Strickland House and Milk Beach

Download & Print Map and Notes

25 mins

706 m Return

31 m

Easy track

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 will then turn right and head along a short section of the Hermitage Foreshore Walk down to Milk Beach, where you will find more great harbour and city views.

Gates at the top of driveway to Stricland House

Looking down driveway to Strickland House

Stricland house with city and Harbour views

Lookout from the back of Strickland House

Path leading through the back of Strickland House

Steps between Milk Beach and Strickland House

Seat looking over Milk Beach and Sydney Harbour

View to Strickland House from just behind Milk Beach

(0km) Top of Strickland House Driveway → Strickland House

160 m

3 mins

-15m Very easy

From beside Vaucluse Rd (number 52), this walk heads through the gates[1] (only open 9-5 daily) and follows the Strickland House driveway downhill[3]. The driveway soon leads past a caretaker's cottage[4] (on your left) and then bends left. This walk ignores the side tracks, soon coming to the front of the main grand, white Strickland House building[5].

Strickland House

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.

(0km) Strickland House → Strickland House picnic area

90 m

2 mins

-5m Easy track

Turn right: From the front of Strickland House[8], this walk heads around the back of the house towards the water view[9], keeping the house to your left[10]. After enjoying the building, this walk heads across the back lawn[11] to the line of trees, where there are a few picnic tables[12] and an intersection with the Hermitage Foreshore Walk.

(0km) Strickland House picnic area → Milk Beach

100 m

2 mins

-9m Easy track

Turn right: From Strickland House picnic area, this walk follows the NPWS arrow through a small grove of trees (keeping the water to your left). The track soon leads down some stairs[13], then turns left to find a bench seat[14] and a large 'Hermitage Foreshore Walk' sign[15] behind Milk Beach. From here, the walk heads down the hill and onto Milk Beach[16].

Milk Beach

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[17], this beach is a memorable spot along the Hermitage Foreshore Walk[18]. The beach is about 50m wide and faces south-east. The views across the water to the city and to Shark Island are great[19]. A seat on the grassy clearing behind the beach makes a very inviting offer to sit[20] and enjoy for a while. This is also a great place to get the toes wet.

Maps for the Strickland House and Milk Beach 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 Strickland House and Milk Beach bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Strickland House and Milk Beach

Altitude analysis for Strickland House and Milk Beach

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	706 m
		Time	25 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 190m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 160m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Around 190m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 160m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

This whole walk, 350m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 350m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 350m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 350m 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 Strickland House and Milk Beach walk.

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 Strickland House and Milk Beach walk.

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

Nielsen Park Circuit

1.8 km Circuit, 40 mins

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 gu

Total climbing: 54m

Easy track

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

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

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Strickland House and Milk Beach walk starts and ends at the Top of Strickland House Driveway (gps: -33.855090, 151.26864)

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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