SHCW: North Head Loop

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. There is a toilet (about 45 m back from the start). There is a cafe (about 40 m back from the start). Find the seat at the start. , has a backrest. After another 195 m pass the "Shell and Wave" (4 m on your right). Then pass a seat (on your right). After another 185 m pass the "The Bower" (8 m on your right).
	At the intersection of Marine Parade & Bower Lane continue straight, to head along Marine Parade. After another 80 m pass the water tap (on your right). After another 15 m pass a seat (on your right). After another 205 m pass the picnic table (on your right). After another 100 m pass the sign (5 m on your right).
	Continue straight, to head along Marine Parade. After another 15 m pass a seat (on your left)., has a backrest.
	After another 15 m continue straight, to head along Marine Parade. Then pass the "Bower Street Reserve" (20 m on your right). After another 6 m pass a seat (on your left)., has a backrest. After another 50 m pass the "The Boathouse" (6 m on your right). W:theboathousesb.com.au After another 25 m pass the toilet (9 m on your right).
	Veer left. After another 9 m pass the picnic table (10 m on your left). After another 6 m pass the water tap (10 m on your right).
	After another 15 m turn left. After another 30 m pass the BBQ (9 m on your right). After another 35 m head up the steps (about 25 m long)
	Turn left. After another 170 m come to the viewpoint (8 m on your left). After another 35 m come to the viewpoint (6 m on your left). After another 120 m come to the viewpoint.
	Turn left.
	After another 15 m continue straight, to head along Bower Street. After another 35 m come to the viewpoint (15 m on your left). After another 55 m come to the viewpoint (15 m on your left).
	At the intersection of Blue Fish Track & Bower Street continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track (a walking track). After another 95 m pass a seat (on your left). After another 40 m come to the viewpoint (20 m on your left). After another 50 m come to the viewpoint (20 m on your left).
	After another 25 m continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track. After another 50 m pass a seat (on your right). After another 40 m head through/around the gate.
	At the intersection of Blue Fish Track & old boundary wall turn right, to head along Blue Fish Track.
	After another 2 m continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track. Then come to the viewpoint (30 m on your left).
	After another 470 m continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track.
	After another 30 m continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track.
	After another 55 m (at the intersection of Blue Fish Track & Bluefish Drive) continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track (a footpath). After another 10 m pass the sign (on your right).
	Continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track. After another 210 m pass the car park (40 m on your left).
	After another 135 m continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track.
	After another 8 m continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track.
	After another 80 m continue straight.
	After another 65 m turn left. After another 30 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left). This toilet is wheelchair accessible. After another 15 m pass the "Visitor's Centre" (20 m on your left).
	Continue straight.
	After another 20 m veer right.
	After another 125 m turn left.
	After another 70 m turn right. After another 45 m head through the bollard.
	After another 35 m veer left. After another 40 m continue straight.
	After another 120 m turn right, to head along Avenue of Honour.
	After another 35 m veer left.
	Continue straight, to head along Avenue of Honour. After another 320 m continue straight, to head along Avenue of Honour. After another 55 m continue straight, to head along Avenue of Honour.
	After another 25 m continue straight, to head along Avenue of Honour.
	After another 130 m (at the intersection of Avenue of Honour & North Fort Road) veer left, to head along Avenue of Honour. After another 20 m pass a seat (on your left).
	Continue straight. After another 50 m pass a seat (on your left).
	After another 60 m turn right, to head along Memorial Walk.
	After another 90 m continue straight, to head along Memorial Walk. After another 65 m pass a seat (on your right). Then come to the viewpoint (on your left). After another 95 m pass the cave (30 m on your right).
	After another 15 m (at the intersection of North Fort Road & Memorial Walk) turn left, to head along North Fort Road (a vehicle track). After another 25 m pass the car park (6 m on your right). Continue straight, to head along North Fort Road. After another 9 m pass the toilet (10 m on your left). This toilet is male and female. After another 15 m pass the "North Head Sanctuary Visitor Centre" (about 7 m ahead). Then pass the "North Fort Tours" (about 8 m ahead). Then pass the water tap (25 m on your left). Then pass the "Bella Vista" (about 45 m ahead).
	Turn right. After another 25 m pass the water tap (5 m on your left).
	After another 3 m turn left.
