The Hermitage Foreshore Walk is a wonderful way to explore Sydney Harbour from the perspective of South Head. This walk starts from Nielsen Park and follows a well maintained track along the narrow strip of harbour-side bushland to Bayview Hill Rd. Along the way, you will visit some secluded beaches and visit the historic Strickland House. A great walk exploring the history and natural beauty while enjoying a new perspective of the city.
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Catch the bus to Greycliffe Ave Car Park
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip to the end of this walk.
(0 km)
Greycliffe Ave Car Park
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Nielsen Park Cafe Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - servicetrail,footpath
Length = 196 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -7 m
From the lower end of the car park on Greycliffe Ave, this walk heads around the gate and along the sealed path (driveway) towards the water, passing the 'Sydney Harbour National Park' sign. After ≈50m, the path leads to a four-way intersection just past the garbage bins. From the intersection, this walk heads towards the water following the wide path. The path soon bends left (near the toilet block, on the right) and heads behind the beach, past the large information sign. Soon the path heads over the 'Dressing Pavilion' tunnel and, ≈50m later, comes to the front of the Nielsen Park Cafe with it's great water views.
Shark Bay
Alt = 2 m
Located at the northern end of Nielsen Park, this beach faces north across Sydney Harbour. The sandy beach offers a swimming net enclosure, public toilets and change rooms, showers and is a popular place for people to simply relax. The beach is a focal point of Nielsen Park and also boasts a cafe. Protected by the harbour, there is no surf at this beach. The beach is not patrolled. This is a lovely spot, with natural shade not far from the beach.
Nielsen Park Cafe
Alt = 3 m
Open 8-5 daily, this historic cafe offers inside seating and a range of meals, including breakfast, sandwiches and hot food. This is one of a number of buildings in Nielsen Park which are available for functions. For further enquiries, contact 9337 1574. More info
(0.2 km)
Nielsen Park Cafe
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Degaussing range Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 153 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = 0 m
From Nielsen Park Cafe, this walk heads the short distance along the path in front of the cafe and behind the beach (keeping the water to your right). The path heads past the 'William Albert Notting' and 'Niels R.W. Nielsen, MLA' memorial (on your left) to soon find a four-way intersection (at the base of some steps) at the eastern end of Shark Bay. From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Hermitage Foreshore Walking Track' sign up the stairs. The path soon flattens out though the open grassy area, and heads up a few more steps to come to an intersection with a road (driveway) next to the fenced degaussing range (on your right).
Degaussing range
Alt = 14 m
This degaussing range, found at Steele Point, was constructed in 1960 and is still operated by the Royal Australian Navy today. Degaussing is the process of removing (or at least reducing) a magnetic field. This degaussing range services four areas in the harbour (about 500m from the building), where metal ships passing over will be automatically de-magnetised. Why? Mostly to prevent the triggering of seabed mines. More info
(0.35 km)
Degaussing range
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Steele Point Gun Emplacement Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 52 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -7 m
From the intersection, this walk heads up the driveway, keeping the degaussing range fence just to your left. At the end of the driveway, the walk heads across the grass to find the Steele Point Gun Emplacement just behind the degaussing range. Beware of the unfenced drop into the emplacement.
Steele Point Gun Emplacement
Alt = 7 m
Construction of this initial emplacement took about three years and was completed in 1874. The sandstone pit once had a steel dome (to protect from shells) and was part of a series of gun emplacements protecting from the threat of invasion. Today, you will find a series of tall sandstone channels and the circular pit where the main gun once stood. A set of un-railed steps leads into the pit - please take care in the area, as the pit is not fenced.
(0.35 km)
Degaussing range
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Steele Point int Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 28 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = 0 m
From the intersection, this walk heads along the road, keeping the degaussing range to your right. Just after the 'Steele Point Cottage' sign, the road comes to an intersection marked with a large 'Hermitage Foreshore Walk' sign, in the grassy clearing on your right.
Steele Point Cottage
Alt = 16 m
Why not make a weekend of it? Built in 1880, this one-time gunners' barracks has been restored as a one bedroom getaway. Managed by NPWS, you can hire this cottage (found on Steele Point) from $330 per night (two night min). Great for a romantic weekend away for two. More info
(0.38 km)
Steele Point int
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Steele Point Lookout Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 59 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -5 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Hermitage Foreshore Walk' sign down the sandstone stairs (with handrail). At the bottom of the stairs, the track leads past a 'Surviving in the city' information sign and ≈25m later, comes to an unnamed, fenced lookout with good water and city views.
