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    Puckey’s Estate Nature Reserve Wollongong. Walk, Swim, Find Nature & Enjoy.

    Puckey’s Estate nestled beside Fairy Meadow Beach, is a beautiful walk and place to visit in Wollongong. This What’s on in Wollongong insider guide covers all you need to know about visiting and walking Puckey’s Estate. From how to get there, bushwalks and best activities for kids and families.

    Puckey’s Estate is a beautiful day out in Wollongong. We like to start at Fairy Meadow Beach Playground and walk through to the award winning Stuart Park. Grabbing some lunch and an ice cream by the Lagoon and watching the skydivers jump. Such a beautiful hidden gem in the Illawarra area.

    If you visit on Friday or Sunday Afternoon in Summer months – you’ll get to enjoy live music and drink and food after your visit and walk (at the Lagoon end). Read about the Sunset Sessions at The Lagoon Seafood Restaurant

    View of Puckey’s Walking track c/o Bushwalk the Gong

    Address & Location

    Puckey’s can be entered from the south via a pedestrian boardwalk located adjacent to the Fairy Creek Bridge on Squires Way, North Wollongong. From the north you can enter from Elliot’s Road, Fairy Meadow. you can explore the reserve with a 1.5 km network of boardwalks and informal paths

    Public Transport Options

    For those preferring public transport, catch a bus to North Wollongong Beach and can be accessed from there

    Puckey’s c/o Amanda Dawe from Parents Guide

    Peaceful Surroundings & Access to Nature and Birds

    Puckey’s is nestled right in between Fairy Meadow and Wollongong, offering beautiful walks with a few different trails, surrounded by the lagoon, waterways and the beach. It’s home to around 130 different types of birds, and several endangered plant communities – nature at its best.

    Fairy Meadow beach can be quite rough surf at times and is not always ideal for swimming, so if you have younger kids, walk them to the Lagoon end of Puckeys for peaceful and safe water activities. Fairy Meadow is also an off leash dog beach, so again, watch your little ones.

    Cafe, Toilet & Picnic Facilities

    There is a cafe at Stuart Park end (The Lagoon Deck Bar & Kiosk) for all your coffee and snack needs and bonus they have ice cream. There is also toilets at either end of the walk; Stuart Park at the North Wollongong end is a sensational play space and has nearby all the amenities you will need. At the Fairy Meadow end there is another playground and toilets located at the surf club. (See playground below)

    Stuart Park Playspace and Fairy Meadow Playground c/o Amanda Dawe from Parents Guide

    Puckey’s Estate Walking Tracks

    There are several easy walking trails through Puckey’s Estate (aprox 1.5km one way). Most are good for prams and kids. The first walk being the Coastal track which runs Parallel to the beach (access at Fairy Meadow beach carpark on the south side). You can walk this all the way to North Wollongong to visit Stuart Park and the Lagoon (takes about 25 minutes from Fairy Meadow beach). Here you’ll find public toilets and a cafe too. Read more about Wollongong’s best and award winning Stuart Park here.

    There is also an alternate Bush land track through a denser forest. The Wetlands trail is a quieter track and great for spotting the waterbirds nearby. Last is the Loop track which takes you next to the Lagoon and gives you access to the beach.

    The Puckey’s Estate Boardwalk section takes you across The lagoon and into North Wollongong & Stuart Park – just beautiful!

    (Please note cycling is not allowed on these path’s but they do come through at a speed, so watch your little ones).

    View Of Puckey’s c/o Wollongong Botanic Garden

    Cultural Significance of Puckey’s Estate

    Indigenous Heritage

    Puckey’s Estate holds significant Indigenous heritage, with a landscape that has been important to the local Dharawal people for thousands of years. This area not only provided sustenance and materials but also served as a place of cultural and spiritual significance.

    View Of Puckey’s c/o Bushwalk the Gong

    Can You Take Dogs to Puckey’s Estate

    You will need to keep your dog on a leash at all times and remember to pick up after them. There are several dog-friendly walking tracks, so it’s a great spot to enjoy a scenic walk with your furry friend! Puckey’s runs alongside Fairy Meadow beach which has an off leash section however. So your pup can roam free on the beach.

    Additional Tips for Visiting

    Accessibility

    The tracks are dirt and can easily be walked on and pram friendly, might not be suitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. There are benches to sit and take it all in along the way (and to rest little feet).

    Sustainability Practices

    Help preserve Puckey’s Estate by following Leave No Trace principles. Take all rubbish with you, respect wildlife, and stick to designated paths. Sustainable tourism ensures that this beautiful location remains pristine for future generations.

    Local Amenities

    Nearby North Wollongong offers a range of amenities including restaurants, shops, and accommodation options.

    Conclusion

    Puckey’s is a beautiful day out, we like to start at Fairy Meadow beach Playground and walk through to Stuart Park and have some lunch and an ice cream by the Lagoon. All whilst watching the skydivers jump. Such a beautiful hidden gem, one of so many in the Illawarra area.

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    We offer our gratitude and deep respect to the lands, waters and skies of Dharawal Country. We stand in solidarity with its traditional custodians, the Dharawal and Wodi Wodi people, whose sovereignty was never ceded.