BushwalkBushwalk
50 min to 1 h
segment
| Segment |
This is part of longer journey and can not be completed on it is own. |
| Start | At the intersection of Promenade Road & Greycliffe Avenue (-33.8508408,151.2685607) |
| Mode | Bus Car (There is free parking available.) |
| Directions | From New South Head Road, Vaucluse.
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| Finish | (-33.8634613,151.2695342) |
| Mode (end) |
| Turn map | Directions & comments |
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Then find the "Shark Bay" (20 m on your right).
 Shark Bay
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, 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.
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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.
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Then find the "Nielsen Park Cafe" (20 m on your left).
 Nielsen Park Cafe
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.
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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.
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After another 60 m find the "Steele Point Gun Emplacement" (55 m on your right).
 Steele Point Gun Emplacement
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 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.
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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.
Then find the "Degaussing range" (10 m on your right).
 Degaussing range
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.
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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.
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The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Optional sidetrip to Strickland House. To start this optional side trip turn sharp left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 20 m find the "Steele Point Cottage" (15 m on your right).
 Steele Point Cottage
Steele Point Cottage
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.
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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.
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The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Optional sidetrip to Strickland House. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
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After another 25 m (at the intersection of Steele Point Road & Hermitage Foreshore Walk) turn right, to head along Hermitage Foreshore Walk (a footpath).
After another 65 m find the "Steele Point Lookout" (on your right).
 Steele Point Lookout
Steele Point Lookout
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.
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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.
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After another 350 m (at the intersection of Hermitage Foreshore Walk & Fishermans track) turn right, to head along Hermitage Foreshore Walk.
After another 235 m find the "Milk Beach" (on your right).
 Milk Beach
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, 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.
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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.
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After another 185 m (at the intersection of Hermitage Foreshore Walk & Tingara Avenue) continue straight, to head along Hermitage Foreshore Walk.
After another 70 m find the "Ralph Newboult Lookout" (10 m on your right).
 Ralph Newboult Lookout
Ralph Newboult Lookout
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.
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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.
After another 90 m find the "Hermit Bay beach" (8 m on your right).
 Hermit Bay beach
Hermit Bay beach
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.
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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.
After another 115 m find the "Hermit Point" (15 m on your right).
 Hermit Point
Hermit Point
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.
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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.
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After another 15 m find the "Queens Beach" (8 m on your right).
 Queens Beach
Queens Beach
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.
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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.
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| Turn map | Directions & comments |
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Class 3/6 Moderate track |
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| Length | 2.2 km |
| Time | 50 min to 1 h |
| Quality of track | Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) |
| Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
| Signage | Clearly signposted (1/6) |
| Infrastructure | Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6) |
| Experience Required | No experience required (1/6) |
| Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) |
Toilet: There are 5 on route, on average they are 360 m apart with the largest gap of 1.8 km.
Seat: There is one 2.1 km from the start.| Item | From Start | Name & link to notes |
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Toilet
| 90 m | [toilet] |
Toilet
| 200 m | [toilet] |
Toilet
| 215 m | [toilet] |
Toilet
| 335 m | Public Toilets |
Toilet
| 335 m | [toilet] |
Seat
| 2.1 km | [seat] |
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After another 15 m head down the steps (about 75 m long)
After another 190 m head up the steps (about 25 m long)
After another 150 m pass the cemetery (25 m on your left).
