North Head, in Sydney Harbour National Park, is a diverse site with significant cultural and environmental significance receiving over 500,000 local, domestic and international visitors each year. North Head is listed on the National Heritage List.
The North Head Scenic Area contains two of Sydney's iconic scenic lookouts, with views across Sydney Harbour spanning 180 degrees from the Pacific Ocean to the CBD.
This project is being funded through the NSW Government's Improving Access to National Parks (IANP) program to enable the renewal, improvement and enhancement of park visitor facilities, safety and infrastructure. North Head was identified as part of this program with the project aligning with the outcomes for North Head outlined in the Sydney Harbour National Park Plan of Management (2012).
What's happening at the North Head Scenic Area?
The North Head Scenic Area upgrade will enhance the visitor experience and improve visitor access and safety through:
- the reconfiguration of car parks opposite the North Fort Café to provide more passive viewing space and disabled parking spaces
- the installation of pedestrian crossings and a pedestrian path from the North Fort Café to the Fairfax Lookout to improve access and pedestrian circulation
- the installation of a new bus stop
- changes to lookouts following geotechnical investigations
- interpretation and signage.
The Fairfax walk and lookout remains closed due to damage from the bushfire in October 2020. This closure is in place to ensure visitor safety and allow vegetation to regenerate. The Quarantine Station, Collins Beach and Bluefish to Shelley Beach walking tracks remain open.