Portal Lookout, located in the Glenbrook area of the Blue Mountains, is a quiet vantage point that offers scenic views of the Nepean River and Glenbrook Gorge.
This wheelchair-accessible lookout is easy to reach by car, with more lookouts and walking tracks nearby to turn your visit into a little day trip.
| Portal Lookout | |
|---|---|
| Walk: | 50 metres from car park |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Wheel-friendly: | Yes |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Entrance fee: | $8 per vehicle |
| Hours: | 8.30 am to 6 pm (7 pm during daylight savings) |
| Map: | Google Maps |
Getting There
The parking area for Portal Lookout is located at the end of Mount Portal Trail in the Glenbrook area, south of the Great Western Highway.
From the highway, turn onto Ross Street, then continue along Euroka Road and Bruce Road. Once on Bruce Road, drive past the park entry gate and follow the signs for Mt Portal via The Oaks Trail, Euroka Road, and Mount Portal Trail.
There is an $8 per vehicle per day entry fee for this section of the National Park. The gates on Bruce Road are open from 8:30 am to 7 pm (6 pm outside daylight saving time).
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About the Portal Lookout
The car park at the end of Mount Portal Trail is a good size, so you should be able to find a spot without too much trouble.
Once you’ve parked, it’s just a short walk to the start of the boardwalk that leads to the lookout platform.
The entire lookout area was upgraded in 2012 with new fencing, signage, a boardwalk, and improved wheelchair access.
Portal Lookout is also a popular spot for abseiling and rock climbing, with a dedicated access gate from the boardwalk for professional abseilers.
Perched on a ridge in the Lower Blue Mountains, where Glenbrook Gorge meets the Nepean River, the lookout offers scenic views over the waterway.
You can see the river winding through the landscape, with the Cumberland Plain stretching out in the distance.
The fenced viewing platform includes a small information board that explains the area’s geography.
It highlights how the Cumberland Plain was formed, which makes for an interesting read.
Once you’ve finished exploring this beautiful vantage point, we recommend driving to Tunnel View Lookout, which is only 1.5 km away via Mount Portal Trail.
From the car park, a 200-metre walk through bushland leads to this lookout offering great views over Glenbrook Gorge.
