This scenic walk takes you from the Spit Bridge, along the coast to explore the Middle Head Forts. There are a few alternate routes for use at high tide or high seas. Balmoral Beach offers a few spots for a coffee or fish and chips along the way. Middle Head offers plenty of options for exploring the old forts and enjoying a view out the heads.
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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 Spit Bridge to Middle Head Forts
Cross sectional view of the Spit Bridge to Middle Head Forts bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Spit Bridge to Middle Head Forts 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
6km
Time
2 hrs 30 mins
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Signs
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Experience Required
Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
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
2.1km of this walk is very steep and another 2km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (2km) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
1.8km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 1.7km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. Whilst another 1.4km follows a clear and well formed track or trail and the remaining 1.2km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
2.7km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 1.7km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (1.7km) has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
Around 4.4km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.7km requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 4.4km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.7km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 4.4km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 1.7km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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The Spit Bridge was originally built in 1924 to replace the punt service. The current Spit Bridge was built during the 1950's. The bridge is a bascule bridge, as it's middle section can be raised to allow tall ships through. This ability of the bridge does, however, stop traffic on a major arterial road, which has caused the bridge to be the centre of some controversy. The Spit Bridge carries the Spit Rd and the Manly Scenic Walkway.
(0 km)
Spit Bridge South
to
Int. Middle Harbour Yacht Club car park and Spit Rd Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 284 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -1 m
From the intersection opposite 'Sydney Harbour Kayaks', this walk heads down along Spit Rd, on the right, to turn left before the hill into Middle Harbour Yacht Club's car park.
(0.28 km)
Int. Middle Harbour Yacht Club car park and Spit Rd
to
Int. Grecia Lane Trk and Chinamans Beach Reserve North Alternate Route:
Track: Moderate - footpath
( Show detail)
Length = 1.11 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 56 m
Descent = -55 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads up Parriwi Rd, along the hill above the yacht club (the club being below on the left). The walk heads up the road for quite some time, then takes the first left, Cyprian St, which it follows down the hill to a signpost for 'Grecia Lane'. From here, the walk leaves Cyprian St to head down the stairs passing a small grassed area with a bench, before heading down more stairs onto Chinamans Beach. Turn right to rejoin the main walk, following the notes from 1.22km 'Int. Grecia Lane Trk and Chinamans Beach Reserve North'.
(0.28 km)
Int. Middle Harbour Yacht Club car park and Spit Rd
to
Int. Grecia Lane Trk and Chinamans Beach Reserve North Track: Hard - road,notrack
Length = 933 m
Time = 17 mins
Climb = 20 m
Descent = -19 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads through the car park towards the Middle Harbour Yacht Club buildings entrance. Veer right: From the Middle Harbour Yacht Club entrance, this walk heads along the road which goes behind the club building. The walk passes a boat ramp on the left and 'The Shores' restaurant before turning right, around the front of the Sydney Water 'Spit Syphon' building platform. From the platform, the walk drops down onto the rocky shore and continues to wind around and through the rocks for some time. As the walk meanders along the rocky shore, it passes over some sandy sections to then come out onto Chinamans Beach Reserve, heading to the bottom of the stairs (to the right).
Spit Syphon
Alt = 3 m
The Spit Syphon was built between 1922 and 1925 by the Public Works Department. It was necessary in order to pump sewage from the north without interfering with water transport. The building is styled with Egyptian influences as displayed by its tall, square concrete walls. More info
(1.22 km)
Int. Grecia Lane Trk and Chinamans Beach Reserve North
to
Middle of Chinamans Beach Track: Moderate - beach
Length = 66 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -3 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads along the beach, keeping the water to the left. The walk leads to a point on the beach where a wood-railed track leads to the toilet block off to the right.
Chinamans Beach and Reserve
Alt = 3 m
Chinamans Beach and Reserve are wonderful places to have a picnic or a swim, with lots of areas to sit in the sun or shade beside the clear water. The beach does not provide any surf with its north-easterly aspect, but is perfect for launching your kayak or boat into the harbour. Chinamans Reserve has some parking, play equipment, toilets and road access by McLean Cres.
(1.28 km)
Middle of Chinamans Beach
to
Chinamans Beach Reserve South Track: Moderate - beach
Length = 159 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -1 m
Continue straight: From the middle of Chinamans Beach, near the wood-railed track, this walk heads down the beach, keeping the water to the left. The walk continues to the end of the beach, where there are numerous boats and surf ski's under the trees.
(1.44 km)
Chinamans Beach Reserve South
to
Int. Wyargine Reserve Trk and Balmoral Beach Alternate Route:
Track: Moderate - bushtrack,road,bushtrack
( Show detail)
Length = 853 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 43 m
Descent = -42 m
Turn sharp right: From the southern end of Chinamans Beach, this walk heads up the closest track off the beach, keeping the hill to the left of the track. This area is littered with small boats and surf skis. The track comes out near Rosherville Reserve playground, but turns left before reaching the it. The walk heads up the hill behind the houses (on the right) to the signposted intersection of 'Rosherville Rd' and 'Armitage Lane'. The walk then heads up the hill, coming to Hopetoun Ave just across from where the road joins together again. Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads up Hopetoun Ave, away from the split levels in the road. The walk passes Kirk Oswald Ave (off to the right) and then veers right, where the road changes its name to Burran Ave, and soon splits into two levels again. As the road bends right again, this walk instead continues straight ahead into Stanton Rd. The track heads to the signposted intersection at the end of the road. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the steps towards the beach and through a rocky outcrop. The track turns left, winding to the intersection just behind the beach. Veer right to rejoin the main walk, following the notes from 2.29km 'Int. Wyargine Reserve Trk and Balmoral Beach'.
