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Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh

Sydney Harbour National Park

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Overview

Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh ('gub-uh, gub-uh) is one of Sydney Harbour's 7 headlands. Enjoy scenic views of Sydney Harbour from the lookout or explore the historic fort and military relics.

Type
Lookouts
Where
Sydney Harbour National Park in Sydney and surrounds
Accessibility
Medium
Entry fees

If you have a NPWS All Parks Pass or Multi Parks Pass you can park free for up to 4 hours per day along sections of Chowder Bay Road.

What to
bring
Drinking water, sunscreen, hat, binoculars, sturdy shoes
Hire this venue

Middle Head is available for events and function hire.

Please note
  • There's no vehicle access to Middle Head. Paid parking is available 100m away on Middle Head Road or Chowder Bay Road.
  • Between June and September the tunnels are occupied by bent-wing bats that hibernate here.

Middle Head – Gubbah Gubbah is a superb lookout in Sydney Harbour National Park. From this outstanding vantage point you can follow ocean views to the horizon, framed by North and South Heads. The panoramic view extends to Sydney's eastern suburbs, Middle Harbour and Manly.

In addition to sensational views, you can learn about Middle Head's military significance. Follow Govenors Road past the of 19th century cottages to the Inner Middle Head Fort. Here you’ll find 2 large gun emplacements sitting atop a tunnel network once used for shelter and ammunition storage.

Continue south to Outer Middle Head and explore the maze of gun emplacements, canons, ‘tiger cages’ and structures dating from the 1800s to 1960s, built to protect Sydney from potential invasion. Discover what life was like for the people who trained and worked here. Gain new insights with historic photographs, interpretive signage, and online videos.

On a hot day you might want to wander down to Cobblers Beach (nude bathing permitted) for a dip and enjoy this picturesque cove. But if you prefer a few hours of gentle hiking instead, follow the Middle Head – Gubbah Gubbah to Georges Head walking track which guides you 3km to Georges Head.

If you're pressed for time and prefer a shorter walk, take the Don Goodsir track to the 1801 battery, the oldest fort built on the headland, in response to a feared French invasion. From here you can return back up the hill to Middle Head.

You can also take a virtual tour of Middle Head captured with Google Street View Trekker.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Also see:

  • Aerial view of Middle Head Officers Quarters with Sydney Harbour in the background. Photo: John Spencer/DPIE

    Middle Head Officers Quarters

    Going to a wedding or looking for a secluded getaway in Sydney Harbour National Park? Middle Head Officers Quarters is close to the action but in its own world – only minutes from Mosman village and Taronga Zoo. 

  • Aerial views of Out Middle Head Fort in Sydney Harbour National Park. Credit: Simon Wood ©DCCEEW

    Middle Head Gubbah-Gubbah to Georges Head walking track

    This 3km walk threads its way along the harbour’s edge from Middle Head – Gubbah Gubbah to Georges Head. Rich in historic heritage, explore forts and casemates while enjoying dazzling views of Sydney Harbour.

  • Heritage Festival Middle Head, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    Middle Head

    With expansive water views across iconic Sydney Harbour and stretching out to Sydney’s eastern suburbs, Middle Harbour and Manly - Middle Head will impress your guests at your next product launch, conference or wedding ceremony.

Bundle:

Middle Head and Georges Head Fort: Sydney's coastal defence

Watch a series of animations to see the range of the guns in action at Middle Head and Georges Head.

Animation of Middle Head outer fort taken from a video. © DCCEEW

 

Sydney native habitats in 360

Explore our 360-degree interactive national park habitats in and around Sydney's urban fringe, and the protected plants and animals that live here.

An eastern pygmy-possum curled up asleep in a nest of eucalypt leaves. Photo: Sue Brookhouse © Sue Brookhouse

General enquiries

Operated by

Park info

  • in Sydney Harbour National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region

  • Sydney Harbour National Park is open sunrise to sunset but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

  • Park entry fees:

    Bradleys Head: $8 per vehicle per day. North Head: $5 per vehicle per day. Tap and pay card or phone payments accepted at pay machines. Coin payment available at Fairfax carpark machines only. Chowder Bay: Monday-Friday: $3 per hour, to a maximum of $16 per day. Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: $4 per hour, to a maximum of $20 per day. If you hold an NPWS All Parks or Multi Parks Pass, you can park free for up to four hours per day - additional time can be purchased. Car parks operated by Sydney Harbour Federation Trust or Mosman Council are not covered by your pass. Please check signs carefully. Park’nPay: You can also pay for your visit to any area via the Park’nPay app.

    Other fees:

    Landing fees or tour fees apply to visit Sydney Harbour islands. All public visitors to Shark, Clark or Rodd Island, need to pay a $7 per person landing fee. To arrange, please contact 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS). Annual NSW Parks Passes do not cover landing fees.

    Buy annual pass
See more visitor info

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