AN emergency crew will spend the night with a stranded man at Queensland's highest mountain south of Cairns after multiple rescue attempts were impeded by weather conditions.

One of Australia’s most prized historic treasures, the North Head Sanctuary in Manly – a “hidden gem” of bushland and WWII military fortifications on a breathtaking headland – will be reimagined as part of plans to breathe new life into the site.

About 584,000 students are due back in classrooms on Monday, and a million-odd parents will breathe a sigh of relief when they go.