Sydney Harbour National Park
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The park is known for its historic Aboriginal, colonial and military sites, marine reserves, islands, beaches, walking trails, swimming spots, and quiet picnic areas. Sydney Harbor National Park is home to ancient Aboriginal rock art sites, but also to buildings built by convicts in colonial times. Its large number of features attracts many tourists and Sydneysiders.
Sydney Harbor National Park is the setting for one of the biggest annual events in Australia. The fantastic New Year’s Eve fireworks over Sydney Harbor can be seen from various viewing areas inside the park. Another large event that takes place there is the Sydney to Hobart
yacht race.
History
Aboriginals have inhabited these areas for many thousands of years, creating several rock
paintings and prints that now provide a valuable look into their history.The first Europeans to visit the area were colonists who set up a convict colony in Sydney Harbor. Some of the buildings that were built by convicts can still be seen today. Examples are Cadmans Cottage in The Rocks and the Quarantine Station at Manly. Large areas of the foreshores of the harbors have been affected by development over time. The remaining protected bays, shores, and inlets are there because of the lobby work by conservationists and thanks to the presence of military bases. Sydney Harbor National Park was officially established in 1975.
Things to See and Do
The national park offers a wide variety of activities. From admiring ancient rock art and historic buildings to hiking on stunning coastal trails or sea kayaking, the options are virtually endless.Visitors can explore almost the entire length of the world-famous Sydney Harbor. There are options for everyone and trails suited to all abilities. Short and easy strolls lead to fine lookouts, but there are also longer day hikes and even the 100-kilometer-long Great Coastal Walk. The park’s small bushland areas are all connected by great hiking trails that make their ways over exposed cliffs, around rocky plateaus, and past the mansions of Sydney’s rich and famous. Suggested hikes are the Fairfax Walk on North Head, the trail from Bradleys Head
to
Chowder Bay, the Hermitage Foreshore Track in Nielsen Park, the South Head Heritage Trail,
and the excellent Manly to the Spit Walk.At Bradleys Head, South Head, and North Head people can visit historic military fortresses set on cliff tops. Other historic activities include harbor tours, cruises guided by Aboriginals, walking tours on Cockatoo Island
and excursions to fascinating Fort Denison and beautiful Shark Island.The northern parts of the park are where the best beaches are located. Chinamans Beach, Manly Beach, and Balmoral Beach are all excellent. The southern edge is where visitors can find parks and sheltered picnic areas. This is a popular weekend hangout among Sydney’s residents.
Night tours are a great way to learn about the (nocturnal) wildlife in the national park. During daytime numerous sea birds can be spotted on the coastal cliffs or in the trees of Middle Head and North Head. South Head and North Head are good places to spot migrating whales, while the North Harbor Aquatic Reserve offers great diving and snorkeling opportunities.
An alternative way to explore and see Sydney Harbor National Park is renting a sea kayak or sailboat and visiting sheltered bays.
How to Get There
Because Sydney Harbor National consists entirely of areas within Sydney, most of it is easily accessible by car or public transport. The national park surrounds the harbor and almost all of the nearby suburbs can be reached from the CBD. Many ferries cross the harbor and even run to some of the Harbor Islands. Water-taxis can transport visitors to some of the park’s beaches and coastal parks. Virtually all public transport leaves at Sydney's main transport center: Circular Quay.Similar Landmarks
Sydney Harbor National Park is unique in Australia in the sense that it lies completely within a major city. There are, however, a lot of other coastal national parks in Australia. Wilsons Promontory National Park, Freycinet National Park, Francois Peron National Park, Great Otway National Park, and Coorong National Park are just several examples.Do you see any omissions, errors or want to add information to this page? Sign up.
Author: bramreusen. Last updated: Feb 08, 2015