Gap Bluff Lookout

Download & Print Map and Notes

30 mins

886 m Return

43 m

Hard track

This walk explores the coastal cliffs near The Gap on Sydney's South Head. The main focal point for this walk is the view from the rocky bluff. The cliff makes for very spectacular scenery and the views extend from North Head along the coast, and even peer across the harbour to the city. This walk starts from Watsons Bay and follows a well used footpath all the way. There is much history in the area and the couple of side trips described in this walk open up some more places to explore.

Looking to North Head from the Gap Bluff

Watsons Bay

Watsons Bay is a popular spot to enjoy the harbour, Robertson Park and some fish and chips. Doyles offers a formal dining restaurant[1] and the more relaxed fish and chip shop[2] on the ferry wharf[3]. Robertson Park is a large open grassy park with some natural shade[4], a rotunda[5], toilets[6][7], children's play equipment[8], garbage bins[9] and picnic tables[10]. More info.

(0km) Watsons Bay Wharf → The bottom of the Gap steps

230 m

5 mins

17m

0m Very easy

From Watsons Bay Wharf[11], this walk heads diagonally across the turning circle at the end of Military Rd[12] and into 'Robertson Park'[13]. The walk follows the path diagonally across the open park and tends a little left (straight ahead) at the four-way intersection beside the rotunda[14]. Here the walk goes up the ramp[15] and crosses Military Rd using the crossing[16], coming to the base of the steps (that lead to The Gap)[17].

(0km) The bottom of the Gap steps → The Gap

20 m

-2m Very easy

Continue straight: From the bottom of the Gap steps[18], this walk heads up the steps (or ramp[19]). About halfway up the steps, there is an emergency phone for contacting the police or Lifeline[20], then at the top there is a fenced section of footpath (lookout) and ocean views from The Gap[21].

The Gap

The Gap is one of Sydney's most famous ocean cliff lookouts. The view from the track beside the stretch of cliff is simply stunning[22]. The tall cliffs are enhanced by the rock platform and the pounding ocean far below[23]. Sadly, this site is not only known for the natural wonder, but also for the many deaths that occur here each year. Security cameras[26] and an emergency phone[27] have been installed, to help assist people considering suicide. On the unlikely event that you see someone in distress, please call the police on 000 and lifeline on 131 114, or use the nearby emergency phone. More info.

(0km) The Gap → The Gap Bluff Centre Int

100 m

3 mins

13m

0m Easy track

Turn left: From The Gap[28], this walk heads up the hill along the path, keeping the fence and water views to your right. The path leads past the 'Sydney Harbour National Park - Gap Bluff' sign[29] and more great views of The Gap. The path comes to a three-way intersection in a small clearing, marked with a few signs including 'The Gap timeline'[30].

(0km) The Gap Bluff Centre Int → The Gap Bluff Centre (Officers Mess)

90 m

2 mins

-8m Very easy

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the large white building along the narrow, flat path[31], away from the ocean views. The path soon leads to a car park[32], where the walk turns left[33], around to the front of The Gap Bluff Centre (Officers' Mess) building[34]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

The Gap Bluff Centre (Officers Mess)

The Gap Bluff Centre, once know as the Officers' Mess, is a large white building just north-east of The Gap on South Head. This building was once part of the South Head School of Artillery. Now part of Sydney Harbour National Park, this building is hired out for functions and conferences. Built in 1936[35], the curved building has since been extended. The building is surrounded by a car parking area and an exotic garden.

(0km) The Gap Bluff Centre Int → The Gap Bluff Lookout

90 m

2 mins

10m

-1m Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the path then steps[36], following the fence and keeping the water views to your right. The path leads past several information signs on local plant life[37][38][39][40] and some lovely wildflowers[41]. The walk continues up the many steps[42] to a rocky clearing[43] near the top. Here the walk tends left and takes the steps through the cleft in the rock to find another rocky clearing and lookout with great panoramic views at the top of Gap Bluff[44].

The Gap Bluff Lookout

The Gap Bluff Lookout sits high on the rocky hill overlooking the South Pacific Ocean. On the left is a view to North Head[45] and to your right, looking south down the coast, there are great views over The Gap[46]. There are also distant views over the harbour to the city[47]. This site is significant to the traditional owners, the Birrabirragal people, who once occupied the area - although not at this site, there are some rock engraving still remaining[48]. This is a great place to visit and well worth climbing the steps for the view.