Steele Point Lookout
Alt = 14 m
Informally named, this fenced lookout is the most northern lookout on the Hermitage Foreshore Walk. There are great harbour views to the city in this well-shaded spot.
(0.44 km)
Steele Point Lookout
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Surviving in the City sign int Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 393 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 21 m
Descent = -28 m
From the lookout, this walk follows the NPWS arrow up the steps (keeping the water to your right). The track leads past a couple of handrails and a sandstone overhang and, at the bottom of some steps, comes to a minor intersection, marked with warning sign (on your right). (This short side track leads to an unfenced view of the harbour - heed the warning). The walk continues along the main track, past another handrail section with more views and ≈90m later, the track heads down some steps to the foreshore with some interesting rock formations. From here, the walk follows the handrail past the small inlet and along the coastline. After a further ≈150m, the track comes to a faint intersection marked with another 'Surviving in the City' information sign.
(0.83 km)
Surviving in the City sign int
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Milk Beach Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 246 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -17 m
From the intersection, this walk heads down a few steps, keeping the water to your right. The track soon leads through a fairly weedy section, with great harbour views. The track then leads up some steps over a rise, coming to a minor intersection near a gap in the black wire fence. (The track to the left leads into the northern end of the Strickland House property). Here, the walk turns right and heads down the hill, where the track then tends left and down some steps onto the northern end of Milk Beach.
Milk Beach
Alt = 2 m
Milk Beach is a small, secluded, sandy beach in Sydney Harbour National Park, on the inside of South Head. In the 'back yard' of Strickland House, this beach is a memorable spot along the Hermitage Foreshore Walk. The beach is about 50m wide and faces south-east. The views across the water to the city and to Shark Island are great. A seat on the grassy clearing behind the beach makes a very inviting offer to sit and enjoy for a while. This is also a great place to get the toes wet.
(1.08 km)
Milk Beach
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Strickland House picnic area Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 97 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -2 m
From Milk Beach, this walk heads to the south-eastern end of the beach (the far end, with the water on your right), and heads up the steps to the bench seat and a large 'Hermitage Foreshore Walk' sign behind the beach. Here, the walk turns right and heads up the stone stairs and past a NPWS arrow marker to find a large grassy clearing and some picnic tables at the back of Strickland House.
Strickland House
Alt = 14 m
First established in 1913 and named after Sir Gerald Strickland (Governor of NSW 1913-1917), Strickland House was a women's convalescent home until 1989. Today, the house and gardens are hired out for private functions, however, if just walking through, this is a great spot to take a break, enjoy the views and rest from the walk. For more information, phone Strickland House on (02) 9337 5999.
(1.17 km)
Strickland House picnic area
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Top of Tingara Beach track Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 97 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -5 m
From the Strickland House picnic area, this walk heads along the open grassy area, keeping the water to your right. The walk heads past a 'Hermitage Foreshore Walk - Tingara Beach' sign ≈35m before coming to the end of the lawn and a gap in the fence. The walk heads through the gap in the fence and, ≈20m later, comes to an intersection at the top of Tingara Beach track (on your right).
(1.27 km)
Top of Tingara Beach track
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Tingara Beach Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 25 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -5 m
From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along the rocky steps, directly away from the house. The track soon leads to Tingara Beach.
(1.27 km)
Top of Tingara Beach track
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Ralph Newboult Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 124 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -12 m
From the intersection, this walk heads along the path, keeping the house up to your left. After ≈25m, the track comes to a minor intersection (with steps on the right that lead down to a small beach with good harbour views). From here, the walk continues along the main track for another ≈20m to a three-way intersection (with sandstone steps on the left that lead up to Tingara Ave). From the intersection, this walk heads down the few sandstone steps (keeping the water to your right) and then heads through a grassy section behind the houses. The track soon heads down some steps (with a handrail) then mostly up the next set of stairs to turn right onto a large rock with a handrail. Soon, the walk heads past a sandstone wall and down the brick then sandstone steps, to find a bench seat and fenced Ralph Newboult Lookout.
