Harbour Trust

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The Harbour Trust protects and manages extraordinary foreshore sites on Sydney Harbour. Learn more: https://www.harbourtrust.gov.au/en/our-story/

The extraordinary places managed by the Sydney Harbour Federation
Trust (Harbour Trust) have significance on a national and international
scale, and are treasured by locals, metropolitan Sydney, and the broader
Australian community. Located in First Nations countries at the entrance to Sydney Harbour,
they are places of natural beauty. They also feature heritage structures
and other significant remnants from the nation’s colonial, maritime and
military narratives. Our visitor destinations include Cockatoo Island / Wareamah, North Head
Sanctuary in Manly, Sub Base Platypus in North Sydney, and the three
precincts of Headland Park in Mosman – Chowder Bay, Georges Heights
and Middle Head / Gubbuh Gubbuh. We also protect Woolwich Dock and
Parklands, Macquarie Lightstation in Vaucluse, and the Former Marine
Biological Station at Camp Cove. Through our management of these places, we provide residents of – and
visitors to – Australia’s largest city with access to precious bushland,
parks, and open spaces. Our vision is to create, amplify, and make
accessible the values of our protected places and, through storytelling,
foster a sense of place and belonging. Storytelling is at the heart of our
work and, through the stories we share, we aim to create extraordinary
experiences on the world’s best harbour, for everyone.

26/10/2026

WIN 1 OF 4 DOUBLE PASSES 🚢

This weekend, travel through 3 locations and 3 chapters of HMAS Vampire (II)'s history in this special guided round-trip experience developed in collaboration with the Australian National Maritime Museum and Harbour Trust.

Step aboard HMAS Vampire (II) for a guided experience at the Australian National Maritime Museum and follow the remarkable 70-year journey of ‘The Bat’ from naval warship to museum vessel.

After exploring HMAS Vampire, cruise Sydney Harbour on the historic Harman before heading to Cockatoo Island, where you'll discover the story behind the ship's construction.

Led by experts from the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Harbour Trust, this exclusive tour brings Sydney's naval and shipbuilding history to life.

📅 Sunday 1 November, 10am to 1pm

For a chance to win a double pass, sign up to our newsletter at https://buff.ly/ODqPLbK

We'll draw 4 lucky winners to receive a double pass each. Competition closes 27 October 2026. ⚓

📷 Image credits:
Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) collection
Bat flag gifted to ANMM by Norman Cooke

23/10/2026

That's a wrap on another incredible season of Night at The Barracks 🎶

Over the past few weeks, North Head Sanctuary came alive with unforgettable performances from some of Australia's biggest artists, set against the spectacular backdrop of Sydney Harbour.

We're proud to see this unique harbour-side setting transform into one of Sydney's most iconic outdoor concert venues each year, welcoming thousands of music lovers and introducing new audiences to North Head Sanctuary.

See you next year!

22/10/2026

We’re excited to welcome First Nations dance groups from across Australia to Cockatoo Island / Wareamah as they gather for this year's DanceRites festival.

This weekend, experience the energy, talent and cultural richness of one of the country's leading celebrations of First Nations dance, music and community at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt. Join us from 2pm on Saturday and Sunday for this free event and cheer on performers sharing stories, traditions and connections through dance.

As a proud Event Sponsor, we’re providing accommodation on Cockatoo Island / Wareamah, helping create a welcoming place for participating groups and supporting communities to come together for this unforgettable weekend.

Sydney Opera House

20/10/2026

Did you know North Head Sanctuary is home to 175 bird species (both residents and migratory)?

One of the most common is the New Holland honeyeater, a small native bird with distinctive black, white and yellow markings. Watch closely and you'll spot them darting from flower to flower in search of nectar.

This National Bird Week, take a moment to listen, observe and celebrate the birds that make our harbours, headlands and bushland so unique.

1. New Holland Honeyeater
2. Yellow-tailed black cockatoo
3. Tawny Frogmouth

16/10/2026

Weighing less than 45 grams, the eastern pygmy possum plays a big role in North Head Sanctuary's ecosystem.

Thanks to years of rewilding efforts by our specialist ecology contractors, this tiny pollinator is making a return to the sanctuary, helping support the health of the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub ecological community. Recent surveys have revealed encouraging signs of active breeding, with juveniles and females carrying young recorded across the site. 🐾

Read more at https://buff.ly/8SOV2BQ

📷: Anderson Environment and Planning

08/10/2026

Keen to deepen your appreciation of Australia’s rich First Nations cultures?

Join Koori Kinnections for an immersive, First Nations-led 90-minute walking tour and weaving session at North Head Sanctuary, Manly!

This FREE tour is running Friday 9 October & Friday 6 November.
Register: https://harbourtrust-events.bookable.net.au/ #!/event-detail/FirstNationsWalkingTour

07/10/2026

After years of dedicated restoration work, the FMB Sydney is back on the water.

Carefully restored by the Cockatoo Island Restoration Volunteers, this historic vessel recently took its first sea trial and has been recognised as a vessel of national historical significance through the Australian Register of Historic Vessels.

📸
1. Cockatoo Island restoration volunteers ready for the sea trial of FMB Sydney
2. Harbour Trust’s Libby Bennett and Hannah Newman from Australian National Maritime Museum
3. FMB Sydney on the harbour captained by volunteers

Learn more at https://buff.ly/yVQGPQl

06/10/2026

Pickleball is coming to North Head Sanctuary!

On World Pickleball Day, 10 October, Love Pickle Club Manly will be opening their newly transformed courts in the former army gymnasium at North Head Sanctuary. Check out the three championship-size Laykold indoor courts, the Pro Shop, a chill-out zone for a quiet drink, and a mezzanine lounge on the opening day.

Register your interest now at https://buff.ly/r7KlT9W

30/09/2026

We're celebrating 25 years of the Harbour Trust!
To mark this milestone, we're looking back on five memorable moments from the past five years that have helped conserve, restore and activate our iconic harbour sites.

1. The historic Greenway Wall at Macquarie Lightstation restored in 2025, helping preserve an important piece of Sydney's heritage.

2. Sub Base Platypus opening of Wirra Birra Park in 2024.

3. Funding was confirmed to deliver swimming and kayaking at the slipways on Cockatoo island, with the area set to open in 2028.

4. Native wildlife restoration at North Head Sanctuary, including the translocation of 13 eastern pygmy-possums in 2023 as part of ongoing rewilding efforts.

5. Night at the Barracks at North Head Sanctuary celebrating its fifth year, welcoming thousands of visitors to experience live music in a spectacular harbourside setting.

18/09/2026

Update: Due to weather conditions, the planned burns have been postponed. A further update will be provided once new dates are confirmed.

Heads up, walkers! ⚠️

Some tracks and trails at Headland Park, Mosman will be temporarily closed while NSW Fire & Rescue undertakes a planned hazard reduction burn on Monday 21 September (weather permitting).

The closures will remain in place on Tuesday 22 September until the area has been cleared of debris and deemed safe to reopen. We appreciate your understanding as this important bushfire preparedness work is carried out. 🌱

Learn more at https://buff.ly/GLWCGNI

Address

Balmoral, NSW

Telephone

+61289692100

Website

http://harbourtrust.gov.au/, https://www.cockatooisland.gov.au/, https://www.harbourtrust.gov.au/media/pnknv3ar/harbour-

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