Keep reading to discover all the great, nature-based activities you can enjoy at North Head Sanctuary, Headland Park, Sub Base Platypus and Macquarie Lightstation. These include a selection of itineraries that will help you boost your step count. As the days grow longer and the flowers bloom, there’s no better time to explore your own backyard!
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.
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!
Cost: From $11 | When: 10:30am, 11:30am, 1pm & 2pm every Sunday
Our Defence of Sydney Tour is an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the men and women who served at North Fort.
Cost: From $8 | When: Select dates
Get a taste for North Head Sanctuary – and explore a Second World War era structure off limits to general visitors – on our bite-sized North Head Discovery Tour, ideal for new visitors including families!
Dates: Select dates in Sep & Oct | Cost: Free
Join North Head Sanctuary Foundation on their free guided spring wildflower walks around North Head Sanctuary. Online bookings essential.
Located near the visitor centre at North Fort, Bella Vista Cafe marries traditional and modern Italian cuisine with sweeping views of Sydney Harbour.
As you explore North Head Sanctuary, look out for our colourful talking object and echidna signs! Historic objects and landmarks are ready to share their incredible stories and a local echidna can even answer your burning visitor questions!
Cost: From $11 | When: 11am on select Sundays
During our volunteer-run Third Quarantine Cemetery tour, a knowledgeable guide will share stories of those who succumbed to small pox and other epidemics.
Located in the Barracks Precinct, 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.
Looking for an ideal picnic spot? Head to the sprawling field just east of the Barracks Precinct. 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!
Cost: From $49 | When: 10am on Saturdays & Sundays
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 and plants.
Can't visit North Head Sanctuary in person? Check out our free online exhibition and meet 5 plants and animals that call North Head Sanctuary's home!
Plan your visit with our curated itinerary and enjoy every highlight Georges Heights has to offer.
Follow our itinerary to explore Middle Head’s coastal trails, bushland and stunning harbour views.
Cost: From $11 | When: 10:45am, first Sunday of every month & select Wednesdays
Our knowledgeable volunteer guide will lead you through 2 sets of demilitarised forts, including tunnels normally off limits to the public.
Stop by the Artist Precinct to marvel at our collection of visually-arresting Sculpture by the Sea artworks.
This unique cultural walk along the Mosman foreshore, including Georges Heights, allows you to walk in the footsteps of famous artists and explore the stunning landscapes that inspired them.
Looking for a picnic spot with breathtaking ocean views? Make your way to Georges Head Lookout at Georges Heights, Middle Head Oval at Middle Head or Clifton Gardens Reserve at Chowder Bay.
Are you a keen orienteer? Work out and explore coastal bushland with Orienteering NSW’s program of free orienteering courses.
Feeling ambitious? Embark on the 80km Bondi to Manly Walk! This massive network of public tracks spans the foreshore between 2 of Sydney’s most iconic surf beaches.
Complete your weekly grocery shop and enjoy the great outdoors at the Mosman Farmers Market. Operating every Wednesday from 8am to 2pm, the market is a country-style bazaar near Georges Heights Oval.
Located in the thriving Headland Park Artist Precinct, this chic, French-themed cafe offers authentic Parisian brasserie food, outdoor seating with ocean views and great coffee.
Bordered by coastal bushland on the plateau, with unspoiled Harbour views, Gunners’ Barracks offers a contemporary à la carte lunch menu Monday to Friday and renowned High Tea service 7 days.
Three historic objects want to share their stories and a local kookaburra is ready to answer your burning questions! Look for the bright orange and green signs to start a conversation.
Burnt Orange is a boutique restaurant located amongst the beautiful bushland at Middle Head. Breakfast, lunch and high tea are served on the wraparound balcony which has stunning harbour views.
Image taken by David Campbell.
Situated in coastal bushland at the tip of the Mosman peninsula, Middle Head Cafe is a pet- and family-friendly venue with sheltered decks. The venue operates 7:30am to 3:30pm, Wednesday to Sunday, and is closed on Tuesdays and Mondays.
L'Heritage is an opportunity for visitors to enjoy a traditional French menu with matched wines in a heritage setting. The bistro is set within a historic naval building featuring high ceilings and panoramic views.
Housed in the Submarine Miner’s Depot, a heritage naval building from the 19th century, Ripples offers Modern Australian dining as well as cocktails and wine in a historic, waterfront setting with views of Sydney Harbour and Clifton Gardens Reserve.
Cafe La Mer, brings a taste of the French Riviera to Sydney’s North Shore with stunning harbour views and a French-inspired menu. The venue offers a unique dining experience that blends coastal elegance with delicious cuisine, perfect for any occasion.
Land’s Edge Foundation offers guided group tours while their not-for-profit education centre, Saltwater School, offers seasonal activities and gear hire (kayaks, paddle boards, snorkelling).
Follow our itinerary to explore Macquarie Lightstation's history, enjoy outdoor activities and take in stunning harbour views.
Cost: From $24 per person | Available: Select dates
A knowledgeable guide will share the history and recent developments behind this iconic Sydney landmark, including recent restoration work undertaken on the historic Greenway Wall.
Feeling ambitious? Embark on the 80km Bondi to Manly Walk, a massive network of public tracks spanning the foreshore between 2 of Sydney’s most iconic surf beaches.
Located not far from Macquarie Lightstation at Camp Cove, the former Marine Biological Station is one of Watsons Bay’s original buildings. Although it's closed to the public, you can take a virtual look inside with our free online exhibition.
Step off the beaten path, grab your friends and explore the stunning coastal trails Sydney has to offer.
Our top 3 coastal walks boast stunning harbour views and plenty of photo opps, making them the ultimate source of adventure for weekend warriors.
Learn more about our extraordinary places on Sydney Harbour.
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