The walk from Chowder Bay to Middle Head is an interesting one, passing Georges Head Lookout and its views over South Head, and then going up to the WW1 hospital. The track continues with an exploration of the whole of Middle Head, including forts, a nudist beach (a sidetrip option) and stunning views over the harbour. The walk returns via Chowder Bay Rd which offers a few fortifications hidden in the bush.
(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 Chowder Bay to Middle Head return via Chowder Bay Rd
Cross sectional view of the Chowder Bay to Middle Head return via Chowder Bay Rd bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Chowder Bay to Middle Head return via Chowder Bay Rd 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
4.9km
Time
2 hrs 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
2.8km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 1.8km has short steep hills. The remaining (320m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
2.9km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 1.6km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (490m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 3.6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.3km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 4.9km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 4.9km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 4.4km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 520m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Catch the bus to Int. Chowder Bay Trk and Georges Heights Rd
(0 km)
Int. Chowder Bay Trk and Georges Heights Rd
to
Georges Head Lookout Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 72 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -2 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to Georges Head Lookout, down the hill to the circular paved lookout above the fortifications.
Georges Heights
Alt = 69 m
Georges Heights is a gun emplacement with a commanding 180degree view over the entrance to the harbour. The old gun emplacements are still in position, with their arcs of fire explained in the signs nearby. The view from this lookout is magnificent.
(0.07 km)
Georges Head Lookout
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Int. WW1 Hospital and Chowder Bay Trk Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 452 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -11 m
Turn around: From the circular lookout of Georges Head Lookout, this walk follows the sandstone pavement back to the road at the signposted intersection. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the signs to 'Balmoral Beach' up the hill for a short while. The track opens out to a clearing on the left which has some old structures in it. This is the World War 1 hospital.
WW1 Hospital
Alt = 77 m
This military hospital was in use from 1916 to 1923, and could treat up to 420 troops at any one time. Sydney Harbour Trust completed restoration of the buildings mid-2005. These buildings are New South Wales' only surviving military hospital buildings from WW1.
(0.52 km)
Int. WW1 Hospital and Chowder Bay Trk
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Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd Track: Moderate - footpath,road
Length = 813 m
Time = 16 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -41 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads up and across the hill, leaving the WW1 hospital behind on the left. The path continues up the hill, passing a sculpture (a bit overgrown on the right), then bending left (passing through a gate that is locked overnight at 6pm) up to Middle Head Rd. The walk crosses the road to the signposted intersection on the other side. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the road towards the fence, away from the houses. The road tends right as it comes into HMAS Penguin. The walk continues along Middle Head Rd to the intersection with Chowder Bay Rd, opposite the oval.
(1.34 km)
Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd
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Middle Head Oval NE Gate Walk: Easy - bushtrack,undefined
Length = 174 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -25 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the road to the gate which opens to the oval, next to the baseball nets. Veer right: From the gate, this walk heads away from the baseball nets to the far side of the oval, where there is another gate.
(1.51 km)
Middle Head Oval NE Gate
to
Cobblers and Officers Quarters int. Alternate Route:
Track: Hard - bushtrack,servicetrail
( Show detail)
Length = 435 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 31 m
Descent = -30 m
Veer left: From the gate, this walk follows the track along the outside of white fence (oval to the left), in the opposite direction to the 'Middle Head' arrow on the sign. The track then turns right, heading steeply down the hill for a short time to come out onto a flat grass area behind Cobblers Beach. Turn around: From 'Cobblers Beach'[1], this walk follows the grassy management trail gently uphill for about 50m to where the trail sweeps sharply around to the left. After this bend, the walk continues more steeply up the wide gravely management trail for the next 220m, through a few noteably steep sections[fac=8326][2] to find an an unmarked intersection (with a faint track on the left)[3], just after the trail finished a long sweeping bend around to the right. Turn left to rejoin the main walk, following the notes from 1.8km 'Behind Officers Quarters'.
