Sydney Harbour National Park

You'd be thinking, what is there to see on the peak of such a tiny failed island. Look west and you could see an elevated view of the Barbour bridge and the Opera House, with your view uninterrupted by ferries and yachts. You might see cruise ships, but they won't block your view either.

The lookout here is named and in memory of Arabanoo, the first Aboriginal person to live with European settlers. The spot is now popular for whale and boat watching and is an important site to Indigenous Australians.

A quiet place to relax, and is stop 7 on the Spit to Manly walk. There are some rocky edges towards the sides of the beaches, so if you are swimming, stay within the centre, incase a wave comes pushing you towards the rocks, something which is not uncommon.

A good place to view the harbour, day or night and also view the cliffs of Dobroyd Head.

A lookout which looks 1/2 rural and 1/2 urban. The lookout is also not fenced, and you'll know it's Fairlight lookout when going down, and just as the path turns right, you've arrived at Fairlight lookout.

A 100-metre secluded beach with harbour views, and lots of small rock pools. About forty. Unfortunately the rock pools don't make the beach a suitable spot for swimming.

Rock arts include humans, marine, boomerangs and land animals and can be seen up close.

Lighthouse with stunning harbour views and popular NYE spot. It was first lit on September 1, 1911 and is one of four such lighthouses designed by architect Maurice Festu in a style now sometimes referred to as a "Disney Castle".

A beach that looks somewhat like a reef. Don't swim here though, since the waves come crashing, and there are so many rocks here, a lot more than your regular beach. But that doesn't mean that it's not enjoyable – there's still the shallow tropical waters, and of course, Sunbathing; a Sydney classic.

Another lookout that has a different perspective 24/7.

Famous short getaway beach, for those who do not want to be surrounded by houses.

Once a defence facility, then under attack from US friendly fire in World War II, now a popular tourist spot in the iconic Sydney Harbour. If you want to take a tour of the island and visit the tower, you need to purchase a ticket which includes the ferry transport 24 hours in advance from the Sydney Visitors Centre at Cadmans Cottage in The Rocks. The National Parks and Wildlife Service run a half-hour guided tour for $27/$17 and $72 for a 4 person family. That includes the ferry trip to the island. Standby tickets are available for the tours from the cafe on the island for $10, but these are subject to availability.

A commonly used gun during World Wars I and II. Now just a tourist spot.

The site consists of the original battery and barracks, designed by Colonial Architect James Barnet, located at the end of Suakin Drive, Georges Heights, two later batteries located adjacent to the corner of Middle Head Rd and Best Ave, Georges Heights, and the Beehive (or Lower) Casemate adjacent to the Armoured (or Upper) Casemate in Chowder Bay Rd. The Georges Head Battery is one of three forts in the area that were built for the purpose of defending the outer harbour.

Former Officers barracks, which is now a restaurant, with a harbourside view.

Sydney's first water fire brigade, which is now a historic building.

An old shipyard, now renovated into a historic site.

A lookout that is literally ... abandoned. Getting here will require you to go slightly off path, but it doesn't require any pioneering skills. It does require you to go under some narrow trees, but mostly this occurs after storms.

A quiet small, skinny beach that has been more popular for nude swimming and sunbathing in the 21st century.

The oldest fortification in Middle Head, which marked the beginning of defence moving away from the core of Sydney Harbour and more towards the headlands closer to the Tasman Sea.

Community garden to encourage healthy eating.

Tiny, small hidden cove bordered by rocks, trees & vegetation, popular for nude swimming & nude sunbathing, although unlike Little Congwong beach in La Perouse where almost everyone is nude, there are chances here that there are people who aren't nude.

The outer fort out of the three Middle Head forts in Middle Head.

Former Soldiers' Institute during World War II.

There are about eight lined-up model canons.

A small spit on Nielsen Park with nice ocean waves, walking trails and picnic spots. It's also one of the most popular spots in Sydney for rockfishing. Also, remember to wear a lifejacket, as many have been caught for not wearing one here.

A historic building by the harbour. While now it may be used as an event centre, tourists come here, often to see the outside.

A smaller beach than most might expect.

Another beach, where you could take photos just like the postcards.

Known for a couple of shark attacks nearby? Nope, that's Shark Island. The name Shark Beach comes from the name of Shark Bay, known for a lot of sharks. However, Shark Beach is safe from sharks, however, it's best to not go too far out, swim or kayak. During the summer months, a net is put around the beach, so sharks do not come in the swimming area.

Only a three-gun battery remains. The passageways, tunnels, magazine store and barrack room are now partially buried. The stone lintel cover of the entry to the rear emplacement was smashed and the tunnel filled with debris, allowing water to seep in causing damage to the interior. The stonework of the lower emplacements and connecting passages are in good condition and there is still one gun emplacement located above ground.

