Bradleys Head Walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 Hr

1.7 km Circuit

83 m

Moderate track

The walk around Bradleys Head is packed with great views and cultural heritage. The views over Sydney Harbour can be enjoyed from many vantage points. There are a number of places of historic significance, including HMAS Sydney's Mast and Athol Hall. Athol Hall has a wonderful, grassed lawn with excellent views over the city, a great place for a coffee or picnic.

Angophora Forest on western side of Bradleys Head

Track intersection near Taylors Bay lookout

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.

(0km) HMAS Sydney Mast, Bradleys Head → Athol Hall

740 m

18 mins

49m

-31m Moderate track

From the intersection, this walk heads to the end of the car park, with Sydney Harbour to the left. The walk continues to the intersection with Bradleys Head amphitheatre.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the hillside, with the amphitheatre and harbour on the left, for approximately 10m to the intersection signposted as the way to 'Cannons Picnic Area'.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads around the hillside, keeping the water below on the left. After a few hundred meters, there is a seat overlooking Sydney Harbour. This walk continues around for another 400m, undulating with the boardwalk, to meet the signposted stairs to 'Athol Hall'.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to 'Athol Hall' up the stairs, crossing a large grassy area. The walk then continues up to Athol Hall entrance.

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.

(1km) Athol Hall → Athol Hall car park

100 m

2 mins

0m Easy track

Turn left: From the entrance to Athol Hall, this walk heads up the hill, with the views of Sydney Harbour on the left. The walk continues up the road, where it crosses to the parking toll booth.

(1km) Athol Hall car park → Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Taylors Bay Lookout track

110 m

2 mins

-10m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the corner of Bradley Head Rd and the car park, this walk heads down the hill just behind the parking pay booth. The track meanders down the hill to a signposted intersection.

(1km) Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Taylors Bay Lookout track → Taylors Bay Lookout

50 m

1 mins

-6m Moderate track

Continue straight: 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 Turn left.

(1km) Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Taylors Bay Lookout track → HMAS Sydney Mast, Bradleys Head

790 m

17 mins

29m

-42m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Bradleys Head' sign along the hillside, keeping the water glimpses to your left. After about 600m this track leads to a boardwalk which then leads to a road. Here the walk turns left to follow the footpath down the hill for about 150m, to the clearing with the HMAS Sydney's mast, a car park and toilets.

Maps for the Bradleys Head Walk 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 Bradleys Head Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bradleys Head Walk

Altitude analysis for Bradleys Head Walk

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	1.7 km
		Time	1 Hr
		.
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

950m of this walk is flat with no steps and another 610m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (180m) has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 1.6km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path, whilst the remaining 110m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 1.6km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 180m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.6km 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).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Bradleys Head Walk walk.

Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk

2.8 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk explores a great section of Sydney Harbour. Starting with some historic points at Bradleys Head, you can enjoy views of Sydney's Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The views will continue to delight as you explore bushland and the bays along the way. The pleasant walk ends at Clifton Gardens,

Total climbing: 161m

Moderate track

Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head to Athol Hall

3 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

The walk around Bradleys Head is a great way to see Sydney Harbour and some interesting cultural heritage. The walk passes stunning views at Bradleys Head, to the mast of HMAS Sydney, before coming back to the old Athol Hall for afternoon tea. The entrance to Taronga Zoo is passed twice so be prepar

Total climbing: 138m

Moderate track

Bradleys Head and Chowder Head walk

3.7 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk is a great way to explore the history of Bradleys Head whilst enjoying the views of Sydney Harbour, including the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and a majestic angophora forest. Starting from the ferry wharf below Taronga Zoo, this walk follows a clear track along the shore, visiting seve

Total climbing: 219m

Moderate track

Taronga Wharf to Chowder Bay

4.4 km One way, 2 hrs

Starting at Taronga Wharf, this walk passes many icons of Sydney, including Taronga Zoo, HMAS Sydney Mast, Chowder Bay. The walk also provides views across the water to the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Fort Denison and the city skyline. The walk has many brilliant vantage points over the harbour wit

Total climbing: 246m

Moderate track

Taronga Zoo, Clifton Gardens return via Sirius Cove

6.5 km Circuit, 3 hrs 30 mins

This walk winds along the coast of Sydney Harbour with many beautiful views across to the city and of the bush surrounding the track. Bacino Bar at Clifton Gardens is worth a visit for a coffee before walking through the streets over to Sirius Cove. The walk passes Taronga Zoo, which could be added

Total climbing: 352m

Moderate track

Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach

6.8 km One way, 3 hrs

This walk explores a great section of Sydney Harbour. The walk starts at the Taronga Zoo ferry wharf with views of the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The spectacular views continue as you explore bushland and the bays along the way. The walk also explores a historic section of the harb

Total climbing: 328m

Hard track

Taronga Zoo to Chowder Bay return via Bradleys Head Rd

7 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This walk is a great way to explore Bradleys Head, enjoying it's stunning views of Sydney Harbour, the history and the surrounding bush land. The walk around to Chowder Bay passes Athol Hall, which is a nice place for a coffee and some cake before heading to the Bay for a swim and another coffee at

Total climbing: 334m

Moderate track

Taronga Zoo to Spit Bridge

10.4 km One way, 5 hrs

This is a scenic and culturally rich walk with views over Sydney Harbour and many interesting heritage buildings along the way. The start at the zoo allows for a possible visit. The walk then passes the Bacino Bar on the way through the military heritage buildings. This is an excellent walk to do on

Total climbing: 410m

Hard track

Taronga Zoo to Manly

18.9 km One way, 8 hrs

This very long day walk has some stunning views, excellent heritage sites, a Zoo and beautiful beaches. What more could you ask for? The many sidetrips and places to stop and enjoy the views, having a coffee at the Bacino Bar or fish and chips on Balmoral Beach, will all make this walk an excellent

Total climbing: 746m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Bradleys Head Walk walk.

