SHCW: North Head Loop

2 h 30 min to 4 h

8.6 km
oneway

↑ 188 m
↓ -195 m

Easy track
Starting from the southern tip of North Steyne Beach, this walk loops through North Head in Sydney Harbour NP before finishing at Manly Wharf. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Photo by admin, 2008.
Downloads GPX PDF

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-33.7995755,151.2907127)
Mode Bus Car Ferry
DirectionsFrom Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation, Manly Vale.
  • Turn on to then drive for 10 m
  • Turn slight right onto Condamine Street and drive for another 680 m
  • Turn left onto Sydney Road and drive for another 2 km
  • Turn right onto Whistler Street and drive for another 520 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Darley Road and drive for another 250 m
  • Turn left onto Cliff Street and drive for another 260 m
  • Turn left onto Reddall Street and drive for another 85 m
Finish (-33.7994806,151.2843298)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle   Bus   Car   Ferry  
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
There is a toilet (about 45 m back from the start).
There is a cafe (about 40 m back from the start).
Find the seat at the start. , has a backrest.
After another 195 m pass the "Shell and Wave" (4 m on your right).
Then pass a seat (on your right).
After another 185 m pass the "The Bower" (8 m on your right).
At the intersection of Marine Parade & Bower Lane continue straight, to head along Marine Parade.
After another 80 m pass the water tap (on your right).
After another 15 m pass a seat (on your right).
After another 205 m pass the picnic table (on your right).
After another 100 m pass the sign (5 m on your right).
Continue straight, to head along Marine Parade.
After another 15 m pass a seat (on your left)., has a backrest.
After another 15 m continue straight, to head along Marine Parade.
Then pass the "Bower Street Reserve" (20 m on your right).
After another 6 m pass a seat (on your left)., has a backrest.
After another 50 m pass the "The Boathouse" (6 m on your right).
After another 25 m pass the toilet (9 m on your right).
Veer left.
After another 9 m pass the picnic table (10 m on your left).
After another 6 m pass the water tap (10 m on your right).
After another 15 m turn left.
After another 30 m pass the BBQ (9 m on your right).
After another 35 m head up the steps (about 25 m long)
Turn left.
After another 170 m come to the viewpoint (8 m on your left).
After another 35 m come to the viewpoint (6 m on your left).
After another 120 m come to the viewpoint.
Turn left.
After another 15 m continue straight, to head along Bower Street.
After another 35 m come to the viewpoint (15 m on your left).
After another 55 m come to the viewpoint (15 m on your left).
At the intersection of Blue Fish Track & Bower Street continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track (a walking track).
After another 95 m pass a seat (on your left).
After another 40 m come to the viewpoint (20 m on your left).
After another 50 m come to the viewpoint (20 m on your left).
After another 25 m continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track.
After another 50 m pass a seat (on your right).
After another 40 m head through/around the gate.
At the intersection of Blue Fish Track & old boundary wall turn right, to head along Blue Fish Track.
After another 2 m continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track.
Then come to the viewpoint (30 m on your left).
After another 470 m continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track.
After another 30 m continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track.
After another 55 m (at the intersection of Blue Fish Track & Bluefish Drive) continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track (a footpath).
After another 10 m pass the sign (on your right).
Continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track.
After another 210 m pass the car park (40 m on your left).
After another 135 m continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track.
After another 8 m continue straight, to head along Blue Fish Track.
After another 80 m continue straight.
After another 65 m turn left.
After another 30 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left).
This toilet is wheelchair accessible.
After another 15 m pass the "Visitor's Centre" (20 m on your left).
Continue straight.
After another 20 m veer right.
After another 125 m turn left.
After another 70 m turn right.
After another 45 m head through the bollard.
After another 35 m veer left.
After another 40 m continue straight.
After another 120 m turn right, to head along Avenue of Honour.
After another 35 m veer left.
Continue straight, to head along Avenue of Honour.
After another 320 m continue straight, to head along Avenue of Honour.
After another 55 m continue straight, to head along Avenue of Honour.
After another 25 m continue straight, to head along Avenue of Honour.
After another 130 m (at the intersection of Avenue of Honour & North Fort Road) veer left, to head along Avenue of Honour.
After another 20 m pass a seat (on your left).
Continue straight.
After another 50 m pass a seat (on your left).
After another 60 m turn right, to head along Memorial Walk.
After another 90 m continue straight, to head along Memorial Walk.
After another 65 m pass a seat (on your right).
Then come to the viewpoint (on your left).
After another 95 m pass the cave (30 m on your right).
After another 15 m (at the intersection of North Fort Road & Memorial Walk) turn left, to head along North Fort Road (a vehicle track).
After another 25 m pass the car park (6 m on your right).
Continue straight, to head along North Fort Road.
After another 9 m pass the toilet (10 m on your left). This toilet is male and female.
After another 15 m pass the "North Head Sanctuary Visitor Centre" (about 7 m ahead).
Then pass the "North Fort Tours" (about 8 m ahead).
Then pass the water tap (25 m on your left).
Then pass the "Bella Vista" (about 45 m ahead).
Turn right.
After another 25 m pass the water tap (5 m on your left).
After another 3 m turn left.
After another 35 m continue straight.
After another 95 m pass a seat (8 m on your left).
Then pass a seat (on your right).
Then pass the "Third Quarantine Cemetery" (20 m on your left).

