A tour of the Angophora Reserve, located in Avalon / Bilgola Plateau, suburbs on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia. The reserve also spans across to the suburbs of Clareville and Taylors Point.
Our entry point to the track, and the location of the stunning “Angophora Reserve” stone archway sign, is on Palmgrove Road in Bilgola Plateau / Avalon. The reserve was made into a bushland sanctuary formally in 1937, by the Wildlife Preservation Society.
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Bilgola Plateau is the lowest point of elevation in the reserve, so there are plenty of stairs if you intend on starting the walk from the Palmgrove Road end, as I chose to. This is a sanctuary hidden in suburbia, worthy of addition to a list of the best walks in Sydney.
It is the Avalon end of the trail which also has the historically significant Angophora Red Gum tree (now dead, but still standing), which gave name to the reserve. It is hard to miss, at about 2m width on the side of the trail. This particular Angophora Red Gum tree is believed to be approximately 1000 years old. It’s pretty hard to miss it as you are meandering along the track.
While most of the track is stairs, there are a few interesting rock features that you cut through on the path. A large variety of ferns is also present throughout the track. At the far end the track splits, providing opportunities to connect up with Chisholm Avenue and Hilltop Road in Avalon, or continue straight ahead to meet up with Wandeen Road, Clareville. I had the strong impression while walking this trail that those I came across were locals, many using it as a shortcut between points. This trail didn’t feel like it is one often visited by those who don’t live in the suburb …which might be a good thing.
Angophora Reserve Trail – Other Adventures Nearby
Once you have finished this walk then you have numerous other options available within a short distance. The Bangalley Headland Reserve is on the other side of Avalon, offering ocean views to the north, or the South Bilgola Headland Reserve Trail is an easy option to quickly see some of the best that Bilgola Beach and Newport Beach have to offer.
Angophora Reserve Trail – Getting There
Making your way to the Angophora Reserve via public transport won’t take you the whole way to the trailhead, but if you hop off at Avalon Beach shops then it is a walk over only around half a kilometer. By car this is a breeze, with masses of free street parking available at the Palmgrove Road and Wandeen Road ends of the trail. For a break after your walking there are plenty of shops available in Avalon, and there is always the beach across the road for a refreshing ocean swim.
View our big list of walks, to check out our other adventure options.
Gear used:
- Camera: https://amzn.to/2YU36Zu
- Awesome value camera mount kits: https://amzn.to/2LFJF34
