Chowder Bay to Georges Heights Lookout is a fantastic walk to burn off a coffee from the Bacino Bar. The walk passes the Bacino Bar and enjoys the view from an old gun emplacement at George Heights Lookout. The sandstone seats and shaded grassy areas make this a perfect walk for a picnic too. Let us begin by acknowledging the Borogegal & Cammeraigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
View from Chowder Bay. | Photo by admin, 2008.Track on hill behind buildings at Chowder bay. | Photo by admin, 2008.Track above Chowder Bay. | Photo by admin, 2008.Track down to Chowder Bay. | Photo by admin, 2008.The Gunners Restaurant. | Photo by admin, 2008.View over the Gunners Restaurant. | Photo by admin, 2008.Plaque on Georges Heights. | Photo by admin, 2008.Panoramic view from Georges Heights. | Photo by admin, 2008.View from Georges Heights. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Middle Head Road and drive for another 2 km
At roundabout, take exit 3 onto Chowder Bay Road and drive for another 1.5 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the road, this walk heads north away from the harbour to the base of the stone steps on the left hand side of Bacino Bar. From the intersection behind Bacino Bar, the walk heads up the steep stone steps, away from the cafe. The track then tends right, across the hill for a short time climbing the uneven stairs to meet the road and signposted intersection. From the intersection, this walk heads across the road to head up the bush track on the hill for approximately 50m, to the signposted intersection behind 'Georges Head Lookout'. From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to Georges Head Lookout, down the hill to the circular paved lookout above the fortifications.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
There is a car park (about 20 m back from the start). This car park is wheelchair accessible.
Chowder Bay (about 15 m back from the start).
Chowder Bay
Chowder Bay
Chowder Bay looks over Sydney Harbour, to Vaucluse and Rose Bay. The bay is named after the food of the American whalers stationed at Clifton Gardens, 'clam chowder'. Chowder Bay then became a Submarine Mining Depot in 1889. Today, Chowder Bay still has great views from the remaining military buildings on the hillside. One of the newer buildings houses a cafe, and other buildings stand as monuments to their former use. Chowder Bay offers great views with easy access to Clifton Gardens for a swim.
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Chowder Bay looks over Sydney Harbour, to Vaucluse and Rose Bay. The bay is named after the food of the American whalers stationed at Clifton Gardens, 'clam chowder'. Chowder Bay then became a Submarine Mining Depot in 1889. Today, Chowder Bay still has great views from the remaining military buildings on the hillside. One of the newer buildings houses a cafe, and other buildings stand as monuments to their former use. Chowder Bay offers great views with easy access to Clifton Gardens for a swim.
After 40 m find the "Bacino Cafe" (30 m on your right).
Bacino Cafe
Bacino Cafe
The Bacino Bar is in Building No.2 at Chowder Bay, with great views across Sydney Harbour. The bar sells pastas, panini, arancini, tramezzini, stuffed eggplant and biscotti, along with homemade sandwiches and treats. The Bacino Bar prices are reasonable, ranging between $5-12 for the delicacies, and their coffee is made of their own blend. The bar is open every day from 7am- 4pm except for Christmas. A public toilet is available at the Eastern end of the building.
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The Bacino Bar is in Building No.2 at Chowder Bay, with great views across Sydney Harbour. The bar sells pastas, panini, arancini, tramezzini, stuffed eggplant and biscotti, along with homemade sandwiches and treats. The Bacino Bar prices are reasonable, ranging between $5-12 for the delicacies, and their coffee is made of their own blend. The bar is open every day from 7am- 4pm except for Christmas. A public toilet is available at the Eastern end of the building.
After another 245 m turn sharp left.
After another 20 m turn right.
After another 75 m pass the "The Gunners Barracks" (9 m on your right).
Continue another 65 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 430 m to get back to the start.
About 15 m past the end is "Georges Heights".
Georges Heights
Georges Heights
Georges Heights is a gun emplacement with a commanding 180-degree view over the entrance to the harbour. The old gun emplacements are still in position, with their arcs of fire explained in the signs nearby. The view from this lookout is magnificent.
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Georges Heights is a gun emplacement with a commanding 180-degree view over the entrance to the harbour. The old gun emplacements are still in position, with their arcs of fire explained in the signs nearby. The view from this lookout is magnificent.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Chowder Bay to Georges Heights Lookout
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
860 m
Time
20 min to 30 min
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Bushwalk
20 min to 30 min
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There is a car park (about 20 m back from the start).
Chowder Bay (about 15 m back from the start).
After another 75 m pass the "The Gunners Barracks" (9 m on your right).
