Bluff Reserve is a pocket of bushland located just north of the Blue Mountains railway track in the suburbs of Glenbrook and Lapstone.
In the reserve, visitors can follow a bushwalking trail that passes three scenic lookouts: Chalmers, Bluff, and Lapstone Tramway Lookout.
| Bluff Reserve Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 1 km (part loop) |
| Time: | 1 hour |
| Grade: | Easy (some steps) |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Maps: |  PDF map |
Getting There
The Bluff Reserve car park is located at the end of Emu Road in Glenbrook, in the lower Blue Mountains (see map).
The quickest way to drive there is via Explorers Road, either through Glenbrook or Lapstone, depending on where you’re coming from. The car park is small, but the area is quiet, so there’s usually plenty of space.
The closest train station is Glenbrook Station, about a 20-minute walk away. There are no bus stops near the start of the walk.
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Track Notes
The walking trail through Bluff Reserve is short and fairly easy, though there are some steps. While the path is straightforward to follow, signage along the way is limited.
Keep in mind that Google Maps isn’t a reliable source for this walk. It doesn’t recognise the trail or accurately show the location of some of the lookouts.
On the map below, we’ve marked the three lookouts along the trail:
- Chalmers Lookout
- Bluff Lookout
- Lapstone Tramway Lookout
1. Chalmers Lookout
Before starting your walk, take a look at the signpost at the car park. It only mentions two lookouts, but there are actually three.
We recommend walking in an anti-clockwise direction, starting with Chalmers Lookout, which is just a short 5-minute stroll from the car park.
Chalmers Lookout is a large, fenced vantage point with far-reaching views over Glenbrook Gorge and the lower Blue Mountains.
For the best views, visit on a clear day just before sunset.
2. Bluff Lookout
From Chalmers Lookout, follow the path heading southeast. There’s also a trail in the opposite direction, but that leads back to a suburban street in Glenbrook.
Along the way, you’ll pass a bench with a nice view (marked as Lindsays Seat Lookout on Google Maps), and eventually reach a picnic shelter. From there, it’s a short walk to the second fenced lookout on the trail.
This is the first vantage point where you can see the railway track below, framed by the Cumberland Plain and Glenbrook Gorge.
This lookout is also labelled Ross Lookout on Google Maps.
However, the signage at the car park makes no mention of Ross Lookout. It does refer to Bluff Lookout, and the signposted distance matches this location, so we’re assuming this is Bluff Lookout.
3. Lapstone Tramway Lookout
To continue to the third lookout in the reserve, look for the steep staircase heading uphill.
After about 300 metres, the lookout will come into view. This unofficial vantage point isn’t fenced, so please take care when exploring.
One of the highlights here is the clear view of the Glenbrook Tunnel, which opened in 1913. If you have time, it’s worth waiting to see a train pass through the tunnel.
Interestingly, some sources refer to this spot as Bluff Lookout. However, that doesn’t seem accurate, as the signposted distance from the car park doesn’t match the actual location.
This is why we believe the second vantage point is the actual Bluff Lookout. This third lookout is technically unnamed, but is sometimes referred to as Lapstone Tramway Lookout.
Once you’ve soaked up the views, retrace your steps to the picnic shelter, then turn right to return to the car park.
Nearby sights:
