Sydney Harbour National Park

Introducing Sydney Harbour National Park

This park protects scattered pockets of harbourside bushland with magical walking tracks, lookouts, Aboriginal engravings and historic sites. Its southern side incorporates South Head and Nielsen Park; on the North Shore it includes North Head, Dobroyd Head, Middle Head and Ashton Park.

Five harbour islands are also part of the Sydney Harbour National Park: Clark Island off Darling Point, Shark Island off Rose Bay, Rodd Island in Iron Cove, Goat Island, once a hellish convict gulag, and the small fortified Fort Denison off Mrs Macquaries Point. Nicknamed 'Pinchgut' for its meagre rations, Fort Denison once isolated recalcitrant convicts. Paranoid fears of a Russian invasion during the mid-19th-century Crimean War led to its fortification.

Except for Goat Island, which is currently off-limits, the harbour islands are open for marooning. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) runs 2½-hour Fort Denison tours (adult/concession/family $22/18/72; 11.45am Mon-Fri, 11.30am & 2.30pm Sat & Sun) - book at the Sydney Harbour National Park Information Centre at Cadman's Cottage. You'll have to organise your own transport to Rodd and Clark Islands (eg water taxi) which incurs a $5 landing fee, also payable at Cadman's Cottage. Matilda Rocket Express (9264 7377; www.matilda.com.au; adult/concession/family $16/15/53; 10.30am, 11.45am, 1.45pm & 3.30pm) rockets you to Shark Island from Circular Quay. The Harbour Trust runs tours to Cockatoo Island (8969 2199; adult/concession/family $25/15/75; 10.30am & 1.30pm Sat, 10am & 2pm Sun), the harbour's largest island.

Last updated: Apr 17, 2009