Barrenjoey Headland amenities

The Barrenjoey Headland is a 34-hectare area located within Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and is a popular destination with approximately 200,000 visitors each year.

The lack of public amenities in the headland impacts the visitor experience and has led to environmental and operational issues, particularly the prevalence of litter and waste. In 2019, the National Parks and Wildlife Service installed transportable toilets as a temporary solution while planning for a permanent amenity was underway.

We have developed plans to provide permanent toilets and a water refill station at Barrenjoey. Designed by Aileen Sage Architects, these new amenities have considered heritage constraints, visual impacts, environmental impact, visitor and access requirements, construction constraints and services provision.

We will also undertake important maintenance works to the Barrenjoey access trail as part of these works to improve public access and safety.

Construction commenced on 8 July 2024 and is expected to be complete in early 2025 (pending weather or other adverse conditions).

This project is being delivered as part of the largest visitor infrastructure program in national park history.

Designing the Barrenjoey Headland amenities

The National Parks and Wildlife Service worked with Aileen Sage Architects to design the amenities that considered heritage constraints, visual impacts, environmental impact, visitor and access requirements, construction constraints, and services provision.

The proposed amenities include the following features:

• The building will be set into the landscape, concealed by the landform and native heath.
• Screened walls to the front of the building will allow for natural light and ventilation.
• Battened screens will be painted in alternating colours to reference the surrounding natural landscape and heritage buildings.
• Unisex cubicles will be provided, including baby change facilities.
• Drinking water will be provided, including a water bottle drink fountain.

This will provide much-needed facilities for visitors, including those with personal or health requirements, young families and others.

Maintenance and upgrades to the access trail will also be carried out, including Indigenous interpretation elements along the access track.

Download the plans

The plans for the new amenity building are available for download.

Visitor access during construction

Access to Barrenjoey Headland and the lighthouse will remain open during the construction period and access trail upgrade works. However, visitors may experience changes and/or restrictions to access, including:

• increased vehicle movements to the headland and the lighthouse via the beach and service road
• pedestrian access will be retained throughout construction via Smugglers Track
• the Barrenjoey access trail will be closed Monday to Friday to allow
• contractors to access the site and undertake maintenance work
• no visitor access around the south-eastern part of the lighthouse and below the Head Lightkeepers Cottage; this area will be fenced for construction and storage of materials
• the headland or parts thereof may have temporary closures during helicopter operations to deliver materials (necessary to manage load limits on the access trail).

During construction, visitors can continue to use the temporary amenities which will be decommissioned and removed when the permanent amenities are operational.

Visitors should follow the direction of onsite signage and monitor NSW National Parks alerts for closures.

Why do amenities need to be provided on the headland?

The provision of toilets and a water refill station at the headland ensures visitors, including those with personal or health requirements, young families and others, can access essential amenities. This will also alleviate environmental and operational issues relating to the prevalence of litter and waste around the headland.

What's happening with the lighthouse and keeper's quarters?

The lighthouse is open for guided tours. There are no plans to change the existing use or increase access to the lighthouse or historic buildings on the headland.

Community engagement

In 2016, community consultation was undertaken to consider several future options to improve visitor amenity and experience at Barrenjoey Headland. The provision of public amenities was largely supported by stakeholders as part of this consultation.

The concept plans were released on 4 April 2022 for community feedback and the consultation period closed on 2 May 2022.

Updates will be provided during the construction stage, and questions and comments from the community will be welcomed at any time. Please complete the online form below to receive direct updates regarding this project.

Project stages and timeframes

Protecting park values

Barrenjoey Head Light station was placed on the NSW State Heritage Register in April 1999. Barrenjoey Lighthouse is also listed on our section 170 Heritage and Conservation Register. We will be applying section 60 of the NSW Heritage Act to enable these works to occur. A Review of Environmental Factors will also be prepared to assess and mitigate potential environmental impacts.

Your feedback

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