A major drawcard is Georges Head Lookout. Perched on the ridge above Chowder Bay, it features military relics dating to the 1870s alongside a picnic area with a panoramic view of Sydney Harbour. Other highlights include Georges Heights Oval, high tea, tennis court hire and a series of trails and road to nearby attractions – namely, Balmoral Beach and the neighbouring precincts of Headland Park – Chowder Bay / Gooree and Middle Head / Gubbuh Gubbuh.
Georges Heights is also the headquarters of the Harbour Trust, which operates out of a former military hospital that dates to the First World War.
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 and turn off at Suakin Drive or Best Avenue for parking at Georges Heights.
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 ten minutes to reach Georges Heights. Alternatively, once you arrive at Athol Wharf, journey along the coastal walking track, passing Clifton Gardens to arrive at Chowder Bay. Once at Chowder Bay, ascend Bungaree Walkway to arrive at Georges Heights. 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. Bungaree Walkway links Chowder Bay to Georges Heights.
Parking is available at Georges Heights – timed parking restrictions may apply. Please check signage when parking at either Middle Head or Chowder Bay as these neighbouring precincts contain paid parking areas.
Parking permits issued by Mosman Council and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service are not valid in Harbour Trust parking areas.
Click here to view alerts and disruptions for Georges Heights.
Many areas of Georges Heights 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:
Georges Heights 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
Enjoy the great outdoors, recharge at one of 2 harbourside food and beverage venues and learn about the local military history.
Located in the thriving Headland Park Artist Precinct, this chic, French-themed cafe offers authentic Parisian brasserie food, outdoor seating with ocean views and great coffee. Housed in the historic former All Ranks Club, Frenchy’s Cafe is a popular haunt for young families, cyclists, dog walkers, explorers and Mosman locals.
Bordered by coastal bushland on the plateau, with unspoiled Harbour views, Gunners’ Barracks offers a contemporary à la carte lunch menu Monday to Friday and renowned High Tea service 7 days.
Featuring heritage gun emplacements and other military relics, Georges Heights was once vital to the defence of Sydney. During our 90-minute Tunnels and Gunners Tour, a knowledgeable volunteer guide will lead you through 2 sets of demilitarised forts, including tunnels normally off limits to the public. Online booking is essential.
Complete your weekly grocery shop and enjoy the great outdoors at the Mosman Farmers Market. Operating every Wednesday from 8am to 2pm, the market is a country-style bazaar near Georges Heights Oval.
Embark on a journey through art and nature with the Mosman Art Trail! This unique cultural walk along the Mosman foreshore, including Georges Heights, allows you to walk in the footsteps of famous artists and explore the stunning harbour landscapes that inspired them. Whether you choose to stroll the entire 10km circuit or explore shorter sections at your own pace, the Mosman Art Trail promises an adventure suitable for all ages.
Serve up a storm on our tennis court at Georges Heights, located along Suakin Drive near Georges Head Lookout. Court hire is $22 per hour with a minimum booking of one hour. Online booking is essential.
The Headland Park Artist Precinct is home to a thriving community of painters, potters, sculptors and photographers. Located at Read Place (corner of Middle Head Road and Best Avenue) visitors can meet and purchase works directly from local artists.
Explore Australia’s rich naval history with a guided ‘East of the Harbour Bridge’ cruise from our friends at the Naval Historical Society of Australia. ‘East of the Harbour Bridge’ guided cruise. Delve into the fascinating history of the city's naval operations as you cruise past significant sites, including Garden Island, Fort Denison, Georges Heights, Chowder Bay and Sub Base Platypus. Expert guides will provide insightful commentary on the important role played by the Royal Australian Navy in shaping the history of the region.
A network of scenic trails link Georges Heights to Balmoral Beach and other nearby attractions as well as the neighbouring precincts that makeup Headland Park – Middle Head / Gubbuh Gubbuh and Chowder Bay / Gooree.
Feeling ambitious? Embark on the 80km Bondi to Manly Walk! This massive network of public tracks spans the foreshore between two of Sydney’s most iconic surf beaches. There are pit stops at Headland Park including Georges Heights.
Head to the Headland Park Artist Precinct to marvel at our collection of visually-arresting sculptures. These include award-winning Sculpture by the Sea entries, namely: Johannes Pannekoek’s Change Ahead, David Ball’s Orb, Stephen King’s Fallout, Jörg Plickat’s Divided Planet and Peter Lundberg’s Ring.
Between 1916 and 1921, a large military hospital operated at Georges Heights, providing care to soldiers injured on the Western Front during the First World War. Known as the Hospital on the Hill, this important heritage building today serves as the headquarters of the Harbour Trust. Visit Building 21, Best Avenue during daylight hours for a free exhibition commemorating the soldiers who recuperated at the hospital and their carers.
Georges Head Lookout is the ideal spot for a picnic with family and friends. Enjoy panoramic coastal views, shaded lawn, historic gun emplacements and an elegant sandstone platform designed by award-winning architect Richard Leplastrier. The lookout can be accessed via Suakin Drive and links to Chowder Bay via the scenic Bungaree Walkway.
Bush regenerators conserve the area’s native flora including eucalyptus forest and scrub containing banksia, kunzea, hakea and an endangered subspecies of Acacia terminalis (sunshine wattle). This vegetation is a habitat for long-nosed bandicoots, water dragons, blue-tongue lizards, ring-tailed possums and green tree snakes. Kookaburras, rainbow lorikeets, currawongs, pacific white face herons and dollar birds can also be found locally.
Are you a keen orienteer? Work out and explore coastal bushland with Orienteering NSW’s program of free orienteering courses. The Headland Park program consists of four courses, catering for different fitness and experience levels. Each course commences near the roundabout on Suakin Drive. Complete the course with either a printed copy of the Headland Park orienteering map or the free MapRunF mobile app.
The Traditional Owners of Georges Heights were the Borogegal people. The area served social and ceremonial purposes and the foreshore provided shelter, food and water.
Although the original inhabitants were the Borogegal, the Traditional Owners of the Broken Bay area – the Garigal people – also have a notable connection to Georges Heights. In 1815, Lachlan Macquarie, the Governor of NSW, granted sixteen Garigal men and their families land at the site to settle and cultivate. Known as ‘Bungaree’s Farm’, it was the first Aboriginal land grant in the colony.
When the British Government withdrew its troops from Australia in 1870, the NSW Government established artillery batteries on the outer reaches of Sydney Harbour, including at Georges Heights. The area continued to serve as a defence hub for the next 136 years.
Image caption: 80 pounder RML gun, Georges Heights, circa 1890,William Vosper, State Library of NSW, FL1231925
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