Taronga to Musgrave Wharf

1.7 km One way, 1 Hr

This wharf-to-wharf walk is a great way to see Sydney Harbour. The walk is very scenic, with frequent views of the harbour. A stop in Sirius Cove to have a swim, play on the swings or a picnic is a great way to make an outing of this walk.

Total climbing: 111m

Moderate track

Taronga Zoo to Camp Curlew

930 m Return, 30 mins

This track takes you from Taronga Zoo Ferry, directly to Camp Curlew. A perfect little walk for the Impressionist wanting to recreate the attraction to Camp Curlew for painting. Little Sirius Cove is a secluded beach, worth the short sidetrip. Camp Curlew is a secluded spot on Sydney Harbour and ha

Total climbing: 61m

Moderate track

Chowder Head

548 m Circuit, 20 mins

This loop walk is the shortest way to access the views from Chowder Head. The optional side trip leads to an informal lookout on an unfenced rock platform. A great spot to enjoy the sailing boats on Sydney Harbour. In spring, this walk is particularly spectacular with a wide range of wildflowers on

Total climbing: 36m

Moderate track

Cremorne Point Circuit

2.7 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

On this walk, you will circumnavigate Cremorne Point along the harbour-side paths, winding through gardens and sections of native bushland. The extra time for the side trip to Robertsons Point Lookout is well rewarded and in the warmer months, why not bring your swimmers and enjoy a dip at Maccallum

Total climbing: 115m

Easy track

Cremorne Point to Mosman Wharf

2 km One way, 45 mins

This walk explores the foreshore tracks of Cremorne Reserve, taking in fantastic harbour views, beautiful gardens and a sidetrip to Robertsons Point lighthouse. Starting from Cremorne ferry wharf, the walk climbs to Robertsons Point and lighthouse, then meanders down past interesting houses and hist

Total climbing: 68m

Easy track

Cremorne Point to Taronga Zoo

4.2 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This delightful walk from Cremorne to Taronga Zoo enjoys stunning harbour views and a number of sites to explore along bushland and suburban tracks. Starting from Cremorne ferry wharf, there is an option for a closer look at Robertsons Point lighthouse before continuing around Cremorne Reserve into

Total climbing: 218m

Moderate track

Robertsons Point Lookout

478 m Return, 15 mins

A short walk but a fun time. Catch a ferry to Cremorne Point and grab a bight to eat before climbing the steps and having a play in the kids playground. Then wander along the footpath to the lookout at the end of Cremorne Point, know as Robertsons Point. The view across Sydney Harbour is great. Ther

Total climbing: 11m

Easy track

Strickland House and Milk Beach

706 m Return, 25 mins

Starting from Vaucluse Rd, you will head down past the stately Strickland House to the small but lovely Milk Beach on Sydney Harbour. There are several interesting buildings in the Strickland House complex as well as some interesting open exotic gardens to explore. From behind Strickland House, you

Total climbing: 31m

Easy track

Hermitage Foreshore Track

2.2 km One way, 1 Hr

The Hermitage Foreshore Walk is a wonderful way to explore Sydney Harbour from the perspective of South Head. This walk starts from Nielsen Park and follows a well maintained track along the narrow strip of harbour-side bushland to Bayview Hill Rd. Along the way, you will visit some secluded beaches

Total climbing: 123m

Moderate track

History of Nielsen Park

896 m Return, 20 mins

On this short walk, you will follow the footpaths through Nielsen Park, visiting some of the historic buildings. Walking past the beautiful Shark Bay, you may be temped to take a dip or at least stop and enjoy the blue water and sandstone boulders. Climbing up the stairs, you will then be able to e

Total climbing: 25m

Easy track

Mt Trefle

1.7 km Circuit, 40 mins

This walk explores the bushy interior section of Nielsen Park. On this walk, you will visit historic Greycliffe House and the Steele Point Gun Emplacement. The walk climbs over the Mount Trefle summit. At just over 40m above sea level, I suspect most walkers will not consider it much of a mountain,

Total climbing: 58m

Easy track

Nielsen Park and Strickland House loop

2.5 km Circuit, 1 Hr

On this walk, you will stroll along the shore of Sydney Harbour, discovering many great views and the secluded Milk Beach before visiting the grand Strickland and Greycliffe Houses. This is a great way to explore the natural beauty, as well as some stately gardens, at the northern end of the Hermita

Total climbing: 104m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Bradleys Head Walk walk starts and ends at the HMAS Sydney Mast, Bradleys Head (gps: -33.853060, 151.24632)

Bus. (get details)

Car. Parking fees apply in the area.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Sydney Harbour National Park

One of Sydney's most diverse parks, Sydney Harbour National Park is formed from 11 pockets of harbour islands and shoreline. Highlights include coastal walks and swimming, breath-taking viewpoints, tours of colonial buildings and Aboriginal cave art.

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