Where to find the most spectacular views of Sydney Harbour
Robyn Kennedy loves to explore and photograph Sydney and surrounds. Her blog Life Out & About has become a passion, sharing ideas for outings in and around Sydney - charming gardens, bush walks, art galleries and inspiring places to eat!
If you’re looking for one of the most spectacular Sydney Harbour views, you need to visit Georges Heights Lookout at Headlands Park Mosman. Perched high above the harbour the lookout offers unparalleled views to Manly, Vaucluse and the Sydney CBD. There are also a number of inspiring bushwalks and cafés in the area, as well as an Artist Precinct.
Georges Heights was formerly used by the military as a lookout area to see approaching enemy ships. Many of the historical military structures are still in place, such as concealed gun pits, underground tunnels and barracks. All well worth exploring.
Where: Middle Head Peninsula, Middle Head Road, Mosman
Website: Harbour Trust Georges Heights
Allow: 1/2 day
Getting there: Car – Bus – Walk – Water Taxi to Chowder Bay
Also see: Harbourside Dining, Balmoral
What to See & Do
1. Georges Heights Lookout – Sydney Harbour Views
Georges Heights Mosman – Sydney Harbour Views & military heritage
On a clear day the view from Georges Heights Lookout is absolutely magical. It’s also an inspiring place for a picnic, however there are no picnic tables/chairs… just grass and steps
There are usually plenty of parking spots close by, and the walkway from the car park to the lookout is easy and wheelchair-accessible.
2. Walk – Georges Heights Lookout to Clifton Gardens
Clifton Gardens Beach ~ views & bush track ~ Bacino Kiosk ~ East Coast Lounge (café & shop)
In the warmer months we love to do this walk early, finishing up with a coffee and bite to eat at Drift Café (formerly Bacino Kiosk), overlooking the beautiful waters of Chowder Bay. If you follow the path and stairs south, past Gunners Barracks Tearooms to Chowder Bay and Clifton Gardens you will be rewarded with a brilliant aquamarine harbour and a white sandy beach…. and some fabulous eateries and picnic spots.
The track down through the trees can be quite steep in areas and also a little rough, so you will need reasonably good walking shoes. It’s shady, so perfect for a walk on a warm summer’s day. If you’re unable to do the walk you can easily drive from Georges Heights to Chowder Bay or Clifton Gardens… or catch the bus (parking is expensive at Chowder Bay and Clifton Gardens). Water Taxi’s to Chowder Bay are also an option.
With Taronga Zoo literally just around the corner you could if time permits continue the walking trail beyond Clifton Gardens to Bradley’s Head and the zoo (approx. 30-45 minutes).
3. Visit – Headland Park Artist Precinct
Headland Park Artist Precinct
If you take the path north from the Georges Heights Lookout, you will arrive at the Headland Park Artist Precinct, and the delightful Frenchy’s Café (an easy 10 minutes walk).
The collective of 15+ studios with sculptors, painters, potters and photographers is housed in former military buildings. The studios are open to visitors and works can be purchased directly from the artists. I particularly enjoy the ceramic exhibitions at the small free standing cottage which houses the Mu Studio.
A coffee and bite to eat at Frenchy’s Café is always enjoyable, where one can sit under the trees / shading and take in harbour and leafy views.
4. Walk – Georges Heights Lookout to Balmoral Beach
Georges Heights to Balmoral via Headland Park Artist’s Precinct
Heading north from the lookout is an easy 10 minute walk along a well maintained path to the Headland Park Artist Precinct. The views along the way are stunning.
From the Artist Precinct you can walk a further 10 minutes north to Burnt Orange Café and Shop, or head down the stairs to Balmoral beach… there are lots of stairs so this may not be your idea of fun. Once at Balmoral there are a zillion eating options. Checkout the Harbourside Dining blog for a few suggestions.
5. Explore – Old Military Structures
Georges Heights Military Heritage & Sydney Harbour Views
There is a maze of underground tunnels and gun pits in this area. One can wander freely around most of the sites, or if you prefer a guided tour, the Headland Park Tunnels & Gunners tours are held on the first Sunday of every month.
6. Curious Grace
Curious Grace Designer Furniture & Homeware – Middle Head Café across the road
What a curious name!!! It certainly makes one want to explore further. Just down Middle Head Rd, past Burnt Orange Café is the delightful and very stylish Curious Grace designer furniture and homewares store… beautifully located in the renovated army barracks buildings, surrounded by lush vegetation and harbour views, the perfect place to display their collection. Easiest access is from the car park at the corner of Middle Head Rd and Chowder Bay Rd (the entrance is off the undercover walkway displayed in the image above).
If you’re feeling a little peckish, just across the road is the Middle Head Café, serving delicious quiches and other French goodies… also with leafy harbour views and tables under the trees!
Eat & Drink
Georges Heights area – Frenchy’s Café at the Artist’s Precinct
Chowder Bay – Drift Café (formerly Bacino Kiosk) overlooking the bay and Clifton Gardens Beach
There’s absolutely no shortage of fabulous eating options in this area, from cafés to fine dining. Set in the bush or with harbour views, you are guaranteed of finding somewhere for a coffee or bite to eat! With Georges Heights and Clifton Gardens having wonderful outlooks, it can also be fun to take a picnic.
Frenchy’s Café
Location: Artist’s Precinct – Bush setting minutes to harbourside walks
Food: French style homemade
Burnt Orange
Location: Bush setting water views – historic sandstone mansion about 15 minutes walk down the road from Georges Heights lookout.
Food: Modern Australian
Middle Head Café
Location: 1110 Middle Head Rd, overlooking the oval and Balmoral harbour
Food: French café – delicious quiches and salad…. and desserts.
East Coast Lounge
Location: Chowder Bay – housed in an historic army building overlooking the Bay
Food & Shop: Casual Modern Australian + wine bar + homewares & gifts
Ripples
Location: Chowder Bay – overlooking the bay
Food: Modern Australian with European influences
Drift Café (formerly Bacino Kiosk)
Location: Chowder Bay – Water’s edge – housed in what was the old army ammunitions store (just below Ripples Restaurant…. a few steps from Clifton Gardens beach)
Food: Light / pre-made sandwiches, coffee, cakes – eat out or takeaway
Have you ever been to this beautiful part of Sydney?
Image credit: Robyn Kennedy