Glenbrook, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Glenbrook Blue Mountains, New South Wales
Glenbrook railway station
Glenbrook Location in New South Wales
Population	5,078 (2021 census)
Established	approx. 1870 (approx. 153 years old)
Postcode(s)	2773
Elevation	163 m (535 ft)
Location	63 km (39 mi) west of Sydney CBD 40 km (25 mi) east of Katoomba
LGA(s)	City of Blue Mountains
State electorate(s)	Blue Mountains
Federal Division(s)	Macquarie
Suburbs around Glenbrook: Blaxland Blaxland Glenbrook Lapstone

Overlooking Glenbrook Creek and the Blue Mountains line

Glenbrook is a lovely town located in the Lower Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. It is about 63 kilometers (39 miles) west of Sydney's city center. Glenbrook is part of the City of Blue Mountains local government area. In 2021, about 5,078 people lived here.

Glenbrook sits between Lapstone and Blaxland. It is 163 meters (535 feet) above sea level. You can drive from Sydney to Glenbrook in about 50 minutes. The town has cool cafes and unique shops. It also offers fun things to do, like weekend markets, outdoor activities, and seeing local plants and animals.

The town gets its name from Glenbrook Creek. This creek is on the southern side of the village. You need to cross it to enter the Blue Mountains National Park. Glenbrook still has many old homes and buildings. Most of these are private homes and not open to visitors.

A Look Back: Glenbrook's History

Early Explorers and Roads

On May 12, 1813, explorers Blaxland, Wentworth, and Lawson reached the Glenbrook area. They found a "large lagoon of good water" during their trip across the Blue Mountains.

In 1815, William Cox built the first road over the Blue Mountains. He used a group of convicts to help him. The Glenbrook area became an important stop. A storeroom was built near the lagoon. Governor Macquarie also built a military base there. This base helped to keep an eye on traffic on the new road.

Cox's road up Lapstone Hill had some problems. It was very steep and became slippery when it rained. So, a new road and a stone bridge were built. This new road, called "The Western Road," opened in 1833. It was planned by Thomas Livingstone Mitchell. The Lennox Bridge was finished in 1833. It was designed by Scottish stonemason David Lennox. It is the oldest stone bridge still standing on the Australian mainland.

The Arrival of the Railway

Glenbrook became a town in the 1870s because of the railway. In 1867, a special zigzag railway was built up Lapstone Hill. It went on to Weatherboard, which is now Wentworth Falls. A train siding was also built at Glenbrook. It was called "Wascoe's Siding" after a local inn. Water from Glenbrook Lagoon was piped to supply the trains.

This siding became a passenger station in 1877. In 1878, Sir Alfred Stephen, a Chief Justice, wanted to give the station a proper name. He called it Brookdale. But in 1879, it was officially changed to Glenbrook. It was named after the nearby creek and gorge. A village grew up near the station. It was officially named Glenbrook six years later.

The Lapstone ZigZag Railway

The Lapstone ZigZag opened in 1867. It was part of the climb up Lapstone Hill. The railway had a steep slope of 1 in 30–33. It included a large seven-span sandstone bridge called the Knapsack Viaduct. This bridge was later made wider for the old Great Western Highway. Today, it is part of a walking trail. There is also a memorial to John Whitton, the engineer who built the Blue Mountains line.

Railway Tunnels and Changes

In 1892, the railway line was changed to avoid the Lapstone Zig Zag. A tunnel was built through the hill. This tunnel led to the Old Glenbrook station, which was later removed. The 1892 Glenbrook Tunnel had problems with water leaking from the creek. Also, its steep slope made it hard for trains to climb. Trains often got stuck inside.

In 1913, a second change to the railway line was finished. This included a new double-tracked 1913 tunnel at Bluff Point. The old 1892 Glenbrook Tunnel was then closed. Because of the new line, the Old Glenbrook station moved. It moved from next to the Great Western Highway to its current spot in Glenbrook village. It officially opened on May 11, 1913.

The old 1892 Glenbrook Tunnel was used to store mustard gas during World War II. More recently, mushrooms were grown there. You can still see the eastern entrance from a walking track at Lapstone.

Recent Events

On January 28, 1941, an Avro Anson plane crashed near Glenbrook. All five crew members died. They were on a medical flight from Parkes to the Sydney Airport.

In 1999, the town was involved in the Glenbrook train disaster. A train called the Indian Pacific crashed into a commuter train.

