Bradleys Head Trail
Bradleys Head Trail
4.5
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Darling Harbour
The original docklands of Darling Harbour have been transformed into a tourist mecca with entertainment for the whole family. Cockle Bay Wharf offers dining options from budget to upscale and million dollar views of the harbour. Young crowds gather on weekends for nightlife that ranges from salsa clubs to DJ's. Families can visit the Chinese Garden of Friendship or the Sydney Aquarium, one of the largest in the world. The Australian National Maritime Museum and the IMAX theatre are also popular attractions. The Harbourside Shopping Centre is a site unto itself, with hundreds of shops, restaurants and bars. On Saturdays in the summer, the city puts on a spectacular fireworks show along the harbour's shore and there are plenty of other free events during the year - Darling Harbour Fiesta, VIVID’s light installations and the Sydney Festival, just to name a few.
How to get there
- Town Hall • 6 min walk
- Wynyard • 9 min walk
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Best nearby
Restaurants
5,626 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,080 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
68 reviews
Excellent
45
Very good
17
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
4
Susan C
Melbourne, Australia1,535 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
I did this walk as part of the Bondi to Manly walk but the easiest way to access this trail is from the Taronga Zoo ferry. This bushland walking track follows the shoreline and is mostly flat with a few stairs and is well graded, well maintained and signposted. There is a lighthouse at the point and I saw a kookaburra. There are some views across the harbour towards the city and the Harbour Bridge which were excellent. It is one of the longest harbour bushland walks, particularly if you continue onto the Taylors Bay track to Chowder Bay and the Headland Park and Balmoral and I found it the most pleasant.
Written June 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natasha W
Sydney, Australia362 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
I caught the ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga zoo & walked the Bradley’s Head trail to Chowder Bay. The views are spectacular & the walk is easy. Great Aussie bush along the way, reminded me of my childhood playing in the bush. And it was great to have a refreshing swim at the end. I then walked up and caught a bus back to Wynyard where I then got a train home. The walk took me about an hour and a half l think. I walk fairly fast but I stopped to take lots of photos. It was New Year’s Day so when I got to the end there were a lot of people picnicking. I recommend you check the National Parks website before going to check on any track or road closures - I did & this made up my mind to catch public transport as I found out the parking at Bradley’s Head was closed over the New Year period.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oldjack
Greater Melbourne, Australia29,775 contributions
Jun 2022
The views are excellent across to the city, bridge and opera house but the trail is not well maintained as you wind through the bush. There are many intersting signs ddpicting flora and fauna. Worth doing but a little work would make this a must see.
Written June 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pam G
United Kingdom7 contributions
Dec 2022
We travelled from the UK to Sydney and decided to buy paid viewing area tickets for the New Year fireworks. I wish we hadn't bothered! Really disappointed with the view from Bradleys Head. Trees and bushes totally obscured the view of the bridge and opera house. You would think that if they are going to charge a fee for viewing then they would trim the trees a little bit. Even though we arrived early we couldn't find a good spot and later on the area got really crowded.
Written January 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle Roberts
79 contributions
Oct 2020
We started at Taronga Zoo wharf and continued on through the stunning Bradley's Head then passed the picturesque Taylors Bay then on to Clifton Gardens. Amazing views back over to harbour bridge and opera house. What a beautiful walk. We will definitely be back over to continue from Clifton Hardens around to Balmoral beach in the near future
Written October 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kayla
Melbourne, Australia869 contributions
Aug 2022
We decided to try this trail while on holiday in Sydney since we had already done the popular Bondi one before and saw reviews about having great views.
We got the ferry to Taronga Zoo wharf which was easy, and probably the best part. Once we got off the ferry there was no signage to the walk, we were searching on google maps and eventually found what we thought was the entrance. It really wasn't clear as it is just a muddy track but seemed to be something. Luckily we did end up coming across some other people.
You start the track in some dense not particularly scenic or aesthetically appealing bushlands on a dirt trail (which was mud when we went due to rain the previous night.)
The track also had a lot of rocks stuck in the ground and was unstable, so in addition to trying not to slip, we had to try not to trip. This carried on for the whole trail except for 1 - 2 very small sections with an actual footpath where we could finally relax and actually talk. The rest of the way we were too busy concentrating to even enjoy the walk.
The scenic views promised are limited. They were nice but there are only a few parts where you actually get a decent view of the harbour, and quite honestly it's far and just a little dot in the distance. The rest of the time there is dense bush and you can't see anything unless you get the occasional gap where a tree has fallen down or something.
Overall, I would not recommend this walk. Definitely go somewhere else.
We got the ferry to Taronga Zoo wharf which was easy, and probably the best part. Once we got off the ferry there was no signage to the walk, we were searching on google maps and eventually found what we thought was the entrance. It really wasn't clear as it is just a muddy track but seemed to be something. Luckily we did end up coming across some other people.
You start the track in some dense not particularly scenic or aesthetically appealing bushlands on a dirt trail (which was mud when we went due to rain the previous night.)
The track also had a lot of rocks stuck in the ground and was unstable, so in addition to trying not to slip, we had to try not to trip. This carried on for the whole trail except for 1 - 2 very small sections with an actual footpath where we could finally relax and actually talk. The rest of the way we were too busy concentrating to even enjoy the walk.
The scenic views promised are limited. They were nice but there are only a few parts where you actually get a decent view of the harbour, and quite honestly it's far and just a little dot in the distance. The rest of the time there is dense bush and you can't see anything unless you get the occasional gap where a tree has fallen down or something.
