South Head Masterplan: NSW Government vision for cafes, accomodation and museums to precinct

The national parkland and heritage buildings located on the harbourside across Rose Bay, Vaucluse and Watsons Bay could become an exclusive tourism destination, as part of bold state government plans.

The national parkland and heritage buildings located on the harbourside across Rose Bay, Vaucluse and Watsons Bay could become an exclusive tourism destination, as part of bold state government plans.

The NSW Government has released a draft master plan to improve accessibility, protect unique wildlife and bring to life the national parklands with more cafes, museums and short-term accommodation.

However community feedback, which focused on a strong wish to preserve and conserve the natural beauty of the area, highlighted the need to balance visitor infrastructure and parkland preservation.

Feedback for the draft plan closed on May 30 and will be used to create a final master plan to be revealed in coming months.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for us all to contribute to that vision for South Head,” Vaucluse MP Gabrielle Upton told the Wentworth Courier.

The Hermitage walk from Vaucluse to Rose Bay. Picture: John Appleyard

“The South Head Masterplan will set the vision and create a plan for how we can protect the natural beauty and history of South Head in Sydney Harbour National Park.”

The plans also outlines new ideas to better honour the area’s cultural history and natural beauty, as well as upgrade walking tracks.

The Hermitage walk from Vaucluse to Rose Bay. Picture: John Appleyard

The draft masterplan was developed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, working closely with community members, Woollahra Council and the Local Aboriginal Land Council through a Stakeholder Reference Group.

Here’s how the South Head area encompassing harbour parks and beaches could be transformed.

More short-term accommodation, cafes and event activations

Unused buildings located in the precinct could be transformed into unique tourist destinations. Image: NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

The plan lays out a range of “opportunities for people to stay and dwell within the park”, including community centres and short-term accommodation.

The draft plan outlines a new Aboriginal cultural centre, museum or art gallery to be located at the old Officer’s Mess hall at Gap Bluff. At Camp Cove, the plans suggest a tour operator office space or cafe could be placed in the existing Constables Cottage.

Similarly the NSW Government said Inner South Head could see several heritage buildings transformed. The remote and unoccupied Light Keepers Cottages could become a “special and low key short-stay accommodation experience”, and an unused 1950s residence on Cliff Street could become short-stay rental accommodation.

Creating respectful new uses for unused buildings and creating more accessible pathways will be a focus. Image: NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

In feedback to the draft plan, community members shared their desire to see improved access, particularly around the safety of walkways, paths and viewing areas.

Feedback also showed a desire for improved maintenance in the park through weeding programs, improved rubbish collection and planting more native species, with concerns about the potential increase in traffic caused by visitors.

Along with a desire for acknowledging and celebrating the area’s Aboriginal culture and history, the community also generally said they would be keen to see more visitor centres, cafés and small event spaces.

The National Parks are visited by over a million visitors per year. Image: NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

The NSW Government said using existing buildings for new purposes needed to be a “positive and logical transition that does not overcommercialise” the built environment.

Commercial buildings must “enhance and improve the buildings and their connection to the park, harbour and ocean,” it said.

Learn more about the draft Master Plan here.