Cobblers Beach
Alt = 4 m
Cobblers Beach[4] is a small pretty and clothing optional [5] beach on the northern edge of Middle Head in Sdynday Harbour NP. From the beach, you can see across the water to Grotto Point and Balmoral Beach in the distance. The small sandy beach is about 80m long and about 10m wide depending on the tide. There are rocks along the shorline[6]. Wearing clothing is optional on the sandy beach area however clothing is required to be worn in the surrounding bushland and on the grassed area directly behind the beach[7].
(1.51 km)
Middle Head Oval NE Gate
to
Inner Forts intersection Track: Moderate - bushtrack,servicetrail,bushtrack,bushtrack
Length = 500 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 42 m
Descent = -30 m
Turn right: From the gate, this walk follows the 'Middle Head' sign along the line of the cyclone fence, keeping the sea to the left of the track. The walk continues along this line for approximately 150m to the signposted intersection at the corner of the fence. Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Cobblers Beach Road' arrow on the 'Sydney Harbour National Park' sign[8] downhill along the gravely management trail. After 110m the trail narrows for about 5m (to 90cm) to pass a pile of spoil[9] then about 20m later comes in an unmarked intersection (with a faint track on the right)[10]. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill towards the white picket fence of the old Officers Quarters. The track follows the fence up and around to the right, keeping the house on the right of the track, as it comes to the signposted intersection with the 'Inner Middle Head Forts' track. Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Inner Middle Head Forts' sign[11] along the mostly flat dirt track (away from the road) for about 90m to come to an unsignposted intersection with another track and a sandstone fort (on the right).
(2.01 km)
Inner Forts intersection
to
Disappearing Gun Pit North Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 70 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -18 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the clear dirt track[12] towards the distant water view between two long sandstone trenches[13]. After 60m this walk heads across the grassy section[14] to come to the top edge of the northern Disappearing Gun Pit[fac=8328][15][16] beside the ocean cliffs[17]. Take extra care as the ground slopes towards the gun pit and cliff edges - stay 2 body lengths back from any significant drop. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)
(2.01 km)
Int. Inner Forts and Lower Barracks Trks
to
Middle Head Fort Track: Moderate - bushtrack,servicetrail
Length = 293 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -4 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the fort near the sea cliff, instead heading towards the gun pit surrounded by bush. The track winds left from the intersection to the large fort. Turn right: From the fort, this walk heads away from the fort, keeping the sea to the left of the track as it slightly winds for approximately 200m, to come out into a clearing. The walk crosses the clearing to the footpath next to the forts. Veer left: From beside the row of large gun timber brackets (bases)[18], this walk heads downhill for 50m along the wide gravely trail[19] towards the water to come the large network of concrete and sandstone forts and gun emplacements[20][21][22]. The area can be explored, taking care of cliff edges and large potential falls into the fortifications.
Outer Middle Head Battery
Alt = 37 m
The Outer Middle Head Battery is the main complex in the Middle Head Fortifications. Work for building the fortifications started in 1801 and the last batteries were constructed in 1942, with the majority of the work being done 1870 and 1911 [23]. There is a network of tunnels and rooms underground that was build to support the gunning placements to protect Sydney Harbour from enemy invasion. There are formal tours available or you can take care and explore the area yourself.
(2.3 km)
Middle Head Fort
to
Old Fort Road gun brackets Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 47 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -1 m
Turn around: From the Middle Head Fort complex, this walk heads gently uphill away from the concrete and sandstone forts and gun emplacements[24][25][26] along the wide gravel trail[27] for about 50m to come to an intersection in a large clearing beside a row large gun timber brackets (bases)[28], marked with a 'Middle Head' sign[29].
(2.35 km)
Old Fort Road gun brackets
to
Int. Old Fort and Govenors Rds Walk: Easy - road
Length = 218 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -2 m
Continue straight: From the beside row large gun timber brackets (bases)[30], this walk follows the old ashpalt road uphill away from the water. After about 50m the walk leads between the metal bollards[31] then 30m later heads over a rise then leads downhill for 130m to come to the intersection with 'Govenors Rd'[32] with the toilet (to the left[fac=8324]) and 'Barracks No.1'[33] (to the right).
