Vaucluse Scores Three New Recreation Areas

If you like to get out and about with the kids to soak in nature (without the travel time) then you will be happy to learn that Vaucluse, the Eastern Sydney Suburb best known for its wealthy residents and iconic harbour views, is now home to three new recreation areas that you’ll love - bring on summer!

Three New Recreation Areas for Vaucluse

Gap Park, Wason Bay

The Gap is perhaps the most famous nature reserve in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. Recently, the council has created a family-friendly, 750-metre Nature trail that winds through Gap Park. 

Along the way, there are several meditation stations with seven short sensory exercises such as Take it all in, Give Gratitude and Beautiful Things - all designed to encourage you to slow down and reconnect. 

According to a spokesperson for Woollahra Municipal Council, "Getting to know and connecting with your place is proven to increase your wellbeing, vitality and life satisfaction. Tuning into nature sounds will decrease your stress levels and restore your attention and focus".

If you stop at each station, the walk will take around 50 minutes to complete (possibly longer with little ones!) but it's graded as an easy walk and the views are spectacular. The path is pram-friendly and also takes in the historic Tramway Path, a bushland rock escarpment, and an exotic rainforest gully.

Clarke Reserve Playground

This popular local park playground has had an upgrade thanks to a State Government Grant. Although there are no toilets, shades or bbq facilities at the park, it’s the perfect location for whale watching during the migration season between May and November.

As its name suggests, the park is located on Clarke Street (east end), Vaucluse. The new updates include an accessible path from the footpath to the playground where there is ample street parking, barrier fencing to deter dogs, new playground equipment including a spinner and a five-way swing set and additional planting of trees and other seeds.

Keep in mind this is a popular dog park for locals and it can get a little windy being on a hill so perhaps pack a light jacket. Grab a bite to eat from one of the many delicious eateries nearby such as the Grumpy Baker.

Lighthouse Reserve Viewfinder Installation

The multi-award-winning Viewfinder was voted the People’s Choice Prize at the Sculptures by the Sea in 2019 and now resides as a permanent fixture at Lighthouse Reserve on Old South Head Road, Vaucluse. 

Visitors to the site can interact with Viewfinder as it acts like a periscope (think Submarine style) with a mirror placed at the back so as to allow users to see the cliff face and waves crashing below. A safe and fun way for kids to see the ocean from a clifftop.

The 8.5-tonne Sculpture is the work of Sydney artist Joel Adler, who is quoted as saying, "This site was selected for its open ocean horizon and undulating cliff surfaces below". He invites visitors to return multiple times in order to take in the change of scenery thanks to weather conditions, tides and connection with the environment. The piece is currently on loan to the Woollahra council for a five-year period and can be viewed from multiple angles in the park (which means kids can actually enjoy the experience together!).

Lighthouse Reserve (address: 15 Old South Head Road, Vaucluse) is also home to the historic Macquarie lighthouse, located adjacent to the park. It's a popular off-leash dog park for locals and like Clarke Reserve down the road, is a terrific place to do a spot of whale or ship spotting throughout the year. 

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