Warriewood Wetlands – Sydney's Most Family-Friendly Walks

Who knew that 26 hectares of wetland was hidden here so close to Warriewood’s shopping centre?

Not me for a long, long time.

Warriewood Wetland is the largest remaining sandplain wetland in Sydney. After many decades of dispute, this important are is now protected and can be enjoyed by the community.

The long boardwalks running over the wetlands mean that walkers can get into the heart of the wetlands and enjoy watching the waterbirds and other animals.  It’s an area particularly enjoyed by birdwatchers.

You can read more about the flora and fauna of the wetlands on Warringah Council’s website here.

It’s a good walk for families as it’s so flat. There’s also an enclosed playground and BBQs right there. Too handy!

 Walking in Warriewood Wetlands

I’d recommend parking near the playground which is at Katoi Reserve, on the corner of Garden Street and Jackson Road, Warriewood.  there are parking spaces at Katoi Close.

Then walk either way around the loop. That is, either onto the path to the west which leads onto one of the boardwalks, or walk along Jackson’s Road and then left alongside the back of the shopping centre and then into the wetlands.

Whichever way you do it, there are two very long boardwalks. We really enjoyed walking slowly along, the older ones of us, or haring along them like maniacs, the younger ones.

It’s fun to see lots of ducks and to try to see frogs and lizards as you walk along.

Feels lovely to be in a city and yet walking along through landscape that looks primordial.

The website says that the walkway network is 2.4km long. It felt longer when we did it, but then I was often giving a shoulder ride to one of the twins. Good exercise.  I think the walk took us over an hour.

It’d be fine for strollers, but note that bikes are not allowed, nor are dogs.

Starting and finishing at the playground works well as the kids can have a play to finish. Or you could have a BBQ and make a longer trip of it.

Spots the ducks as you walk along.

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Have you explored the Warriewood Wetlands?

Is there somewhere similar that you can tell other families about?