Think you know the Northern Beaches? Our monthly feature aims to help you uncover the unique spaces and places in our very own backyard.
Enjoy a moment of respite in this hidden oasis, tucked away in the backroads of Narrabeen. With the Ingleside escarpment to the west and the Warriewood Wetlands to the east, this protected nature reserve is home to over 207 unique species and a threatened but unique forest vegetation community.
Wander along the trail, spotting eastern water dragons, as you wind your way towards the gentle trickle of the Irrawong Waterfall. It’s a perfect place for a picnic on the sandy shore of the natural pool amidst high sandstone cliffs. Stop for a swim, or listen to the laughter of the kookaburras or the softer call of the eastern yellow robin – just some of the 166 birds in this area.
Further into the reserve, look out for lyrebirds on the steep set of steps to the right of the waterfall which wind through a dense canopy of forest towards Ingleside Park, adjacent to Mullet Creek. Offshoots of the trail are unofficial but relatively well-marked, steep track sections which lead you to the top of Irrawong Waterfall. If you’re up for some rock scrambling, you can continue on from the top of the waterfall, winding your way along Mullet Creek towards a second, unnamed waterfall.
For a more gentle meander, the Jim Revitt trail winds its way from the waterfall towards Garden Street or vice versa, following sections of well-trodden trail and boardwalk perched above the dense ground layer of ferns, tall grasses and reeds.
Did you know…
The last recording of a koala in the Irrawong Reserve was in 1992, according to a Pittwater Council report. Koalas favour ‘swamp mahogany’ as a favoured food tree species in the Sydney region, which is a dominant feature of the Irrawong Reserve. ‘Swamp mahogany’ trees are also part of the Swamp Sclerophyll Forest which is one of the reserve’s diverse vegetation communities and is listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act.
How to get there
You can enter Irrawong Reserve from Garden Street or the end of Irrawong Road. On Garden Street, you’ll see a stone marking the entrance to the start of the Jim Revitt trail which takes about 20 minutes to reach the Irrawong Waterfall. From the end of Irrawong Road, either take a left at the trailhead to reach Irrawong Waterfall and the connecting trails or turn right to explore the boardwalk which connects you back to Garden Street.
Note: Dogs and cats are prohibited at all times in the Irrawong reserve.
Enjoy that?
Head here to visit more Secret Spaces to explore on the Northern Beaches.
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