Bradleys Head

Bradleys Head is a forested headland on Sydney Harbour within Sydney Harbour National Park in Mosman, New South Wales. Extending into the harbour between Chowder Bay and Athol Bay, it offers panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and city skyline. Notable for its 1905 active lighthouse, historic military fortifications dating from 1834, and the mast memorial of HMAS Sydney, it combines natural bushland, heritage sites and scenic walking tracks close to central Sydney.

Visitors can expect a bushland headland with paved and natural walking tracks leading to harbour lookouts, historic sandstone fortifications, the white Bradleys Head Light on the point, and the tall mast memorial of HMAS Sydney. The area includes open lawns, picnic areas, an amphitheatre, and dense native vegetation with views across Sydney Harbour to the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and city skyline. Ferries and sailing boats pass close to the point.

Bradleys Head is part of the traditional lands of the Borogegal people. Named after Lieutenant William Bradley in 1789, it was fortified from 1834 as part of Sydney Harbour defences, with additional batteries built in 1840-42 and 1871 to protect the harbour. The Bradleys Head Light was built in 1905. The foremast of HMAS Sydney (1912), famous for its World War I service, was erected as a memorial on the headland in 1934.

The headland holds Aboriginal heritage significance and is part of Sydney Harbour National Park, conserving natural and historic heritage. The HMAS Sydney mast is an important naval memorial commemorating Royal Australian Navy service. The headland is a valued public recreation and scenic reserve for Sydney residents and visitors.