Wellbeing walk and lunch for Sydney veteran families

Middle Head Batters tour for war widows, defence and veteran families

Looking for a meaningful way to start the year? This wellbeing walk and lunch offers the chance to explore Sydney’s hidden history, enjoy fresh air, and strengthen community ties. It’s a simple yet powerful way to care for your body, mind, and have a fun day out.

The walk will be facilitated by our Wellbeing Team, followed by a guide that will take you through the Middle Head in Mosmon. It is open to war widows, defence and veteran families of all ages and experiences.

Wellbeing walk and lunch

War widows, defence and veteran families are invited to come together for a wellbeing walk and lunch. Discover the military heritage of yesteryear hidden among the bushland of Middle Head in Mosman. This exclusive and unique 2 hour 1.5km tour of Middle Head Battery will take you through the gun emplacements and tunnels to uncover the truth about ‘School of Torture’ during the Cold War Era. So come along and be guided by a local army veteran and see the guns and relics used to protect Sydney from foreign invaders. Following the guided tour, attendees will have a picnic lunch, providing further opportunities to unwind and strengthen community connections.

This activity is proudly funded by DVA’s Veteran Health Week grant, Thrive 365: Connect. Move. Nourish., with each pillar reflecting a vital aspect of wellbeing; Connect: fostering social and emotional connection; Move: supporting mobility and physical health; and Nourish: promoting mental and nutritional wellbeing.

Wear comfortable, weather appropriate clothing. This includes but is not limited to; a hat, sunscreen, enclosed shoes that provide effective support to walk a moderate distance. Also, consider wearing long sleeves and pants to reduce the risk of sun exposure and if necessary, wet weather gear which may include a rain jacket.

Please be aware that access involves stairs, and participants will need to be confident walkers who can move independently. The tunnels have low lighting, so extra care is required. Participants must BYO torch.

How to get there:

Start your journey at Circular Quay by taking the F6 ferry to South Mosman Wharf. From there, catch Bus 111 heading towards Chowder Bay and hop off at the Balmoral Naval Hospital stop on Middle Head Road. The entrance to HMAS Penguin is just a short walk from the bus stop.

There is no cost for this activity. Your guided walking tour and lunch will be covered by Families of Veterans Guild.

Previous attendees to wellbeing activities said “I just wanted to express my gratitude for being able to connect with such a wonderful group. It was such a great opportunity to do a self-care activity and get to know some of the other attendees at the same time.”