Sydney Harbour National Park
One of Sydney's most diverse parks, Sydney Harbour National Park is formed from 11 pockets of harbour islands and shoreline. Highlights include coastal walks and swimming, breath-taking viewpoints, tours of colonial buildings and Aboriginal cave art.
There are alerts raised for Sydney Harbour National Park as at
Tue, 07 Feb 2023 22:06:00 +1100
Closed areas: Shark Beach and northern section of Nielsen Park closedShark Beach and the northern section of Nielsen Park is closed to visitors from Tuesday 21 February 2022 to Monday 30 October 2023. This is because the concrete seawall at Nielsen Park is being replaced. For more information on this project, please visit the
project webpage or phone the NPWS Sydney South office on 02 9337 5511.
Closed areas: Steele Point Cottage ClosureSteele Point Cottage is closed to bookings until the major structural works happening on Shark Beach are completed early 2024. For further information call the NPWS Vaucluse office on 02 9337 5511.
Other planned events: ‘1080 pest management’NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting a baiting program using manufactured baits, fresh baits and Canid Pest Ejectors (CPEs) containing 1080 poison (sodium fluroacetate) for the control of foxes. The program is continuous and ongoing between Wednesday 1 February and Monday 31 July 2023 in the following areas:
- Chowder Bay and Dobroyd, Bradleys, Georges, Middle and North Headlands
- North Head includes the adjoining land of Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, Australian Institute of Police Management and Quarantine Station.
Don’t touch baits or ejector devices.
All baiting locations are identifiable by signs.
Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
Fox baiting in these reserves is aimed at reducing their impact on threatened species.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information contact the NPWS Middle Head office on 02 9960 6266 or North Head Sanctuary Manly (Harbour Trust Lands) on 02 8969 2128 during business hours, or 1300 056 294 outside business hours.
Closed areas: Areas of North Head closedSome areas of Sydney Harbour National Park are closed for public safety due to steep and unstable ground. The closed areas are:
- Old Man's Hat
- Cannae Point
- Quarantine Head
- and surrounding bushland
The following main visitor areas will remain open:
- Q Station
- North Head car parks
- Collins Flat Beach
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
Closed areas: Gardeners Cottage closureGardeners Cottage will not be available for bookings until 2024. The is because Shark Beach at Nielsen Park is closed to the public for major capital works. For more information call the NPWS Vaucluse office on 02 9337 5511.
Closed areas: Shark Island closureShark Island will be closed to the public between 8am to 8pm, Friday 10 February to Wednesday 22 February 2023, for Sail Grand Prix.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the local office on 02 9337 5511 or visit the
NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
Closed areas: North Head scenic area closuresThe following areas in the North Head scenic area will be closed until the end of March 2023:
- Fairfax walking track
- Fairfax lookout
- Fairfax carpark and bus stop
These areas are closed while new lookouts are being built. Find out more about this project on
this web page. These closures may be extended without notice.
The following areas remain open:
- North Head Scenic Drive and loop road are open to vehicles.
- The bus stop opposite the Bella Vista Café is open.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the Sydney North area office on 02 9451 3479 between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Closed areas: North Head partial closureSome parts of North Head in Sydney Harbour National Park are closed due to fire damage and geological instability. The closed areas include:
- Bluefish Point
- Wastewater Treatment Plant emergency access road
- Fairfax lookouts
Do not enter the closed areas.
Open areas include:
- Q Station
- North Head Sanctuary and Bella Vista Cafe (entry via North Fort)
- Parking areas at North Fort
- The track between Shelly Beach and Bluefish Drive
- Bluefish Drive to the Avenue of Honour
- Collins Flat Beach
- Collins Beach Road
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) or Sydney North area office on 02 9451 3479 between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Other planned events: North Head Scenic Drive gate opening timesThe North Head Scenic Drive gate opening times are:
- From 1 October to 31 March - from 5am to 8.30pm
- From 1 April to 30 September - 6am to 6pm
Closed areas: Fort Denison closedFort Denison will be closed until late 2023.
Conservation and upgrade works are currently underway. Key elements include the construction of a new accessible wharf and maintenance and upgrade to buildings and services. Fort Denison will be closed to visitors until these works have been completed.
Penalties apply for non-compliance.
Standard work hours during the construction phase will be between:
- 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday
- 8am and 1pm on Saturday
Noise monitoring stations will be set up in Kirribilli and Cremorne to check any over-water noise so that it does not exceed legal levels. It is not expected to be high.
For more information, visit the project
webpage or call the NPWS Sydney South area office on 02 9337 5511. Visit the
NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
Closed areas: Bluefish Point closedThe Bluefish Point bushland area is closed to public access for public safety and to protect important plant and animal communities. For your safety and to help conserve the landscape, please stay on sign-posted walking tracks when visiting Sydney Harbour National Park.
The Shelly Beach to Bluefish walking track is open.