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North Head

Sydney Harbour National Park

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Overview

Located near Manly, North Head offers accessible scenic views of Sydney Harbour from stunning lookouts and Fairfax walk. It's also a top spot for whale watching and scuba diving.

Type
Lookouts
Where
Sydney Harbour National Park in Sydney and surrounds
Accessibility
Easy
Entry fees

Vehicle entry fees apply at North Head. Pay using tap and pay card or phone payments at pay machines, or via the Park’nPay app. Coin payment available at Fairfax carpark machines only.

Opening times

The gates to North Head are open from 6am to 8pm during daylight savings, and 6am to 6pm rest of the year.

What to
bring
Drinking water, hat, sunscreen

Take a day trip to the heath-covered clifftops at North Head near Manly for unending ocean views and a spectacular panorama of the harbour and Sydney skyline. Situated on the northern-most edge of the harbour within sight of Hornby Lighthouse on South Head, it’s a relaxing ferry ride from Circular Quay. 

If you're exploring on foot, try the easy Fairfax walk and visit the lookouts. From Burragula lookout you can gaze across Sydney Harbour to South Head, and see a panaroma of the Sydney skyline. Yiningma lookout features views to the north along the cliffs and towards Blue Fish Point. Remember to bring your binoculars if you want to whale watch. For those with reduced mobility, there's an accessible path to ensure that everyone can enjoy the impressive scenery.

If you’re feeling adventurous, North Head has some of Sydney's best boat diving sites and is especially popular for drift dives. Explore the remains of historic shipwrecks and perhaps glimpse common sea dragons and the rarer red Indian fish in the sheltered harbour waters. 

The ghost tour of historic Quarantine Station is a must-do. If you’re feeling like a special treat, stay the night at Q Station, where you can enjoy a long lazy lunch on the terrace.

North Head is also a great spot to see the famous Sydney fireworks on New Years Eve. Far from the hectic city crowds, it's a fantastic place to count down the new year in style.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Tours and events at this location

  • Harbour view from North Head on a sunny day, looking over the South Head and the city in the distance, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: David Finnegan/DPIE

    NYE North Head

    See out the old year and welcome in 2024 at North Head in Manly. You'll have great views of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline. Far from the city, it's a relaxed place to celebrate with the family.

Also see

2 visitors following Fairfax walk along the coast, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: John Spencer © DPE

Walk

Fairfax walk

See more activities

Aerial view of Q Station in Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: Q Station

Stay

Q Station

See more accommodation

Collins Flat Beach, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: John Yurasek/NSW Government

Swim

Collins Flat Beach

See more activities

Yiningma lookout view of Bluefish Point, North Head, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: John Spencer © DPE

View

Yiningma lookout

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View across Sydney Harbour and out to South Head from Burragula lookout, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: John Spencer © DPE

View

Burragula lookout

See more attractions

 

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

Operated by

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:

Things to do (190)

Events (9)

Tours (47)

Immersive stories (1)

Itinerary (1)

Camping and accommodation (8)

Volunteering (11)

School excursions (18)