Parsley Road, Vaucluse

Parsley Bay Reserve is a popular family park, that includes an enclosed swimming area, picnic facilities and children’s playground.

There is also a short bushland circuit (15-20 minutes return), that takes you to a waterfall at the head of the gully. In summer Eastern Water Dragons can be seen sunning along the watercourse.

This park is a popular venue for birthday parties, school picnics and social gatherings.

Access

• A small carpark is available from Parsley Road (Horler Avenue).
• Car park opens at dawn.  It closes at approximately 6.00pm (non-daylight saving) and 8.00pm (daylight saving).
• Pedestrian access available from The Crescent, Hopetoun Avenue and Horler Avenue.

Facilities

• Harbour swimming enclosure (summer only)
• Playground
• Kiosk
• Public toilets
• Telephone
• Disabled facilities
• Bushland walking trials

Things to do

• Picnics
• Summer swimming
• Sit and relax

History

There are two popular versions of the origin of the name. One, that a hermit called 'Parsley' lived in early years in one of the caves at the head of the bay, the other is traditional and was probably used by the first exploratory parties (1788) to refer to an edible plant growing there, closely resembling parsley, which was used as an anti-scorbutic (scurvy) by the vitamin starved First Fleeters. The Bay was set aside for public recreation use in 1907 - it is one of Woollahra's best kept secrets. More on the history of Parsley Bay Reserve (PDF)

Dogs

Dogs are prohibited at all times.

Location map