Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head to Athol Hall
Download & Print Map and Notes
1 hr 30 mins
3 km Circuit
138 m
Moderate track
(0km) Taronga Zoo Wharf → Taronga Zoo Entrance
220 m
4 mins
11m
-5m
Very easy
From the wharf, the walk heads uphill along the footpath beside the road to the Taronga Zoo entrance at the pedestrian crossing.
Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo was founded in 1916, with the vision of imitating the Hamburg Zoo’s bar-less exhibits. Since its opening, Taronga Zoo has directed more attention to research, education and conservation efforts to support the animals. Taronga Zoo is open everyday 9am- 5pm. Phone: +61 2 9969 2777 or email: [email protected]. More info.
(0.22km) Taronga Zoo Entrance → Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Athol Hall Trk
410 m
9 mins
24m
-15m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the opposite the zoo entrance, the walk heads down the ramp leaving the road up to the left. The track soon leads to a a lookout with a set of bench seats and good harbour views. The walk continues along the footpath to a wire fence then follows the ‘Walking Track’ sign along the hillside to climb a few steps and cross a wooden bridge. The track comes to the corner of Athol Hall’s grass clearing.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads down the stairs then continues along the hill for a short time. The walk descends more stairs to a signposted intersection.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads down the stairs then continues along the hill for a short time. The walk descends more stairs to a signposted intersection.
(0.63km) Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Athol Hall Trk → HMAS Sydney Mast, Bradleys Head
670 m
16 mins
31m
-40m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the stairs, this walk heads around the hillside with the harbour below on the right. The walk travels across large sections of boardwalk which undulate slightly as the walk comes up to a trail (which leads to a bench overlooking Sydney Harbour). From the trail, this walk keeps contouring along the hillside, south and tending left, to the intersection, signposted as the way to ‘Cannons picnic area’.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the car park, keeping the harbour to the right. The walk leads approximately 10m to the intersection with a track (leading down to Bradleys Head Amphitheatre).
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads along the footpath next to the car park for a short distance, until it comes to be above the flag pole, HMAS Sydney Mast.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the car park, keeping the harbour to the right. The walk leads approximately 10m to the intersection with a track (leading down to Bradleys Head Amphitheatre).
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads along the footpath next to the car park for a short distance, until it comes to be above the flag pole, HMAS Sydney Mast.
HMAS Sydney Memorial Mast
The HMAS Sydney Memorial Mast was erected in 1934, following the HMAS Sydney’s decommissioning in 1928. The mast stands as a sign of respect for ‘Australian officers, sailors and ships lost at sea and in combat’[2]. HMAS Sydney itself was a Chatham Class light cruiser which saw action in WW1.
More info.
(1.3km) HMAS Sydney Mast, Bradleys Head → Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Taylors Bay Lookout track
790 m
17 mins
42m
-29m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the footpath, keeping the road to the left, for about 150m to where the road bends sharply left. From this point, this walk heads along boardwalk, on your right, keeping the water glimpses to your right. The board walk soon end and this walk follows the track along the side of the hill for about 600m to come to an intersection with a sign pointing back to ‘Bradleys Head’.
(2.09km) Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Taylors Bay Lookout track → Taylors Bay Lookout
50 m
1 mins
0m
-6m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads away from the main tracks winding into the bush. The track winds past two white benches, to a small rock shelf overlooking the water. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.
(2.09km) Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Taylors Bay Lookout track → Athol Hall car park
110 m
2 mins
10m
0m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign ‘Park Entrance’ up the hill. The track meanders up the hill for a short time to come out onto Bradleys Head Rd.
(2.2km) Athol Hall car park → Athol Hall
100 m
2 mins
0m
-5m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk crosses the road and heads down the footpath towards the building. The walk continues down the hill to the front steps and entrance of Athol Hall.
Athol Hall
Athol Hall, built in 1908, was once a hotel. Sections of the original building date back to the 1800’s. The hall has an excellent vantage point over the harbour with the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and city all well within its scope. Athol Hall today is a cafe and function centre with the cafe open Tues-Fri and Sun, 11am -3pm. More info.
(2.3km) Athol Hall → Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Athol Hall Trk
70 m
2 mins
0m
-9m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the entrance to Athol Hall, this walk follows the footpath through the grass, down the hill towards the harbour. The walk heads down stairs to a signposted intersection.
(2.37km) Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Athol Hall Trk → Taronga Zoo Wharf
630 m
13 mins
20m
-35m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads up the stairs, which are unsignposted, next to the Athol Hall sign. The track then continues to contour before meeting a second set of stairs which lead to the corner of Athol Hall’s grass clearing.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk heads along the hill and soon crosses a wooden bridge before heading down some stone steps. The track leads around the hillside to an intersection next to a wire fence, where the walk continues along the fairly flat path to find a set of bench seats and a harbour lookout. From here, the walk continues past the view and up the ramp to come to an intersection with a road opposite the Taronga Zoo Entrance.
Turn left: From the pedestrian crossing, the walk heads down the hill towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge, along the footpath to the wharf entrance on the left.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk heads along the hill and soon crosses a wooden bridge before heading down some stone steps. The track leads around the hillside to an intersection next to a wire fence, where the walk continues along the fairly flat path to find a set of bench seats and a harbour lookout. From here, the walk continues past the view and up the ramp to come to an intersection with a road opposite the Taronga Zoo Entrance.
Turn left: From the pedestrian crossing, the walk heads down the hill towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge, along the footpath to the wharf entrance on the left.
Maps for the Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head to Athol Hall 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 | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9130 SYDNEY | 9130 |
Cross sectional view of the Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head to Athol Hall bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head to Athol Hall
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 | 3 km | ||
| Time | 1 hr 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
1.4km of this walk is flat with no steps and another 1.4km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (250m) has short steep hills.
Quality of track
2.1km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 860m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (70m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 2km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 1km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 3km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 3km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 2.9km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 110m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head to Athol Hall walk starts and ends at the Taronga Zoo Wharf (gps: -33.845752, 151.23978)Your transport options to Taronga Zoo Wharf are by;
Ferry. (get details)
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/tzbhtah
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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