South Head Heritage Trail

Downloads GPX PDF

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	At the intersection of Victoria Street & Cliff Street (-33.8394299,151.2800165)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Cahill Expressway, M1, Sydney. Turn on to William Street Exit then drive for 195 m Continue onto Palmer Street and drive for another 215 m Turn left onto William Street and drive for another 6.5 km Turn right onto Towns Road and drive for another 570 m Turn left onto Old South Head Road and drive for another 1 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Old South Head Road and drive for another 1.7 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Robertson Place and drive for another 130 m Turn slight left onto Military Road and drive for another 500 m At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Short Street and drive for another 280 m Turn right onto Victoria Street and drive for another 60 m Turn left and drive for another 6 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the signposted 'Camp Cove Car Park, this walk follows the 'No Through Road' sign to the end of 'Cliff St'. The footpath leads past a 'Camp Cove timeline' information sign then, at the end of the road, turns left, coming to the front of the kiosk at the northern end of Camp Cove Beach.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Victoria Street & Cliff Street Start (a service road). Camp Cove Car Park (about 8 m back from the start).
	After another 15 m continue straight. After another 35 m head up the steps (about 5 m long) After another 25 m find the "Camp Cove" (25 m on your left). Camp Cove Camp Cove is home to a lovely, yellow sand, north-east facing beach. The cove is on the protected side of South Head and is a popular spot for swimming and relaxing on the beach. At the northern end of the beach is a kiosk, toilet block and an entrance to Sydney Harbour National Park. The cove was an important location to the Cadigal (Gadigal) people who gathered fresh water, shellfish, launched their canoes and buried some of their people nearby. This cove is also believed to be the first landing place for Europeans in 1788. The name Camp Cove was given during that landing and appears on the earliest maps of Sydney Harbour.
	At the intersection of South Head Lighthouse Walk & South Head Heritage Trail continue straight, to head along South Head Heritage Trail (a footpath). After another 6 m pass the toilet (5 m on your right). After another 35 m pass the shelter (45 m on your left). After another 10 m continue straight, to head along South Head Heritage Trail. After another 115 m find the "Cannon" (8 m on your left). Cannon This cannon was placed here prior to 1890, along with the rest of this gun emplacement and rifle walls. The emplacement was designed to protect a military jetty and boat shed from the threat of an invasion. The 'Cobblestone Road' beside the cannon was built during the late 1870s or early 1880s and extends from the jetty in Camp Cove up to Hornby Road above. The road was build to carry supplies and ordnance from Camp Cove to the various military installations on south head. Then come to the "Camp Cove Beach Lookout" (20 m on your left). After another 6 m (at the intersection of Lady Bay Road & South Head Heritage Trail) continue straight, to head along South Head Lighthouse Walk (a service road). After another 40 m pass a seat (10 m on your left). After another 35 m pass a seat (6 m on your left). After another 125 m pass the toilet (on your right).
	After another 45 m continue straight, to head along South Head Lighthouse Walk. After another 35 m find the "Lady Bay Beach" (20 m on your left). Lady Bay Beach Lady Bay Beach is an official nudist beach found on the inside of South Head. Facing west, this beach is surrounded by a long cliff and a rocky shoreline. There are great views across the water to Middle Head. Officially declared a nude bathing beach by Neville Wran in 1976, nudity is only permitted on the beach and water. The beach is also known as 'Lady Jane Beach'. You are welcome to use the beach clothed or unclad. After another 100 m find the "Lady Bay Lookout" (8 m on your left). Lady Bay Lookout Some may find it strange having a lookout platform overlooking a nudist beach, but the harbour and city views are great. This fenced and timber-decked lookout platform is found on the main walking track at the northern end of the bay. The lookout's main view is south-west along the beach and harbour towards North Sydney. There are a few trees growing up over the view, which adds further interest to the outlook.
