This walk explores a great section of Sydney Harbour. Starting with some historic points at Bradleys Head, you can enjoy views of Sydney's Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The views will continue to delight as you explore bushland and the bays along the way. The pleasant walk ends at Clifton Gardens, where you will find a kiosk and equipment for the kids to play.
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Catch the bus to HMAS Sydney Mast, Bradleys Head
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.
The HMAS Sydney Memorial Mast was erected in 1934, following the HMAS Sydney's decommissioning in 1928. The mast stands as a sign of respect for 'Australian officers, sailors and ships lost at sea and in combat'. HMAS Sydney itself was a Chatham Class light cruiser which saw action in WW1. More info
(0 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
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 left. 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'.
(0.79 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
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.
(0.79 km)
Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Taylors Bay Lookout track
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Chowder Head track intersection Track: Moderate - footpath,bushtrack,bushtrack
Length = 1.24 km
Time = 31 mins
Climb = 88 m
Descent = -81 m
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. 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. 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.
(2.03 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
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Chowder Head' sign south-west along the clear track. The track heads gently downhill and bends left past some dead gums to find an unfenced rock platform with great harbour views. (Note the informal track continues down becoming steeper, leading to a small bay.)
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.
(2.03 km)
Chowder Head track intersection
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Morella St lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 278 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -16 m
From the intersection, this walk follows 'Clifton Gardens' 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 (on your 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 on Morella St provides a great view across the harbour. The fairly large clearing has been maintained and is a good place to stop if wanting to avoid the large groups at Clifton Gardens.
(2.31 km)
Morella St lookout
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Bottom of Sarahs walk steps Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 75 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -17 m
From the intersection, this walk follows 'Clifton Gardens' sign downhill along the concrete path, behind the line of houses. The path leads down the hill, following a series of steps past a bench seat to come to a 'T' intersection (with Sarah's Walk, part way down a set of steps).
(2.38 km)
Bottom of Sarahs walk steps
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Clifton Gardens baths Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 250 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -16 m
From the intersection, this walk heads down the steps that soon flatten out as the footpath leads around the headland under a few sandstone overhangs. The walk soon comes to a 'Foreshore Path' sign pointing back along the path at the south-western end of Clifton Gardens. 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.
Today, Clifton Gardens is touted as 'remnant bushland', offering birdwatching, a netted swimming enclosure, change rooms, a fenced playground, and of course, spectacular views over Chowder Bay. A short bush track leads through to Rawson Oval.
(2.63 km)
Clifton Gardens Baths
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Chowder Bay Lower Gate Track: Moderate - beach
Length = 207 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -10 m
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
Catch the bus from Chowder Bay Lower Gate
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.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW-MODERATE rating and No Ban in place. (Checked 40 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
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.
Current Park Closure information for Sydney Harbour National Park Closure information last checked Saturday 4th of September 2010 05:00 AM
Closed areas
Goat Island is currently closed until further notice while extensive maintenance works are carried out. Please note tours, filming, public access and everything relating to Goat Island is not available during this period.
It is a great walk mainly through what was until recently off-limits naval land, combining bush, fantastic views, naval and military history and historic building.