A short walk that’s big on views, the Fairfax Walk in Manly is a 1km loop track that ticks all the boxes.
This walk is access friendly, close to public transport, coffee and snacks within reach, beaches nearby, and has epic views of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline.
The Fairfax Walk at North Head is a walk that can be appreciated by both Sydney locals visitors to the city alike. Whether you’re after a picturesque solo adventure or a fun outdoor activity the whole family can enjoy, Manly’s Fairfax Walk is a solid choice.
| Distance: | 1km loop |
| Start: | North Head, Manly |
| End: | North Head, Manly |
| Public Transport: | Bus on North Head Scenic Drive, Manly |
| Water: | Purchase or fill up in Manly before visiting North Head Drinking water refill stations on The Esplanade and The Corso |
| Toilets: | Behind Bella Vista Cafe (~500m from walk) |
| Top Tip: | This walk is access-friendly. It is a flat loop track with a sealed surface and accessible parking spaces in the car park at the entry to the track. |
Fairfax Walk Overview
The Fairfax Walk at North Head in Manly is a 1km loop track with two lookouts and sweeping views of Sydney Harbour.
The walk is access-friendly with a sealed surface and a car park with accessible spaces located at the start of the track on North Head Scenic Drive. There is also a paved walkway from the car park to Bella Vista Manly and the public toilets near the cafe.
The walk is easy to reach by public transport, with a bus stop near the track for the bus that runs directly from Manly Wharf.
On this walk, you’ll loop around the highest point of North Head. You’ll enjoy views of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline in the distance, as well as views across to South Head, and out to the ocean beyond the heads.
This short scenic walk is a great choice if you’re looking for an outdoor activity for a group with varying fitness and mobility levels. It’s also an ideal choice if you’re short on time but keen for a Sydney walk that really delivers on iconic harbour and city views.
There are various other tracks on North Head and you can extend your walk by continuing on either toward Manly Wharf (on the city side of North Head, via Collins Beach and Little Manly Beach) or to Manly Beach (on the ocean side of North Head, via Shelly Beach and Fairy Bower Sea Pool).
While at North Head, you might also like to visit the nearby Q Station, a former quarantine station, now hotel accommodation. There you’ll find Wharf Cafe & Bar and Quarantine Beach.
It’s worth keeping in mind that North Head and the Fairfax Walk are within Sydney Harbour National Park, so there’s no pets allowed on this walk.
Fairfax Walk Map
The Fairfax Walk is on a well-formed, signposted, sealed surface and navigating is straightforward. You can use AllTrails to get a preview of the location and route.
How to get to the Fairfax Walk
The Fairfax Walk is located on North Head at Manly. You can reach the Fairfax walk by car, walking, or via public transport.
Public transport
Catching the bus is an easy way to reach the Fairfax Walk. From the bus stop outside Manly Wharf, you can take the 161, alighting at the Fairfax Walk on North Head Scenic Drive. This bus route is a loop and runs regularly throughout the day. Plan your travel on using Trip Planner.
Driving
If you’re planning to drive to the Fairfax Walk, the road from Manly up to North Head is sealed. When you reach the Fairfax Walk, you’ll find a car park that includes a couple of accessible spaces close to the start of the walk.
Walking
It’s possible to walk from Manly Wharf or Manly Beach up North Head to the Fairfax Walk. You can use this map on AllTrails to learn about the 10km route from Manly Beach to North Head via Shelly Beach.
Facilities
Cafes & shops
Bella Vista Manly is located about 10 minutes walk away from the Fairfax Walk. The cafe is open for breakfast and lunch and has a view of Sydney Harbour.
A little further along North Head Scenic Drive toward Manly is Wharf Cafe & Bar at Q Station.
Back in Manly, you’ll find plenty of cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops along The Corso and surrounding streets between the wharf and beach.
Drinking water
Bring what you need or refill your water in Manly before heading up North Head. You’ll find water refill stations on The Corso, West and East Esplanade, and along Manly Beach.
Toilets
The closest public toilet to the Fairfax Walk is near the North Head Sanctuary Visitor Centre which is approximately 650m walk from the track.
Fairfax Walk Highlights
The main highlight of the Fairfax Walk at Manly is the views you’ll enjoy over Sydney Harbour. There are two lookouts on the Fairfax Walk — Burragula Lookout and Yiningma Lookout — where you can take advantage of the views from the loop track. At both lookouts on the Fairfax Walk there is sandstone seating where you can sit and enjoy the views.
Burragula Lookout
From Burragula Lookout you’ll have views to South Head and across Sydney Harbour toward the city skyline. Enjoy views of ships, sailing boats, and ferries making their way across the harbour.
“At this lookout we celebrate Burragula, the time of the sunset, where we can watch the sun settle behind saltwater Country. Burragula is also the time of Burraga, the long-nosed bandicoot who can be seen scurrying through the landscape as the sunsets here.”
from Signage at Burragula lookout
When you arrive at Burragula Lookout you’ll see a plaque dedicated to the former ‘Fairfax Lookout’. Itself a reconstruction, opened in 1981 by then Premier Neville Wran, to mark the 150th anniversary of the Sydney Morning Herald, and named in honour of John Fairfax, the paper’s proprietor from 1841 to 1877.
Yiningma Lookout
The Yiningma Lookout is located on the ocean side of the Fairfax Walk. From Yiningma Lookout you’ll enjoy views of the ocean and coastline from Manly and across to South Head. If you visit during winter, keep watch for whales as they make their way along the east coast during their annual migration.
“At this lookout we honour Yiningma, the steep cliff edge of the sandstone escarpment and its importance as sacred ceremonial ground. For millennia, local Aboriginal peoples have gathered here to celebrate Gawura, the whales on their migration. Gawura is a sacred totem animal and the Ancestors have engraved its image on the sandstone earth here, and along the coastline.”
from Signage at Yiningma lookout
