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Duck Hole Track Glenbrook is a wonderful bushwalk for families that leads to Glenbrook Creek, which is a beautfiul Blue Mountains swimming hole. There are so many surprises along the 4.5km return journey.

You will discover amazing cliffs, ancient ferns, diverse landscapes, an aquamarine waterhole (with swing for the kids in Summer!), a cave to explore, logs to balance and climb on, rocks to clamber over, trains to spot and so much more.

Enjoy exploring the beauty of the lower Blue Mountains on this wonderful bushwalk in Glenbrook. You won’t be disappointed!

Duck Hole Track Glenbrook: What To Expect

Duck Hole is an interesting and diverse bushwalk that ranges from a clear, easy path to moderately difficult rocky terrain. The path is mostly fairly level but the elevation of this walk is 184 metres, so expect to walk down and up a few hills.

There are parts of the trail with plenty of rocks to walk over and around too, so ensure that you wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.

We found the most difficult part of the track was closest to Glenbrook Creek, where there is quite a bit of rock scrambling to get down to the waterhole.

Who Is This Walk Suitable For?

Duck Hole Track Glenbrook is most suitable for anyone with a moderate level of fitness who is cabable of climbing up and down a few large boulders. It is not accessible for prams or wheelchairs.

Duck Hole Track Glenbrook is most suitable for older children (around 7 or 8 years and older) due to the difficulty and length of the track, the occasional high edge and rocks to climb.

Supervise young children closely and do not allow them to go close to any edges.

In saying that, our 4 year old (who has been on quite a few bushwalks) managed very well. We carried our two year old most of the way (we do not recommend taking toddlers unless you have a hiking baby carrier)!

This was perhaps the most difficult section of the walk. It is on the descent to the waterhole. It can be challenging at times, but it is also fun.

There are a few edges and a large water hole where you must supervise children closely, especially any young children, which is why we recommend that the walk is more suitable for older children.

In Summer, teens often enjoy swinging from the rocks up near the cave into the swimming waterhole.

How To Find The Track

The Duck Hole Track is a moderate 4.5km return bushwalk that begins and ends at the end of Station Street in Glenbrook, on the right hand side of the cul-de-sac (located to the left of house number 7).

This is the start of the Duck Hole Track at the end of Station Street in Glenbrook. There is no sign, so just start walking the track here.

Navigating Your Way Along Duck Hole Track Glenbrook

There will be times on your bushwalk that the track is not clear, or look like there are alternate routes that you may take. We highly recommend downloading an app with a map that tracks your walk along the route, otherwise you might feel a little lost on this walk when you see a fork in the track.

We relied solely on the Newtracs App and it helped us immensely as it works offline to show you where you are on the track. All Trails is another option.

Ensure you have plenty of phone battery and start this walk so that you have plenty of daylight left, as you will want to explore Glenbrook Creek a little when you arrive. Pack a picnic and enjoy the serenity of the surrounds (although you might hear the occasional distant train).

Your children might enjoy navigating the walk using the Bushtrackers Map.

This is the view emerging from the bush at end of the Duck Hole Track Glenbrook.

What Children Enjoy About Duck Hole Track Glenbrook

Duck Hole Glenbrook is a fantastic bushwalk for children. There is so much to explore and discover along the way and it really gives them an excellent physical workout as they walk, run, climb and balance!

Train Spotting

There is a section of the track that is parallel to train tracks that connect Lapstone and Glenbrook train stations. It is a great train spotting location! If you’re lucky you will see a train pass by and maybe even get to hear the horn!

Children will enjoy seeing a train pass by! This section of the track is approximately 15 minutes into the walk so you can time your walk with the train timetable, if you think your children will enjoy spotting a train.

Diversity In Nature

The variety of plants and trees and other elements of nature will engage your children along Duck Hole Track. Wattle, banskias and scribbly bark gums, just to name a few.

Exploring in the bush also helps children to appreciate nature and hopefully learn to love and protect the world that they live in.

