Last updated: August 30, 2022
The Federation Cliff Walk is a 5 km trail from Watsons Bay to Dover Heights above high sandstone cliffs, offering amazing panoramic ocean views.
This coastal walk meanders through beautiful parklands and open spaces, and includes an exciting timber walkway with viewing platforms on top of the cliffs.
The Watsons Bay to Bondi walk (or Bondi to Watsons Bay walk) is essentially the same as the Federation Cliff walk but goes a bit further to Bondi Beach.
| Federation Cliff Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 5 km (one way) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
How to Get There
If you start the walking track in Watsons Bay, buses 324 and 325 depart from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay. Check the exact timetables on the Transport NSW website.
You can also catch a ferry into Watsons Bay and walk to the starting point of the Federation Cliff walking track on the other side of Robertson Park.
At the other end of the walk, Dover Heights has free street parking available, so that’s an option too, if you prefer to start the walk from there.
Another way to get to Watsons Bay is via the walking trail from Rose Bay. Doing that walk, in addition to the Federation Cliff Walk, will end up being 13 km long. A long hike, but you will see the best of Sydney’s coastline.
Highlights and Map
The coastal trail between Watsons Bay and Dover Heights is characterised by high sandstone cliffs, large open parks, and panoramic ocean views.
In this guide to the Federation Cliff Walk, we are going to focus on the following nine landmarks and highlights:
- Gap Park
- Macquarie Lighthouse
- Christison Park
- Clarke Reserve
- Diamond Bay Reserve
- Eastern Reserve
- Dudley Page Reserve
- Rodney Reserve
- Raleigh Reserve
In the track notes below, we’re diving a little deeper into each of these highlights, as we navigate the trail from north to south.
Here is a handy map for your reference, with the highlights marked from 1 to 9, starting at Gap Park in Watsons Bay:
Federation Cliff Walk Track Notes
The Federation Cliff Walk can be commenced either from Gap Park in Watsons Bay, or from Rodney Reserve or Raleigh Reserve in Dover Heights.
This article describes the walk starting from Watsons Bay with The Gap as the starting point, passing through the suburb of Vaucluse, and ending in Dover Heights.
Please note that the trail sometimes leaves the coastline and heads into the suburban streets, which can cause some confusion. In the notes below, we’re including street names to help you stay on track.
1. Gap Park
The Gap is one of Sydney’s most famous ocean cliff lookouts with breathtaking views, located on the eastern side of Watsons Bay.
The Gap is part of Gap Park, a designated park area designed around this unique cliff structure. A short walking trail offers different vantage points from where you can enjoy some pretty impressive views.
Check out our Watsons Bay hiking guide for more information about The Gap and the walking trail around South Head.
2. Macquarie Lighthouse
From The Gap, follow the cliff-side path towards the south through Gap Park, connecting with Old South Head Road.
The track stays on the road’s footpath for a short while until it turns into the Coastal Cliff Walk path (see the big sign), which runs parallel to Old South Head Road.
Continue on this path and enjoy the views of the ocean on your left, as you walk past the Signal Station and Signal Hill Fort (est. 1893), part of the Signal Hill Reserve.
The gun at the fort was removed in the 1930s, and the underlying fort has since been locked up. The site of the current signal station has been used since 1790 to signal incoming ships.
As you continue, you will be walking through the Lighthouse Reserve, past the historic Macquarie Lighthouse.
First constructed in 1818 and rebuilt in 1883, the Macquarie Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in Australia, and is open for guided tours.
3. Christison Park
The path continues south past Christison Park, with its large open sports grounds and various fitness stations.
Christison Park is an excellent picnic spot, with toilet and playground facilities.
There is very little natural shade in the park, though, so on a warm and sunny day, Christison Park may not be the best location for a break.
4. Clarke Reserve
The walking path continues to Clarke Reserve, from where you will see the first glimpses of the sandstone cliffs at Diamond Bay, further south.
At Clarke Reserve, walk into Jensen Avenue via Clarke Street.
