North Head to Shelly Beach

This excursion began with the scenic half hour ferry trip from Circular Quay to Manly.

At Manly, we caught a 135 route bus from opposite Manly wharf to the North Head Sanctuary.

near Blue Fish Point, looking south.

There is a walking track from the Gatehouse Visitors Centre, through Sydney Harbour National Park to Cabbage Tree Bay. 

In the photo below you can see some of the beaches to the north of Manly. North Steyne, Queenscliff, Freshwater, Curl Curl, Dee Why, Long Reef and beyond, although not all are seen in this photo. We continued down to Shelly Beach and returned to Manly wharf from there. 

Link to my earlier North Head posts

North Head - Manly walking Map (pdf)    

North Head Sanctuary visitors guide (pdf)

North Head to Manly

City skyline from North Head (telephoto)

The Barracks

                                                 
This Sydney Excursion follows on from my North Head Sanctuary post. The other aspect of North Head is its military history. The headquarters for the Army School of Artillery was established at the North Head Barracks in 1946.
In 1998 it was relocated to Puckapunyal in Victoria, as North Head was no longer considered suitable.

You may also see references to the 'Australian Army Artillery Museum' which was located at North Fort.  It was also moved to Victoria in December 2010.

                                                                                                                               The North Fort Memorial Walk and memorials, honour those who have served in the defence of Australia in both war and peace. It spans the period from Australia's Colonial past, World War 1, World War 2 and Post-WW2 conflicts.                           Peacekeeping Operations and Civilian Services such as the Merchant Navy are included.

The heavy clouds cleared, making the mostly downhill walk back to Many wharf very pleasant. Along the way we passed Collins Beach and Little Manly Cove

Collins Beach, Sydney Harbour

Little Manly Cove, Sydney Harbour

Little Manly Cove

Thanks to Judith who led the group on this interesting and scenic walk

North Head Sanctuary

North Head was the home of the Army's School of Artillery until the late 1990's. The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust opened the Sanctuary to the public in 2007.

Sydney Harbour from North Head

The sanctuary provides protection for for the flora and fauna of North Head, which includes an endangered population of  Long-nosed Bandicoots.

 

Bandicoots were once common in Sydney where they foraged in parkland and back-yards but now are declining in numbers, due to numerous threats, including collision with vehicles and predation by dogs, cats and foxes.

Hanging Swamp, North Head

To reach North Head we caught a Manly Ferry from Circular Quay, then a 135 route bus from West Esplanade, near Manly Wharf. Our bus went as far as the entrance to the Old Quarantine Station, so we needed to walk further along North Head Scenic Drive, to North Fort (former artillery museum).
- see the map for Sydney Buses Route 135 (quick search in right hand column)

              Location Map                   North Head Sanctuary info.              Extra photos & frog call video

North Head Sanctuary Foundation -  Flora Walk Brochures