Fairfax Walk

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-33.8212526,151.2997178)
Mode	Bus Car (Parking fees apply in the area.)
Directions	From Sydney Road Turn on to Whistler Street then drive for 520 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Darley Road and drive for another 1.9 km At roundabout, take exit 1 onto North Head Scenic Drive and drive for another 1.4 km Turn left and drive for another 120 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the North Head Scenic Drive car park, this walk follows the 'Fairfax walking track' sign across the pedestrian crossing and up the small ramp. The walk leads past the 'Welcome to North Head' information sign, then between the timber bollards to the intersection marked with the metal 'Fairfax walking track' sign.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the car park at the start.
	After another 8 m turn left. Then find the "Parking Accessible" (on your left). Parking Accessible There are about 50 car parking bays. Two are marked mobility parking bays nearest to the start of the walk. The mobility parking area is asphalt, 4m wide and 6m deep. After another 6 m come to the "Pinch Point". Pinch Point Timber bollard and gutter ramp pinch points at the start of the walk. The gap between the bollards are 1.2m, and the ramp is 1.27m wide. After another 7 m find the "Seat" (on your right). Seat A timber slat bench seat, 44cm high, 44cm deep and 1.8m wide with no arm or backrest.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 120 m veer right. After another 135 m find the "Old Gun Emplacement" (on your left). Old Gun Emplacement This small concrete building was used as a gunning placement and bunker for those who would keep watch over Sydney Harbour during World War Two. It was built in the 1920s (prior to the war), one of several new fortifications built at the time, the first since federation. Access to the building is via an 82cm wide entry, up two (5cm and 15cm) steps and into a 2.4x2.1m room.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to North Head (Southern) Lookout. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 40 m turn right.
	After another 140 m continue straight. After another 65 m find the "Seat" (35 m on your left). Seat A timber slat bench seat, 47cm high, 30cm deep and 2m wide with a 39cm high backrest.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Fairfax Lookout. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below. Continue straight.
	After another 110 m continue straight. After another 140 m come to "Seat". Seat A timber slat bench seat, 47cm high, 45cm deep and 1.8m wide with no arm or backrest.
	Turn left.
	After another 10 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 15 m come to "South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout". South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout From this lookout, you can enjoy great views north along the coastal cliff line and as far as the horizon across the South Pacific Ocean. With a fenced cliff edge and a nice seat, this is a great spot to sit and soak up the views. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence
	The end. A viewpoint. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 15 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 15 m come to "South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout".

South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout

From this lookout, you can enjoy great views north along the coastal cliff line and as far as the horizon across the South Pacific Ocean. With a fenced cliff edge and a nice seat, this is a great spot to sit and soak up the views. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence

The end.

A viewpoint.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 15 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to North Head (Southern) Lookout.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 10 m find the "South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout" (195 m on your left). South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout From this lookout, you can enjoy great views north along the coastal cliff line and as far as the horizon across the South Pacific Ocean. With a fenced cliff edge and a nice seat, this is a great spot to sit and soak up the views. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence
	Continue another 15 m to find Fairfax Lookout at the end. "North Head (Southern) Lookout". North Head (Southern) Lookout This lookout is on the southern edge of North Head and provides a great view that spans from Sydney city in the distance (to the south), around the South Pacific Ocean (to the east). You will notice a large white pole with a green light, which helps ships navigate and avoid the headland as they sail into Sydney Harbour. The lookout has a 1.18m high fence/railing around the edge. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence. "Fairfax Lookout". Turn around and retrace your steps back the 25 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After 10 m find the "South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout" (195 m on your left).

South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout

From this lookout, you can enjoy great views north along the coastal cliff line and as far as the horizon across the South Pacific Ocean. With a fenced cliff edge and a nice seat, this is a great spot to sit and soak up the views. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence

Continue another 15 m to find Fairfax Lookout at the end.

"North Head (Southern) Lookout".

North Head (Southern) Lookout

This lookout is on the southern edge of North Head and provides a great view that spans from Sydney city in the distance (to the south), around the South Pacific Ocean (to the east). You will notice a large white pole with a green light, which helps ships navigate and avoid the headland as they sail into Sydney Harbour. The lookout has a 1.18m high fence/railing around the edge. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence.

"Fairfax Lookout".

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 25 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Fairfax Lookout.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 20 m continue straight.
	After another 10 m veer right. After another 20 m find the "Seat" (6 m on your left). Seat A timber slat bench seat, 47cm high, 30cm deep and 2m wide with a 39cm high backrest.
	After another 10 m come to the end. "Fairfax Lookout". Fairfax Lookout Fairfax Lookout is a great vantage point to enjoy the entrance to Sydney Harbour, the majestic cliff line and the city skyline in the distance. It is a great reminder of how much bushland there is in the great city. This is a good vantage point for whale watching when the Humpback and Southern Right whales migrate along the coast. The whales usually head north in June-July to a warmer climate for breeding and return to the food-rich Antarctic waters in August-October, where they remain for the summer. There is a seat at the upper and lower viewing areas. The lookout has a 1.2m high metal fence along the edge. A small section of the lower lookout was closed in 2017 due to cliff instability. "Seat". Seat A timber slat bench seat, 48cm high, 30cm deep and 2m wide with a 41cm high backrest. A viewpoint. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 60 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Fairfax Walk

Grading

	Class 1/6 Smooth & flat
Length	760 m
Time	20 min to 30 min

Quality of track	Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
Gradient	Flat, no steps (1/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Naturally Accessible
Slope summary:
Gentle slopes, no steps.

