Walking North Head Sanctuary – Essential Public Transport Guide

walking north head sanctuary

Now that we have finished up the coastal walks on the southern side of Sydney (although the locals would call it the Eastern Suburbs) we set our sights North. As we have mentioned before, the Northern beaches, Manly to Narrabeen, offer an ideal day trip from Sydney. The glistening beaches, calm rock pools, and family friendly environment all contribute for an unforgettable beach day. However, the Northern beaches provide more than just sun and sand. North Head Sanctuary features a large portion of Sydney Harbour National Park with several short family walks, historical sights, and breath-taking lookouts.qstation_2

Walking North Head – Know Before You Go

As compared to South Head and Watson’s Bay, North Head is noticeably less popular. I attribute the lower crowds to several factors:

1. Travel to North Head requires more than just a ferry trip from the city – you must also catch a bus to the sanctuary. Once in the sanctuary, you can then walk to lookouts and short paths. While in Watson’s Bay, awesome ocean views greet you almost immediately after disembarking the ferry. Well, technically you don’t need a bus, but experience has taught us that a bus ride to the trailheads makes for an infinitely more pleasant day, especially in the summer heat.

2. North Head offers a few epic view points, while everywhere you look in South Head is an awesome view: the city skyline, the harbour, the Pacific ocean, sandstone cliffs, I could go on..

3. The trails at North Head are spread out and much longer than the short jaunts around South Head. Once in North Head, you have the option to walk down to the water via Q Station, or remain high on the cliffs at North Head Sanctuary.

With all of this in mind, I still recommend North Head, but it is more of a local’s spot than somewhere I would suggest to a tourist with only 5 days in Sydney. I love North Head for the relative quiet, intriguing history, and the diverse flora.

Walking North Head Sanctuary – Getting There by Public Transport

walking north head sanctuary

Our first and most important tip is to either drive or catch the bus to North Head. The 3km walk to North Head doesn’t sound or appear terrible on the map. However, the entire walk is a steady incline along a fairly busy road. It is not extreme or interesting enough to feel like an accomplishment, but also hard enough to drain enthusiasm and patience once we finally arrive at North Head. I wouldn’t even suggest biking the route (without electric assist) as the “bike route” will leave you gasping for air in the humidity up the winding Darley St, continually passed by impatience motorists.

However, there is a catch: the 135 bus to North Head runs infrequently, especially on the weekends. Currently, the first service runs from Manly wharf to North Head at 11:35am, which puts you trekking through North Head in the heat of the day. Take our word for it – skipping the grueling and uninspiring hike up to North Head sanctuary will more than compensate for the blazing sun during the rest of the day.

Alternately, for a longer, circuitous, and scenic route, follow the coastline and beaches to Collins Beach Rd. You will have to navigate through the neighborhood a bit, but you will eventually be able to walk to Little Manly Point along Collins Flat Track. Once you exit Collins Beach Rd turn right onto North Head Scenic Dr. This route is more pleasant but also much longer, it generally requires about an hour of walking. Not to mention, we have managed to become lost in the neighborhood more than once.

Walking North Head Sanctuary – The Trails

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Once you arrive in North Head, the Sanctuary loop guides you past all of the areas of interest in the sanctuary. We recommend the Fairfax lookouts for an opposing view of Watson’s Bay and rarely seen vantage point of the Harbour. Boats seem to sail in slow motion leaving a bright white trail behind them in the harbour. If you visit during whale season, you will surely see some splashes and blowholes to your left near The Gap. We also enjoyed the detour through Hanging swamp over the wooden boardwalk.

Bracketing Photography Tutorial - Walking Edits

The Australia Memorial walk includes informational placards and photos documenting North Fort’s role in Australia military history, particularly in WWII. If you are interested, you can book ahead for one of the tunnel tours to walk within the preserved tunnels. JZ eagerly awaits his next visit and an opportunity to gain more insight in the fort structures.

Walking Q Station

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About 15 minutes walk from North Head Sanctuary lays the beautifully restored Quarantine (Q) station. From the 1830s to 1984, Q Station served as a hospital and isolation area for immigrants suspected of carrying Influenza, smallpox, and other contagious diseases as they arrived in Sydney. Now the area offfers a wide variety of walks, tours, accommodations, and resturants. Visitors are encouraged to walk through the property and explore the historical placards, admire Harbour views, and even peek inside some of the resored buildings.

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Q Station does not offer the nature reserves and coastal walks of North Head Sanctuary, but it is still worth exploring while you visit the area. We enjoyed climbing the steps and steep hills of the property, while peeking into the restored buildings. CZ looked longing at the lovely beach beside Quarantine Station Wharf, and JZ and I perused the menu at the upscale Boilerhouse restaurant.

A complimentary shuttle runs from the entrance on North Head Scenic Drive to the base of the hill near the visitor’s center. Additionally, the 135 bus runs to Q station from Manly wharf much more frequently than North Head, beginning around 9am on Saturdays.

Boiler room where immigrants belongings would be sanitized

Boiler room where immigrants belongings would be sanitized

Walking North Head Sanctuary and Quarantine Station is an excellent way to explore Manly and surrounds beyond the beach. Watch wildlife within the sanctuary, admire the Harbour from a different perspective, and peer back into history all within North Head!

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1 Response

  1. February 1, 2017

    […] Manly ferry across the Harbour and watch (or join) the surfers on Manly beach, or hike up to North Head in Sydney Harbour National Park. If you have the time, take the longer trek (3-4 hours) from Manly to Spit Bridge, or better yet […]

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