This walk explores a great section of Sydney Harbour. The walk starts at the Taronga Zoo ferry wharf with views of the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The spectacular views continue as you explore bushland and the bays along the way. The walk also explores a historic section of the harbour, including the fortifications at Bradley's Head and Chowder Bay. Some sections of this walk are closed at night. There are a few places to get food along the way, and many great places to eat your own packed lunch.
(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 Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach
Cross sectional view of the Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach 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
7km
Time
3 hrs
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
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
2.5km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 2.2km is flat with no steps. Whilst another 1.8km has short steep hills and the remaining 380m is very steep.
Quality of track
3km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 2.3km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (1.5km) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 6km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 950m has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 6km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 850m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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
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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
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Athol Hall Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 70 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to 'Athol Hall' up the stairs, crossing a large grassy area. The walk then continues up to Athol Hall entrance. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer left to continue along this walk.)
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
(0.63 km)
Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Athol Hall Trk
to
Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Cannons Picnic Area Trk Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 614 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 30 m
Descent = -35 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'.
(1.24 km)
Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Cannons picnic area Trk
to
HMAS Sydney Mast, Bradleys Head Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 57 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -5 m
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
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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
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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 turn right to continue along this walk.)
(2.09 km)
Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Taylors Bay Lookout track
to
Bottom of the Iluka and Morella access track Track: Moderate - footpath,bushtrack
Length = 1.09 km
Time = 27 mins
Climb = 67 m
Descent = -77 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads into Taylors Gully, with Taylors Bay below on the right. The track continues for approximately 300m, contouring around the hill with views of Taylors Bay on the right. Tending right, this walk enters and exits Taylors Gully, to continue approximately 250m to the signposted intersection at the beginning of the houses, on the left. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads along the line of the houses, on the left, for approximately 140m. The track passes a Japanese Submarine information sign on the right as it continues along sections of boardwalk track, to the intersection next to the last house. The walk heads up the stairs below the last house to be met by a large sandstone staircase on the left and a track to the front.
(3.18 km)
Bottom of the Iluka and Morella access track
to
Chowder Head track intersection Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 154 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 21 m
Descent = -4 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the house and clearing along the fairly flat track keeping the water glimpses to your right. The path soon leads to a clear three-way intersection with a 'Ashton Park' sign pointing back along the track.
(3.33 km)
Chowder Head track intersection
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Chowder Head Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 87 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -10 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Chowder Head' sign[3] south-west along the clear track. The track heads gently downhill and bends left past some dead gums[4] to find an unfenced rock platform with great harbour views[5]. (Note the informal track continues down becoming steeper, leading to a small bay.) (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer right to continue along this walk.)
Chowder Head
Alt = 23 m
Chowder Head provides a small unfenced rocky outcrop to enjoy the wide harbour views. From this vantage point, there are views across the water to South Head, Vaucluse, Rose Bay, Shark Island and Bradleys Head. A great spot to watch the sailing boats on a clear day.
(3.33 km)
Chowder Head track intersection
to
Morella St lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 278 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -16 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows 'Clifton Gardens'[6] sign gently up the hill. The track leads through the bush for a short time to soon come to another three-way intersection, this one marked with a 'Morella Rd' sign[7] (on your left). Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the main track keeping the water glimpses to your right (and the Morella Rd track to your left). The track gently works is way around the hill to come to a sign point back to 'Ashton Park' and a large clearing with good views behind some houses.
Morella St lookout
Alt = 29 m
This informally named clearing behind some houses[8] on Morella St provides a great view across the harbour[9]. The fairly large clearing has been maintained and is a good place to stop if wanting to avoid the large groups at Clifton Gardens.
(3.61 km)
Morella St lookout
to
Bottom of Sarahs walk steps Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 75 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -17 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows 'Clifton Gardens' sign[10] downhill along the concrete path, behind the line of houses[11]. The path leads down the hill, following a series of steps[12] past a bench seat to come to a 'T' intersection (with Sarah's Walk, part way down a set of steps)[13][14].
(3.68 km)
Bottom of Sarahs walk steps
to
Clifton Gardens baths Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 251 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -16 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the steps[15] that soon flatten out as the footpath leads around the headland under a few sandstone overhangs[16]. The walk soon comes to a 'Foreshore Path'[17] sign pointing back along the path at the south-western end of Clifton Gardens. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down onto the beach, towards the wharf in the middle of the beach. The walk passes an Illawarra Flame tree, as it heads approximately 100m along the beach to the start of the wharf.
Clifton Gardens Reserve
Alt = 2 m
Clifton Gardens was developed as a picnic spot in the late 1800s, with a local hotelier building a wharf and dance pavilion. In 1909, Sydney Ferries Ltd purchased the estate, and further developed the area, including a large swimming enclosure. The structure burned down in 1956.[18]
Today, Clifton Gardens is touted as 'remnant bushland'[19], offering birdwatching, a netted swimming enclosure, change rooms, a fenced playground[20], and of course, spectacular views over Chowder Bay. A short bush track leads through to Rawson Oval.
