Warriewood Wetlands
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A peaceful, bird-filled wetlands walk on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with shaded boardwalks and an optional side trip to Irrawong Waterfall.
Distance: 4.5 km
Time: 1 hour
Steps: 6,000
Level of difficulty: Easy -
Irrawong Waterfall side walk
Shaded wetlands boardwalks
Waterbirds and bush birds
Flying fox colony
Cafés nearby at Warriewood Square
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Dogs and bikes are not permitted in the wetlands reserve
Paths can be damp or muddy — wear suitable shoes
Mosquitoes can be active, especially near dawn and dusk
Waterfall track includes steps and uneven ground (not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs)
Limited parking at Katoa Park; additional parking near Warriewood Square
Looking for a leisurely stroll through the trees, surrounded by birdsong? Try this one.
Warriewood Wetlands on Sydney’s Northern Beaches comprises 26 hectares of fragile wetland habitat and hosts a remarkable variety of birdlife. Boardwalks and bush tracks wind gently through paperbark forest and open swamp, creating a walk that feels surprisingly secluded despite its suburban setting.
The main wetlands loop is short and mostly flat, but with the side trip to Irrawong Waterfall the route extends to around 4.5 km — still not much more than an hour, unless you choose to linger.
WALKING THE TRAIL
The walk is suitable for the whole family, though you’ll have to leave the dog and bikes at home, as both are prohibited on the trail.
The wetlands walk is in two sections. When you reach what seems to be the end of the track at Garden Street, you can either finish the wetlands loop, or cross the road for the side trip to the waterfall.
Katoa Park to Garden Street
The walk begins and ends at Katoa Park, where there’s a small playground, barbecues, picnic tables and limited off-street parking.
The first part of the route is fairly short and easy to follow, with boardwalk paths guiding you for most of the way.
Take time to pause on the elevated boardwalk to listen to the bellbirds and watch for some of the 80 or so other bird species recorded here, Powerful Owls and endangered Regent Honeyeaters among them. I haven’t seen any of these, but I have seen plenty of others, including goshawks bellbirds, fairy-wrens, various honeyeaters and lorikeets.
Lower down on the water’s surface you’ll likely see ducks and swamphens, and the occasional spoonbill or heron. And in the surrounding bush, if you’re lucky, you may spot a wallaby.
Side trail to Irrawong Waterfall
At Garden Street, cross the road to take the side trail to Irrawong Waterfall.
The trail that you’ll walk along is named for former journalist, local activist and community leader Jim Revitt. Revitt, who passed away in 2009, was passionate about his local area and instrumental in helping to preserve natural environments like this one.
You’ll be walking close to houses at times and might hear the hum of traffic. But for the most part, urban sounds are drowned out by bird calls.
You’ll hear the waterfall before you reach it, especially if there’s been recent heavy rain. It was a gentle cascade when I visited but must be quite a sight when it gets going. There’s also a large sandy clearing nearby — a nice spot for a picnic if the weather’s right.
To return from the waterfall, double back and turn left to rejoin the wetlands paths via Watergum Drive, a little further up Garden Street, on your right.
Watergum Drive to Katoa Park
The second part of the wetlands walk is accessed at the end of Watergum Drive.
Much of the trail is shaded by tall trees which means the paths can get a bit damp and muddy at times. Choose shoes to suit and bring the mozzie spray, especially if walking near dawn or dusk.
As you come to the end of the loop on this part of the wetlands trail, don’t miss the storybook swamp, home to moorhens and purple swamphens as well as the local bat colony.
The colony of grey-headed flying foxes is not large but it’s very vocal (and just a little bit smelly). The sleepy creatures are easily visible from the pathway known as the Angus Gordon Walkway close to the back of the shopping centre.
In the area
If you’re wanting coffee and a bite to eat after your walk you’ll find all this and more in Warriewood Square, just around the corner from Katoa Reserve.
If you’re looking for a longer walk in similar surrounds, you can’t go past the Narrabeen Lakes Trail just a little way up Pittwater Rd. For a beach walk, try the walk from Long Reef to Dee Why.
LAST UPDATED FEBRUARY 2026