Discover Berrys Bay Lookout in Carradah Park
Berrys Bay Lookout is situated within Carradah Park, on Sydney’s Waverton Peninsula. The viewpoint overlooks Berrys Bay and provides unparalleled views of the iconic Sydney Harbour, the Harbour Bridge, and Goat Island. Carradah Park was once a major industrial site, used primarily for oil storage in the 20th century.
In 1993, BP Australia ceased its operations, and the land underwent a significant transformation, reopening as a public parkland in 2005. The conversion process included extensive ecological restoration, with efforts made to remediate the soil and replant native species, underscoring the community’s commitment to creating a green, revitalised space.
Today, Carradah Park’s design retains elements of its industrial past, with circular patterns on the ground marking the original sites of large oil tanks. This historical touch adds character, making it a unique place to visit in Sydney. Walking trails wind throughout the park, leading visitors to scenic lookout points, including the Berrys Bay Lookout.
Nearby Berrys Bay Lookout: Balls Head Reserve
Adjacent to Carradah Park is Balls Head Reserve, a nine-hectare bushland sanctuary that was declared a public park in 1926. During the Great Depression, makeshift shelters appeared here, leading to a loss of vegetation. However, a beautification project in later years restored the area’s landscape, allowing it to become a beloved parkland once more.
Walking Trails and Lookouts at Balls Head Reserve
Balls Head Reserve is home to several interconnected trails, each offering different perspectives of the harbour and bushland. These trails range in length and difficulty, with the primary path beginning from the car park and following a clockwise loop around the reserve. Key trails include:
- Midden Walk: This path runs north from the car park, hugging the shoreline and offering scenic views along the way.
- Harbour View Walk: A wheelchair-accessible trail, this path takes in expansive harbour and city skyline views.
- Ballasters Track: Starting from the grassy eastern point, this trail connects to the Harbour View Walk, leading through picnic areas and rest stops before merging with other paths.
For more great coastal walks in Sydney, click here: Royal National Park Walks - Sydney, Australia | CityDays.
The Indigenous Heritage of Berrys Bay Lookout
The Land of the Cammeraygal People
Before its industrial era, the Waverton Peninsula, including Carradah Park and Balls Head Reserve, was part of the traditional lands of the Cammeraygal people. Known by the Aboriginal name "Yerroulbine," the reserve was later named after Royal Naval officer Henry Lidgbird Ball. Today, Balls Head holds deep cultural significance for the Cammeraygal, as evidenced by the shell middens, engravings, and rock art that remain.
These remnants serve as a powerful reminder of the area's original inhabitants, who used the land for fishing, food gathering, and social gatherings long before European settlement. Visitors to Berrys Bay Lookout and the surrounding trails can appreciate not only the natural beauty but also the cultural legacy of the land.
For more evidence of Sydney’s Indigenous peoples, click here: Aboriginal Rock Engravings - Sydney, Australia | CityDays.
Navigating the Berrys Bay Lookout
Trail Information
For those eager to explore on foot, Berrys Bay Lookout offers a scenic 3.4-km loop trail that’s suitable for all ages and fitness levels. This route winds through bushland and quiet paths by Berrys Bay and Balls Head, with views of the harbour and Balmain.
The trail takes around 45 minutes to complete at a leisurely pace, though you may want extra time to enjoy the views and historical landmarks. Open year-round, this dog-friendly (on-leash) trail is a perfect way to spend an afternoon in Sydney.
Getting Started
To start your journey to Berrys Bay Lookout, the trail conveniently begins at Waverton Station. From the station, take a left onto Bay Road, where you’ll pass quaint village shops and cafes – a great spot to pick up a coffee or snack.
Follow Bay Road until it becomes Balls Head Road, where expansive views of the Parramatta River open up on your right. You’ll soon notice the naval base, HMAS Waterhen, a reminder of Sydney’s maritime heritage. The base currently serves as a home for several navy vessels, offering a glimpse of the city’s history as you pass by.
Continue down Balls Head Road until you see the Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability. This area was once a working coal depot and is now a green space featuring native flora, sustainable gardening practices, and a fascinating tunnel that leads to the start of a scenic bushwalk.
The Coal Loader Platform
For those with extra time, the Coal Loader Link track is a worthwhile detour from Berrys Bay Lookout, bringing visitors to the Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability, an eco-focused facility run by North Sydney Council. Originally built as a coal transfer depot, this facility served as a vital link in Sydney’s maritime industry. Coal ships would unload here, transferring coal to local trains and industries.
The Coal Loader Centre includes interpretive signs detailing its history, as well as exhibits on solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and urban gardening. The impressive Coal Loader Platform is a green rooftop recreational space with more stunning harbour views. A fascinating feature here is the Aboriginal Bush Foods Garden, as well as rock engravings that serve as evidence of the Cammeraygal people’s long-standing presence in the area.
Other Points of Interest Near Berrys Bay Lookout
Alongside the Coal Loader Platform, Berrys Bay Lookout contains other highlights including:
- Restored Maritime Heritage: The MV Cape Don, an old lighthouse tender, is currently under restoration and will soon be transformed into a maritime museum. The sandstone tunnels, remnants of the area’s industrial past, are open for exploration and provide a unique insight into the site’s history.
- Community Amenities: The site houses community gardens, meeting rooms, an art studio, and a cozy café with gluten-free options, making it a great spot to relax and unwind. There are also plenty of shaded picnic spots to enjoy the serene surroundings.
- Berry Island and the Gadyan Track: Connected to the mainland by a grassy reserve, Berry Island features the Gadyan Track, a short loop with interpretive signs explaining the cultural significance of the area to the Cammeraygal people.
- Waverton Peninsula Reserve and BP Site: This former industrial site has been repurposed into a park with raised walkways and native landscaping, showcasing Sydney’s industrial history alongside efforts for environmental restoration.
Visiting Berrys Bay Lookout
Berrys Bay Lookout is accessible 24 hours a day, making it an excellent choice for sunrise and sunset visits. The panoramic views at dawn and dusk are particularly stunning, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge and skyline beautifully lit in the evening hours.
The site itself and adjacent Balls Head Reserve offer well-maintained amenities designed with visitor comfort in mind. Facilities include picnic tables, BBQ areas, water fountains, and restrooms, along with free parking (though limited).
Accessibility is enhanced by paths suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, making it welcoming for all ages. For those traveling by public transport, Waverton train station is just a 10-minute walk away.
Tips for Visitors
- Public Transport: Given the limited parking, consider using public transportation during peak times.
- Picnic Essentials: Visitors should consider bringing a blanket to relax on the grassy areas while enjoying Sydney’s views.
- Night Views: Consider visiting after dark to see the illuminated Sydney Harbour Bridge and skyline, which adds a magical touch to the experience.
Explore Beyond Berrys Bay Lookout with CityDays
While Berrys Bay Lookout has great views of Sydney and interesting historical and cultural elements, there’s plenty more where that came from. CityDays provides a range of scavenger hunts and treasure hunts throughout Sydney, designed for team-building and adventure.
Our Secrets of the CBD Hunt is the perfect way to experience the city, promising an afternoon of great fun and adventure, solving clues and snapping photos. Clues will lead you to the big sights and those that you'd walk straight past.
And the fun isn’t limited to Sydney—CityDays offers these dynamic hunts across the world, giving you a chance to engage in memorable adventures wherever you go.
For more information about our Sydney Scavenger Hunts then click here: Sydney Scavenger & Treasure Hunts | CityDays.