(2.57 km)
Int. Old Fort and Govenors Rds
to
Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 502 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -21 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk leaves the road and crosses the stone wall closest to the fenceline. The walk follows the fenceline which soon turns right. The track follows the fence for a short time to a gate in the fence. Note that if the gate is closed, visitors can walk around the left side fence, which soon ends. Veer right: From the gate, this walk heads up the grassy hill following the fenceline, on the right. The walk follows the fenceline for a short time to then turn right and continue through the car park to the intersection of Chowder Bay and Middle Head Rds.
(3.07 km)
Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd
to
Int. Chowder Bay Rd and Obelisk Beach Trk Track: Moderate - road
Length = 147 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -14 m
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk heads down Chowder Bay Rd, away from the sports field, for a short time to the intersection and 'Obelisk Beach' signpost.
(3.22 km)
Int. Chowder Bay Rd and Obelisk Beach Trk
to
Obelisk Beach Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 93 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -18 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Obelisk Beach' sign[34] down the hill. The track winds down across the hill to the right, then tends left down onto a rock platform above the beach. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)
Obelisk Bay
Alt = 12 m
Obelisk Bay is named after the white stone obelisk on the shore, also known as Onion Point. The beach has a southerly aspect across Sydney Harbour, with very little surf. Clothing is optional on this beach, as it is a designated nudist beach. Views from the beach include Watsons Bay and Vaucluse.
(3.22 km)
Int. Chowder Bay Rd and Obelisk Beach Trk
to
Roundabout at end of Chowder Bay Road Track: Moderate - road
Length = 1.37 km
Time = 27 mins
Climb = 42 m
Descent = -50 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the road with the harbour to the left. After a while, the walk comes to a large black cement fortification to the left of the road. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the road, keeping the water below on the left. The walk soon passes buildings to the left and right, continuing past the Bacino Bar to the roundabout at the end of the road.
Chowder Bay
Alt = 19 m
Chowder Bay looks over Sydney Harbour, to Vaucluse and Rose Bay. The bay is named after the food of the American whalers stationed at Clifton Gardens, 'clam chowder'. Chowder Bay then became a Submarine Mining Depot in 1889. Today, Chowder Bay still has great views from the remaining military buildings on the hillside. One of the newer buildings houses a cafe, and other buildings stand as monuments to their former use. Chowder Bay offers great views with easy access to Clifton Gardens for a swim.
(4.59 km)
Roundabout at end of Chowder Bay Road
to
Int. Bacino Bar back deck and Chowder Bay Trk Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 18 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the road, this walk heads north away from the harbour to the base of the stone steps on the left hand side of Bacino Bar.
Bacino Cafe
Alt = 23 m
The Bacino Bar is in Building No.2 at Chowder Bay, with great views across Sydney Harbour. The bar sells pastas, panini, arancini, tramezzini, stuffed eggplant and biscotti, along with homemade sandwiches and treats. The Bacino Bar prices are reasonable, ranging between $5-12 for the delicacies, and their coffee is made of their own blend. The bar is open every day from 7am- 4pm except for Christmas. A public toilet is available at the Eastern end of the building. More info
(4.6 km)
Int. Bacino Bar back deck and Chowder Bay Trk
to
Int. Gunners' Barracks drive way and Chowder Bay Trk Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 271 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 47 m
Descent = -2 m
Continue straight: From the intersection behind Bacino Bar, the walk heads up the steep stone steps, away from the cafe. The track then tends right, across the hill for a short time climbing the uneven stairs to meet the road and signposted intersection.
(4.87 km)
Int. Gunners' Barracks drive way and Chowder Bay Trk
to
Int. Chowder Bay Trk and Georges Heights Rd Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 60 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -1 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads across the road to head up the bush track on the hill for approximately 50m, to the signposted intersection behind 'Georges Head Lookout'.
Catch the bus from Int. Chowder Bay Trk and Georges Heights Rd
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.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Moderate
1 km
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)