Middle head commands outstanding views of the mouth of the Sydney Harbour. This walk offers sweeping sea views, remnant coastal vegetation and fascinating military fort heritage.
Highlights
Middle head offers commanding views of the mouth of Sydney harbour. Varied remnant coastal vegetation. Fascinating military historical fort buildings.
Track details
From the corner of Old Fort Rd and Governors Rd, you can follow Old Fort Rd to the right as it heads out through Sydney Harbour National Park to the Outer Forts. Here are the remnants of former military fortifications, which were built from between 1801 and 1942. A variety of periods of military history and technologies are represented in this historical site. The walk continues on from the Outer Forts, through coastal vegetation and banksia forest, on to the Inner Forts, where sweeping views of the opening to Sydney Harbour are offered here you can look westwards towards the spit, north to Manly, north-east towards North head, or east to the Hornby Lighthouse and South head, before returning through coastal vegetation to the start of the walk.
Safety advice
There are some cliff edges not far from the walking track, and some of the old fort heritage buildings are fragile and hazardous - including an unguarded significant drop in the inner forts site.
Age restrictions and advice
Children need to be supervised
Location
2 Old Fort Road, Mosman New South Wales 2088, Australia
From Military Road (A8) in Mosman heading towards the spit, turn right onto Military Rd. Follow Military Rd for 900 m before taking the first exit left at the roundabout onto Middle Head Rd. Drive 2km until you reach close to the end of the rd. There are paid car parking spaces about 100m from the start of the walk.
Booking information
Some nearby event sites can be booked through the NSW Parks & Wildlife service here
Track details
From the corner of Old Fort Rd and Governors Rd, you can follow Old Fort Rd to the right as it heads out through Sydney Harbour National Park to the Outer Forts. Here are the remnants of former military fortifications, which were built from between 1801 and 1942. A variety of periods of military history and technologies are represented in this historical site. The walk continues on from the Outer Forts, through coastal vegetation and banksia forest, on to the Inner Forts, where sweeping views of the opening to Sydney Harbour are offered here you can look westwards towards the spit, north to Manly, north-east towards North head, or east to the Hornby Lighthouse and South head, before returning through coastal vegetation to the start of the walk.
Safety advice
There are some cliff edges not far from the walking track, and some of the old fort heritage buildings are fragile and hazardous - including an unguarded significant drop in the inner forts site.
Age restrictions and advice
Children need to be supervised
Location
2 Old Fort Road, Mosman New South Wales 2088, Australia
From Military Road (A8) in Mosman heading towards the spit, turn right onto Military Rd. Follow Military Rd for 900 m before taking the first exit left at the roundabout onto Middle Head Rd. Drive 2km until you reach close to the end of the rd. There are paid car parking spaces about 100m from the start of the walk.
Booking information
Some nearby event sites can be booked through the NSW Parks & Wildlife service here
Middle Head Heritage
Some nearby sites, stories and natural heritage of Middle Head
Mosman Wildlife
Dozens of species of native animals frequent the remnant moist gullies and bushland of the Mosman peninsula, from the Eastern Water Dragon to Peron's Tree Frog and the endangered Powerful Owl
Saving the headland in the Harbour
A dynamic community campaign mobilised public support behind protection of a remarkable natural and cultural landscape in the heart of Sydney harbour.
Mosman Flora and Fauna Survey
An ecological survey of Mosman found that it provides home to hundreds of Australian plant species and dozens of Australian native animals
Powerful Owl
The Powerful Owl is the largest of Australia's owls, frequenting the moist forests of Australia's east. A large owl with a small head, brown and white barred colouring, and distinctive yellow eyes.
Key info
30 mins return
800m return
Grade 1: Easy
Facilities
There are public toilets at the start of this walk, and a couple of nearby cafes on the road in.
Alerts
Check to see if there are any current alerts for the area.
NSW National Parks Middle Head page