Balls Head Reserve

Balls Head Reserve sits on the harbour foreshore at Waverton, on Sydney's lower north shore. A beautiful pocket of harbourside bushland, it offers walking tracks, picnic spots and stunning views across the water to the city, the Harbour Bridge and beyond — a peaceful, scenic escape surprisingly close to the centre of the city.

The appeal is that combination of natural bushland, dramatic harbour views and genuine heritage: the reserve is home to Aboriginal rock engravings and remnants of the area's industrial past, alongside its scenic walking trails and waterfront lookouts. It's a wonderful spot for a walk, a picnic or simply taking in one of the harbour's quieter, wilder corners.

With a 4.7 rating from more than 800 reviews, it's a much-loved spot. The reserve is free and open, but facilities are limited and the tracks and foreshore can be uneven and exposed, so it's worth being prepared — and taking water, sun protection and good footwear, while treating the Aboriginal heritage sites with respect, as you enjoy the harbour views.