Arabanoo Lookout

Download & Print Map and Notes

15 mins

142 m Return

5 m

Very easy

This short and easy walk leads from Tania Park to wonderful views of Arabanoo Lookout. The views over North Head and the water are wonderful. There is a concrete path leading the whole way and two seats at the top waiting for you to soak up the views. Tania Park can get busy on weekends with sport and walkers. A lovely walk if you are in the area. There are toilets, picnic area and playground at the far end of the Oval.

Tania Park

Tania Park is home to a large oval[1], and is found on Dobroyd Scenic Dr, Balgowlah Heights. This oval can be accessed on the Manly to Spit walking track and is home to the start of the Arabanoo Lookout path. The oval has basic facilities at the western edge such as toilets[2][3], children's playground [4], drinking water [5], BBQ [6] and picnic tables [7].

(0km) Dobroyd Scenic Drive → Arabanoo Lookout

70 m

1 mins

-5m Very easy

From the car parking bays on the north eastern edge of Tania Park on Dobroyd Scenic Dr, Balgowlah Heights[8] this walk heads towards the 'Arabanoo Lookout' sign[9]. From the edge of the road, this walk follows the (1.5m wide) concrete footpath, directly away from the oval and road, gently uphill[10], initially passing the 'Arabanoo' information sign[11][12]. About 35m from the road this walk comes to the fenced (1.2m high) lookout area[13], and seats

[Seat]

Arabanoo Lookout

Arabanoo Lookout provides great views over Port Jackson, North Harbour and to Manly. The lookout also has some interesting information signs and plarques[14][15][16][17][18] providing information on the significance of the area. There are two large stone seats

[Seat]

at the lookout. This lookout is named after Arabanoo, an Aboriginal man kidnapped in December 1788, by British marines on Governor Phillips orders. The Governor believed that this was justified as he wished to facilitate communication between the British and the Aborigines. Arabanoo lived in the company of the Europeans until the 18th May 1789 where he died due to smallpox infection.

Maps for the Arabanoo 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 Arabanoo Lookout bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Arabanoo Lookout

Accessibility Profile

This page is designed to give you a sense of the facilities that help improve access for people with disabilities or mobility restrictions. See tracknotes and map for navigation, point of interest and other information. See the Accessibility Details below for specific information about each facility.

Slope: Gentle slope uphill towards the lookout. The return is down hill. There are no steps on the walk. There are steps near the lookout fence with a ramp to bypass.

Surface: 1.5m wide concrete footpath and asphalt road to cross.

Seats: There are 2 seats (including picnic tables) on this walk. They are 10m apart.

Accessibility Details

1 Seat (65m)

A concrete and stone seat, 35cm high, 45cm deep and 3m wide with no arm or backrest.

2 Seat (70m)

A curved concrete and stone seat, 39cm high (33cm at the frount), 45cm deep and 7.5m wide with no arm or backrest.

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	142 m
		Time	15 mins
		.
Grade 1/6 Very easy	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Flat, no steps (1/6)
		Quality of track	Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
		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

This whole walk, 70m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 70m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

This whole walk, 70m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 70m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 70m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 70m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Arabanoo Lookout walk.

Spit Bridge to Manly (Manly Scenic Walkway)

9.1 km One way, 3 hrs 45 mins

The Spit to Manly walk is a classic bushwalk on Sydney's Northern Beaches. The walk follows a well-maintained track and provides beautiful views over Middle Harbour. This walk is great for those looking for exercise or just a stroll along the shoreline of Sydney Harbour. If you have time, the sidet

Total climbing: 349m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Arabanoo Lookout walk.

Dobroyd Head Walk

2.5 km Circuit, 1 Hr

Walking around Dobroyd Head is a fantastic experience. The heath vegetation high up on the walk provides many opportunities to view flowers and insects close up, whilst still enjoying plenty of views out to the sea. Reef Beach is a great place to stop for a snack or lunch and to get the feet wet bef

Total climbing: 109m

Hard track

Grotto Point Walk

3.6 km Return, 2 hrs

This return walk out to Grotto Point is in a magnificent area above the entrance to Middle Harbour. The walk provides plenty of views of Middle Head and over Sydney Harbour to the CBD. Many scenic views and some spectacular bushland, so close to the city, makes this walk a gem.

