- Duration
- 11.4 km, 3–4 h, ~140 m of climbing (≈ 6 h 40 min: moving and stop time only)
- Who it suits
- Everyone
- Transport
- walk
- Start
- Watsons Bay Baths
- Finish
- Double Bay Wharf
- Pace
- moderate pace
- Best time
- A warm day from November to April, when you want to swim: this section has several harbour swims. Check the tide: at high water part of Rose Bay Beach is an ankle-deep paddle.
- Budget per adult
- free, plus two ferries (Opal or a bank card)Prices as of: July 2026; transport and zoo prices October 2026
Getting there
F9 ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay. Back on the F7 ferry from Double Bay Wharf to Circular Quay, or the train from Edgecliff, about fifteen minutes uphill. To shorten it, stop at Rose Bay Wharf: the F9 calls there too.
Stops in order
The text version of the route: stops, time at each and the legs between them. Times are estimates, without queues, traffic or swims.
1. Watsons Bay Baths~10 min at the stop
From the wharf the route heads south along the shore past the enclosed Watsons Bay Baths, then through Gibson Beach Reserve.
Tip: Get coffee in Watsons Bay: the Nielsen Park kiosk is almost 4 km away. The baths are enclosed and suit kids.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 25 min · 1.6 km
2. Parsley Bay~25 min at the stop
A narrow bush bay with a netted swimming enclosure and a white suspension bridge. The route drops to the water, then crosses the bridge.
Worth knowing: A footbridge spans this narrow harbour inlet in Vaucluse. The bay has stayed a local harbour swimming hole.
Tip: There are no lifeguards. A quiet swim with kids on a calm day, with shade on the lawn.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 15 min · 1 km
3. Vaucluse House and Vaucluse Bay~15 min at the stop
After Wentworth Road the path crosses the Beach Paddock of the old Vaucluse House estate and follows the shore of Vaucluse Bay.
Worth knowing: Vaucluse House was the home of William Charles Wentworth, one of the authors of the first NSW constitution.
Tip: The house is a museum; check its hours with Museums of History NSW before you go. Crossing the paddock is free.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 20 min · 1.2 km
4. Nielsen Park, Shark Beach~1 h at the stop
A harbour beach in a park of big trees: sand, lawn and a shark net in season. Stairs lead up to Greycliffe House.
Worth knowing: Nielsen Park was part of the Wentworth family's Vaucluse estate. Shark Beach is the sheltered harbour beach inside the park.
Tip: The main stop of the day: swim inside the net and use The Nielsen kiosk, Sunday to Thursday 7:00 to 18:00, Friday and Saturday to 19:00. Toilets nearby. The best family stop on the section.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 20 min · 1 km
5. Hermitage Foreshore Walk, Milk Beach~20 min at the stop
A bush track above the water: Milk Beach with the Bridge and city view, the lawns of Strickland House, then Hermit Beach and Queens Beach.
Tip: Milk Beach is the best city shot from this side of the harbour. The track is narrow with roots and steps, not for prams.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 45 min · 2.6 km
6. Rose Bay Beach and wharf~20 min at the stop
A long stair beside 762 New South Head Road drops to Rose Bay Beach. Then west along the sand and through Tingara Reserve to the wharf.
Worth knowing: From 1938 Rose Bay was Sydney's international flying-boat base.
Tip: Seaplanes land and take off here. The shops and cafés are through Percival Park on New South Head Road. Tired? The F9 ferry runs to the city from here.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 45 min · 2.6 km
7. Murray Rose Pool~40 min at the stop
Over Point Piper and along Seven Shillings Beach the route reaches the big netted harbour pool with its pontoons.
Worth knowing: Formerly Redleaf Pool, it was renamed in 2012 for Murray Rose, triple Olympic swimming champion in 1956.
Tip: There are no lifeguards. A kiosk, toilets and showers on site. Skip swimming for three days after heavy rain: stormwater runs in. The stairs from New South Head Road are steep.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 20 min · 1.3 km
8. Double Bay Wharf~20 min at the stop
The last stretch follows the Double Bay foreshore past moored yachts and the Steyne Park lawns to the wharf. End of part two: Vaucluse, Rose Bay and Point Piper are behind you, Bay Street cafés and the city ferry ahead.
Tip: Cafés and lunch are on Bay Street, a couple of minutes from the water. The F7 runs less often than the main lines: check the timetable ahead.
Open on the map ↗
Before you go
- Route times are estimates: walking, driving and a sensible pause at each stop. Add queues, traffic and swims yourself.
- Prices, timetables and trail status change. Check the venue's official site and the state transport app before you go.
- On beaches, swim only between the red and yellow flags. Use sun protection even when it is cloudy.