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Grace Cossington Smith Blue Plaque — Image credit: Heritage NSW

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Grace Cossington Smith Blue Plaque

Visitors can discover the stories behind the people, places and events that have helped shape NSW - where the history happened. A Blue Plaque visit offers more than sightseeing. It creates a direct connection between place and story, turning everyday locations into places of discovery. Each plaque reveals a unique piece of history, encouraging visitors to explore local areas from a new perspective and uncover stories they may never have known. This blue plaque commemorates Grace Cossington Smith OBE, AO who is one of Australia's most celebrated modernist painters, renowned for her iconic Sydney cityscapes and luminous interiors. Visit the blue plaque at Cossington, 43 Ku-Ring-Gai Avenue, Turramurra NSW 2074

Turramurra NSW

0.3 km away

Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve

National Parks and Reserves

Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve

Escape the hustle of the city for a refreshing dose of nature. A 15-minute drive from the Sydney CBD can take you to a patch of paradise near St Ives. Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve, in North Sydney, boasts one of the last remaining stands of magnificent blue gum forests within the Sydney region. This much-loved reserve is featured as part of the Ku-ring-gai Council nature walks and NPWS discovery program, making it popular for bushwalking and birdwatching. The towering canopy and lush understorey of ferns support a staggering array of wildlife including black-faced swamp wallabies and echidnas. If visiting Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve at night, then keep your eyes peeled for sugar gliders, possums and owls. Early morning is a superb time for birdwatching as the reserve comes alive with the sound of native Australian birds singing, including pardalotes, king parrots, and lorikeets.

Pymble NSW

2.4 km away

Browns Forest Loop Trail — Image credit: Photo: John Spencer

Natural Attractions

Browns Forest Loop Trail

If you’ve ever wondered what Sydney looked like before the city took over, then head to Browns Forest loop trail, in the North Sydney suburb of St Ives. Immerse yourself in unspoilt bushland within Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve by taking advantage of its short and easy walking track. Just 30 minutes north of the central business district, it’s ideal for birdwatching enthusiasts, nature-lovers and botanists, and is a great walk for kids. You’ll enter a forest of majestic blue gums and magnificent blackbutts that hark back to pre-colonial times with a lush understorey of ferns. Following the clearly signposted path, the kids will enjoy the self-guided series of interpretation signs. In the spring, the ground cover of native flowers, such as the blue flax lily and pastel flower, burst into a colourful display. Any time of year, you’ll hear the chatter of birds such as rainbow lorikeets, crimson rosellas and king parrots echoing through the bush.

St Ives NSW

2.7 km away

Rose Seidler House

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Rose Seidler House

Rose Seidler House, built between 1948 and 1950, is one of the most uncompromising modernist houses in Australia. Nestled in natural bushland, the house has panoramic views of Ku-ring-gai National Park from its glass walls and sun-filled deck. Restored to its 1950s scheme, Rose Seidler House incorporates the modernist features of open planning, minimal colour scheme, mod cons, appliances and labour-saving devices that were new to Australia. Its original furniture is one of the most important post-war design collections in Australia. Rose Seidler House was the first commission for internationally renowned architect Harry Seidler. He came to Australia from New York expressly to build the house for his parents Rose and Max, who lived there until 1967. Awarded the Sulman Medal in 1951, it has been a very influential house, stimulating much social comment and intellectual debate.

Wahroonga NSW

2.7 km away

Garigal National Park

National Parks and Reserves

Garigal National Park

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Garigal National Park. Just a short drive from Sydney's CBD, its impressive sandstone country offers great water and bush views, waterfalls and several significant Aboriginal sites and historic places. It's the ideal escape for a daytrip or picnic. Garigal is home to a remarkable array of animals and plants, including the threatened southern brown bandicoot and protects thousands of years of heritage. You can retrace Governor Phillip's steps along the heritage walk to Bungaroo, where he camped for two nights on his first expedition in 1788. Discover Garigal on foot along the extensive walking track system or ride your mountain bike on one of the challenging fire trails. The park is also great for boating, canoeing and fishing along tranquil Middle Harbour Creek.

St Ives NSW

3.3 km away

St Ives High Ropes

Amusement and Theme Parks

Treetops Adventure St Ives

St Ives Showground soars to new heights! Families have a new experience exploring the southern border of Ku-ring-gai National Park. St Ives Tree Ropes Course Park hosts 95 plus aerial obstacles and 10 plus zip lines, all suspended between platforms to create a maze of activities in the treetops. Courses start at one metre for little climbers and jump up to 15 metres for bigger adventurers! A 2.5-hour session through the aerial challenges (including gearing up) will have you laughing along with the Kookaburras. After safety, your adrenaline is the top priority, so the courses are designed to challenge you, no matter your level.

