Fairfax Walk

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Safer Bushwalks

Tips on staying safe on track

Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

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Getting There

Transport options and directions

Start	(-33.8212526,151.2997178)
Mode	Bus Car (Parking fees apply in the area.)
Directions	From Sydney Road Turn on to Whistler Street then drive for 520 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Darley Road and drive for another 1.9 km At roundabout, take exit 1 onto North Head Scenic Drive and drive for another 1.4 km Turn left and drive for another 120 m

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Track Notes

Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the North Head Scenic Drive car park, this walk follows the 'Fairfax walking track' sign across the pedestrian crossing and up the small ramp. The walk leads past the 'Welcome to North Head' information sign, then between the timber bollards to the intersection marked with the metal 'Fairfax walking track' sign.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the car park at the start.
	After another 8 m turn left. Then find the "Parking Accessible" (on your left). Parking Accessible Parking Accessible There are about 50 car parking bays. Two are marked mobility parking bays nearest to the start of the walk. The mobility parking area is asphalt, 4m wide and 6m deep. + - There are about 50 car parking bays. Two are marked mobility parking bays nearest to the start of the walk. The mobility parking area is asphalt, 4m wide and 6m deep. After another 6 m come to the "Pinch Point". Pinch Point Pinch Point Timber bollard and gutter ramp pinch points at the start of the walk. The gap between the bollards are 1.2m, and the ramp is 1.27m wide. + - Timber bollard and gutter ramp pinch points at the start of the walk. The gap between the bollards are 1.2m, and the ramp is 1.27m wide. After another 7 m find the "Seat" (on your right). Seat Seat A timber slat bench seat, 44cm high, 44cm deep and 1.8m wide with no arm or backrest. + - A timber slat bench seat, 44cm high, 44cm deep and 1.8m wide with no arm or backrest.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 120 m veer right. After another 135 m find the "Old Gun Emplacement" (on your left). Old Gun Emplacement Old Gun Emplacement This small concrete building was used as a gunning placement and bunker for those who would keep watch over Sydney Harbour during World War Two. It was built in the 1920s (prior to the war), one of several new fortifications built at the time, the first since federation. Access to the building is via an 82cm wide entry, up two (5cm and 15cm) steps and into a 2.4x2.1m room. + - This small concrete building was used as a gunning placement and bunker for those who would keep watch over Sydney Harbour during World War Two. It was built in the 1920s (prior to the war), one of several new fortifications built at the time, the first since federation. Access to the building is via an 82cm wide entry, up two (5cm and 15cm) steps and into a 2.4x2.1m room.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to North Head (Southern) Lookout. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 40 m turn right.
	After another 140 m continue straight. After another 65 m find the "Seat" (35 m on your left). Seat Seat A timber slat bench seat, 47cm high, 30cm deep and 2m wide with a 39cm high backrest. + - A timber slat bench seat, 47cm high, 30cm deep and 2m wide with a 39cm high backrest.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Fairfax Lookout. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below. Continue straight.
	After another 110 m continue straight. After another 140 m come to "Seat". Seat Seat A timber slat bench seat, 47cm high, 45cm deep and 1.8m wide with no arm or backrest. + - A timber slat bench seat, 47cm high, 45cm deep and 1.8m wide with no arm or backrest.
	Turn left.
	After another 10 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 15 m come to "South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout". South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout From this lookout, you can enjoy great views north along the coastal cliff line and as far as the horizon across the South Pacific Ocean. With a fenced cliff edge and a nice seat, this is a great spot to sit and soak up the views. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence + - From this lookout, you can enjoy great views north along the coastal cliff line and as far as the horizon across the South Pacific Ocean. With a fenced cliff edge and a nice seat, this is a great spot to sit and soak up the views. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence
	The end. A viewpoint. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 15 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 15 m come to "South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout".

South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout

From this lookout, you can enjoy great views north along the coastal cliff line and as far as the horizon across the South Pacific Ocean. With a fenced cliff edge and a nice seat, this is a great spot to sit and soak up the views. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence

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From this lookout, you can enjoy great views north along the coastal cliff line and as far as the horizon across the South Pacific Ocean. With a fenced cliff edge and a nice seat, this is a great spot to sit and soak up the views. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence

The end.

A viewpoint.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 15 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to North Head (Southern) Lookout.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 10 m find the "South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout" (195 m on your left). South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout From this lookout, you can enjoy great views north along the coastal cliff line and as far as the horizon across the South Pacific Ocean. With a fenced cliff edge and a nice seat, this is a great spot to sit and soak up the views. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence + - From this lookout, you can enjoy great views north along the coastal cliff line and as far as the horizon across the South Pacific Ocean. With a fenced cliff edge and a nice seat, this is a great spot to sit and soak up the views. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence
	Continue another 15 m to find Fairfax Lookout at the end. "North Head (Southern) Lookout". North Head (Southern) Lookout North Head (Southern) Lookout This lookout is on the southern edge of North Head and provides a great view that spans from Sydney city in the distance (to the south), around the South Pacific Ocean (to the east). You will notice a large white pole with a green light, which helps ships navigate and avoid the headland as they sail into Sydney Harbour. The lookout has a 1.18m high fence/railing around the edge. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence. + - This lookout is on the southern edge of North Head and provides a great view that spans from Sydney city in the distance (to the south), around the South Pacific Ocean (to the east). You will notice a large white pole with a green light, which helps ships navigate and avoid the headland as they sail into Sydney Harbour. The lookout has a 1.18m high fence/railing around the edge. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence. "Fairfax Lookout". Turn around and retrace your steps back the 25 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After 10 m find the "South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout" (195 m on your left).

