The walk around Bradleys Head is a great way to see Sydney Harbour and some interesting cultural heritage. The walk passes stunning views at Bradleys Head, to the mast of HMAS Sydney, before coming back to the old Athol Hall for afternoon tea. The entrance to Taronga Zoo is passed twice so be prepared for the kids wanting to visit!
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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 Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head to Athol Hall
Cross sectional view of the Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head to Athol Hall bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head to Athol Hall 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
3km
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
1.4km of this walk is flat with no steps and another 1.4km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (250m) has short steep hills.
Quality of track
2.1km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 860m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (70m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 2km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 1km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 3km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 3km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 2.9km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 110m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Catch the ferry to Taronga Zoo
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for upto date running time info Use these links to plan your Ferry (and train) trip to the end of this walk.
(0 km)
Taronga Zoo Wharf
to
Taronga Zoo Entrance Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 218 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = -5 m
From the wharf, the walk heads uphill along the footpath beside the road to the Taronga Zoo entrance at the pedestrian crossing.
Taronga Zoo
Alt = 14 m
Taronga Zoo was founded in 1916, with the vision of imitating the Hamburg Zoo's bar-less exhibits. Since its opening, Taronga Zoo has directed more attention to research, education and conservation efforts to support the animals. Taronga Zoo is open everyday 9am- 5pm. Phone: +61 2 9969 2777 or email: groups@zoo.nsw.gov.au. More info
(0.22 km)
Taronga Zoo Entrance
to
Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Athol Hall Trk Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 412 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 24 m
Descent = -15 m
Turn right: From the opposite the zoo entrance, the walk heads down the ramp leaving the road up to the left. The track soon leads to a a lookout with a set of bench seats and good harbour views. The walk continues along the footpath to a wire fence then follows the 'Walking Track' sign along the hillside to climb a few steps and cross a wooden bridge. The track comes to the corner of Athol Hall's grass clearing. Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads down the stairs then continues along the hill for a short time. The walk descends more stairs to a signposted intersection.
(0.63 km)
Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Athol Hall Trk
to
HMAS Sydney Mast, Bradleys Head Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 671 m
Time = 16 mins
Climb = 31 m
Descent = -40 m
Continue straight: From the stairs, this walk heads around the hillside with the harbour below on the right. The walk travels across large sections of boardwalk which undulate slightly as the walk comes up to a trail (which leads to a bench overlooking Sydney Harbour). From the trail, this walk keeps contouring along the hillside, south and tending left, to the intersection, signposted as the way to 'Cannons picnic area'. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the car park, keeping the harbour to the right. The walk leads approximately 10m to the intersection with a track (leading down to Bradleys Head Amphitheatre). Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads along the footpath next to the car park for a short distance, until it comes to be above the flag pole, HMAS Sydney Mast.
HMAS Sydney Memorial Mast
Alt = 13 m
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
(1.3 km)
HMAS Sydney Mast, Bradleys Head
to
Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Taylors Bay Lookout track Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 787 m
Time = 17 mins
Climb = 42 m
Descent = -29 m
Continue straight: 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'.
(2.09 km)
Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Taylors Bay Lookout track
to
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 continue straight to continue along this walk.)
(2.09 km)
Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Taylors Bay Lookout track
to
Athol Hall car park Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 110 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign 'Park Entrance' up the hill. The track meanders up the hill for a short time to come out onto Bradleys Head Rd.
(2.2 km)
Athol Hall car park
to
Athol Hall Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 103 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -5 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk crosses the road and heads down the footpath towards the building. The walk continues down the hill to the front steps and entrance of Athol Hall.
Athol Hall
Alt = 33 m
Athol Hall, built in 1908, was once a hotel. Sections of the original building date back to the 1800's. The hall has an excellent vantage point over the harbour with the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and city all well within its scope. Athol Hall today is a cafe and function centre with the cafe open Tues-Fri and Sun, 11am -3pm. More info
(2.3 km)
Athol Hall
to
Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Athol Hall Trk Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 70 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -9 m
Turn right: From the entrance to Athol Hall, this walk follows the footpath through the grass, down the hill towards the harbour. The walk heads down stairs to a signposted intersection.
(2.37 km)
Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Athol Hall Trk
to
Taronga Zoo Wharf Track: Moderate - bushtrack,footpath
Length = 630 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 20 m
Descent = -35 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads up the stairs, which are unsignposted, next to the Athol Hall sign. The track then continues to contour before meeting a second set of stairs which lead to the corner of Athol Hall's grass clearing. Veer left: From the intersection, the walk heads along the hill and soon crosses a wooden bridge before heading down some stone steps. The track leads around the hillside to an intersection next to a wire fence, where the walk continues along the fairly flat path to find a set of bench seats and a harbour lookout. From here, the walk continues past the view and up the ramp to come to an intersection with a road opposite the Taronga Zoo Entrance. Turn left: From the pedestrian crossing, the walk heads down the hill towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge, along the footpath to the wharf entrance on the left.
Catch the ferry from Taronga Zoo
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for upto date running time info Use these links to plan your Ferry (and train) trip from the end of this walk.
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: Moderate
1 km
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for upto date running time info
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)