Bushwalking on the Middle Head hiking trail

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Middle Head

Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Middle Head hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below

Middle Head

Time:	1 Hr	1.4 km ESE of Balmoral
Length:	2 km	Sydney Harbour National Park
Climb:	104 m
Style:	Circuit

This walk leads you around the perimetre of Middle Head with its many forts, barracks and views over Sydney Harbour. The forts area is an excellent place to take time to explore, with many tunnels and gun pits scattered along the track.

Topographical Map of walk

Location

Middle Head bushwalking track notes
Map of Middle Head hiking track
PDF has larger maps for easy printing
Map Controls - Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale

1 km

Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795 www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here

Sydney Heads

1:25 000 Map Series

NSW-91302N

Sydney

1:100 000 Map Series

9130

Photo Gallery




	Middl Head car park




	Grassed track around fence




	Old Fort Rd




	Tallest Fort




	Middle head fort




	Engravings in fort wall




	Filled in fort




	Disappearing fort




	Officers quarters




	Cobblers Beach sign




	Track around fence




	Middle Head Oval

Terrain profile

Cross sectional view of the Middle Head bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Middle Head bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Middle Head bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Middle Head bushwalking track

Track Notes

Catch the bus to Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd

You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for upto date running time info And use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip to the start of the walk. Plan a trip from --> Castle Hill \| Central \| Chatswood \| Epping \| Gosford \| Hornsby \| Katoomba \| Manly \| Parramatta \| Penrith \| Strathfield \| Sutherland

Drive to Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd

There is free parking available. You can drive or ride to the start of this walk Use these links to plan your trip to the start of the walk. Plan a trip from --> Castle Hill \| Central \| Chatswood \| Epping \| Gosford \| Hornsby \| Katoomba \| Manly \| Parramatta \| Penrith \| Strathfield \| Sutherland

(0 km) Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd to Tallest Fort Track: Moderate - bushtrack, road, servicetrail	Distance = 0.9 km	Time = 10 mins
	Climb = 24 m	Descent = -29 m
From the intersection of Chowder Bay and Middle Head Rd the track heads down through the car park to the far end where there are signs. The track heads along the fenceline passing the Sydney Harbour NP sign. The fencline is followed as it tends right, to a gate. From the intersection the track heads through the gate. Note that if the gate is closed you can walk around the right side fence which quickly ends. The track then follows the fenceline, on the left, to then continue up a small hill along the fencline and to a short stone wall. The track continues over the stone wall to the fork in the road. From the intersection the track heads up old Fort Rd passing a radio tower on the right and continuing on past a gate to the intersection opposite a sign in the clearing on the left. From the intersection the track heads along the overgrown service trail to the tallest of the forts. From here explore the fortifications.

Middle Head Forts
	Alt = 37
The forts of Middle Head is a rabbit warren of concrete tunnels winding some 300m around the end of the headland. The fortifications and gun emplacements are varied in size and state with some closed to protect heritage and bats. Nearly all the forts overlook the harbour with views out past the heads and to sea. This is a great area for a little adventure with so tunnels to explore. For information on tours click the link. More info

(0.89 km) Tallest Fort to Disappearing Gun Pit South Track: Moderate - servicetrail, bushtrack	Distance = 0.3 km	Time = 5 mins
	Climb = 9 m	Descent = -8 m
From the tallest fort the track heads away from the sea and the forts along an overgrown service track. The track comes to an intersection opposite a sign on the far side of the clearing. From the intersection the track heads away from the built up forts and across the clearing to a sign marked 'Inner Middle Head Forts'. The track follows the arrow of this sign for approximately 200m through the bush to a concrete fort on the right.

(1.22 km) Disappearing Gun Pit South to Disappearing Gun Pit North Track: Moderate - Bush Track	Distance = 0 km	Time = 2 mins
	Climb = 2 m	Descent = -12 m
From the intersection the track winds right, north, away from the fort to quickly come to the intersection. From the intersection the track heads towards the concrete gun pit, approximately 120m away, nearer the sea.

(1.27 km) Disappearing Gun Pit North to Middle Head Oval NE Gate Track: Moderate - bushtrack, servicetrail, bushtrack	Distance = 0.5 km	Time = 10 mins
	Climb = 44 m	Descent = -42 m
From the fort the track heads away from the fort for approximately 20m to the intersection. From the intersection the track heads south west along the bushtrack away from the concrete fort. The track slightly winds for approximately 120m to the intersection with Govenor Rd. From the intersection the track heads along the grass down the side of the old house. the track then turns left and down the hill with the fence line. The track then continues along the fenceline to turn right near the end of the house and down to the service trail. From the intersection the track heads up the hill to follow then follow the contour of the hill into a clearing. The track continues to the signs in the clearing. From the intersection the track heads along the line fo the cyclone fence, on the left for approximately 150m to the white picket fence of Middle Head Oval.

(1.8 km) Middle Head Oval NE Gate to Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd Walk: Easy - undefined, bushtrack	Distance = 0.2 km	Time = 5 mins
	Climb = 25 m	Descent = -12 m
From the gate the track heads across the oval to the far side, next to the baseball nets. From the gate the track heads to the road.

Catch the bus from Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd

You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for upto date running time info And use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip home from the end of the walk. Plan a trip to --> Castle Hill \| Central \| Chatswood \| Epping \| Gosford \| Hornsby \| Katoomba \| Manly \| Parramatta \| Penrith \| Strathfield \| Sutherland

Drive from Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd

There is free parking available. You can drive or ride from the end of this walk Use these links to plan your your trip home from the end of the walk. Plan a trip to --> Castle Hill \| Central \| Chatswood \| Epping \| Gosford \| Hornsby \| Katoomba \| Manly \| Parramatta \| Penrith \| Strathfield \| Sutherland

Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk

Store	Address	Phone	Distance (straight line)
Outdoor Equipment	60 Spring St , Bondi Junction	(02) 9389 8122	7.3 km
Kellys Camping & Outdoors	826 Pittwater Rd , Dee Why	(02) 9972 0061	8.3 km
Inski	46 York St , Sydney	(02) 9233 3200	6.9 km
Mitchells Adventure	81 York St , Sydney	(02) 9299 6321	6.9 km
Venus Repair Workshop	Suite 36a 104 Bathurst St , Sydney	(02) 9267 0706	7.2 km

Weather and Park info

Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here

°C (feels like °)

km/h from the

% humidity (as at )

A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Sydney Harbour National Park Check for park closures and fire bans

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.
$3

Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park fees Facilities

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Middle Head.

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from Middle Head Click to re-center search
5	SYD05	Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA Emergancy use only	18 km (to the NW)
7	SYD07	Water Tank Corner of Loftus Rd and Pennant Hills Rd PENNANT HILLS	21 km (to the WNW)
1	SYD01	12/14 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE	22 km (to the SW)
6	VMB7	CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS	26 km (to the NNW)
8	MDC08	Gencom Site Lot 6 Wakefield Close KARIONG	43 km (to the N)