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Category: Sydney

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North Head Sanctuary and Tunnels

North Head Tunnels

North Head


Operated by Sydney Harbour Trust, North Head is an ex-army heritage listed site. Staffed by volunteers, the Visitor Centre is an ideal point to start your exploration of the area as they can provide you with an overview of what’s available. Our visit on a Sunday corresponded to the day that a guided tour was running for the site and underground tunnels. For a small fee a guide shows groups around while explaining the importance of each area. Importantly this is the only way to gain access to the tunnels which form a major part of the site.

Getting to North Head

Public Transport

Ferries to Manly run from Circular Quay, taking around 30 minutes for the trip. Alternately, the Manly Fast Ferry takes 20 minutes, but is more expensive. There is a Fast Ferry service to Q Station Wharf, if you want to start here instead of Manly.

From the Manly Ferry Wharf, bus 135 takes 20 minutes to drive to North Head. This bus runs every hour and connects well with the ferry arriving and departing Manly. Located outside the main entrance, bus stops are easy to find.

Walking

Taking 40 minutes, the shortest walk winds through Manly’s streets, past Q Station and onto North Head. A more scenic track runs along the shore, taking you past fantastic clifftop lookouts and historical gun emplacements, before passing Shelly Beach and ending at Manly Beach. At 4.2 km long, the scenic track takes around an hour one way, but has wonderful scenery to enjoy along the way.

Starting at Q Station, a 1.3 km track passes through bush land, passes the Third Quarantine Cemetery before ending at the North Head Sanctuary Visitors’ Centre. This well paved track is an easy 20-minute walk, with great views over Sydney Harbour.

Headstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery
Headstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery
Headstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery
Headstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery

Driving

Located outside the Visitor Centre is a pay for use car park, which makes driving yourself a convenient option

North Fort Tour


Starting with a short film on Sydney’s history of fortifications which was informative and gave us an insight into their original appearance.

View of South Head From North Head
View of South Head From North Head
View of Sydney From North Head
View of Sydney From North Head

Memorial Walk


The walking tour started with the Memorial Walk which is a paved pathway winding through Australian bush land. Many of the paving stones have been inscribed with the names of servicemen which gives a personal touch to the area.


Progressing along the path takes you to all the memorials for wars Australia has been involved in. Each of the memorials is made of Sydney sandstone and engraved with an overview of the conflict. The Gallipoli Memorial contains the only non-native species in the area, a cutting from the lone pine.

Memorial Walk
Memorial Walk
World War 1 Memorial
World War 1 Memorial
Lone Pine Gallipoli Memorial
Lone Pine Gallipoli Memorial

Fortifications


Continuing to the above ground fortifications we saw the remains of gun emplacements which now consist of concrete structures without any guns. The only remaining gun is a 9.2 inch (23.37 cm) barrel which is on display next to the forts.

9.2 Inch Gun
9.2 Inch Gun

Underground Tunnels


The highlight of the tour was the underground tunnels. These consist of the rooms and the tunnels needed to service the guns and protect the military personnel manning the forts. Our guide took us through each room, explaining their function and how each was operating when the fort was working.

In the magazine, dummy shells give an idea of the size of the projectiles used and a rack has them set up to show how it would have looked. Even the old diesel generators are in place, giving an idea of the power needed to run the fort.

Well lit with well maintained walkways, the tunnels were easy to walk through with some good photographic opportunities. Stairs in several areas are steep, but not very long, so should not be a problem for most people. Unfortunately, people with mobility issues will not be able to take the underground tour.

Dummy Shells in the Magazine
Dummy Shells in the Magazine
Underground Diesel Generator in the North Head Tunnels
Underground Diesel Generator in the North Head Tunnels
The Tunnels
The Tunnels
North Head Tunnels
North Head Tunnels

Food and Drinks

At the end of the tour, you can also walk down to the restaurant for food and beverages.

What Did We Think

North Head is a great place to visit, as it covers, Sydney’s history, with fantastic views and bush walks. Being easy to get to either by public transport or car makes it a great day out.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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North Head Quarantine Station Sydney

RMS Niagara Carving North Head Quarantine Station

North Head Quarantine Station

An important part of Sydney’s past, North Head Quarantine Station once protected the city from disease by acting as the quarantine station from early in the colonies founding until 1984.

Although now disused, and renamed Q Station, it contains accommodation and a restaurant, while preserving the historical significance of the area.


Getting to The Quarantine Station

Driving

Located outside the Visitor Centre is a car park, which makes driving yourself a convenient option.

Public Transport

From the Manly Ferry Wharf, bus 135 takes 10 minutes to drive to Q Station. This bus runs every hour and connects well with the ferry arriving and departing Manly. Located outside the main entrance, the bus stop is easy to find.

Ferries to Manly run from Circular Quay, taking around 30 minutes for the trip. Alternately, the Manly Fast Ferry takes 20 minutes, but is more expensive. There is a Fast Ferry service to Q Station Wharf, if you want to start here instead of in Manly.

Walking

Taking 30 minutes, the shortest walk winds through Manly’s streets, to the Q Station car park.

Shuttle Bus

A shuttle bus operates from the main entrance, down to the wharf area, removing the need for a steep walk. Running all day, the bus makes getting around far quicker than walking. Walking from the entrance to the wharf area takes around 10 minutes.

The Stairs Down to Q Station
The Stairs Down to Q Station
The Stairs Down to Q Station
The Stairs Down to Q Station

An interesting walk connects Q Station to North Head winding through coastal Australian bushland. This is a well structured path with lots of signs. The path also passes the third quarantine station cemetery which is an interesting place to walk around and view the old grave sites.

