Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Grotto Point Walk hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Grotto Point Walk
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
1 Hrs 30 mins
3.6 km
159 m
Return
1 km ESE of Balgowlah Heights
Sydney Harbour National Park
Track: Moderate
Great coastal views, plenty of Aboriginal and European history and very well-managed bushtracks make this one of the best short bushtracks on Sydney Harbour. Be sure to spend some time at the Aboriginal engravings which are just off the track.
Bushwalking can be fun and interesting when you are well prepared. Please ensure you and your group are well prepared and equipped for all possible dangers. The authors, staff and owners of wildwalks take care in preparing these notes but do not accept responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury sustained when using these notes. Please take care and feel free to provide feedback through our website. Please note that side trips and alternate routes mentioned in these notes are not included in the tracks overall rating, distance or time estimate. The notes also only describe the side trip and alternate routes in one direction.
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 Grotto Point Walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Grotto Point Walk bushwalking track
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There is free parking available. You can drive or ride to the start of this walk Since this walk starts on a low grad road I can't give you a route plan to the start. View the road map here --> See Arabanoo Lookout on a map
Arabanoo Lookout
Alt = 81
The lookout has great views over Port Jackson, Northern Harbour and as far as Manly. The lookout also has several signs and monuments providing historical information on the significance of the area. Looking out over Middle Head this lookout is named after Arabanoo who was an aboriginal man kidnapped by British marines in December 1788 on Governor Phillips orders. The Governor believed that this was justified as he wished to facilitate communication between the British and the Aborigines. Arabanoo lived in the company of the Europeans until the 18th May 1789 where he died due to smallpox infection.
(0 km) Arabanoo Lookout to Int. of Arabanoo Lookout Track and Arabanoo walk Walk: Easy - Bush Track
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -7 m
From Arabanoo Lookout the track heads south along Dobroyd Scenic Drive for approximately 30m before turning left onto a bushtrack. The track then follows this trail south until it is possible to see the coast where there is an intersection with another bushtrack.
(0.26 km) Int. of Arabanoo Lookout Track and Arabanoo walk to Int. of Arabanoo Walk and Castle Rock tracks Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.1 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 31 m
Descent = -73 m
From the intersection the track heads west along the bushtrack and after a while the track breaks out onto the rockshelf and passes the intersection to Dobroyd Head. The track continues west and after a while turns to the south. At this point the trail joins up with a long gradual set of stairs, approximately halfway down these are the Grotto Point Aboriginal rock engravings. These engravings are in great condition and are well signposted. The track continues down the stairs until at the bottom turns to the west for approximately 150m before coming to an intersection with several bushtracks. This is the Grotto Point Lighthouse Intersection.
(1.37 km) Int. of Arabanoo Walk and Castle Rock tracks to Grotto Point Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.4 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -37 m
From the intersection the track heads south out to the headland via the small bush track toward the lighthouse. Along the track there are impromptu lookouts with views of the harbour and from the lighthouse there are great views out of the heads and across to the Quarantine station.
Grotto Point Lighthouse
Alt = 3
Surrounded by a white picket fence the small Grotto Point lighthouse overlooks Middlehead. The light was designed in the early 1900s by the architect Maurice Festu to assist ships entering the harbour. Construction started in 1910 with the lighthouse been commissioned on September 1 1911.
There is free parking available. You can drive or ride from the end of this walk Since this walk ends on a low grad road I can't give you a route plan home. View the road map here --> See Arabanoo Lookout on a map
Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
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.
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
