Mulgoa’s the Rock Lookout reveals amazing view of the Nepean River
If you want an excellent bird’s-eye view of the Nepean River and Nepean Gorge, I recommend driving to the Rock Lookout at Mulgoa.
The Rock Lookout is located about 400 metres from the carpark at the end of Fairlight Road, Mulgoa — south of Penrith. It’s a very easy walk — but not suitable for wheelchair access.
I drove to the Rock Lookout during the March 2022 flood, and the route to the lookout wasn’t impacted by any flooding from the Nepean River. It’s too high to be near any flooded areas! The final 2kms of the drive to the carpark near the Rock Lookout is on an unsealed road with some potholes.
The Rock Lookout is located on the eastern edge of the Blue Mountains National Park. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services has constructed signage near the Rock Lookout, and it details the history of the location: “Located on the rim of Fairlight (Nepean) Gorge, overlooking the Nepean River, the Rock Lookout has grand views overlooking the eastern part of Blue Mountains National Park. This part of the Nepean River was part of an original Grant of Land to Nathaniel Norton in 1821. The property changed owners and was subdivided several times. In 1978 a portion of the estate became an important addition to Blue Mountains National Park. In 1984 Table Rock Lookout was as a heritage item in the Mulgoa Regional Environment Study. The most likely time of construction of the walking track and stone steps appears to be between 1912 to 1924, the hey-day of the guest house era. The area shares links to Mulgoa’s historic past and also evidence of Aboriginal occupation, predating European settlement by several thousands years. A diversity of plants and animals may be found here, and the area is home to a number of plant species that have disappeared from much of the Sydney basin.”
Below is a map that shows the driving route to The Rock Lookout — access via The Northern Road, Mulgoa Road and the township of Mulgoa.
An article in the Open Road in 1932, and republished in the Nepean Times, revealed that there was once a toll that had to be paid to reach the lookout from Mulgoa. The unknown writer had a similar experience to the one experienced: “This view of the Nepean is really wonderful; the river appears to stretch in almost a straight line for at least ten miles in the direction of Penrith, and several miles in the other direction.”
Located 2.5kms north of the carpark is the Rileys Mountain Lookout — it too offers a stunning view of the Nepean River. I hope you enjoy your visit to the Rock Lookout. Be careful on the rock — there is minimal fencing along the edge of the lookout. I’d be interested in hearing about your visit — drop me a message at @BrendenWood.
#NepeanRiver #Mulgoa
