Sights · Our pick in Sydney
Watsons Bay, The Gap and South Head
Where the harbour meets the ocean
The cliffs of The Gap and the striped Hornby Lighthouse at South Head.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Leoxiong · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons1 / 2
Our take
- Ferry from Circular Quay
- Whale watching in season
- Address
- Watsons Bay, Sydney
- Nearest station
- Watsons Bay Wharf
150 m · 2 min walk
More distances - Website
- nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
About Watsons Bay, The Gap and South Head
From Watsons Bay, the South Head Heritage trail is a 1 km loop past Camp Cove and Lady Bay to the red-and-white Hornby Lighthouse and old gun emplacements; the military structures are being repaired in 2026–2027 but the trail stays open (NPWS). The Gap’s sandstone cliffs face the ocean nearby.
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Watsons Bay, The Gap and South Head before you go.
Last checked: November 2026 How we choose
Own or manage Watsons Bay, The Gap and South Head? Send us your photos & logo
What’s nearby
Distances from Watsons Bay, The Gap and South Head are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 12 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest stations and wharves
- Watsons Bay WharfFerry150 m2 min walk
Key sights
- Bondi Beach5.4 kmCycle 27 minCar or taxi 24 min
- Royal Botanic Garden6.5 kmCycle 33 minCar or taxi 28 min
- Harbour Bridge6.7 kmCycle 34 minCar or taxi 28 min
- Hyde Park Barracks7.1 kmCycle 35 minCar or taxi 29 min
- Queen Victoria Building7.7 kmCycle 38 minCar or taxi 31 min
- Darling Harbour8.1 kmCycle 41 minCar or taxi 32 min
- Sydney Airport15 kmCar or taxi 53 min
- Sydney Opera House19 kmCar or taxi 64 min
Main stations and the Quay
- Circular Quay6.9 kmCycle 35 minCar or taxi 29 min
- Wynyard Station7.5 kmCycle 38 minCar or taxi 31 min
- Central Station8.4 kmCycle 42 minCar or taxi 33 min
Location
The map comes from Google Maps, which sets its own cookies once it loads.
Read next
SightsBondi BeachSydney’s most famous beach, with the Icebergs pool at its southern end.
SightsBondi Icebergs poolThe ocean pool at the south end of Bondi, home of a winter swimming club founded in 1929.