(3.94 km)
Clifton Gardens Baths
to
Chowder Bay Lower Gate Track: Moderate - beach
Length = 207 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -10 m
Continue straight: From the wharf, this walk heads towards the playground-end of the beach. The walk leads along the beach, passing the playground and rocky outcrop on the left to tend right onto a boardwalk. The boardwalk takes the walk to the lower gate of Chowder Bay.
Bacino Kiosk
Alt = 5 m
The Bacino Kiosk, just next to Clifton Gardens, is a smaller version of the Bacino Bar above at Chowder Bay. This kiosk supplies passers-by with a home-blend coffee and sandwiches, and all at a reasonable price ($5-12). The Kiosk is open from 7am-4pm every day, except Christmas and bad weather. More info
(4.14 km)
Chowder Bay Lower Gate
to
Chowder Bay Wharf Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 70 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -3 m
Continue straight: From the gate, this walk heads towards the wharf approximately 80m away. The walk soon passes Bacino Kiosk on the left, and continues along the foreshore footpath to the start of the wharf.
(4.21 km)
Chowder Bay Wharf
to
End of Chowder Bay Wharf Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 42 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -3 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads along the wharf to the end, approximately 40m away. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)
(4.21 km)
Chowder Bay Wharf
to
Roundabout at end of Chowder Bay Road Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 160 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 18 m
Descent = -2 m
Turn left: From the wharf, this walk heads directly away from that wharf, heading up the stairs. At the top of the stairs, this walk follows the footpath right, around a flag pole and house on the left. The walk continues past a round-about, to the start of a car park, opposite Bacino Bar.
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.
(4.37 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 left: 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.
(4.39 km)
Int. Bacino Bar back deck and Chowder Bay Trk
to
Bacino Bar Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 26 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -3 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads onto the decking of Bacino Bar. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
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
(4.39 km)
Int. Bacino Bar back deck and Chowder Bay Trk
to
Int. Chowder Bay Trk and Georges Heights Rd Track: Moderate - bushtrack,footpath
Length = 331 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 49 m
Descent = -3 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. 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'.
(4.72 km)
Int. Chowder Bay Trk and Georges Heights Rd
to
Georges Head Lookout Optional sidetrip: Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 72 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -2 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to Georges Head Lookout, down the hill to the circular paved lookout above the fortifications. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
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.
(4.72 km)
Int. Chowder Bay Trk and Georges Heights Rd
to
Int. WW1 Hospital and Chowder Bay Trk Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 380 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -11 m
Continue straight: 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.
(5.1 km)
Int. WW1 Hospital and Chowder Bay Trk
to
Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Trk Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 277 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -11 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.
(5.38 km)
Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Trk
to
Balmoral Park car park Track: Hard - footpath
Length = 565 m
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -67 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to 'Balmoral Beach' downhill away from the road. The walk heads down many flights of stairs and turns right, through a fence. The track then turns left to continue down more stairs, which lead the walk across a bridge and next to an oval with a signposted intersection. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads toward the sea, keeping the oval to your left. The walk passes '1st Balmoral Sea Scouts' on the right before coming to the car park.
(5.94 km)
Balmoral Park car park
to
Rocky Point Bridge Walk: Easy - beach
Length = 856 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -9 m
Continue straight: From Balmoral Park car park, this walk heads onto the beach and follows along it, past the pipe and wharf, then continues up the beach to then head up the stairs onto the bridge, connecting the small rocky island to the promenade above the beach.
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.
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.
Pretty good walk, it is good in some spots but there is a fair amount of crossing roads etc... The track is easy and you can stop at the cafes in the old small navy base near middle head half way and enojoy a nice lunch break if you wanted.
Denise Ivers
IP:124.183.186.xxx | 2011-04-10 08:28:10
Lovely way to see Sydney, at times you would not even know you were in the city. The walk to Chowder Bay is absolutely beautiful. From Chowder Bay to Balmoral not as nice, but still a nice walk. Plenty of places to eat at Balmoral and you can catch a free shuttle bus back to Taronga Zoo wharf.
Andrew - Bird Nest
IP:106.187.54.xxx | 2014-06-25 10:32:32
If you're lucky you'll see these just after the zoo
admin - re: Bird Nest
Super Administrator | 2014-06-26 09:55:15
Hi Andres
Nice photo -- thanks for sharing.
Matt :)
Annie - Spectacular views
IP:202.159.141.xxx | 2015-07-04 23:46:37
Did this walk yesterday. Some sections have a really steep climb.Thoroughly enjoyed the views and the experience. Easy to travel to and get back. Public toilets and cafes at decent intervals. Lots of places to sit and get your breath back.
For new walkers like me - if you are walking in summer, recommend that you start early as the heat may make it harder.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
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 :)