Sydney Harbour National Park

Understand

History Residential development has impacted a significant amount of the harbour foreshores over many years. Much of what remained was preserved partly due to the presence of military bases, and partly because of the work of conservationists. Early conservationists were responsible for stopping mining at Ashton Park in the 19th Century. Other places were saved because of people such as Niels Neilsen, who became the New South Wales Minister for Lands and a strong advocate of a public reserve around Sydney Harbour. Nielsen was ahead of his time when he used the phrase "national park" in regard to the harbour foreshores, but Sydney eventually caught up with him. Unfortunately, it wasn't possible to revert all the damage done in past decades, however, there was still much that could be preserved. In the 1960s were a particularly active time in this regard. In 1965 the Government of New South Wales began buying land around the foreshores, and the National Trust suggested a national park in 1968. In the following year, the NSW Government announced a plan whereby it would buy Commonwealth land around the harbour. The Sydney Harbour National Park was finally gazetted in 1975, with Nielsen Park at Shark Bay being added in 1978. Extra land was transferred from Commonwealth to State Government control, and added to the national park in 1979; the historically important quarantine station at Manly; Q station was added in 1984.

Landscape Most of the park is a coastal landscape with some hills, no higher than 30 m (98 ft) in altitude. At times, there may be moments where you might feel like "is this Sydney?" due to the large amount of greenery. When it comes to the shore, there are some near perpendicular cliffs, and some in artistic shapes and forms; providing a perfect place to relax and read a book by the ocean.

Flora and fauna Sydney Harbour National Park is one of the last homes of the endangered bandicoots. Most of these can only be found at North Head but they are o

Getting there

Mainland Ferries connect various most parts of the mainland sections from Circular Quay. Some sections may be a few hundred metres walk from the park, but what's the purpose of coming to a national park without walking? If you use public transport, the routes to the various sections are as follows:

Bradleys Head – from Circular Quay wharf 4, use the F2 Taronga ferry line to Taronga Zoo. From Taronga, walk on the road away from the cul-de-sac and then you're there at Bradleys Head. Dobroyd Head – from Manly, use 162 to Curban Street, and then walk south towards Dobroyd Scenic Drive. This area has no ferry connection, so from Circular Quay, take the F1 line to Manly, and use bus route 162. Georges and Middle Heads – the 111 bus service also provides services to the Balmoral Naval Hospital from the Mosman Town Centre, from there, it's a simple three-minute walk. To reach Mosman by ferry, use the F6 line from Circular Quay. North Head – from Circular Quay, take the F1 Circular Quay to Manly ferry. From Manly wharf, the 161 bus route runs up to Q-Station, which is within the park. Services operate usually every 10-30 minutes. South Head and Nielsen Park – take the F9 Circular Quay to Watsons Bay ferry. From Watsons Bay, it's a 20-minute walk to the furthest part of South Head. Head south along Marine Parade for Nielsen Park. If you're driving to the various sections that do have road access, be wary that finding parking can be a problem at times, especially in the South Head/Nielsen Park section. The various headlands on the Lower North Shore and in Manly have a decent amount of parking available, though these can fill up very quickly.

Dobroyd Head – follow the signs to Balgowah, north of the Spit Bridge. Georges Head – from the Spit Junction, head south on Military Road, not towards A8. Then, at the roundabout, turn left onto Middle Head Road. Keep following Middle Head, until you hit the end of the road. For Bradleys Head, follow the same route excep

Getting around

By car In some landforms such as North Head, taking the car is the best solution to getting around. For all other bits of the park, you for the most part cannot take your car in. Most places, however, will have a designated carpark.

By walking Since this is not one connected park, you will need some other form of transport apart from walking to get from one section to another. However, below, shows how you can get from one place to another, and how to get around each section. However, apart from North Head, the best form of transport within a section is by walking, as most of the time, there are no roads, or the roads are too narrow.

See

The national park protects the landforms of Bradleys Head, Clark Island, Dobroyd Head, Fort Denison, Georges Head, Goat Island, Middle Head, Nielsen Park, Rodd Island, Shark Island, Sydney Heads including the Quarantine Station at North Head and The Gap bluff at South Head. The national park also protects the waterway between North Head and Dobroyd Head, defined as the North Sydney Harbour Aquatic Reserve. However, Goat Island is not closed and is no longer accessible to visitors. Most of these places that are protected were home to some forts that were put in World War II as defence forts.

Bradleys Head, Mosman

1 Ashton Park. Small reserve and a hidden gem that gives you the rural coastal city feeling. Be aware that this is one of the most chaotic NYE spots, so if you're here to watch the NYE fireworks, then arrive at about noon. (updated Jun 2021) 2 Booraghee Amphitheatre. 24/7. Picnic area for couples on their honeymoon. Just beside it, it's become a popular spot for rockfishing. Additionally, photographers and Sydney Harbour lovers flock to this spot, just so they can get the perfect shot of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and Fort Denison. Oh, and the inside of the Amphitheatre has been used for weddings and other events. (updated May 2021) 3 Bradleys Head Fortification Complex (Bradleys Head Forts). A heritage-listed former mast and defensive battery and military fortification and now war memorial and recreational area. The 1840 fort was cut into the sandstone bedrock outcrop on the tip of the headland and included a barbette gun pit at the eastern end and the small circular bastion at the eastern end of the fort is from 1854. (updated Jun 2021) 4 Bradleys Head Lighthouse (Bradleys Head Light), ☏ +61 2 9960 6266. 24/7. An active heritage-listed lighthouse which was introduced in 1905 as a navigation marker and warning light to ships entering and leaving the harbour. A fog siren was added in 1906, modified in 1936 and the concrete structure was introduced

Do

There's plenty of things to do in Sydney Harbour National Park, for most interests, whether it's hiking, swimming, or learning about Aboriginal culture.

Bradleys Head, Mosman 1 Bradleys Head Fishing Spot. It has been a popular spot for fishing, even in the 20th century. While there are no signs saying the location, face east, and there you are. But