This walk explores a great section of Sydney Harbour. Starting with some historic points at Bradleys Head, you can enjoy views of Sydney's Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The views will continue to delight as you explore bushland and the bays along the way. The pleasant walk ends at Clifton Gardens, where you will find a kiosk and equipment for the kids to play.
(open in app)
There are closures in Sydney Harbour National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk
Cross sectional view of the Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
2.8km
Time
1 hr 30 mins
.
Grade 3/6
Track: Moderate
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Signs
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
1.2km of this walk has short steep hills and another 840m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (790m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
1.6km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 790m follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (440m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 2.6km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 210m has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 2.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 2.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 2km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 850m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
Online bushwalking Magazine. Download the full magazine for free Bushwalk Australia eMag The Online Magazine is produces by the community at bushwalk.com and the Wildwalks team Bushwalk.com Australia's most active bushwalking forum - Check it out. Happy Reading. Matt :)
The HMAS Sydney Memorial Mast was erected in 1934, following the HMAS Sydney's decommissioning in 1928[1]. The mast stands as a sign of respect for 'Australian officers, sailors and ships lost at sea and in combat'[2]. HMAS Sydney itself was a Chatham Class light cruiser which saw action in WW1. More info
(0 km)
HMAS Sydney Mast, Bradleys Head
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Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Taylors Bay Lookout track Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 787 m
Time = 17 mins
Climb = 42 m
Descent = -29 m
From the intersection, this walk heads along the footpath, keeping the road to the left, for about 150m to where the road bends sharply left. From this point, this walk heads along boardwalk, on your right, keeping the water glimpses to your right. The board walk soon end and this walk follows the track along the side of the hill for about 600m to come to an intersection with a sign pointing back to 'Bradleys Head'.
(0.79 km)
Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Taylors Bay Lookout track
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Taylors Bay Lookout Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 49 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -6 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads away from the main tracks winding into the bush. The track winds past two white benches, to a small rock shelf overlooking the water. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
(0.79 km)
Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Taylors Bay Lookout track
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Chowder Head track intersection Track: Moderate - footpath,bushtrack,bushtrack
Length = 1.24 km
Time = 31 mins
Climb = 88 m
Descent = -81 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads into Taylors Gully, with Taylors Bay below on the right. The track continues for approximately 300m, contouring around the hill with views of Taylors Bay on the right. Tending right, this walk enters and exits Taylors Gully, to continue approximately 250m to the signposted intersection at the beginning of the houses, on the left. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads along the line of the houses, on the left, for approximately 140m. The track passes a Japanese Submarine information sign on the right as it continues along sections of boardwalk track, to the intersection next to the last house. The walk heads up the stairs below the last house to be met by a large sandstone staircase on the left and a track to the front. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the house and clearing along the fairly flat track keeping the water glimpses to your right. The path soon leads to a clear three-way intersection with a 'Ashton Park' sign pointing back along the track.
(2.03 km)
Chowder Head track intersection
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Chowder Head Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 87 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -10 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Chowder Head' sign[3] south-west along the clear track. The track heads gently downhill and bends left past some dead gums[4] to find an unfenced rock platform with great harbour views[5]. (Note the informal track continues down becoming steeper, leading to a small bay.) (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer right to continue along this walk.)
Chowder Head
Alt = 23 m
Chowder Head provides a small unfenced rocky outcrop to enjoy the wide harbour views. From this vantage point, there are views across the water to South Head, Vaucluse, Rose Bay, Shark Island and Bradleys Head. A great spot to watch the sailing boats on a clear day.
(2.03 km)
Chowder Head track intersection
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Morella St lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 278 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -16 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows 'Clifton Gardens'[6] sign gently up the hill. The track leads through the bush for a short time to soon come to another three-way intersection, this one marked with a 'Morella Rd' sign[7] (on your left). Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the main track keeping the water glimpses to your right (and the Morella Rd track to your left). The track gently works is way around the hill to come to a sign point back to 'Ashton Park' and a large clearing with good views behind some houses.