Surface summary:
2.4m wide asphalt footpath the whole way around.

Some facilities on route

Seat: There are 4 on route, on average they are 190 m apart with the largest gap of 540 m.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	30 m	Seat
Seat	500 m + 70 m	Seat
Seat	530 m	Seat
Seat	780 m	Seat

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

North Head Scenic Drive car park
The car park is round at the far eastern end of North Head Scenic Drive, Manly. There are about 50 parking bays including an area for large buses , and 2 mobility bays. NPWS parking fees apply unless you have a NPWS pass and there are ticket machines available.

South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout
From this lookout, you can enjoy great views north along the coastal cliff line and as far as the horizon across the South Pacific Ocean. With a fenced cliff edge and a nice seat, this is a great spot to sit and soak up the views. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence

Old Gun Emplacement
This small concrete building was used as a gunning placement and bunker for those who would keep watch over Sydney Harbour during World War Two. It was built in the 1920s (prior to the war), one of several new fortifications built at the time, the first since federation. Access to the building is via an 82cm wide entry, up two (5cm and 15cm) steps and into a 2.4x2.1m room.

North Head (Southern) Lookout
This lookout is on the southern edge of North Head and provides a great view that spans from Sydney city in the distance (to the south), around the South Pacific Ocean (to the east). You will notice a large white pole with a green light, which helps ships navigate and avoid the headland as they sail into Sydney Harbour. The lookout has a 1.18m high fence/railing around the edge. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence.

Fairfax Lookout
Fairfax Lookout is a great vantage point to enjoy the entrance to Sydney Harbour, the majestic cliff line and the city skyline in the distance. It is a great reminder of how much bushland there is in the great city. This is a good vantage point for whale watching when the Humpback and Southern Right whales migrate along the coast. The whales usually head north in June-July to a warmer climate for breeding and return to the food-rich Antarctic waters in August-October, where they remain for the summer. There is a seat at the upper and lower viewing areas. The lookout has a 1.2m high metal fence along the edge. A small section of the lower lookout was closed in 2017 due to cliff instability.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Bondi Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
  
  Wednesday 23 Jul
  
  18°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a morning shower. Winds west to northwesterly and light tending west to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h in the early afternoon then becoming westerly 30 to 35 km/h in the late evening.
  Fire Danger: Moderate
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
  
  Thursday 24 Jul
  
  9°C → 16°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Winds westerly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the middle of the day.
  
  Friday 25 Jul
  
  8°C → 17°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Saturday 26 Jul
  
  12°C → 17°C
  Showers easing.
  90% chance of rain
  2 → 9mm
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Winds northerly 15 to 25 km/h tending northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the evening.
  
  Sunday 27 Jul
  
  11°C → 17°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Monday 28 Jul
  
  11°C → 17°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Winds west to northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Tuesday 29 Jul
  
  9°C → 16°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds west to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- North Head Scenic Drive gate opening times
  The North Head Scenic Drive gate opening times are:
  
  AEDT From 7 October 2024 to 6 April 2025 - from 5am to 8.30pm
  
  AEST From 7 April 2025 to 5 October 2025 - from 6am to 6pm
- 1080 pest management operation
  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 Saturday 1 February 2025 and Thursday 31 July 2025 in the following areas of Sydney Harbour National Park:
  
  Chowder Bay
  
  Dobroyd Head
  
  Bradleys Head
  
  Georges Head
  
  Middle Head
  
  North Head (North Head includes the adjoining land of Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, Australian Institute of Police Management and Quarantine Station).
  
  Please 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 local park office on:
  
  Middle Head: 02 9960 6266 (business hours)
  
  NPWS after-hours call centre: 1300 056 294 (after hours)
  
  North Head Sanctuary, Many (Harbour Trust Lands): 02 8969 2128 (business hours).
- Bluefish Point closed
  
  The Bluefish Point bushland area is closed to public access for public safety and to protect the landscape and important plant and animal communities. Access to rock pools is difficult and dangerous. Please stay on sign-posted walking tracks when visiting Sydney Harbour National Park for your safety and observe warning signs in the area.
- North Head partial closure
  Manly scenic walkway Q Station Collins Flat Beach Fairfax walk
  
  Some 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
  
  The following areas, and the bushland surrounding them, are also closed due to steep and unstable ground:
  
  Old Man's Hat
  
  Cannae Point
  
  Quarantine Head
  
  Do not enter the closed areas.
  
  Open areas include:
  
  Q Station
  
  North Head Sanctuary and Bella Vista Cafe (entry via North Fort)
  
  The track between Shelly Beach and Bluefish Drive
  
  Bluefish Drive to the Avenue of Honour
  
  Collins Flat Beach
  
  Fairfax track
  
  Burragula and Yiningma lookouts
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757 or Sydney North area office on 02 9451 3479 between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

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