Overall, I would not recommend this walk. Definitely go somewhere else.
Written September 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
simmyb26
Hobart, Australia48 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
This is an absolute Gem! Can’t believe I have been to Sydney so many times and not done this coastal walk. It’s really pretty, well signed and good paths. Lots of spots to view the opera house and the bridge. Do it
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lyn D
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia306 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
Note: This review is solely for New Year's Eve celebrations.
My friends and I were looking for the perfect spot to view the fireworks on New Year's Eve/Day. After going through hundreds of possible locations, we settled for Bradleys Head. The area had two precincts to view the fireworks show: Athol Lawn and The Mast. We chose the latter and was located closer to HMAS Sydney's Mast. It was a ticketed area ($60 for adults, $25 for kids I think) and was open to visitors from 1pm - 12:10am. Visitors had to leave immediately once the fireworks were over.
We took a ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo. It was then another 15 minutes up hill walk to the entrance. From the entrance, it was another 10 minute walk.
The location is nice. There were a few spots which gave you a clear view of Harbour Bridge. Come early to book those nice spots. People arrived early. By 2:30pm, all the good spots were taken.
We stayed on until after the fireworks. There are toilets nearby and the organisers provided mobile toilets as well. Food trucks were available for the duration of the event. During the 10 hour event, we took a walk along the trails available within the National Park. It also gave us an idea on the good locations along the trail to view the fireworks.
If you are looking for a spot to view the fireworks next year minus the crowd, come here. Although the Opera House seem a tad small and was mostly covered in smoke, I would still recommend this site if you come with your family+young children or as a group of friends.
For pictures and a short fireworks video, do visit Lyn, Life Explorer: Welcoming 2015 at http://arazlin.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/welcoming-2015.html
My friends and I were looking for the perfect spot to view the fireworks on New Year's Eve/Day. After going through hundreds of possible locations, we settled for Bradleys Head. The area had two precincts to view the fireworks show: Athol Lawn and The Mast. We chose the latter and was located closer to HMAS Sydney's Mast. It was a ticketed area ($60 for adults, $25 for kids I think) and was open to visitors from 1pm - 12:10am. Visitors had to leave immediately once the fireworks were over.
We took a ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo. It was then another 15 minutes up hill walk to the entrance. From the entrance, it was another 10 minute walk.
The location is nice. There were a few spots which gave you a clear view of Harbour Bridge. Come early to book those nice spots. People arrived early. By 2:30pm, all the good spots were taken.
We stayed on until after the fireworks. There are toilets nearby and the organisers provided mobile toilets as well. Food trucks were available for the duration of the event. During the 10 hour event, we took a walk along the trails available within the National Park. It also gave us an idea on the good locations along the trail to view the fireworks.
If you are looking for a spot to view the fireworks next year minus the crowd, come here. Although the Opera House seem a tad small and was mostly covered in smoke, I would still recommend this site if you come with your family+young children or as a group of friends.
For pictures and a short fireworks video, do visit Lyn, Life Explorer: Welcoming 2015 at http://arazlin.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/welcoming-2015.html
Written January 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PicnMix_UK
Billericay, UK219 contributions
Dec 2011
Having done a Capt Cook Cruise on a previous trip, we were looking for an alternative adventure around the harbour. We took the ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo Wharf and instead of joining the throngs heading into the zoo, we turned right along the path through the native bushland. Along the path, there are views over the harbour back towards the city.
We downloaded the free walk commentary which consists of 18 short audio podcasts - listen at various points along the route. (http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parks/audiotours/SydneyHarbourNP/BradleysHeadtoChowderBay.htm)
Paying attention to the wildlife, we were lucky enough to see an Eastern Water Dragon basking on a rock, several Cookaburas and a few lizards scurried away as we walked along. The 5km path is easy to follow and provides a great way of seeing native bush and rainforest habitats, and there are also some great views of the harbour, Opera House and Bridge.
Take sun hats and water to enjoy the walk. There are refreshments available at Athol Hall (near the start) and at Chowder Bay.
We downloaded the free walk commentary which consists of 18 short audio podcasts - listen at various points along the route. (http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parks/audiotours/SydneyHarbourNP/BradleysHeadtoChowderBay.htm)
Paying attention to the wildlife, we were lucky enough to see an Eastern Water Dragon basking on a rock, several Cookaburas and a few lizards scurried away as we walked along. The 5km path is easy to follow and provides a great way of seeing native bush and rainforest habitats, and there are also some great views of the harbour, Opera House and Bridge.
Take sun hats and water to enjoy the walk. There are refreshments available at Athol Hall (near the start) and at Chowder Bay.
Written January 3, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen B
11 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
Paid $300 for a new eve view of the bridge fireworks for 2016/2017.The NYE at the mast precinct Bradley's head advertising showed a clear view of the Sydney bridge. However the facts are. 1600 tickets available, however approximately only 50 to 60 people out of the many could see the bridge. We were one of the first 60 to arrive and this was the view we could see. See the photo. This is a case of miss advertisement to make money. Me and my family spent 20 mins to try to see if we could get a better view however we couldn't.If the advertising stated. You may not see the bridge due to the trees. Then we would accepted this issue. However the advert mentioned nothing about this . One of the organisers (Claudia) could not justify the advertisement and as such, I will be expecting a full refund.
Written December 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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