Historic walls being restored at North Head Sanctuary

The works include repointing and recapping stones, replacing missing stones, strengthening and realigning sections of wall, some limited reconstruction, and improving stormwater drainage at key points along the walls.

The Harbour Trust anticipates minimal disruptions to public access to North Head Sanctuary during the works. However, instances where we need to limit access to any area, our website will be updated to provide notice. 

Image: Walls being restored, identified in yellow. Click image to enlarge.

A brief history

The sandstone walls at North Head were constructed during 3 different periods.

Firstly, walls were built in 1880 to separate church land from the quarantine reserve.

Next, in 1932, 500 locals took part in an unemployment relief project and constructed a wall to separate the quarantine reserve from Parkhill Reserve – a set of recreation areas that would open the following year.

Finally, in 1935, Defence completed the construction of walls to cordon off North Fort – a Defence complex and artillery battery commissioned the previous year due to rising tensions in Europe.

See also: Historic wall repaired at North Head Sanctuary