5 km
Fairfax Lookout
A boardwalk loop on the cliff edge, 80 m above the ocean, looking back down the harbour.
-33.8228, 151.2905Sydney, Australia
North Head Circuit
Incredible sunrise and sunset views
A loop around Sydney's northern gateway — military history, dramatic sandstone cliffs, whale-watching lookouts and a vantage point that stares straight down the harbour to the Opera House. Options from 8 to 15 km.
- Distance
- 10.34 km
- Elevation
- 119 m
- Time
- 60–80 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Type
- Loop
SunriseCoastalTrailModerate
Route map
Every stop, mapped
Loading map…
StartFinishWaterToiletsTransportCafeBeachLookoutLandmark Photo stop
Route timeline
Kilometre by kilometre
0 km
Manly Beach
Head south along the Marine Parade boardwalk.
1.4 km
Shelly Beach
Climb the stairs to the headland.
3 km
Blue Fish Point
Trail through banksia heath along the cliff edge.
5 km
Fairfax Lookout
Boardwalk loop — the money shot.
7 km
Quarantine Station
Long descent past the historic buildings.
9.5 km
Manly Beach
Back along the Corso end for coffee.
Route highlights
The parts you'll remember
7 km
Quarantine Station
Nineteenth-century buildings tucked into the hillside where new arrivals were once held.
-33.8155, 151.28351.4 km
Shelly Beach headland
The only west-facing beach on the east coast, with a marine reserve just offshore.
-33.8010, 151.2955Photo stops
Where to stop and shoot
North Head Lookout
Sydney Harbour and the city skyline framed by 80-metre sandstone cliffs.
- Best time
- Sunrise
- Photography tip
- Shoot from the eastern side of the lookout so the harbour and skyline sit together in frame.
- GPS
- -33.8228, 151.2905
Blue Fish Point
Raw, undercut cliffs and the open Pacific with nothing between you and New Zealand.
- Best time
- First light
- Photography tip
- Include a slice of the heath in the foreground for scale against the cliffs.
- GPS
- -33.8135, 151.2955
Local knowledge
Before you go
- Best time to run
- Sunrise. This is the best place in Sydney to watch the sun come out of the ocean.
- Sunrise
- 6:00am summer / 6:50am winter. The gates at North Head open at 6am.
- Sunset
- Good light on the city skyline from Fairfax, but the loop is unlit — finish before dusk.
- Parking
- Free parking at North Head Scenic Drive, or paid parking in Manly.
- Public transport
- Ferry to Manly then run from the wharf — no bus goes to the headland.
- Water
- Taps at Shelly Beach and North Head Sanctuary only.
- Toilets
- Shelly Beach and North Head Sanctuary.
Safety
Cliff edges are unfenced away from the lookouts. Stay on marked track.
Getting there
- • Manly Ferry
1 water point · 2 toilet stops on route
Local tip
Time the loop so you finish at The Boathouse Shelly Beach for breakfast on the sand.
- The Boathouse Shelly Beach — Breakfast right on the water.
- Manly Ocean Pool — Free saltwater pool at the north end of Manly Beach.
Route pack
Download the North Head Circuit pack
The GPX file plus everything on this page, ready for your watch and your pocket.
- GPX file
- Route map
- Route summary
- Elevation profile
- Route highlights
- Photo-stop guide
- Public transport info
- Local recommendations