Fairfax Walk and Lookouts on Manly’s North Head

Last updated: June 17, 2023

The Fairfax Walk on Manly’s North Head is a family-friendly walking trail with two panoramic lookouts offering incredible views of Sydney Harbour, the city skyline, South Head, and the ocean.

The highlight of the walk is the Burragula Lookout, one of the most impressive lookout points in Sydney. It’s also a popular whale-watching spot during the two whale migration seasons.

Keep reading to learn more about this exciting walk, the two lookout points, how to get there, and other things to do nearby.

The Fairfax Walk is very easy to travel to by car. Once you’re in Manly, follow Darley Road to North Head, and then follow North Head Scenic Drive all the way to the end.

There is a well-sized parking area where the walk starts, with ticket machines available to pay for your National Park parking fees. From the car park, make your way to the Fairfax Track signpost, which marks the start of this scenic loop walking trail.

The Fairfax Walk also forms part of the North Head Walk, a 9.5 km circuit trail that starts and ends at Manly Beach.

So, if you prefer to do a more challenging hike, the Manly North Head circuit walk is highly recommended as one of the best hikes in Sydney and is a great way to include the Fairfax Walk.

In the map below:

P: Parking
1: Burragula Lookout
2: Yiningma Lookout

The Fairfax Walk was named after John Fairfax, an English-born businessman who, in 1841, founded a media company that would later become Fairfax Media.

The reconstruction of the former Fairfax Lookout was financed in 1981 by “John Fairfax & Sons”, the company’s original name. This was to mark the 150th anniversary of the first publication of the Sydney Herald in 1831 and to commemorate the life of John Fairfax.

In 2023, the Fairfax Walk was redeveloped with two new lookouts to replace the original Fairfax Lookout: the Burragulla Lookout and the Yiningma Lookout.

The Fairfax loop walk is about 1 km long and is paved from start to finish.

It’s a very easy and accessible walking track, with superb 360-degree views of Sydney Harbour and the South Pacific Ocean to enjoy.

Burragula Lookout

When walking in an anti-clockwise manner, the first lookout to visit is the Burragula Lookout, which faces Sydney Harbour and the Sydney CBD skyline.

The platform at the lookout is quite large, with lots of room for visitors to move around and take in the views from different angles.

In the middle of the platform is a well-designed gathering space with seats carved out of solid stone.

Yiningma Lookout

Continuing on the walking path, the next lookout, the Yiningma Lookout, isn’t too far away.

This vantage point is slightly smaller than the Burragula Lookout, but the views of the ocean and the headland cliffs are just as impressive.

Both the Burragula and Yiningma lookout points are popular with whale watchers, who come here to spot whales that pass by twice annually.

First during the June-July season when the whales migrate northbound, and again during the August-October season when they return to the Antarctic.

The Fairfax Walk is one of the highlights of North Head, an area of Sydney Harbour National Park comprising approximately 156 hectares.

Once you’ve completed the Fairfax Walk and have spent enough time at the lookouts, it’s a good idea to explore the North Head Sanctuary. North Head has quite a rich history, and a lot of that history has been preserved in the sanctuary.

North Head was first used as a quarantine station to quarantine passengers arriving in the colony on ships at the beginning of the 19th century.

In the mid-1930s, North Head was transformed into a military site and became one of the most heavily fortified sites in Australian history during the Second World War.

To explore this area further, you can either drive to the North Head Sanctuary Visitor Centre or walk there as it’s not far from the Fairfax Walk car park.

If you decide to walk, look out for a walking trail (map) that connects with Australia’s Memorial Walk. This paved pathway links five monuments dedicated to the major conflict periods Australia has been involved in.

This Memorial Walk then connects with the Visitor Centre and the various sights that are part of the North Head Sanctuary.

Keen to spend more time in Manly? Take a look at our guide on things to do in Manly for a comprehensive list of fun activities and attractions.