Chowder Bay to Middle Head return via Chowder Bay Rd
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 hrs 30 mins
4.9 km Circuit
200 m
Moderate track
(0km) Int. Chowder Bay Trk and Georges Heights Rd → Georges Head Lookout
70 m
1 mins
0m
-2m
Very easy
From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to Georges Head Lookout, down the hill to the circular paved lookout above the fortifications.
Georges Heights
Georges Heights is a gun emplacement with a commanding 180degree view over the entrance to the harbour. The old gun emplacements are still in position, with their arcs of fire explained in the signs nearby. The view from this lookout is magnificent.
(0.07km) Georges Head Lookout → Int. WW1 Hospital and Chowder Bay Trk
450 m
8 mins
15m
-11m
Easy track
Turn around: From the circular lookout of Georges Head Lookout, this walk follows the sandstone pavement back to the road at the signposted intersection.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the signs to ‘Balmoral Beach’ up the hill for a short while. The track opens out to a clearing on the left which has some old structures in it. This is the World War 1 hospital.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the signs to ‘Balmoral Beach’ up the hill for a short while. The track opens out to a clearing on the left which has some old structures in it. This is the World War 1 hospital.
WW1 Hospital
This military hospital was in use from 1916 to 1923, and could treat up to 420 troops at any one time. Sydney Harbour Trust completed restoration of the buildings mid-2005. These buildings are New South Wales’ only surviving military hospital buildings from WW1.
(0.52km) Int. WW1 Hospital and Chowder Bay Trk → Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd
810 m
16 mins
8m
-41m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads up and across the hill, leaving the WW1 hospital behind on the left. The path continues up the hill, passing a sculpture (a bit overgrown on the right), then bending left (passing through a gate that is locked overnight at 6pm) up to Middle Head Rd. The walk crosses the road to the signposted intersection on the other side.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the road towards the fence, away from the houses. The road tends right as it comes into HMAS Penguin. The walk continues along Middle Head Rd to the intersection with Chowder Bay Rd, opposite the oval.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the road towards the fence, away from the houses. The road tends right as it comes into HMAS Penguin. The walk continues along Middle Head Rd to the intersection with Chowder Bay Rd, opposite the oval.
(1.34km) Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd → Middle Head Oval NE Gate
170 m
5 mins
12m
-25m
Easy track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the road to the gate which opens to the oval, next to the baseball nets.
Veer right: From the gate, this walk heads away from the baseball nets to the far side of the oval, where there is another gate.
Veer right: From the gate, this walk heads away from the baseball nets to the far side of the oval, where there is another gate.
(1.51km) Middle Head Oval NE Gate → Cobblers and Officers Quarters int.
440 m
10 mins
31m
-30m
Hard track
Veer left: From the gate, this walk follows the track along the outside of white fence (oval to the left), in the opposite direction to the ‘Middle Head’ arrow on the sign. The track then turns right, heading steeply down the hill for a short time to come out onto a flat grass area behind Cobblers Beach.
Turn around: From ‘Cobblers Beach’[1], this walk follows the grassy management trail gently uphill for about 50m to where the trail sweeps sharply around to the left. After this bend, the walk continues more steeply up the wide gravely management trail for the next 220m, through a few noteably steep sections[2] to find an an unmarked intersection (with a faint track on the left)[3], just after the trail finished a long sweeping bend around to the right. Now Turn left to rejoin the main walk .
Turn around: From ‘Cobblers Beach’[1], this walk follows the grassy management trail gently uphill for about 50m to where the trail sweeps sharply around to the left. After this bend, the walk continues more steeply up the wide gravely management trail for the next 220m, through a few noteably steep sections[2] to find an an unmarked intersection (with a faint track on the left)[3], just after the trail finished a long sweeping bend around to the right. Now Turn left to rejoin the main walk .
Cobblers Beach
Cobblers Beach[4] is a small pretty and clothing optional beach on the northern edge of Middle Head in Sdynday Harbour NP. From the beach, you can see across the water to Grotto Point and Balmoral Beach in the distance. The small sandy beach is about 80m long and about 10m wide depending on the tide. There are rocks along the shorline[6]. Wearing clothing is optional on the sandy beach area however clothing is required to be worn in the surrounding bushland and on the grassed area directly behind the beach.
(1.51km) Middle Head Oval NE Gate → Inner Forts intersection
500 m
14 mins
42m
-30m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the gate, this walk follows the ‘Middle Head’ sign along the line of the cyclone fence, keeping the sea to the left of the track. The walk continues along this line for approximately 150m to the signposted intersection at the corner of the fence.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Cobblers Beach Road’ arrow on the ‘Sydney Harbour National Park’ sign[8] downhill along the gravely management trail. After 110m the trail narrows for about 5m (to 90cm) to pass a pile of spoil[9] then about 20m later comes in an unmarked intersection (with a faint track on the right)[10].
