Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for South Head Coastal Walk hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
South Head Coastal Walk
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
2 Hrs
5.4 km
381 m
One way
1.3 km S of Vaucluse
Sydney Harbour National Park
Track: Moderate
While it can hardly be called a bushwalk this is one of Sydney's many fantastic coastal walks. The point of South Head has over time developed a detailed history so on the day make sure you spare the time to wander from one information sign to the next. The views from the footbridge between Dudley Page Reserve and Diamond Reserve also deserve time to appreciate.
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.
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(0 km) Rodney Raleigh Reserve to Dudley Page Reserve Walk: Easy - footpath
Distance = 1.1 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 143 m
Descent = -102 m
From the corner of Raleigh St and Lola Rd at the southern end of Rodney Reserve this track heads north through the reserve, next to the cliff edge until coming to the end of the reserve. At this point the track turns away from the cliffs and onto Weonga Rd, following this until turning right into Military Rd. Once on Military Rd the track bypasses Hunter St and Myuna Rd before turning right into Lancaster Rd and heading back towards the cliff edge where the Dudley Page Reserve begins.
(1.07 km) Dudley Page Reserve to Diamond Bay Reserve Track: Moderate - footpath
Distance = 0.9 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 64 m
Descent = -81 m
From the end of Lancaster Rd the track heads north along the cliff edge through the reserve until connecting with the footbridge at northern end. This follows the cliff edge very closely and goes in the Diamond Reserve, connecting to a footpath.
(1.92 km) Diamond Bay Reserve to Clarke Reserve- Corner Clarke Rd and Jensen Av Walk: Easy - footpath
Distance = 0.7 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 47 m
Descent = -9 m
From the southern end of the Diamond Bay Reserve at the edge of the footbridge the track heads north along the footpath to the end of the park where it gradually goes up and connects to Chris Bang Crescent. The track turns right and heads along the road for approximately 50m before turning left and heading north. Chris Marne Cr merges with Marne St which merges with Jensen Av all going north and slightly up until coming to Clarke Reserve on the corner of Clarke Rd and Jensen Av.
(2.62 km) Clarke Reserve- corner Clarke Rd and Jensen Av to Corner of Old South Head Road and Derby St Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Distance = 1.4 km
Time = 30 mins
Climb = 64 m
Descent = -90 m
From the entrance to Clarke Reserve located on the corner of Clarke Rd and Jensen Av the track follows the asphalt footpath around to the edge of the clifftop. Once at the cliff the track follows the footpath north past the maritime lighthouse until coming to an intersection with Old South Head Rd. At the intersection the track turns right and heads downhill along the footpath before branching off the road and rejoining the clifftop approximately 200m down the road.
(4.03 km) Corner of Old South Head Road and Derby St to The Gap Track: Moderate - footpath
Distance = 0.5 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 25 m
Descent = -57 m
From the corner of of Old South Head Rd and Derby St the track branches off the road and goes along the footpath next to the clifftop. This heads downhill past various historical monuments including memorabilia to the Dunbar Ship that sank on the rocks below and the large gun emplacements used for the protection of Sydney up to World War II. This continues down until opening out into a bus zone at the bottom. This is The Gap.
(4.54 km) The Gap to Gun Emplacements Track: Moderate - footpath
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 25 m
Descent = -2 m
From the bus-zone at the Gap the track heads north the track following the footpath marked by the sign saying "Sydney Harbour National Park- Gap Bluff" up the hill until coming to an intersection with a small track off to the left, approximately a third of the way up the hill. From the intersection the track heads north-east up the hill following the cliff line until reaching the top of the headland where there are several gun emplacements and information on the historical significance of the area. Accompanying this there is also an intersection with a track heading off to the left (west)
(4.81 km) Gun Emplacements to The Gap Track: Moderate - footpath
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -38 m
From the top of the headland the track loops around to the west and descends a set of steep concrete steps to a group of the heritage buildings, including the Artillery Cottage that now serves as the caretakers house. From the carpark of this group of buildings the track connects with the footpath using the small bushtrack to the east. From the intersection the track heads down the footpath until reaching the bus zone marked by the large signpost saying 'Sydney Harbour National Park- Gap Bluff'
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 
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