Hike at a Glance

Australia > New South Wales > Sydney Harbour National Park

Quick overview: Experience the breath-taking Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk, a 4km journey of moderate difficulty around the harbour headlands in Sydney. This trail offers unbeatable views of iconic landmarks like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, with the opportunity to encounter wildlife, ancient trees, and historic military relics. Whether you're enjoying a drink at the heritage-listed Athol Hall or exploring Sydney's coastal walking tracks, this hike is a must-do for outdoor enthusiasts.

Length:

4km

Duration:

1.5 hrs

Grade:

Style:

One Way

Max elevation: 0m

Min elevation: 0m

Total Ascent: 0m

Start: 20A Morella Rd

End: Athol Wharf Rd

Sydney Harbour National Park

New South Wales

Nearby town: Mosman

From state capital: 9.7km

Latitude: -33.839071

Longitude: 151.251746

6 Reviews

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Hike overview

The views along Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk are almost too good to be true. The gentle bush track weaves around the harbour headlands from Taronga Zoo Wharf around Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay and is guaranteed to impress. There is even an app you can download directly to your iPhone or Android device.
You can see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge - Sydney's most famous icons - in all their glory. Watch the boats glide by from Bradleys Head Amphitheatre or step into the past at Military relics at Bradleys Head. Come face-to-face with wildlife and ancient trees, and stop for a drink at heritage-listed Athol Hall or a Chowder Bay cafe.
The Harbour Bridge to The Spit Bridge walking track continues past Chowder Bay if you feel like a longer walk. Once you've explored this exquisite part of Sydney Harbour you're sure to want to walk more of Sydney's coastal walking tracks.
Take a virtual tour of Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk captured with Google Street View Trekker.

Track grade

Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.

Walk map and GPX file
Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay Walk (4km)

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Explore safely

Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.

Leave a trip plan

Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.

Planning checklists

Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.

Getting there

Getting to the trailhead: Sydney Harbour National Park.

To Chowder Bay Road carpark. Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk is in the Bradleys Head precinct of Sydney Harbour National Park. To get there:By carFrom Mosman take Military Road onto Bradleys Head RoadThe walks starts at the end of the road at Taronga Zoo Wharf.Parking is not available at the WharfBy public transportTake the ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo WharfFrom Chowder Bay the 244 bus takes you to Wynyard in the city. Park entry points Chowder Bay Road carpark See on map Clifton Gardens carpark See on map Parking Paid parking is available at Clifton Gardens and Chowder Bay.

Visit NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for more information on this trail.

The longitude and latitude of the start and end points are approximately only and should not be used for navigation purposes. Please contact me if you know the correct coordinates.

Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.

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Accommodation nearby

Find Accommodation

Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.

Nearby towns: Balmain, Balmoral, Chatswood, Cremorne, Darling Harbour, Darling Point, Darlinghurst, Dee Why, Frenchs Forest, Glebe, Kirribilli, Manly, Mosman, Neutral Bay, North Sydney, Pyrmont, Rose Bay, Rozelle, Sydney, Terrey Hills, Vaucluse, Watsons Bay, Woolloomooloo

About the region

Sydney Harbour National Park protects islands and foreshore around Sydney Harbour. Explore Sydney's history on a school excursion or guided tour to enjoy coastal walks, picnics and swimming. Sydney Harbour National Park protects a number of islands and foreshore areas around one of the world's most famous harbours. The park is home to superb swimming spots, bushwalking tracks and picnic areas, which offer a huge range of activities that will have you coming back again and again.

See native wildlife living in rare pockets of bushland once common around Sydney, or take a fascinating walk to explore the park's cultural history. You'll see everything from convict-built buildings and military fortifications to Aboriginal sites and a heritage lighthouse. And with the harbour's staggering coastline creating an endless natural lookout, the park's jaw-dropping views simply have to be seen to be believed. If you're at one of the park's lookouts during winter, be sure to keep a lookout for whales on their annual migration north.

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Trail statusThis trail is OPEN.This trail is permanently CLOSED.Please only report permanent closures and provide evidence in the edit box below.

Trail Features (select all that apply)Aboriginal ArtAlpine HutsAlpine RegionBeach & CoastalBicycle TrailConcrete PathDog FriendlyDrinking WaterExposed LedgesFishing SpotsGoldfields & MiningGorgesGravel PathHeritageHorse RidingLakesLighthouseManual WheelchairMotorised WheelchairMountain Bike TrailOff TrailOvernight CampsitesPrams & StrollersRail TrailRainforestRiver CrossingsRiversRock ScramblingRough TrailSandy TrailScenic ViewpointsSteep TerrainSwimming SpotsTimber BoardwalkTrail RunningUndefined TrailUntreated WaterUrbanWaterfallsWell Marked Trail

Access Conditions (select all that apply)2WD Access4WD AccessAccessible ParkingAccessible ToiletBBQ FacilitiesBitumen RoadCampfire PitCamping AreaDrinking WaterEntry FeeGravel RoadLarge Car ParkPicnic ShelterPicnic TablePublic ToiletsPublic TransportSmall Car ParkSpeed BumpsSteep RoadUntreated WaterVehicle FordWinding Road

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Reviews
Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay Walk (4km)

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Acknowledgement of Country

Bradleys head to chowder bay walk (4km) trail hiking australia

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

February 25, 2025

Hike at a Glance

Hike overview

Track grade

Walk map and GPX file
Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay Walk (4km)

Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay Walk (4km)

Explore safely

Leave a trip plan

Planning checklists

Getting there

Accommodation nearby

About the region

Similar walks nearby

Clifton Gardens to Georges Heights Walk (1.7km)

Chowder Bay to Georges Heights Lookout Walk (800m)

Chowder Head Walk (500m)

Chowder Bay to Middle Head Return – Chowder Bay Road Walk (5.1km)

Gallery

Suggest an edit

Reviews
Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay Walk (4km)

Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay Walk (4km)

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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