Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-33.853017,151.2462703)
Mode	Bus Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
Directions	From Bradleys Head Road Turn on to Bradleys Head Road then drive for 1 km
Finish	(-33.8386512,151.2553325)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Bus Car (Parking fees apply in the area.)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
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'.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 10 m to find the car park.
	After another 10 m veer left. Then pass the toilet (15 m on your left). After another 6 m pass the water tap (9 m on your right). Then find the "HMAS Sydney Memorial Mast" (7 m on your right). 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'. HMAS Sydney itself was a Chatham Class light cruiser which saw action in WW1. After another 45 m pass the "Bradleys Head Lighthouse" (80 m on your right).
	After another 65 m continue straight.
	After another 30 m veer right. After another 30 m pass the shelter (15 m on your left).
	After another 590 m continue straight. After another 670 m pass the car park (175 m on your left).
	Continue straight.
	After another 400 m veer right.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Chowder Head. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 155 m turn left.
	After another 125 m veer left.
	After another 160 m turn right. Then head up the steps (about 60 m long) Then find the "Morella St lookout" (on your right). Morella St lookout This informally named clearing behind some houses on Morella St provides a great view across the harbour. The fairly large clearing has been maintained and is a good place to stop if wanting to avoid the large groups at Clifton Gardens.
	After another 30 m turn right. Then head up the steps (about 30 m long) After another 50 m pass the "Clifton Gardens Reserve" (85 m on your left). After another 105 m pass the "Clifton Gardens Car Park" (55 m on your left). This car park is wheelchair accessible. Then pass the water tap (20 m on your left). After another 150 m pass the water tap (on your right). Then find the "Clifton Gardens Reserve" (15 m on your left). Clifton Gardens Reserve Clifton Gardens was developed as a picnic spot in the late 1800s, with a local hotelier building a wharf and dance pavilion. In 1909, Sydney Ferries Ltd purchased the estate, and further developed the area, including a large swimming enclosure. The structure burned down in 1956. Today, Clifton Gardens is touted as 'remnant bushland', offering birdwatching, a netted swimming enclosure, change rooms, a fenced playground, and of course, spectacular views over Chowder Bay. A short bush track leads through to Rawson Oval. After another 120 m pass the toilet (70 m on your left). This toilet is wheelchair accessible. sunrise-sunset
	Turn right. Then pass the playground (30 m on your left). After another 160 m pass the "Bacino's Kiosk" (7 m on your left). After another 50 m head up the steps (about 9 m long) After another 8 m pass the "Ripples at Chowder Bay" (20 m on your left). W:www.aquadining.com.au
	After another 9 m veer left.
	After another 50 m come to the end. About 135 m past the end is a toilet. About 115 m past the end is a car park. This car park is wheelchair accessible. About 85 m past the end is "Chowder Bay". 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.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 85 m turn around. After another 45 m pass the toilet (110 m on your left). Then find the "Athol Hall" (130 m on your left). 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.
	After another 35 m come to the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 165 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Chowder Head.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 20 m come to the end.

About 70 m past the end is "Chowder Head".

Chowder Head

Chowder Head provides a small unfenced rocky outcrop to enjoy the wide harbour views. From this vantage point, there are views across the water to South Head, Vaucluse, Rose Bay, Shark Island and Bradleys Head. A great spot to watch the sailing boats on a clear day.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 20 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	3 km
Time	1 h 15 min to 1 h 30 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There is one 200 m from the start.

Toilet: There are 4 on route, on average they are 630 m apart with the largest gap of 2.7 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	0 m + 130 m	[toilet]
Toilet	20 m	[toilet]
Shelter	200 m	[shelter]
Toilet	2.8 km	[toilet]
Toilet	3 km	[toilet]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

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'. HMAS Sydney itself was a Chatham Class light cruiser which saw action in WW1.

Chowder Head
Chowder Head provides a small unfenced rocky outcrop to enjoy the wide harbour views. From this vantage point, there are views across the water to South Head, Vaucluse, Rose Bay, Shark Island and Bradleys Head. A great spot to watch the sailing boats on a clear day.

Morella St lookout
This informally named clearing behind some houses on Morella St provides a great view across the harbour. The fairly large clearing has been maintained and is a good place to stop if wanting to avoid the large groups at Clifton Gardens.

