Biodiversity at the Park
Sydney Olympic Park is an urban biodiversity hotspot with significant habitats for hundreds of species of plants, birds, frogs, bats, reptiles and fish. There are over 35 kilometres of bike trails, walking paths and scenic boardwalks within the Park that can take you to beautiful parklands, rare saltmarshes, remnant woodlands, waterbird refuges and mangrove forest.
Amongst these protected wetlands and woodlands you can bird watch, spot endangered frogs such as the endangered Green and Golden Bell frog, or just de-stress in the cool green calmness under the trees.
Long-distant travellers have returned
Migratory shorebirds have returned to Sydney Olympic Park with Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and Bar-tailed Godwits being seen at the Waterbird Refuge.
Migratory shorebirds are typically present at Sydney Olympic Park between September and April, migrating along the East Asian-Australian Flyway from breeding sites in China, Siberia, Alaska and the east Asian mainland, to take advantage of the productive summer months in both hemispheres. More information and footage of the motion activated video camera.
Bird Watching
Sydney Olympic Park provides excellent bird watching opportunities with its diverse habitats supporting migratory, nomadic and resident birds. More than 180 native species have been recorded. This is the season of migratory birds and the Park has lots of new visitors. Find out more about the birds you might be able to spot around the Park in summer!
Read more about Birds of the Armory walks and Bird watching.
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BirdLife Discovery Centre
Learn more about Australian birds and their habitats at the BirdLife Discovery Centre in Newington Armory. Watch live action from a White-bellied Sea-eagle nest via EagleCam as their chick grows. More info
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 Mangrove Boardwalk
Experience the largest remaining stand of grey mangrove forest along the Parramatta River at Badu Mangroves in Bicentennial Park. Step into the dappled shade along the floating wooden boardwalk and look out for the abundant crabs and snails on the muddy shore below, as well as wading birds such as the White-faced Heron and the more secretive Mangrove Heron. Small birds such as the Yellow Thornbill, Silvereye and Grey Fantail may also be seen and heard as they flit through the forest, and Golden Orb-weaving Spiders are abundant in the autumn months when they build their webs in the mangrove canopy. Take a moment to imagine the time when such habitats dominated the rivers and bays of Sydney. More info
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 Brickpit Ring Walk
Enjoy a bird’s eye view of endangered frog habitat and other unique features of the Brickpit from the Ring Walk, an elevated circular walkway. You’ll see both naturally-formed and constructed ponds that the Green and Golden Bell Frog uses for breeding, with surrounding reeds, rock piles, long grass and weedy vegetation for shelter and foraging. Interpretive material around the Ring Walk explains the Brickpit’s industrial history and unique geology, the evolution of Green and Golden Bell Frog habitat, and the development and operation of the Park’s innovative water recycling scheme (WRAMS). More info
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 Narawang Wetland
Meander along walking paths and a reed-fringed boardwalk at Narawang Wetland. The Green and Golden Bell Frog and other frog species can be heard calling from the ponds during the warmer months, find a quiet shady spot and you may spot some of these web-toed residents. More info
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 Frog Walk
Take a walk of discovery through the Park's extensive freshwater wetlands that support 7 frog species and learn about management of the endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog. There are 70 constructed frog habitat ponds around the Park with 11 road underpasses and 6km of frog fencing that protect these important local residents. The Frog Walk takes in the Brickpit Ring Walk, where you have a bird’s eye view of frog habitats, and nearby Wentworth Common and Kronos Hill. More info
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 Heritage Railway
Jump aboard the heritage-listed narrow-gauge railway for a trip around the historic precinct of Newington Armory and learn about the Park’s remnant turpentine ironbark forest and the different bat species that inhabit some of the heritage buildings. This unique small-gauge electric railway tour includes a full commentary, taking in protected wetlands and remnant forest not usually accessible to visitors. More info
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Photo: Fiora Sacco
Family fun activities
