Oatley Park, Sydney Australia
Overlooking the Georges River, Oatley Park is a sprawling 112-acre reserve offering activities from swimming and walking to picnics and a children’s playground.
Dating back to the early European settlement of Australia the land was granted to Thomas Oatley in 1831, who established an extensive vineyard and orchard. However, it wasn’t until 1887 that the area was dedicated for public recreation, and transformed into a park.
The Great Depression, from 1929 to 1939, left a significant mark on Oatley Park. To provide relief and employment during this challenging period, the NSW Government undertook several projects, including the construction of the sandstone kiosk and lookout now known as the “Castle.” This iconic landmark, with its crenellations and towers, has become a defining feature of the park and a symbol of resilience.
Getting There
Located throughout the park, dedicated parking bays make it easy to access the reserve. We were interested in the kiosk “castle”, so parked near it. Be careful when driving through the park as most roadways are shared with pedestrians.
The Castle
Built during the Great Depression, the Castle kiosk is an interesting structure, with crenellations making it look like a real castle. It not only provides great views over the river, but provides shelter from the weather with a barbeque area and seating underneath.
Swimming Baths
Not far from the castle is a small sandy beach on the river bank. this is one of the few suspended netted baths in Sydney. The 320m net keeps the sharks out and the swimmers safe. Changeroom and showers are conveniently located next to the baths.
Picnic and Barbeque Areas
Scattered throughout the park, barbecue and picnic areas offered great places to relax. The area we saw near the castle looked like a great place to relax near the river.
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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.