Shakespheres Point loop

Download & Print Map and Notes

15 mins

661 m Circuit

24 m

Easy track

On this short walk, you will follow a series of footpaths to Shark Bay and head up some sandstone steps to the great views of Shakespheres Point. Since you are up on this headland, it is worth doing a loop around before heading back down to the main area of Nielsen Park. Make a day of it by staying for a swim and a bite to eat.

View over Shark Bay from Shakespheres Point

Path Between Shakespheres Point and Bottle and Glass

Just near the int of Greycliffe Ave and Coolong Rd

Steps towards Shark Bay from Shakespheres Point

(0km) Greycliffe Ave Car Park → Mid Nielsen Park Int

70 m

1 mins

-2m Very easy

From the lower end of the car park on Greycliffe Ave, this walk heads around the gate and along the sealed path (driveway) towards the water, passing the 'Sydney Harbour National Park' sign[1]. After ≈50m, the path leads to a four-way intersection just past the garbage bins.

(0km) Mid Nielsen Park Int → Nielsen Park Cafe

130 m

2 mins

-5m Very easy

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the water following the wide path[2]. The path soon bends left (near the toilet block, on the right[3]) and heads behind the beach, past the large information sign[4]. Soon the path heads over the 'Dressing Pavilion' tunnel[5] and, ≈50m later, comes to the front of the Nielsen Park Cafe[6] with it's great water views[7]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Shark Bay

Located at the northern end of Nielsen Park, this beach faces north across Sydney Harbour. The sandy beach offers a swimming net enclosure[8], public toilets[9][10] and change rooms[11], showers[12] and is a popular place for people to simply relax. The beach is a focal point of Nielsen Park and also boasts a cafe[13]. Protected by the harbour, there is no surf at this beach. The beach is not patrolled. This is a lovely spot, with natural shade not far from the beach.

Nielsen Park Cafe

Open 8-5 daily, this historic cafe offers inside seating and a range of meals, including breakfast, sandwiches and hot food. This is one of a number of buildings in Nielsen Park which are available for functions. For further enquiries, contact 9337 1574. More info.

(0km) Mid Nielsen Park Int → Shakespheres Point int

50 m

1 mins

0m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the path, past the bins and towards the staircase[14](keeping the water to your left). The walk heads up the sandstone staircase, passing the female toilet block[15] along the way, to a three-way intersection[16] near a grassy clearing and Shakespheres Point[17].

(0km) Shakespheres Point int → Bottle and Glass Clearing

140 m

3 mins

-5m Very easy

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the sealed path around the side of the hill, keeping the water and grassy clearing to your left[18]. Soon the path leads through a grove of trees and past a group of garbage bins[19] before coming to another grassy clearing with some bench seats[20] and views - this is Bottle and Glass clearing.

(0km) Bottle and Glass Clearing → Roundabout gate

170 m

3 mins

-6m Very easy

Continue straight: From the clearing[21], this walk heads away from the garbage bins, following the sealed path as it bends right[22] (keeping the water to your left). The path heads gently downhill[23] past the back of some houses[24] and comes to an intersection and locked gate[25] (near the intersection of Greycliffe Ave and Coolong Rd).

(0km) Roundabout gate → Greycliffe Ave Car Park

230 m

4 mins

-10m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the steeper path away from the gate (initially keeping the 'Sydney Harbour National Park - Nielsen Park' sign[26] to your right). The path heads up a short, but moderately steep section[27] and soon flattens out, wandering through a grassy clearing[28]. As the path comes into view of the water, it leads to a three-way intersection[29] (with steps on the left) just before Shakespheres Point[30].
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads down the stairs. The steps lead past the female toilet block[31] and continues down to the open parkland area of Nielsen Park. The walk continues past the bin to a four-way intersection[32].
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide sealed path (driveway) directly away from the water, past the garbage bins. The path soon leads past the 'Sydney Harbour National Park' sign[33] and through the gate to Greycliff Ave.

Maps for the Shakespheres Point loop walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Sydney Heads	1:25 000 Map Series	91302N SYDNEY HEADS	NSW-91302N
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Shakespheres Point loop bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Shakespheres Point loop

Altitude analysis for Shakespheres Point loop

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	661 m
		Time	15 mins
		.
Grade 2/6 Easy track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 450m of this walk is flat with no steps, whilst the remaining 210m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 660m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

This whole walk, 660m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 660m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 660m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 660m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Shakespheres Point loop walk.

History of Nielsen Park

896 m Return, 20 mins

On this short walk, you will follow the footpaths through Nielsen Park, visiting some of the historic buildings. Walking past the beautiful Shark Bay, you may be temped to take a dip or at least stop and enjoy the blue water and sandstone boulders. Climbing up the stairs, you will then be able to e

Total climbing: 25m

Easy track

Mt Trefle

1.7 km Circuit, 40 mins

This walk explores the bushy interior section of Nielsen Park. On this walk, you will visit historic Greycliffe House and the Steele Point Gun Emplacement. The walk climbs over the Mount Trefle summit. At just over 40m above sea level, I suspect most walkers will not consider it much of a mountain,

Total climbing: 58m

Easy track

Nielsen Park Circuit

1.8 km Circuit, 40 mins

With much to offer, this walk is a great way to explore the history, water, views and bushland of Nielsen Park. This walk first leads past Shark Bay - a great place for a swim - with the chance to enjoy the views and grab a bite to eat from the cafe. Then, it's up some steps to visit the historic gu