Morella St lookout
Alt = 29 m
This informally named clearing behind some houses[8] on Morella St provides a great view across the harbour[9]. The fairly large clearing has been maintained and is a good place to stop if wanting to avoid the large groups at Clifton Gardens.
(2.31 km)
Morella St lookout
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Bottom of Sarahs walk steps Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 75 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -17 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows 'Clifton Gardens' sign[10] downhill along the concrete path, behind the line of houses[11]. The path leads down the hill, following a series of steps[12] past a bench seat to come to a 'T' intersection (with Sarah's Walk, part way down a set of steps)[13][14].
(2.38 km)
Bottom of Sarahs walk steps
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Clifton Gardens baths Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 251 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -16 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the steps[15] that soon flatten out as the footpath leads around the headland under a few sandstone overhangs[16]. The walk soon comes to a 'Foreshore Path'[17] sign pointing back along the path at the south-western end of Clifton Gardens. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down onto the beach, towards the wharf in the middle of the beach. The walk passes an Illawarra Flame tree, as it heads approximately 100m along the beach to the start of the wharf.
Clifton Gardens Reserve
Alt = 2 m
Clifton Gardens was developed as a picnic spot in the late 1800s, with a local hotelier building a wharf and dance pavilion. In 1909, Sydney Ferries Ltd purchased the estate, and further developed the area, including a large swimming enclosure. The structure burned down in 1956.[18]
Today, Clifton Gardens is touted as 'remnant bushland'[19], offering birdwatching, a netted swimming enclosure, change rooms, a fenced playground[20], and of course, spectacular views over Chowder Bay. A short bush track leads through to Rawson Oval.
(2.63 km)
Clifton Gardens Baths
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Chowder Bay Lower Gate Track: Moderate - beach
Length = 207 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -10 m
Continue straight: From the wharf, this walk heads towards the playground-end of the beach. The walk leads along the beach, passing the playground and rocky outcrop on the left to tend right onto a boardwalk. The boardwalk takes the walk to the lower gate of Chowder Bay.
Bacino Kiosk
Alt = 5 m
The Bacino Kiosk, just next to Clifton Gardens, is a smaller version of the Bacino Bar above at Chowder Bay. This kiosk supplies passers-by with a home-blend coffee and sandwiches, and all at a reasonable price ($5-12). The Kiosk is open from 7am-4pm every day, except Christmas and bad weather. More info
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 8 years ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.
Sydney Harbour National ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page One of Sydney's most diverse parks, Sydney Harbour National Park is formed from 11 pockets of harbour islands and shoreline. Highlights include coastal walks and swimming, breath-taking viewpoints, tours of colonial buildings and Aboriginal cave art. Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCampingFacilities Current Park Closure information for Sydney Harbour National Park Closure information last downloaded Sunday 27th of September 2015 07:00 AM Closed areas: Park closure sunset to sunrise for pest management Pest management activities are taking place between sunset and sunrise at the following selected sites within Sydney Harbour National Park. Please abide by all park signage. Closed areas are:
Closed areas: Shark Island upcoming closures Shark Island in Sydney Harbour will be closed to public access due to essential wharf repairs on the following dates:
16 to 17 September 2015
24 to 27 September 2015.
Other incidents: Sydney Harbour National Park accommodation Constables, Green Point and Steele Point Cottages are no longer available for accomodation bookings. New options are being considered for the conservation, management and use of these buildings.
Closed areas: Collins Flat Beach unavailable for venue hire Collins Flat Beach is currently unavailable for venue hire due to the impact of high visitation on the critical habitat found at this location. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact NPWS Mosman office on (02) 9960 6266 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
It is a great walk mainly through what was until recently off-limits naval land, combining bush, fantastic views, naval and military history and historic building.
Thanks for a great resource.
Andrea - Bradley to chowder
IP:101.175.168.xxx | 2014-06-24 12:03:12
Very beautiful walk. A few little hidden look outs. Beautiful nature surrounding throughout and a few beaches aswell. Easy walk and a must do.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Moderate
1 km
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
not too much longer now :)