Nielsen Park Circuit

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40 mins

1.8 km Circuit

54 m

Easy track

With much to offer, this walk is a great way to explore the history, water, views and bushland of Nielsen Park. This walk first leads past Shark Bay - a great place for a swim - with the chance to enjoy the views and grab a bite to eat from the cafe. Then, it's up some steps to visit the historic gun emplacement and onto Greycliffe House. Then you head up through the bush over 'Mt Trefle' and take a short walk along Vaucluse Rd, bringing you back into Nielsen Park.

Path between Shark Bay and the Degaussing Station Range

Steps leading to Mt Trefle from Greycliffe House

Steps at the southern end of Nielsen Park

Path leading behind the cafe at Shark Bay

(0km) Greycliffe Ave Car Park → Nielsen Park Cafe

200 m

3 mins

-7m Very easy

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[1]. After ≈50m, the path leads to a four-way intersection just past the garbage bins.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the water following the wide path[2]. The path soon bends left (near the toilet block, on the right[3]) and heads behind the beach, past the large information sign[4]. Soon the path heads over the 'Dressing Pavilion' tunnel[5] and, ≈50m later, comes to the front of the Nielsen Park Cafe[6] with it's great water views[7].

Shark Bay

Located at the northern end of Nielsen Park, this beach faces north across Sydney Harbour. The sandy beach offers a swimming net enclosure[8], public toilets[9][10] and change rooms[11], showers[12] and is a popular place for people to simply relax. The beach is a focal point of Nielsen Park and also boasts a cafe[13]. 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

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.

(0km) Nielsen Park Cafe → Western end of Shark Bay

90 m

1 mins

0m Very easy

Continue straight: 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)[14]. The path heads past the 'William Albert Notting'[15] and 'Niels R.W. Nielsen, MLA'[16] memorial[17] (on your left) to soon find a four-way intersection (at the base of some steps) at the eastern end of Shark Bay[18].

(0km) Western end of Shark Bay → Greycliffe House

90 m

3 mins

13m

0m Easy track

Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk heads directly away from the water[19] and up the path then steps[20], towards the grand building on top of the hill (not following the 'Hermitage Forest Walking track' sign[21]). The path heads past the sandstone toilet block[22] (on your right) and then at the top of the hill, the path bends to the right, in front of the 'Greycliffe House' information sign[23], coming to the driveway and a four-way intersection, in front of Greycliffe House[24]. Now Continue straight to rejoin the main walk .

(0km) Western end of Shark Bay → Degaussing range

70 m

2 mins

11m

0m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Hermitage Foreshore Walking Track' sign[25] 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)[26].

Degaussing range

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.

(0km) Degaussing range → Steele Point Gun Emplacement

50 m

1 mins

-7m Easy track

Turn sharp right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the driveway, keeping the degaussing range fence just to your left[30]. At the end of the driveway, the walk heads across the grass[31] to find the Steele Point Gun Emplacement[32] just behind the degaussing range. Beware of the unfenced drop into the emplacement[33]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Steele Point Gun Emplacement

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[35] and the circular pit where the main gun once stood[36]. A set of un-railed steps leads into the pit - please take care in the area, as the pit is not fenced.

(0km) Degaussing range → Greycliffe House

100 m

2 mins

-2m Very easy

Turn left: From the degaussing range, this walk follows the 'Greycliffe House' sign[37] along the road (driveway), following the tall hedge. The road soon leads past a small car park[38] and then bends right, entering into the grounds of Greycliffe House[39]. Just past the small sandstone wall[40], the road comes to a four-way intersection (with some steps on the right and an information sign on the left)[41].

Greycliffe House

Greycliffe House was completed in 1851 by John Reeve, son-in-law to the explorer W C Wentworth. The house was unoccupied between 1898 and 1911, when it was taken over by the State Government and used as a baby hospital and Tresillian mothercraft home in to the 1930s. Many of the plantings are from this era. Today, the building is home to the Sydney Harbour South office of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and is one of few remaining examples of gothic architecture in Sydney. More info.

(0km) Greycliffe House → NP Workshop driveway

540 m

12 mins

30m

-12m Easy track

Turn right: From in front of Greycliffe House, this walk follows the 'Vaucluse Rd Via Mt Trefle' sign[43] up the steps. The track soon bends left and heads high past Greycliffe House and a 'Surviving the City' information sign[44]. The track then gently winds through the bush over Mt Trefle (the high point, but not very high), coming to a 'Greycliffe House' sign[45] pointing back along the track, just near the back of the fenced workshop. Here the walk continues to generally follow the fence around the NP workshop. Heading along the side of the workshop, there is a view of some houses on Vaucluse Rd. At the front of the workshop, this walk turns left to follow the driveway down to find a 'T' intersection with a wider road (driveway).

