Unwind at a boutique cafe or restaurant, get into the swing of things at a harbourside tennis court, take a dip at one of the nearby beaches and discover decommissioned military infrastructure set.
Plus, a network of scenic trails and roads link Middle Head to Balmoral Beach and other nearby attractions including neighbouring precincts that makeup Headland Park – Georges Heights and Chowder Bay / Gooree.
Planning to visit? For a hassle-free experience, refer to the information below ahead of your trip.
By car: Drive along Middle Head Road, Mosman until the road intersects with Chowder Bay Road at the HMAS Penguin roundabout. Continue through the roundabout for parking facilities at Middle Head.
By bus: The 111 bus service operates to the precincts of Headland Park. It runs between Chowder Bay and South Mosman Wharf every 30 minutes, seven days a week. To travel to the precincts of Headland Park from the CBD, board the 100 service (QVB to Taronga Zoo), alight at Mosman Junction and transfer to the 111 service to complete your journey.
For travel back to the city, board the 111 service at Headland Park, alight at Mosman Junction and transfer to the 100 service. It runs every ten minutes during the day and every 20 minutes during early morning and late night. For public transport information, including timetables, visit the Transport NSW website.
By ferry: Sydney Buses operate the 238 services, which collects passengers who arrive by ferry at Taronga Zoo’s Athol Wharf from Circular Quay. Once aboard the 238 service, alight on Middle Head Road near Beaconsfield Road and walk 15 minutes to reach Middle Head. For public transport information, including timetables, visit the Transport NSW website.
By private boat: Vessels (including water taxis) can drop off visitors at Clifton Gardens Wharf, adjacent to Chowder Bay, and may anchor off the beach. To reach Middle Head by foot, head along Chowder Bay Road until it intersects with Middle Head Road.
Click here to view alerts and disruptions for Middle Head.
Paid and accessible parking is offered at the Middle Head Parking Area and the Clubhouse Parking Area, off Middle Head Road. Parking meters accept coins (Note: No change facilities available) and MasterCard or Visa (Note: Minimum transaction amount is $4). Hourly and daily rates apply, and there is a surcharge on the weekend (Note: parking rates and time limits are subject to change). Subject to sign-posted time limits, parking is free of charge for motorcycles and drivers with Mobility Scheme Permits.
Parking permits issued by Mosman Council and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service are not valid in Harbour Trust parking areas.
Many areas of Middle Head are accessible to wheelchairs, mobility scooters and strollers; however, there are some uneven surfaces and bushwalking tracks include stairs and low to medium inclines.
The Harbour Trust maintains public toilets, including an accessible toilet, at the Headland Park Artist Precinct (Read Place, at the corner of Middle Head Road and Best Avenue). The facilities are listed on the Department of Health’s National Public Toilet Map. Here is a direct link:
Middle Head is patrolled by rangers from 7am to 4pm and by security personnel from 4pm and 7am. In the event of an emergency, dial 000 or 112 if mobile reception is poor. To contact a ranger during an emergency, call 0432 750 714 (7am to 4pm). Alternatively, to contact a security officer, call 0433 631 572 (4pm to 7am).
For your own safety, and to protect the park’s flora and fauna, please remain on the dedicated walking or bike tracks when exploring the bushland and observe the following rules, enforceable by our rangers:
Conditions of entry: Do not feed wildlife; keep dogs on a leash; do not litter, dump rubbish or leave dog waste; do not camp overnight; do not erect gazebos or marquees (without a permit); do not operate remote-controlled vehicles (including drones); do not smoke, light fires or use portable barbeques; remain on dedicated bush tracks; do not play amplified music (without a permit) or create excessive noise; do not undertake commercial activities (without a permit); do not hold private functions (without a permit); do not disturb plants, soil and rocks; do not climb walls, fortifications, sculptures or cliffs; do not ride or use skateboards, roller-skates, in line skates or similar equipment on Harbour Trust land. For further information, see: Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (SHFT) Regulations 2021
Discover Middle head's natural beauty and military landmarks, and engage in exercise and leisure activities.
Housed in a former Clubhouse for Mosman Golf Club, a beautifully renovated building dating back to the 1920s, Burnt Orange is a boutique restaurant located amongst the beautiful bushland at Middle Head. Breakfast, lunch and high tea are served on the wraparound balcony which has stunning harbour views. Burnt Orange is also an event venue which offers a range of possibilities for any celebration or corporate event.
Image taken by David Campbell.
Situated in coastal bushland at the tip of the Mosman peninsula, Middle Head Cafe is a pet- and family-friendly venue with sheltered decks. Gaze across the world’s best harbour as you enjoy a lazy breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea and watch as your kids play at the nearby Middle Head Oval. The venue operates 7:30am to 3:30pm, Wednesday to Sunday, and is closed on Tuesdays and Mondays.
Located at 1110 Middle Head Road (Google Map), the Harbour Trust's court will make you feel like the king or queen of swing! Court hire is $22 per hour with a minimum booking of one hour. Online booking is essential.
Enjoy the sun and take a dip at Cobblers Beach, a short distance from Middle Head Oval, or Obelisk Beach, accessible by Chowder Bay Road. Nudity is permitted at both beaches. Visitors to Middle Head can also walk to nearby Balmoral Beach, which offers a playground, water fountains and an enclosed swimming area.
One of Middle Head's Kookaburras has been granted the ability to answer your burning questions about the area! keep an eye out for the bright orange kookaburra signs to kickstart a conversation. Wondering what to ask? Start with some basics like "what's there to do here", "where can I eat", "where's the toilet" and "what's the history of this area".
Middle Head features pockets of woodland and heathland on the upper slopes and ridges. Meanwhile, the shady southern slopes are characterised by littoral vine forests. The headland between Balmoral and Chowder Bay is defined by sandstone cliffs and rocky outcrop.
Teams of bush regenerators work regularly at Headland Park to conserve native flora including eucalyptus forest as well as scrub containing banksia, kunzea, hakea and an endangered subspecies of Acacia terminalis (sunshine wattle).
This vegetation provides a habitat for native animals including long-nosed bandicoots, water dragons, blue-tongue lizards, ring-tailed possums and green tree snakes.
Local bird species including kookaburras, rainbow lorikeets, currawongs, pacific white face herons and dollar birds.
Discover the art of traditional French chocolate tempering with The Sydney Chocolate School's chocolate making courses. Led by Head Chocolatier, Rebecca Knights, each course explores the history of cacao, chocolate tempering, how to know if you're eating real chocolate and tasting techniques, accompanied by delicious chocolates.
A place of enduring significance for the Borogegal people, Middle Head once played an important role in the defence of Sydney.
Gun emplacements were built in response to the Napoleonic Wars, and during World War II, barracks were constructed to house soldiers. After the war ended, Middle Head housed a training facility (ASOPA) for Australians serving the developing world.
[Image: Big gun practice at Middle Head, Circa 1884 to 1917, Sydney NSW, Bryna Bamberry, National Museum of Australia, 1986.0117.6223]
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