Guided Tours of the Quarantine Station

Tours of the historical buildings are available and can be booked online. The meeting point for the tour is near the wharf at the visitor centre. If you are not staying on site this means that you will walk though other old buildings on your way giving you a great overview of what is there (alternately, you can catch the shuttle bus).

You get to walk around the hospital, grounds, decontamination rooms, fumigation rooms and various other areas. The walk to the hospital at the top of the hill is very steep.

Starting at the wharf, the guide explained the use and history of the station before showing us the plaques carved into the rock face by ship’s passengers, many of which are quite artistic.

RMS Lusitania Carving North Head Quarantine Station
RMS Lusitania Carving
Ship Carving North Head Quarantine Station
Ship Carving
RMS Niagara Carving North Head Quarantine Station
RMS Niagara Carving

Our first stop was the decontamination rooms where patients were showered before entering the facility. We then saw the fumigation rooms where their belongings were placed in larger chambers and decontaminated. Several old suitcases and trolleys are set up to show how they were used.

Shower Cubicles
Shower Cubicles
Fumigation Chamber
Fumigation Chamber

Our last stop was the hospital at the top of the hill, where the sick were cared for.

Hospital
Hospital
Hospital Ward
Hospital Ward

Wharf Precinct

There is a little museum at the wharf, which is where you will find the ship’s plaques. This was a really interesting tour, and the guide had a lot of knowledge about the working and history of the fascility.

The area provided several magnificent views over Sydney Harbour and towards the city. Quarantine Beach sitting next to the wharf is a nice area with views back to the wharf and across the harbour to the city.

Quarantine Beach North Head Quarantine Station
Quarantine Beach
Door Decoration Q Station
Door Decoration Q Station
Door Decoration Q Station
Door Decoration Q Station

The Third Quarantine Cemetery

At the end of the guided tour, we walked to the Third Quarantine Cemetery where the headstones are still standing amongst the Australian bush with views over the harbour.

Headstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery
Headstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery
Headstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery
Headstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery

Our photos are available for purchase on

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk

Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk From the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk

Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk

The Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk winds its way along Sydney’s coastal cliffs between these two famous beaches.

Getting There

As the walk ends over 5 km from the start, we used public transport to simplify things.

From Central Station we caught the 339 bus to Clovelly (getting off at Clovelly Rd at Keith St Stop ID: 203180) and then walked to Waverley Cemetery. On finishing the walk, we caught the 380 (the 379 or 333 also go this way) to Bondi Junction where we caught the train back to Central Station.

Using public transport also alleviates the problem of parking a car, because car spaces are very limited in the area.

Waverley Cemetery

Starting at Waverley Cemetery we spent time looking and the huge number of grave sites and family vaults some of which are well decorated. The first interment took place in 1877, and graves of famous Australians such as Henry Lawson can be found here. The views from the cemetery over the ocean and a very peaceful location for peoples last resting place.

  • Waverley Cemetery Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
    Waverley Cemetery
  • Bronte Baths Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
    Bronte Baths
  • Bronte Beach Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
    Bronte Beach
  • Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk Looking Back to Waverley Cemetery
    Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk Looking Back to Waverley Cemetery

Then we followed the coastal trail around the cliffs to Bronte Beach, where we passed the Baths, built by Waverley Council in 1887. We bought coffee at the kiosk and sat and watched the surfers tackling the waves.

While admiring the views, we walked to Tamarama Beach. Well maintained and made of metal grating the track provides excellent walking conditions. In places this is replaced by concrete and once you pass Tamarama it is all concrete. There are several areas with stairs, but they are well-made and there are several places to rest, with bench seats, all with great views.

Art Work

There are several small pieces of artwork along the track, so look out for them, as they explain the importance of regeneration being undertaken and the arrival of the Dharawal people in the area.

At Bondi there is a small Black Sunday Surf Rescue Memorial, commemorating this event in 1938 when over 250 people were washed into deep water. Surf lifesavers rescued most, with only five losing their lives.

  • Sculpture to Show The Importance of Reviving Coastal Bushland Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
    Sculpture to Show The Importance of Reviving Coastal Bushland
  • Tribute to the Dharawal People Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
    Tribute to the Dharawal People
  • Twist Bands by Oushi Zokel Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
    Twist Bands by Oushi Zokel
  • Black Sunday Surf Rescue Memorial Bondi Beach Sydney Australia Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
    Black Sunday Surf Rescue Memorial

At Bondi admire the Street Art on the wall on the Beach side of the car park before going to Australia’s most famous beach. There was a kite flying display happening this time we visited making it more interesting

  • Weathered Rock South of Bondi Beach
    Weathered Rock South of Bondi Beach
  • Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk From the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
    Bondi Beach Looking North
  • Icebergs Swimming Pool at Bondi Beach
    Icebergs Swimming Pool at Bondi Beach
  • Gorilla Street Art at Bondi Beach
    Gorilla Street Art at Bondi Beach
  • Street Art at Bondi Beach
    Street Art at Bondi Beach
  • Street Art at Bondi Beach
    Street Art at Bondi Beach
  • Cat Street Art at Bondi Beach
    Cat Street Art at Bondi Beach
  • Street Art at Bondi Beach
    Street Art at Bondi Beach

Our walk finished at North Bondi at the lookout where the view along the coast and back towards Bondi is great.

Don’t forget to check out the old pavilion, where the change rooms and showers are located. A life-sized bronze statue of a lifesaver sits outside the pavilion, commemorating surf lifesaving in Australia.

This is also a great place for a meal as there is a huge variety of cafes and restaurants along Bondi Road.

  • The Bronze Lifesaver at Bondi Beach
    The Bronze Lifesaver at Bondi Beach

What Did We Think of the Bondi to Bronte Walk?

The walk took us about 90 minutes, but we stopped a lot to enjoy the views and take photos. Although there are several places with steps, the walk is quite easy.