Located on the western edge of Sydney’s Central Business District, Barangaroo Reserve is a modern Sydney Harbour foreshore park, featuring open landscaping, expansive grassy areas, and a network of walking paths.
The reserve was created as part of the Barangaroo transformation project, which turned a former industrial site into a vibrant business, entertainment, and leisure precinct.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about this scenic park on Sydney Harbour, including the popular Barangaroo Foreshore Walk.
Getting There
Getting to Barangaroo Reserve is easy. You can take a train, metro, ferry, or drive and park underneath the reserve.
1. Train:
The two closest train stations are Circular Quay and Wynyard, both about 1 km from the reserve. We recommend Wynyard, as it has an underground pedestrian link to Barangaroo.
2. Metro:
Barangaroo Metro Station opened in 2024 and sits between the reserve and the restaurant precinct. It’s part of the line running from Tallawong to Sydenham, with stops at Epping, Chatswood, and several city stations.
3. Ferry:
Travelling by ferry is another great option, with King St Wharf and Barangaroo Wharf both nearby. Check the Transport NSW website to help plan your visit by public transport.
4. Car:
Barangaroo Reserve has an underground car park that’s open seven days a week, from 6 AM to midnight.
About Barangaroo Reserve
In recent years, Barangaroo has become one of the most dynamic precincts in Sydney city, with the reserve forming an integral part of it.
Let’s learn a bit more about the history of this precinct.
History
The Gadigal people are the traditional custodians of the land where Barangaroo now stands. The area was once an important hunting and fishing ground for the local Aboriginal community.
In the first half of the 19th century, Sydney developed into a major port, with wharves built along the city’s shoreline where Barangaroo is now located.
By the early 20th century, the NSW Government had taken control of the area and rebuilt the wharves as trade activity increased.
In the latter half of the 20th century, Sydney became less suitable as a modern and sustainable port. Ships were getting larger, and the city’s freight rail infrastructure struggled to keep up with growing demand.
With the construction of Port Botany as Sydney’s new major port, the Barangaroo and Darling Harbour precincts were no longer needed for industrial shipping.
Redevelopment
In 2003, the NSW Government announced plans to redevelop Barangaroo and launched an international design competition to generate ideas and concepts.
One of the key requirements was that Barangaroo had to form part of the 12 km public foreshore walkway stretching from Woolloomooloo to Anzac Bridge. This walkway officially opened in 2021 as a scenic, continuous walking track.
In 2007, the area was officially named Barangaroo, after a Cammeraygal woman who was a prominent figure in the Sydney Aboriginal community at the time of early white settlement.
Barangaroo continues to evolve, but the Reserve at the northern end of the precinct has been open to the public since August 2015. Its opening marked a significant moment, as the area had been closed to the public for more than 100 years.
A Beautiful Park
Today, Barangaroo Reserve is widely regarded as a valuable green addition to the city of Sydney. It’s a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
After years of design and development, the reserve has become a 6-hectare waterfront park, featuring a large man-made hill at its centre.
It is home to more than 75,000 planted trees, palms, ferns, shrubs, and other plants that are native to the Sydney region.
The park makes a strong first impression, with beautifully designed terraced gardens and a range of walking paths to explore.
The extensive use of sandstone blends seamlessly into the park’s overall design and landscape.
Barangaroo Reserve features a network of walking paths spread across multiple levels. There’s no set start or endpoint, so visitors can simply wander and enjoy the lush surroundings and Harbour views.
To move between levels, you can take the lift at The Cutaway (see below) or use one of the many staircases located throughout the reserve.
The views from Barangaroo Reserve are excellent, with landmarks such as Goat Island, the Harbour Bridge, Balls Head Reserve, Pyrmont, and others all visible.
Notably, the reserve has introduced 18 official new place and road names, with 40% of them referencing Aboriginal people or culture.
The Cutaway
Beneath the hill that forms Barangaroo Reserve is an intriguing venue known as The Cutaway.
This impressive engineering structure features a bridge-like roof and a massive sandstone wall that opens up to the sky.
The Cutaway is a distinctive cultural venue that hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including art exhibitions and food festivals.
Marrinawi Cove
When visiting Barangaroo Reserve, make sure to check out Marrinawi Cove, located at the northern end of the reserve.
Marrinawi Cove is a sheltered 700-square-metre bay and swimming enclosure. Opened in 2023, it has quickly become a popular spot with both locals and visitors.
The enclosure features safety netting around the swimming area, along with a railing, signage, and a nearby shower block.
One of its best features is the surrounding sandstone blocks, where visitors can sit and relax when they’re not in the water.
Barangaroo Foreshore Walk
The Barangaroo Foreshore Walk, also known simply as the Barangaroo Walk, is a 1.5 km shared path for walking and cycling, stretching from King Street Wharf to the northeastern tip of Barangaroo Reserve.
Also called the Wulugul Walk, this continuous path follows the reclaimed 1836 shoreline. Wulugul is the local Indigenous word for kingfish, once a popular catch in this area.
The walk was completed in 2021, when the final section, between the new casino and the southern end of Barangaroo Reserve, was opened to the public.
One thing you’ll notice when walking it for the first time is the generous width of the path, which makes for a very comfortable and safe experience.
The easiest way to reach the starting point is to walk from Wynyard Station to Barangaroo via the underground pedestrian link.
With the Barangaroo Foreshore Walk now complete, it’s also possible to walk along the shoreline from the Anzac Bridge all the way to Woolloomooloo.
This 12 km journey is one of Sydney’s best Harbour walks and a fantastic way to experience both the Harbour and the city.
| Barangaroo Foreshore Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 1.5 km |
| Duration: | 0.5 – 1 hour |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
We certainly appreciate the Barangaroo Park and the maintenance thereof, a wonderful facility!
However, we find the bicycles on the board-walk as part of the Wulugul Walk are quite dangerous as it is narrow. My wife was hit when a bicycle came up fast behind her and I have had a number of close calls.
Please consider banning bicycles on the board-walk at Wulugul Walk and insist they use the bitumen walkway as marked for bicycles and pedestrians.
Many thanks.
Hello Trevor, sorry to hear about your experiences with bicycles on the Wulugul Walk.
You’re making a fair point, and it’s best to write to City of Sydney council so that they can take this matter into consideration.