GLENBROOK

The Blue Mountains town of Glenbrook has so much to offer. Fresh air and a temperate climate, Glenbrook has spectacular views and a great community atmosphere. Glenbrook was originally known as Watertank as it was a stopping point for steam trains. It then became known as Wascoe Siding with Wascoe (Blaxland) just up the road. Then for around 12 months it was known as Brookdale. In 1879 it was given the name of Glenbrook by Sir John Jamieson who believed that the creek was a brook coming from Regents Glen.

Situated at the top of the M4 Motorway, Glenbrook is the ideal location for the Blue Mountains Visitor Information Centre. The centre is open Mon-Sat 8.30am to 4.00pm and Sundays 8.30am - 3.00pm and offers detailed information on the Blue Mountains area.

 

Outside the Information Centre visitors can discover the sandstone steps. These steps were a gift from the Blue Mountains City Council. Each step represents a town within the Blue Mountains.

 

Directly outside the centre is sandstone map of the Blue Mountains as well as the most unusual "Message Sticks". The message sticks feature artwork from 16 local schools depicting the Blue Mountains as seen through the eyes of the students.

 

The Visitor Information Bay at Glenbrook features Greater Blue Mountains Drive map. The Greater Blue Mountains Drive covers 1200km of major connecting roads plus 18 Discovery Trails. The Discovery Trails introduce visitors to the diverse landscapes and experiences of inland New South Wales, including the mountains and valleys and National Parks. The Drive can be experienced via day trips, short breaks or extended tours.

 

 

Next to the Tourist Information Centre is the local cinema. Known now as "the little cinema with the big smile" Glenbrook Cinema began in the old flat-floored School Of Arts building when a travelling showman set up a cinema and visited regularly in the 1920s.The theatre was re-built in 1978. Further renovations in recent years have vastly enhanced the comfort of this venue. Equipment upgrades include digital sound and an audio loop for the hearing impaired. Today, Glenbrook Theatre is one of the most technologically advanced cinemas in New South Wales, but still offers old-world service. The cinema rates a special mention as Glenbrook Cinema was the first business to support the development of the Blue Mountains website. It was also the first cinema in Australia to offer on-line reservations.

Outside the cinema at Glenbrook you will find an historic horse trough. This trough was made for horses from the Australian Light Horse who were suffering from malnutrition just after Word War I.

 

Hidden from view for many years, visitors and residents can now see the old Pointsman's Cottage built by the Government in 1871.

 

 

The cottage was used as a residence for the pointsman whose job was to manually change the points on the single rail line after the passing of each train. The cottage is located in the grounds of the Ampol Service Station.

The Native Plant Reserve located opposite the information centre is an important community facility. It is open to the public on weekends and is looked after by members of the local community in association with the native nursery on a not for profit basis.

 

 

Located in Glenbrook's north is Glenbrook Lagoon. This was the popular waterhole for explorers and travellers until the drought of 1880 when the Duckhole became the main source. The natural vegetation has been restored and visitors can access the Lagoon where wildlife abounds.

Glenbrook is the first entry point to the Blue Mountains National Park. The National Park covers an area of over 200,000 hectares. Glenbrook offers The Jelly Bean Pool, one of the most popular swimming sites - named after a little girl who said to her father "Look Dad, it's like a big Jelly Bean"… fact or fiction?

 

Upstream from the causeway is the famous Blue Pool, another popular swimming hole. Suspended clay particles refract the light giving the pool a blue appearance. This location has been the inspiration of many poems.

 

Euroka Clearing within the National Park is generally a good location to see kangaroos in the evening around dusk. Euroka is an aboriginal word meaning "sun and warmth". Euroka consists of four key areas, Appletree Flat, Redgum, Nioka and Daruk.

 

Not far from Euroka Clearing is Red Hands Cave. The cave reflects the Aboriginal dreaming containing red and white ochre stencils. Now protected from vandalism by perspex surrounds, the drawings can be viewed from a viewing platform.

 

The Duckhole is part of Glenbrook Creek which was a haven for swagmen and bushmen. The duckhole once provided water to the Glenbrook Village.

 

Glenbrook Gorge features swimming, spectacular bush walks, and great rock climbing. Some of the most magnificent views can be seen when travelling by train between Lapstone and Glenbrook. By foot you can visit Tunnel View Lookout, Nepean Lookout or Pisgah Rock. For those who are a little bit more adventurous you can learn to abseil from Mount Portal on the southern side of Glenbrook Gorge.

 

 

If you are into mountain bike riding then the Woodford to Glenbrook Track is one of the classic Blue Mountains Tracks. Starting at Woodford, the track is a downward route which is rather rough in parts - also suitable for walking enthusiasts.

Lennox Bridge is the oldest stone bridge in mainland Australia. Spanning Brookdale Creek, the bridge was built by David Lennox in 1832 with the assistance of 20 convicts. Access to Lennox Bridge is via Mitchell’s Pass. Mitchell’s Pass was completed in 1834 and carried westward traffic until 1926 when a serious crack in the sandstone of Lennox Bridge was discovered. The bridge was reopened to eastbound traffic in 1982.

 

 

Other lookouts to be found to the north of Glenbrook include Marges Lookout and Elizabeth Lookout. These can be accessed via walking tracks.

Glenbrook is a community village with its own Chamber of Commerce. Monthly craft markets are held in the Glenbrook Public School. The Blue Mountains Creative Arts Centre Gallery is open on weekends. Glenbrook hosts an annual Spring Fair every year the second weekend of November and celebrates Australia Day January 26th. The village also offers tennis, bowling, heated Olympic sized swimming pool aquatic centre and great dining.

 

 

The town features many parks including Whitton, Mt. Sion, Knapsack and Glenbrook Park. Glenbrook Oval is located on the Great Western Highway and is a popular venue for athletics and cricket.