Sirius Cove Reserve is a dog-friendly hideaway in the suburb of Mosman, featuring a small beach, a playground, and a picnic area.
Also known as Little Sirius Cove, this peaceful spot on Sydney’s Lower North Shore is a great starting point for several Sydney Harbour coastal trails.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this scenic reserve, including things to do nearby.
Getting There
Sirius Cove Reserve is located at the end of Sirius Cove Road in the southwestern part of Mosman (see map).
If you’re travelling by car, there’s a small designated car park at the reserve. If that’s full, you may need to look for street parking a bit further away.
You can also get there by ferry. The closest wharves are South Mosman and Mosman Bay to the west, and Taronga Zoo to the south. It’s a short walk from any of these stops.
Travelling by bus is another option, with several bus stops along nearby Prince Albert Street and Raglan Street.
About Sirius Cove Reserve
Quietly tucked away in one of the many bays on the Lower North Shore, Sirius Cove Reserve is a peaceful little spot with great facilities for the whole family, including the dog.
With a dog-friendly beach, Sirius Cove is one of the best places in Sydney to let your dog run free and have a splash.
The cove was named after HMS Sirius, the flagship of the First Fleet that arrived in New South Wales at the end of the 18th century.
Located at the end of Sirius Cove Road in Mosman, the reserve has a spacious layout with picnic tables, a fenced playground, a drinking fountain, and a toilet/shower block.
Protected by a sandstone wall, the 250-metre-wide beach faces south into a deep bay that opens into Sydney Harbour.
The water is usually calm and shallow, making it ideal for walking in with your dog.
Dogs are permitted off-leash in the park, on the beach, and in the water all day from Monday to Friday.
On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, off-leash access is limited to non-peak hours before 9 am and after 4 pm. Check the Mosman Council website for the most up-to-date information.
Curlew Camp
In the late 19th century, several leading Australian artists would come to Sirius Cove to do their creative work. Some of their most well-known paintings were created there.
Curlew Camp, as it was known, became a popular gathering place for artists, writers, and musicians. It was located at Little Sirius Cove, just around the corner from Sirius Cove.
The “Curlew Camp Artist’s Walk” is the trail from South Mosman Ferry Wharf to Taronga Zoo that the artists once followed to reach the camp.
The camp was eventually abandoned in 1912 when the area was chosen as the site for the new Taronga Zoo, but its historical significance has remained.
You can visit the area where Curlew Camp once stood by following the walking trail at the eastern end of the beach. Look out for a marked side trail leading to the former campsite.
Walks and Beaches Nearby
Sirius Cove Reserve can be reached on foot via a foreshore walking trail that passes scenic spots such as Cremorne Point, Mosman Bay, Bradleys Head, and Chowder Bay.
1. Go East: Whiting Beach, Athol Bay and Bradleys Head
If you’re visiting the reserve and feel like hiking, we recommend heading east towards Taronga Zoo and Bradleys Head. You’ll find the trail at the eastern end of the beach.
Climb the stairs and follow the path towards Little Sirius Cove and Little Sirius Point at the tip of the bay.
Just around the corner from Little Sirius Point is Whiting Beach, a small south-facing strip of sand set against densely vegetated slopes, right in front of Taronga Zoo.
Continue past Taronga Zoo Wharf and you’ll soon arrive at Athol Bay, another quiet and secluded beach. From Athol Bay, follow the scenic Bradleys Head Walking Track to one of Sydney Harbour’s iconic landmarks.
2. Go West: Mosman Bay and Cremorne Point
From Sirius Cove Reserve, you can also walk in the other direction, towards Mosman Bay and Cremorne Point.
Follow Curlew Camp Road and look for the “Curlew Camp Walk” sign. This trail winds through quiet suburban streets to Mosman Bay and continues from there to Cremorne Point.
The easy 3 km foreshore trail around Cremorne Point offers lovely views over Mosman Bay, Sydney Harbour, and the city skyline.
