Chowder Head

Download & Print Map and Notes

20 mins

548 m Circuit

36 m

Moderate track

This loop walk is the shortest way to access the views from Chowder Head. The optional side trip leads to an informal lookout on an unfenced rock platform. A great spot to enjoy the sailing boats on Sydney Harbour. In spring, this walk is particularly spectacular with a wide range of wildflowers on display.

Track just below Int of Iluka and Morella Rds

Bottom of the Iluka and Morella access track

Water glimpse from Bottom of the Iluka and Morella access track

Wildflower are great in spring and in summer

(0km) Int of Iluka and Morella Rds → Bottom of the Iluka and Morella access track

80 m

3 mins

-22m Moderate track

From the intersection of Iluka and Morella Roads, this walk finds the track next to number 2 Iluka Rd marked with a NPWS post[1] behind the telegraph pole[2], and heads down the steps and path[3]. The path soon heads to the back of the house and finds a 'T' intersection with another track[4].

(0km) Bottom of the Iluka and Morella access track → Chowder Head track intersection

150 m

4 mins

21m

-4m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the house and clearing along the fairly flat track keeping the water glimpses to your right. The path soon leads to a clear three-way intersection with a 'Ashton Park' sign pointing back along the track.

(0km) Chowder Head track intersection → Chowder Head

90 m

2 mins

-10m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Chowder Head' sign[5] south-west along the clear track. The track heads gently downhill and bends left past some dead gums[6] to find an unfenced rock platform with great harbour views[7]. (Note the informal track continues down becoming steeper, leading to a small bay.) At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

Chowder Head

Chowder Head provides a small unfenced rocky outcrop to enjoy the wide harbour views. From this vantage point, there are views across the water to South Head, Vaucluse, Rose Bay, Shark Island and Bradleys Head. A great spot to watch the sailing boats on a clear day.

(0km) Chowder Head track intersection → Bottom of Morella Rd track

110 m

2 mins

12m

-2m Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows 'Clifton Gardens'[8] sign gently up the hill. The track leads through the bush for a short time to soon come to another three-way intersection, this one marked with a 'Morella Rd' sign[9] (on your left).

(0km) Bottom of Morella Rd track → Int of Kardinia and Morella Rds

120 m

2 mins

-1m Moderate track

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Morella Rd' sign[10] west along the clear track. The track leads gently up the wide ridge and after about 45m, this walk veers right at a 'Y' intersection to continue up the hill, soon heading past a 'Sydney Harbour National Park - Chowder Head' sign[11] and coming to the intersection of Kardinia and Morella Roads[12].

(0km) Int of Kardinia and Morella Rds → Int of Iluka and Morella Rds

80 m

2 mins

-6m Very easy

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'To Iluka Rd' sign[13] downhill along Morella Rd, keeping the bush to your left[14]. The road soon leads to an intersection with Iluka Rd[15].

Maps for the Chowder Head walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Sydney Heads	1:25 000 Map Series	91302N SYDNEY HEADS	NSW-91302N
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Chowder Head bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Chowder Head

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	548 m
		Time	20 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 470m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 85m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

280m of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 190m follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (85m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 470m of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 80m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 550m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 550m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 550m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Chowder Head walk.

Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk

2.8 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk explores a great section of Sydney Harbour. Starting with some historic points at Bradleys Head, you can enjoy views of Sydney's Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The views will continue to delight as you explore bushland and the bays along the way. The pleasant walk ends at Clifton Gardens,

Total climbing: 161m

Moderate track

Bradleys Head and Chowder Head walk

3.7 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk is a great way to explore the history of Bradleys Head whilst enjoying the views of Sydney Harbour, including the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and a majestic angophora forest. Starting from the ferry wharf below Taronga Zoo, this walk follows a clear track along the shore, visiting seve

Total climbing: 219m

Moderate track

Taronga Wharf to Chowder Bay

4.4 km One way, 2 hrs

Starting at Taronga Wharf, this walk passes many icons of Sydney, including Taronga Zoo, HMAS Sydney Mast, Chowder Bay. The walk also provides views across the water to the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Fort Denison and the city skyline. The walk has many brilliant vantage points over the harbour wit

Total climbing: 246m

Moderate track

Taronga Zoo, Clifton Gardens return via Sirius Cove

6.5 km Circuit, 3 hrs 30 mins

This walk winds along the coast of Sydney Harbour with many beautiful views across to the city and of the bush surrounding the track. Bacino Bar at Clifton Gardens is worth a visit for a coffee before walking through the streets over to Sirius Cove. The walk passes Taronga Zoo, which could be added

Total climbing: 352m

Moderate track

Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach

6.8 km One way, 3 hrs

This walk explores a great section of Sydney Harbour. The walk starts at the Taronga Zoo ferry wharf with views of the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The spectacular views continue as you explore bushland and the bays along the way. The walk also explores a historic section of the harb

Total climbing: 328m

Hard track

Taronga Zoo to Chowder Bay return via Bradleys Head Rd

7 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This walk is a great way to explore Bradleys Head, enjoying it's stunning views of Sydney Harbour, the history and the surrounding bush land. The walk around to Chowder Bay passes Athol Hall, which is a nice place for a coffee and some cake before heading to the Bay for a swim and another coffee at

Total climbing: 334m

Moderate track

Taronga Zoo to Spit Bridge

10.4 km One way, 5 hrs

This is a scenic and culturally rich walk with views over Sydney Harbour and many interesting heritage buildings along the way. The start at the zoo allows for a possible visit. The walk then passes the Bacino Bar on the way through the military heritage buildings. This is an excellent walk to do on

Total climbing: 410m

Hard track

Taronga Zoo to Manly

18.9 km One way, 8 hrs

This very long day walk has some stunning views, excellent heritage sites, a Zoo and beautiful beaches. What more could you ask for? The many sidetrips and places to stop and enjoy the views, having a coffee at the Bacino Bar or fish and chips on Balmoral Beach, will all make this walk an excellent

Total climbing: 746m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Chowder Head walk.

