Spend some time relaxing and exploring Camp Cove - the first landing place for Europeans in Australia. On this walk, you will head across the northern end of Camp Cove Beach, up some steps to follow an old sandstone cobbled road. This road leads to a great vantage point, with views over the Sydney Harbour to the city. This spot is also host to a large (disused) gun, that once defended these shores. Plenty of history and beauty. Let us begin by acknowledging the Cadigal & Birrabirragal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Camp Cove Car Park. | Photo by admin, 2010.Clff St. | Photo by admin, 2010.Time line at end of Cliff St. | Photo by admin, 2010.Entrance at nothern end of Camp Cove Beach. | Photo by admin, 2010.Looking south along Camp Cove. | Photo by admin, 2010.Kiosk at Camp Cove. | Photo by admin, 2010.Looking across northern section of Camp Cove. | Photo by admin, 2010.Steps at the Northern end of Camp Cove. | Photo by admin, 2010.Path above Camp Cove. | Photo by admin, 2010.Northern end of Camp Cove. | Photo by admin, 2010.Camp Cove Beach. | Photo by admin, 2010.The old Cobblestone Road. | Photo by admin, 2010.Sandstone wall and old Cobblestone Rd. | Photo by admin, 2010.Gun Emplacement near Camp Cove. | Photo by admin, 2010.Gun Emplacment looking down on Camp Cove. | Photo by admin, 2010.An old gun. | Photo by admin, 2010.Gun aimed at the City. | Photo by admin, 2010.Historic Gun near Camp Cove. | Photo by admin, 2010.
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.
Turn on to Old South Head Road then drive for 1.7 km
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Robertson Place and drive for another 130 m
Turn slight left onto Military Road and drive for another 500 m
At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Short Street and drive for another 280 m
Turn right onto Victoria Street and drive for another 60 m
Turn left and drive for another 6 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the signposted 'Camp Cove Car Park, this walk follows the 'No Through Road' sign to the end of 'Cliff St'. The footpath leads past a 'Camp Cove timeline' information sign then, at the end of the road, turns left, coming to the front of the kiosk at the northern end of Camp Cove Beach.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Victoria Street & Cliff Street Start (a service road).
After another 45 m veer left.
After another 8 m continue straight.
After another 35 m head up the steps (about 5 m long)
After another 25 m find the "Camp Cove" (25 m on your left).
Camp Cove
Camp Cove
Camp Cove is home to a lovely, yellow sand, north-east facing beach. The cove is on the protected side of South Head and is a popular spot for swimming and relaxing on the beach. At the northern end of the beach is a kiosk, toilet block and an entrance to Sydney Harbour National Park.
The cove was an important location to the Cadigal (Gadigal) people who gathered fresh water, shellfish, launched their canoes and buried some of their people nearby.
This cove is also believed to be the first landing place for Europeans in 1788. The name Camp Cove was given during that landing and appears on the earliest maps of Sydney Harbour.
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Camp Cove is home to a lovely, yellow sand, north-east facing beach. The cove is on the protected side of South Head and is a popular spot for swimming and relaxing on the beach. At the northern end of the beach is a kiosk, toilet block and an entrance to Sydney Harbour National Park.
The cove was an important location to the Cadigal (Gadigal) people who gathered fresh water, shellfish, launched their canoes and buried some of their people nearby.
This cove is also believed to be the first landing place for Europeans in 1788. The name Camp Cove was given during that landing and appears on the earliest maps of Sydney Harbour.
At the intersection of South Head Lighthouse Walk & South Head Heritage Trail continue straight, to head along South Head Heritage Trail (a footpath).
After another 6 m pass the toilet (5 m on your right).
Continue another 105 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 200 m to get back to the start.
"Cannon".
Cannon
Cannon
This cannon was placed here prior to 1890, along with the rest of this gun emplacement and rifle walls. The emplacement was designed to protect a military jetty and boat shed from the threat of an invasion. The 'Cobblestone Road' beside the cannon was built during the late 1870s or early 1880s and extends from the jetty in Camp Cove up to Hornby Road above. The road was build to carry supplies and ordnance from Camp Cove to the various military installations on south head.
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This cannon was placed here prior to 1890, along with the rest of this gun emplacement and rifle walls. The emplacement was designed to protect a military jetty and boat shed from the threat of an invasion. The 'Cobblestone Road' beside the cannon was built during the late 1870s or early 1880s and extends from the jetty in Camp Cove up to Hornby Road above. The road was build to carry supplies and ordnance from Camp Cove to the various military installations on south head.
About 20 m past the end is "Camp Cove Beach Lookout".
About 30 m past the end is a seat.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Camp Cove Cannon
Grading
Class 2/6
Easy track
Length
400 m
Time
10 min to 15 min
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (1/6)
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
10 min to 15 min
Toilet: There is one 95 m from the start.
Seat: There is one 280 m from the start.
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After another 35 m head up the steps (about 5 m long)
After another 25 m find the "Camp Cove" (25 m on your left).
About 20 m past the end is "Camp Cove Beach Lookout".