It was a women’s convalescent home in the early 20th century and later an aged care. Now, people watch an unforgettable sunset by the sea here.

A rock that looks very much like a whale ;).

A historic Australian Army site, with well preserved barracks and artillery with views of Sydney Harbour. Additionally, tours of underground tunnels are available on weekends.

A 9.2-in gun barrel display. Nothing too special about it, but it is worth a quick look.

Small beach, which has a small waterfall off a rock when rainy. The water here is unusually shallow as well, and looks more a tropical paradise rather than metropolitan Sydney. Not too hard to get to, but parking can become a problem.

A free display of all the antiques and items that were used during quarantine, including an old stove.

Features a historic World War II site that was put in place to prevent a Japanese invasion. However, it was never used and now it is a tourist spot.

A harbour facing lookout, facing the Sydney skyline, including the harbour bridge, the Sydney Opera House, and the Sydney Eye. You might see some of the harbour islands although they may be obstructed by the trees.

A former hospital used to treat the infected when the quarantine station was in use. The hospital displays some of the early 19- and 20th-century medical tools.

A lookout overlooking the ocean, but also overlooking the flora and fauna nearby.

Another one of Sydney Harbour's many small forts, built to prevent a WWII attack from the Japanese. You'll also have some impressive harbour views from the hill.

This is a swimming spot in Sydney Harbour. It is a fairly average beach, but has an interesting westerly outlook which allows you see the sun setting over the bay, which is very unusual in Sydney, where looking over the water usually means you are facing east.

You'd think that this is just your ordinary wharf, but there's some historic artwork here, depicting the styles of the early 20th century.

A small lookout, giving you a good view of both Shelly and Manly beaches. Not wheelchair accessible.

A difficult to access beach, but do-able from Collins Beach. It was where ships used to unload provisions for the Quarantine Station but now it can only be accessed by a private boat or by foot.

A cemetery for the third class passengers from the quarantined ships quarantining at the North Head Quarantine Station.

Has views of the Pacific, South Head and most importantly, Sydney Harbour.

While close to Fairfax Lookout, this lookout provides completely different views. This one shows views of the former barracks, and ocean, as this is an east-facing lookout.

An Aboriginal rock carving of a fish.

A park and reserve with a couple of cool sculptures and a memorial in memory of Don Ritchie.

A centre about the Gap Bluff run by the NSWNPWS.

A lookout to see the unique and picturesque Gap Bluff Cliffs.

Another one of those batteries.

Where the lighthouse keepers used to stay.

A former lighthouse that was used for oncoming entering ships entering Sydney Harbour at night.

Another north westerly and easterly facing beaches, which are unusual to see in Sydney. Popular for seeing ships - mainly cruises at sunset. Both sides are popular for nude swimming and nude sunbathing.

Signal Hill Battery was one of a set of three coastal defence fortifications and were the last link in Sydney's outer defence perimeter, which was intended to defend Sydney from bombardment by an enemy vessel standing off the coast.

Signal station on South Head.

A 1.8-km guided tour, which shows a world beneath full of sandstone.

It has been a popular spot for fishing, even in the 20th century. While there are no signs saying the location, face east, and there you are. But most of the time, there's always people there.

A short but nice coastal harbour walk, from Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay. It's the only walk to connect two sections of the park together. It's 4 km one way, and is an NPWS Grade 3 track. Free.

The track used to get to Grotto Point Lighthouse. The difficulty is slightly harder than the other tracks, but is still very easy.

A side track off Lighthouse track to get to Washaway Beach.

Small walking trail generally suitable for all ages.

A 100-m loop trail.

Coastal 500-m walk, usually with a picturesque view at any time of the day.

Short walking track from Shark Beach to Vaucluse town centre.

Bike hire is available just outside the Q-station reception. Also, it is a self-served one, meaning that if an error occurs, usually the Q-station staff will be able to help.

A tour, experiencing one of Sydney's most haunted areas. Believer or not, still a worthy tour, known by almost any worthy Sydneysider. Unlike most ghost tours, this one has no age limit.

A short 700-m loop trail, which gives picturesque views of the Harbour, the ocean and the former battery. Suitable for most ages, however, if you're going with young children, make sure they do not pick up things on the ground. These may be UXO's and it is a federal civil offense to even move them, and the penalties are hefty.

A bike path, but there's more people who walk this track.

A 470-m loop track which gives you a lot to see, including Lighthouses and Cottages that were used by the former lightkeepers and some old batteries, used in World War II.

A small short-loop trail which is used to see the Gap Bluff Cliffs. There is a small bit where it goes very close to the cliffs, and the ocean.

A tour about how significant the harbour was to Indigenous Australians, and getting to know a bit about the local language that was spoken here.

A whale watching tour in Sydney Harbour. May-November only.