Middle Head Battery walk
Download & Print Map and Notes30 mins
664 m Return
10 m
Easy track
(0km) Cobblers Beach Trail trackhead → Int. Old Fort and Govenors Rds
70 m
1 mins
0m
-3m
Very easy
From the Cobblers Beach Trail track head (beside the car park[1] near the end of Middle Head Rd,
Mosman[2]), this walk heads to the very end of Middle Head Rd towards the sandstone wall[3]. After 50m the walk heads over the bridged ‘Middle Head Moat’[4][5], then around the boom gate to come to a signposted intersection with ‘Old Fort Rd’ and ‘Govenors Rd’[6]. (There is a public toilet in the sandstone building the right)
(0.07km) Int. Old Fort and Govenors Rds → Old Fort Road gun brackets
220 m
4 mins
2m
-4m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads gently uphill along the signposted and asphalt ‘Old Fort Rd’[7], initially keeping the toilet to the right and ‘Barracks No.1’[8] to the left. After about 130m the old road heads over a rise and then leads down between the metal bollards[9] to come to an intersection in a large clearing beside a row large gun timber brackets (bases)[10], marked with a ‘Middle Head’ sign[11]
(0.29km) Old Fort Road gun brackets → Middle Head Fort
50 m
1 mins
1m
0m
Easy track
Continue straight: From beside the row of large gun timber brackets (bases)[12], this walk heads downhill for 50m along the wide gravely trail[13] towards the water to come the large network of concrete and sandstone forts and gun emplacements[14][15][16]. 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.
(0.33km) Outer Forts → Western Fort
110 m
4 mins
5m
-31m
Hard track
Turn left: From the open area beside the outer forts, this walk heads north[18] keeping the tallest fort[19] to the right. After about 10m the walk turns right to follow a wide grassy track behind a tree and across a bridge[20] giving more views of the concrete forts[21] (on the right). The walk continues around the back of the forts for about 50m, then veers left to head more steeply down[22] for another 15m to come beside the unfenced western forts[23] and tall cliff[24]. Keep two full body lengths back from cliffs and significant drops to reduce the risk of falling. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp right.
Maps for the Middle Head Battery walk 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 Middle Head Battery walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Middle Head Battery walk
Accessibility summary information for the Middle Head Battery walk
Parking: There are 0 designated accessible parking areas on this walk.
Toilets: There are 0 designated accessible toilets on this walk.
Seats: There are 0 places to sit on this walk.
Hazards: There are 1 specific noteable accessability related hazards on this walk.
Trip Hazard Ground is rough and slopes moderately steeply down to unfenced drop into gun emplcement and cliff edge. Significant unfenced fall risk. Found about 330m into the walk.
Toilets: There are 0 designated accessible toilets on this walk.
Seats: There are 0 places to sit on this walk.
Hazards: There are 1 specific noteable accessability related hazards on this walk.
Trip Hazard Ground is rough and slopes moderately steeply down to unfenced drop into gun emplcement and cliff edge. Significant unfenced fall risk. Found about 330m into the walk.
Accessibility Details
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 | 664 m | ||
Time | 30 mins | ||
. | |||
Grade 2/6 Easy track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6) |
Quality of track | Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6) | ||
Signs | Clearly signposted (1/6) | ||
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 270m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 65m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
Around 270m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 65m follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
This whole walk, 330m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 330m requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 330m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 330m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
Similar walks
Other Nearby walks
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Middle Head Battery walk walk starts and ends at the Cobblers Beach Trail trackhead (gps: -33.826961, 151.2643)Your transport options to Cobblers Beach Trail trackhead are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. Parking fees apply in the area.
(get details)
Fire Danger
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.Weather Forest
This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.Forecast snapshot
Park Information & Alerts
Short URL = http://wild.tl/mhbw
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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