Taronga Zoo to Chowder Bay return via Bradleys Head Rd

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Time 3 hrs
Circuit 7 km Circuit
Climb 334 m
Grade 3 Moderate track
Ferry Bus Car
no_pets
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 the Bacino Bar. The walk then takes the road directly back to Taronga Zoo.

(0km) Taronga Zoo Wharf → Taronga Zoo Entrance

distance 220 m time 4 mins climb 11m descent -5m Very easy
From the wharf, the walk heads uphill along the footpath beside the road to the Taronga Zoo entrance at the pedestrian crossing.

Taronga Zoo

Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo was founded in 1916, with the vision of imitating the Hamburg Zoo's bar-less exhibits. Since its opening, Taronga Zoo has directed more attention to research, education and conservation efforts to support the animals. Taronga Zoo is open everyday 9am- 5pm. Phone: +61 2 9969 2777 or email: groups@zoo.nsw.gov.au. More info.

(0km) Taronga Zoo Entrance → Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Athol Hall Trk

distance 410 m time 9 mins climb 24m descent -15m Moderate track
Turn right: From the opposite the zoo entrance, the walk heads down the ramp leaving the road up to the left. The track soon leads to a a lookout with a set of bench seats and good harbour views. The walk continues along the footpath to a wire fence then follows the 'Walking Track' sign along the hillside to climb a few steps and cross a wooden bridge. The track comes to the corner of Athol Hall's grass clearing.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads down the stairs then continues along the hill for a short time. The walk descends more stairs to a signposted intersection.

(1km) Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Athol Hall Trk → Athol Hall

distance 70 m time 2 mins climb 9m descent 0m Moderate track
Turn left : 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. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp left.

Athol Hall

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) Int. Borogegal Walking Trail and Athol Hall Trk → HMAS Sydney Mast, Bradleys Head

distance 670 m time 16 mins climb 31m descent -40m Easy track
Continue straight: From the stairs, this walk heads around the hillside with the harbour below on the right. The walk travels across large sections of boardwalk which undulate slightly as the walk comes up to a trail (which leads to a bench overlooking Sydney Harbour). From the trail, this walk keeps contouring along the hillside, south and tending left, to the intersection, signposted as the way to 'Cannons picnic area'.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the car park, keeping the harbour to the right. The walk leads approximately 10m to the intersection with a track (leading down to Bradleys Head Amphitheatre).
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads along the footpath next to the car park for a short distance, until it comes to be above the flag pole, HMAS Sydney Mast.

HMAS Sydney Memorial Mast

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.

(1km) HMAS Sydney Mast, Bradleys Head → Int. End of Iluka Rd access and Borogegal Trks

distance 1.5 km time 34 mins climb 83m descent -80m Moderate track
Continue straight: 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'.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads into Taylors Gully, with Taylors Bay below on the right. The track continues for approximately 300m, contouring around the hill with views of Taylors Bay on the right. Tending right, this walk enters and exits Taylors Gully, to continue approximately 250m to the signposted intersection at the beginning of the houses, on the left.

(3km) Taylors intersection → Chowder Head track intersection

distance 570 m time 14 mins climb 47m descent -30m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads along the line of the houses, on the left, for approximately 140m. The track passes a Japanese Submarine information sign on the right as it continues along sections of boardwalk track, to the intersection next to the last house. The walk heads up the stairs below the last house to be met by a large sandstone staircase on the left and a track to the front.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the house and clearing along the fairly flat track keeping the water glimpses to your right. The path soon leads to a clear three-way intersection with a 'Ashton Park' sign pointing back along the track.

(3km) Chowder Head track intersection → Chowder Head

distance 90 m time 2 mins climb 0m descent -10m Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Chowder Head' sign[3] south-west along the clear track. The track heads gently downhill and bends left past some dead gums[4] to find an unfenced rock platform with great harbour views[5]. (Note the informal track continues down becoming steeper, leading to a small bay.) At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

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.

(3km) Chowder Head track intersection → Bottom of Morella Rd track

distance 110 m time 2 mins climb 12m descent -2m Easy track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows 'Clifton Gardens'[6] sign gently up the hill. The track leads through the bush for a short time to soon come to another three-way intersection, this one marked with a 'Morella Rd' sign[7] (on your left).

(3km) Bottom of Morella Rd track → Morella St lookout

distance 170 m time 4 mins climb 3m descent -14m Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the main track keeping the water glimpses to your right (and the Morella Rd track to your left). The track gently works is way around the hill to come to a sign point back to 'Ashton Park' and a large clearing with good views behind some houses.

