Rose Bay to Watson Bay Walk - NSW - Australia

Rose Bay to Watson Bay is another popular and scenic track in the Sydney Harbour National Park. This moderate level walk covers roughly an 8 Km stretch of beautiful coastline and passes through many hidden beaches, some historic buildings and offers wonderful views of Sydney Harbour from different angles.

We took a ferry from Circular Quay to Rose Bay, a quite enjoyable 15-minute ferry ride again offering a chance to enjoy the magnificent Sydney Harbour.

Enjoying the Ferry Ride

First and the best section of the Rose Bay to Watson Bay walk is the Hermitage Foreshore walking track. It is a 1.8 Km, grade 3 walk starting from Hermitage Foreshore Reserve and passes through Queen Beach, Hermitage Point, Stickland House, Milk Beach, Shark Beach and the Nielson Park.

Rose Bay Beach

It is a bit tricky to find the start of the walk from Rose Bay wharf and we had to depend on Google Maps. We walked to the Rose Bay Beach passing Sydney Sea Planes and Lyne Park. At the very end of the beach, there are steps leading towards New South Head Road. From New South Head Road we turned left to Trivoli Avenue and again to Bayview Hill road to get to the start of the Hermitage Foreshore walking track.


Views from Hermitage Foreshore Reserve

Towards Queen Beach

Queen Beach is a small unpatrolled beach with magnificent views of the Harbour. It is only about 5 mins from the Hermitage Foreshore reserve.

Queen Beach

Views of Harbour Bridge from Queen Beach

Boardwalk continued through the trees towards the Hermit Point, where picnic tables are available. Just beyond the Hermit Point lies the small Hermit Beach, yet another private beach that the track meanders past. I loved the views of Harbour Bridge from different angles from the track and Hermit Point offered another vantage point for great vistas of the much loved Harbour.

View of the Famous Coat Hanger from Hermit Point

Another 10 mins got us to the majestic Strickland House, a heritage-listed former residence of John Hosking, Sydney's second mayor. Milk Beach is a small tucked away beach right by the Strickland House and provided more views of the city.  

Strickland House



Less than 10 mins from the Milk Beach along the Hermitage Foreshore track got us to the Neilsen Park, a 20 ha parkland with picnic areas, a cafe and the lovely Shark Beach. Beach is protected with shark nets and provides breathtaking views of the city and the Harbour.

Shark Beach

Nielsen Park
From Neilson Park, we took a quick detour to visit Bottle and Glass Point, a picnic and a fishing spot named after the unusually shaped Bottle and Glass Rocks.

We went passing the Kiosk and took the steps towards the ladies toilets and continued on the Bottle and Glass Point Road to reach the Bottle and Glass Point.

Bottle and Glass Point

We continued on the Coolong Road and Wentworth Road to reach the historic Vaucluse House, a historic mansion that is currently used as a living museum.

Vaucluse House

Vaucluse House estate once extended to the harbourside Beach Paddock, which is a shady beach with a large grass area, now open to the public to enjoy.

Beach Paddock
From here, we followed Wentworth Road, Chapel Road and Fitzwilliam Road to reach the picturesque, 100 year old Parsely Bay suspension Bridge.


From the bridge, we could see the Parsely Bay Reserve, a popular family park that provides swimming, picnic facilities and a playground.

We followed The Crescent, turned left to Hopetoun Avenue and again left to Palmerston st and through the Gibson Beach Reserve reached the Gibson Beach.

From here, it is only a short stroll to Watson Bay where we enjoyed a quick lunch and a coffee before rushing to catch the ferry back to Circular Quay.

This is a relatively easy walk that is not too hard on the knees. I particularly enjoyed the Hermitage Foreshore track from Hermitage Foreshore to Nielson Park. 

From Nielson Park to Watson Bay section is mostly through the public roads and wasn't as pleasant as the Hermitage Foreshore track. However, roads were not too busy and multi-million dollar mansions in these upmarket suburbs were quite easy on the eyes. 

Sunset from Watson Bay

A ferry ride in the Sydney Harbour, especially during sunset is always a perfect way to end a hike.

Comments

Prasad Gunaratne said…
Nice one Sujee, thanks! Haven't done this section of the walk - just some bits on a cycle but certainly offer fab city views. Just do the other side of the peninsular lighthouse the Bondi via The Gap, you won't regret it :) Or have you done it already?
26 March 2021 at 12:50
sujee said…
Thank you Prasad. No I haven't done that walk.
Will add to my list. Hope you are enjoying your cycling adventures.
26 March 2021 at 14:21
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