There were 23 then 24 then 25! happy walkers who turned up for the interesting and pleasant EZY walk from Waverton Station to the old coal loader site and Balls Head Reserve.
Walkers assemble at Waverton Station
At the corner of Horace Street and Balls Head Road above HMAS Waterhen
A gentle walk down hill brought us to the heritage listed Coal Loader site (operated from the 1920s to the 1990s) which has been developed by North Sydney Council as a sustainable community and cultural hub. We enjoyed exploring the many layers of history including Aboriginal rock engravings and food sources, the coal loader buildings, Council plant nursery, railway tunnels and the disintegrating wharf as well as the numerous angophora trees.
Cockatoo Isld, Parramatta River, Manns Pt, Greenwich, Berry Isld and the disintegrating coal loader wharf
Exploring the Coal Loader site
The Aboriginal engravings info board
Council plant propagation and nursery site
Morning Tea at the coal loader
Coal Loader tunnel entering
Coal loader tunnel passing through
Coal Loader tunnel emerging
A walk through one of the tunnels brought us to the Balls Head walking track which we followed through impressive forest to marvellous city views and the Quarantine Depot site which was bought by North Sydney Council in 2022 and is being developed for community use. We discovered a hidden beach there and a quirky shack on Berrys Bay.
On the track
Admiring an angophora
On the track. Where's Barbara?
Berrys Bay and beach with newly constructed access at the old Quarantine Depot
Exploring the Beach
Beach shack - library and artwork
The walkers above the Quarantine Depot site on Berrys Bay
Resting happy wanderers
City view from Balls Head
Lyndy at the lookout
Anzac Bridge in the distance
After absorbing some history about Balls Head we returned to the recently developed public space at the coal loader site for a lunch with a view. A return walk up Balls Head Road was rewarded by a pleasant coffee break at a café beside the station where a thoughtful local insisted on taking a photo of most of the group.
Lunch at Coal loader
Lunch
At the Waverton Cafe
Thanks to tail end Charlie David S and first aid volunteers Lindy and Elizabeth.
Other participants were Anne G, Anne R, Bert, Christine G, Don W, Elaine, Janet, Kurt, Lucienne, Lyn, Martin, Michael F, Nick B, Robyn Ma, Robyn Mi, Ron, Sue F, Theresa, Tim and visitor Sally led by Barbara and Karen.
Photos: David S 1,5,7,13 Barbara 2,3,4,14,16,17,24 Robyn Mi 6,11,20,21 Don W 8.9.10,18,19 Karen 12,15,22,23
A late photo from a previous easy walk on 22 May 2026: Sydney Harbour NP - Dover Heights to Watsons Bay showing the altar and amazing view of North Head from the naval chapel at HMAS Watson. Photo taken by Sue F.