Total climbing: 153m

Moderate track

Crater Cove Lookout

60 m Return, 3 mins

This is a great, short walk to a lookout with a fantastic views. The lookout has great views out through the heads, and also much of the upper reaches of Sydney Harbour. From the lookout, you can even see down into Crater Cove, to the old houses built during the great depression. The walk is very

Total climbing: 9m

Moderate track

Grotto Point Lighthouse Walk

1.7 km Return, 1 Hr

This is an excellent walk with some very scenic views. The walk travels along a well used track through the thick coastal bush. The views are capped off by the vista over Sydney Harbour from the Grotto Point Lighthouse. Easy parking, a few good side trips, and in particular, the Aboriginal Engravin

Total climbing: 83m

Moderate track

Castle Rock Beach

200 m Return, 30 mins

This is a short walk down to Castle Rock Beach, tucked into the rocky shores of Middle Harbour. The walk is mostly along boardwalk or footpath through rainforest vegetation. The foliage surrounding the track is topped by a closed canopy which provides shade, before opening out onto the sunny beach.

Total climbing: 20m

Moderate track

Castle Rock to Grotto Point Lighthouse

2 km Return, 1 Hr

The Castle Rock to Grotto Point walk is a great way to see the Grotto Point Lighthouse. The start at Ogilvy Rd passes Castle Rock Beach, which is a nice spot to view the harbour, before continuing to the excellent view from Grotto Point Lighthouse.

Total climbing: 127m

Moderate track

Spit Bridge to Fisher Bay

3.6 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

This track from the Spit Bridge to Fisher Bay is a great little loop which also visits Sandy Bay. The track is well maintained, allowing you to fully enjoy the harbour views. Allow some extra time, as you may need to wait for the regular opening of the Spit Bridge.

Total climbing: 146m

Hard track

Spit to Lindfield

22.6 km One way, 9 hrs 45 mins

This full day walk starts at the southern end of the Spit Bridge and explores a lot of Garigal National Park and Middle Harbour Creek. The walk follows the 'Harbour to Hawkesbury' track into Garigal National Park, skirting around Bantry Bay and along Middle Harbour Creek before crossing Roseville Br

Total climbing: 1181m

Hard track

Spit Bridge to Middle Head Forts

6.1 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

This scenic walk takes you from the Spit Bridge, along the coast to explore the Middle Head Forts. There are a few alternate routes for use at high tide or high seas. Balmoral Beach offers a few spots for a coffee or fish and chips along the way. Middle Head offers plenty of options for exploring th

Total climbing: 172m

Hard track

Manly to Seaforth Oval

13.7 km One way, 5 hrs 45 mins

This walk follows the Manly to Spit Scenic Walkway, then continues past The Spit Bridge to Seaforth Oval. The walk provides magnificent bushland and Harbour scenes with many small beaches, reserves and coves to stop at. A very scenic and fun walk along the Harbour. Stop for a coffee or ice-cream at

Total climbing: 624m

Moderate track

Spit Bridge to North Harbour Reserve

8.7 km Circuit, 4 hrs

This loop walk from the Spit Bridge is an interesting walk with many different things to see and do along the way. The walk passes Ellery's Punt Reserve, Sandy Bay and goes along the shoreline to Castle Rock Beach. The walk crosses Dobroyd Head and comes around to Reef Beach, which is a great place

Total climbing: 381m

Moderate track

Inner Middle Head Battery walk

762 m Return, 30 mins

On this walk you will explore the historic northern or 'inner' Middle Head fortification battery. You can explore the trenches, tunnels and rooms of the fortifications on the less busy gun emplacements on Middle Head. The vegetation, water, cliff and harbour views are also spectacular and well worth

Total climbing: 26m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Arabanoo Lookout walk starts and ends at the Dobroyd Scenic Drive (gps: -33.808363, 151.26880)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

A detailed forecast for this walk isn't available yet.

Current Alerts

Live alerts aren't available for this walk. Check the NPWS website for closures and the RFS for current fire danger.

Arabanoo Lookout

Tania Park

(0km) Dobroyd Scenic Drive → Arabanoo Lookout

Arabanoo Lookout

Maps for the Arabanoo Lookout walk

Cross sectional view of the Arabanoo Lookout bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Arabanoo Lookout

Accessibility Profile

Accessibility Details

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Some more details of this walks Grading

Gradient

Quality of track

Signs

Experience Required

weather

Infrastructure

Similar walks

Spit Bridge to Manly (Manly Scenic Walkway)

Other Nearby walks

Dobroyd Head Walk

Grotto Point Walk

Crater Cove Lookout

Grotto Point Lighthouse Walk

Castle Rock Beach

Castle Rock to Grotto Point Lighthouse

Spit Bridge to Fisher Bay

Spit to Lindfield

Spit Bridge to Middle Head Forts

Manly to Seaforth Oval

Spit Bridge to North Harbour Reserve

Inner Middle Head Battery walk

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

Weather Forecast

Current Alerts

Park Information

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