Distance: 4.1km
How long: 2 hours depending how long you stop and enjoy
How hard: Moderate grade with some bush walking
How to get there: Park in the carpark above Burnt Orange Cafe - identified by the gap on the map below
Why do it: History, views, cafes 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.
The addition of the out-and-back walk to Georges Head Lookout adds a beautiful bush walk with incredible views and at the end, Georges Head is packed with military fortifications.
DIRECTIONS
1. Park at the carpark above Burnt Orange Cafe, identified by the gap in the loop on the map below. From there you can walk up hill towards Georges Head Lookout or down hill to Middle Head.
[ For the following directions, we’ve walked to Georges Head Lookout then to Middle Head ]
2. There’s a small path that skirts around the carpark and up hill. Follow this small path as it weaves through the bush and brings you to Middle Head Road.
3. At the road, turn left and follow the dirt path as it weaves along, offering spectacular views off to your left. This will bring you onto a road which you follow to the left and brings you out at Georges Head Lookout.
4. After you’ve explored the military fortifications, return along the same path back to the carpark then turn right down the stairs that come out on the driveway to Burnt Orange Cafe. Follow the path straight and down hill as it runs parallel along the road.
5. Continue along the path as it follows beside the road until you pass onto National Park land. Where the road diverges, 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 can follow the roadside pedestrian path up Middle Head Road and back to the car park where you first started.
Click the map below and follow the green ‘MIDDLE HEAD & GEORGES HEAD LOOP’.
