This walk leads you around the perimeter of Middle Head. This is a great place to explore, with many forts, barracks and views over Sydney Harbour. The forts area is an excellent place to spend some time walking through the tunnels and gun pits.
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Catch the bus to Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd
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.
(0 km)
Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd
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Tallest Fort Track: Moderate - bushtrack,road,servicetrail
Length = 893 m
Time = 17 mins
Climb = 24 m
Descent = -29 m
From the intersection of Chowder Bay and Middle Head Rd, this walk heads down through the car park to the far end, where there are signs. The walk heads along the fenceline passing the Sydney Harbour NP sign. The fencline is followed as it tends right, coming to a gate. From the intersection, this walk heads through the gate, keeping the view of the water to the right of the track. Note that if the gate is closed, visitors can walk around the right-hand side of the fence. The walk then follows the fenceline, (on the left of the track), to then continue up a small hill along the fenceline and to a short stone wall. The walk continues over the stone wall to the fork in the road. From the intersection, this walk heads up 'Old Fort Rd', keeping the unfenced cottage on the right of the road. The walk soon passes a radio tower on the right, and continues past a gate to the intersection, opposite a sign in the clearing on the left. From the intersection, this walk heads along the overgrown management trail to the tallest of the forts. From here, walkers can explore the fortifications.
Middle Head Forts
Alt = 37 m
The forts of Middle Head consist of 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 the 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 many tunnels to explore. For information on tours, click the link. More info
(0.89 km)
Tallest Fort
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Disappearing Gun Pit South Track: Moderate - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 327 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -8 m
From the tallest fort, this walk heads away from the sea and the forts, along an overgrown management trail. The walk comes to an intersection opposite a sign, on the far side of the clearing. From the intersection, this walk heads away from the built-up forts and road, to cross the clearing to the signposted 'Inner Middle Head Forts'. The track follows the arrow on this sign for approximately 200m through the bush to a sunken concrete fort on the right.
(1.22 km)
Disappearing Gun Pit South
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Disappearing Gun Pit North Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 47 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -12 m
From the southern fort (surrounded by bush), this walk winds right, away from the fort keeping the sea on the right of the track. The track quickly leads to an intersection near the fort at the sea cliff. From the intersection, this walk heads towards the concrete gun pit and the sea, approximately 20m away.
(1.27 km)
Disappearing Gun Pit North
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Middle Head Oval NE Gate Track: Moderate - bushtrack,servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 531 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 44 m
Descent = -42 m
From the fort, this walk heads away from the sea cliffs and the fort for approximately 20m to the intersection. From the intersection, this walk heads away from the sea view and the concrete fort, keeping a sunken concrete feature to the left of the track. The track winds a little for approximately 120m, to the signposted intersection with Govenors Rd. From the intersection, this walk heads down the grass hill beside the old house, keeping the house on the left. The track then turns left and down the hill with the fence, to continue along the fenceline. Near the end of the fence, the track turns right, down the hill and comes to a management trail. From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill, with the houses above to the left of the track. The track soon meets a clearing, continuing through to the 'Sydney Harbour National Park' sign. From the intersection, this walk heads along the line of the cyclone fence, on the left, for approximately 150m to the gate in the white picket fence of Middle Head Oval, near the 'Middle Head' sign.
(1.8 km)
Middle Head Oval NE Gate
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Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd Walk: Easy - undefined,bushtrack
Length = 174 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 25 m
Descent = -12 m
From the gate, this walk heads across the oval to the far side, next to the baseball nets. From the gate, this walk heads to the intersection of Middle Head Road and Chowder Bay Road.
Catch the bus from Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd
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 31 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 08:00 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.