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill towards the white picket fence of the old Officers Quarters. The track follows the fence up and around to the right, keeping the house on the right of the track, as it comes to the signposted intersection with the ‘Inner Middle Head Forts’ track.
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Inner Middle Head Forts’ sign[11] along the mostly flat dirt track (away from the road) for about 90m to come to an unsignposted intersection with another track and a sandstone fort (on the right).
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Cobblers Beach Road’ arrow on the ‘Sydney Harbour National Park’ sign[8] downhill along the gravely management trail. After 110m the trail narrows for about 5m (to 90cm) to pass a pile of spoil[9] then about 20m later comes in an unmarked intersection (with a faint track on the right)[10].
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill towards the white picket fence of the old Officers Quarters. The track follows the fence up and around to the right, keeping the house on the right of the track, as it comes to the signposted intersection with the ‘Inner Middle Head Forts’ track.
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Inner Middle Head Forts’ sign[11] along the mostly flat dirt track (away from the road) for about 90m to come to an unsignposted intersection with another track and a sandstone fort (on the right).
(2.01km) Inner Forts intersection → Disappearing Gun Pit North
70 m
2 mins
0m
-18m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the clear dirt track[12] towards the distant water view between two long sandstone trenches[13]. After 60m this walk heads across the grassy section[14] to come to the top edge of the northern Disappearing Gun Pit[15][16] beside the ocean cliffs[17]. Take extra care as the ground slopes towards the gun pit and cliff edges – stay 2 body lengths back from any significant drop. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.
(2.01km) Int. Inner Forts and Lower Barracks Trks → Middle Head Fort
290 m
5 mins
7m
-4m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the fort near the sea cliff, instead heading towards the gun pit surrounded by bush. The track winds left from the intersection to the large fort.
Turn right: From the fort, this walk heads away from the fort, keeping the sea to the left of the track as it slightly winds for approximately 200m, to come out into a clearing. The walk crosses the clearing to the footpath next to the forts.
Veer left: From beside the row of large gun timber brackets (bases)[18], this walk heads downhill for 50m along the wide gravely trail[19] towards the water to come the large network of concrete and sandstone forts and gun emplacements[20][21][22]. The area can be explored, taking care of cliff edges and large potential falls into the fortifications.
Turn right: From the fort, this walk heads away from the fort, keeping the sea to the left of the track as it slightly winds for approximately 200m, to come out into a clearing. The walk crosses the clearing to the footpath next to the forts.
Veer left: From beside the row of large gun timber brackets (bases)[18], this walk heads downhill for 50m along the wide gravely trail[19] towards the water to come the large network of concrete and sandstone forts and gun emplacements[20][21][22]. The area can be explored, taking care of cliff edges and large potential falls into the fortifications.
Outer Middle Head Battery
The Outer Middle Head Battery is the main complex in the Middle Head Fortifications. Work for building the fortifications started in 1801 and the last batteries were constructed in 1942, with the majority of the work being done 1870 and 1911 . There is a network of tunnels and rooms underground that was build to support the gunning placements to protect Sydney Harbour from enemy invasion. There are formal tours available or you can take care and explore the area yourself.
(2.3km) Middle Head Fort → Old Fort Road gun brackets
50 m
1 mins
0m
-1m
Easy track
Turn around: From the Middle Head Fort complex, this walk heads gently uphill away from the concrete and sandstone forts and gun emplacements[24][25][26] along the wide gravel trail[27] for about 50m to come to an intersection in a large clearing beside a row large gun timber brackets (bases)[28], marked with a ‘Middle Head’ sign[29].
(2.35km) Old Fort Road gun brackets → Int. Old Fort and Govenors Rds
220 m
4 mins
4m
-2m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the beside row large gun timber brackets (bases)[30], this walk follows the old ashpalt road uphill away from the water. After about 50m the walk leads between the metal bollards[31] then 30m later heads over a rise then leads downhill for 130m to come to the intersection with ‘Govenors Rd’[32] with the toilet (to the left) and ‘Barracks No.1’[33] (to the right).
(2.57km) Int. Old Fort and Govenors Rds → Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd
500 m
10 mins
14m
-21m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk leaves the road and crosses the stone wall closest to the fenceline. The walk follows the fenceline which soon turns right. The track follows the fence for a short time to a gate in the fence. Note that if the gate is closed, visitors can walk around the left side fence, which soon ends.
