This return walk out to Grotto Point is in a magnificent area above the entrance to Middle Harbour. The walk provides plenty of views of Middle Head and over Sydney Harbour to the CBD. Many scenic views and some spectacular bushland, so close to the city, makes this walk a gem.
(open in app)
There are closures in Sydney Harbour National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
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 Walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Grotto Point 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
3.6km
Time
2 hrs
.
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 1.6km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 250m has short steep hills.
Quality of track
Around 1.4km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 430m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 1.6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 220m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 1.3km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 550m requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 1.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 1.1km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 690m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Catch the bus to Int. Dobroyd Scenic Dr and Arabanoo Trk
Arabanoo Lookout provides great views over Port Jackson, North Harbour and to Manly. The lookout also has some interesting information signs and plarques[1][2][3][4][5] providing information on the significance of the area. There are two large stone seats[fac=8241][fac=8242] at the lookout.
This lookout is named after Arabanoo, an Aboriginal man kidnapped in December 1788, by British marines on Governor Phillips orders. The Governor believed that this was justified as he wished to facilitate communication between the British and the Aborigines. Arabanoo lived in the company of the Europeans until the 18th May 1789 where he died due to smallpox infection[6].
(0 km)
Int. Dobroyd Scenic Dr and Arabanoo Trk
to
Crater Cove Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 489 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -19 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Manly' and 'The Spit' sign down the hill. The track winds down through bush which quickly becomes heath. The heath becomes short and thins out on the left, before the walk comes to an intersection, with a sign pointing back to 'Arabanoo Lookout'. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows 'The Spit' arrow along the hillside as it winds through the thick scrub to the start of a boardwalk. The walk leads further around the hillside to the edge of the park and down onto the fenced Crater Cove lookout.
Crater Cove Lookout
Alt = 76 m
From this fenced lookout, vistas far out to sea can be enjoyed, with Middle and South Heads just in view. Many yachts sail past, with the container ships out to sea. This is a popular spot for watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart race, or for watching whales as they pass by Sydney.
(0.49 km)
Crater Cove Lookout
to
Bottom of Tania Park track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 10 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = 0 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill, towards the road and away from the sea. The walk soon comes to an intersection with the Tania Park stone steps on the right.
(0.5 km)
Bottom of Tania Park track
to
Grotto Point Engravings track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 660 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -38 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the Arabanoo Walk, keeping the water on the left. The track continues away from the rock platform for a short time, coming to an unnamed lookout on another rock platform. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the hillside keeping the harbour below and to the left of the track. The walk crosses several separate sections of boardwalk and rock platforms, coming to the intersection with the signpost 'Castle Rock Beach 800m'. Continue straight: 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.
(1.16 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
(1.16 km)
Grotto Point Engravings track
to
Grotto Point Lighthouse Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 662 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -60 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. 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. 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.
(1.82 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 Int. Dobroyd Scenic Dr and Arabanoo Trk
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 :)