Murphys Glen Campground

Murphys Glen Campground is a free, rustic campsite at the bottom of a valley in the Glenbrook area of Blue Mountains National Park, about an hour west of Sydney. The drive in drops through heathland and ridge-top sandstone country before the vegetation shifts to tall blue gums and turpentines in the glen itself. It feels properly remote despite being a relatively short distance from the Great Western Highway. No booking required, no fees beyond park entry.

Sites are unmarked and spread across large cleared areas in the forest. Plenty of room for multiple groups without feeling crowded, but the campground is popular with mountain bikers and walkers, particularly on weekends. 4WD is strongly recommended: the final section of Murphys Fire Trail is steep, rutted, and becomes genuinely boggy after rain. In dry conditions a 2WD can reach the carpark 1km from camp, from where it’s a 1km walk down to the sites. The gate at the park boundary may be locked in wet weather or fire danger periods. Woodford Station is accessible by train, then 6km along Bedford Road by bike or foot, with bikes permitted past the locked gate.

Facilities are basic: pit toilets and wood fire rings at the sites. No drinking water whatsoever, no bins, no showers. Bring all your water and firewood in. Pack out all rubbish. Check fire ban status before visiting as all solid fuel fires are prohibited during park fire ban periods. No mobile reception. Park entry is $8 per vehicle per day, payable at the Bruce Road gate to the Glenbrook area.

Murphys Glen is a popular base for mountain biking, with the Woodford-Oaks trail and various fire trail routes accessible from camp. The Turpentine Track is a short walk through the tall forest back up to Bedford Road. A separate track leads to Murphys Lookout and some small pools. Spring is the standout season: the sandstone rock platforms on the approach ridge erupt with wildflowers including mallee ash, banksia, and trigger plants. At night expect possums, sugar gliders, and bats. Swamp wallabies and goannas are common on the trail in.

No booking required. Park entry is $8 per vehicle per day at the Bruce Road Glenbrook entrance. Check NPWS local alerts for gate closures and road conditions before the drive. No pets.