Gap Bluff Lookout
Download & Print Map and Notes
30 mins
886 m Return
43 m
Hard track
Watsons Bay
Watsons Bay is a popular spot to enjoy the harbour, Robertson Park and some fish and chips. Doyles offers a formal dining restaurant[1] and the more relaxed fish and chip shop[2] on the ferry wharf[3]. Robertson Park is a large open grassy park with some natural shade[4], a rotunda[5], toilets[6][7], children’s play equipment[8], garbage bins[9] and picnic tables[10]. More info.
(0km) Watsons Bay Wharf → The bottom of the Gap steps
230 m
5 mins
17m
0m
Very easy
From Watsons Bay Wharf[11], this walk heads diagonally across the turning circle at the end of Military Rd[12] and into ‘Robertson Park’[13]. The walk follows the path diagonally across the open park and tends a little left (straight ahead) at the four-way intersection beside the rotunda[14]. Here the walk goes up the ramp[15] and crosses Military Rd using the crossing[16], coming to the base of the steps (that lead to The Gap)[17].
(0.23km) The bottom of the Gap steps → The Gap
20 m
0m
-2m
Very easy
The Gap
The Gap is one of Sydney’s most famous ocean cliff lookouts. The view from the track beside the stretch of cliff is simply stunning[22]. The tall cliffs are enhanced by the rock platform and the pounding ocean far below[23]. Sadly, this site is not only known for the natural wonder, but also for the many deaths that occur here each year. Security cameras[26] and an emergency phone[27] have been installed, to help assist people considering suicide. On the unlikely event that you see someone in distress, please call the police on 000 and lifeline on 131 114, or use the nearby emergency phone. More info.
(0.25km) The Gap → The Gap Bluff Centre Int
100 m
3 mins
13m
0m
Easy track
Turn left: From The Gap[28], this walk heads up the hill along the path, keeping the fence and water views to your right. The path leads past the ‘Sydney Harbour National Park – Gap Bluff’ sign[29] and more great views of The Gap. The path comes to a three-way intersection in a small clearing, marked with a few signs including ‘The Gap timeline’[30].
(0.35km) The Gap Bluff Centre Int → The Gap Bluff Centre (Officers Mess)
90 m
2 mins
3m
-8m
Very easy
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the large white building along the narrow, flat path[31], away from the ocean views. The path soon leads to a car park[32], where the walk turns left[33], around to the front of The Gap Bluff Centre (Officers’ Mess) building[34]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.
The Gap Bluff Centre (Officers Mess)
The Gap Bluff Centre, once know as the Officers’ Mess, is a large white building just north-east of The Gap on South Head. This building was once part of the South Head School of Artillery. Now part of Sydney Harbour National Park, this building is hired out for functions and conferences. Built in 1936[35], the curved building has since been extended. The building is surrounded by a car parking area and an exotic garden.
(0.35km) The Gap Bluff Centre Int → The Gap Bluff Lookout
90 m
2 mins
10m
-1m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the path then steps[36], following the fence and keeping the water views to your right. The path leads past several information signs on local plant life[37][38][39][40] and some lovely wildflowers[41]. The walk continues up the many steps[42] to a rocky clearing[43] near the top. Here the walk tends left and takes the steps through the cleft in the rock to find another rocky clearing and lookout with great panoramic views at the top of Gap Bluff[44].
The Gap Bluff Lookout
The Gap Bluff Lookout sits high on the rocky hill overlooking the South Pacific Ocean. On the left is a view to North Head[45] and to your right, looking south down the coast, there are great views over The Gap[46]. There are also distant views over the harbour to the city[47]. This site is significant to the traditional owners, the Birrabirragal people, who once occupied the area – although not at this site, there are some rock engraving still remaining[48]. This is a great place to visit and well worth climbing the steps for the view.
(0.44km) The Gap Bluff Lookout → Gun Emplacement Lookout
150 m
4 mins
10m
-16m
Very easy
Turn left: From the Gap Bluff Lookout, this walk follows the footpath away from the gap[49] and into the heath[50], keeping the ocean to your right. This path soon leads to a three-way intersection (at an old car park undergoing regeneration[51][52]) marked with a ‘Banksia integrifolia – coast banksia’ information sign[53].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads uphill along the sealed footpath, away from the face of the ‘Banksia integrifolia – coast banksia’ information sign[54]. Soon the path passes a lookout on your right[55] and comes to a old gun emplacement marked with a ‘The gunnery range’ sign[56] and a short track to a fenced lookout with another sign[57]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp left.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads uphill along the sealed footpath, away from the face of the ‘Banksia integrifolia – coast banksia’ information sign[54]. Soon the path passes a lookout on your right[55] and comes to a old gun emplacement marked with a ‘The gunnery range’ sign[56] and a short track to a fenced lookout with another sign[57]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp left.
Maps for the Gap Bluff Lookout 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 Gap Bluff Lookout bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Gap Bluff Lookout
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 | 886 m | ||
| Time | 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| 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
250m of this walk is flat with no steps and another 100m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (90m) is very steep.
Quality of track
Around 350m of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path, whilst the remaining 90m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
This whole walk, 440m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 440m requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 440m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 440m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Gap Bluff Lookout walk starts and ends at the Watsons Bay Wharf (gps: -33.843316, 151.28184)Your transport options to Watsons Bay Wharf are by;
Ferry. (get details)
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/gbl
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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