Cobblers Beach

Download & Print Map and Notes

30 mins

930 m Return

58 m

Hard track

This walk guides you down a short but fairly steep trail to the beautiful Cobblers Beach. The beach is a small pretty and clothing optional beach on the northern edge of Middle Head in Sydney Harbour NP. There is a grassy area above the beach if you want to picnic and the water is generally protected from the swell and the rocks on the shoreline are interesting to explore.

(0km) Cobblers Beach Trail trackhead → Cobblers Beach Trail sign

50 m

1 mins

-2m Easy track

From the Cobblers Beach Trail track head (beside the car park[1] near the end of Middle Head Rd[2]), this walk heads around the locked gate

[Pinch Point]

[3] and follows the grassy trail gently downhill for about 40m to come to an intersection beside the 'Sydney Harbour National Park' sign[4].

(0km) Cobblers Beach Trail sign → Cobblers Beach

420 m

10 mins

-48m Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Cobblers Beach Road' arrow on the 'Sydney Harbour National Park' sign[5] downhill along the gravely management trail. After 110m the trail narrows for about 5m (to 90cm) to pass a pile of spoil[6] then about 20m later comes in an unmarked intersection (with a faint track on the right)[7].
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the wide management trail downhill. The trail starts to bend left and heads noteably more steeply downhill

[Wheelchair Steep Rough]

[8] in places over the next 220m where the trail mostly flattens out[9] and bends sharply right. After this bend, the trail continues to lead more gently downhill for another 50m to come to an open grassy area signposted as 'Cobblers Beach'[10]. Access to the sand is down a few uneven stone steps

[Trip Hazard]

Cobblers Beach

Cobblers Beach[11] is a small pretty and clothing optional beach on the northern edge of Middle Head in Sdynday Harbour NP. From the beach, you can see across the water to Grotto Point and Balmoral Beach in the distance. The small sandy beach is about 80m long and about 10m wide depending on the tide. There are rocks along the shorline[13]. Wearing clothing is optional on the sandy beach area however clothing is required to be worn in the surrounding bushland and on the grassed area directly behind the beach.

Maps for the Cobblers Beach 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 Cobblers Beach bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Cobblers Beach

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: This walk is very steep in places (steep than 3:12) for longer than 100m. There are also water bars and eroded dips.

Surface: This walk follows a rough gravel management trail. The trail is mostly wider than 3m, with one 5m section about 90cm wide. An all terrain chair with significant help is likely for most people in wheelchairs.

Access hazards: There are 3 access hazards on this walk (such as pinch points, trip hazards or steep sections). See the Accessibility Details and track notes for specifics.

Accessibility Details

1 Pinch Point (19m)

Pinchpoints beside metal gate. The flatest area beside the gate is 1m wide (total width 1.5m). There is alternate around gate via car park over the concrete wheelstops. Gate is 96cm high.

2 Wheelchair Steep Rough (194m)

This trail has long steep and very rough sections that will require signficant assistance for most people using a wheelchair.

3 Trip Hazard (442m)

A series of 4 cut sandstone steps (ranging up to 34cm high) and debris to access sandy beach area.

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	930 m
		Time	30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		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

Around 290m of this walk is very steep, whilst the remaining 180m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 420m of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 50m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 420m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 50m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 470m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 470m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 290m of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 180m 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 Cobblers Beach walk.

Middle Head

1.9 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This walk leads you around the perimeter of Middle Head. This is a great place to explore, with many forts, barracks and views over Sydney Harbour. The forts area is an excellent place to spend some time walking through the tunnels and gun pits.

Total climbing: 101m

Moderate track

Balmoral to Middle Head Forts

3.9 km Circuit, 2 hrs

This walk to the Middle Head fortifications is a great way to break up your day at the beach. There are plenty of places to explore, and the forts are quite interesting and historically significant. The track is well marked and has some information signs. The views of Sydney Harbour are great and it

Total climbing: 187m

Hard track

Chowder Bay to Middle Head return via Chowder Bay Rd

4.9 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

The walk from Chowder Bay to Middle Head is an interesting one, passing Georges Head Lookout and its views over South Head, and then going up to the WW1 hospital. The track continues with an exploration of the whole of Middle Head, including forts, a nudist beach (a sidetrip option) and stunning vie

Total climbing: 200m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Cobblers Beach walk.

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

Middle Head Battery walk

664 m Return, 30 mins

This walk guides you through the historic and well maintained outer Middle Head fortification battery. Take a step back in time, by walking along Old Fort Road past the old barracks and through the banksia forest to the open clearing and array of gun emplacements. At the fortification, you can explo

Total climbing: 10m

Easy track

Balmoral Beach to The Spit

4.3 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walks follows the coast from Balmoral to the Spit and across Spit Bridge. There are some alternate tracks to consider at high-tides, which take the streets over the headlands. Balmoral and Chinamans Beaches are very nice places for lunch and a swim. Allows time to wander and explore. There ar

Total climbing: 85m

Hard track

WW1 Hospital to Georges Heights Lookout

904 m Return, 30 mins

The WW1 hospital above Georges Head is an interesting collection of historic buildings, which are nicely complemented by Georges Heights Lookout. The walk follows a well-marked footpath with some excellent views and heathy bushland around it.

Total climbing: 26m

Easy track

Georges Heights Lookout

144 m Return, 7 mins

The Georges Heights Lookout has a brilliant view, which is well worth the short stroll from the road. The track is wheelchair-accessible and leads past some interesting signs about the area. The grass surrounding the lookout is also a nice place to lay the picnic rug for lunch. Georges Heights is t

Total climbing: 2m

Very easy

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

Chowder Bay to Georges Heights Lookout

842 m Return, 30 mins

Chowder Bay to Georges Heights Lookout is a fantastic walk to burn off a coffee from the Bacino Bar. The walk passes the Bacino Bar and enjoys the view from an old gun emplacement at George Heights Lookout. The sandstone seats and shaded grassy areas make this a perfect walk for a picnic too.

Total climbing: 60m

Moderate track

Clifton Gardens to Georges Heights

1.7 km Return, 1 Hr

The walk up to Georges Heights is a very scenic one, with the climax being the view from Georges Heights lookout. The walk is also surrounded by old military buildings. Within these buildings is the Bacino Bar and Cafe, worth a drop-in for a coffee or lunch.

Total climbing: 107m

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

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

Camp Cove Cannon

358 m Return, 15 mins

Spend some time relaxing and exploring Camp Cove - the first landing place for Europeans in Australia. On this walk, you will head across the northern end of Camp Cove Beach, up some steps to follow an old sandstone cobbled road. This road leads to a great vantage point, with views over the Sydney H

Total climbing: 14m

Easy track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Cobblers Beach walk starts and ends at the Cobblers Beach Trail trackhead (gps: -33.826982, 151.26425)

Bus. (get details)

Car. Parking fees apply in the area.<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.

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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