What the project involves
Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh is a beautiful area among the scenic open spaces and beaches along the shores of Sydney Harbour. The combination of natural and cultural qualities at Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh and Georges Head is unique to Sydney and Australia. This area offers a sense of retreat and release from urban Sydney due to its mostly undeveloped and low-key nature.
We have added lookouts with views across Sydney and Middle harbours to the new walk connecting the headlands. It showcases Sydney’s unique and significant defence heritage, while protecting the site’s natural and cultural character.
View across Sydney Harbour from the new walking track.
Across Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh and Georges Head there are points of interest focused on natural and cultural features from various phases of Sydney's history. The state-heritage-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 Second World War. As part of the works, these historic fortifications have been restored, and signage has been added which shares their history, bringing it to life and offering visitors an immersive recreational and educational experience.
Telling the story of Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh and Georges Head defences
A significant component of this project is sharing the story of the state-significant coastal defence heritage of Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh and Georges Head. New signage and installations help visitors explore and understand the area's rich history.
Two restored 68-pounder cannons and signage sharing the history of Sydney Harbour defences.
We have also created 3 digital animations that bring back to life the long since removed, powerful defences of Sydney Harbour.
The first animation shows how Outer Middle Head, with a network of gun emplacements, shelters and tunnels, changed over time. Originally established in 1870, these fortifications changed as defence technology improved. You'll see what guns were installed in this location and how the landscape was modified between the 1870s up to the 1960s.
The second animation describes the increasing threat to Australia during World War II and the twin 6-inch guns which were installed to protect Sydney's harbour in 1943. These guns were installed at Georges Head and Obelisk Bay in Sydney Harbour. Their main purpose was to cover the harbour from attack by torpedo boats. This emplacement includes a magazine where ammunition was stored and a crew room linked by underground passages. The 3-storey building was the control tower, observation point and searchlight shelter.
The third animation shows the 'disappearing guns' installed in 1889 at Inner Middle Head. The fortifications at this location were first constructed in 1871 to hold five 80-pounder rifled muzzle loading guns. In 1889, these were replaced with 2 more advanced breech-loading 6-inch guns on hydro-pneumatic '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.
Belvedere Georges Head 
The completed Belvedere Lookout at Georges Head 
The completed Belvedere Lookout at Georges Head 
Middle Head 
Middle Head walking track 
Aerial view of Middle Head walking track 
Fortifications at Middle Head, Sydney Harbour National Park 
Aerial view of Middle Head headland, Sydney Harbour National Park 
People looking at plant life, Middle Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh and Georges Head were previously disconnected from the broader Sydney Harbour area and the Bondi to Manly Walk, causing many walkers to bypass these headlands. The newly completed track now seamlessly links Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh to Georges Head, creating an iconic harbour experience that immerses visitors in the area's unique cultural and natural landscapes. This enhanced connection allows visitors to fully explore and appreciate the rich history, scenic views, and heritage features of Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh and Georges Head.
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. As part of our commitment to honouring Aboriginal culture and heritage, we have adopted dual naming in consultation with Aboriginal communities, ensuring it is reflected wherever possible across our national parks.
Within the Sydney Harbour National Park are Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh and Georges Head, which contain the largest collection of 19th and 20th-century coastal fortifications anywhere in Australia. The collection demonstrates 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, and pockets remain of natural bushland with threatened plant and animal species.
Community and stakeholder input helped shape the development of the master plan and the walking track project, ensuring an accessible and enjoyable experience for all visitors.
Project updates
Contact us
For any enquiries regarding the walking track, including access and visitor information, please email us.
NPWS Sydney North
Email: [email protected]