This return walk out to Grotto Point is a magnificent walk above the entrance to Middle Harbour. The walk provides plenty of views of Middle Head and over Sydney Harbour to the CBD. Many scenic views and some spectacular bushland, so close to the city, makes this walk a gem.
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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Catch the bus to Int. Dobroyd Scenic Dr and Arabanoo Trk
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.
Arabanoo 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, an Aboriginal man kidnapped in December 1788, by British marines 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)
Int. Dobroyd Scenic Dr and Arabanoo Trk
to
Crater Cove Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 487 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -19 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Manly' and 'The Spit' sign down the hill. The track winds down through bush which quickly becomes heath. The heath becomes short and thins out on the left, before the walk comes to an intersection, with a sign pointing back to 'Arabanoo Lookout'. From the intersection, this walk follows 'The Spit' arrow along the hillside as it winds through the thick scrub to the start of a boardwalk. The walk leads further around the hillside to the edge of the park and down onto the fenced Crater Cove lookout.
Crater Cove Lookout
Alt = 76 m
From this fenced lookout, vistas far out to sea can be enjoyed, with Middle and South Heads just in view. Many yachts sail past, with the container ships out to sea. This is a popular spot for watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart race, or for watching whales as they pass by Sydney.
(0.49 km)
Crater Cove Lookout
to
Bottom of Tania Park track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 10 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = 0 m
From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill, towards the road and away from the sea. The walk soon comes to an intersection with the Tania Park stone steps on the right.
(0.5 km)
Bottom of Tania Park track
to
Grotto Point Engravings track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 660 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -38 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the Arabanoo Walk, keeping the water on the left. The track continues away from the rock platform for a short time, coming to an unnamed lookout on another rock platform. From the intersection, this walk heads along the hillside keeping the harbour below and to the left of the track. The walk crosses several separate sections of boardwalk and rock platforms, coming to the intersection with the signpost 'Castle Rock Beach 800m'. From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Castle Rock Beach 800m' sign along the bush track and down the stone steps, keeping the ocean to the left. The track winds down the hill until it flattens out at the intersection with a short track (heading to the Grotto Point engravings track) on the left.
(1.16 km)
Grotto Point Engravings track
to
Grotto Point Engravings Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 41 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = 0 m
From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill, beside a wooden sleeper, passing an engraving of a kangaroo on the right. The short track soon comes to a large rock platform with the rest of the engravings, and information signs.
Grotto Point Engravings
Alt = 59 m
The engravings at Grotto Point depict kangaroos, fish and what appears to be boomerangs. The engravings are in quite good condition, considering their age. We have already lost so much of this region's history that historians are not entirely sure if this is the land of the Gayamagal or the Cammeraygal clan. Please take a great deal of care at this site to ensure the longevity of this history. More info
(1.16 km)
Grotto Point Engravings track
to
Grotto Point Lighthouse Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 662 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -59 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track heading down the hill, away from the engravings. The track soon heads down some rock step to the signposted intersection of the Grotto Point Lighthouse track. From the intersection, this walk follows the Grotto Point Lighthouse arrow along the rocky bush track, winding down a gentle hill, coming into more dense bush as it winds to the intersection of the Grotto Point Lighthouse and the Grotto Point Cliffs tracks. From the intersection, this walk winds down the hill, passing an old, blank signpost. The track wanders through dense bush and along the ridge, flattening out for a while until it drops down another hill towards the end of the point, coming to the Grotto Point Lighthouse.
Grotto Point Lighthouse
Alt = 3 m
Surrounded by a white picket fence, the small Grotto Point Lighthouse overlooks Middle Head. 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 being commissioned on September 1 1911.
(1.82 km)
Grotto Point lighthouse
to
Old concrete bunker Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 50 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -2 m
From the intersection, this walk heads around the right-hand side of the lighthouse and along the bush track, passing a green post and continuing down some tall brick steps to the concrete roof of an old bunker.
Catch the bus from Int. Dobroyd Scenic Dr and Arabanoo Trk
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 52 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 Monday 15th of March 2010 07:00 PM
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.