Morella St lookout

Morella St lookout
This informally named clearing behind some houses[8] on Morella St provides a great view across the harbour[9]. The fairly large clearing has been maintained and is a good place to stop if wanting to avoid the large groups at Clifton Gardens.

(4km) Morella St lookout → Bottom of Sarahs walk steps

distance 80 m time 3 mins climb 0m descent -17m Easy track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows 'Clifton Gardens' sign[10] downhill along the concrete path, behind the line of houses[11]. The path leads down the hill, following a series of steps[12] past a bench seat to come to a 'T' intersection (with Sarah's Walk, part way down a set of steps)[13][14].

(4km) Bottom of Sarahs walk steps → Clifton Gardens baths

distance 250 m time 5 mins climb 3m descent -16m Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the steps[15] that soon flatten out as the footpath leads around the headland under a few sandstone overhangs[16]. The walk soon comes to a 'Foreshore Path'[17] sign pointing back along the path at the south-western end of Clifton Gardens.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down onto the beach, towards the wharf in the middle of the beach. The walk passes an Illawarra Flame tree, as it heads approximately 100m along the beach to the start of the wharf.

Clifton Gardens Reserve

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[20], and of course, spectacular views over Chowder Bay. A short bush track leads through to Rawson Oval.

(4km) Clifton Gardens Baths → Chowder Bay Lower Gate

distance 210 m time 5 mins climb 13m descent -10m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the wharf, this walk heads towards the playground-end of the beach. The walk leads along the beach, passing the playground and rocky outcrop on the left to tend right onto a boardwalk. The boardwalk takes the walk to the lower gate of Chowder Bay.

Bacino Kiosk

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. More info.

(4km) Chowder Bay Lower Gate → Clifton Gardens Baths

distance 210 m time 5 mins climb 10m descent -13m Moderate track
Turn around: From the gate, this walk heads down across the boardwalk to drop onto the beach. The walk then continues along the beach, passing a rocky outcrop and a playground on the right before reaching the start of the wharf.

(4km) Clifton Gardens baths → Western end of Clifton Gardens

distance 120 m time 2 mins climb 3m descent 0m Easy track
Continue straight: From in front of the wharf, this walk follows heads along the beach keeping the water to your left. The walk heads along the beach veering right to find the signposted intersection with the footpath (that continues out along the headland).

(4km) Western end of Clifton Gardens → Taronga Zoo Entrance

distance 2.3 km time 48 mins climb 89m descent -81m Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads away from the water and follows the road (coming out of the car park) up the hill. The walk continues along Morella Rd. then turns right into David St. The walk then turns right into Burrawong Ave. and soon turns left into Thompson St, continuing to the round-about intersection with Bradleys Head Rd.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads down Bradleys Head Rd away from the roundabout. The walk continues for some time down Bradleys Head Rd, until the road bends hard to the right, at an intersection with another road on the left (with a National Park sign and gates).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down Athol Wharf Rd (continuation of Bradleys Head Rd), keeping Sydney Harbour to the left. The walk continues down for a short time to the lower entrance of Taronga Zoo.

(7km) Taronga Zoo Entrance → Taronga Zoo Wharf

distance 220 m time 4 mins climb 5m descent -11m Very easy
Continue straight: From the pedestrian crossing, the walk heads down the hill towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge, along the footpath to the wharf entrance on the left.

Maps for the Taronga Zoo to Chowder Bay return via Bradleys Head Rd 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 River1:25 000 Map Series91303N PARRAMATTA RIVERNSW-91303N
Sydney Heads1:25 000 Map Series91302N SYDNEY HEADSNSW-91302N
Sydney1:100 000 Map Series9130 SYDNEY9130

Cross sectional view of the Taronga Zoo to Chowder Bay return via Bradleys Head Rd bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Taronga Zoo to Chowder Bay return via Bradleys Head Rd

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Taronga Zoo to Chowder Bay return via Bradleys Head Rd

Altitude analysis for Taronga Zoo to Chowder Bay return via Bradleys Head Rd

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.

Length7 km
Time3 hrs
.




Grade 3/6



Moderate track
AS 2156.1GradientShort steep hills (3/6)
Quality of trackFormed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
SignsDirectional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience RequiredNo experience required (1/6)
WeatherWeather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
InfrastructureLimited 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

3.6km of this walk has short steep hills and another 2.2km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (1.3km) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

4.2km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 2.2km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (590m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 3.9km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 3.2km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 6km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 850m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Taronga Zoo to Chowder Bay return via Bradleys Head Rd walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Taronga Zoo to Chowder Bay return via Bradleys Head Rd walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Taronga Zoo to Chowder Bay return via Bradleys Head Rd walk starts and ends at the Taronga Zoo Wharf (gps: -33.845752, 151.23978)

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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