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Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Grotto Point Lighthouse Walk are found in each of the tabs below
Grotto Point Lighthouse Walk
Time: 1 Hr Walking time
Includes the time for the return leg
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
2.9 km SW of Manly
Length: 1.7 km Walk Length
As this is a return style walk, the 1.7 km includes the return leg of this walk (ie back to the start)
Sydney Harbour National Park
Climb: 83 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 83 m, this is the total of the elevation gains made in each of the walks uphill sections
There is car access and parking near the start and end of this walk There is a bus stop within 2km of the start and end of this walk
Style: Return
Track: Moderate

This is an excellent walk with some very scenic views. The walk travels along a well used track through the thick coastal bush. The views are capped off by the vista over Sydney Harbour from the Grotto Point Lighthouse. Easy parking, a few good side trips, and in particular, the Aboriginal Engravings, make this walk all the more appealing. (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 Grotto Point Lighthouse Walk

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of Grotto Point Lighthouse Walk bushwalking tracknotes
Map of Grotto Point Lighthouse Walk
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 500 meters
End of Cutler Road
Int of Manly to Spit and Cutler Road tracks
Grotto Point Engravings track
Grotto Point Engravings track
Int of Grotto Point Lighthouse and Manly to Spit tracks
Int of Grotto Point Lighthouse and Grotto Point Cliffs tracks
Int of Grotto Point Lighthouse and Grotto Point Cliffs tracks
Grotto Point lighthouse
Starting point for this hiking track: Int of Manly to Spit and Cutler Road tracks

Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands   Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795   www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here
 Sydney Heads 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91302N 
 Sydney 1:100 000 Map Series 9130 

Photo Gallery

 
Grotto Point Track
 
Grotto Point Track +
 
Bench beside track
 
Bench beside track +
 
Grotto Point
 
Grotto Point +

 
View from Grotto Point Track
 
View from Grotto Point Track +
 
Grotto Point Track
 
Grotto Point Track +
 
View from Grotto Point Lighthouse
 
View from Grotto Point Lighthouse +

 
Grotto Point Lighthouse
 
Grotto Point Lighthouse +
 
Concrete bunker below Grotto Pt Lighthouse
 
Concrete bunker below Grotto Pt Lighthouse +
 
Brick stairs down to bunker
 
Brick stairs down to bunker +

Terrain


Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.)

Cross sectional view of the Grotto Point Lighthouse Walk bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Grotto Point Lighthouse Walk bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Grotto Point Lighthouse Walk bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Grotto Point Lighthouse 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 1.7km
Time 1 Hr
.


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 Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
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
Around 590m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 250m has short steep hills.

Quality of track
Around 700m of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 140m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs
Around 700m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 140m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
Around 550m of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 280m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 830m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
Around 590m of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 250m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Track Notes


Since this is a 'return' style walk once you have had enough of the walk, turn around and retrace your steps back to the start.
Catch the bus to End of Cutler Road
Public transport (bus) available to this Bushwalk You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip to the end of this walk.
(Links currently not working sorry)
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive to End of Cutler Road
You can drive or ride to this start of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
You can drive or ride to the start of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk.
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

(0 km) End of Cutler Road to Grotto Point Engravings track
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 170 m Time = 4 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -18 m
From the car park at the end of Cutler Road, the walk heads between a gap in the fence, down the rock steps towards the water. The track soon passes an information sign before continuing down to the intersection with the Arabanoo Walk.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Castle Rock Beach 800m' sign along the bush track and down the stone steps, keeping the ocean to the left. The track winds down the hill until it flattens out at the intersection with a short track (heading to the Grotto Point engravings track) on the left.

(0.17 km) Grotto Point Engravings track to Grotto Point Engravings
Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 41 m Time = 1 mins
Climb = 2 m Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill, beside a wooden sleeper, passing an engraving of a kangaroo on the right. The short track soon comes to a large rock platform with the rest of the engravings, and information signs.
(Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)

Grotto Point Engravings Alt = 59 m
The engravings at Grotto Point depict kangaroos, fish and what appears to be boomerangs. The engravings are in quite good condition, considering their age. We have already lost so much of this region's history that historians are not entirely sure if this is the land of the Gayamagal or the Cammeraygal clan. Please take a great deal of care at this site to ensure the longevity of this history. More info

(0.17 km) Grotto Point Engravings track to Int of Grotto Point Lighthouse and Manly to Spit tracks
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 109 m Time = 3 mins
Climb = 1 m Descent = -8 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track heading down the hill, away from the engravings. The track soon heads down some rock step to the signposted intersection of the Grotto Point Lighthouse track.

