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 Hermitage Foreshore Walk. Allow extra time to simply roam around the yards and enjoy the views from the many vantage points along the way.
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There are closures in Sydney Harbour National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Nielsen Park and Strickland House loop
Cross sectional view of the Nielsen Park and Strickland House loop bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Nielsen Park and Strickland House loop bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
2.5km
Time
1 Hr
.
Grade 3/6
Track: Moderate
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
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)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
1.2km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 910m is flat with no steps. The remaining (390m) has short steep hills.
Quality of track
1.1km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 790m follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (640m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
This whole walk, 2.5km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 2.5km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 2.5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 2.5km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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(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[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
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[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
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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Western end of Shark Bay Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 86 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = 0 m
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].
(0.28 km)
Western end of Shark Bay
to
Degaussing range Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 68 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Hermitage Foreshore Walking Track' sign[19] 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)[20].
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)[21], where metal ships passing over will be automatically de-magnetised[22]. Why? Mostly to prevent the triggering of seabed mines[23]. More info
(0.35 km)
Degaussing range
to
Steele Point Gun Emplacement Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 52 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -7 m
Turn sharp right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the driveway, keeping the degaussing range fence just to your left[24]. At the end of the driveway, the walk heads across the grass[25] to find the Steele Point Gun Emplacement[26] just behind the degaussing range. Beware of the unfenced drop into the emplacement[27]. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
Steele Point Gun Emplacement
Alt = 7 m
Construction of this initial emplacement took about three years and was completed in 1874[28]. 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[29] and the circular pit where the main gun once stood[30]. 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
to
Steele Point int Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 28 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = 0 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the road, keeping the degaussing range[31] to your right. Just after the 'Steele Point Cottage' sign[32], the road comes to an intersection marked with a large 'Hermitage Foreshore Walk' sign[33], 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 = 60 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -4 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Hermitage Foreshore Walk' sign[34] down the sandstone stairs (with handrail). At the bottom of the stairs, the track leads past a 'Surviving in the city' information sign[35] and â25m later, comes to an unnamed, fenced lookout with good water and city views[36].
Steele Point Lookout
Alt = 14 m
Informally named, this fenced[37] lookout is the most northern lookout on the Hermitage Foreshore Walk. There are great harbour views to the city[38] in this well-shaded spot.
(0.44 km)
Steele Point Lookout
to
Surviving in the City sign int Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 393 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 21 m
Descent = -28 m
Turn left: From the lookout, this walk follows the NPWS arrow up the steps[39] (keeping the water to your right). The track leads past a couple of handrails and a sandstone overhang[40] and, at the bottom of some steps, comes to a minor intersection, marked with warning sign[41] (on your right). (This short side track leads to an unfenced view of the harbour[42] - heed the warning). The walk continues along the main track, past another handrail section with more views[43] and â90m later, the track heads down some steps to the foreshore with some interesting rock formations[44]. From here, the walk follows the handrail past the small inlet[45] and along the coastline. After a further â150m, the track comes to a faint intersection marked with another 'Surviving in the City' information sign[46].
(0.83 km)
Surviving in the City sign int
to
Milk Beach Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 246 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -17 m
Veer right: 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[47], with great harbour views[48]. The track then leads up some steps over a rise, coming to a minor intersection near a gap in the black wire fence[49]. (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[50], where the track then tends left and down some steps[51] onto the northern end of Milk Beach[52].
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[53], this beach is a memorable spot along the Hermitage Foreshore Walk[54]. The beach is about 50m wide and faces south-east. The views across the water to the city and to Shark Island are great[55]. A seat on the grassy clearing behind the beach makes a very inviting offer to sit[56] and enjoy for a while. This is also a great place to get the toes wet.
(1.08 km)
Milk Beach
to
Strickland House picnic area Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 97 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -2 m
Veer left: From Milk Beach, this walk heads to the south-eastern end of the beach[57] (the far end, with the water on your right), and heads up the steps to the bench seat[58] and a large 'Hermitage Foreshore Walk' sign[59] behind the beach. Here, the walk turns right and heads up the stone stairs[60] and past a NPWS arrow marker [61] to find a large grassy clearing[62] and some picnic tables[63] at the back of Strickland House[64].