(1.44 km)
Chinamans Beach Reserve South
to
Rocky Point Bridge Track: Hard - notrack,beach
Length = 1.32 km
Time = 24 mins
Climb = 28 m
Descent = -32 m
Turn left: (This section is only possible at low tide and with calm seas.) From the southern end of the beach, this walk heads along the rockshelf, keeping the sea to the left. The walk leads towards the boat sheds with rails, taking the easiest route across the rockshelf for approximately 500m to come out onto Balmoral Beach. The track then continues up the beach for approximately 50m, coming to an intersection with a small track, just before the houses. Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the beach keeping the water to the left. The walk continues for approximately 200m to the bridge that connects the promenade footpath to the rocky island. The walk climbs the stairs onto the bridge.
Balmoral Beach
Alt = 2 m
Balmoral Beach takes its name from the royal castle at Braemar in Scotland. This is a beautiful beach, with a great foreshore walk overlooking the sandy beach. The beach is a popular spot with locals and visitors, for sun baking, swimming and having a picnic. Balmoral Beach has very little surf, with a sheltered, easterly aspect. There is also a shark-net swimming area, toilets, shops, cafes and plenty of beach to share on a sunny day.
(2.76 km)
Rocky Point Bridge
to
Balmoral Park car park Walk: Easy - beach
Length = 856 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -5 m
Continue straight: From the bridge, this walk heads down the stairs onto the beach, keeping the water to the left. The walk continues along the beach for approximately 100m to the pipe and wharf, then continues along the sand to turn off the beach at Balmoral Sailing Club on the right into the car park.
(3.62 km)
Balmoral Park car park
to
Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Trk Track: Hard - footpath
Length = 565 m
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 67 m
Descent = -4 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the car park and beach to pass '1st Balmoral Sea Scouts' and a childcare centre, on the left. The walk then continues along the footpath outside of the oval to a signposted intersection. Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the oval, across a bridge. The walk then climbs a few flights of stairs to enter a fenced area with many signs. This walk continues for some time up stairs to turn right, through the fence and continues up stairs to the intersection with Middle Head Rd.
(4.18 km)
Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Trk
to
Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd Track: Moderate - road
Length = 536 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -30 m
Turn left: 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.
(4.72 km)
Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd
to
Int. Old Fort and Govenors Rds Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 502 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 21 m
Descent = -14 m
Turn right: From the intersection of Chowder Bay and Middle Head Rd, this walk heads down through the car park to the far end, where there are signs. The walk heads along the fenceline passing the Sydney Harbour NP sign. The fencline is followed as it tends right, coming to a gate. Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads through the gate, keeping the view of the water to the right of the track. Note that if the gate is closed, visitors can walk around the right-hand side of the fence. The walk then follows the fenceline, (on the left of the track), to then continue up a small hill along the fenceline and to a short stone wall. The walk continues over the stone wall to the fork in the road.
(5.22 km)
Int. Old Fort and Govenors Rds
to
Old Fort Road gun brackets Walk: Easy - road
Length = 218 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -4 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads gently uphill along the signposted and asphalt 'Old Fort Rd'[1], initially keeping the toilet to the right[fac=8324] and 'Barracks No.1'[2] to the left. After about 130m the old road heads over a rise and then leads down between the metal bollards[3] to come to an intersection in a large clearing beside a row large gun timber brackets (bases)[4], marked with a 'Middle Head' sign[5]
(5.44 km)
Int. Lower Barracks Trk and Old Fort Rd
to
Disappearing Gun Pit North Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 316 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -24 m
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the built-up forts and road, to cross the clearing to the signposted 'Inner Middle Head Forts'. The track follows the arrow on this sign for approximately 200m through the bush to a sunken concrete fort on the right. Turn left: From the southern fort (surrounded by bush), this walk winds right, away from the fort keeping the sea on the right of the track. The track quickly leads to an intersection near the fort at the sea cliff. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the clear dirt track[6] towards the distant water view between two long sandstone trenches[7]. After 60m this walk heads across the grassy section[8] to come to the top edge of the northern Disappearing Gun Pit[fac=8328][9][10] beside the ocean cliffs[11]. 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 veer left to continue along this walk.)
(5.44 km)
Old Fort Road gun brackets
to
Middle Head Fort Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 47 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From beside the row of large gun timber brackets (bases)[12], this walk heads downhill for 50m along the wide gravely trail[13] towards the water to come the large network of concrete and sandstone forts and gun emplacements[14][15][16]. 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 [17]. 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.
(5.48 km)
Middle Head Fort
to
Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd Walk: Easy - servicetrail,road,road,road
Length = 610 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -14 m
Turn around: From the Middle Head Fort complex, this walk heads gently uphill away from the concrete and sandstone forts and gun emplacements[18][19][20] along the wide gravel trail[21] for about 50m to come to an intersection in a large clearing beside a row large gun timber brackets (bases)[22], marked with a 'Middle Head' sign[23]. Continue straight: From the beside row large gun timber brackets (bases)[24], this walk follows the old ashpalt road uphill away from the water. After about 50m the walk leads between the metal bollards[25] then 30m later heads over a rise then leads downhill for 130m to come to the intersection with 'Govenors Rd'[26] with the toilet (to the left[fac=8324]) and 'Barracks No.1'[27] (to the right). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads gently downhill along the road and around the boom gate. The walk leads over the bridged 'Middle Head Moat'[28][29], then along Middle Head Rd for about 50m to pass a car parking area (on the left) and come to the Cobblers Beach Trail track head (with a locked gate on the left). Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads down Middle Head Road, away from the old cottage-style houses and fork in the road. The walk continues past houses, left and right, and then an oval on the right, after which it comes to an intersection in the roads.
Catch the bus from Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay 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 7 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: Hard
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 :)