History of North Head Sanctuary
North Head Sanctuary occupies the land of the former School of Artillery. The famous promontory of North Head contains Aboriginal rock engravings, rock art, campsites, burials, middens and artefacts. The island and landmark qualities of the area made it especially significant to the indigenous people of the Sydney region.
The military presence on North Head began in the mid-1930s as part of the coastal defence network established in the build-up to World War II. A battery of two 9.2-inch guns was installed in 1936. The main barracks complex and grand red gravel parade ground were completed in 1938 and today are a feature of the site. During World War II North Head (or North Fort) was one of the most heavily fortified sites in Australian history.
The Army School of Artillery, formed after the war, was based at North Head and remained there until its relocation to Puckapunyal in Victoria in 1998. The site hosts the Royal Australian Artillery National Museum, established in 1990.
Today, the former School of Artillery is being transformed into a sanctuary for flora and fauna, and a place of relaxation and enjoyment for the people of Sydney and elsewhere.
