Spit Bridge to Middle Head Forts
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 hrs 30 mins
6.1 km One way
172 m
Hard track
Spit Bridge
The Spit Bridge was originally built in 1924 to replace the punt service. The current Spit Bridge was built during the 1950’s. The bridge is a bascule bridge, as it’s middle section can be raised to allow tall ships through. This ability of the bridge does, however, stop traffic on a major arterial road, which has caused the bridge to be the centre of some controversy. The Spit Bridge carries the Spit Rd and the Manly Scenic Walkway.
(0km) Spit Bridge South → Int. Middle Harbour Yacht Club car park and Spit Rd
280 m
5 mins
4m
-1m
Easy track
From the intersection opposite ‘Sydney Harbour Kayaks’, this walk heads down along Spit Rd, on the right, to turn left before the hill into Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s car park.
(0.28km) Int. Middle Harbour Yacht Club car park and Spit Rd → Int. Grecia Lane Trk and Chinamans Beach Reserve North
1.1 km
25 mins
56m
-55m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads up Parriwi Rd, along the hill above the yacht club (the club being below on the left). The walk heads up the road for quite some time, then takes the first left, Cyprian St, which it follows down the hill to a signpost for ‘Grecia Lane’. From here, the walk leaves Cyprian St to head down the stairs passing a small grassed area with a bench, before heading down more stairs onto Chinamans Beach. Now Turn right to rejoin the main walk .
(0.28km) Int. Middle Harbour Yacht Club car park and Spit Rd → Int. Grecia Lane Trk and Chinamans Beach Reserve North
930 m
17 mins
20m
-19m
Hard track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads through the car park towards the Middle Harbour Yacht Club buildings entrance.
Veer right: From the Middle Harbour Yacht Club entrance, this walk heads along the road which goes behind the club building. The walk passes a boat ramp on the left and ‘The Shores’ restaurant before turning right, around the front of the Sydney Water ‘Spit Syphon’ building platform. From the platform, the walk drops down onto the rocky shore and continues to wind around and through the rocks for some time. As the walk meanders along the rocky shore, it passes over some sandy sections to then come out onto Chinamans Beach Reserve, heading to the bottom of the stairs (to the right).
Veer right: From the Middle Harbour Yacht Club entrance, this walk heads along the road which goes behind the club building. The walk passes a boat ramp on the left and ‘The Shores’ restaurant before turning right, around the front of the Sydney Water ‘Spit Syphon’ building platform. From the platform, the walk drops down onto the rocky shore and continues to wind around and through the rocks for some time. As the walk meanders along the rocky shore, it passes over some sandy sections to then come out onto Chinamans Beach Reserve, heading to the bottom of the stairs (to the right).
Spit Syphon
The Spit Syphon was built between 1922 and 1925 by the Public Works Department. It was necessary in order to pump sewage from the north without interfering with water transport. The building is styled with Egyptian influences as displayed by its tall, square concrete walls. More info.
(1.22km) Int. Grecia Lane Trk and Chinamans Beach Reserve North → Middle of Chinamans Beach
70 m
1 mins
0m
-3m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads along the beach, keeping the water to the left. The walk leads to a point on the beach where a wood-railed track leads to the toilet block off to the right.
Chinamans Beach and Reserve
Chinamans Beach and Reserve are wonderful places to have a picnic or a swim, with lots of areas to sit in the sun or shade beside the clear water. The beach does not provide any surf with its north-easterly aspect, but is perfect for launching your kayak or boat into the harbour. Chinamans Reserve has some parking, play equipment, toilets and road access by McLean Cres.
(1.28km) Middle of Chinamans Beach → Chinamans Beach Reserve South
160 m
3 mins
5m
-1m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the middle of Chinamans Beach, near the wood-railed track, this walk heads down the beach, keeping the water to the left. The walk continues to the end of the beach, where there are numerous boats and surf ski’s under the trees.
