Balls Head Reserve Circuit

Starting from Balls Head Drive, Waverton, this walk takes you on a circuit in Balls Head Reserve. This is a little gem of a walk that is situated in the centre of the city while still being chill and serene. Along with the views of Balmain and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, there are remnants of the past, such as aboriginal waterholes and foreshore caves, that will be appealing for the walkers. It is also possible to see the wildlife in the area; you can keep an eye for Australian Water Dragons throughout your journey. Let us begin by acknowledging the Yerroulbine people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Downloads GPX PDF

Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-33.8468188,151.1950833)
Mode	Car Train
Directions	From Bradfield Highway, Milsons Point. Turn on to Lavender Street Off Ramp then drive for 80 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Lavender Street and drive for another 1.1 km Turn left onto Woolcott Street and drive for another 390 m Turn sharp left onto Larkin Street and drive for another 240 m Turn right onto Wood Street and drive for another 100 m Turn left onto Balls Head Road and drive for another 550 m Keep right onto Balls Head Drive and drive for another 400 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From Balls Head Drive (110 metres west of LIEUT H LIDGBIRD BALL Historical Marker), head towards the red “Bushland Walking Track” sign next to the green bicycle parking spot. Pass by the said sign and head along the narrow track for about 30 metres. At the 3-way intersection, veer/turn right to continue along Balls Head Reserve Circuit (clockwise).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 35 m turn right. After another 40 m head down the steps (about 20 m long) Then head down the steps (about 10 m long) Continue straight.
	After another 25 m turn right, to head along Midden Walk. After another 185 m continue straight, to head along Midden Walk. After another 30 m pass the shelter (on your right). After another 75 m continue straight, to head along Midden Walk.
	After another 20 m turn right. After another 40 m head down the steps (about 20 m long) After another 25 m continue straight.
	After another 50 m continue straight, to head along Harbour View Walk. After another 65 m pass the car park (30 m on your right).
	After another 25 m continue straight, to head along Harbour View Walk. After another 50 m continue straight.
	After another 15 m turn right. Then head down the steps (about 9 m long) Then come to the viewpoint (10 m on your left). After another 40 m continue straight. After another 7 m head down the steps (about 7 m long) After another 50 m head down the steps (about 6 m long) After another 15 m continue straight, to head along Isabella Brierly Track. After another 10 m come to the viewpoint (about 10 m ahead).
	Turn right, to head along Isabella Brierly Track.
	After another 155 m veer right, to head along Isabella Brierly Track.
	After another 30 m (at the intersection of Isabella Brierly Track & Coal Loader Link Track) veer right, to head along Isabella Brierly Track. After another 95 m head up the earthen steps (about 10 m long)
	At the intersection of Balls Head Drive & Isabella Brierly Track turn sharp right, to head along Balls Head Drive (a vehicle track).
	After another 25 m turn left. After another 25 m continue straight.
	After another 65 m continue straight. After another 35 m come to the end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Balls Head Reserve Circuit

Grading

	Class 2/6 Easy track
Length	1.3 km
Time	30 min to 45 min

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There is one 320 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Shelter	320 m	[shelter]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Sydney Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
  
  Saturday 7 December
  
  33°C
  Shower or two. Possible storm.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 9mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, becoming less likely in the afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and afternoon, possibly severe. Winds northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the late evening.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:20am to 5:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 12 [Extreme]
  
  Sunday 8 December
  
  21°C → 27°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the late afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day.
  
  Monday 9 December
  
  18°C → 24°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Tuesday 10 December
  
  20°C → 28°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Wednesday 11 December
  
  20°C → 29°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Light winds becoming southeast to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning.
  
  Thursday 12 December
  
  19°C → 28°C
  Mostly sunny.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Friday 13 December
  
  19°C → 28°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h turning south to southeasterly later.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts

Weather Forecast

Alerts