Sydney Harbour Scenic Walk project: update October 2024

Middle Head project one step closer to completion

In September a major milestone was achieved, with the installation of a pedestrian bridge over the Outer Defensive Ditch on the new 3 km walking track between Middle Head and Georges Head, in Sydney Harbour National Park.

The 4-tonne prefabricated stainless-steel bridge was transported to the off-road site by a 30-tonne crane, which navigated around a radio tower and alongside a significant stone wall and an endangered plant before successfully lowering the bridge into position over the pre-installed bolts. Through excellent planning by SPO Ian Curtis, assistance from area staff and operator skill there was no damage to any of the site’s natural or historic assets.

Over the past 4 weeks the bridge has been connected to the fibre-reinforced polymer boardwalks on each side of the ditch. Not only does the bridge provide a view down into the defensive ditch but it also provides a fantastic view down the harbour towards Shark Point (Nielsen Park) and Georges Head.

The finishes touches were also made to the boardwalk running through the recently excavated Inner Defensive Ditch.

The defensive ditches were constructed in the 19th century to provide landward defence of the coastal fortifications on Middle Head and are just 2 of the many featured historic coastal defence structures on the new walking track.

Improvements along Chowder Bay Road

On 21 October, work commenced on improvements along Chowder Bay Road, including repair and renewal of roadside drainage, improvements to carparks, and a new accessible roadside viewing area. More importantly, we are installing a new pedestrian pathway linking the new walking track to the adjacent Sydney Harbour Federation Trust lands at Chowder Bay, thereby linking Middle Head to the Bondi to Manly Walk.

The work will be completed in 3 stages. Work on areas 1 and 3 has already begun and is scheduled for completion in early 2025. Area 2 is set to commence in mid-January 2025, with overall project completion anticipated by March 2025, weather permitting.