Fairfax Walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

30 mins

762 m Circuit

45 m

Very easy

This walk provides some of the best views in Sydney. This pleasant stroll and wheelchair-accessible walk starts from the car park at the end of the North Head Scenic Drive, and follows the asphalt footpath as it loops around the tip of North Head. Enjoy views of the entrance to Sydney Harbour, the coastal cliff line and a historic gun emplacement. The stunning lookouts provide great views all year round and a popular vantage point for whale watchers. The whales pass by twice annually, heading north in June and July, and again when they return to the Antarctic in August and October.

North Head Scenic Drive car park

The car park is round at the far eastern end of North Head Scenic Drive, Manly. There are about 50 parking bays[1] including an area for large buses [2], and 2 mobility bays[3]

[Parking Accessible]

. NPWS parking fees apply unless you have a NPWS pass and there are ticket machines available[4].

(0km) North Head Scenic Drive car park → Start of Fairfax track

10 m

0m Very easy

From the North Head Scenic Drive car park, this walk follows the 'Fairfax walking track' sign[5] across the pedestrian crossing and up the small ramp[6]

[Pinch Point]

. The walk leads past the 'Welcome to North Head' information sign[7], then between the timber bollards[8] to the intersection marked with the metal 'Fairfax walking track' sign[9].

(0km) Start of Fairfax walk → South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout

140 m

3 mins

-8m Very easy

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads gently uphill along the wide path, initially keeping the car park (through the heath) to the left. The path almost immediately leads past a seat

[Seat]

(on the left) and leads gently uphill for about 30m to go over a rise then starts heading gently downhill, where the path bends right[10]. About 90m past this bend the path leads to a 3-way intersection above South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout.

(0km) South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout int. → South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout

10 m

-1m Very easy

Turn left: CURRENTLY CLOSED. From the intersection, this walk heads directly towards the ocean views along the asphalt path[11]. The path then comes to the top of some steps, where there are great views[12]. Continue down the stairs to come to the formal fenced lookout[13] and wonderful cliff views. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout

From this lookout, you can enjoy great views north along the coastal cliff line and as far as the horizon across the South Pacific Ocean. With a fenced cliff edge and a nice seat, this is a great spot to sit and soak up the views. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence

(0km) South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout int. → Old Gun Emplacement

120 m

2 mins

-3m Very easy

Continue straight: From the intersection near the lookout, this walk follows the main path gently downhill[14] keeping the ocean to the left. The path provides some nice ocean views over the heath[15] for about 120m until coming to a small concrete building[16] (on the left).

Old Gun Emplacement

This small concrete building[17][18] was used as a gunning placement and bunker for those who would keep watch over Sydney Harbour during World War Two. It was built in the 1920s (prior to the war), one of several new fortifications built at the time, the first since federation. Access to the building is via an 82cm wide entry, up two (5cm and 15cm) steps and into a 2.4x2.1m room.

(0km) Old Gun Emplacement → North Head (Southern) Lookout int.

60 m

2 mins

-18m Very easy

Continue straight: From the concrete building, this walk follows the main footpath gently downhill, keeping the ocean to the left[20]. The path winds through the heath for about 60m to come to a 3-way intersection near the North Head (Southern) Lookout (on the left)[21].

(0km) North Head (Southern) Lookout int. → North Head (Southern) Lookout

20 m

1 mins

-9m Very easy

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads gently downhill[22] along the 10m path towards the ocean to the fenced lookout[23]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

North Head (Southern) Lookout

This lookout is on the southern edge of North Head and provides a great view that spans from Sydney city in the distance[24] (to the south), around the South Pacific Ocean[25] (to the east). You will notice a large white pole with a green light[26], which helps ships navigate and avoid the headland as they sail into Sydney Harbour. The lookout has a 1.18m high fence/railing around the edge. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence[27].

(0km) North Head (Southern) Lookout int. → Fairfax Lookout intersection

170 m

5 mins

20m

-18m Very easy

Turn right: From the intersection near North Head (Southern) Lookout, this walk follows the main footpath[28] gently downhill keeping the fence and ocean to the left. The path leads beside a section of nearly bald cliff top opening up wide ocean views[29] for nearly 150m to come to a 3-way intersection[30] (with the steps on track on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the footpath distinctly uphill[31], initially keeping the ocean (and step track) to the left. The path leads up the slope for 30m to come to a large 3-way intersection marked with a 'Fairfax Lookout' plaque[32] (on the left).

(0km) Int of Fairfax lookout and loop track → Fairfax Lookout

50 m

2 mins

-20m Very easy

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide footpath gently downhill[33] towards the upper Fairfax lookout area to find an intersection just before the seat[34]

[Seat]

.
Veer right: From the upper Fairfax Lookout, this walk heads gently down the ramped footpath[35] (between two metal handrails) for about 30m to come to the lower Fairfax Lookout platform[36] (with a seat on the right

[Seat]

). At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.

Fairfax Lookout

Fairfax Lookout is a great vantage point to enjoy the entrance to Sydney Harbour[37], the majestic cliff line[38] and the city skyline in the distance. It is a great reminder of how much bushland there is in the great city. This is a good vantage point for whale watching when the Humpback and Southern Right whales migrate along the coast. The whales usually head north in June-July to a warmer climate for breeding and return to the food-rich Antarctic waters in August-October, where they remain for the summer. There is a seat

[Seat]

at the upper and lower viewing areas. The lookout has a 1.2m high metal fence along the edge. A small section of the lower lookout was closed[39] in 2017 due to cliff instability.

