Waverton Park to Balls Head Reserve Loop

This 3.4 km loop pairs the open grass of Waverton Park with a circuit of the Balls Head headland, and it takes in some of the best harbour views on the lower north shore. It is on lead the whole way, bushland included, so this is a sniffing and sightseeing walk rather than a run-around, and most people are done inside the hour.

The walk

It starts on the grass at Waverton Park, drops through the historic Coal Loader platform, then picks up the natural track that rings Balls Head Reserve before returning along Balls Head Road. The surface changes constantly: grass, sealed path and boardwalk, then uneven sandstone and dirt under the bush. Nothing is steep, but the bush section carries enough steps and rock to slow a dog with sore hips. The old flagpole on the headland sits 90 metres above the water and marks the highest point west of the Harbour Bridge.

Leash status

Waverton Park itself is a 24 hour off-leash grass area under North Sydney Council rules, with the usual 10 metre playground buffer and a sportsfield exclusion when games are on. Once you enter Balls Head the rule flips: it is a wildlife protection area and dogs stay on lead on the formed tracks for the entire loop. The reserve protects ground-dwelling birds and microbats and holds Aboriginal middens and rock engravings, which is reason enough not to let a dog wander off-track.

Max: the bush track runs close to unfenced sandstone edges above the water. Keep the lead short through there rather than letting it play out.

Water and shade

Bubblers with dog bowls sit at the Coal Loader and near the park entry points, and there are toilets at both ends of the loop. Balls Head is well shaded by the remnant bush, which keeps it walkable through summer.

Getting there and parking

Waverton station is a few minutes walk from Waverton Park, which beats driving: street parking around Woolcott Street is tight and metered. The loop suits prams as far as the Coal Loader, but the headland circuit has steps.

While you're out there

Third Rail Cafe Waverton is on the walk home from the station side, and The North Spoon at McMahons Point covers the coffee stop if you extend toward Lavender Bay.

When to go

Weekday mornings are quiet, and weekend middays fill with families doing the Coal Loader markets circuit. Sunset from the headland is the local favourite.

More options are on the NSW dog friendly trails guide and the Waverton destination page.