NearMeBest walking trails in Wollstonecraft
Last updatedBerry Island Reserve offers the most obvious loop in Wollstonecraft, a path that goes all the way round the island through bush. Badangi Reserve counters with stepped tracks and a beach that joins the island at low tide. Smoothey Park works as a stroll from the station that can run on into the bush. Sugar Works Reserve is the foreshore option, with stairs and old tank cuttings.
Quick picks
- Loop walk: Berry Island Reserve, where one track goes all the way round the island.
- Bush tracks with steps: Badangi Reserve, with 1,000 steps on the Bridge End Track alone.
- From the station: Smoothey Park, which you can walk through from Wollstonecraft station in a few minutes.
- Foreshore walk with stairs: Sugar Works Reserve, past cuttings in the sandstone cliffs.
Berry Island Reserve: the loop round the island
- 0.75 km
- Loop
- Toilets
- Parking
Berry Island Reserve is the walk to choose if you want a loop. A path called the Gadyan Track circles the island in 750 metres of bush. It passes a signposted Aboriginal site with rock carvings, including a large whale carving, and harbour views open up along the way. The ground is uneven, and the route has steps, roots and rocks. There are toilets on site, and the kerb on Shirley Road is where to park, though spaces are few. Dogs stay on a lead on the track. It's the only walk here whose track is described as a loop.
Badangi Reserve: stepped bush tracks and a beach
- Toilets
- Parking
Badangi Reserve is the choice for a bushwalk with steps and water views. On the Bridge End Track you cover 0.3 miles and climb 68.9 feet, through 1,000 steps. It is rated medium and takes about 6 minutes. The shorter Millars Road walk is the easier choice, with 324 steps and an easy rating. An easy trail through the reserve takes about 30 minutes, passing red gums. A small beach joins Berry Island at low tide, so time the crossing for the tide. Restrooms sit in the reserve, and drivers use the lot off Tryon Avenue. Its tracks are measured in steps and climb rather than a loop length, unlike the Berry Island walk.
Smoothey Park: the walk from the station onto the bush track
- Toilets
- Parking
Smoothey Park is the walk to start from the station. Cutting through the park from the station takes only a few minutes, and its paths and well-defined trails suit walking, running and hiking. The paths link to the Gore Cove bush walking track, so a short stroll can turn into a longer bush walk. There are public toilets and parking here. For dogs, the open parkland takes them off-leash, while the bushland sections call for a lead. Unlike Badangi and Berry Island, where the bush is the walk, Smoothey is parkland first, with bush beyond it.
Sugar Works Reserve: a short foreshore walk with stairs
Sugar Works Reserve is the short walk with stairs. Water views come with the foreshore path, which runs close to the shoreline. Its connector trail, about 0.2 km long, has an elevation range of roughly 11 m to 30 m. Along the way, semi-circular cuttings in the sandstone cliffs once held huge storage tanks for the former sugar works. The path carries on into Oyster Cove Reserve. The reserve is rated 4.8 on Google (8 ratings). The paths are narrow in places, so pass other walkers with care.
How the walks compare
By area
Every walking track in and near Wollstonecraft
The table sets the walks side by side on track, loops, surface, shade, toilets, parking and dogs.
| Park | Length | Loop | Paved | Toilets | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Berry Island Reserve | 0.75 | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2.Badangi Reserve | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3.Smoothey Park | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| 4.Sugar Works Reserve | – | – | – | – | – |
| 5.Holloway Park | – | – | – | – | ✓ |
| 6.Milray Reserve | – | – | – | – | – |
| Nearby, outside Wollstonecraft | |||||
| Waverton Park · Waverton | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| The Coal Loader · Waverton | – | – | – | ✓ | – |
| Manns Point Park · Greenwich | – | – | – | – | – |
| Carradah Park · Waverton | – | – | – | – | – |
How we picked
We compared the walks on what matters before you set out: track length, whether it loops, the surface, shade, toilets, parking and the size of the park. Length and loops count most, and park size adds a little. A dash in the table marks something we couldn't establish, so it isn't a verdict against the park.
FAQ
Is there a loop walk in Wollstonecraft?
Yes, the track at Berry Island Reserve goes all the way round the island in 750 metres. It runs through bush with an uneven surface, so sturdy shoes are a good idea.
Which Wollstonecraft walk has the most steps?
Badangi Reserve has the most steps on this page. Its medium-rated Bridge End Track climbs 1,000 of them, while the Millars Road walk has 324.
How do I reach Smoothey Park on foot from the station?
You can reach Smoothey Park on foot from Wollstonecraft station by cutting through the park, which takes only a few minutes. Its paths then meet the Gore Cove bush walking track.
Can I walk from Badangi Reserve to Berry Island?
Yes, at Badangi Reserve a small beach joins Berry Island, but only at low tide. Time the crossing for the tide, or you'll be stuck on the wrong side.