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Following heavy rainfall, flooding and damaging winds caused by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred most national parks in northern NSW, including campgrounds and day use areas will remain closed for safety.

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Harbour Bridge to The Spit Bridge walking track

Sydney Harbour National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Overview

Tread the paths of history past Taronga Zoo and federation homes on The Harbour Bridge to Spit Bridge walk. Be enthralled in beautiful bushland and rainforest remnants.

Distance
16.5km one-way
Time suggested
5 - 6hrs
Grade
Grade 3
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Opening times

Harbour Bridge to Spit Bridge walking track is always open but may need to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

What to
bring
Drinking water, hat, sunscreen
Please note
  • You might like to pack swimmers and a towel as there are opportunities to swim along the way
  • Take care as this walk includes a variety of terrain and pathway conditions

This stunning urban foreshore walk begins at the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Start at the bridge’s southern end in The Rocks or its northern end at Milsons Point, and then follow its signage around the harbour’s northern shores.

On this superbly scenic route, you’ll tread the paths of history as you pass harbour fortifications and Federation homes. You’ll walk some of the city’s most interesting and exclusive streets and find yourself ensconced in beautiful bushland and rainforest remnants.

Hike east past Taronga Zoo and into Sydney Harbour National Park, home of the incredible Bradleys, Chowder and Middle Heads. Be sure to stop at Athol Hall for a cuppa and a bite to eat, before continuing on to the exquisite Balmoral Beach for a swim. Then press on until you reach The Spit Bridge; you may even get there in time to see it open and rise to allow boats through.

It’s easy to break this walk up into shorter sections by parking partway along the route, catching the bus or the ferry at Mosman or Taronga Zoo wharves.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

 

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

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

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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