Berry Island

Berry island was originally an area for local Aboriginal communities to camp and eat. Evidence of the Aboriginal way of life include shell middens and axe grindings which are still visible today. In the early 19th century, this small island was attached to the land of Edward Wollstonecraft by a stone causeway over mud flats (now reclaimed as lawns). After he died the property was passed to his sister and her husband Alexander Berry. It was dedicated as a nature reserve for public recreation in 1926.
Outlook

From Berry Island you look west to Greenwich Point, south to Balmain and Birchgrove, and East to Balls Head Reserve.

Facilities

There are public toilets, picnic areas, seats and benches and a children's playground

Access

If arriving by car, turn off the Pacific Highway at North Sydney at Shirley Road and follow the road to it's very end. There is limited street parking. If arriving by public transport it is a short five to 10 minute walk from Wollstonecraft railway station.

The Gadyan Track

This award-winning bush trail is a 20-minute walk around the island, guided by interpretative signage detailing the island's Aboriginal and European history.

Interest spots

Shell deposits and kitchen middens indicate an earlier Aboriginal presence on the island.
The Sydney Jazz Club holds monthly picnics on the Sunday following the third Friday of the month from 1pm to 4pm (summer) and 12noon - 3pm (winter).

Flora Fauna

The open grass area of Berry Island precedes a small pocket of remnant indigenous bushland. Despite its relatively small size, this is the best-preserved pocket of Hawkesbury Sandstone flora in the whole Council area.

Under the shelter of a canopy of Sydney red gums (Angophora costata) and red mahogany (Eucalyptus resinfera) a path follows the perimeter of this bushland. The island needs minimal maintenance as it has been largely untouched by urban impacts such as runoff, dumping and weed infestation. To prevent fire, drier tree species have been gradually replaced with lusher rainforest or gully species. Truly a special corner of the harbour.