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.

A new public amenity has been built on the headland to improve visitor experience and reduce litter and waste. The provision of permanent toilets and a water refill station at the headland ensures visitors can access essential amenities. This will also alleviate environmental and operational issues relating to the prevalence of litter and waste around the headland.

Important maintenance works to the Barrenjoey access trail to improve public access and safety have also been completed.

This project has been 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 amenities that considered heritage constraints, visual impacts, environmental impact, visitor and access requirements, construction constraints, and services provision.

The new amenities include the following features:

• The building has been set into the landscape, concealed by the landform and native vegetation, which has been planted around the new building and will establish over time.
• Screened walls to the front of the building allow natural light and ventilation.
• Battened screens painted in alternating colours reference the surrounding natural landscape and heritage buildings.
• Unisex cubicles have been provided, including baby change facilities.
• Drinking water has been provided, including a water bottle drink fountain.

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

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.

During the construction stage, updates were provided via this webpage and in newsletters. Any questions or comments can be sent to National Parks and Wildlife Service Sydney North Area at [email protected].

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. Necessary heritage and environmental approvals were obtained prior to works starting.