South Head
Sydney Harbour National Park
Overview
Offering spectacular views across the iconic Sydney Harbour and outward towards the Pacific Ocean, South Head is an ideal venue hire option with an awe-inspiring backdrop to any event.
- Venue is suitable for
- Private party or function and wedding ceremonies
- Capacity
- Maximum people: 120
- Facilities
- Drinking water, toilets
- Fees
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$760 for a 3 hour booking. Additional time may be requested at an extra charge
- Availability
- Available for hire 7 days a week, except 25th Dec to 1st 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 events such as live performances and product launches.
South Head is known for its sheer ocean cliffs and military history. But it’s the picture-perfect views that make it one of Sydney’s most unique outdoor venues for a wedding ceremony or a private party your guests will never forget.
The area features unbeatable views out over Sydney Harbour and the Pacific Ocean. If you’re there between June and September, keep your eyes open for whales on their annual migration journey.
While celebrating your special day, you and your guests can walk along South Head Heritage trail, where you’ll find even more spectacular lookouts and photo opportunities. Along the way, check out the 19th-century gun emplacements and the whimsical-looking Hornby Lighthouse.
You and your guests can swim at Camp Cove or Lady Bay Beach. Stop to see the Dunbar shipwreck memorial and site. If you’re feeling peckish after taking in all that sea air, stop for a bite to eat at one of Watsons Bay’s restaurants, pubs or cafes.
Explore the area
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South Head
There's no shortage of lookouts at South Head. The Gap offers some of Sydney's finest views and good opportunities for whale watching. South Head is also great for a swim, try Camp Cove or Lady Bay Beach.
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Hornby Lighthouse
The historic Hornby Lighthouse is near Watsons Bay in Sydney Harbour National Park. Walk the easy track to the lighthouse for magical views and great whale watching.
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Lady Bay Beach
Lady Bay Beach offers a perfect weekend getaway with scenic harbour views, swimming, picnicking, and nude bathing near South Head in Sydney Harbour National Park.
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South Head Heritage trail
The short, easy South Head Heritage trail takes in scenic beaches and Sydney Harbour views, historic gun emplacements, and great whale watching from the distinctive red and white striped Hornby Lighthouse.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/venues/south-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.
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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.
Venue info
All the practical information you need to know about South Head.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- Dry weather only
Parking
The nearest parking is on Cliff Street at Watsons Bay. From here it's a 750m walk with steps and uneven surfaces to South Head. There is also limited parking on Pacific Street, in marked spaces only.
Spaces cannot be reserved for guests.
Please do not park or drive in non-designated areas; doing so may incur a fine.
Public transport
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.
- There is no publicly available power.
Toilets
There are 2 male and 3 female public toilets located at Camp Cove and Lady Bay.
- Flush toilets
Drinking water
There is 1 tap with potable water.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - hard
Wheelchairs can access the area around Watsons Bay’s restaurants and Robertson Park, but the lookouts and walks are not suitable for wheelchairs.
Permitted
Food and drink
- You may bring your own food as well as portable gas barbeques fitted with drip trays for cooking
- Commercial catering is limited to plates or platters of cold food such as sandwiches, antipasto, canapes, salads and cakes.
- 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 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 filming and photography 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 in this area. Drones may affect public enjoyment, safety and privacy, interfere with park operations, or pose a threat to wildlife. See the Drones in Parks policy.
This area may be a declared Drone Exclusion Zone, or may be subject to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules for flying near airports, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites. See CASA's Drone Flyer Rules.
Commercial filming and photography
Commercial filming or photography is prohibited without prior consent. You must apply for permission and contact the local office.
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.