	After another 35 m continue straight. After another 95 m pass a seat (8 m on your left). Then pass a seat (on your right). Then pass the "Third Quarantine Cemetery" (20 m on your left). Mo-Su 08:30-17:00 After another 20 m pass the "Third Quarantine Station Cemetery" (10 m on your left).
	Turn right. After another 10 m head up the metal steps (about 120 m long) Then come to the viewpoint (8 m on your left).
	Continue straight. After another 110 m come to the "Northern Lookout" (15 m on your left).
	After another 65 m turn left. Then head up the metal steps (about 65 m long)
	After another 200 m turn left. After another 65 m continue straight. After another 85 m pass the car park (35 m on your right).
	After another 145 m turn left, to head along North Fort Road.
	After another 7 m continue straight, to head along North Fort Road. After another 40 m pass the artwork (5 m on your right). Continue straight, to head along North Fort Road.
	After another 60 m (at the intersection of North Fort Road & St Barbaras Avenue) continue straight, to head along North Fort Road. After another 115 m continue straight, to head along North Fort Road.
	After another 105 m (at the intersection of North Head Scenic Drive & North Fort Road) veer right, to head along North Head Scenic Drive (a highway\|tertiary).
	After another 280 m (at the intersection of Collins Beach Road & North Head Scenic Drive) turn left, to head along Collins Beach Road (a service road). After another 135 m continue straight, to head along Collins Beach Road.
	After another 630 m (at the intersection of Collins Beach Track & Collins Beach Road) continue straight, to head along Collins Beach Track (a walking track). After another 70 m head down the 2 steps (about 3 m long) After another 6 m head down the steps Then cross the bridge (about 5 m long) After another 7 m cross the bridge (about 4 m long) Then head up the 6 steps (about 3 m long) After another 30 m head down the 41 steps (about 4 m long) After another 105 m head up the 22 steps (about 5 m long) Then head up the 18 steps (about 10 m long) After another 10 m head up the 4 concrete steps (about 3 m long)
	After another 110 m continue straight, to head along Collins Beach Path. Then come to the viewpoint (4 m on your left).
	After another 55 m continue straight. Then head up the 5 steps (about 10 m long)
	After another 50 m (at the intersection of Stuart Street & Collins Beach Path) continue straight. After another 80 m pass the sign (30 m on your right).
	Veer left.
	After another 50 m continue straight.
	After another 30 m continue straight. After another 35 m pass the BBQ (6 m on your left). After another 55 m veer right. After another 65 m pass the BBQ (20 m on your left). After another 45 m continue straight. After another 50 m pass the playground (20 m on your right). After another 85 m pass the car park (about 6 m ahead).
	Turn left. After another 90 m head up the steps (about 20 m long) After another 70 m pass the "Little Manly Beach Kiosk" (on your right). Then pass the toilet (9 m on your right).
	Continue straight. After another 6 m pass the water tap (10 m on your left). After another 20 m pass the playground (10 m on your left).
	Veer right. Then pass the water tap (on your left).
	After another 15 m turn left. After another 135 m pass the car park (8 m on your left). Then pass the pay phone (on your left).
	After another 5 m continue straight. After another 135 m continue straight. After another 115 m pass a seat (on your left).
	After another 2 m turn right, to head along Cove Avenue. After another 30 m pass the pay phone (8 m on your left).
	After another 2 m (at the intersection of East Esplanade & Stuart Street) continue straight, to head along East Esplanade. After another 35 m continue straight, to head along East Esplanade.
	After another 75 m turn left. Then head up the steps (about 40 m long)
	Turn right. Then head up the steps (about 30 m long)
	Continue straight. Then head down the steps (about 15 m long)
	Veer right. After another 90 m pass the toilet (20 m on your right). After another 9 m pass the water tap (on your right). This water tap is wheelchair accessible.
	After another 3 m continue straight.
	After another 155 m continue straight.
	After another 65 m veer right. After another 20 m pass the "Garfish" (40 m on your right). After another 105 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left).
	Continue straight. Then pass the pay phone (15 m on your right). After another 5 m pass the "Tourist Information Office" (10 m on your right). After another 5 m pass the "Manly Visitor Information Centre" (10 m on your left). After another 6 m pass the water tap (60 m on your right). About 70 m past the end is "Miss Chu Tuckshop". W:www.misschu.com.au T:+61 2 9976 3682 11:00-22:00 About 60 m past the end is "Crinitis". About 55 m past the end is "Hugos". This restaurant is wheelchair accessible. About 50 m past the end is a shelter. About 50 m past the end is "West Esplanade Park". About 50 m past the end is "Chat Thai". This restaurant is wheelchair accessible. W:www.chatthai.com.au About 20 m past the end is a artwork. About 75 m past the end is a cafe.
	The starting point of an alternate access track. Alternate access from Manly Wharf. Details below. The end.

