Agnes Banks Nature Reserve

Great location for being a citizen scientist and making your own family KBA bird survey.

The establishment of a nature reserve having an area of approximately 66 hectares on Rickards Road at Agnes Banks was first proposed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service to Penrith City Council in 1987. The region according to the Service contained distinctive vegetation which needed to be retained for scientific research purposes. The Agnes Banks Conservation Reserve includes an area of Pliocene-Pleistocene sand with distinctive vegetation and an area of tertiary alluvium. The sand deposit originally covered some 6000 ha and was formed into a series of low stable, longitudinal dunes with internal drainage. The area has been extensively degraded by sand extraction operations.

This nature reserve is a hidden gem. The Sandy trail has amazing examples of Sydney sandstone vegetation and is very rare for the Cumberland Plain which is predominantly clay.

Very peaceful walk and mostly easy going terrain. The paths are all pretty flat and in mostly good condition. There are sign posts at each junction as well to help get an idea where you are. It's very sandy in parts so it almost feels like a coastal walk with the soft sand track. When I was there there was quite a bit of water in puddles on some of the paths (Speedway Track and Centre Track mostly) which made it a little tricky so take care if going there after rain. Also watch out for spider webs across the paths, they were very thin but everywhere!

Really beautiful nature reserve for nature lovers. Has a one of a kind sandy ground, with tons of sand loving plants, in the middle of Castlereagh, you feel like your at the beach!!