Stop 5 – A Headland For All

Off limits, no more

Guess what? Up until the 1970s, while this area was used exclusively by Defence... visitors weren’t allowed!

The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services are proud to manage Middle Head / Gubbuh Gubbuh on behalf of the Australian public, providing access and opportunities for visitors to experience and explore.

Welcome to Stop 5, the final stop of this interactive walk.

You’ve found yourself just outside the former Australia School of Pacific Administration (or ASOPA for short).

ASOPA was established in the 1940s to play a role in supporting Papua New Guinea after the devastation of World War II.

Set amongst tropical gardens, the former ASOPA buildings now house a wide range of local businesses – successfully weaving these structures into the life of the city.
You’ve reached the end of this trial walk.

This area’s military history, which you’ve got a small insight into today, is just one of many stories to share.

We want to explore more – including First Nations experiences and continuing connections to the land, sky, and water. There’s also the area’s coastal bushland and the animals that call it home...
So, before you leave today, please complete the short survey you will find on the same webpage as this stop. Or scan the QR code on the sign to get to it.

Your feedback will help us broaden the stories we share and improve your experience of Middle Head / Gubbuh Gubbuh.

We hope you enjoyed this trial walk, brought to you by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust in partnership with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Our organisations care deeply for this headland and work collaboratively to make it a place for everyone to enjoy.

We are committed to the ongoing conservation and celebration of Middle Head / Gubbuh Gubbuh and encourage you discover this special place.

Stop 1 – Sow and Pigs

• Images 1, 3 & 5: Aerials of Sow and Pigs Reef (2018, photograph) by Mark Merton (sydneyimages.com.au).
• Image 2: Section of Mossmans Ferry map showing Sow and Pigs Reef (map, 1881) by Fitzjohn Hall. From the State Library of NSW – Mitchell Map Collection (M2 811.15/1881/1A).
• Image 4: Old Style Middle Ground marker on Sow and Pigs Reef, Port Jackson, World War II aka Sow and Pigs Reef at low tide (photograph). From the NSW State Archives and Records collection (MHNSW-StAC: RS-9856-3-5-MSBL1261| [2945])

Stop 2 – Outer Fort

• Image 1: Middle Head batteries overlooking the heads with sailing ships (painting). Unknown source
• Images 2 to 4: Photographs of Outer Fort (2016) by Ian Evans.
• Image 5: Archival photo of Middle Head. From the State Library of NSW Collection.
• Image 6: RML gun being removed from Middle Head in 1891. From the State Library of NSW Collection (P00991_031--1-). 

Stop 3 – Inner Fort

• Images 3, 5, 6, 7: Photographs of the Outer Fort (2018) by Ian Evans.
• Images 2 & 4: Our new disappearing guns, Illustrated Sydney News (8 August 1889, page 16). By unknown artist.
• Images 1 & 8: Aerial photos of the Inner Fort and Outer Fort (March 2022) by DSY Media. 

Stop 4 – Military Village

• Image 1: Middle Head Barracks in Early Morning Light (2013, oil pastels on colour paper) by Nick Hollo.
• Image 3: The Entrance To The 12th Lines Of Communication Signals Headquarters Building (1946, photograph). From the collection of the Australian War Memorial (Accession No. 125779).
• Images 2 and 4: Aerial view of the 10 Terminal buildings against the Backdrop of Middle Harbour (2022, photograph). From the collection of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.
• Image 5: Aerial view of Middle Head and the Mosman golf course (c. 1930s, photograph), 54 aerial views of Sydney golf courses. From the collection of the State Library of NSW (Ref: FL1045405. PXW 889).

Stop 5 – A Headland For All

• Image 1: The Military Road between Georges Head and Middle Head (1874, painting) by Conrad Martens. From the State Library of NSW collection
• Images 2 to 4: Various photographs of Middle Head (2016-2021) by Ian Evans