Middle Head - Gubbuh Gubbuh and Georges Head walking track link to the Sydney Harbour Scenic Walk

Enhancing the experience of the iconic Sydney Harbour Scenic Walk.

View from Middle Head of the North and South Heads of Sydney HarbourThe National Parks and Wildlife Service is constructing a new walking track in the Sydney Harbour National Park linking Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh and Georges Head to the Sydney Harbour Scenic Walk. The link will connect the headlands and create a seamless walking experience for visitors.

This project is being delivered as part of the largest visitor infrastructure program in national park history.

What the project involves

The new walking track, with story-telling along the route and, improvements to Chowder Bay Road are identified in the Sydney Harbour National Park, Middle Head & Georges Head Masterplan.

Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh is a jewel within the stunning array of foreshore open space and beaches that adjoin Sydney Harbour. The combination of natural and cultural qualities at Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh and Georges Head is unique to Sydney and Australia. Intrinsic to this is a sense of retreat and release from urban Sydney that is enabled by the place’s largely undeveloped and low-key character. The master plan seeks to reconcile these fundamental values with improved and safer access for visitors.

The most important strategy for enhancing the community experience of Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh and Georges Head is its effective integration into the Sydney Harbour Scenic Walk. At present, the headlands are not linked effectively to the broader Harbour Scenic Walk with key connections difficult and unclear. The new walk will connect the headlands to deliver the missing link along and create a seamless experience for visitors.

Across Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh and Georges Head there are points of interest focussed on natural and cultural features from various phases of Sydney's history. The state-registered military fortifications at Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh and Georges Head are significant as a collection of defence structures which date from 1801 to the Vietnam War. Conservation works to the significant military fortifications will also occur along with an interpretation of the area's history to create a highly layered recreational and educational experience.

Interpreting Georges Head and Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh

A significant component of this project is the interpretation of Georges Head and Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh, particularly the state-significant military fortifications.

We will be installing new interpretation so visitors can learn more about the area's history. Digital interpretation also forms part of this, and we have commissioned a second animations which depicts the powerful defences of Sydney Harbour.

The new animation describes the perceived threats to Australia during World War II and the twin 6-inch guns which were installed to protect Sydney's harbour in 1942. These guns were installed at Georges Head and Obelisk Bay in Sydney Harbour with a third gun near South Head. It's main purpose was to cover the harbour from attack by torpedo boats. This emplacement includes a magazine, where ammunition was stored, and crew room linked by underground passages. The 3 storey building was the control tower, observation point and searchlight.

The first animation shows the 'disappearing guns' installed in 1889 at the Inner Fort, Middle Head. The fortifications at this location were first constructed in 1871 to hold 5 80-pounder rifled muzzle loading guns. In 1889, these were replaced with 2 more advanced breech-loading 6-inch guns on 'disappearing' carriages. A technological marvel for its day, the gun would recoil into a pit to be reloaded as hydraulic rams powered the gun back into the first position. The gun emplacements were connected to the subterranean magazine via stone trenches and underground tunnels.

Watch the video below to see these guns in action protecting Sydney's harbour.

Planning for this project, including site assessment, design, heritage and environmental approvals, was completed in 2020.

In 2021, conservation and repairs of the historic fortifications at the Inner Fort and Outer Fort, Middle Head, the Obelisk Bay gun emplacement and Georges Head gun emplacement have been completed.

Preparation for the track work was undertaken in mid-2021. This included sawing the stone steps and delivery of the fibre-reinforced polymer. The fibre-reinforced polymer has been delivered to Middle Head with the preparation of these components underway.

The track construction will commence with work crews on-site in late August 2021. This work is scheduled to be completed in 2022. Occasional closures may be required. Please check the current alerts for details before planning your visit.

Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh and Georges Head are not linked to the broader Sydney Harbour area or Bondi to Manly Walk and walkers largely bypass the headlands. Establishment of a new track linking Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh to Georges Head will create an iconic harbour experience that leads walkers to the unmatched cultural and visual environment of Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh. This will enhance the visitor experience at Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh and Georges Head and enable visitors to experience the natural and cultural features of this area.

We manage our national parks to protect their unique values and provide for sustainable visitor use and enjoyment. This includes providing visitor experiences and, where appropriate, new visitor facilities including tracks and trails.

Independent environmental and heritage assessments were carried out to examine the significance of any likely environmental impacts of the proposal and identify means to eliminate or mitigate any impacts to the natural or cultural values of the site.

Gubbuh Gubbuh ('gub-uh, gub-uh') is the recognised Aboriginal name for the area known as Middle Head. We are pursuing dual naming in our national parks in consultation with Aboriginal communities. This dual naming will be incorporated wherever possible as part of the acknowledgment of Aboriginal culture and heritage.

Within the Sydney Harbour National Park are Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh and Georges Head which contain the largest collection of nineteenth and twentieth-century coastal fortifications anywhere in Australia, demonstrating evidence of the continual response to the technological changes in warships and artillery and the nature of perceived and actual threats to Sydney. The headlands also contain Aboriginal sites, pockets of natural bushland and some threatened plant and animal species.

Developing rich and engaging interpretation will be a key focus to immerse the walker in the natural and cultural landscape creating respect, a strong connection and sense of place.

We engaged with community groups and stakeholders throughout development of the master plan and will continue to engage with stakeholders and interested community groups throughout this project. We will provide regular updates on this project website. See the NPWS Visitor webpage and on-site signage for any impacts on visitation during the construction phase.

Views from Fairfax Lookout along the Fairfax Walk at North Head in Manly at Sydney Harbour National Park. The views extend back to the Sydney city.

Update: November 2021

Walking track construction.

  • 11 Nov 2021
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People exploring the forts at Middle Head, Sydney Harbour National Park

Update: August 2021

We are developing new physical and digital interpretations to enable visitors to learn more about the area's history - particularly the state-significant military fortifications.

  • 19 Aug 2021
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Gun emplacement, Middle Head, Sydney Harbour National Park

Update: March 2021

Conservation of military fortifications underway.

  • 28 Feb 2021
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Georges Head, Sydney Harbour National Park

Update: December 2020

Walking track construction commencing in early 2021.

  • 24 Dec 2020
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Beehive casement, sandstone rock cut defence military fortification, part of Sydney's former coastal defence system to protect against attack from sea, Sydney Harbour National Park

Update: June 2020

Plans for the walking track have been completed.

  • 10 May 2020
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Sydney Harbour Scenic Walk update





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