Green (Laings) Point Loop

Download & Print Map and Notes

15 mins

243 m Circuit

10 m

Easy track

On this walk, you will circumnavigate Green Point (also known as Laings Point), on Sydney Harbour's South Head. The point is surrounded in history and great harbour views. Starting from the end of Pacific St, you will head through some open parkland and a short side trip leads to Camp Cove, the first landing place for Europeans in Australia. The walk then continues around the grassy headland to visit the eastern anchor point of Sydney's anti-submarine net. A short and enjoyable walk.

Walking across the grass around Greens (Laings) Point Park

Steps leading down to Greens (aka Laings) Point

Infromation sign at Greens (Laings) Point

Foundations for winch building at Laings Point

Anti-motor torpedo boat defensive battery entrance

Steps on the southern side of Green (Laings) Point

Looking down the southern side of Green (Laings) Point

(0km) End of Pacific St → Green (Laings) Point Park

30 m

1 mins

-3m Easy track

From the end of Pacific St, this walk heads past the large 'Sydney Harbour National Park - Green Point' sign[1] and follows the concrete footpath down the steps to find a monument commemorating the landing of Governor Phillip in 1788[2] in front of the toilet block.

Green Point Park

Also know as Laings Point, Green Point is a headland on the inside of South Head. The park (at the end of Pacific St) is inside the National Park[3] and is on sloped ground[4]. There is a toilet[5][6], great water views[7], an open grassy area, bench seats[8] and a monument[9]. The monument reminds visitors that Cove Beach (just below) was the first landing place for Governor Philip in 1788[10]. The park is a pleasant place to rest and is sometimes hired for weddings. A cottage[12] at the top can also be hired from NPWS to make a weekend of your adventures.

(0km) Green (Laings) Point Park → Southern End of Camp Cove Beach

50 m

1 mins

-5m Easy track

Turn right: From the monument commemorating the landing of Governor Phillip in 1788[14], in the middle of Green Point Park, this walk heads down the concrete path and steps[15], heading directly away from the brick toilet block. The path soon heads down a timber staircase[16] to find the southern end of Camp Cove Beach[17]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

Camp Cove

Camp Cove is home to a lovely, yellow sand, north-east facing beach. The cove is on the protected side of South Head and is a popular spot for swimming and relaxing on the beach. At the northern end of the beach is a kiosk[18], toilet block[19] and an entrance to Sydney Harbour National Park[20]. The cove was an important location to the Cadigal (Gadigal) people who gathered fresh water, shellfish, launched their canoes and buried some of their people nearby. This cove is also believed to be the first landing place for Europeans in 1788. The name Camp Cove was given during that landing and appears on the earliest maps of Sydney Harbour[23].

(0km) Green (Laings) Point Park → Green (Laings) Point

90 m

2 mins

-5m Easy track

Veer left: From the monument commemorating the landing of Governor Phillip in 1788[24], in the middle of the park, this walk heads downhill diagonally across the grassy area, keeping the water ahead and to your right[25]. The walk then follows the steps down between the gap in the bushes[26] and across the grass to find a tall sandstone monument[27] and an information sign about the 'World War II Anti-Torpedo Boom'[28] at Green (Laings) Point, beside the water[29].

Green (Laings) Point

Green (Laings) Point is an open grassland reserve with extensive harbour views. Then western tip of the point is still home to many relics, reminding visitors that this area played a significant role in the 1480m anti-submarine net that spanned the harbour entrance, built in 1942. The other end of the net attached to Georges Head. Midway through construction, in May 1942, was when the three Japanese midget submarines entered and attacked vessels in the harbour . From this headland, there are still some preserved parts of the net's construction, including the winch house foundations[32], the anti-motor torpedo boat defensive battery entrance[33] and another battery[34]. There is also a information sign with more details about the history of the area[35]. More info.

(0km) Green (Laings) Point → End of Pacific St

130 m

3 mins

-1m Easy track

Continue straight: From the 'World War II Anti-Torpedo Boom'[36] information sign, this walk heads along the grass away from the tall sandstone monument[37], keeping the water on your right. The walk follows the worn path between the bushes[38] then between the two bunkers[39][40], and then across the next grassy clearing towards the house[41]. Near the house, the walk turns left and heads up the hill then steps[42] to find the end of Pacific St[43][44].

Maps for the Green (Laings) Point Loop walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Sydney Heads	1:25 000 Map Series	91302N SYDNEY HEADS	NSW-91302N
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Green (Laings) Point Loop bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Green (Laings) Point Loop

Altitude analysis for Green (Laings) Point Loop

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	243 m
		Time	15 mins
		.
Grade 2/6 Easy track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

This whole walk, 240m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 210m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 30m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

This whole walk, 240m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 240m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 240m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 240m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Green (Laings) Point Loop walk.

