Middle Head

Sydney Harbour National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Overview

With expansive water views across iconic Sydney Harbour and stretching out to Sydney’s eastern suburbs, Middle Harbour and Manly - Middle Head will impress your guests at your next product launch, conference or wedding ceremony.

Venue is suitable for
Arts and cultural events, corporate and business events, private party or function and wedding ceremonies
Capacity
Maximum people: 150
Facilities
Drinking water, toilets
Fees

$760 for a 3 hour booking. Additional time and wedding vehicle access may be requested at extra charge.

Availability
Available for hire Monday to Saturday, except between 26 Dec and 1 Jan.
Bookings

To make a booking or for more information, please email the NPWS Events Team or phone 02 9585 6570.

Other Information
This venue is also suitable for commercial and public events such as live performances, festivals and product launches.   

Middle Head is a superb lookout spot in Sydney Harbour National Park. From this outstanding vantage point, you can follow the Pacific Ocean to the horizon, framed by North and South Heads. The panoramic view extends to Sydney’s eastern suburbs, Middle Harbour and Manly. It’s the perfect backdrop to any event, making it one of Sydney’s most popular outdoor venues for product launches, conferences and wedding ceremonies. 

In addition to enjoying sensational views, you can find out more about Middle Head’s military significance. Explore the open gun emplacements, built in response to a feared French invasion, and see the unusual V-shaped dry moat at the entrance to Middle Head.

When you’ve finished exploring the area, you and your guests can relax and enjoy the picturesque surrounds.

For directions, safety and practical information, see venue info

Nearby

  • Aerial view of Middle Head Officers Quarters with Sydney Harbour in the background. Photo: John Spencer/DPIE

    Middle Head Officers Quarters

    Going to a wedding or looking for a secluded getaway in Sydney Harbour National Park? Middle Head Officers Quarters is close to the action but in its own world – only minutes from Mosman village and Taronga Zoo. 

  • View from the pathway looking up towards Athol Hall in Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo credit: We are Origami. <HTML>&copy; We are Origami.

    Athol Hall

    With breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour, Athol Hall is the perfect venue to celebrate a memorable wedding reception or birthday party against a dazzling backdrop.

  • People walking around Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh's military fortifications in Middle Head, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: John Spencer, &copy; DCCEEW

    Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh

    Middle Head – Gubbuh Gubbuh ('gub-uh, gub-uh) is one of Sydney Harbour's seven headlands. Enjoy scenic views of Sydney Harbour from the lookout or take a guided tour of the historic fort and military relics.

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/venues/middle-head/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 (//pass.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/).
See more info on the venue

Venue info

All the practical information you need to know about Middle Head.

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    Vehicle access

    Vehicle access to the venue can be arranged for up to 3 vehicles for an additional fee.

    Road quality

    • Sealed roads

    Vehicle access

    • 2WD vehicles

    Weather restrictions

    • All weather

    Parking

    Paid parking is available at Middle Head carpark:

    • Follow Middle Head Road past the Chowder Bay Road roundabout to the entrance to Middle Head where you'll find the carpark.
    • The carpark is managed by Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.
    • The carpark includes 3 accessible parking spaces
    • It is a 150m walk on bitumen to the venue.

    4 hours free parking is available for NPWS Annual Pass holders along sections of Chowder Bay Road. Please check the parking meter for the NPWS logo to ensure your vehicle is parked in an NPWS-managed carpark.

    Public transport

    Accessible bus services stop near this venue. Contact the Transport Information Line on 131500 for more information.

    Facilities

    All rubbish generated as part of the event is to be removed from the park and not deposited in bins.

    Toilets

    There is 1 unisex toilet.

    • Flush toilets

    Drinking water

    There is 1 tap at the venue.

    Step-free access

    • There's step-free access along bitumen Old Fort Road, which leads to a flat grassy area. From here, you can enjoy the view and see some of the fortifications.
    • There are some points where the grass becomes a rock platform.
    • A number of the forts have stone steps, most without handrails, leading inside the tunnels and gun pits.

    • Step-free outdoor pathways

    Maps and downloads

    Safety messages

    Mobile safety

    Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

    Accessibility

    Disability access level - medium

    There's step-free access to Middle Head forts along bitumen Old Fort Road, which leads to a grassy area where you can see some of the structures and take in the view.

    Assistance may be required in some places:

    • A number of the forts have stone steps, most without handrails, leading inside the tunnels and gun pits
    • Some areas are moderately to very steep
    • There are flush toilets at the forts, but there's a step to reach them and the toilets themselves are not accessible or ambulant.

    For venue hire, vehicle access for disabled visitors can be arranged with prior notice.

    Permitted

    Food and drink

    • You may bring your own food as well as portable gas barbeques fitted with drip trays for cooking.
    • Commercial catering can only be provided by Nielsen Park Café and Restaurant
    • You may bring 1 bottle of wine or champagne for every 4 guests, and 1 case (24 cans or bottles) of beer or premixed drinks (375ml maximum) for every 20 guests.

    Plant materials

    Flower arrangements containing no seed material. A florist can arrange this for you on request.

    Structures, staging, furniture, amusements and decorations

    • Weighted free-standing decorative items such as bridal arches, red carpet and columns.
    • 15 chairs with rail-style legs
    • 3 tables no larger than 3m square

    Commercial filming and photography

    • 1 photographer, 1 photographer's assistant, 1 videographer and 1 videographer's assistant.
    • Commercial photography and video requires a small scale photography license

    Power, lighting and amplified sounds

    • 1 single speaker portable PA system or music player with an amplifier no greater than 50 watts
    • Volume must be kept at a level that does not interfere with neighbours or the public

    Prohibited

    Drones

    Flying a drone for recreational purposes is prohibited at this location. Drones can impact on public enjoyment and privacy, interfere with park operations, and may pose a threat to wildlife in some areas. For more information, see the Drones in Parks policy.

    Commercial filming and photography

    Commercial filming or photography is prohibited at this location unless prior consent has been obtained. Find out how to apply for permission to conduct commercial filming or photography and download an application form. Contact the local office to obtain consent for commercial filming or photography.

    Pets

    Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

    Smoking

    NSW national parks are no smoking areas.