Then turn into Marine Street and Chris Bang Crescent, which will lead to the steps going down into Diamond Bay Reserve.
5. Diamond Bay Reserve
As you walk down the steps into Diamond Bay, it’s almost like you’re stepping into a tropical rainforest, with beautiful thick vegetation.
The track continues around Rosa Gully, an inlet between the cliffs, which is a popular place for rock climbing and abseiling.
A beautifully constructed wooden walkway with viewing platforms was built by Waverley Council to provide a safe and scenic route around the cliffs.
This walkway makes you feel like you’re walking on top of the cliffs, which makes this walking track even more special.
It starts at Diamond Bay Reserve and continues, with a few interruptions, all the way to Dover Heights.
6. Eastern Reserve
Follow the timber walkway heading south, around the huge white apartment block with million-dollar views, to Ray Street.
The cliff walk continues a few hundred metres south at Oceanview Avenue, from where you can access Eastern Reserve, also known as Dover Heights Reserve.
Eastern Reserve is a stunning cliffside park located at the end of Eastern Avenue. It’s a beautiful park where you can take your dog for a walk while enjoying the scenic coastal views.
It’s also a great location to spot whales during the migration seasons, as the ocean views are far-stretching and uninterrupted.
7. Dudley Page Reserve
From Eastern Reserve, keep walking south and turn into Lancaster Road, followed by a left turn into Military Road.
This is where Dudley Page Reserve is located, a large grassy area that offers incredible views towards the Sydney CBD skyline.
Take a moment to enjoy the spectacular city and Harbour views from this park area, which is also a popular vantage point for the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks.
It’s easy to understand why this park is such a popular spot with tourist buses that often stop there for unique photo opportunities.
8. Rodney Reserve
From Military Road, turn left into Weonga Road or Blake Street to return to the Federation Cliff walking track.
This is the northern point of Rodney Reserve, which flows into Raleigh Reserve towards the south.
Near the cliffs in Rodney Reserve, you can find a full-size replica of an eight-element radio antenna that was built in 1951. It has an informative plaque in front of it explaining its interesting history.
9. Raleigh Reserve
Continue walking through the park heading south, and check out the 80-metre high sandstone cliffs at Raleigh Reserve, revealing millions of years of earth’s geological history.
And that’s it, you have made it to the end of the Federation Cliff Walk.
You now have the option to walk back to Watsons Bay, catch a bus back to where you started, or continue the walk south to North Bondi and Bondi Beach.
Watsons Bay to Bondi Walk
The Watsons Bay to Bondi walk (or Bondi to Watsons Bay walk) includes the Federation Cliff walk with the extra bit between Dover Heights and Bondi Beach.
This walk is 7 km in total and is worth it if you have the energy. It’s also easier to catch public transport in Bondi and Watsons Bay than in Dover Heights, so that could be another reason to extend the hike to Bondi Beach.
Getting to Bondi Beach from the end of the Federation Cliff walk in Dover Heights is pretty easy.
From Dover Heights (Raleigh Reserve, or Rodney Reserve), follow Military Road onto Wentworth Street through Hugh Bamford Reserve. Go back onto Military Road past the Bondi Golf Course and continue to Bondi Beach.
Admittedly, this isn’t the most exciting section, but the reward is that you end up in Bondi Beach, where you can go for lunch and perhaps a refreshing swim.
Summary
The Federation Cliff Walk is a great walking trail for the whole family, with unparalleled ocean views and amazing cliff scenery.
While this walk is not too long (5 km), if you include stops for photos and general sightseeing, it may take a few hours to complete.
The Federation Cliff Walk is far less crowded than the Bondi to Bronte walk or the Bondi to Coogee walk, but it’s just as pretty.
Even though there are enough cafes and restaurants to grab a drink and a bite in Watsons Bay and North Bondi, it’s recommended to bring some snacks and a good-sized water bottle.
The walk, with so many park areas on the way, is perfect for picnics. So why not prepare some food beforehand and choose a great spot for a picnic with great ocean views.
