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.
(open in app)
There are closures in Sydney Harbour National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Cross sectional view of the Nielsen Park Circuit bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Nielsen Park Circuit 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
1.8km
Time
40 mins
.
Grade 2/6
Walk: Easy
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)
*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
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).
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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
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Greycliffe House Alternate Route:
Walk: Easy - footpath
( Show detail)
Length = 92 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = 0 m
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]. Continue straight to rejoin the main walk, following the notes from 0.45km 'Greycliffe House'.
(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[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
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)[27], where metal ships passing over will be automatically de-magnetised[28]. Why? Mostly to prevent the triggering of seabed mines[29]. More info
(0.35 km)
Degaussing range
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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[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]. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left 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[34]. 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.
(0.35 km)
Degaussing range
to
Greycliffe House Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 98 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -2 m
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
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.[42]More info
(0.45 km)
Greycliffe House
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NP Workshop driveway Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 543 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 30 m
Descent = -12 m
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).
(0.99 km)
NP Workshop driveway
to
Boomgate on Vaucluse Rd Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 57 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -3 m
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.
(1.05 km)
Boomgate on Vaucluse Rd
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Southern end of Nielsen Park Walk: Easy - road
Length = 85 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -3 m
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.
(1.13 km)
Southern end of Nielsen Park
to
Greycliffe Ave Car Park Walk: Easy - footpath,servicetrail
Length = 631 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -27 m
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.
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 7 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 
Walk: Easy
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 :)