Veer right: From the gate, this walk heads up the grassy hill following the fenceline, on the right. The walk follows the fenceline for a short time to then turn right and continue through the car park to the intersection of Chowder Bay and Middle Head Rds.
Veer right: From the gate, this walk heads up the grassy hill following the fenceline, on the right. The walk follows the fenceline for a short time to then turn right and continue through the car park to the intersection of Chowder Bay and Middle Head Rds.
(3.07km) Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd → Int. Chowder Bay Rd and Obelisk Beach Trk
150 m
3 mins
1m
-14m
Moderate track
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk heads down Chowder Bay Rd, away from the sports field, for a short time to the intersection and ‘Obelisk Beach’ signpost.
(3.22km) Int. Chowder Bay Rd and Obelisk Beach Trk → Obelisk Beach
90 m
2 mins
0m
-18m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Obelisk Beach’ sign[34] down the hill. The track winds down across the hill to the right, then tends left down onto a rock platform above the beach. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left .
Obelisk Bay
Obelisk Bay is named after the white stone obelisk on the shore, also known as Onion Point. The beach has a southerly aspect across Sydney Harbour, with very little surf. Clothing is optional on this beach, as it is a designated nudist beach. Views from the beach include Watsons Bay and Vaucluse.
(3.22km) Int. Chowder Bay Rd and Obelisk Beach Trk → Roundabout at end of Chowder Bay Road
1.4 km
27 mins
42m
-50m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the road with the harbour to the left. After a while, the walk comes to a large black cement fortification to the left of the road.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the road, keeping the water below on the left. The walk soon passes buildings to the left and right, continuing past the Bacino Bar to the roundabout at the end of the road.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the road, keeping the water below on the left. The walk soon passes buildings to the left and right, continuing past the Bacino Bar to the roundabout at the end of the road.
Chowder Bay
Chowder Bay looks over Sydney Harbour, to Vaucluse and Rose Bay. The bay is named after the food of the American whalers stationed at Clifton Gardens, ‘clam chowder’. Chowder Bay then became a Submarine Mining Depot in 1889. Today, Chowder Bay still has great views from the remaining military buildings on the hillside. One of the newer buildings houses a cafe, and other buildings stand as monuments to their former use. Chowder Bay offers great views with easy access to Clifton Gardens for a swim.
(4.59km) Roundabout at end of Chowder Bay Road → Int. Bacino Bar back deck and Chowder Bay Trk
20 m
1 mins
6m
0m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the road, this walk heads north away from the harbour to the base of the stone steps on the left hand side of Bacino Bar.
Bacino Cafe
The Bacino Bar is in Building No.2 at Chowder Bay, with great views across Sydney Harbour. The bar sells pastas, panini, arancini, tramezzini, stuffed eggplant and biscotti, along with homemade sandwiches and treats. The Bacino Bar prices are reasonable, ranging between $5-12 for the delicacies, and their coffee is made of their own blend. The bar is open every day from 7am- 4pm except for Christmas. A public toilet is available at the Eastern end of the building. More info.
(4.6km) Int. Bacino Bar back deck and Chowder Bay Trk → Int. Gunners’ Barracks drive way and Chowder Bay Trk
270 m
7 mins
47m
-2m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection behind Bacino Bar, the walk heads up the steep stone steps, away from the cafe. The track then tends right, across the hill for a short time climbing the uneven stairs to meet the road and signposted intersection.
(4.87km) Int. Gunners’ Barracks drive way and Chowder Bay Trk → Int. Chowder Bay Trk and Georges Heights Rd
60 m
1 mins
2m
-1m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads across the road to head up the bush track on the hill for approximately 50m, to the signposted intersection behind ‘Georges Head Lookout’.
Maps for the Chowder Bay to Middle Head return via Chowder Bay Rd 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 Bay to Middle Head return via Chowder Bay Rd bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Chowder Bay to Middle Head return via Chowder Bay Rd
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 | 4.9 km | ||
| Time | 2 hrs 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 3/6 Moderate track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
| 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 | Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
2.8km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 1.8km has short steep hills. The remaining (320m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
2.9km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 1.6km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (490m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 3.6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.3km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 4.9km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 4.9km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 4.4km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 520m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Chowder Bay to Middle Head return via Chowder Bay Rd walk starts and ends at the Int. Chowder Bay Trk and Georges Heights Rd (gps: -33.836478, 151.25821)Your transport options to Int. Chowder Bay Trk and Georges Heights Rd are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/cbtmhrvcbr
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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