Mo-Su 08:30-17:00
After another 20 m pass the "Third Quarantine Station Cemetery" (10 m on your left).
Turn right.
After another 10 m head up the metal steps (about 120 m long)
Then come to the viewpoint (8 m on your left).
Continue straight.
After another 110 m come to the "Northern Lookout" (15 m on your left).
After another 65 m turn left.
Then head up the metal steps (about 65 m long)
After another 200 m turn left.
After another 65 m continue straight.
After another 85 m pass the car park (35 m on your right).
After another 145 m turn left, to head along North Fort Road.
After another 7 m continue straight, to head along North Fort Road.
After another 40 m pass the artwork (5 m on your right).
Continue straight, to head along North Fort Road.
After another 60 m (at the intersection of North Fort Road & St Barbaras Avenue) continue straight, to head along North Fort Road.
After another 115 m continue straight, to head along North Fort Road.
After another 105 m (at the intersection of North Head Scenic Drive & North Fort Road) veer right, to head along North Head Scenic Drive (a highway|tertiary).
After another 280 m (at the intersection of Collins Beach Road & North Head Scenic Drive) turn left, to head along Collins Beach Road (a service road).
After another 135 m continue straight, to head along Collins Beach Road.
After another 630 m (at the intersection of Collins Beach Track & Collins Beach Road) continue straight, to head along Collins Beach Track (a walking track).
After another 70 m head down the 2 steps (about 3 m long)
After another 6 m head down the steps
Then cross the bridge (about 5 m long)
After another 7 m cross the bridge (about 4 m long)
Then head up the 6 steps (about 3 m long)
After another 30 m head down the 41 steps (about 4 m long)
After another 105 m head up the 22 steps (about 5 m long)
Then head up the 18 steps (about 10 m long)
After another 10 m head up the 4 concrete steps (about 3 m long)
After another 110 m continue straight, to head along Collins Beach Path.
Then come to the viewpoint (4 m on your left).
After another 55 m continue straight.
Then head up the 5 steps (about 10 m long)
After another 50 m (at the intersection of Stuart Street & Collins Beach Path) continue straight.
After another 80 m pass the sign (30 m on your right).
Veer left.
After another 50 m continue straight.
After another 30 m continue straight.
After another 35 m pass the BBQ (6 m on your left).
After another 55 m veer right.
After another 65 m pass the BBQ (20 m on your left).
After another 45 m continue straight.
After another 50 m pass the playground (20 m on your right).
After another 85 m pass the car park (about 6 m ahead).
Turn left.
After another 90 m head up the steps (about 20 m long)
After another 70 m pass the "Little Manly Beach Kiosk" (on your right).
Then pass the toilet (9 m on your right).
Continue straight.
After another 6 m pass the water tap (10 m on your left).
After another 20 m pass the playground (10 m on your left).
Veer right.
Then pass the water tap (on your left).
After another 15 m turn left.
After another 135 m pass the car park (8 m on your left).
Then pass the pay phone (on your left).
After another 5 m continue straight.
After another 135 m continue straight.
After another 115 m pass a seat (on your left).
After another 2 m turn right, to head along Cove Avenue.
After another 30 m pass the pay phone (8 m on your left).
After another 2 m (at the intersection of East Esplanade & Stuart Street) continue straight, to head along East Esplanade.
After another 35 m continue straight, to head along East Esplanade.
After another 75 m turn left.
Then head up the steps (about 40 m long)
Turn right.
Then head up the steps (about 30 m long)
Continue straight.
Then head down the steps (about 15 m long)
Veer right.
After another 90 m pass the toilet (20 m on your right).
After another 9 m pass the water tap (on your right).
This water tap is wheelchair accessible.
After another 3 m continue straight.
After another 155 m continue straight.
After another 65 m veer right.
After another 20 m pass the "Garfish" (40 m on your right).
After another 105 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left).
Continue straight.
Then pass the pay phone (15 m on your right).
After another 5 m pass the "Tourist Information Office" (10 m on your right).
After another 5 m pass the "Manly Visitor Information Centre" (10 m on your left).
After another 6 m pass the water tap (60 m on your right).
About 70 m past the end is "Miss Chu Tuckshop".
About 60 m past the end is "Crinitis".
About 55 m past the end is "Hugos".
This restaurant is wheelchair accessible.
About 50 m past the end is a shelter.
About 50 m past the end is "West Esplanade Park".
About 50 m past the end is "Chat Thai".
This restaurant is wheelchair accessible.
About 20 m past the end is a artwork.
About 75 m past the end is a cafe.
The starting point of an alternate access track. Alternate access from Manly Wharf. Details below.
The end.

