Sydney Harbour National Park — Attraction in Sydney

If you’re visiting Manly, you definitely don’t want to miss Sydney Harbour National Park — especially the North Head area. We were travelling without a car and found it super easy and budget-friendly to get there.

Getting There Without a Car From the City to Manly: Catch a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Wharf. It's a scenic ride that offers great views of the harbour.

From Manly Wharf to North Head: Once at Manly, take the 161 bus operated by Keolis Downer Northern Beaches. This loop service departs from Manly Wharf, East Esplanade, Stand C and heads towards North Head. The journey takes approximately 4 minutes and costs between $1 to $4. Buses run every 30 minutes daily from around 6:42 AM to 7:42 PM.

🚶‍♀️ Exploring North Head North Head offers stunning clifftop views, walking tracks, and historical sites. The Fairfax Walk is a popular short trail leading to several lookouts with panoramic views of the ocean and Sydney skyline. It's a must-visit spot for nature lovers and photographers.

🚗 Parking Information (For Reference) If you're considering visiting other parts of Sydney Harbour National Park in the future, here are some parking details:

Bradleys Head: $8 per vehicle per day.

North Head: $5 per vehicle per day.

Chowder Bay:

Monday–Friday: $3 per hour, up to $16/day.

Weekends & Public Holidays: $4 per hour, up to $20/day.

Payment can be made via card or phone at pay machines. Coin payments are available at Fairfax carpark machines only. Holders of an NPWS All Parks or Multi Parks Pass can park free for up to four hours per day; additional time can be purchased.

Honestly, this is one of those places where nature just speaks for itself. Peaceful, scenic, and full of history. We didn’t expect to love it this much, but it ended up being one of the highlights of our...

The Sydney Harbour National Park on Sydney’s North Harbour is absolutely stunning! The cove boasts crystal-clear waters and golden sandy beaches, all nestled within the lush green canopy of the National Park. It’s a slice of paradise that feels a world away from the city.

You can explore this magical area by kayak, SUP, or boat with Manly Kayak Centre. They even offer guided kayak tours if you want to learn more about the history and hidden gems of the cove. There’s a stack of fun things to do; everything from SUPBALL, their unique and epic SUP board game (seriously, if you haven’t tried it, you must), to SUP lessons, kayak fitness sessions, SUP yoga, and more. They even do picnics in paradise - need I say more?

There’s a secluded beach you can only access by water, a small but sweet waterfall, and the historic Quarantine Station, which is well worth a visit. They run fascinating history tours, and the site includes a bar, cafe, and restaurant. Keep an eye out for events like Sunset Sessions, where you can enjoy drinks and live music while watching the sun go down over Sydney - it's truly a 'wow' moment.

And of course, Manly’s famous “office area” on East Esplanade is one of the best spots in Sydney to...

Fabulous destination! Had a great weekend getaway right in Sydney! Caught a bus to Circular Quay, straight onto a Manly ferry, then immediately connected to a 161 bus at the wharf, for a 10 minute ride up to the resort at North Heads. Was met by a shuttle bus at reception, for a 1 minute lift down go our room.We felt like we were miles out of Sydney, somewhere remote. Loved it! Spectacular views, well maintained buildings and absolute respect for their heritage in modernising them for comfort. Great walking trails and museum treasures to discover all over the National Park/resort. Food at all the venues were was good and he hidden harbour beach was relaxing. Service was faultless, all the staff were wonderful. I totally recommend going there, whether it's for a day trip or overnight. We had a small backpack each, so walked from reception down through the bush, on the board walk go Shelley Beach to go home. My tip is to catch the bus up and walk down. Excellent...