The Gap Bluff and Green Point loop

2.5 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This circuit walk explores the great sea cliffs of The Bluff on the ocean side of South Head, before heading to the scenic and historic Camp Cove and Green Point on Sydney Harbour. During this walk, you will visit several historic military defense systems for the harbour, as well as enjoying some of

Total climbing: 84m

Hard track

South Head Tour

4.1 km Circuit, 1 hr 45 mins

On this walk, you will explore historically significant and majestic sections on the tip of Sydney Harbour's South Head. Explore the confronting sea cliffs at The Gap, visit the first landing place for Europeans in Australia and climb through some of Sydney Harbour's military defense systems. You wi

Total climbing: 144m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Green (Laings) Point Loop walk.

Camp Cove Cannon

358 m Return, 15 mins

Spend some time relaxing and exploring Camp Cove - the first landing place for Europeans in Australia. On this walk, you will head across the northern end of Camp Cove Beach, up some steps to follow an old sandstone cobbled road. This road leads to a great vantage point, with views over the Sydney H

Total climbing: 14m

Easy track

Lady Bay Beach

992 m Return, 30 mins

This walk leads to a popular nudist (clothing optional) beach on Sydney Harbour's South Head. The walk follows the clear footpath / old roads past several significant historic and beautiful sites before climbing down a set of steps to find the beach. The beach is protected from the main surf on the

Total climbing: 38m

Moderate track

South Head Heritage Trail

1.7 km Circuit, 45 mins

This walk explores the tip of Sydney Harbour's South Head. On this walk, you will visit several historic and scenic places, following a footpath most of the way. You will start at Camp Cove, the first landing place for Europeans in Australia, and also visit a number of gun emplacements, designed to

Total climbing: 64m

Easy track

Watsons Bay to Hornby Lighthouse

2.8 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

Start with a ferry ride, enjoy some great food, incredible views and visit some very significant historic sights. Starting at Watsons Bay, you will stroll along a few narrow roads before visiting the historic Camp Cove and its gorgeous beach. From here, walk up the old cobblestone road past more gr

Total climbing: 93m

Easy track

Gap Bluff Lookout

886 m Return, 30 mins

This walk explores the coastal cliffs near The Gap on Sydney's South Head. The main focal point for this walk is the view from the rocky bluff. The cliff makes for very spectacular scenery and the views extend from North Head along the coast, and even peer across the harbour to the city. This walk s

Total climbing: 43m

Hard track

Chowder Bay to Georges Heights Lookout

842 m Return, 30 mins

Chowder Bay to Georges Heights Lookout is a fantastic walk to burn off a coffee from the Bacino Bar. The walk passes the Bacino Bar and enjoys the view from an old gun emplacement at George Heights Lookout. The sandstone seats and shaded grassy areas make this a perfect walk for a picnic too.

Total climbing: 60m

Moderate track

Chowder Bay to Middle Head return via Chowder Bay Rd

4.9 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

The walk from Chowder Bay to Middle Head is an interesting one, passing Georges Head Lookout and its views over South Head, and then going up to the WW1 hospital. The track continues with an exploration of the whole of Middle Head, including forts, a nudist beach (a sidetrip option) and stunning vie

Total climbing: 200m

Moderate track

Georges Heights Lookout

144 m Return, 7 mins

The Georges Heights Lookout has a brilliant view, which is well worth the short stroll from the road. The track is wheelchair-accessible and leads past some interesting signs about the area. The grass surrounding the lookout is also a nice place to lay the picnic rug for lunch. Georges Heights is t

Total climbing: 2m

Very easy

Clifton Gardens to Georges Heights

1.7 km Return, 1 Hr

The walk up to Georges Heights is a very scenic one, with the climax being the view from Georges Heights lookout. The walk is also surrounded by old military buildings. Within these buildings is the Bacino Bar and Cafe, worth a drop-in for a coffee or lunch.

Total climbing: 107m

Moderate track

Hermitage Foreshore Track

2.2 km One way, 1 Hr

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

Total climbing: 123m

Moderate track

History of Nielsen Park

896 m Return, 20 mins

On this short walk, you will follow the footpaths through Nielsen Park, visiting some of the historic buildings. Walking past the beautiful Shark Bay, you may be temped to take a dip or at least stop and enjoy the blue water and sandstone boulders. Climbing up the stairs, you will then be able to e

Total climbing: 25m

Easy track

Mt Trefle

1.7 km Circuit, 40 mins

This walk explores the bushy interior section of Nielsen Park. On this walk, you will visit historic Greycliffe House and the Steele Point Gun Emplacement. The walk climbs over the Mount Trefle summit. At just over 40m above sea level, I suspect most walkers will not consider it much of a mountain,

Total climbing: 58m

Easy track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Green (Laings) Point Loop walk starts and ends at the End of Pacific St (gps: -33.840834, 151.27755)

Bus. (get details)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Sydney Harbour National Park

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.

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