South Head has been an important location in Sydney since the earliest days of European settlement. In the late 18th century, it served as a lookout for incoming ships, and in 1816, a lighthouse was established at South Head to guide sailors navigating the treacherous waters.
In the 1840s, the Reverend Lancelot Threlkeld requested land for a cemetery, which was granted in 1845. However, South Head General Cemetery did not have its first burial until 1868, when Major Lee was laid to rest. The cemetery was unique in that it was open to people of all religious backgrounds, providing a shared space for Sydney's diverse population.
The cemetery has long been a preferred location for Sydney’s prominent figures, including politicians, military leaders and business people. It is also home to graves that were relocated from the Devonshire Street Cemetery in 1901, following the construction of Central Railway Station. Notable figures such as Margaret, the wife of former Premier Sir John Robertson, and Governor Sir Walter Davidson, are buried here, adding to the cemetery’s historical significance.
Over the years, the cemetery has seen continued development, with the addition of monuments, gates and walls, all of which reflect the importance of this space as a place of both personal and public memory.
Today, South Head General Cemetery remains an active burial ground, managed by Waverley Council, and is an integral part of the local community’s heritage.