	After another 15 m turn left, to head along South Head Lighthouse Walk. After another 180 m find the "Lightkeepers Cottage" (15 m on your right). Lightkeepers Cottage Two homes were built on South Head for the Hornby lighthouse keepers. The first cottage is the Head Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage in the clearing, with the assistant's house being closer to the lighthouse. This arrangement is unusual - normally, the head keeper's house would be closer. The head lightkeeper's house was completed about three years after the other house, around 1860. The first head lighthouse keeper was the well-motivated James Johnston, who was aboard the Dubar (a sailing ship on route from England) that smashed against the rocks near The Gap in 1857. 121 souls were lost that evening and James Johnston was the only survivor. After another 25 m come to the viewpoint. After another 90 m find the "Hornby Lighthouse" (6 m on your left). Hornby Lighthouse Opened by Sir William Denison (then Governor of New South Wales) in 1858, this distinct red and white vertical striped lighthouse was originally powered by a high-tech kerosene lantern. The lighthouse was built in response to two significant losses of life near South Head - firstly in 1857, the 'Dubar' (on it last leg from England), when 121 of the 122 people on board lost their lives, and soon after, the 'Catherine Adamson' when 21 lives were lost near North Head just two months later. Since 1933, this lighthouse has been automated and is now powered with a 12 volt, 55 watt Quartz Halogen Lamp (similar to a down light in a kitchen). After another 55 m find the "Gun Emplacements" (10 m on your left). Gun Emplacements Gun emplacements like these have been built up and down the coast, and around the shores of Sydney Harbour. The first emplacement, built in 1788, was designed as a signalling station to notify the arrival of a ship. Then in 1839, the undetected arrival of ships, from the fast developing USA, caused a great concern. This triggered the building of the well-known fortifications at Bradleys Head and Fort Denison, as well as these ones at South Head. Another enemy at the time, France, then joined a campaign against a newer enemy - the Russians - in 1853, which prompted the completion of these gun emplacements. Guns were installed in 1872. In WWII, it was a Japanese enemy who these guns were trying to keep out, then in 1944, when the threat of invasion was less of a concern, the emplacements where disarmed.
	After another 45 m (at the intersection of Hornby Light Road & South Head Lighthouse Walk) continue straight, to head along South Head Lighthouse Walk.
	After another 65 m continue straight, to head along South Head Lighthouse Walk. After another 155 m continue straight, to head along South Head Lighthouse Walk.
	After another 250 m (at the intersection of South Head Heritage Trail & South Head Lighthouse Walk) continue straight, to head along South Head Heritage Trail (a footpath).
	After another 85 m continue straight, to head along South Head Heritage Trail. After another 55 m (at the intersection of South Head Lighthouse Walk & South Head Heritage Trail) continue straight, to head along South Head Lighthouse Walk (a steps).
	After another 40 m continue straight. After another 50 m come to the end.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the Lady Bay Beach at the start. Lady Bay Beach Lady Bay Beach is an official nudist beach found on the inside of South Head. Facing west, this beach is surrounded by a long cliff and a rocky shoreline. There are great views across the water to Middle Head. Officially declared a nude bathing beach by Neville Wran in 1976, nudity is only permitted on the beach and water. The beach is also known as 'Lady Jane Beach'. You are welcome to use the beach clothed or unclad. Find the Lady Bay Lookout at the start. Lady Bay Lookout Some may find it strange having a lookout platform overlooking a nudist beach, but the harbour and city views are great. This fenced and timber-decked lookout platform is found on the main walking track at the northern end of the bay. The lookout's main view is south-west along the beach and harbour towards North Sydney. There are a few trees growing up over the view, which adds further interest to the outlook. Then head down the steps (about 15 m long) About 75 m past the end is a toilet.
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 20 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

