The Sydney Harbour has many small islands that are worth exploring. Shark Island is one of these islands that dot the ocean around Sydney Harbour, Australia. It gets its name from its shape and not due to sharks being found in that area. Sydney itself is a modernistic urban place, but the islands around it are relatively untouched, and the natural beauty of these islands is very relaxing.

Shark Island is a part of the Sydney Harbour Park. It is just 100 meters from the popular Cronulla beach. The tiny island comprises of a rocky ledge that is surrounded by shallow waters. The natives call the island Boambilly. Till 1995 it served as an animal quarantine and naval depot. Then it became a picnic spot included in the Sydney Harbour National Park.

It has a scheduled ferry and tour operators take people to the island.

Since Shark Island is connected by ferry, and is just a kilometer away from Rose Bay, it has become a popular picnic destination. Picnic tables are set on the grassy park which is full of shady trees. It is known for its beaches, for fishing and also as a picnic spot where you can spend a peaceful day with your friends and family.

Shark Island is a popular destination for surfers and body boarders. The most popular event at Shark Island is the annual Shark Island surfing contest. On heavy days, the waves are so big, that only the very experienced surfers are advised to surf there. In fact adventure lovers think that the surf here is thrilling and risk the huge waves for the adrenalin rush.

Even if you are not a surfer or body boarder, you can visit the place and take the awesome pictures of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and also the Sydney Opera House. They look magnificent from this island.

Shark Island is available for special events like functions, weddings etc, and can accommodate up to 500 people. You can book your event in advance.

Facilities available on the Island

• Five picnic shelters consisting of one table, one attached bench each. Additionally there are four open picnic tables also having benches attached to them
• There is just one gazebo which can easily accommodate 25 to 30 people. The sad part is that this can not be booked. The first large group that visits the island can avail of it, so you need to be early to get this.
• They offer you facilities like drinking water and toilets.
  There are many shady spots and a small beach area for swimming.
  Since there is no shopping area, you should carry your own picnic basket and drinks along with you.

Shark Island is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and during daylight saving from 8 am to 8 pm. To visit the island you have to book your trip in advance.

The ferry to Shark Island starts from Circular Quay and there are four trips a day. Of course you could hire a water taxi but it is expensive. The adventurous and more agile people could hire a canoe and paddle their way across to the Island from Rose Bay.

Dee Why is a suburban area north of Sydney which is famous for its unpoilt beaches and scenic beauty. A lot of speculation exists about the name of this beautiful place, but no one knows why it is so strangely named. The earliest record of this name is a penciled note in surveyor James Meehan’s field book where he marked the place with the alphabets DY. There is another school of thought that feels that DY is a name that came from the local aboriginal language. In common parlance the place began to be referred to as DY which slowly evolved into two words Dee Why by 1950.

The beautiful Dee Why Beach is a long stretch of little over a kilometer overlooking the Tasmanian Sea. It is a favorite destination for surfers, body boarders and explorers. If you have had your fill of the beach, you can explore the area further. Cast your eyes northwards and you will see the majestic dunes that separate the beach from the Dee Why Lagoon. Towards the south is the lovely Dee Why Reserve, which is a popular picnic spot around ancient pines. The reserve is worth a visit. It has well beautifully located picnic areas, well maintained paths, platforms, a promenade area and even a war memorial that has been restored recently.

In keeping with the sporty and out-door ethos of Sydneysiders, there are two playgrounds near by. It is the headquarters of Australia’s Oldest Surfboard Riders Club, Dee Why Surfing Fraternity. It even has the Long Reef Golf Course which is very beautiful.

Nature lovers will really enjoy The Dee Why Lagoon which is a well recognized wild life refuge spread over about 77 hectares. It is a bush land that is swampy and home to local bird life and also migratory birds. Bird watchers can spend many hours watching these lovely and colorful feathered creatures, many of them rare and exquisite. Not so long ago there were many black swans to feast your eyes on. Though they are not so plentiful now, there still are many to admire.

All this scenic beauty is situated conveniently. You can easily board a bus that goes to the northern beaches; all of them stop at Dee Why Main. Since it is very close to Pittwater road, you could drive down for a wonderful day at the beach. It can be crowded on weekends as many people love spending their weekends sunbathing or surfing. On week days the beach is not so crowded and you can easily find a secluded spot and enjoy a relaxing day.

Dee Why is home to Warringah Mall, Australia’s largest indoor and outdoor shopping centre. It also has many cheap eateries serving seafood. You could find a meal that suits any budget, from the very economical to the exclusive gourmet style food.

If you are in Sydney, you should visit the beautiful Dee Why beach and lagoon which is very close to Sydney and experience the scenic splendor.

The very name ‘Balls Head Reserve’ does invite a snide snicker, but all that fades into a shade when one actually visits the area. This is one more of the famous ‘green belt’ areas of Sydney smack in the midst of a total concrete jungle and most of them are naturally located in the proximity of the harbour foreshore, thus providing a scenic splendour.

But as compared to the other ‘reserve’ spots, there is something quite different about the Balls Head Reserve, and we do mean from not just geographical, but also a historical point of view. If you care to walk a little, do hike through some inland paths with ledges and you will get to see some fairly discernible and very ancient Aborginal rock paintings, including a few odd carvings. It’s these that make this site straight out of History, giving some insight to the original aborginal settlers of Australia, which would be way before the first white man made his landing on this continent country.

The most obvious reason that draws people here is the unparallel scenic beauty of the place. The Balls Head Reserve can actually boast of the of the spectacular waterline reserve, being practically based right near the water overlooking the Harbour Bridge. This is one place of visit where your eyes will feel feasted, and the clicks of your camera may be questioned for their authencity. The absolutely enchanting panoramic sweep cuts across North Sydney to the Darling Harbour, and then from Anzac Bridge on to the Balmain and Rozelle. In between, one just cannot miss the sprawling landmark; the lotus shaped Sydney Opera House.

The most convenient transport modes to get to the Balls Head Reserve are a car, though we would recommend a train ride to the Waverton Train Station from where it is barely a ten minute walk. For more precise directions, once outside Waverton Station, one needs to walk left towards the Bay Road and then turn right just before the Harbour.

Besides the inland paths that help stretch the legs for a real worthwhile walk, and the scenic splendour that soothes the eyes, the Balls Head Reserve is actually a beautiful picnic spot with BBQ facility. This is one reserve that deserves a day spend with family or friends. And remember, the camera is always part of your attire. After all, this is amongst the locales that project Sydney on various colored brochures.