South Head

Map of Greater Sydney Surrounds

At the entrance from the ocean in Sydney, South Head features prominently and provides spectacular views of not only the ocean and harbour, but the city and the the lower Northern Beaches. Now a national park, you will find the views alone are worth the visit.

Being such a significant feature, there is a lot of history here as well, dating right back to the beginning of the colony. A heritage walk encompasses the many views and historical places here and is rated easy. With a bit of luck, you will be able to spot whale and dolphin pods on their migratory journeys. Whales, in their season, migrate from their feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean to their breeding grounds in the north of Australia.

The natural beauty has attracted visitors here since the early days, when Sydney was still a town. It was a long trip then, some nine kilometres by horse, then by the early 1900s, tram. Famous ships as well as visits by foreign and British naval vessels were always interesting to the locals as was the natural beauty and views.

Today it is still popular for those reasons. More importantly, on January 26th every year (Australia Day) thousands gather here to watch the beginning of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

Getting Here

The walk begins at Watsons Bay, a suburb on the harbour. Head to Camp Cove, from there, you will see a clearly marked trail that take past the points of interest.

At the other end of the walk is a bus stop, at the Gap, which can get you back to Bondi Junction and Sydney city.

Points of Interest

Along the way, you can visit the old gun batteries that were set up to protect the early colony from hostile attack.

Bondi Walks

Sydney Harbour National Park

Also part of Sydney Harbour National Park, South Head is located just north of the suburb of Watsons Bay. There is a looping walk that takes you around the head, with great views of North Head, Manly and the entrance to the harbour.

The park has a number of islands as well as foreshore parks that surround Sydney Harbour. There are places to go swimming, tracks to hike along the water and plenty of places to picnic, some with bbq facilities on fire safe days.

The park also protects buildings and old fortifications that date back to the earliest days of the colony. It included a lighthouse and even ancient Aboriginal sites, with stunning views throughout the year. This includes from South Head, of course.

South Head marks the southern side of the entrance to Sydney Harbour from the ocean. Here there are spectacular views of the ocean, the our grand harbour and the long Sydney coastline, extending to Palm Beach in the north to the Cronulla Beaches in the south.

The Gap

The Gap is on the ocean side of a sandstone ridge that connects South Head with the mainland. Waves crash spectacularly against the rocks here.

Getting to South Head: Take any ferry from Circular Quay or bus from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay (see the map). You can park at Watsons Bay and along parts of the walk.

Harbour Walks

Parks in Sydney

More about the many parks in Sydney:

Sydney Australia Parks

Sydney Australia Map

Map showing the beaches at Manly, including Collins Beach and Shelly Beach Manly Beach Map.

Sydney Australia Accommodation

Sydney accommodation in the city and surrounding suburbs including Bondi Beach - luxury hotels to beachside apartments, hostels and bed & breakfasts.

The Gap
Photo:

Main Photo: South Head, the harbour and the city in the background

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Photo: The Gap - Sandstone meets the Ocean

Australia Tourist Guide -> NSW Tourist Guide -> Australia Beaches -> Sydney -> South Head

Photo: Views of the City from South Head