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Sydney Harbour National Park

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Overview

Sydney Harbour National Park protects islands and foreshore around Sydney Harbour. Explore Sydney's history on a school excursion or guided tour to enjoy coastal walks, picnics and swimming.

Read more about Sydney Harbour National Park

Sydney Harbour National Park protects a number of islands and foreshore areas around one of the world's most famous harbours.  The park is home to superb swimming spots, bushwalking tracks and picnic areas, which offer a huge range of activities that will have you coming back again and again.

See native wildlife living in rare pockets of bushland once common around Sydney, or take a fascinating walk to explore the park's cultural history. You'll see everything from convict-built buildings and military fortifications to Aboriginal sites and a heritage lighthouse. And with the harbour's staggering coastline creating an endless natural lookout, the park's jaw-dropping views simply have to be seen to be believed. If you're at one of the park's lookouts during winter, be sure to keep a lookout for whales on their annual migration north.

Highlights in this park

Goat Island, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

Learn

Goat Island

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Aerial view of the NYE firework display over Clark Island, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: Rob Mulally © DPE

Experience

NYE Clark Island

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The view of the NYE fireworks from Shark Island, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: John Spencer © DPE

Experience

NYE Shark Island

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View of the fireworks display at its height, Goat Island, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: Jennifer Mitchell © DPE

Experience

NYE Goat Island

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View of the NYE fireworks from Strickland Estate in Vaucluse, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: Jenny Huang © the photographer

Experience

NYE Strickland Estate

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Harbour view from North Head on a sunny day, looking over the South Head and the city in the distance, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: David Finnegan/DPIE

Experience

NYE North Head

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View across the harbour from Clark Island. Photo: Kevin McGrath © DPIE

Picnic

Clark Island

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Family walking beneath huge trees in the picnic area with tranquil harbour views in the background at Nielsen Park in Vaucluse. Credit: John Spencer © DCCEEW

Picnic

Nielsen Park

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Aerial view of South Head, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: David Finnegan/DPIE

View

South Head

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Yiningma lookout, aerial view of Bluefish Point from North Head. Photo: John Spencer © DCCEEW

View

North Head

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2 visitors following Fairfax walk along the coast, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: John Spencer © DPE

Walk

Fairfax walk

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A Fit City Tours group walking along the shoreline during the Manly hiking tour. Photo © Fit City Tours

Explore

Manly hiking tour

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Aerial view of Q Station in Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: Q Station

Stay

Q Station

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Rodd Island, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: Kevin McGrath/NSW Government

Picnic

Rodd Island

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Remains of military fortifications at Georges Head, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: Andrew Elliot, © DCCEEW

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Georges Head

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Reef Beach, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: John Yurasek/NSW Government

Swim

Reef Beach

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NSW National Parks annual pass

Visit our national parks often? An annual pass offers savings and convenience to regular NSW national parks visitors. Buy online and start using straight away. It's a faster, easier way to buy and use your annual pass.

A hand holds a mobile phone with water views background from Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: Simone Cottrell © DPIE

 

Sydney's best sunrises and sunsets

The long shadows, the soft light, the golden hue that blankets the world – Sydney's a city full of hidden pockets of beauty at sunrise and sunset. Here's where they are and what to do when you find them.

View of Sydney city at sunset, from Bradleys Head, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: David Finnegan/OEH.

General enquiries

Contact

  • in the Sydney and surrounds region
  • Sydney Harbour National Park is open sunrise to sunset but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

  • Park entry fees:

    Bradleys Head: $8 per vehicle per day. North Head: $5 per vehicle per day. Tap and pay card or phone payments accepted at pay machines. Coin payment available at Fairfax carpark machines only. Chowder Bay: Monday-Friday: $3 per hour, to a maximum of $16 per day. Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: $4 per hour, to a maximum of $20 per day. If you hold an NPWS All Parks or Multi Parks Pass, you can park free for up to four hours per day - additional time can be purchased. Car parks operated by Sydney Harbour Federation Trust or Mosman Council are not covered by your pass. Please check signs carefully. Park’nPay: You can also pay for your visit to any area via the Park’nPay app.

    Other fees:

    Landing fees or tour fees apply to visit Sydney Harbour islands. All public visitors to Shark, Clark or Rodd Island, need to pay a $7 per person landing fee. To arrange, please contact 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS). Annual NSW Parks Passes do not cover landing fees.

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