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We strive to ensure a lasting legacy for all Australians, amplifying the rich stories of our lands through their conservation, remediation and adaptive reuse.
Our lands are places of enduring significance for First Nations Peoples. They also feature remnants from Australia’s colonial past, including the nation’s first coastal defence fortifications, and are home to rare and endangered native flora and fauna. Owing to their living history, many have State, National and World Heritage status.
The Harbour Trust was established in 2001 to protect and maintain nationally significant sites on Sydney Harbour for the people of Australia...
To celebrate the Harbour Trust's 20th Anniversary, we are proud to share a series of videos telling our story from the perspective of our community. Filmed remotely during the 2021 lockdown, the series will introduce you to the passionate individuals who laid the agency’s foundations and contributed to its growth and direction – all in defence of the world’s best harbour.
The Harbour Trust was announced by the Federal Government on 13 March 1999 in response to a strong desire from the community to see important former defence sites on Sydney Harbour maintained as public spaces and kept safe from private development. The agency formally commenced on 20 September 2001.
Discover why our network of historic sites has enduring significance for First Nations People and learn how they fit into the nation’s convict, colonial and defence narrative. Plus, check out DigiTales (NEW) – a series of entertaining articles, acquainting you with famous and obscure historical figures synonymous with our sites.
Image credit: Image credit: 'Cockatoo Island from Balmain, near the coal mine' (watercolour, 1864) by Charlotte McNeilly, State Library of NSW (Call No. V1/Har/Coc I/1).
Our protected places are rich in natural and cultural heritage. They contain delicate ecosystems comprised of rare and endangered native flora and fauna and some carry Commonwealth, National and World Heritage listings. We undertake works to protect our precious natural and built environments and ensure they are safe and enjoyable for the public.
As the caretaker of culturally and historically significant places, we have a duty to share their unique stories with all Australians, make them easily accessible and promote them as sources of exploration and discovery.
To ensure our sites occupy a central place in Sydney’s cultural landscape, we partner with organisations to deliver experiences that will captivate diverse audiences.
In addition to partnering with organisations, we work closely with special interest groups to deliver substantial benefits to the community and ensure the natural and heritage values of our sites are protected. Ultimately, nurturing meaningful partnerships helps us amplify the stories of our sites, ensuring we leave a lasting legacy for all Australians.
The Harbour Trust has partnered with Google Arts & Culture to present our extraordinary places on Sydney Harbour to a wide audience and promote them as sources of discovery. We are proud to join the growing community of cultural institutions with a presence on Google Arts & Culture, an online platform making the cultures of the world accessible to anyone, anywhere.
The Harbour Trust carries a significant responsibility and opportunity to assist in the national process of Reconciliation. Our agency was created to manage what is arguably the location of first continuous contact between Aboriginal peoples and non-Indigenous Australians: Sydney Harbour and its foreshores.
Visit overview
Cockatoo Island
Headland Park
Macquarie Lightstation
Marine Biological Station
North Head Sanctuary
Sub Base Platypus
Woolwich Dock and Parklands
