Known as Me-mel by the local Cadigal people, Goat Island was once inhabited by Bennelong and Barangaroo. Guided tours are available to explore the rich history of Goat Island.
Fort Denison is a heritage fort on a Sydney Harbour island, once called Pinchgut. This former military site is the most complete Martello Tower in the world and a popular Sydney attraction. Fort Denison is currently closed for maintenance and conservation works.
The historic Hornby Lighthouse is near Watsons Bay in Sydney Harbour National Park. Walk the easy track to the lighthouse for magical views and great whale watching.
Discover Sydney's military history at the Bradleys Head Fortifications Complex. Bradleys Head is next to Tarongo Zoo in Mosman NSW.
Step back in time as you walk up the lush lawn to Strickland House in Vaucluse. This 19th-century estate is a heritage treasure and boasts one of the best harbour views anywhere in Sydney.
Find out about Sydney's military history with a visit to Georges Head. The Georges Head military relics with both fascinate and amaze you.
Accessed via Manly Scenic Walkway, historic Grotto Point Lighthouse offers scenic views, birdwatching and walking options in Sydney Harbour National Park.
Located in the picturesque grounds of Sydney Harbour National Park in Vaucluse, The Nielsen incorporates several dining spaces catering to a range of experiences.
Enjoy a mountain biking day trip, taking in Bobbin Head in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park from Mount Colah Station to Pymble Station, with picnicking and swimming options.
Bradleys Head Amphitheatre is an exceptionally popular place within Sydney Harbour National Park. A fabulous lookout, it's also a great picnic area and fishing spot.
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.
Middle Head is one of Sydney Harbour's seven headlands. Enjoy scenic views of Sydney Harbour from the lookout or take a guided tour of the historic fort and military relics.
Arabanoo lookout at Dobroyd Head is named in honour of Arabanoo, the first Aboriginal man to live among European settlers. It's a great spot for whale watching, offering views over North and South Head and the Pacific Ocean.
With views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, historic Clark Island is a picnic spot like no other, near Double Bay in the eastern suburbs.
Nielsen Park is perfectly positioned at Vaucluse in Sydney's eastern suburbs. It offers sublime views, the lovely Shark Beach, a harbourside café and three great picnic areas.
Historic Rodd Island, in Iron Cove, offers scenic harbour views, picnicking, fishing, and venue hire for weddings and functions in Sydney Harbour National Park.
Have a riverside picnic in Casuarina Point picnic area in Lane Cove National Park with canoeing and bushwalking nearby.
Great views of Chatswood, free barbecues and space for up to 300 people are just some of the best assets of Tunks Hill picnic area in Lane Cove National Park.
NPWS is conducting a series of guided tours of this historic fortification in Sydney Harbour National Park. We'll explore the rarely opened Beehive Casemate as part of this tour at Middle Head, near Mosman.
Tour times: 10.30am to 11.15am, 11.30am to 12.15am and 12.30pm to 1.15pm.
2019 tour dates: Friday 26 April, Sunday 26 May, Sunday 18 August, Sunday 13 October and Sunday 8 December.
2020 tour dates: Sunday 12 January, Thursday 23 January, Sunday 9 February, Sunday 22 March, Friday 24 April and Sunday 24 May.
Take a fascinating tour of Goat Island, an iconic Sydney landmark in Sydney Harbour National Park.
Tours run 10.35am to 1.10pm
2019 tour dates:
Sunday 5 May, Sunday 19 May, Sunday 2 June, Sunday 16 June, Thursday 27 June, Sunday 7 July, Sunday 21 July, Thursday 25 July, Sunday 4 August, Sunday 18 August, Thursday 22 August, Sunday 1 September, Sunday 15 September, Thursday 26 September, Sunday 6 October, Sunday 20 October, Thursday 24 October, Sunday 3 November, Sunday 17 November, Thursday 21 November, Sunday 1 December, Sunday 15 December and Thursday 19 December 2019.
2020 tour dates:
Sunday 5 January, Thursday 9 January, Thursday 16 January, Sunday 19 January, Thursday 23 January, Sunday 2 February, Thursday 6 February, Sunday 16 February, Thursday 20 February, Sunday 1 March, Sunday 15 March, Thursday 19 March, Sunday 5 April, Sunday 19 April, Thursday 23 April, Sunday 3 May, Sunday 17 May, Thursday 28 May, Sunday 7 June, Sunday 21 June and Thursday 25 June 2020.