Alternate access from Manly Wharf.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Hugos (about 55 m back from the start). This restaurant is wheelchair accessible. Chat Thai (about 50 m back from the start). This restaurant is wheelchair accessible. W:www.chatthai.com.au Find the West Esplanade Park at the start. Find the toilet at the start. Find the Manly Visitor Information Centre at the start. Find the shelter at the start. Find the artwork at the start. Find the Tourist Information Office at the start. Then pass the pay phone (20 m on your right).
	After another 6 m (at the intersection of The Corso & East Esplanade) continue straight, to head along The Corso (a highway\|pedestrian). After another 7 m pass the "Crinitis" (40 m on your left). After another 7 m pass the "Miss Chu Tuckshop" (40 m on your left). W:www.misschu.com.au T:+61 2 9976 3682 11:00-22:00 After another 15 m pass the cafe (45 m on your left). After another 20 m to find the water tap. After another 50 m pass the "Gilbert Park" (75 m on your left). After another 30 m pass the park (15 m on your left). Then pass the "Chica Bonita Manly" (35 m on your left).
	Turn right, to head along The Corso.
	After another 90 m (at the intersection of The Corso & Darley Road) continue straight, to head along The Corso (a highway\|pedestrian). Then pass the toilet (75 m on your left). After another 10 m pass the "Council Parking" (60 m on your left). After another 20 m pass the pay phone (75 m on your right). After another 15 m pass the water tap (5 m on your right). After another 55 m pass the playground (on your left). Then pass the "Market Lane Cafe" (50 m on your left). After another 5 m pass the pay phone (4 m on your right). After another 15 m pass the "Bare Naked Bowls" (50 m on your left). After another 50 m pass the pay phone (on your left). After another 35 m pass the "Manly Beach" (10 m on your right).
	Continue straight, to head along The Corso. After another 55 m pass the toilet (80 m on your right). After another 10 m pass the water tap (on your right). After another 100 m pass the artwork (on your left).
	Continue straight, to head along The Corso. After another 45 m pass the "Manly Greenhouse" (35 m on your right). After another 5 m pass the water tap (on your right). Then pass the "Starbucks" (15 m on your right). After another 8 m pass the "Little Belgrave Cartel" (50 m on your left).
	At the intersection of The Corso & South Steyne continue straight. After another 20 m pass the pay phone (40 m on your left).
	Continue straight. After another 9 m pass the "Change Facilities" (60 m on your left). Then pass the "The Pantry Manly" (50 m on your left). W: Then pass the toilet (35 m on your left).
	After another 4 m turn right. After another 100 m pass the "Whitewater" (45 m on your right). After another 40 m pass the "Manly Grill" (40 m on your right). Then pass the "Bluewater" (40 m on your right). After another 6 m pass the water tap (8 m on your right). After another 75 m pass the shelter (9 m on your right). After another 90 m pass the "Havana Beach" (35 m on your right). W:havanabeach.com.au After another 25 m pass the "Ouzeria" (40 m on your right). After another 25 m pass the "Manly Wine" (40 m on your right). Then pass the pay phone (15 m on your right). After another 20 m pass the water tap (15 m on your right). After another 8 m pass a seat (on your right)., has no backrest.
	After another 2 m continue straight. After another 8 m pass the toilet (15 m on your right). Then pass the cafe (6 m on your right). After another 30 m pass a seat (on your right).
	After another 8 m come to the end.