Total climbing: 54m

Easy track

Hermitage Foreshore Track

2.2 km One way, 1 Hr

The Hermitage Foreshore Walk is a wonderful way to explore Sydney Harbour from the perspective of South Head. This walk starts from Nielsen Park and follows a well maintained track along the narrow strip of harbour-side bushland to Bayview Hill Rd. Along the way, you will visit some secluded beaches

Total climbing: 123m

Moderate track

Nielsen Park and Strickland House loop

2.5 km Circuit, 1 Hr

On this walk, you will stroll along the shore of Sydney Harbour, discovering many great views and the secluded Milk Beach before visiting the grand Strickland and Greycliffe Houses. This is a great way to explore the natural beauty, as well as some stately gardens, at the northern end of the Hermita

Total climbing: 104m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Shakespheres Point loop walk.

Strickland House and Milk Beach

706 m Return, 25 mins

Starting from Vaucluse Rd, you will head down past the stately Strickland House to the small but lovely Milk Beach on Sydney Harbour. There are several interesting buildings in the Strickland House complex as well as some interesting open exotic gardens to explore. From behind Strickland House, you

Total climbing: 31m

Easy track

Queens Beach

108 m Return, 10 mins

This short walk follows a set of sandstone steps from the narrow streets of Vaucluse to the small, isolated Queens Beach on Sydney Harbour. The beach has great views across the top of Rose Bay to the city and Sydney Harbour Bridge. A great place to wet the toes and enjoy a peaceful lunch by the wate

Total climbing: 18m

Moderate track

Queens Beach to Hermit Point

552 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk explores a memorable section of the Hermitage Foreshore Walk. Starting from Queens Ave, this walk heads down the fairly steep stone steps and enjoys a short side trip to Queens Beach. From the beach, this walk heads back up the steps a short way, then follows the main walk around to

Total climbing: 39m

Moderate track

Bradleys Head Walk

1.7 km Circuit, 1 Hr

The walk around Bradleys Head is packed with great views and cultural heritage. The views over Sydney Harbour can be enjoyed from many vantage points. There are a number of places of historic significance, including HMAS Sydney's Mast and Athol Hall. Athol Hall has a wonderful, grassed lawn with exc

Total climbing: 83m

Moderate track

Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk

2.8 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk explores a great section of Sydney Harbour. Starting with some historic points at Bradleys Head, you can enjoy views of Sydney's Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The views will continue to delight as you explore bushland and the bays along the way. The pleasant walk ends at Clifton Gardens,

Total climbing: 161m

Moderate track

Watsons Bay to Hornby Lighthouse

2.8 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

Start with a ferry ride, enjoy some great food, incredible views and visit some very significant historic sights. Starting at Watsons Bay, you will stroll along a few narrow roads before visiting the historic Camp Cove and its gorgeous beach. From here, walk up the old cobblestone road past more gr

Total climbing: 93m

Easy track

Gap Bluff Lookout

886 m Return, 30 mins

This walk explores the coastal cliffs near The Gap on Sydney's South Head. The main focal point for this walk is the view from the rocky bluff. The cliff makes for very spectacular scenery and the views extend from North Head along the coast, and even peer across the harbour to the city. This walk s

Total climbing: 43m

Hard track

South Head Tour

4.1 km Circuit, 1 hr 45 mins

On this walk, you will explore historically significant and majestic sections on the tip of Sydney Harbour's South Head. Explore the confronting sea cliffs at The Gap, visit the first landing place for Europeans in Australia and climb through some of Sydney Harbour's military defense systems. You wi

Total climbing: 144m

Hard track

The Gap Bluff and Green Point loop

2.5 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This circuit walk explores the great sea cliffs of The Bluff on the ocean side of South Head, before heading to the scenic and historic Camp Cove and Green Point on Sydney Harbour. During this walk, you will visit several historic military defense systems for the harbour, as well as enjoying some of

Total climbing: 84m

Hard track

Green (Laings) Point Loop

243 m Circuit, 15 mins

On this walk, you will circumnavigate Green Point (also known as Laings Point), on Sydney Harbour's South Head. The point is surrounded in history and great harbour views. Starting from the end of Pacific St, you will head through some open parkland and a short side trip leads to Camp Cove, the fir

Total climbing: 10m

Easy track

Chowder Head

548 m Circuit, 20 mins

This loop walk is the shortest way to access the views from Chowder Head. The optional side trip leads to an informal lookout on an unfenced rock platform. A great spot to enjoy the sailing boats on Sydney Harbour. In spring, this walk is particularly spectacular with a wide range of wildflowers on

Total climbing: 36m

Moderate track

Camp Cove Cannon

358 m Return, 15 mins

Spend some time relaxing and exploring Camp Cove - the first landing place for Europeans in Australia. On this walk, you will head across the northern end of Camp Cove Beach, up some steps to follow an old sandstone cobbled road. This road leads to a great vantage point, with views over the Sydney H

Total climbing: 14m

Easy track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Shakespheres Point loop walk starts and ends at the Greycliffe Ave Car Park (gps: -33.850846, 151.26857)

Bus. (get details)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Sydney Harbour National Park

One of Sydney's most diverse parks, Sydney Harbour National Park is formed from 11 pockets of harbour islands and shoreline. Highlights include coastal walks and swimming, breath-taking viewpoints, tours of colonial buildings and Aboriginal cave art.

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