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South Head Heritage trail

Sydney Harbour National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Fri 20 December 2024, 3.34pm

Applies from Fri 20 Dec 2024, 7.35am to Wed 1 Jan 2025, 7.36am. Last reviewed: Fri 20 Dec 2024, 3.34pm.

Closed areas: New Years Eve closures, Sydney Harbour National Park 2024

Some parts of Sydney Harbour National Park are closed for the Sydney Harbour New Years Eve event:

From 6am, Saturday 28 December 2024 until 6am, Friday 3 January 2025:

  • Bradleys Head, Mosman is closed to vehicles from Saturday 28 December and closed to pedestrians from 6am, Tuesday 31 December. Gates open at 3pm for New Years Eve event ticket holders (booked out).

From 6am, Monday 30 December 2024 until 6am, Friday 3 January 2025:

  • Clark Island - ferries depart from Rose Bay on Tuesday 31 December for New Years Eve event ticket holders (booked out).
  • Boowambillee Shark Island - ferries depart from Rose Bay on Tuesday 31 December for New Years Eve event ticket holders (booked out).

From Tuesday 31 December 2024 until 6am, Wednesday 1 January 2025:

  • Strickland Estate, Vaucluse is closed from 6am. Gates open at 5pm for New Years Eve event ticket holders (booked out).
  • Milk Beach, Vaucluse is closed from 3pm.
  • South Head, Watsons Bay (including Lady Bay Beach) is closed from 5pm.
  • Bottle and Glass, Vaucluse is closed from 5pm.
  • Hermitage foreshore, Vaucluse is closed from 5pm.
  • Steele Point Road, Nielsen Park, Vaucluse is closed from 5pm.
  • North Head is closed to vehicles at the Quarantine Station roundabout from 8am.

Muddawahnyuh Fort Denison is closed.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Fri 20 Dec 2024, 7.35am to Wed 1 Jan 2025, 7.36am. Last reviewed: Fri 20 Dec 2024, 3.34pm

Closed areas: New Years Eve closures, Sydney Harbour National Park 2024

Some parts of Sydney Harbour National Park are closed for the Sydney Harbour New Years Eve event:

From 6am, Saturday 28 December 2024 until 6am, Friday 3 January 2025:

  • Bradleys Head, Mosman is closed to vehicles from Saturday 28 December and closed to pedestrians from 6am, Tuesday 31 December. Gates open at 3pm for New Years Eve event ticket holders (booked out).

From 6am, Monday 30 December 2024 until 6am, Friday 3 January 2025:

  • Clark Island - ferries depart from Rose Bay on Tuesday 31 December for New Years Eve event ticket holders (booked out).
  • Boowambillee Shark Island - ferries depart from Rose Bay on Tuesday 31 December for New Years Eve event ticket holders (booked out).

From Tuesday 31 December 2024 until 6am, Wednesday 1 January 2025:

  • Strickland Estate, Vaucluse is closed from 6am. Gates open at 5pm for New Years Eve event ticket holders (booked out).
  • Milk Beach, Vaucluse is closed from 3pm.
  • South Head, Watsons Bay (including Lady Bay Beach) is closed from 5pm.
  • Bottle and Glass, Vaucluse is closed from 5pm.
  • Hermitage foreshore, Vaucluse is closed from 5pm.
  • Steele Point Road, Nielsen Park, Vaucluse is closed from 5pm.
  • North Head is closed to vehicles at the Quarantine Station roundabout from 8am.

Muddawahnyuh Fort Denison is closed.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Affects 1 park and 23 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 9 Jul 2018, 11.06am. Last reviewed: Fri 20 Dec 2024, 3.01pm

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 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 Wed 31 Mar 2021, 11.53am. Last reviewed: Fri 6 Dec 2024, 3.39pm

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 Wed 5 Dec 2018, 7.23pm. Last reviewed: Fri 6 Dec 2024, 3.37pm

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 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/south-head-heritage-trail/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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