Routes Australia New South WalesSydney
Rose Bay to Watson’s Bay and Hornby Lighthouse

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Rose Bay to Watson’s Bay and Hornby Lighthouse

Length6.7 mi
Elev. Gain728.2 ft
Est. Steps16000

Road

Restrooms

Public transport

Places to sit

Scenic view

Historic site

Beach

Created by sj
Introduction
Rose Bay to Watson’s Bay and Hornby Lighthouse is a 6.8 mile (16,000-step) route located near Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. This route has an elevation gain of about 728.2 ft and is rated as medium. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.
The walk from Rose Bay to Watsons Bay is relatively long but easy track, a mix of bush, Beach, Boardwalk and streets. It won’t get as busy as, for example, the Bondi to Coogee walk, but the views, secluded beaches and parks make this walk one of the best in Sydney. With facilities such as toilets and cafe’s along the way, this walking trail is perfect for all outdoor enthusiasts, from young families to professional hikers. Allow approximately 3-4 hours to complete the 10km walk from Rose Bay to Watsons Bay. Alternatively, select only a small section of the walk, such as Rose Bay, the Hermitage Foreshore and Nielsen Park, Vaucluse Bay or Watsons Bay. Rose Bay parks and reserves Begin the walk at the Rose Bay Wharf, Lyne Park and take the foreshore promenade and then head along Vickery Avenue until you reach Tingira Reserve with its shaded casuarina fringed beach. Continue along New South Head Rd through the Rose Bay shopping centre and take a left turn at Worth Arcade to Perceival Park. Relax in this quiet, shaded location and watch the many wading birds on the sand flats. Rose Bay to Nielsen Park Head along New South Head Rd to Dumaresq Reserve and then turn left into Tivoli Ave and left again into Bay View Hill Rd and follow the signs to the Hermitage Foreshore Scenic Walk. The Hermitage Walk is 1.4km long and features spectacular harbour views, remnant heaths, woodland and some patches of rainforest as well as craggy cliffs and secluded coves for fishing. As you head along to Nielsen Park you will pass the historic Strickland House. Formerly a public convalescent hospital and now a public park that boasts superb views of the harbour, Opera House and bridge. As you approach Nielsen Park, the native heathland begins to form. Nielsen Park is one of the best harbour beaches in Sydney with brilliant white sands, clear water, a shaded promenade and picnic areas. A loop walk out along Bottle and Glass Rocks has spectacular views of the harbour and takes only 10 minutes. Nielsen Park to Watson Bay From Nielsen Park follow Coolong Rd to the Wentworth Rd intersection and make a stop at the historic house museum, Vaucluse House. From Wentworth Rd turn right into Fitzwilliam Rd and left at the public walkway next to No 43a. Cross over the suspension bridge and take the steps down to the reserve. Parsley Bay is a popular family destination all year round with an enclosed swimming area and picnic facilities. Take the time to explore the area including the short bushland circuit (15 – 20 minutes) which takes you to a waterfall at the head of the gully. Head back to the suspension bridge and proceed down The Crescent for Watsons Bay. Take a stroll down the promenade past the Pilot Station and baths. An historic obelisk stands in Robertson Park, near the Vaucluse Yacht Club, commemorating the completion of the first road to South Head in 1811. Walk up the hill through Robertson Park to Gap Park. From here you can link up with the Coast Walk or wander through the historic village to Green Point and Camp Cove where Governor Phillip first landed in 1788. Then on to Hornby Lighthose

Nielsen Park

Park
Nielsen Park is a heritage-listed historic site, park and nature reserve located at Greycliffe Avenue, Vaucluse in the Municipality of Woollahra local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The traditional lands of the Birrabirragal indigenous people, the park was designed by John Frederick Hilly, James Barnet and the Office of the New South Wales Government Architect.

Hornby Lighthouse

Historical
Hornby Lighthouse, also known as South Head Lower Light or South Head Signal Station, is a heritage-listed active lighthouse located on the tip of South Head, New South Wales, Australia, a headland to the north of the suburb Watsons Bay. It marks the southern entrance to Port Jackson and Sydney Harbour, as well as lighting the South Reef, a ledge of submerged rocks.

Vaucluse House

Tourist Attraction
Vaucluse House is a heritage-listed former Aboriginal land, residence, colonial farm and country estate and now tourist attraction, house museum and public park located at 69a Wentworth Road, Vaucluse in the Municipality of Woollahra local government area of New South Wales, Australia. Completed between 1803 and 1839 in the Gothic Revival style, its design was attributed to William Charles Wentworth and built by Sir Henry Browne Hayes and W.

Kambala School

Place
Kambala is an independent Anglican early learning, primary, and secondary day and boarding school for girls, located in Rose Bay, an eastern suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Established in 1887, Kambala has a non-selective enrolment policy and currently caters for approximately 1,000 students from early learning to Year 12, including 95 boarders from Year 7 to Year 12.

Greycliffe House

Place
Greycliffe House is an historic, two-storey residential dwelling situated in the Sydney suburb of Vaucluse, New South Wales, Australia. Completed in c. 1852 in the Federation Arts and Crafts style, Greycliffe is listed on the (now defunct) Australian Register of the National Estate and on the Municipality of Woollahra local government heritage list.

Fernleigh Castle

Place
Fernleigh Castle is a historic house in the Sydney suburb of Rose Bay, New South Wales, Australia. Completed in the Victorian architectural style, the house is listed on the (now defunct) Australian Register of the National Estate and the Woollahra local government heritage database.

Christian Brothers College, Rose Bay

Place
Christian Brothers College was established by the Christian Brothers in Carlisle St, Rose Bay, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia in 1935. The college was closed down in 1966 and the site is now used as a Catholic primary school called McAuley Catholic Primary School (previously McAuley Preparatory School).

Sydney Harbour anti-submarine boom net

Place
The Sydney Harbour anti-submarine boom net was an anti-torpedo and submarine defence net that was in Sydney Harbour during World War II. It spanned the entire width of the harbour from Green Point, Watsons Bay to Georges Head, on the northern side of Sydney Harbour. The boom formed part of the Sydney Harbour defences which also included artillery batteries and patrol boats.

The Hermitage, Vaucluse

Place
The Hermitage is a historic house in the Sydney suburb of Vaucluse, New South Wales, Australia. It is listed on the (now defunct) Australian Register of the National Estate as well as the Municipality of Woollahra local government heritage list.

Watsons Bay, New South Wales

Place
Watsons Bay is a harbourside, eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Watsons Bay is located 11 km north-east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Woollahra.Watsons Bay sits on the end of the South Head peninsula and takes its name from the sheltered bay and anchorage on its western side, in Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour).
Comments
Arun
2024/10/13
Route Details

Length

6.7 mi

Elev. Gain

728.2 ft

Est. Steps

16000
Created by
sj
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