Alternate access from Manly Wharf.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Hugos (about 55 m back from the start).
This restaurant is wheelchair accessible.
Chat Thai (about 50 m back from the start).
This restaurant is wheelchair accessible.
Find the West Esplanade Park at the start.
Find the toilet at the start.
Find the Manly Visitor Information Centre at the start.
Find the shelter at the start.
Find the artwork at the start.
Find the Tourist Information Office at the start.
Then pass the pay phone (20 m on your right).
After another 6 m (at the intersection of The Corso & East Esplanade) continue straight, to head along The Corso (a highway|pedestrian).
After another 7 m pass the "Crinitis" (40 m on your left).
After another 7 m pass the "Miss Chu Tuckshop" (40 m on your left).
After another 15 m pass the cafe (45 m on your left).
After another 20 m to find the water tap.
After another 50 m pass the "Gilbert Park" (75 m on your left).
After another 30 m pass the park (15 m on your left).
Then pass the "Chica Bonita Manly" (35 m on your left).
Turn right, to head along The Corso.
After another 90 m (at the intersection of The Corso & Darley Road) continue straight, to head along The Corso (a highway|pedestrian).
Then pass the toilet (75 m on your left).
After another 10 m pass the "Council Parking" (60 m on your left).
After another 20 m pass the pay phone (75 m on your right).
After another 15 m pass the water tap (5 m on your right).
After another 55 m pass the playground (on your left).
Then pass the "Market Lane Cafe" (50 m on your left).
After another 5 m pass the pay phone (4 m on your right).
After another 15 m pass the "Bare Naked Bowls" (50 m on your left).
After another 50 m pass the pay phone (on your left).
After another 35 m pass the "Manly Beach" (10 m on your right).
Continue straight, to head along The Corso.
After another 55 m pass the toilet (80 m on your right).
After another 10 m pass the water tap (on your right).
After another 100 m pass the artwork (on your left).
Continue straight, to head along The Corso.
After another 45 m pass the "Manly Greenhouse" (35 m on your right).
After another 5 m pass the water tap (on your right).
Then pass the "Starbucks" (15 m on your right).
After another 8 m pass the "Little Belgrave Cartel" (50 m on your left).
At the intersection of The Corso & South Steyne continue straight.
After another 20 m pass the pay phone (40 m on your left).
Continue straight.
After another 9 m pass the "Change Facilities" (60 m on your left).
Then pass the "The Pantry Manly" (50 m on your left).
W:
Then pass the toilet (35 m on your left).
After another 4 m turn right.
After another 100 m pass the "Whitewater" (45 m on your right).
After another 40 m pass the "Manly Grill" (40 m on your right).
Then pass the "Bluewater" (40 m on your right).
After another 6 m pass the water tap (8 m on your right).
After another 75 m pass the shelter (9 m on your right).
After another 90 m pass the "Havana Beach" (35 m on your right).
After another 25 m pass the "Ouzeria" (40 m on your right).
After another 25 m pass the "Manly Wine" (40 m on your right).
Then pass the pay phone (15 m on your right).
After another 20 m pass the water tap (15 m on your right).
After another 8 m pass a seat (on your right)., has no backrest.
After another 2 m continue straight.
After another 8 m pass the toilet (15 m on your right).
Then pass the cafe (6 m on your right).
After another 30 m pass a seat (on your right).
After another 8 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

SHCW: North Head Loop


Grading
Class 2/6
Easy track
Length 8.6 km
Time 2 h 30 min to 4 h
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required No experience required (2/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route
Shelter: There are 2 on route, on average they are 3.3 km apart with the largest gap of 9.2 km.

Toilet: There are 11 on route, on average they are 970 m apart with the largest gap of 3.4 km.

Seat: There are 15 on route, on average they are 740 m apart with the largest gap of 3.6 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
-47 m[toilet]
Seat
10 m[seat]
Seat
200 m[seat]
Seat
470 m[seat]
Seat
770 m[seat]
Seat
790 m[seat]
Toilet
870 m[toilet]
Seat
1.5 km[seat]
Seat
1.6 km[seat]
Toilet
2.7 km[toilet]
Seat
3.8 km[seat]
Seat
3.8 km[seat]
Seat
4 km[seat]
Toilet
4.2 km[toilet]
Seat
4.3 km[seat]
Seat
4.3 km[seat]
Toilet
7.6 km[toilet]
Seat
7.9 km[seat]
Toilet
8.2 km[toilet]
Toilet
8.5 km[toilet]
Toilet
8.6 km + 205 m[toilet]
Toilet
8.6 km + 370 m[toilet]
Toilet
8.6 km + 460 mChange Facilities
Toilet
8.6 km + 460 m[toilet]
Shelter
8.6 km + 630 m[shelter]
Seat
8.6 km + 790 m[seat]
Seat
8.6 km + 830 m[seat]
Shelter
8.6 km[shelter]
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