(0.28 km) Int of Grotto Point Lighthouse and Manly to Spit tracks to Int of Grotto Point Lighthouse and Grotto Point Cliffs tracks
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 137 m Time = 3 mins
Climb = 2 m Descent = -13 m
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the Grotto Point Lighthouse arrow along the rocky bush track, winding down a gentle hill, coming into more dense bush as it winds to the intersection of the Grotto Point Lighthouse and the Grotto Point Cliffs tracks.

(0.42 km) Int of Grotto Point Lighthouse and Grotto Point Cliffs tracks to Grotto Point Cliffs
Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 101 m Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -18 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads past the blank (but graffiti-covered) sign and along the rocky track, winding down the hill towards the northern edge of the ridge, soon coming to the top of the cliffs.
(Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)

(0.42 km) Int of Grotto Point Lighthouse and Grotto Point Cliffs tracks to Grotto Point Lighthouse
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 416 m Time = 8 mins
Climb = 2 m Descent = -39 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk winds down the hill, passing an old, blank signpost. The track wanders through dense bush and along the ridge, flattening out for a while until it drops down another hill towards the end of the point, coming to the Grotto Point Lighthouse.

Grotto Point Lighthouse Alt = 3 m
Surrounded by a white picket fence, the small Grotto Point Lighthouse overlooks Middle Head. The light was designed in the early 1900s by the architect Maurice Festu to assist ships entering the harbour. Construction started in 1910, with the lighthouse being commissioned on September 1 1911.

(0.83 km) Grotto Point lighthouse to Old concrete bunker
Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 50 m Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m Descent = -2 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads around the right-hand side of the lighthouse and along the bush track, passing a green post and continuing down some tall brick steps to the concrete roof of an old bunker.

Catch the bus from End of Cutler Road
Public transport (bus) available from this Bushwalk You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip from the end of this walk.
(Links currently not working sorry)
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive from End of Cutler Road
You can drive or ride from this end of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
You can drive or ride from the end of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk.
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Public Transport links currently not working, sorry
Public Transport Timetables

To the start of the walk

From
Castle Hill
Chatswood
Dural
Epping
Gosford
Hornsby
Katoomba
Manly
Parramatta
Penrith
Strathfield
Sutherland
Sydney
From the end of the walk

To
Castle Hill
Chatswood
Dural
Epping
Gosford
Hornsby
Katoomba
Manly
Parramatta
Penrith
Strathfield
Sutherland
Sydney

Driving Directions
To the start of the walk

Drive from:
From the end of the walk

Drive to:


Near by



Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
Store Address Phone Distance (straight line)
Kellys Camping & Outdoors 826 Pittwater Rd , Dee Why (02) 9972 0061 6.6 km
Kangaroo Tent City & BBQs 165-167 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood (02) 9884 9199 6.8 km
Mountain Designs Shop 16/ 9 Spring St , Chatswood (02) 9415 4566 7.5 km
Larry Adler Ski & Outdoor 77 Archer St , Chatswood (02) 9412 4777 7.4 km
Mountain Equipment 72 Archer St , Chatswood (02) 9419 6955 7.5 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Grotto Point Lighthouse Walk.
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from Grotto Point Lighthouse Walk
Click to re-center search
5 SYD05 Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA
Emergency use only
17 km (to the WNW)
1 SYD01 12/14 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE 23 km (to the SW)
6 VMB7 CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS 25 km (to the NNW)
7 SYD07 7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN 33 km (to the W)
8 MDC08 Gencom Site Lot 6 Wakefield Close KARIONG 42 km (to the N)

Weather and Park 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.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here
°C (feels like °)
km/h from the
% humidity     (as at )
A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Sydney Harbour National Park Link 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 fees Camping Facilities
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:​
  • Middle Head
  • North Head
  • Quarantine Station
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact Bobbin Head Information Centre (02) 9472 8949 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

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.


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