Walk to Berry Island

 I'm so fortunate to have Berry Island in my backyard. I always love walking here, bathing amongst the beautiful trees and walking down to the little beach where, to my delight, I saw a little kingfisher.

Once a true island in Sydney Harbour, Berry Island was connected to the mainland in the early 19th century via a stone causeway, later expanded into a grassy isthmus. It was named after Alexander Berry, who, along with Edward Wollstonecraft, received the land as part of a grant from Governor Macquarie around 1820–1822.

The site holds deep Indigenous significance, once serving as a vital fishing, hunting, and camping area for the Cammeraygal people.  It has been heritage-listed and protected as a reserve since 1926.

Walking to Ball's Head

One of my favourite walks in my backyard is the walk to and through Balls Head Reserve in Waverton. I love how the path winds through native bushland, with beautiful Sydney red gums and the sculpted sandstone lining the harbour’s edge. The views are absolutely stupendous — the city skyline rises across the water like a painting, yet I’m surrounded by birdsong and trees. It’s incredible to have this kind of natural beauty so close to where I live.

Balls Head is not just scenic — it’s rich in history. This land was traditionally cared for by the Cammeraygal people, and you can still find evidence of their presence in ancient shell middens and rock carvings. Later, during the Great Depression, people seeking shelter built makeshift homes here — a few traces of their life remain. Thankfully, community efforts in the 1920s protected the headland from industrial development, preserving it as the quiet, green sanctuary it is today.