Distance: 1.3km
How long: 1 hour depending how long you stop and enjoy
How hard: Easy grade with some bush walking
How to get there: Park in the most eastern carpark of Middle Head, near Middle Head Oval
Why do it: History, views, cafe and swim spot at Cobblers Beach
HISTORIC SITES
The point of Middle Head is riddled with a network of lookouts, gun pits, ‘tiger cages’ and ammunition stores, all interlinked with tunnels and passages. Soldiers were once trained in the ‘tiger cages’ to resist torture.
You can imagine where the 9 gun placements were, all with incredible views out over the Harbour. The first fortification was built in 1801. Most were constructed in 1871 but remained untouched until the WWII, spurred on by the Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour.
Click the links below to download the Bondi to Manly App to follow the maps and read more about these sites:
DIRECTIONS
1. Parking at the most eastern carpark of Middle Head then walk east towards the gated entry of Middle Head.
2. The road diverges at the end, turn right to follow the road out to Middle Head.
3. You’ll arrive at the military remains, look around then return to the start of Old Fort Road (the road you entered on).
4. At the point where the road starts, look right and you can see a small path through the bushes. Take this path and follow it out to stay as close to the foreshore as possible.
5. Follow this path around - exploring all the fortifications - until you return to Governors Road which will bring you back to Middle Head Road where you first started.
Click the map below and follow the light blue ‘MIDDLE HEAD LOOP’.