St Ives NSW

3.3 km away

Eryldene House and Garden

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Eryldene Historic House and Garden

Eryldene Historic House and Garden is an outstanding heritage-listed former family residence and now house museum, designed by architect William Hardy Wilson and constructed between 1913 and 1936 for Professor E. G. Waterhouse, a noted languages academic at Sydney University. The garden, developed from 1913 through to the 1970s by Professor Waterhouse, contains a Camellia and Azalea collection of international significance, many of which were bred by the professor himself. Eryldene's layout was carefully planned by Waterhouse, featuring intimate outdoor garden rooms and a geometric alignment of buildings, garden elements, and structures arranged in visually harmonious relationships and connected by direct pathways. The garden layout and its structures, including a study and teahouse, demonstrate a fusion of Eastern and Western architectural idioms. The site also includes a lawn tennis court suitable for hosting events, as well as a water feature.

Gordon NSW

3.7 km away

Pennant Hills West Pymble Fire Trail — Image credit: Photo: Debby McGerty.

Natural Attractions

Pennant Hills West Pymble Fire Trail

The fire trail from Pennant Hills Park to West Pymble winds its way through the eucalypt forest of Lane Cove National Park. It’s a picturesque route, with plenty of variety, including some technical parts and steep areas that are good for hill climb training. There are lots of scenic spots along the way where you can enjoy a picnic lunch, including by Devlins Creek and at Whale Rock. You can complete part of the ride if you feel like a shorter trip, or tackle the return leg for a longer day on the bike. You can also head back via the Comenarra Parkway.

West Pymble NSW

3.8 km away

Pipeline and Bungaroo Tracks to Stepping Stones Crossing — Image credit: Photo: John Spencer

Natural Attractions

Pipeline and Bungaroo Tracks to Stepping Stones Crossing

Leave suburbia behind as you follow Pipeline and Bungaroo tracks to Stepping Stones Crossing. Starting in St Ives on Sydney’s upper north shore, this short walk comprises two adjoining tracks leading to Middle Harbour Creek. Follow Pipeline trail for about 300 metres before turning left onto Bungaroo track. Immerse yourself in bush and valley vistas from the lookout before descending steeply between the rocky outcrops, passing banksias, grevilleas and wildflowers in the spring. You’ll arrive at the large sandstone steps of Middle Harbour Creek’s Stepping Stones where Governor Arthur Phillip camped on his historic first expedition in 1788. If you feel like pressing on – and it’s safe to do so – cross the stepping stones to join another great Sydney walk. From there you can turn right to take the Governor Phillip walk to Davidson Park, or left to join the Middle Harbour track to the Cascades.

St Ives NSW

3.9 km away

Stepping Stone Crossing to Cascades Trail — Image credit: Photo: Shaun Sursok

Natural Attractions

Stepping Stone Crossing to Cascades Trail

Garigal National Park is blessed with an extensive network of tracks and trails that can be enjoyed by walking, by mountain biking, or by horse riding. Stepping Stone Crossing to Cascades trail is one of several tracks located on Middle Harbour Creek, near Chatswood. Perfect for a Sunday stroll, this track joins Cascades trail with Pipeline and Bungaroo tracks, and Davidson Park to Stepping Stone Crossing. Be sure to check out these other tracks so you can plan your adventure. This gently undulating trail follows creek banks lined with diverse wet eucalypt forest, including blackbutt, swamp she-oak, angophoras and black wattle, until it reaches a gorgeous series of rockpools known as 'Cascades'. At Cascades, you’ll see remnants of a sandstone wall that was built in 1928 to dam the first pool. While swimming is not recommended here today due to urban run-off, it’s a lovely spot to take in an abundance of wildlife and enjoy birdwatching. Look out for azure kingfishers, cockatoos, kookaburras, parrots and owls.

St Ives NSW

3.9 km away

Lane Cove National Park

National Parks and Reserves

Lane Cove National Park

Lane Cove National Park is a beautiful pocket of bushland that sits on either side of the peaceful Lane Cove River. It's in easy reach for Sydneysiders, extending from East Ryde to Pennant Hills and West Chatswood. It's a great place for a day out with the family; there are lots of picnic areas to choose from, including those that offer picnic tables, barbecues, children's play equipment, flat grassy areas and easy access to walking tracks and places to ride your bike. Whatever activities you fancy, you're bound to find a perfect place to picnic for the day. When you've polished off the picnic, you can hit the walking tracks to explore the park's bushland, hire a boat from the Lane Cove Boatshed to row along the quiet Lane Cove River or cycle along the park's roads. There's also a fire trail between Pennant Hills and West Pymble, where you can ride your bike if you're feeling more adventurous. The park's historic sites are best explored along the self-guided Heritage walk. Pick up a brochure from the Lane Cove park office. If you'd like to stay overnight...