Enter the world of the mid 1800s when you visit Greycliffe House. It's been a part of Sydney's history since its first residents moved in. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in the grounds after the tour.
Tour time: 10.30am to 12pm. Meet at 10.15am.
Dates: Friday 7 February, Friday 28 February, Friday 3 April, Sunday 19 April, Friday 5 June and Sunday 28 June 2020.
Join this fascinating tour at Malabar Headland National Park. Find out the history of this area. Hear the story of Malabar Battery, built during World War II to defend Sydney from possible invasion.
Thursday 19 March, Thursday 21 May and Thursday 23 July 2020, 10.30am to 2pm. Meet at 10.15am.
The Middle Head forts complex covers 150 years of NSW military history. To find out more, join this fascinating 1.3km guided tour in Middle Head, Sydney Harbour National Park, near Mosman.
Tour runs 10.30am to 12.30pm. Meet at 10.15am.
2019 tour dates: Sunday 26 May, Sunday 22 September, Sunday 20 October, Thursday 14 November, Sunday 24 November and Sunday 8 December 2019.
2020 tour dates: Thursday 9 January, Sunday 26 January, Sunday 2 February, Sunday 8 March, Thursday 2 April, Sunday 19 April and Sunday 24 May 2020.
Discover historic tunnels carved out of the sandstone beneath South Head, Sydney Harbour National Park, on this 1.8km guided tour.
Tour runs: 10.30am to 11.15am, 11.30am to 12.15pm and 12.30pm to 1.15pm
2019 tour times: Sunday 12 May, Tuesday 18 June, Sunday 28 July, Sunday 8 September, Thursday 17 October and Sunday 17 November.
2020 tour times: Sunday 5 January, Thursday 16 January, Sunday 15 March, Thursday 23 April, Sunday 10 May and Thursday 11 June.
Wind back the clock and explore the varied history of Strickland House on a guided tour. With stunning harbour views, it was home to leading figures of Sydney's establishment in the 19th century.
Tour time: 10.30am to 12pm.
Dates: Tuesday 14 January, Tuesday 17 March, Sunday 29 March, Tuesday 12 May and Sunday 31 May 2020.
Join an NPWS guide on the historic boat, Gargarle, for a fascinating tour of three islands in Sydney Harbour. The Gargarle was built in the 1950s to transport maritime workers to and from Goat Island.
Tour runs 10am to 2pm.
2019 tour dates: Sunday 27 October.
2020 tour dates: Sunday 12 January, Thursday 30 January, Sunday 29 March and Sunday 24 May.
Do you love stories about long ago? If you do, this WilderQuest holiday adventure's for you. We'll take a trip to Goat Island and into Sydney's past.
Tours run 10.15am to 1pm.
Tuesday 7 January, Tuesday 21 January and Tuesday 14 April 2020.
Take the Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk for beautiful views of Sydney Harbour. This easy walk takes you from Taronga Zoo to the beach and cafes at Chowder Bay.
Passing through Lane Cove National Park, this multi-day hike offers stunning scenery across Sydney, the Hunter Valley and Newcastle. Tackle part of the track for an easy day walk.
The easy Hermitage Foreshore walk is one of Sydney's great coastal walks. Start at Nielsen Park and take in the views of Shark Island, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the grounds of Strickland House along the way.
The short, easy South Head Heritage trail takes in scenic beaches and Sydney Harbour views, historic gun emplacements, and great whale watching from the distinctive red and white striped Hornby Lighthouse.
Located in Garigal National Park, Stepping Stone Crossing to Cascades trail is an easy walk that you can enjoy by walking, horse riding or mountain biking.
Take a scenic walk from Davidson Park along Lyrebird track. Enjoy views of Middle Harbour Creek and continue along historic Governor Philip Walk in Garigal National Park.
Tread the paths of history past Taronga Zoo and federation homes on The Harbour Bridge to Spit Bridge walk. Be enthralled in beautiful bushland and rainforest remnants.
Also known as the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk, Manly Scenic Walkway is among Sydney's best walking tracks. Enjoy bush, beach and beautiful views on this excellent day walk.
This challenging walk includes Timber Getters track, the Bay track and Bluff trail near Forestville. Beautiful nature, historic sites and spectacular views await you.
