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South Head

Sydney Harbour National Park

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Overview

There's no shortage of lookouts at South Head. The Gap offers some of Sydney's finest views and good opportunities for whale watching. South Head is also great for a swim, try Camp Cove or Lady Bay Beach.

Type
Lookouts
Where
Sydney Harbour National Park in Sydney and surrounds
Accessibility
Hard
Hire this venue

South Head is available for events and function hire.

Please note

South Head is known for its sheer ocean cliffs, military history, and the whimsical-looking Hornby Lighthouse. But it’s the picture-perfect ocean views most likely to keep you coming back again and again.

The Gap features an unbeatable lookout. Hike to the top and gaze out over the Tasman Sea and Sydney Harbour. If you’re there between June and September keep your eyes open for whales on their annual migration journey.

Walk the South Head Heritage trail, where you’ll find even more lookouts – it’s hard to tire of that panorama. Check out 19th century gun emplacements along the way.

Swim at Camp Cove or at Lady Bay Beach and stop to see the Dunbar shipwreck memorial and site. You’re bound to be hungry after all that sea air – stop for fish and chips in Robertson park or at one of Watson’s Bay’s restaurants.

Take a virtual tour of South Head captured with Google Street View Trekker.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Tours and events at this location

  • Hornby Lighthouse and harbour view. Photo: Kevin McGrath

    South Head tunnels tour

    Discover historic tunnels carved out of the sandstone beneath South Head, Sydney Harbour National Park, on this 1.8km guided tour.

 

Google Street View Trekker

Using Google Street View Trekker, we've captured imagery across a range of NSW national parks and attractions. Get a bird's eye view of these incredible landscapes before setting off on your own adventure.

Google Trekker at Cape Byron State Conservation Area. Photo: J Spencer/OEH.

Conservation program:

Fort Denison heritage collection project

Fort Denison is home to a wealth of historic heritage. The Fort Denison heritage collection project invited volunteers to locate, identify, document, conserve, interpret and make accessible the heritage collections in Sydney Harbour National Park. This allowed NPWS to engage with the community and ensure our collections are protected.

Fort Denison, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

General enquiries

Park info

  • in Sydney Harbour National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region

  • Sydney Harbour National Park is open sunrise to sunset but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

  • Park entry fees:

    Bradleys Head: $8 per vehicle per day. North Head: $5 per vehicle per day. Tap and pay card or phone payments accepted at pay machines. Coin payment available at Fairfax carpark machines only. Chowder Bay: Monday-Friday: $3 per hour, to a maximum of $16 per day. Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: $4 per hour, to a maximum of $20 per day. If you hold an NPWS All Parks or Multi Parks Pass, you can park free for up to four hours per day - additional time can be purchased. Car parks operated by Sydney Harbour Federation Trust or Mosman Council are not covered by your pass. Please check signs carefully. Park’nPay: You can also pay for your visit to any area via the Park’nPay app.

    Other fees:

    Landing fees or tour fees apply to visit Sydney Harbour islands. All public visitors to Shark, Clark or Rodd Island, need to pay a $7 per person landing fee. To arrange, please contact 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS). Annual NSW Parks Passes do not cover landing fees.

    Buy annual pass
See more visitor info

What's nearby:

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Events (1)

Tours (19)

Immersive stories (1)

Camping and accommodation (7)

Volunteering (6)

School excursions (9)