(1km) NP Workshop driveway → Boomgate on Vaucluse Rd

60 m

1 mins

-3m Very easy

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the wide driveway towards Vaucluse Rd and the boom gate[46] (Keeping the fence and grassy clearing on your right). The walk heads around the boom gate and past the 'Sydney Harbour National Park - Nielsen Park' sign[47], coming to an intersection with Vaucluse Rd.

(1km) Boomgate on Vaucluse Rd → Southern end of Nielsen Park

90 m

1 mins

-3m Easy track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Nielsen Park Entrance 400' sign[48] along the side of Vaucluse Rd (or crosses to the footpath on the other side) and soon comes to an intersection at the top of some steps (on your left) at the southern end of Nielsen Park.

(1km) Southern end of Nielsen Park → Greycliffe Ave Car Park

630 m

11 mins

-27m Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the steps[49], along the footpath and through the open park[50]. The walk ignores the side tracks and, after ≈210m, the path leads past an old house, then continues past more side tracks to find the back of the Nielsen Park Cafe[51]. Here, the walk heads to the front of the cafe[52] to find Shark Bay and the beach[53].
Turn right: From Nielsen Park Cafe, this walk heads along the path, keeping the beach and water to your left. After ≈50m, the path heads over the 'Dressing Pavilion' tunnel[54] and soon passes a large information sign[55]. At the sign, the path bends right and then comes to a four-way intersection near a large number of garbage bins[56].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide sealed path (driveway) directly away from the water, past the garbage bins. The path soon leads past the 'Sydney Harbour National Park' sign[57] and through the gate to Greycliff Ave.

Maps for the Nielsen Park Circuit 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 Nielsen Park Circuit bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Nielsen Park Circuit

Altitude analysis for Nielsen Park Circuit

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	1.8 km
		Time	40 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

Around 1km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 720m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Around 1.1km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path, whilst the remaining 630m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 1.8km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 1.8km 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 Nielsen Park Circuit walk.

Shakespheres Point loop

661 m Circuit, 15 mins

On this short walk, you will follow a series of footpaths to Shark Bay and head up some sandstone steps to the great views of Shakespheres Point. Since you are up on this headland, it is worth doing a loop around before heading back down to the main area of Nielsen Park. Make a day of it by staying

Total climbing: 24m

Easy 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

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

Nielsen Park and Strickland House loop

2.5 km Circuit, 1 Hr

On this walk, you will stroll along the shore of Sydney Harbour, discovering many great views and the secluded Milk Beach before visiting the grand Strickland and Greycliffe Houses. This is a great way to explore the natural beauty, as well as some stately gardens, at the northern end of the Hermita

Total climbing: 104m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Nielsen Park Circuit walk.

Strickland House and Milk Beach

706 m Return, 25 mins

Starting from Vaucluse Rd, you will head down past the stately Strickland House to the small but lovely Milk Beach on Sydney Harbour. There are several interesting buildings in the Strickland House complex as well as some interesting open exotic gardens to explore. From behind Strickland House, you

Total climbing: 31m

Easy track

Queens Beach

108 m Return, 10 mins

This short walk follows a set of sandstone steps from the narrow streets of Vaucluse to the small, isolated Queens Beach on Sydney Harbour. The beach has great views across the top of Rose Bay to the city and Sydney Harbour Bridge. A great place to wet the toes and enjoy a peaceful lunch by the wate

Total climbing: 18m

Moderate track

Queens Beach to Hermit Point

552 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk explores a memorable section of the Hermitage Foreshore Walk. Starting from Queens Ave, this walk heads down the fairly steep stone steps and enjoys a short side trip to Queens Beach. From the beach, this walk heads back up the steps a short way, then follows the main walk around to

Total climbing: 39m

Moderate track

Bradleys Head Walk

1.7 km Circuit, 1 Hr

The walk around Bradleys Head is packed with great views and cultural heritage. The views over Sydney Harbour can be enjoyed from many vantage points. There are a number of places of historic significance, including HMAS Sydney's Mast and Athol Hall. Athol Hall has a wonderful, grassed lawn with exc

Total climbing: 83m

Moderate track

Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk

2.8 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk explores a great section of Sydney Harbour. Starting with some historic points at Bradleys Head, you can enjoy views of Sydney's Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The views will continue to delight as you explore bushland and the bays along the way. The pleasant walk ends at Clifton Gardens,

Total climbing: 161m

Moderate 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

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

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

Green (Laings) Point Loop

243 m Circuit, 15 mins

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 fir

Total climbing: 10m

Easy track

Chowder Head

548 m Circuit, 20 mins

This loop walk is the shortest way to access the views from Chowder Head. The optional side trip leads to an informal lookout on an unfenced rock platform. A great spot to enjoy the sailing boats on Sydney Harbour. In spring, this walk is particularly spectacular with a wide range of wildflowers on

Total climbing: 36m

Moderate track

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

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Nielsen Park Circuit walk starts and ends at the Greycliffe Ave Car Park (gps: -33.850846, 151.26857)

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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