(1.44km) Chinamans Beach Reserve South → Int. Wyargine Reserve Trk and Balmoral Beach
850 m
18 mins
43m
-42m
Moderate track
Turn sharp right: From the southern end of Chinamans Beach, this walk heads up the closest track off the beach, keeping the hill to the left of the track. This area is littered with small boats and surf skis. The track comes out near Rosherville Reserve playground, but turns left before reaching the it. The walk heads up the hill behind the houses (on the right) to the signposted intersection of ‘Rosherville Rd’ and ‘Armitage Lane’. The walk then heads up the hill, coming to Hopetoun Ave just across from where the road joins together again.
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads up Hopetoun Ave, away from the split levels in the road. The walk passes Kirk Oswald Ave (off to the right) and then veers right, where the road changes its name to Burran Ave, and soon splits into two levels again. As the road bends right again, this walk instead continues straight ahead into Stanton Rd. The track heads to the signposted intersection at the end of the road.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the steps towards the beach and through a rocky outcrop. The track turns left, winding to the intersection just behind the beach. Now Veer right to rejoin the main walk .
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads up Hopetoun Ave, away from the split levels in the road. The walk passes Kirk Oswald Ave (off to the right) and then veers right, where the road changes its name to Burran Ave, and soon splits into two levels again. As the road bends right again, this walk instead continues straight ahead into Stanton Rd. The track heads to the signposted intersection at the end of the road.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the steps towards the beach and through a rocky outcrop. The track turns left, winding to the intersection just behind the beach. Now Veer right to rejoin the main walk .
(1.44km) Chinamans Beach Reserve South → Rocky Point Bridge
1.3 km
24 mins
28m
-32m
Hard track
Turn left: (This section is only possible at low tide and with calm seas.) From the southern end of the beach, this walk heads along the rockshelf, keeping the sea to the left. The walk leads towards the boat sheds with rails, taking the easiest route across the rockshelf for approximately 500m to come out onto Balmoral Beach. The track then continues up the beach for approximately 50m, coming to an intersection with a small track, just before the houses.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the beach keeping the water to the left. The walk continues for approximately 200m to the bridge that connects the promenade footpath to the rocky island. The walk climbs the stairs onto the bridge.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the beach keeping the water to the left. The walk continues for approximately 200m to the bridge that connects the promenade footpath to the rocky island. The walk climbs the stairs onto the bridge.
Balmoral Beach
Balmoral Beach takes its name from the royal castle at Braemar in Scotland. This is a beautiful beach, with a great foreshore walk overlooking the sandy beach. The beach is a popular spot with locals and visitors, for sun baking, swimming and having a picnic. Balmoral Beach has very little surf, with a sheltered, easterly aspect. There is also a shark-net swimming area, toilets, shops, cafes and plenty of beach to share on a sunny day.
(2.76km) Rocky Point Bridge → Balmoral Park car park
860 m
14 mins
9m
-5m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the bridge, this walk heads down the stairs onto the beach, keeping the water to the left. The walk continues along the beach for approximately 100m to the pipe and wharf, then continues along the sand to turn off the beach at Balmoral Sailing Club on the right into the car park.
(3.62km) Balmoral Park car park → Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Trk
570 m
15 mins
67m
-4m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the car park and beach to pass ‘1st Balmoral Sea Scouts’ and a childcare centre, on the left. The walk then continues along the footpath outside of the oval to a signposted intersection.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the oval, across a bridge. The walk then climbs a few flights of stairs to enter a fenced area with many signs. This walk continues for some time up stairs to turn right, through the fence and continues up stairs to the intersection with Middle Head Rd.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the oval, across a bridge. The walk then climbs a few flights of stairs to enter a fenced area with many signs. This walk continues for some time up stairs to turn right, through the fence and continues up stairs to the intersection with Middle Head Rd.
(4.18km) Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Trk → Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd
540 m
10 mins
3m
-30m
Moderate track
Turn left: 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.
(4.72km) Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd → Int. Old Fort and Govenors Rds
500 m
10 mins
21m
-14m
Moderate track
Turn right: 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.
Veer left: 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.
Veer left: 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.