Chatswood West NSW

4.0 km away

Cascades Trail — Image credit: Photo: Shaun Sursok

Natural Attractions

Cascades Trail

Revive your senses along Cascades trail, a beautiful medium-difficulty fire trail shared by walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers in picturesque Garigal National Park. Whether you start your walk or ride at St Ives or Davidson, you’ll see native Australian trees such as Sydney red gums, Red Bloodwoods and Scribbly Gums. As you wind your way down to the creek, larger trees soon make way for species of banksia, dwarf apple and the narrow-leafed apple, while wattles, pea, boronia and wax flowers pepper the undergrowth. The trail gets its name from a series of beautiful little waterfalls, rock platforms and rockpools at the junction of Middle Harbour creek and French’s creek, a lovely spot to pause and enjoy a picnic before your return walk or ride. Staying on Cascades trail, you’ll leave the valley travelling up the sometimes steep trail to exit onto Stone Parade. If you want to extend your walk or ride to a day loop, Cascades trail also links to the Lower Cambourne and Heath and Bare Creek trails.

St Ives NSW

4.4 km away

Hornsby Mountain Bike Trail — Image credit: Hornsby Shire Council

Sports and Recreation Facilities

Hornsby Mountain Bike Trail

Enjoy 6km of white-knuckle mountain bike riding through picturesque bushland in Old Mans Valley, only a short cycle or walk from Hornsby Station in Sydney’s upper north shore. The single track has various skill levels and combines a series of narrow bushland trails and flowing metre-wide trails. The Hornsby Mountain Bike Trail is only open during daylight hours. The track is accessed from Quarry Road, where car parking is available.

Hornsby NSW

5.0 km away

Bellamy fire trail

Natural Attractions

Bellamy fire trail

This short walk through Berowra Valley Regional Park is perfect for a daily breather. A level path takes you down to Zig-Zag Creek, over a bridge and up to the high walls and towering forest of the old railway quarry, an attractive natural amphitheatre of sandstone. Even though there's no directional signage, you'll find the path easy to follow. You’ll see fern trees, grass trees, coachwood and a variety of tall eucalypts while hearing the joyful call of kookaburras. Interpretive signs tell the history of the historic Zig-Zag railway that used to pass through here. Take a seat on the old railway sleepers and enjoy the peace and beauty of the bush before heading back to daily life.

Pennant Hills NSW

5.1 km away

Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden

Natural Attractions

Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden

Tucked away just off Mona Vale Road in St. Ives, Ku-Ring-Gai Wildflower Garden is one of Sydney's best-kept secrets. With 123 hectares of pristine untouched bushland and free entry all year round, this is a perfect place to enjoy bushwalking, picnics, barbecues and more. Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden includes landscapes of tall forest, shrublands, ponds, gullies, sandstone outcrops, and waterfalls. There are plenty of walking trails to choose from, ranging from the child-friendly Senses Track to the challenging, two-hour Mueller Track hike. Wildlife enthusiasts can also follow the Banks Track boardwalk through the wetlands to spot frogs, lizards and turtles swimming in the ponds or basking in the sun. Browse a variety of local produce, crafts and books at the visitor centre, or learn more about the walking trails, animals and plant species found throughout the garden. You can also buy a number of wildflowers and plants in the native nursery. The garden also specialises in bushland education, offering a variety of nature-based programs for children of all ages.

St Ives NSW

5.1 km away

Ethel Turner Blue Plaque — Image credit: Heritage NSW

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Ethel Turner Blue Plaque

Visitors can discover the stories behind the people, places and events that have helped shape NSW - where the history happened. A Blue Plaque visit offers more than sightseeing. It creates a direct connection between place and story, turning everyday locations into places of discovery. Each plaque reveals a unique piece of history, encouraging visitors to explore local areas from a new perspective and uncover stories they may never have known. This blue plaque commemorates Ethel Turner who is one of Australia's most celebrated authors. 'Woodlands' is the house where she wrote the classic children's book 'Seven little Australians'. Visit the blue plaque at Woodlands, 1 Werona Ave, Killara NSW 2071and scan the QR code there to learn more.

Killara NSW

5.2 km away

Tunks Hill picnic area

Natural Attractions

Tunks Hill picnic area

With three distinct grassy areas, Tunks Hill picnic area in Lane Cove National Park is a great spot for a family get-together or a relaxing day out. Located on a hilltop on Riverside Drive, it boasts views of Chatswood, as well as adjacent bush, home to birdlife and local reptiles. Enjoy a picnic at one of the tables or sit back on one of grassy patches beneath towering gum trees. A large shelter is also available for bookings of up to 80 guests standing. The shelter, originally used for storing pig food, was built by farmer William Tunks, who lived here before the land became a national park.