(1.17 km)
Strickland House picnic area
to
Strickland House Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 93 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn left : From the picnic tables[65], this walk heads across the lawn up to the large, white Strickland House[66]. The walk then heads around the left side of the building[67] to the driveway and front of the house[68][69].
Strickland House
Alt = 14 m
First established in 1913 and named after Sir Gerald Strickland (Governor of NSW 1913-1917[70]), Strickland House was a women's convalescent home until 1989[71]. 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.
(1.27 km)
Strickland House
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Top of Strickland House Driveway Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 163 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn left: From the front of Strickland House[72], this walk heads uphill along the driveway, keeping the open gardens and water views to your left[73]. This walk follows the main driveway up[74] and, soon after bending right, the driveway passes a caretaker's cottage[75] (to your right) and heads through the gates[76] to find a footpath beside Vaucluse Rd[77].
(1.43 km)
Top of Strickland House Driveway
to
Boomgate on Vaucluse Rd Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 97 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -1 m
Turn left : From the gate[78] at the top of Strickland House Driveway, this walk follows the footpath, keeping Vaucluse Rd to your right and Strickland House to the left[79]. At the end of the fence, the walk comes to an intersection marked with a large 'Sydney Harbour National Park - Nielsen Park' sign[80] and a boom gate.
(1.53 km)
Boomgate on Vaucluse Rd
to
NP Workshop driveway Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 57 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads past the 'Sydney Harbour National Park - Nielsen Park' sign[81] and around the boom gate. Soon this road leads to a three-way intersection with the 'Workshop' driveway[82] (on your right).
(1.58 km)
NP Workshop driveway
to
Greycliffe House Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 543 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -30 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Workshop' sign[83] up the concrete driveway towards the workshop. Just near the fence of the workshop, this walk turns right and follows the wide trail[84] as it bends around the workshop's perimeter (bending left at each corner). The path leads past a view of some houses on Vaucluse Rd[85]. Here the walk tends left and heads behind the workshop to find and follow the 'Greycliffe House' sign[86] along the narrower (but still clear) track. This track meanders over Mt Trefle (the high point, but not very high). Soon the track comes beside Greycliffe House and passes a 'Surviving the City' information sign[87], before coming to a four-way intersection at the bottom of some sandstone steps, in front of Greycliffe House[88].
Greycliffe House
Alt = 16 m
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.[89]More info
(2.13 km)
Greycliffe House
to
Greycliffe Ave Car Park Walk: Easy - footpath,servicetrail
Length = 374 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -14 m
Continue straight: From the intersection (in front of Greycliffe House[90]), this walk follows the path past the 'Greycliffe House' information sign[91] (with the house on your right). The path almost immediately bends left and heads down the steps towards the water and beach. Near the bottom, the path heads past the sandstone toilet block[92] (on your left) and comes to a four-way intersection at the eastern end of Shark Bay. Turn sharp right: From the intersection, this walk follows the flat, wide path, keeping the beach and water to the left. The path soon passes the 'William Albert Notting'[93] and 'Niels R.W. Nielsen, MLA'[94] memorial[95] (on your right) and, not much further along, comes to the front of Nielsen Park Cafe[96]. Continue straight: 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[97] and soon passes a large information sign[98]. At the sign, the path bends right and then comes to a four-way intersection near a large number of garbage bins[99]. 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[100] and through the gate to Greycliff Ave.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 8 years ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.
Sydney Harbour National ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page 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. Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCampingFacilities Current Park Closure information for Sydney Harbour National Park Closure information last downloaded Sunday 27th of September 2015 07:00 AM Closed areas: Park closure sunset to sunrise for pest management Pest management activities are taking place between sunset and sunrise at the following selected sites within Sydney Harbour National Park. Please abide by all park signage. Closed areas are:
Closed areas: Shark Island upcoming closures Shark Island in Sydney Harbour will be closed to public access due to essential wharf repairs on the following dates:
16 to 17 September 2015
24 to 27 September 2015.
Other incidents: Sydney Harbour National Park accommodation Constables, Green Point and Steele Point Cottages are no longer available for accomodation bookings. New options are being considered for the conservation, management and use of these buildings.
Closed areas: Collins Flat Beach unavailable for venue hire Collins Flat Beach is currently unavailable for venue hire due to the impact of high visitation on the critical habitat found at this location. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact NPWS Mosman office on (02) 9960 6266 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Moderate
500 meters
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)