The walk up to Georges Heights is a very scenic one with the climax being the view from Georges Heights lookout itself. The walk is also surrounded by old military buildings. Within these buildings is the great little Bacino Bar and Cafe which are worth dropping in to have a coffee or lunch.
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 Clifton Gardens to Georges Heights bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Clifton Gardens to Georges Heights bushwalking track
Since this is a 'return' style walk once you have had enough of the walk, turn around and retrace your steps back to the start.
Catch the bus to Clifton Gardens Baths
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.
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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
(0.21 km)
Chowder Bay Lower Gate
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Roundabout at end of Chowder Bay Road Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 230 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 19 m
Descent = -5 m
From the gate, this walk heads towards the wharf approximately 80m away. The walk soon passes Bacino Kiosk on the left, to continue along the foreshore footpath to the start of the wharf. 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.
(0.44 km)
Roundabout at end of Chowder Bay Road
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Int. Bacino Bar back deck and Chowder Bay Trk Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 18 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = 0 m
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.
(0.46 km)
Int. Bacino Bar back deck and Chowder Bay Trk
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Bacino Bar Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 26 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -3 m
From the intersection, this walk heads onto the decking of Bacino Bar.
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
(0.46 km)
Int. Bacino Bar back deck and Chowder Bay Trk
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Georges Head Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack,footpath,footpath
Length = 411 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 48 m
Descent = -4 m
From the intersection behind Bacino Bar, the track 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. 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'. From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to Georges Head Lookout, down the hill to the circular paved lookout above the fortifications.
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.
Catch the bus from Clifton Gardens Baths
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 27 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.