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Sydney · Route card

Hermitage Foreshore

Harbour views, quiet beaches and a lighthouse finish

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Terrain map of Hermitage Foreshore showing the real GPX route, kilometre markers and photo stops
Coral: GPX route · numbered circles: kilometres · A–H: photo stops · S/F: start and finish

Distance

9.48 km

Elevation

93 m

Time

55–70 min

Type

Point to point · Moderate

Course overview

Rose Bay to Watsons Bay along the harbour's eastern edge — the Hermitage Foreshore track, Milk Beach and Strickland House, Shark Beach at Nielsen Park, then Parsley Bay and the run out to Camp Cove. City skyline views almost the whole way.

  1. 0 kmRose Bay — Start on the foreshore and follow the harbour east.
  2. 1.6 kmMilk Beach — Sand and sandstone steps below Strickland House.
  3. 3.2 kmNielsen Park — Shark Beach, kiosk, taps and toilets — the natural halfway.
  4. 5 kmParsley Bay — Across the suspension bridge and up through Vaucluse.
  5. 7 kmWatsons Bay — Around Robertson Park to Camp Cove.
  6. 7.5 kmSouth Head — Out to Hornby Lighthouse and the harbour mouth.
  7. 9.5 kmCamp Cove — Finish on the sand — ferry home from Watsons Bay.

Photo stops on the map

  • AMilk Beach — Sunset, or blue hour
  • BHornby Lighthouse — Early morning

Local knowledge

Best time
Late afternoon, then stay for sunset over the city from Milk Beach.
Transport
Ferry to Rose Bay to start, ferry home from Watsons Bay. The 325 bus links the whole route.
Water
Nielsen Park, Parsley Bay and Watsons Bay.
Toilets
Nielsen Park, Parsley Bay and Robertson Park.
Parking
Street parking around Rose Bay; paid parking at Nielsen Park and Watsons Bay.
Safety
Steps, sand and a few short road crossings. Slippery after rain, not stroller-friendly.

Local tip: Finish with a swim inside the net at Camp Cove, then take the ferry back to the city.