene. The Blue Mountains Creative Arts Centre runs classes and workshops for everything from pottery to painting, and is also home to Hare Street Gallery, showcasing local artists throughout the year.