	Class 2/6 Easy track
Length	8.6 km
Time	2 h 30 min to 4 h

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (2/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	-47 m	[toilet]
Seat	10 m	[seat]
Seat	200 m	[seat]
Seat	470 m	[seat]
Seat	770 m	[seat]
Seat	790 m	[seat]
Toilet	870 m	[toilet]
Seat	1.5 km	[seat]
Seat	1.6 km	[seat]
Toilet	2.7 km	[toilet]
Seat	3.8 km	[seat]
Seat	3.8 km	[seat]
Seat	4 km	[seat]
Toilet	4.2 km	[toilet]
Seat	4.3 km	[seat]
Seat	4.3 km	[seat]
Toilet	7.6 km	[toilet]
Seat	7.9 km	[seat]
Toilet	8.2 km	[toilet]
Toilet	8.5 km	[toilet]
Toilet	8.6 km + 205 m	[toilet]
Toilet	8.6 km + 370 m	[toilet]
Toilet	8.6 km + 460 m	Change Facilities
Toilet	8.6 km + 460 m	[toilet]
Shelter	8.6 km + 630 m	[shelter]
Seat	8.6 km + 790 m	[seat]
Seat	8.6 km + 830 m	[seat]
Shelter	8.6 km	[shelter]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Bondi Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon
  
  Monday 28 April
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers along the coastal fringe, slight chance elsewhere. Winds southerly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the evening.
  
  Tuesday 29 April
  
  18°C → 23°C
  Showers developing.
  80% chance of rain
  1 → 15mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of fog in the outer west in the early morning. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light winds becoming southerly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:40am to 1:50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 4 [Moderate]
  
  Wednesday 30 April
  
  17°C → 20°C
  Showers. Windy.
  95% chance of rain
  7 → 35mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely from the late morning. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds south to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Thursday 1 May
  
  16°C → 19°C
  Showers. Windy.
  95% chance of rain
  8 → 40mm
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h turning southerly 25 to 35 km/h during the morning.
  
  Friday 2 May
  
  15°C → 20°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  1 → 10mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light during the evening.
  
  Saturday 3 May
  
  17°C → 22°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 7mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning southeasterly during the day.
  
  Sunday 4 May
  
  17°C → 22°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Monday 5 May
  
  17°C → 23°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Sydney Harbour National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Manly Scenic Walkway partial closure
  The Castle Rock Track section of Manly Scenic Walkway is closed from Monday 28 April until further notice due to maintenance works by Northern Beaches Council.
  Detours will be in place:
  
  Walkers heading west should exit Grotto Point track, head north along Barrabooka track, onto Barrabooka Street and turn left onto Ogilvy Road. Then walk down Ogilvy Road to re-enter Castle Rock track and continue west along Clontarf track.
  
  Walkers heading east along Clontarf track should turn left at the intersection with Castle Rock track, head east along Ogilvy Road, turn right at Barrabooka Street and continue onto Barrabooka track. Then head east on Grotto Point track.
  
  For more information, please contact Northern Beaches Council.
  
  Other planned events: 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
  
  Closed areas: 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.
  
  Closed areas: Collins Beach Road drainage improvement works
  Major drainage improvement works are planned for Collins Beach Road during the week commencing 10 March 2025. Collins Beach Road will be closed for the duration of the works and signs will be displayed advising of the closure. Visitors wishing to access Collins Beach are advised to use the Stuart St Manly access track.
  Works are expected to be completed in the week commencing 31 March - weather permitting.
  
  Closed areas: Fort Denison closed
  Service upgrades and extensive conservation works on the fort are ongoing through to mid-2025.
  Fort Denison – Muddawahnyuh remains closed to visitors during this time.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  Standard work hours during the construction phase will be between:
  
  7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
  
  8am to 1pm on Saturday
  
  For more information, visit the project webpage or email us. Visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
  
  Other planned events: 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).
  
  Closed areas: North Head partial closure
  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.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

Start	(-33.7995755,151.2907127)
Mode	Bus Car Ferry
Directions	From Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation, Manly Vale. Turn on to then drive for 10 m Turn slight right onto Condamine Street and drive for another 680 m Turn left onto Sydney Road and drive for another 2 km Turn right onto Whistler Street and drive for another 520 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Darley Road and drive for another 250 m Turn left onto Cliff Street and drive for another 260 m Turn left onto Reddall Street and drive for another 85 m
Finish	(-33.7994806,151.2843298)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Bus Car Ferry

Weather Forecast

Alerts