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From 12 September to 5 October 2025, North Head Sanctuary in Manly will come alive as some of Australia’s most iconic artists take the stage for an unforgettable open-air concert series.
This year's lineup includes Cut Copy, ICEHOUSE, Kate Ceberano: Australian Made, Hoodoo Gurus, Lime Cordiale, Amy Shark, Ian Moss and Mark Seymour, Furnace and the Fundamentals, Yesterday’s Gone: The Fleetwood Mac Legacy, James Johnston, Grinspoon and Missy Higgins!
Want the ultimate day out? Before you attend Night at the Barracks, spend the afternoon exploring scenic North Head Sanctuary. Scroll to discover some of the key attractions to check out ahead of your show.
Before your show, connect with nature at North Head Sanctuary and deepen your understanding of Sydney's military history.
Located near the visitor centre at North Fort, Bella Vista Cafe marries traditional and modern Italian cuisine with sweeping views of Sydney Harbour. In addition to serving takeaway coffee, beverages and snacks, Bella Vista offer a popular dine-in experience. Visit their website to view their trading hours and to reserve a table.
Our Defence of Sydney Tour is an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of those who served at North Fort, a former army base that once protected Sydney Harbour. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you will walk along Australia's Memorial Walk, discover heritage gun emplacements and a once-secret underground bunker known as the Plotting Room.
During our bite-sized North Head Discovery Tour, you’ll discover North Head’s Barracks Precinct, including its iconic parade ground, and get a chance to dip your toes into its fascinating military story. From there, we’ll introduce you to the area’s delicate but vibrant landscape and lead you inside the Observation Post – a historic military landmark that was recently restored with the help of specialist volunteers.
Feeling ambitious? Embark on the 80km Bondi to Manly Walk, a massive network of public tracks spanning the foreshore between two of Sydney’s most iconic surf beaches. By the time you reach North Head Sanctuary, and complete a lap of our scenic Sanctuary Loop, you will be on the cusp of completing a one-of-a-kind odyssey. Well done!
Located in the Barracks Precinct next to WOTSO, Yorky Coffee serves coffee, beverages and food out of a charming 1976 retro caravan. Available for takeaway or dine-in, they operate from 7:30am to 3pm between Monday and Friday and 10am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday. Yorky offers food with Latino American influence and some Australian classics. Visit their Instagram for weekly specials and for details on how to text your order through ahead of your visit.
Upon arriving to North Head Sanctuary, head to our Visitor Centre, located near North Fort (Google Map). Open daily from 10am to 3pm, our friendly visitor service volunteers will be there to greet you and answer your questions. Plus: They'll share insider tips on must-see sights and hidden gems, ensuring your visit is tailored to your interests. Whether you're an avid birdwatcher, a history buff or wanting to enjoy breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour, they'll point you in the right direction.
Historic objects and landmarks have awoken at North Head Sanctuary… and they’re keen to share their incredible stories! Plus: One of the local echidnas has been granted the ability to answer your burning visitor questions! Keep an eye out for the bright orange and green signs to kickstart a conversation.
The Third Quarantine Cemetery was established in 1881 for victims of a smallpox epidemic. During this tour, a knowledgeable guide will share stories of those who succumbed to smallpox, the plague and other epidemics. You will also experience the natural beauty of this final resting place, including unspoiled views of Sydney Harbour.
Australia's Memorial Walk is an opportunity for reflection in an idyllic location with views of Sydney Harbour. Enjoy a walk along the paved pathway featuring monuments to the major conflict periods in Australia’s history. Open seven days a week, the Memorial Walk is maintained by the Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company (RAAHC), relying on grants, tax deductible donations and volunteer support. The RAAHC has produced a self-guided audio tour for the Memorial Walk. Download the tour map and listen to the audio here.
The Sanctuary Loop is a circuit trail of North Head Sanctuary, which visitors can complete in under 1 hour. Highlights include exceptional coastal views from Third Quarantine Cemetery as well as lookouts along the Fairfax Walk; endangered flora and fauna; diverse birdlife; decommissioned gun emplacements at North Fort; and Australia's Memorial Walk, honouring those who defended Australia during times of peace and war.
The North Head Sanctuary Foundation (NHSF) works with the Harbour Trust to protect, maintain and promote awareness of the park’s delicate ecosystem. Visit NHSF’s visitor centre, Bandicoot Heaven, to learn about local flora and fauna. Open Saturdays and Sundays between 10am and 4pm, the volunteer-run centre aims to raise awareness of the sanctuary's natural environment. Bandicoot Heaven is located near the Parade Ground (view on map). Plus: In Spring, the NHSF runs guided tours, including their regular Spring Wildflower Walks!
The dunes at North Head support one of Sydney’s few remaining patches of Eastern Suburbs Banksia. Other vegetation types include heathland, littoral rainforest and wetland as well as ferns and colourful wildflowers.
North Head is a refuge for echidnas, reptiles, frogs and more than 100 species of birds, including the little wattlebird, the New Holland Honeyeater and the white-browed scrubwren.
It is also home to an endangered population of long-nosed bandicoots, as well as locally extinct species including the eastern pygmy possum, brown antechinus, and bush rat.
Engage with nature, including a chorus of frogs, at the Hanging Swamp – a scenic landmark, with a walking trail, on the eastern side of North Head Sanctuary [view on map]. Classified as a threatened ecological community, this stunning freshwater wetland features different species of native sedge and rush alongside a variety of shrubs and ferns, including coral fern, bracken, heath myrtle, crimson bottlebrush, scrub she-oak and banksia.
Looking for an ideal picnic spot? Head to the sprawling field just east of the Barracks Precinct [view on map]. This lawned area is not only a relaxed setting for a picnic… it’s also a great place to pass a footy or fly a kite!
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Learn more about North Head Sanctuary and our other extraordinary places on Sydney Harbour.
