Callan Park environment

Callan Park is a transformed landscape rich in history.

Callan Park’s natural environment

Callan Park has a rich history as a mental health facility that highlights the importance of nature.

The Callan Point area of the park best captures the plant communities and habitats that once thrived there. Important seagrass communities fringe the rocky shoreline. Remnant and restored swamp oak floodplain forest fringes the estuary and Sydney turpentine ironbark forest is being restored by Bushcare volunteers. By removing invasive species that threaten the native flora and replanting indigenous vegetation, they are restoring the natural balance, allowing native plants and wildlife to thrive once more.

The Callan Point middens, nestled along Sydney's shores, reveal Aboriginal heritage through ancient shell deposits. They echo a tale of sustenance, community and deep ties to the land. These silent storytellers urge reverence for Indigenous wisdom, emphasising the importance of preserving these sites. The site is abundant with Sydney golden wattle, known as ‘black wattle’ to Aboriginal people.

The mental health facility gardens provide refuge for urban wildlife. Callan Park contains more tree species than New York City’s Central Park, and the landscape provides niche opportunities for microbats, reptiles, birds and other wildlife.

Callan Park's native vegetation

Interested in helping regenerate Callan Park's native vegetation? Enquire about Callan Park Bushcare by emailing [email protected]