Macquarie Park NSW

5.4 km away

Sphinx Memorial

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Sphinx Memorial

Sphinx Memorial is a sandstone monument created in memory of lives lost in the First World War and was created by a returned soldier in the 1920s. Bushwalkers exploring Sphinx Memorial to Bobbin Head loop track might be surprised to find this unusual symbol of Australian military history tucked away in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Grab something to eat at nearby Bobbin Head, or pack your lunch and stop for a picnic at Sphinx Memorial, where you'll find plenty of grassy spots to sit and relax. Take a virtual tour of Sphinx Memorial captured with Google Street View Trekker.

North Turramurra NSW

5.4 km away

Sphinx Memorial to Bobbin Head Loop Track — Image credit: Photo: Natasha Webb/OEH

Natural Attractions

Sphinx Memorial to Bobbin Head Loop Track

If you like to mix things up a bit, you can’t miss Sphinx Memorial to Bobbin Head loop track. The long walk leads along Bobbin Head trail past open forests of smooth barked apple gum and red bloodwoods to Empire Marina Bobbin Head and historic Halvorsen’s boatshed before arriving at Bobbin Head. Grab a bite here before joining Warrimoo track, which winds through thick mangroves. Keep an eye out for the Aboriginal middens as you walk, these unique heritage sites are testament to the bountiful food supplies enjoyed by the Aboriginal people in this region. Joining Sphinx track, a short climb will return you to the Sphinx Memorial and several pyramids among rough barked tree ferns. Enjoy a picnic or break at this peaceful spot.

North Turramurra NSW

5.4 km away

Holey Moley Macquarie

Amusement and Theme Parks

Holey Moley Macquarie

Holey Moley Golf Club has brought its chaotic collection of mini golf holes and drinks to Macquarie. Sharing the limelight with Strike bowling, Holey Moley is located in the same venue and ready to rock your golf socks. Play 9 holes of top-tier mini golf filled with neon lights and plenty of photo opportunities. Throughout your visit, hit up their vibey bar for a wealth of cocktails, beers, wines and just about any bevvie essential you could ask for. Coupled with the extra energy and atmosphere coming from Strike, a night out at Holey Moley Macquarie is sure to become a weekday and weekend staple!

Macquarie Park NSW

5.6 km away

Strike Bowling Macquarie

Amusement and Theme Parks

Strike Bowling Macquarie

Parked in North Ryde, just north of Sydney, and set over two impressive levels, Strike Macquarie will blow your mind. Strike Macquarie offers 10 world-class bowling lanes, an awesome Laser Tag arena, private karaoke rooms plus Sydney's most challenging escape rooms. Combine all that with their slick cocktail bar and delicious new food offerings courtesy of mates at Rando Sandos, it really is your one-stop-shop for every entertainment need.

Macquarie Park NSW

5.6 km away

Fiddens Wharf Walking Track — Image credit: Photo: John Spencer

Natural Attractions

Fiddens Wharf Walking Track

Within a stone’s throw of Sydney's central business district, enjoy a quick and easy weekend getaway with the family while enjoying the great outdoors at Lane Cove National Park. Short and steep, Fiddens Wharf walking track, near West Killara, leads to a large sports oval fringed by beautiful bushland. It’s an ideal destination for active families and groups looking for a large open playing field for ball games and fitness. This clearly signposted track leads to Fiddens Wharf Oval, where there’s plenty of space for the kids to kick a ball around or enjoy a family game of cricket. If you’ve worked up an appetite, don’t forget a picnic basket and enjoy a leisurely lunch in a shady spot. If you’ve still got energy to burn, follow the track to Fiddens Wharf on the tranquil Lane Cove River. Keen bushwalkers can also join the iconic Great North Walk from here.

Killara NSW

5.7 km away

Regional Playground

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

St Ives Showground

The St Ives Showground site is a much valued regional recreation and major events destination for Ku-ring-gai and the wider northern Sydney region. The site boasts Ku-ring-gai’s largest inclusive playground and is the home of an annual program of festivals and events, sports and recreational activities. Areas for hire include picnic shelters with barbeques, open spaces, dog rings and pavilions.

St Ives NSW

5.9 km away

Great North walk - Berowra Valley National Park

Natural Attractions

Great North walk - Berowra Valley National Park

Also known as Benowie walking track, this beautiful bushland walk through Berowra Valley National Park follows Berowra Creek for 25 kilometres of the iconic Great North walk between Sydney and Newcastle. This section of the walk, from Pennant Hills to Berowra Waters, takes about two to three days to walk, with several places to camp along the way. If you’d prefer a shorter walk, you can always break the trail up into more manageable sections, particularly if you're taking the kids out for the day. Join the walk from Pennant Hills, Westleigh, Hornsby, Galston Gorge picnic area or Berowra Waters, and head out into the bush for an adventure. For a longer walk extend your trip south along the Great North walk - Lane Cove National Park or link up with the Great North walk – Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and continue north towards Newcastle.

Pennant Hills NSW

5.9 km away

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