Ferns along the path.

Children are so observant and find the most interesting things in nature! This is another reason why bushwalking is so good for children’s development and understanding of the world around them.

Children and teens exploring, observing, touching and appreciating their natural environment along Duck Hole Track in Glenbrook.

Children become aware of the environment around them, observe the detail in nature closely and learn to appreciate how incredible and intricate creation of the world is.

Can you find this heart on a rock along Duck Hole Track?

Amazing angophora trees can be found along Duck Hole Track Glenbrook.

Collecting nature’s confetti along Duck Hole Track Glenbrook

Physical Challenges

Walking Duck Hole Track is physically challenging for some children in its distance and elevation. They will practise and develop strength, balance and endurance on this wonderful Blue Mountains bushwalk.

Balancing

There are opportunities for children to balance on fallen logs and rocky landscapes along the Duck Hole Track.

Crossing the makeshift log bridge across Glenbrook Creek.

Prepare for wet feet!

Rock Climbing

Even though some younger children might feel overwhelmed by climbing down a few large rocks, others will enjoy the challenge of it and the sense of accomplishment it achieves. Children grow in confidence as they conquer something difficult.

Fitness

Bushwalking is always good for fitness. Duck Hill Track is long and steep enough for everyone to get a good workout. It took us about 2 and a half hours return and that included about half an hour of play time around Glenbrook Creek.

The Cave

There is a cave close to Glenbrook Creek. Take a moment to check it out. The view is lovely!

The Swimming Hole

Glenbrook Creek is a lovely swimming waterhole, with a swing off the rocks for those who dare!

Keep cool in Summer at Glenbrook Creek – a great swimming hole in the lower Blue Mountains. After a long walk, you will need a cool off!

We hope that you and your family enjoy exploring Duck Hole Track Glenbrook. It is a diverse and interesting walk in the lower Blue Mountains that has so much for families to enjoy. It connects up to Florabella Pass to Warrimoo too, if you are keen for a longer walk.

Beautiful landscape mirrored in the water.

There is a nice loop fire trail walk that starts here at the end of Station Street (at the left of the cul-de-sac).

Blue Mountains Bushwalk Safety Tips

Before you grab your little ones, backpacks, drink bottles and walking shoes, ensure that you check all of the relevant safety requirements for the particular track that you are walking. Bushwalks for kids in the Blue Mountains are all different and require a different level of preparation. Please read our tips for keeping children safe on bushwalks. It’s a good idea to also download the NSW National Parks app and check out the Think before you TREK advice on the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Exploring and running free in nature!

Amazing angophoras along the track!

Bella vista along the track.

Enjoy Other Family Friendly Bushwalks In The Blue Mountains

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Tim Anderson

Grew up in Glenbrook in the 1960’s and early 70’s.

My mate and I spent most afternoons and summers walking, swimming and jumping along Glenbrook Creek. Beautifully clean, clear and no mud then.

This is when you could get to the Blue Pool from Wright St, These were the days when we as, 8, 9 year old’s got home from school, threw our bags inside and off down to Glenbrook Creek, out till dark, no worries or fears ten, kids could be kids. Parents had no idea where their broods were.

Anyway one of our frequent walks was from the Blue Pool up to the Duck Pond, as it was called then. Its a magic spot. Catching perch and eels in the rock pools on the way.

I remember going down to the Duck Pond after the 1968 bushfire, that took out dozens of houses across the town and burnt down to the Nepean. The escarpments at the Duck Pond was burnt and bare, you could see caves up the sides that were previously covered in vegetation.

We lost a great tree at the Blue Pool that a rope swing was always there.

Well worth the walk, but you do need to be reasonably fit to do it enjoyably, but you can take it a a slow pace, make a day out it.
2 years ago
françoise r

Thank you so much for your informative article, I went there today with my mum and it was absolutely stunning. It is a lower mountains hidden gem, and well worth the hike down. Thanks again! <3
4 years ago

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