Where can you get (literally) among the trees: Inner Sydney
Image credit: William
We’re big fans of timber here at Among The Trees, but we also love a good tree too! The experience of working with a reclaimed material and then wandering around natural landscapes and seeing the places these materials came from is also both a meaningful one, and one we like to reflect on as makers and manufacturers: nothing we’re using or working with was produced in a vacuum, it’s a natural material and comes from our local environment!
As a result, we’ve come across some great local spots to get, well, among those very trees and enjoy some nature, even if you’re living and working right in the heard of Gadigal land.
Wolli Creek Regional Park
Right in our backyard is a pocket of beautiful bushland, full to the brim with local species, insects and birds, and the location of a local colony of grey-headed flying foxes.
Perfect for a stroll or as part of the longer Two Valley trail from Campsie to Bexley, when we’re not in store you’re as likely to find us wandering through this beautiful bushland as not!
Read more about this fantastic spot at this link.
Goolay'yari/Cooks River
As one of the main rivers passing through the area, Goolay'yari is less a specific place for experiencing nature and a long series of environments, habitats and trails.
We’re partial to the sections that start near Tempe station and meander upriver to Hurlstone Park (make sure to cross and wander down the opposite bank for complementary but quite different landscape and views), but there’s beauty to be found all the way upstream, or even down towards the river’s mouth.
Parking is plentiful around Goolay'yari, especially on weekdays, so it’s a perfect place to visit or to take friends or children – and don’t forget to bring your bikes!
Georges River National Park
A hidden gem to the west of inner Sydney, Georges River National Park is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon or free weekend day.
Situated on the Tucoerah (Georges) River, on the traditional Country of the Dharug and Dharawal People, beautiful river vistas can be found all throughout, with the regular outlook over bright blue water from the ridge walking track a particular highlight.
The area is filled with a range of beautiful tree species, and all throughout the year there are highlights of both the flowering and non-flowering kind. We recommend getting up close and personal with some trees and feeling the beautiful shapes and textures, with highlights including a wealth of Smooth-barked apples (Angophora costata).
Read more at this link.
Royal National Park
Well known and beloved, the Royal National Park south of Sydney sits squarely in Dharawal land and has a wide range of habitats, activities, and hidden gems to experience.
For a kid-friendly time, the waterways, lawns and well-travelled beaches are all fun to visit and see some beautiful natural vistas, including a wide range of local birds and other critters.
For those more inclined to get lost, the park is filled with beautiful walking tracks that cover a wide range of environs, including stunning coastal heath and sandstone cliffs, or through rainforested trails that lead to secluded and sunny beaches. Of course, there are beautiful trees throughout – make sure to check out the Grass trees (Xanthorrea spp.) prominent throughout the coastal heaths.
Read more and organise a day trip at this link.
