Blue Pool

Location: Enter the National Park via Bruce Road, Glenbrook and drive in through the entry gate – a $7 park entry fee is payable. Follow the road down a couple of hairpin bends to car parks with a sign pointing to the Blue Pool.

Duration: 20 minutes return

Grade: Easy

Features: creek, swimming hole, overhangs

Trip Notes: 

The Blue Pool is aptly named - its striking blue colour (at times almost turquoise when the sun is out, the sky is blue and the water is just right) is unusual to find in the middle of the Blue Mountains bush – this phenomenon doesn’t happen all the time however, and those lucky enough to see it have chanced upon something quite special. This curious colour varies greatly depending on the weather and the water, and is said to be caused light refracting off clay particles in the water.

Flannel Flowers dot the landscape as we take the steps at the start of this walk to the pool. There is a short wooden bridge to cross before descending further. Lime green ferns around hollowed out boulders, ruby red mountain devils and splashes of purple Trigger plants are around us. The well-made stone steps complete with a railing lead us down the track - we seem to be following a small watercourse as we descend the escarpment where the large grass trees wave and rustle in the breeze.

Soon the track flattens out and we walk along the base over large stone slabs, with interesting textured rock faces on the cliff beside us. The weathered sandstone overhangs create interesting dark orange textures and we also found that they provided a cosy shelter. We took refuge in this sandy bottomed cave from a sudden downpour and enjoyed watching the rain wetting and colouring the vegetation from our dry haven.

The track meanders along the base of the escarpment and soon what looks like a fork is reached. The sandy track on the left goes to a scenic spot on the creek – there s a bit of a rock scramble and after clamouring under an impressive gnarled tree onto the large rocks there is an engaging view of Glenbrook creek from here. The creek rushes by at this point so care needs to be taken on the slippery rocks - looking downstream the picturesque creek is surrounded by trees yielding brilliant yellow wattle while upstream the Blue Pool is in sight. 

To get to the Blue Pool, it’s the other track that hugs the cliff which needs to be taken. This track narrows out a bit and footing has to be watched over a few small rocky outcrops but soon we come to a small clearing on the left giving an easy entry point to the inviting waters of the Blue Pool. This pool is a popular swimming spot and great for a dip during the hot summer months. However care needs to be taken especially after rain as water levels become unpredictable. 

Today we arrived at the pool after a downpour so the colour of the water wasn’t blue. Despite that it was a relaxing spot and we met a friendly family picnicking on the shores and enjoying swimming in the pool. Of course it wasn’t long until the leeches appeared! We all packed up quickly and headed back the way we came, grateful for the short peaceful walk and hopeful to come back soon for a full day picnic in clearer weather.
DH

This article has been published in the Jan/Feb 2012 edition of The Mountains Blueberry.