Itineraries · Sydney

Rose Bay's painted lane and Milk Beach

Walk · Sydney. ~4 km along the shore, about 3 h, 3 stops.

Whole route in Google Maps ↗Open on the interactive map
Rose Bay's painted lane and Milk Beach
Duration
~4 km along the shore, about 3 h (≈ 2 h 25 min: moving and stop time only)
Who it suits
Everyone
Transport
walk
Start
Collins Laneway
Finish
Nielsen Park
Pace
moderate pace
Best time
a weekday morning, while Milk Beach still has space
Budget per adult
free, plus a bus on New South Head RoadPrices as of: July 2026; transport and zoo prices October 2026

Getting there

Bus along New South Head Road to the Rose Bay shops, then on foot. Pay with a bank card.

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. 1. Collins Laneway~20 min at the stop

    The painted lane in the middle of Rose Bay. Italian-town colours, from the council and the artist Alice McAuliffe.

    Tip: Photograph the lane, then walk east on New South Head Road to the start of the Hermitage Foreshore. The bus drops you at the shops.

    Open on the map ↗

    ↓ walk · 35 min · 2.2 km

  2. 2. Milk Beach~30 min at the stop

    The small beach below Strickland House. The bridge and the city are opposite, and on a weekday there are fewer people than at Bondi.

    Tip: The way down is a track, and there are no lifeguards. This is Vaucluse. Eat at Nielsen Park, further along the track. There is no kitchen on the sand.

    Open on the map ↗

    ↓ walk · 20 min · 1.2 km

  3. 3. Nielsen Park~40 min at the stop

    End of the trail: a big lawn under old trees, The Nielsen kiosk and Shark Beach, a netted harbour beach inside the former Wentworth estate. Buses back to the city leave from here.

    Worth knowing: Nielsen Park was part of the Wentworth family's Vaucluse estate. Shark Beach is the sheltered harbour beach inside the park.

    Tip: Swim inside the enclosure when the net is up. Walking in is free.

    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.