Police have tracked the last-known movements of the woman found dead in a Sydney park using her travel card.

Nicole Cartwright, 32, was found bound in Buffalo Creek Reserve at Hunters Hill last Wednesday.

NSW Police relied on forensic testing to identify her and released her name a week after she was found as they race to find out what happened to her.

Homicide investigators have been able to trace her last-known movements using her Opal travel card between September 27 and September 30.

That still leaves three days before a council worker found her body about 7.30am last Wednesday when they came to mow the lawn.

“Investigators have been able to place Nicole on buses and at various railway stations,” Detective Superintendent Scott Cook said.

She took a train from Bondi Junction to St Marys in western Sydney on the morning of September 29.

Ms Cartwright next used her Opal card the following afternoon at Strathfield, Central, Ashfield and then Museum railway station.

Police released CCTV footage of her leaving Museum about 9.15pm on September 30, her last-known whereabouts.

This is the last sighting of Ms Cartwright at Museum station, about 9.15pm on September 30. Photo: NSW Police

“Of particular interest to us is any sightings or contact with Nicole after that time, and we are appealing for those people to contact us as soon as possible,”Detective Superintendent Cook said.

“Once they go beyond a couple of days in terms of investigation [most homicides] become more baffling, there’s no doubt about that.”

She was found dumped in the park three days after leaving Museum station, wearing the same clothes.

Police believe she was dumped there either late on Tuesday night or the early hours of Wednesday morning before she was found.

“We don’t have a cause of death at this stage but she did suffer injuries … suffice it to say they’re consistent with assault,” Detective Superintendent Cook told reporters.

“She was bound, with her hands tied in front of her body.”

Ms Cartwright was formally identified by police on Wednesday, a week after she was found. Photo: NSW Police

Police want to hear from anyone who may have seen Ms Cartwright travelling on the trains, who has dash-cam footage of Pittwater Road or who was a friend of hers.

“Nicole had a very distinct style and vibrant personality, so we believe other commuters or members of the community may recall seeing her early last week,” Detective Superintendent Cook said.

“People driving by may have captured something we don’t know about.

“We need the help of the community. One of their fellow citizens has been murdered in an outrageous way.”

Ms Cartwright lived with her parents at Lansvale in Sydney’s southwest and had a wide circle of friends.

She last had contact with her family on September 28, when she sent a photo from Maroubra.

Her family reported her missing on October 4, the day after her body was found but before she was identified.

Detective Superintendent Cook said her family are “devastated”.

“She was well liked. She was a free spirit,” he said.

Ms Cartwright spent a lot of time in the CBD, eastern suburbs and surrounds and frequently used public transport.

Anyone with information which could assist investigators is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.