The best walks and hikes in Mulgoa Nature Reserve

Euroka Walking Track winds through the Glenbrook precinct of Blue Mountains National Park, passing through open woodland before dropping into a ferny, rainforest-like canyon where lilli-pilli and coachwood line the path. The track connects the Euroka campground area with the Nepean River and the Portal Lookout via the Mount Portal Trail, with The Oaks Trail also accessible along the way, making it an important connection in the wider trail network around Glenbrook. You might spot eastern water dragons on the riverbank, and the track can become boggy after rain, so it’s a good idea to check park alerts before setting out.

Portal Lookout sits on the lower ridges of Blue Mountains National Park, overlooking the junction of Glenbrook Gorge and the Nepean River as it opens onto the Cumberland Plain west of Sydney. The lookout is wheelchair accessible and is a popular stop on a car tour, but it also serves as a base for abseiling and rock climbing on the surrounding cliffs, so you’re likely to see plenty of others also enjoying the view while you’re here. Look for the large rounded pebbles on the ridge top, known as lapstones, which are evidence that this ridge was once an ancient riverbed, and keep an eye out for bearded dragons sunning themselves on the nearby rocky outcrops.

Siding Lookout is a fenced viewpoint along the Lapstone Zig Zag Walking Track, just a short distance past the old Lucasville Station platform. From here, you get the first real view of the Knapsack Viaduct, along with a glimpse over Penrith and the surrounding Cumberland Plain. It's a good spot to pause for a break before the track continues down toward the viaduct itself.

Lapstone Zig Zag Walking Track follows the route of Australia’s first railway into the Blue Mountains, a zigzag line built between 1863 and 1865 to conquer the steep escarpment between Emu Plains and Blaxland. This historic walk passes old railway cuttings and the remains of Lucasville Station before descending to the Knapsack Viaduct, an impressive 40-metre-high sandstone arch bridge that once carried the line across Knapsack Gully. The railway itself closed in 1892, but the viaduct lived on, later carrying the Great Western Highway until 1993, when the M4 motorway finally took its place.

Elizabeth Lookout is a dirt outcrop with metal handrails near a break in the trees with wide panoramic views looking out over the Penrith Valley and toward the distant Sydney skyline. Just behind the viewpoint are two picnic benches with a large shade structure.

This crossing is a concrete causeway where Glenbrook Creek flows gently across the trail. Depending on water levels, you may need to walk or ride through a shallow sheet of flowing water, so take extra care as you cross, as the surface can be slippery. After heavy rain, the crossing may become impassable or be closed, so be sure to check recent weather conditions before you plan to explore this part of the trail.

The Knapsack Viaduct has a long history that started with its design and construction in the mid 1860s. It was originally used for rail traffic before being converted for automobile traffic in 1926 as part of the Great Western Highway. Eventually the M4 Western Motorway was built and road traffic bypassed the viaduct which lead to its closure in 1993. However, it was reopened to pedestrians as part of the Lapstone Zig Zag walk in 1995.

Red Hands Cave walking track is a scenic loop through the Glenbrook area of Blue Mountains National Park that is a great way to explore and learn more about the Aboriginal cultural heritage in this area. The route follows well-defined tracks through sandstone country, passing creek crossings and rocky gullies surrounded by native vegetation before reaching the Red Hands Cave, where you’ll see artwork that dates back centuries. There are moderate climbs and a mix of natural trails and formed steps, making it a rewarding walk with a little variety along the way.