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Fairfax walk

Sydney Harbour National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Mon 4 November 2024, 9.31am

Applies from Wed 5 Dec 2018, 7.23pm. Last reviewed: Mon 4 Nov 2024, 9.31am.

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

Applies from Sat 17 Oct 2020, 10.59pm. Last reviewed: Mon 6 Nov 2023, 9.52am.

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.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Thu 14 Nov 2024, 5.00am to Fri 29 Nov 2024, 11.59pm. Last reviewed: Tue 12 Nov 2024, 3.21pm

Closed areas: Cascades, Bare Creek and Heath Trails partially closed

Cascades, Bare Creek and Heath Fire Trails will be partially closed on weekdays from Thursday 14 November to Friday 29 November for trail maintenance works.

Please follow contractor signage. 

The trails will remain open on weekends. 

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For further information please contact the local NPWS office. 

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 31 Mar 2021, 11.53am. Last reviewed: Fri 1 Nov 2024, 11.05am

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.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 21 Oct 2024, 7.00am to Sat 14 Dec 2024, 7.00am. Last reviewed: Thu 21 Nov 2024, 7.30pm

Closed areas: Shark Island wharf closed for maintenance

Shark Island wharf is closed from 7am, Monday 21 October until 7am, Saturday 14 December 2024.

Please note:

  • No public access to Shark Island wharf, including kayak landings to the wharf, is permitted during this time.
  • No vessels are permitted to approach or use the wharf or to berth or moor at Shark Island during this time.
  • No bookings, events or commercial activities are permitted on Shark Island during this time.
  • Access to the wider island via beach kayak landings (excluding the wharf area) is permitted during this time.

Essential maintenance works will be occurring to the wharf during this period.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, email or call the NPWS Sydney South Area office on 02 9337 5511.

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 16 Sep 2024, 12.16pm. Last reviewed: Wed 16 Oct 2024, 7.48pm

Closed areas: Shark Beach, Kiosk and promenade at Nielsen Park closed

Shark Beach at Nielsen Park is closed while the concrete seawall, bleachers and promenade are under construction. The Nielsen Park Kiosk, Halbert Pavilion and former surf club are closed for renovation. For more information on these projects, please visit the project webpage or email or phone the NPWS Sydney South office on 02 9337 5511.

Affects 1 park and 3 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 5 Dec 2018, 7.23pm. Last reviewed: Mon 4 Nov 2024, 9.31am

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

Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 31 Jul 2024, 10.11pm to Sat 1 Feb 2025, 2.12am. Last reviewed: Mon 14 Oct 2024, 7.05am

Other planned events: ‘1080 pest management’

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 1 August 2024 and 31 January 2025 in Garigal National Park. Don’t touch baits or ejector devices. Penalties apply for non-compliance.

 

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.

For more information, contact the local park office on:

Forestville 9451 3479 (business hours)

NPWS after-hours call centre: 1300 056 294 (after hours)

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 9 Jul 2018, 11.06am. Last reviewed: Mon 11 Mar 2024, 10.10am

Closed areas: Fort Denison closed

Fort Denison is currently closed.

Conservation and upgrade works are currently underway. Key elements include the construction of a new accessible wharf and maintenance and upgrade to buildings and services. Fort Denison will be closed to visitors until these works have been completed.

Penalties apply for non-compliance.

Standard work hours during the construction phase will be between:

  • 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday
  • 8am and 1pm on Saturday

For more information, visit the project webpage or email us. Visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Sat 17 Oct 2020, 10.59pm. Last reviewed: Mon 6 Nov 2023, 9.52am

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.

Affects 1 park and 4 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 10 Feb 2016, 3.18pm. Last reviewed: Fri 20 Sep 2024, 9.49am

Closed areas: Flat Rock track partial closure

The section of Flat Rock track from the Killarney Drive entrance to the Downpatrick Street entrance, is permanently closed as the old track passes through private property near Killarney Point.

Please note:

  • Walkers heading west should exit Flat Rock track at the eastern end of Killarney Drive and use Killarney Drive until you reach Downpatrick Street. Then walk down the street and re-enter Flat Rock track from the Downpatrick Street fire trail.
  • Walkers heading east should exit Flat Rock track at the Downpatrick Street fire trail and use Downpatrick Street, then Killarney Drive until you reach the end of Killarney Drive. Re-enter Flat Rock track from the Killarney Drive entrance.

For more information, please contact the NPWS Forestville area office on 02 9451 3479 between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/fairfax-walk/local-alerts

Park info

  • in Sydney Harbour National Park 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.

    Buy annual pass
See more visitor info

Emergency services

For all NSW fires visit the Rural Fire Service

For the latest information on wildfires in your area please contact the NSW Rural Fire Service.

View all alerts for NSW

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