Murphys Glen Campground – 4WD Camping Blue Mountains

For adventurous campers with a capable 4WD, Murphys Glen offers a spectacular and remote bush escape in a secluded corner of the Blue Mountains National Park. This beautiful, free campground is a true hidden gem, rewarding those who navigate the challenging access track with a profound sense of peace and isolation. The journey in is a key part of the experience, requiring a high-clearance 4WD to descend the steep and often rugged Turpentine Track into the valley. This ensures the campground remains a tranquil sanctuary for self-sufficient travellers seeking an authentic wilderness experience, a world away from the busy lookouts of the main tourist trail.

The campground itself is a large, beautiful, grassy clearing surrounded by towering eucalypts and magnificent stands of blue gum and turpentine trees. It provides a handful of spacious, unmarked sites perfect for tents and rugged off-road camper trailers. This is a classic, back-to-basics bush camp, with facilities limited to non-flush toilets and fire pits. You must be completely self-reliant, bringing in all your own water and supplies, and taking all your rubbish with you when you leave. The reward is an incredible immersion in nature; the area is a haven for wildlife, with kangaroos, wallabies, and a rich diversity of birdlife, including the powerful owl, often heard at night. For a rugged, beautiful, and truly off-grid adventure, Murphys Glen is a top-tier choice for the well-prepared 4WD explorer.

• Website: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
• Phone Number: 1300 072 757 (NPWS Bookings)
• GPS Coordinates: -33.76865, 150.48583

Site Information

• Location: Blue Mountains National Park, Woodford area.
• Site suitable for: Tents, off-road camper trailers.
• Road access: 4WD with high clearance is essential. The track is steep, unsealed, and can be very slippery and challenging after rain.
• Site surface: Grass and dirt.
• Camping permitted: Yes, this is a free campground, but bookings are essential via the NSW National Parks website. Park entry fees apply.
• Maximum overnight stays: Check booking details.
• Number of un-powered sites: 5 unmarked sites.
• Facilities: Non-flush (long-drop) toilets, wood barbecues/fire pits.
• Picnic tables: Some available.
• Potable water: No. Bring all your own drinking water.
• Mobile phone coverage: None. A PLB is highly recommended.
• TV reception: None.
• Onsite public toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish bins: No. All rubbish must be carried out.
• Open fires: Permitted in designated fire pits, subject to fire bans. Bring your own firewood.
• Generator use: Not permitted.
• Number of sites available: 5 sites.

Essentials to Bring

• A well-prepared 4WD with recovery gear.
• All drinking and washing water for your entire stay.
• Rubbish bags to take all waste with you.
• Your own firewood and an axe.
• A personal locator beacon (PLB) is essential for this remote area.
• Alpine-rated warm clothing, as nights in the valley are cold.

Activities

• Pet friendly: No. Pets are not permitted in National Parks.
• Fishing: Not applicable.
• Short walks: Explore the beautiful Turpentine Walking Track and surrounding 4WD trails.

Local Amenities (in Lawson / Wentworth Falls)

• Local Pubs:
  • The Blue Mountains Hotel, Lawson (~20 km)
  • The Grand View Hotel, Wentworth Falls (~25 km)
  • Hotel Blue, Katoomba (~30 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • An excellent selection of cafes, bakeries, and restaurants in Lawson (~20 km) and Wentworth Falls (~25 km).
• Local Attractions:
  • The village of Woodford and its historic pubs.
  • The famous waterfalls and lookouts of Wentworth Falls (~25 km).
  • The Three Sisters and Scenic World, Katoomba (~30 km).
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Katoomba Falls Tourist Park (~30 km)
  • Blackheath Glen Tourist Park (~40 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Old Ford Reserve, Megalong Valley (~45 km, 2WD accessible).
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • At Katoomba Waste Management Facility (~32 km).
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Service stations in Lawson (~20 km) or Wentworth Falls (~25 km).
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Nearby towns. It is essential to arrive at the park fully supplied with water.
• Public Toilets:
  • Onsite. The next closest are in Lawson (~20 km).

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Blue Mountains (Mid-Mountains)

• Summer (December – February): Hot and often humid, with a high chance of thunderstorms. The valley is sheltered but can be warm. Average temperatures from 17°C to 29°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Warm, sunny days and cool evenings. Ideal for hiking. Temperatures range from 11°C to 24°C.
• Winter (June – August): Cool, crisp, and often sunny days with cold nights. Frost is common in the valley. Temperatures range from 4°C to 16°C.
• Spring (September – November): Mild to warm with pleasant weather. The bush is full of wildflowers. Temperatures range from 10°C to 23°C.