Find the Lady Bay Beach at the start.

Lady Bay Beach

Lady Bay Beach is an official nudist beach found on the inside of South Head. Facing west, this beach is surrounded by a long cliff and a rocky shoreline. There are great views across the water to Middle Head. Officially declared a nude bathing beach by Neville Wran in 1976, nudity is only permitted on the beach and water. The beach is also known as 'Lady Jane Beach'. You are welcome to use the beach clothed or unclad.

Find the Lady Bay Lookout at the start.

Lady Bay Lookout

Some may find it strange having a lookout platform overlooking a nudist beach, but the harbour and city views are great. This fenced and timber-decked lookout platform is found on the main walking track at the northern end of the bay. The lookout's main view is south-west along the beach and harbour towards North Sydney. There are a few trees growing up over the view, which adds further interest to the outlook.

Then head down the steps (about 15 m long)

About 75 m past the end is a toilet.

The end.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 20 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

South Head Heritage Trail

Grading

	Class 2/6 Easy track
Length	1.7 km
Time	40 min to 45 min

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
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)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There is one 130 m from the start.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 580 m apart with the largest gap of 1.3 km.

Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 580 m apart with the largest gap of 1.4 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	95 m	[toilet]
Shelter	130 m	[shelter]
Seat	270 m	[seat]
Seat	305 m	[seat]
Toilet	430 m	[toilet]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Camp Cove
Camp Cove is home to a lovely, yellow sand, north-east facing beach. The cove is on the protected side of South Head and is a popular spot for swimming and relaxing on the beach. At the northern end of the beach is a kiosk, toilet block and an entrance to Sydney Harbour National Park. The cove was an important location to the Cadigal (Gadigal) people who gathered fresh water, shellfish, launched their canoes and buried some of their people nearby. This cove is also believed to be the first landing place for Europeans in 1788. The name Camp Cove was given during that landing and appears on the earliest maps of Sydney Harbour.

Cannon
This cannon was placed here prior to 1890, along with the rest of this gun emplacement and rifle walls. The emplacement was designed to protect a military jetty and boat shed from the threat of an invasion. The 'Cobblestone Road' beside the cannon was built during the late 1870s or early 1880s and extends from the jetty in Camp Cove up to Hornby Road above. The road was build to carry supplies and ordnance from Camp Cove to the various military installations on south head.

Lady Bay Beach
Lady Bay Beach is an official nudist beach found on the inside of South Head. Facing west, this beach is surrounded by a long cliff and a rocky shoreline. There are great views across the water to Middle Head. Officially declared a nude bathing beach by Neville Wran in 1976, nudity is only permitted on the beach and water. The beach is also known as 'Lady Jane Beach'. You are welcome to use the beach clothed or unclad.

Lady Bay Lookout
Some may find it strange having a lookout platform overlooking a nudist beach, but the harbour and city views are great. This fenced and timber-decked lookout platform is found on the main walking track at the northern end of the bay. The lookout's main view is south-west along the beach and harbour towards North Sydney. There are a few trees growing up over the view, which adds further interest to the outlook.

Lightkeepers Cottage
Two homes were built on South Head for the Hornby lighthouse keepers. The first cottage is the Head Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage in the clearing, with the assistant's house being closer to the lighthouse. This arrangement is unusual - normally, the head keeper's house would be closer. The head lightkeeper's house was completed about three years after the other house, around 1860. The first head lighthouse keeper was the well-motivated James Johnston, who was aboard the Dubar (a sailing ship on route from England) that smashed against the rocks near The Gap in 1857. 121 souls were lost that evening and James Johnston was the only survivor.

Hornby Lighthouse
Opened by Sir William Denison (then Governor of New South Wales) in 1858, this distinct red and white vertical striped lighthouse was originally powered by a high-tech kerosene lantern. The lighthouse was built in response to two significant losses of life near South Head - firstly in 1857, the 'Dubar' (on it last leg from England), when 121 of the 122 people on board lost their lives, and soon after, the 'Catherine Adamson' when 21 lives were lost near North Head just two months later. Since 1933, this lighthouse has been automated and is now powered with a 12 volt, 55 watt Quartz Halogen Lamp (similar to a down light in a kitchen).

Gun Emplacements
Gun emplacements like these have been built up and down the coast, and around the shores of Sydney Harbour. The first emplacement, built in 1788, was designed as a signalling station to notify the arrival of a ship. Then in 1839, the undetected arrival of ships, from the fast developing USA, caused a great concern. This triggered the building of the well-known fortifications at Bradleys Head and Fort Denison, as well as these ones at South Head. Another enemy at the time, France, then joined a campaign against a newer enemy - the Russians - in 1853, which prompted the completion of these gun emplacements. Guns were installed in 1872. In WWII, it was a Japanese enemy who these guns were trying to keep out, then in 1944, when the threat of invasion was less of a concern, the emplacements where disarmed.

Get more information
Wildwalks

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

Other Journeys Discover nearby and similar journeys
Similar Walks
Walks that share atleast part of this track.

Nearby Walks
Other walks that start near this one.

Some of the information and maps on this page was generated using data from the awesome © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Please see how you can embed some widgets, access data and other stuff to that might be helpful.

Weather Forecast

Alerts