It was on the Great Western Road (later Highway) from Sydney over the Blue Mountains to Bathurst and had several inns between the Nepean River and the foot of Lapstone Hill from the 1830s.

[4][3] Emu Plains may have been named for the sighting of emus on the river flats, in the late 1700s or may have originated from soldier Captain Watkin Tench in his early exploration of part of the region.

The Government Farm was established here in 1819 by Governor Macquarie, where convicts cleared land and cultivated wheat, maize, tobacco and other crops for 13 years.

By this time a road had been established across the Blue Mountains to the Bathurst plains and more land was being sought for the expansion of Sydney town.

[3] Emu Plains is the western extremity of the Sydney Trains network with points at the eastern end of the station allowing services to terminate at either platform.

On the southern side of the complex and tracks towards Railway Row, these include three jacarandas (J.mimosifolia), a large camphor laurel (Cinnamommum camphora), several mature river or she-oaks (Casuarina cunninghamiana), a Queensland black bean or native chestnut (Castanospermum australe) further away in the car parking area, white cedar (Melia azederach var.australasica).

Constructed of face brick with stone detailing the building presents two-storey to the platforms and three-storey to the street.

A faceted window bay to the basement and ground floor levels with slate pitched roof and moulded top dominates the eastern end of the building.

[3] The platform (north) elevation of the building retains its original fenestration with some modifications to the central window and two door openings.

[3] Interior: The building generally retains its original floor layout with minor changes, and is currently undergoing significant restoration and repair works in particular to the residence.

Walls of the staircase are clad with later unsympathetic timber boards which extends into the majority of the upper floor rooms.

Modern aluminium palisade fencing, timber bench seating, lighting and security and safety equipment are the other features of the platforms.

[3] There are no visible evidence of earlier structures/station building on the site and given consideration to the changes made over the years it is unlikely any remnants of these structures would survive.

[3] Remnants of the ex-rail line to the gravel quarry is located on Mackellar Street further to the east of the Emu Plains station.

[3] Emu Plains railway station was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria.

[3] The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

[3] The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

[3] The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.