Fairfax Walk, North Head
Situated on North Head in Manly, the Fairfax walk offers some of Sydney's most spectacular coastal views along with a broad sweep of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline. It is probably the shortest walk you’ll find on my site but for the views alone it deserves attention. And better still, the kilometre long trail follows a (mostly) level pathway making it suitable for all.
Getting there
The Fairfax walk starts at the North Head precinct of Sydney Harbour National Park.
If you’re driving, take Sydney Road to Manly, then take Darley Road onto North Head Scenic Drive. (Park entry fees apply.) There are parking bays very close to the walkway.
To get there by public transport, take the Manly ferry to Circular Quay and the 161 North Head loop service up to North Head and the walk’s start.
The Lookouts
The Fairfax Walk runs in a loop so you can walk in either direction. The pathway connects two lookouts, Yiningma and Burragula, which are perfectly placed to take in the surrounds. The built-in seating offers visitors a place to sit and soak up the postcard views.
Barragula Lookout
The award-winning cantilevered structures were designed to reflect Aboriginal connection to Country in a place long inhabited by the Eora and Daruk Aboriginal Nations. The seating and signage pressed into the sandstone speaks to the history and stories of the area.
Yiningma Lookout
Barragula (sunset) looks out across Sydney Harbour to South Head, while Yiningma (cliff edge), features views up and down the coastline and far out to sea. It’s a great place to see the sunrise or to watch for migrating whales from May to October, with June-August being the peak.
Nearby
The Manly to North Head Loop Walk includes the Fairfax Walk so if you’re up for a much longer walk that adds bush and beach walks and more fabulous views I highly recommend it.
The Memorial Walkway offers an accessible extension to this walk. The Walkway links five monuments built to commemorate significant periods of conflict in Australia’s history, including the two world wars. The monuments and paving stones honour those who served in times of war and in peace-keeping.
The old Quarantine Station lies within Sydney Harbour National Park and the start of the The Q Station Walk is just a short drive from this one. There are cafes and a beach at the Q Station as well as a museum which explores Australia’s immigration and quarantine history through tours and displays.
