North Head Sanctuary – Status of walks and tracks following burn

While it appears there has been no damage to Harbour Trust buildings, there has been significant damage to the local flora and fauna as well as many of the bush paths.

The Harbour Trust is working with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Fire and Rescue NSW to ensure public safety, and with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy to understand the impact on the environment. 

The Harbour Trust will now take immediate steps to help in the recovery of the local flora and fauna.

Update Visitor access to North Head Sanctuary (16 June 2021)

The public areas of North Head Sanctuary have been largely reopened by the Harbour Trust. Similarly, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have reopened parts of neighbouring land at North Head. The following exceptions apply:

• The Observation Post Tracks and the Hanging Swamp remain closed.
• Although Fairfax Walking Track is accessible to the public, temporary fencing is in place to ensure public safety and support vegetation to regenerate.
• Fairfax lookout will remain closed until the NPWS has repaired the fences and made the area safe. Visitors are advised not to enter the closed lookout area and keep to paths.

Refer to the below map for full details on current walk and track closures.

• North Head Sanctuary Map – Fire Closures (pdf)