The Gap

Overview

Overview

The Gap is a large and attractive cliff on Sydney’s South Head Peninsula, in the Watsons Bay neighborhood, to the east of the central city. There are walking trails along the top of the cliff that offer great views of the ocean and the area’s layered sandstone formations. 

The Basics
The Gap is part of Sydney Harbour National Park and was the site of a deadly shipwreck in 1857. It’s a popular place to come for an easy walk with great views. Start your visit by heading to the lookout, then enjoy the park’s walking trails. You can also head west to one of the bay’s pretty beaches, such as Camp Cove Beach or the nudist Lady Bay Beach. 

Things to Know Before You Go
  • The Gap’s high cliffs can be dangerous, and many people have fallen or jumped to their deaths over the years. High, inward-leaning fences now span the risky parts of the cliff. 
  • Phones that connect directly to emergency counseling services have been installed in the area.
  • Some walkways and beaches at the Gap are wheelchair accessible. 

How to Get There
The Gap is on the eastern coast of the Watsons Bay suburb. The best way to reach the area from central Sydney is via ferry; boats depart regularly from Circular Quay, and the ride takes about 20–30 minutes. You can also walk to the Gap through Robertson Park from the Watsons Bay ferry terminal. City buses also head to the area, but traffic can be slow.

When to Get There
The views from the lookout at the Gap are great at any time, but the area is most comfortable in temperate weather. In the summer, visit in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat. 

Take a Whale-Watching Tour
Between May and October (and especially in June and July), the area around Sydney Harbour fills with migrating humpback whales. You can sometimes see these giants from the Gap and South Head, but for a better, much closer view, get out onto the water on a whale-watching boat. Trips on speedboats and catamarans are both available.
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Sydney, New South Wales

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Geological Formations

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Cliffs

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