Clifton Gardens to Georges Heights

1.7 km Return, 1 Hr

The walk up to Georges Heights is a very scenic one, with the climax being the view from Georges Heights lookout. The walk is also surrounded by old military buildings. Within these buildings is the Bacino Bar and Cafe, worth a drop-in for a coffee or lunch.

Total climbing: 107m

Moderate track

Chowder Bay to Georges Heights Lookout

842 m Return, 30 mins

Chowder Bay to Georges Heights Lookout is a fantastic walk to burn off a coffee from the Bacino Bar. The walk passes the Bacino Bar and enjoys the view from an old gun emplacement at George Heights Lookout. The sandstone seats and shaded grassy areas make this a perfect walk for a picnic too.

Total climbing: 60m

Moderate track

Taronga to Musgrave Wharf

1.7 km One way, 1 Hr

This wharf-to-wharf walk is a great way to see Sydney Harbour. The walk is very scenic, with frequent views of the harbour. A stop in Sirius Cove to have a swim, play on the swings or a picnic is a great way to make an outing of this walk.

Total climbing: 111m

Moderate track

Taronga Zoo to Camp Curlew

930 m Return, 30 mins

This track takes you from Taronga Zoo Ferry, directly to Camp Curlew. A perfect little walk for the Impressionist wanting to recreate the attraction to Camp Curlew for painting. Little Sirius Cove is a secluded beach, worth the short sidetrip. Camp Curlew is a secluded spot on Sydney Harbour and ha

Total climbing: 61m

Moderate track

Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head to Athol Hall

3 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

The walk around Bradleys Head is a great way to see Sydney Harbour and some interesting cultural heritage. The walk passes stunning views at Bradleys Head, to the mast of HMAS Sydney, before coming back to the old Athol Hall for afternoon tea. The entrance to Taronga Zoo is passed twice so be prepar

Total climbing: 138m

Moderate track

Chowder Bay to Middle Head return via Chowder Bay Rd

4.9 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

The walk from Chowder Bay to Middle Head is an interesting one, passing Georges Head Lookout and its views over South Head, and then going up to the WW1 hospital. The track continues with an exploration of the whole of Middle Head, including forts, a nudist beach (a sidetrip option) and stunning vie

Total climbing: 200m

Moderate track

Georges Heights Lookout

144 m Return, 7 mins

The Georges Heights Lookout has a brilliant view, which is well worth the short stroll from the road. The track is wheelchair-accessible and leads past some interesting signs about the area. The grass surrounding the lookout is also a nice place to lay the picnic rug for lunch. Georges Heights is t

Total climbing: 2m

Very easy

Bradleys Head Walk

1.7 km Circuit, 1 Hr

The walk around Bradleys Head is packed with great views and cultural heritage. The views over Sydney Harbour can be enjoyed from many vantage points. There are a number of places of historic significance, including HMAS Sydney's Mast and Athol Hall. Athol Hall has a wonderful, grassed lawn with exc

Total climbing: 83m

Moderate track

WW1 Hospital to Georges Heights Lookout

904 m Return, 30 mins

The WW1 hospital above Georges Head is an interesting collection of historic buildings, which are nicely complemented by Georges Heights Lookout. The walk follows a well-marked footpath with some excellent views and heathy bushland around it.

Total climbing: 26m

Easy track

Cremorne Point Circuit

2.7 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

On this walk, you will circumnavigate Cremorne Point along the harbour-side paths, winding through gardens and sections of native bushland. The extra time for the side trip to Robertsons Point Lookout is well rewarded and in the warmer months, why not bring your swimmers and enjoy a dip at Maccallum

Total climbing: 115m

Easy track

Cremorne Point to Mosman Wharf

2 km One way, 45 mins

This walk explores the foreshore tracks of Cremorne Reserve, taking in fantastic harbour views, beautiful gardens and a sidetrip to Robertsons Point lighthouse. Starting from Cremorne ferry wharf, the walk climbs to Robertsons Point and lighthouse, then meanders down past interesting houses and hist

Total climbing: 68m

Easy track

Cremorne Point to Taronga Zoo

4.2 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This delightful walk from Cremorne to Taronga Zoo enjoys stunning harbour views and a number of sites to explore along bushland and suburban tracks. Starting from Cremorne ferry wharf, there is an option for a closer look at Robertsons Point lighthouse before continuing around Cremorne Reserve into

Total climbing: 218m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Chowder Head walk starts and ends at the Int of Iluka and Morella Rds (gps: -33.843072, 151.25104)

Bus. (get details)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Sydney Harbour National Park

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.

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