Crater Cove Huts – Forgotten Shacks of Sydney Harbour National Park
Crater Cove Huts: A Hidden Gem Near Manly
Clinging to the cliffs of Dobroyd Head in Sydney Harbour National Park, the Crater Cove huts are some of the most fascinating remnants of Sydney's past. Built by fishermen, weekenders and later recluses, these rough shacks sit hidden from the city just around the harbour from Manly.
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If you're into forgotten communities and unusual landmarks, you'll find Crater Cove alongside other unique sites in my guide Hidden Gems NSW, packed with maps, stories and tips for NSW's most extraordinary places.
The Story of the Crater Cove Huts
The huts at Crater Cove were hand-built between 1923 and 1963, first as weekenders and fishing shacks. Made from sandstone and timber salvaged along the coast, they later became home to a mix of artists, fishermen and recluses living a self-sufficient life.
Without power, plumbing or road access, life here was simple but harsh. Residents fished, collected rainwater and carried supplies down rugged tracks. The last residents left in the late 1980s, after the area became part of Sydney Harbour National Park. The huts were boarded up and are now protected heritage sites, quietly watched over by volunteer caretakers.
For official information on heritage and walks in the park, visit the NSW National Parks website.
Can You Visit the Crater Cove Huts?
- Location: Dobroyd Head, Sydney Harbour National Park, between Manly and the Spit.
- Viewing: The huts are locked, fragile and unstable. You can admire them from outside only; they are off-limits inside.
- The track: The informal path down to the cove is unsigned, unmaintained and steep, so we don't give directions to it. The Manly Scenic Walkway across Dobroyd Head is the safest way to enjoy this stretch of coast.
Important: Stay on tracks, and never enter, climb on or touch the huts, or take anything away. They're a protected part of Sydney's heritage.
Other Coastal Cabin Communities
Crater Cove isn't the only place in NSW with heritage huts. If you're drawn to these rustic settlements, you'll also like:
- Burning Palms cabins in Royal National Park: a cluster of heritage shacks tucked above a remote surf beach.
- Tin City, Stockton Beach: a surreal tin-hut settlement in vast sand dunes, made famous by Mad Max.
Together, these places tell a powerful story about NSW's forgotten lifestyles, from off-grid coastal escapes to desert-like dune settlements.
Tips for Exploring Crater Cove
- Wear sturdy shoes: the tracks are rocky and uneven.
- Bring water and essentials, as there are no facilities in the area.
- Visit in the morning or late afternoon for dramatic ocean views.
- Look from outside only, stay on the track and leave no trace.
Final Thoughts on the Crater Cove Huts
The Crater Cove huts are more than old shacks. They're a piece of Sydney's hidden history, preserved in the cliffs above the sea, and a glimpse into a way of life that's long gone but still alive in memory.
For more heritage communities and hidden places across the state, grab a copy of my guide Hidden Gems NSW. It's the go-to resource for finding NSW's most unusual and unforgettable places.
Crater Cove Huts FAQs
Can you go inside the Crater Cove huts?
No. The huts are heritage-listed, locked and unstable, so they can only be viewed from outside. Don't enter, climb on or touch them.
Where are the Crater Cove huts?
They're on the cliffs of Dobroyd Head in Sydney Harbour National Park, between Manly and the Spit.
When were the Crater Cove huts built?
They were built between 1923 and 1963 as weekenders and fishing shacks, and people lived in them until the late 1980s.
Are there facilities at Crater Cove?
No. There are no toilets, water or shops, so bring what you need and carry your rubbish out.
