Walk Summary
This is primarily a woodland nature walk that begins with a stroll along the Parramatta River and ends in the old Newington Armory. It’s an easy loop through bushland and saltmarsh with plenty of opportunities to spot birds and other wildlife.
Distance 5km
Time 1 - 2 hours
Level of Difficulty Easy
Getting to Newington Nature Reserve
Newington Nature Reserve lies on the edge of Sydney Olympic Park. The easiest way to access the start of the walk is by car and there is plenty of parking alongside the park and at various points around the perimeter of the walk. I parked up near the playground and walked down to the river and the start of the trail.
Walking the Trail
The walk begins on the edge of the park and heads east toward the Armory. It’s a loop walk so you can go in either direction though I prefer to walk through the woodland first and end at the Armory.
Passing the Armory entrance on your right, follow the riverside path passing through the Murama Healing Space which features public artworks and installations sharing First Nations stories and experiences.
Sydney Olympic Park is on the traditional lands of the Wangal people, whose Country extended along the southern shore of the Parramatta River.
Look out for waterbirds foraging along the river’s edge and in the section of wetland you’ll pass on the right.
A little further along the trail leaves the river and heads right into the woodland of Newington Nature Reserve. Keep an eye on signage but it’s pretty easy to follow and explanatory from here on in.
Newington Nature Reserve includes critically endangered Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest as well as saltmarsh and mangrove habitat. This mix of vegetation provides plenty of places for birds and other wildlife to nest, feed and forage.
Newington Armory
The large part of the trail emerges from bushland and skirts an old railway line before opening out into the historic Newington Armory precinct which contains more than one hundred heritage buildings, some dating from the 1890s.
Today the Armory operates as an arts precinct, with artist studios, exhibition spaces, a theatre and outdoor amphitheatre.
Wildlife at Newington Nature Reserve
On my last walk here I saw lots of little birds including Fairy-wrens, finches and a Red-whiskered bulbul, as well as waterbirds, herons, egrets and Black-winged stilts among them.
Up in the trees were nesting cockatoos, magpies and a very vocal Galah.
And best of all, I managed to spot what I rarely can — a very sleepy-eyed Tawny Frogmouth looking for all the world like a branch of the tree it was perched in.
The reserve and adjoining Armory support a much wider range of wildlife than you may see on a single walk. Birds use the woodland, saltmarsh and intertidal areas for feeding and roosting, while the area also provides habitat for frogs, possums, reptiles and microbats.
Recent bird sightings at Newington Nature Reserve and surrounds can be found on eBird.
Trail Tips
Sunscreen is recommended as much of the walk is exposed. Mosquito spray too, especially if you’re walking early or late.
There are bubblers at the walk’s start and end but I didn’t notice any in between so take water.
There are cafes here associated with the park and Armory but they’re not always open so best to BYO if you want to take advantage of one of the many picnic spots here.
The trail can get busy with walkers and cyclists on weekends.