One of North Sydney’s most delightful and significant areas of harbourside bushland. The small, almost circular island is linked to the mainland by a wide grassed causeway. There are excellent views of the harbour and city from this picturesque reserve. 

Getting There

Located at the southern end of Shirley Road, Wollstonecraft, Berry Island Reserve is a 10 minute walk from Wollstonecraft railway station. Limited on-street parking is available in Shirley Road. 

Reserve Features

The open lawn causeway is a popular venue for picnics and special events. There are public toilets, BBQs, picnic areas, seats, a small beach and an adventurous, custom-designed playground. The Gadyan Track is a 20 minute bush walk that interprets the Berry Island’s Aboriginal history. Dogs are welcome in the Reserve however they must be kept on a leash in bushland areas and they are not permitted within 10m of the playground.

History

Berry Island was known to be a fishing, hunting and camping site for Aboriginal communities in the 19th century. Evidence of the Aboriginal way of life including shell middens and axe grindings are still visible today. 

In the early 19th century, Edward Wollstonecraft attached the small island to the mainland by constructing a stone causeway over the mud flats. After he died the property passed to his sister and her husband Alexander Berry. Public protests saw that the island was dedicated as a nature reserve for public recreation in 1926, along with Balls Head Reserve. In the 1960s the mudflats were filled in to create the attractive grassed area that exists today.