(5.22km) Int. Old Fort and Govenors Rds → Old Fort Road gun brackets
220 m
4 mins
2m
-4m
Easy track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads gently uphill along the signposted and asphalt ‘Old Fort Rd’[1], initially keeping the toilet to the right and ‘Barracks No.1’[2] to the left. After about 130m the old road heads over a rise and then leads down between the metal bollards[3] to come to an intersection in a large clearing beside a row large gun timber brackets (bases)[4], marked with a ‘Middle Head’ sign[5]
(5.44km) Int. Lower Barracks Trk and Old Fort Rd → Disappearing Gun Pit North
320 m
6 mins
4m
-24m
Moderate track
Turn sharp left: 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.
Turn left: 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.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the clear dirt track[6] towards the distant water view between two long sandstone trenches[7]. After 60m this walk heads across the grassy section[8] to come to the top edge of the northern Disappearing Gun Pit[9][10] beside the ocean cliffs[11]. 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 Veer left.
Turn left: 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.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the clear dirt track[6] towards the distant water view between two long sandstone trenches[7]. After 60m this walk heads across the grassy section[8] to come to the top edge of the northern Disappearing Gun Pit[9][10] beside the ocean cliffs[11]. 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 Veer left.
(5.44km) 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.
(5.48km) Middle Head Fort → Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd
610 m
11 mins
12m
-14m
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[18][19][20] along the wide gravel trail[21] for about 50m to come to an intersection in a large clearing beside a row large gun timber brackets (bases)[22], marked with a ‘Middle Head’ sign[23].
Continue straight: From the beside row large gun timber brackets (bases)[24], this walk follows the old ashpalt road uphill away from the water. After about 50m the walk leads between the metal bollards[25] then 30m later heads over a rise then leads downhill for 130m to come to the intersection with ‘Govenors Rd’[26] with the toilet (to the left) and ‘Barracks No.1’[27] (to the right).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads gently downhill along the road and around the boom gate. The walk leads over the bridged ‘Middle Head Moat’[28][29], then along Middle Head Rd for about 50m to pass a car parking area (on the left) and come to the Cobblers Beach Trail track head (with a locked gate on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads down Middle Head Road, away from the old cottage-style houses and fork in the road. The walk continues past houses, left and right, and then an oval on the right, after which it comes to an intersection in the roads.
Continue straight: From the beside row large gun timber brackets (bases)[24], this walk follows the old ashpalt road uphill away from the water. After about 50m the walk leads between the metal bollards[25] then 30m later heads over a rise then leads downhill for 130m to come to the intersection with ‘Govenors Rd’[26] with the toilet (to the left) and ‘Barracks No.1’[27] (to the right).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads gently downhill along the road and around the boom gate. The walk leads over the bridged ‘Middle Head Moat’[28][29], then along Middle Head Rd for about 50m to pass a car parking area (on the left) and come to the Cobblers Beach Trail track head (with a locked gate on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads down Middle Head Road, away from the old cottage-style houses and fork in the road. The walk continues past houses, left and right, and then an oval on the right, after which it comes to an intersection in the roads.
Maps for the Spit Bridge to Middle Head Forts 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.
| Parramatta River | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91303N PARRAMATTA RIVER | NSW-91303N |
| 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 Spit Bridge to Middle Head Forts bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Spit Bridge to Middle Head Forts
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 | 6.1 km | ||
| Time | 2 hrs 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track | Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6) | ||
| Signs | Minimal directional signs (4/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6) | ||
| Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) | ||
| 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
2.1km of this walk is very steep and another 2km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (2km) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
1.8km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 1.7km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. Whilst another 1.4km follows a clear and well formed track or trail and the remaining 1.2km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
2.7km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 1.7km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (1.7km) has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
Around 4.4km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.7km requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 4.4km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.7km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 4.4km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 1.7km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Spit Bridge to Middle Head Forts walk starts at the Spit Bridge South (gps: -33.804351, 151.24615)Your transport options to Spit Bridge South are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
The Spit Bridge to Middle Head Forts ends at the Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd (gps: -33.827783, 151.26147)
Your transport options to Int. Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd are by;
Bus. (get details) Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/sbtmhf
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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