Berry Island Reserve

Berry Island Reserve sits on Shirley Road at Wollstonecraft, on the northern shore of Sydney Harbour in the leafy lower North Shore. A pretty harbourside reserve — Berry Island is a former island now joined to the mainland — it's a much-loved local gem, combining bushland, harbour views and grassy areas with the fascinating Gadyan Track, which highlights the area's rich Aboriginal heritage.

The appeal is that combination of natural beauty, genuine cultural significance and lovely harbour views: the short Gadyan Track loop showcases Aboriginal middens and heritage, while the bushland and waterside setting make it a peaceful, scenic spot for a walk, a picnic or some quiet time by the harbour. It's a wonderful, meaningful escape close to the city.

With a 4.7 rating from more than 600 reviews, it's a much-loved spot. The reserve is free and open, but conditions, parking and facilities vary, so it's worth checking before you go — and respecting the cultural heritage and natural environment — while enjoying the bushland, the heritage track and the harbour views that make Berry Island Reserve such a special Sydney escape.