Get outdoors this summer with our nature explorers guide to Pittwater
WARRIEWOOD WETLANDS
Warriewood Wetlands are a great way to get your children to connect with nature.
Covering an area of 26 hectares, the wetlands are the largest remaining sand plain wetlands in northern Sydney.
The area has distinct types of vegetation and habitat, including a number of endangered plant communities. The broad range of habitats also supports many endangered animal species.
There are self-guided walks to enjoy around the 2.4-kilometre wetlands track using a Smartphone to scan nine QR codes along the way to access information.
Look out for birds such as ducks and swamp hens that are commonly found nesting among the dense stands of reeds.
It’s also popular for bird-watching, with more than 150 types spotted in the wetlands. If you are lucky, you might catch a glance of a large-footed myotis, one of several types of microbats found in the area. It is the only species of bat in Australia that captures fish for food. The wetlands also support many frog species, including the striped marsh frog, Perons tree frog and the dwarf tree frog.
NARRABEEN LAGOON TRAIL
Narrabeen Lagoon is the perfect place to tire out anyone with lots of energy to burn.
The Narrabeen Lagoon trail is an 8.4-kilometre loop around the whole lagoon on a well-formed, flat track. It’s a popular route for a walk or a cycle and a great place to spot wildlife.
You can access the Narrabeen trail from different points, including Jamieson Park and Berry Reserve. There are also numerous carparks, picnic areas, playgrounds and boating ramps around the lagoon.
Please note that dogs are allowed on the trail, but must be on a leash. Bring a picnic and make a day of it!
WINNERERREMY BAY
Winnererremy Bay is a family-friendly haven with a beautiful grass reserve area on the foreshore of Pittwater. It is perfect for picnics with some shelters and electric barbeques.
There is a large, enclosed playground with a flying fox (fondly referred to as the Flying Fox playground) and a track for riding small bikes circles the grassy reserve. There is a dry creek with rocks featuring an array of sea creature carvings to explore.
The Flying Fox Cafe is located right next to the playground, serving breakfast or lunch. The cafe is dog- friendly outside and provides water bowls for your fur babies.
Winnererremy Bay is open all year round for you to enjoy.
WEST HEAD LOOKOUT
The views from West Head lookout are some of Sydney’s best. From West Head lookout, you can see Broken Bay on your left, Pittwater on your right and Barrenjoey Headland and Lighthouse ahead of you.
You can also enjoy incredible vistas across the Hawkesbury River to Lion Island Nature Reserve and the beaches of the Central Coast, including Patonga and Umina Beach.
The lookout itself is a large sandstone viewing area with a number of informative interpretive signs. Sit back and relax on one of the benches and absorb the sounds of the birds and waves below before heading to the nearby Resolute picnic area for lunch or taking a walk on the Aboriginal Heritage walk.
West Head Lookout is in the West Head precinct of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. To get there, follow West Head Road or access the lookout from the Resolute picnic area along the West Head lookout track (1.9km).