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Fairfax walk

Sydney Harbour National Park

Overview

The paved Fairfax Walk is easy, gentle and ideal for walking with children. Located at North Head in Sydney Harbour National Park, it's a great walk for whale watching.

Where
Sydney Harbour National Park
Distance
1km loop
Time suggested
30min - 1hr
Grade
Grade 2
Price
Free
Entry fees

Park entry fees apply at North Head carparks.

Opening times
Vehicle access to the lookouts at North Head is available from 5am to 10pm every day.
Please note
  • North Head can be booked for weddings and photo shoots. Contact the park office for more information.
  • This track is part of Sydney's walking track network. For more information, visit the Walking Coastal Sydney website.

The Fairfax walk offers superb views and an enjoyable, gentle walk. This short paved track starts at the end of North Head Scenic Drive and then loops around the top of North Head.

Its circuit connects three lookouts which provide the kinds of views you see on Sydney postcards. Look out over endless ocean or across the harbour to the CBD. 

The Fairfax walk is ideal for families with children and is partially wheelchair accessible. It’s also an exceptional walk for whale watchers during the June–July and August–October migration seasons.

If you’ve still got energy to burn after completing the Fairfax walk, you can continue on through North Head Sanctuary. From there, just wind your way back down to Manly and join the Manly Scenic Walkway or take the Bluefish track to Shelley Beach.

Take a virtual tour of Fairfax walk captured with Google Street View Trekker.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Promotional:

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

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 carpark: $8 per vehicle per day. North Head carpark: $5 per vehicle per day. There are pay and display machines that accept cards and coins - no change given. Chowder Bay Road parking: 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.

    Other fees:

    Landing fee or tour fee applies to visit Sydney Harbour Islands. Fort Denison can only be visited on a tour. To visit Shark, Clark or Rodd islands Island, all vessels, including kayaks, need to pay a $7 per person landing fee. To arrange, please contact 13000 PARKS (13000 72757).

    Buy an annual pass.
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See more visitor info

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Fairfax Lookout, Sydney harbour National Park. Photo: David Finnegan