South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout

From this lookout, you can enjoy great views north along the coastal cliff line and as far as the horizon across the South Pacific Ocean. With a fenced cliff edge and a nice seat, this is a great spot to sit and soak up the views. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence

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From this lookout, you can enjoy great views north along the coastal cliff line and as far as the horizon across the South Pacific Ocean. With a fenced cliff edge and a nice seat, this is a great spot to sit and soak up the views. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence

Continue another 15 m to find Fairfax Lookout at the end.

"North Head (Southern) Lookout".

North Head (Southern) Lookout

This lookout is on the southern edge of North Head and provides a great view that spans from Sydney city in the distance (to the south), around the South Pacific Ocean (to the east). You will notice a large white pole with a green light, which helps ships navigate and avoid the headland as they sail into Sydney Harbour. The lookout has a 1.18m high fence/railing around the edge. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence.

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This lookout is on the southern edge of North Head and provides a great view that spans from Sydney city in the distance (to the south), around the South Pacific Ocean (to the east). You will notice a large white pole with a green light, which helps ships navigate and avoid the headland as they sail into Sydney Harbour. The lookout has a 1.18m high fence/railing around the edge. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence.

"Fairfax Lookout".

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 25 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Fairfax Lookout.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 20 m continue straight.
	After another 10 m veer right. After another 20 m find the "Seat" (6 m on your left). Seat Seat A timber slat bench seat, 47cm high, 30cm deep and 2m wide with a 39cm high backrest. + - A timber slat bench seat, 47cm high, 30cm deep and 2m wide with a 39cm high backrest.
	After another 10 m come to the end. "Fairfax Lookout". Fairfax Lookout Fairfax Lookout Fairfax Lookout is a great vantage point to enjoy the entrance to Sydney Harbour, the majestic cliff line and the city skyline in the distance. It is a great reminder of how much bushland there is in the great city. This is a good vantage point for whale watching when the Humpback and Southern Right whales migrate along the coast. The whales usually head north in June-July to a warmer climate for breeding and return to the food-rich Antarctic waters in August-October, where they remain for the summer. There is a seat at the upper and lower viewing areas. The lookout has a 1.2m high metal fence along the edge. A small section of the lower lookout was closed in 2017 due to cliff instability. + - Fairfax Lookout is a great vantage point to enjoy the entrance to Sydney Harbour, the majestic cliff line and the city skyline in the distance. It is a great reminder of how much bushland there is in the great city. This is a good vantage point for whale watching when the Humpback and Southern Right whales migrate along the coast. The whales usually head north in June-July to a warmer climate for breeding and return to the food-rich Antarctic waters in August-October, where they remain for the summer. There is a seat at the upper and lower viewing areas. The lookout has a 1.2m high metal fence along the edge. A small section of the lower lookout was closed in 2017 due to cliff instability. "Seat". Seat Seat A timber slat bench seat, 48cm high, 30cm deep and 2m wide with a 41cm high backrest. + - A timber slat bench seat, 48cm high, 30cm deep and 2m wide with a 41cm high backrest. A viewpoint. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 60 m to the main route.

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Terrain

Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Fairfax Walk

Grading

	Class 1/6 Smooth & flat
Length	760 m
Time	20 min to 30 min

Quality of track	Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
Gradient	Flat, no steps (1/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Naturally Accessible
Slope summary:
Gentle slopes, no steps.

Surface summary:
2.4m wide asphalt footpath the whole way around.

Some facilities on route

Seat: There are 4 on route, on average they are 190 m apart with the largest gap of 540 m.

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Articles

Discover more details to thrive on track

North Head Scenic Drive car park
The car park is round at the far eastern end of North Head Scenic Drive, Manly. There are about 50 parking bays including an area for large buses , and 2 mobility bays. NPWS parking fees apply unless you have a NPWS pass and there are ticket machines available.

South Pacific (Eastern) Lookout
From this lookout, you can enjoy great views north along the coastal cliff line and as far as the horizon across the South Pacific Ocean. With a fenced cliff edge and a nice seat, this is a great spot to sit and soak up the views. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence

Old Gun Emplacement
This small concrete building was used as a gunning placement and bunker for those who would keep watch over Sydney Harbour during World War Two. It was built in the 1920s (prior to the war), one of several new fortifications built at the time, the first since federation. Access to the building is via an 82cm wide entry, up two (5cm and 15cm) steps and into a 2.4x2.1m room.

North Head (Southern) Lookout
This lookout is on the southern edge of North Head and provides a great view that spans from Sydney city in the distance (to the south), around the South Pacific Ocean (to the east). You will notice a large white pole with a green light, which helps ships navigate and avoid the headland as they sail into Sydney Harbour. The lookout has a 1.18m high fence/railing around the edge. In 2017 part of this lookout was closed and fenced off due to cliff instability, you can still enjoy the view from behind the fence.

Fairfax Lookout
Fairfax Lookout is a great vantage point to enjoy the entrance to Sydney Harbour, the majestic cliff line and the city skyline in the distance. It is a great reminder of how much bushland there is in the great city. This is a good vantage point for whale watching when the Humpback and Southern Right whales migrate along the coast. The whales usually head north in June-July to a warmer climate for breeding and return to the food-rich Antarctic waters in August-October, where they remain for the summer. There is a seat at the upper and lower viewing areas. The lookout has a 1.2m high metal fence along the edge. A small section of the lower lookout was closed in 2017 due to cliff instability.

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