(0km) Int of Fairfax lookout and loop track → North Head Scenic Drive car park

270 m

6 mins

22m

0m Very easy

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads gently uphill along the footpath keeping the timber fence to the left[40]. The path winds gently uphill for just shy of 120m to come to an intersection with a dirt trail[41] (on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads gently uphill following the asphalt footpath[42] as it winds through the heath. After 130m the path leads past a timber seat

[Seat]

(on the right)[43] and then comes to an intersection near the car park and road (on the left)
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads towards the car park, between the timber bollards. The walk leads past the 'Welcome to North Head' information sign[44] and down the small ramp[45]

[Pinch Point]

to the pedestrian crossing at the North Head Scenic Drive car park.

Maps for the Fairfax Walk walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Sydney Heads	1:25 000 Map Series	91302N SYDNEY HEADS	NSW-91302N
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Fairfax Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Fairfax Walk

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	762 m
		Time	30 mins
		.
Grade 1/6 Very easy	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Flat, no steps (1/6)
		Quality of track	Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

This whole walk, 760m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 760m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

This whole walk, 760m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 760m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 760m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 760m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Fairfax Walk walk.

Inner Middle Head Battery walk

762 m Return, 30 mins

On this walk you will explore the historic northern or 'inner' Middle Head fortification battery. You can explore the trenches, tunnels and rooms of the fortifications on the less busy gun emplacements on Middle Head. The vegetation, water, cliff and harbour views are also spectacular and well worth

Total climbing: 26m

Moderate track

Middle Head Battery walk

664 m Return, 30 mins

This walk guides you through the historic and well maintained outer Middle Head fortification battery. Take a step back in time, by walking along Old Fort Road past the old barracks and through the banksia forest to the open clearing and array of gun emplacements. At the fortification, you can explo

Total climbing: 10m

Easy track

Cobblers Beach

930 m Return, 30 mins

This walk guides you down a short but fairly steep trail to the beautiful Cobblers Beach. The beach is a small pretty and clothing optional beach on the northern edge of Middle Head in Sydney Harbour NP. There is a grassy area above the beach if you want to picnic and the water is generally protecte

Total climbing: 58m

Hard track

Middle Head

1.9 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This walk leads you around the perimeter of Middle Head. This is a great place to explore, with many forts, barracks and views over Sydney Harbour. The forts area is an excellent place to spend some time walking through the tunnels and gun pits.

Total climbing: 101m

Moderate track

Grotto Point Lighthouse Walk

1.7 km Return, 1 Hr

This is an excellent walk with some very scenic views. The walk travels along a well used track through the thick coastal bush. The views are capped off by the vista over Sydney Harbour from the Grotto Point Lighthouse. Easy parking, a few good side trips, and in particular, the Aboriginal Engravin

Total climbing: 83m

Moderate track

Crater Cove Lookout

60 m Return, 3 mins

This is a great, short walk to a lookout with a fantastic views. The lookout has great views out through the heads, and also much of the upper reaches of Sydney Harbour. From the lookout, you can even see down into Crater Cove, to the old houses built during the great depression. The walk is very

Total climbing: 9m

Moderate track

Camp Cove Cannon

358 m Return, 15 mins

Spend some time relaxing and exploring Camp Cove - the first landing place for Europeans in Australia. On this walk, you will head across the northern end of Camp Cove Beach, up some steps to follow an old sandstone cobbled road. This road leads to a great vantage point, with views over the Sydney H

Total climbing: 14m

Easy track

Lady Bay Beach

992 m Return, 30 mins

This walk leads to a popular nudist (clothing optional) beach on Sydney Harbour's South Head. The walk follows the clear footpath / old roads past several significant historic and beautiful sites before climbing down a set of steps to find the beach. The beach is protected from the main surf on the

Total climbing: 38m

Moderate track

South Head Heritage Trail

1.7 km Circuit, 45 mins

This walk explores the tip of Sydney Harbour's South Head. On this walk, you will visit several historic and scenic places, following a footpath most of the way. You will start at Camp Cove, the first landing place for Europeans in Australia, and also visit a number of gun emplacements, designed to

Total climbing: 64m

Easy track

Arabanoo Lookout

142 m Return, 15 mins

This short and easy walk leads from Tania Park to wonderful views of Arabanoo Lookout. The views over North Head and the water are wonderful. There is a concrete path leading the whole way and two seats at the top waiting for you to soak up the views. Tania Park can get busy on weekends with sport a

Total climbing: 5m

Very easy

Dobroyd Head Walk

2.5 km Circuit, 1 Hr

Walking around Dobroyd Head is a fantastic experience. The heath vegetation high up on the walk provides many opportunities to view flowers and insects close up, whilst still enjoying plenty of views out to the sea. Reef Beach is a great place to stop for a snack or lunch and to get the feet wet bef

Total climbing: 109m

Hard track

Grotto Point Walk

3.6 km Return, 2 hrs

This return walk out to Grotto Point is in a magnificent area above the entrance to Middle Harbour. The walk provides plenty of views of Middle Head and over Sydney Harbour to the CBD. Many scenic views and some spectacular bushland, so close to the city, makes this walk a gem.

Total climbing: 153m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Fairfax Walk walk starts and ends at the North Head Scenic Drive car park (gps: -33.821232, 151.29970)

Bus. (get details)

Car. Parking fees apply in the area.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Sydney Harbour National Park

One of Sydney's most diverse parks, Sydney Harbour National Park is formed from 11 pockets of harbour islands and shoreline. Highlights include coastal walks and swimming, breath-taking viewpoints, tours of colonial buildings and Aboriginal cave art.

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