image by cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Kimberley Grove Reserve is a beautiful reserve in Rosebery 2018 NSW. It is a family-friendly park with plenty of natural bushlands to explore and stunning views that are perfect for photography. There’s also the opportunity to spot wildlife such as kangaroos, rosellas, magpies, and more! If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend check this place out!
The reserve was originally a sandstone quarry. It was mined for many years, until the 1940s when it was closed. The quarry had been used as a dumping ground and over the years there have been some environmental rehabilitation work done to clean up this site.
Kimberley Grove Reserve is open from sunrise to sunset daily and entry is free! There are no BBQ facilities provided but feel free to bring your own food or purchase something at one of the nearby cafes in Roseberry Village
There’s plenty of activities you can do in Kimberley Grove Reserve including cycling, walking, picnicking with family and friends, and exploring caves that run into the sandstone hillside.
Some of the highlights of this place include:
- It is home to over 900 plant species, many endangered and rare. This includes the largest population of wild lilies in NSW
- There’s also a variety of birdlife with over 200 species recorded. You’ll often see Australian magpies, rosellas, and kangaroos.
- This reserve is internationally recognized for its unique stand of native rainforest trees which have been preserved through careful preservation work by local volunteers. This includes some large eucalypts that are more than 500 years old!
- The reserve is home to a number of native animals, including koalas and wallabies!
- The old quarry tunnels are now used by bats as hibernation sites. Every year there’s an event called Bat Fest where you can find out more about the bat species that live in this area. This takes place on Saturday 13th September from 11am – 12pm
- There’s also plenty of caves for exploring around Kimberley Grove Reserve with many historical carvings inside these ancient sandstone structures. It has been estimated they’re up to 8000 years old! There are lots of Aboriginal markings, too.
- The reserve includes a beautiful lagoon where you can spot platypus or dabble your feet in the water.
- The sandstone escarpment is an impressive geological formation that reaches up to 100m above ground level and has some amazing views of Roseberry Valley below!
