Waratah Park Earth Sanctuary (WPES)

Waratah Park Earth Sanctuary
PO Box 301, Terrey Hills, NSW 2084, Australia

Tel: 61 2 9986 1788 , Fax 61 2 9986 1799
Email waratahpark@esl.com.au
Website Waratah Park

All pictures on this page are kindly provided by the WPES.

Redneck Wallaby mit Joey

Opening Hours:

daily from 4 pm. The sanctuary is open 7 days a week, year round, including Christmas and Public Holidays. Bookings are recommended (but not essential) for nature “Wildlife Watch” walks.

As sunset varies between seasons it is possible to time your visit for the optimum experience.

• Summer:
  Arrive at 6pm in time for a meal then stay until darkness brings the nocturnal wildlife out for viewing.
   
• Winter:
  Arrive at 4pm, catch the sun as it sets and the animals emerge, then enjoy your meal beneath the stars.

Entry Fees:

Adults Aud $16.50
Children (5 - 15 years) Aud $11.00
Infants (under 5 years) No charge
Prices valid until 31 March 2005

Aussie Barbeque

From Aud $8.00 per person (prices may vary)

Rufus Bettong

Waratah Park Earth Sanctuary is a landmark site in Sydney, situated about 30 minutes drive north of the Harbour Bridge in the Ku-Ring-Gai National Park at Terrey Hills.

Waratah Park is a nocturnal sanctuary open from 4pm until late, offering visitors the opportunity to see free roaming Australian animals and other native wildlife in a mini ecosystem, returned to its former natural state circa 1788.

Species of rare and endangered animals once native to the Ku-Ring-Gai Chase region are being re-introduced - species seldom recognised by most Australians including pademelons, bettongs, bandicoots and potoroos.

Originally famous as the home of "Skippy the Bush Kangaroo" after the TV series filmed there during the 1960’s, the previously mismanaged wildlife park was closed in February 2003. Earth Sanctuaries Ltd (ESL) then purchased the lease with the sole aim of rejuvenating the site as a centre for conservation. The bushland area and nature reserve has now been properly restored and the park re-opened to the public as an Earth Sanctuary in 2003, the first of its type in Sydney.

Pademelon with Joey

There are other established Earth Sanctuaries at Warrawong (near Adelaide), Hanson Bay (Kangaroo Island) and Little River (near Melbourne). Given its proximity to the city, Waratah Park Earth Sanctuary is well positioned to attract tourists and will provide a unique eco-tourism offering for those visiting Sydney.

The major objective for Waratah Park Earth Sanctuary is to restore the balance of native flora and fauna that existed prior to European settlement of the area. It is being hailed as the 1788 sanctuary! This has been achieved by feral-proof fencing the entire sanctuary, eradicating all feral animals, restoring appropriate native vegetation, landscaping and planting indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses.

In the evening, enjoy an Aussie BBQ over some story telling and relax as the sun sets over Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Parks and the stars over Sydney light up the evening sky. Visitors then experience a '”Wildlife Watch” walk through the evening, seeing native animals in their now natural habitat wild.

Sandsteinfelsen

Waratah Park Earth Sanctuary is located at 13 Namba Road, Duffys Forest, Sydney, NSW Australia

Driving Directions

Located approximately 30 minutes north from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the sanctuary is signposted from Mona Vale Road at Terrey Hills (6kms from the turn off). Follow McCarrs Creek Road, turn left directly onto Booralie Rd and follow it around until you take a left at the fork onto Thuddungarra Rd. Then turn right into Namba Rd and follow to the end.

Public Transport

Due to its location, Waratah Park Earth Sanctuary is not easily accessible by public transport, driving is recommended.

Parking Car and Coach Parking is available at the Earth Sanctuary, outside the entrance.