Sydney Harbour National Park

Stayed at Q Station. Amazing. Great views, history of our Country regarding Spanish Flu etc. Great accommodation, restaurants in the best location overlooking Sydney Hatbour. A must do!!

The Sydney Harbour National Park on Sydney’s North Harbour is absolutely stunning! The cove boasts crystal-clear waters and golden sandy beaches, all nestled within the lush green canopy of the National Park. It’s a slice of paradise that feels a world away from the city. You can explore this magical area by kayak, SUP, or boat with Manly Kayak Centre. They even offer guided kayak tours if you want to learn more about the history and hidden gems of the cove. There’s a stack of fun things to do; everything from SUPBALL, their unique and epic SUP board game (seriously, if you haven’t tried it, you must), to SUP lessons, kayak fitness sessions, SUP yoga, and more. They even do picnics in paradise - need I say more? There’s a secluded beach you can only access by water, a small but sweet waterfall, and the historic Quarantine Station, which is well worth a visit. They run fascinating history tours, and the site includes a bar, cafe, and restaurant. Keep an eye out for events like Sunset Sessions, where you can enjoy drinks and live music while watching the sun go down over Sydney - it's truly a 'wow' moment. And of course, Manly’s famous “office area” on East Esplanade is one of the best spots in Sydney to catch the sunset.

If you’re visiting Manly, you definitely don’t want to miss Sydney Harbour National Park — especially the North Head area. We were travelling without a car and found it super easy and budget-friendly to get there. Getting There Without a Car From the City to Manly: Catch a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Wharf. It's a scenic ride that offers great views of the harbour. From Manly Wharf to North Head: Once at Manly, take the 161 bus operated by Keolis Downer Northern Beaches. This loop service departs from Manly Wharf, East Esplanade, Stand C and heads towards North Head. The journey takes approximately 4 minutes and costs between $1 to $4. Buses run every 30 minutes daily from around 6:42 AM to 7:42 PM. 🚶‍♀️ Exploring North Head North Head offers stunning clifftop views, walking tracks, and historical sites. The Fairfax Walk is a popular short trail leading to several lookouts with panoramic views of the ocean and Sydney skyline. It's a must-visit spot for nature lovers and photographers. 🚗 Parking Information (For Reference) If you're considering visiting other parts of Sydney Harbour National Park in the future, here are some parking details: Bradleys Head: $8 per vehicle per day. North Head: $5 per vehicle per day. Chowder Bay: Monday–Friday: $3 per hour, up to $16/day. Weekends & Public Holidays: $4 per hour, up to $20/day. Payment can be made via card or phone at pay machines. Coin payments are available at Fairfax carpark machines only. Holders of an NPWS All Parks or Multi Parks Pass can park free for up to four hours per day; additional time can be purchased. Honestly, this is one of those places where nature just speaks for itself. Peaceful, scenic, and full of history. We didn’t expect to love it this much, but it ended up being one of the highlights of our Sydney trip.

One of the most incredible national parks you can visit. On the edge of the ocean sits two sections of this park. One located near manly while the other one is south in Watson's bay. Both offer breathtaking views of the ocean and the Australian coast. Hiking opportunities are abundant with a variety of flora and fauna. There are also a significant amount of well established lookout points towards the sea, coast, and even the city. This is a must visit if you haven't been.

I walked from Manly city to the north shore of the Sydney Harbour Nationalpark and had such a wonderful time! The walk is truly beautiful. Stunning nature, great lookouts and what a beautiful view over the ocean. You can even see the skyline of Sydney if you walk to the city lookout. I also walked the fairfax loop which I would definitely recommend doing! There is so much to enjoy: nature, cliffs, the skyline of Sydney and birds. The return walk to manly took me a little more than two hours. If you stop more often and walk a slower pace it‘s probably around 2,5 to 3 hours. There also is a cafe on the north shore which looked really nice!

Great place, we saw Wales from the viewpoints.

Amazing history and old buildings. I saw echidna here also. Well worth a visit or a stay.

Stunning views over Sydney Harbour from North Head in Manly. What a surprise this place turned out to be! A magical and beautiful place right on the Harbour's edge. Peaceful, adventurous and beautiful place with absolutely breathtaking views of the sea. The Hornby lighthouse stand in the middle of the walking loop where you can take stunning photos of the cliff, ocean and the sky altogether.