(0km) The Gap Bluff Lookout → Gun Emplacement Lookout

150 m

4 mins

10m

-16m Very easy

Turn left: From the Gap Bluff Lookout, this walk follows the footpath away from the gap[49] and into the heath[50], keeping the ocean to your right. This path soon leads to a three-way intersection (at an old car park undergoing regeneration[51][52]) marked with a 'Banksia integrifolia - coast banksia' information sign[53].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads uphill along the sealed footpath, away from the face of the 'Banksia integrifolia - coast banksia' information sign[54]. Soon the path passes a lookout on your right[55] and comes to a old gun emplacement marked with a 'The gunnery range' sign[56] and a short track to a fenced lookout with another sign[57]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp left.

Gun Emplacement Lookout

Once home to several gun emplacements, this is now a peaceful, fenced lookout[58]. There are information signs[59][60] explaining some history, and also some remaining sections of the fortifications[61][62] to explore.

Maps for the Gap Bluff 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 Gap Bluff Lookout bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Gap Bluff Lookout

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	886 m
		Time	30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		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

250m of this walk is flat with no steps and another 100m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (90m) is very steep.

Quality of track

Around 350m of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path, whilst the remaining 90m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 440m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 440m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 440m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 440m 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 Gap Bluff Lookout walk.

The Gap Bluff and Green Point loop

2.5 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This circuit walk explores the great sea cliffs of The Bluff on the ocean side of South Head, before heading to the scenic and historic Camp Cove and Green Point on Sydney Harbour. During this walk, you will visit several historic military defense systems for the harbour, as well as enjoying some of

Total climbing: 84m

Hard track

South Head Tour

4.1 km Circuit, 1 hr 45 mins

On this walk, you will explore historically significant and majestic sections on the tip of Sydney Harbour's South Head. Explore the confronting sea cliffs at The Gap, visit the first landing place for Europeans in Australia and climb through some of Sydney Harbour's military defense systems. You wi

Total climbing: 144m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Gap Bluff Lookout walk.

Watsons Bay to Hornby Lighthouse

2.8 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

Start with a ferry ride, enjoy some great food, incredible views and visit some very significant historic sights. Starting at Watsons Bay, you will stroll along a few narrow roads before visiting the historic Camp Cove and its gorgeous beach. From here, walk up the old cobblestone road past more gr

Total climbing: 93m

Easy track

Green (Laings) Point Loop

243 m Circuit, 15 mins

On this walk, you will circumnavigate Green Point (also known as Laings Point), on Sydney Harbour's South Head. The point is surrounded in history and great harbour views. Starting from the end of Pacific St, you will head through some open parkland and a short side trip leads to Camp Cove, the fir

Total climbing: 10m

Easy 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

Lady Bay Beach

992 m Return, 30 mins

This walk leads to a popular nudist (clothing optional) beach on Sydney Harbour's South Head. The walk follows the clear footpath / old roads past several significant historic and beautiful sites before climbing down a set of steps to find the beach. The beach is protected from the main surf on the

Total climbing: 38m

Moderate track

South Head Heritage Trail

1.7 km Circuit, 45 mins

This walk explores the tip of Sydney Harbour's South Head. On this walk, you will visit several historic and scenic places, following a footpath most of the way. You will start at Camp Cove, the first landing place for Europeans in Australia, and also visit a number of gun emplacements, designed to

Total climbing: 64m

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

Nielsen Park Circuit

1.8 km Circuit, 40 mins

With much to offer, this walk is a great way to explore the history, water, views and bushland of Nielsen Park. This walk first leads past Shark Bay - a great place for a swim - with the chance to enjoy the views and grab a bite to eat from the cafe. Then, it's up some steps to visit the historic gu

Total climbing: 54m

Easy track

Shakespheres Point loop

661 m Circuit, 15 mins

On this short walk, you will follow a series of footpaths to Shark Bay and head up some sandstone steps to the great views of Shakespheres Point. Since you are up on this headland, it is worth doing a loop around before heading back down to the main area of Nielsen Park. Make a day of it by staying

Total climbing: 24m

Easy 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

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Gap Bluff Lookout walk starts and ends at the Watsons Bay Wharf (gps: -33.843316, 151.28184)

Ferry. (get details)

Bus. (get details)

Car. There is free parking available.<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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