Ralph Newboult Lookout
Alt = 3 m
This lookout boasts great views as well as being home to a bench seat and memorial to Ralph Newboult. The lookout is a shaded spot with great views across the harbour to the city. Ralph was a keen bushwalker who lead walks most Wednesdays for the National Parks Association of NSW. His sudden death whilst walking on 8 November 2000 was a great shock to the many who walked with him and especially to his family. More info
(1.39 km)
Ralph Newboult Lookout
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Hermit Bay beach Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 81 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -6 m
From Ralph Newboult Lookout (keeping the water on your right), this walk follows the railing around to the left and heads up the steps. The track leads directly behind the houses then down the brick steps to follow the track behind Hermit Bay beach to a shady spot just before the small bridge, near some interesting rock formations.
Hermit Bay beach
Alt = 4 m
This secluded beach in Hermit Bay (just north of Hermit Point) is home to a 40m-wide, east facing sandy beach. Behind the beach is the Hermitage Foreshore walk track and a few houses through the trees. The beach is lined with some natural sandstone sculptures of interesting form and is a quiet place to enjoy the wide harbour views.
(1.47 km)
Hermit Bay Beach
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Hermit Point Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 114 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -9 m
From Hermit Bay Beach, this walk crosses the small bridge and follows the foreshore, keeping the water to your right. The walk heads through the grassy clearing with a few picnic tables and sandstone boat pens to come to the signposted 'Hermit Point'.
Hermit Point
Alt = 1 m
Hermit Point hosts a grassy open area and is surrounded by a sandstone sea wall. The sea wall has been shaped to host some boat pens, a launch and a timber wharf. The area is now protected as part of the Sydney Harbour National Park. Here, you will find a number of picnic tables, a small sandstone cave, natural shade and some great water views. The headland, bay and ultimately the Hermitage Foreshore Walk, derive their names from the large home behind this point. The Hermitage was originally built in 1840 by Alexander Dick, then in the 1870's, Edward Mason Hunt undertook some significant renovations, turning it into a Victorian Rustic Gothic house.
(1.59 km)
Hermit Point
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Queens Beach Track: Moderate - bushtrack,footpath
Length = 248 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 16 m
Descent = -9 m
From Hermit Point, this walk follows the concrete path up the hill (keeping the water to your right). Soon, the walk turns left and heads up the steps . The track then leads behind some houses, over a small creek and down some steps to a three-way intersection (above Queens Beach). From the intersection, this walk heads down the steps towards the beach. The track then comes to a boardwalk, a 'Hermitage Foreshore Walk - Queens Beach' sign and a short set of steps leading down to the beach.
Queens Beach
Alt = 4 m
Queens Beach is a small, 50m wide sandy beach that faces west, near Queens Ave Vaucluse. The beach has the Hermitage Foreshore walk running behind it. The beach is protected from the ocean surf and is not patrolled. There are great views across the harbour to the city and Harbour Bridge. A quiet spot, providing an excuse to enjoy the view and splash the feet.
(1.84 km)
Queens Beach
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End of Bayview Hill Rd Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 332 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 25 m
Descent = -18 m
From behind Queens Beach, this walk follows the timber boardwalk, keeping the water and beach to your right. The walk then follows the handrail past some more harbour views then up a series of sandstone steps. About 40m from the top of the steps, the track passes behind the fenced Convent of the Sacred Heart Cemetery. A further ≈35m beyond the cemetery, the walk passes a minor intersection (the steps on the right lead down to some old sandstone foundation at the water's edge with good views). The walk continues along the main track and after ≈90m, follows the concrete path which soon bends left and leads to the end of Bayview Hill Road.
Catch the bus from End of Bayview Hill Rd
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip from the end of this walk.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW-MODERATE rating and No Ban in place. (Checked 40 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
One of Sydney's most diverse parks, Sydney Harbour National Park is formed from 11 pockets of harbour islands and shoreline. Highlights include coastal walks and swimming, breath-taking viewpoints, tours of colonial buildings and Aboriginal cave art.
Current Park Closure information for Sydney Harbour National Park Closure information last checked Saturday 4th of September 2010 04:00 AM
Closed areas
Goat Island is currently closed until further notice while extensive maintenance works are carried out. Please note tours, filming, public access and everything relating to Goat Island is not available during this period.
Hiking near Sydney 
500 meters
not too much longer now :)