Night at the Barracks

Bella Vista Cafe

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.

Yorky Coffee Caravan

Located in the Barracks Precinct (near WOTSO), Yorky serves coffee, beverages and food out of a retro caravan on weekdays (7:30am to 3pm) and weekends (10am to 3pm). Expect food with Latino American influence plus some Aussie classics. Visit their Instagram for weekly specials and for details on how to text your order through ahead of your visit.

Descend into North Fort with a guide

Our Defence of Sydney Tour is an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the men and women who served at North Fort. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, encounter historic gun emplacements and descend into underground military facilities, including a tunnel complex and a mysterious bunker. 

Explore a Second World War era structure off limits to general visitors

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.

Explore a historic cemetery with a guide

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.

Half-day itinerary

Only have a few hours to explore North Head Sanctuary? Follow our half-day itinerary to discover North Head Sanctuary's key landmarks, top views and more, all at your own pace.

Full day itinerary

Want to make the most of your day exploring North Head Sanctuary? Our full-day itinerary includes a guided tour, must-see landmarks, breathtaking views, coastal walks and more!

Explore the Hanging Swamp

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.

Meet the wildlife of North Head Sanctuary

Join the EcoWalks Manly Wildlife Tour and explore the rich biodiversity of North Head Sanctuary. As you journey along scenic bush tracks, you’ll encounter elusive native animals like echidnas, diamond pythons and willy wagtails, and spot rare native plants including sunshine wattles, fringe lilies, parrot peas and more!

Take a break, have a picnic

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!

Meet our talking objects and animals

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.

Embark on a one-of-a-kind odyssey

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!

Discover North Head Sanctuary Visitor Centre

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.

Commemorate our service people

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.

Complete a lap of the Sanctuary Loop

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.

• Visitor guide (incl. Sanctuary Loop map)

Achieve your fitness goals with North Head Fitness

Housed in a former air hangar with breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour, North Head Fitness has been inspiring fitness since 2012. They provide 80 weekly classes, including CrossFit, endurance, barbell, boxing and kids classes, along with open gym access, personal training and nutrition coaching. Their inclusive classes welcome all ages and abilities, with no contracts and flexible membership options available. 

Visit Bandicoot Heaven

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! 

Learn about local flora and fauna

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.

Descend into North Fort with a guide

Join our Defence of Sydney Tour to walk in the footsteps of those who served at North Fort, discover heritage gun emplacements and explore the underground Plotting Room.