Since 2005, Glenbrook has hosted The Australian Gnome Convention. The Rotary Club of Lower Blue Mountains organizes it every Australia Day. People who own garden gnomes show them off and compete for awards. This event helps raise money for charities.

Exploring Glenbrook: Bushwalking and Pools

Glenbrook has many walking tracks to explore. A popular one is the walk to Red Hands Cave. This is an 8.1-kilometer (5-mile) return walk from Glenbrook's town center. Along the path, you can see aboriginal axe grinding grooves on the Sydney Sandstone near Camp Fire Creek.

There are also other scenic walks, like the one to Warrimoo through Glenbrook Gorge and Florabella Pass. Another walk goes to Blaxland via Pippas Pass.

Glenbrook also has many natural pools and swimming holes. You can reach them by walking tracks from the town center. These pools are popular for swimming and are very peaceful.

Glenbrook's Pools

• Blue Pool, on Glenbrook Creek
• Jellybean Pool, a very popular swimming spot
• Duck Pool, a few kilometers upstream from Blue Pool

Historical Places in Glenbrook

Glenbrook has several sites listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. These are important places that are protected because of their history:

• Blue Mountains National Park: Blue Mountains walking tracks
• Knapsack Gully Viaduct (1865) at 15-17 Great Western Highway: Knapsack Gully Viaduct, 1865
• Glenbrook railway residence at 78 Great Western Highway
• The 1892 Glenbrook Tunnel on the Great Western Highway: 1892 Glenbrook Tunnel
• Lennox Bridge, Glenbrook on Mitchells Pass: This is the oldest stone arch bridge still standing in mainland Australia.

Who Lives in Glenbrook?

In the 2021 Census, there were 5,078 people living in Glenbrook. Most people (83.9%) were born in Australia. The next largest group (5.2%) was born in England. About 90.9% of people spoke only English at home. When asked about religion, 41.6% said they had no religion, 22% were Catholic, and 15.9% were Anglican.

Getting Around Glenbrook

Glenbrook railway station is on the Blue Mountains Line. This line is part of the NSW TrainLink intercity network. The Great Western Highway also passes through the town, making it easy to drive to and from Glenbrook.

Important Places and Landmarks

• Two fire stations: one for volunteer firefighters (New South Wales Rural Fire Service) and one for professional firefighters (New South Wales Fire Brigades).
• Glenbrook Cinema
• Glenbrook Cottage (1916) on Park Street (a heritage-listed building)
• Glenbrook Oval
• Glenbrook Park (1884) and its stone gate (heritage-listed)
• Glenbrook Stone Suburb Staircase
• Glenbrook Swim Centre
• Knapsack Oval
• Mitchells Pass
• Mount Sion Park
• Sir Douglas Smith Park
• Wascoe Siding Train Park
• Whitton Park

Fun Things to Do and Sports

Netball and Other Sports

The Lapstone Glenbrook Netball Club started in 1975. It was formed by combining St Peter's Netball Club and school teams from Lapstone and Glenbrook Public Schools. Netball is now the most popular sport in the Blue Mountains. All games are played at the Lapstone complex.

Other sports clubs in the area include:

• Glenbrook Swimming Club
• Glenbrook/Blaxland Cricket Club
• Blue Mountains Football Club
• Glenbrook Panthers Bowling Club
• Glenbrook Little Athletics Club

Other Fun Activities

Besides sports, there are many other ways to have fun:

• Swimming at Jellybean Pool, Glenbrook Gorge, or Blue Pool. You can enter through the national park (often free on weekdays).
• Biking the Oaks Firetrail, a popular off-road route between Woodford and Glenbrook.
• Camping at Euroka Clearing, where you can see kangaroos any time of day, especially in summer.
• Bushwalking: You can walk from Euroka Clearing to the Nepean River, or from Evans Track to Warragamba Dam.
• Watching a movie at Glenbrook Cinema (one of three in the Blue Mountains).
• Swimming at Glenbrook Swimming Centre (also considered part of Blaxland).

Images for kids

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  Glenbrook Tunnel (1892)

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  Former School of Music, Hare Street

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  Glenbrook Public School

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  St Andrew's Uniting Church

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  Chalmers Lookout, Glenbrook

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  Ross Street, Glenbrook Village Shopping Area

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  Kangaroos at Euroka Camp Area, Blue Mountains National Park Glenbrook Entrance.

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  Lennox Bridge, 1833

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  Blue Mountains suburbs staircase