North Arm Reserve

Area: 45.5 ha

North Arm Reserve is a long linear bushland reserve that follows the northern shoreline of Sugarloaf Bay located in Scotts Creek catchment, Castle Cove and Middle Cove.

It is Council’s largest bushland reserve and is part of a continuous green corridor from Explosives Reserve to the north, Willis Park to the west, and Harold Reid Reserve to the south. The reserve consists of steep sandstone slopes that form a large valley running down to Scotts Creek and the northern embankment of Sugarloaf Bay. Adjoining the reserve is a castle residence that Dr Henry Willis began constructing in 1903 using sandstone quarried on his 52 acre property.

The Cammeraygal clan of the Aboriginal people originally occupied North Arm Reserve. Indigenous people utilised this area for its clean fresh and saltwater resources. The reserve contains significant sandstone rock ledges that were used for shelter. Middens, shelter middens and shelter deposit sites have been recorded in the reserve

Due to its large size, diverse plant communities, topography and minimal tracks, North Arm provides refuge for many wildlife species. The reserve encircles a large area of mangrove with remnant saltmarsh and the upper reaches of the creek provide fresh water. As a wildlife corridor it allows species to pass east/west and north/south. Significant species include Swamp Wallaby, Long-nosed Bandicoot, Short-beaked Echidna, Brown Antechinus, Red Crowned Toadlet, Superb Lyrebird, Buff-banded Rail, Azure Kingfisher and the Powerful Owl.