Clifton Gardens Reserve
Clifton Gardens was developed as a picnic spot in the late 1800s, with a local hotelier building a wharf and dance pavilion. In 1909, Sydney Ferries Ltd purchased the estate, and further developed the area, including a large swimming enclosure. The structure burned down in 1956. Today, Clifton Gardens is touted as 'remnant bushland', offering birdwatching, a netted swimming enclosure, change rooms, a fenced playground, and of course, spectacular views over Chowder Bay. A short bush track leads through to Rawson Oval.

Bacino Kiosk
The Bacino Kiosk, just next to Clifton Gardens, is a smaller version of the Bacino Bar above at Chowder Bay. This kiosk supplies passers-by with a home-blend coffee and sandwiches, and all at a reasonable price ($5-12). The Kiosk is open from 7am-4pm every day, except Christmas and bad weather.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Sydney Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
  
  Saturday 14 June
  
  10°C → 17°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending southerly in the middle of the day then becoming light in the early afternoon.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
  
  Sunday 15 June
  
  8°C → 18°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog in the west. Slight chance of a shower, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Light winds.
  
  Monday 16 June
  
  7°C → 18°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. The chance of morning frost in the outer west. Light winds.
  
  Tuesday 17 June
  
  8°C → 18°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of morning frost in the outer west. Light winds.
  
  Wednesday 18 June
  
  8°C → 17°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds.
  
  Thursday 19 June
  
  7°C → 19°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of morning frost in the outer west. Light winds.
  
  Friday 20 June
  
  7°C → 19°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Sydney Harbour National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Bluefish Point closed
  The Bluefish Point bushland area is closed to public access for public safety and to protect the landscape and important plant and animal communities. Access to rock pools is difficult and dangerous. Please stay on sign-posted walking tracks when visiting Sydney Harbour National Park for your safety and observe warning signs in the area.
  
  Other planned events: North Head Scenic Drive gate opening times
  The North Head Scenic Drive gate opening times are:
  
  AEDT From 7 October 2024 to 6 April 2025 - from 5am to 8.30pm
  
  AEST From 7 April 2025 to 5 October 2025 - from 6am to 6pm
  
  Closed areas: Fort Denison closed
  Service upgrades and extensive conservation works on the fort are ongoing throughout 2025.
  Fort Denison – Muddawahnyuh remains closed to visitors during this time.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  Standard work hours during the construction phase will be between:
  
  7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
  
  8am to 1pm on Saturday
  
  For more information, visit the project webpage or email us. Visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
  
  Other planned events: 1080 pest management operation
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting a baiting program using manufactured baits, fresh baits and Canid Pest Ejectors (CPEs) containing 1080 poison (sodium fluroacetate) for the control of foxes.
  The program is continuous and ongoing between Saturday 1 February 2025 and Thursday 31 July 2025 in the following areas of Sydney Harbour National Park:
  
  Chowder Bay
  
  Dobroyd Head
  
  Bradleys Head
  
  Georges Head
  
  Middle Head
  
  North Head (North Head includes the adjoining land of Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, Australian Institute of Police Management and Quarantine Station).
  
  Please don’t touch baits or ejector devices. All baiting locations are identifiable by signs.
  Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  Fox baiting in these reserves is aimed at reducing their impact on threatened species.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on:
  Middle Head: 02 9960 6266 (business hours)
  NPWS after-hours call centre: 1300 056 294 (after hours)
  North Head Sanctuary, Many (Harbour Trust Lands): 02 8969 2128 (business hours).
  
  Closed areas: North Head partial closure
  Some parts of North Head in Sydney Harbour National Park are closed due to fire damage and geological instability. The closed areas include:
  
  Bluefish Point
  
  Wastewater Treatment Plant emergency access road
  
  The following areas, and the bushland surrounding them, are also closed due to steep and unstable ground:
  
  Old Man's Hat
  
  Cannae Point
  
  Quarantine Head
  
  Do not enter the closed areas.
  Open areas include:
  
  Q Station
  
  North Head Sanctuary and Bella Vista Cafe (entry via North Fort)
  
  The track between Shelly Beach and Bluefish Drive
  
  Bluefish Drive to the Avenue of Honour
  
  Collins Flat Beach
  
  Fairfax track
  
  Burragula and Yiningma lookouts
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757 or Sydney North area office on 02 9451 3479 between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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