Hermitage Foreshore Walk at Vaucluse on Sydney Harbour
Running from Hermitage Reserve to Nielson Park, the Hermitage Foreshore Walk is a great way to take in Sydney Harbour and views to the city. In addition, you pass several historical houses, which are worth a visit if opened.
How to Get There
We walked from Vaucluse House and started the track at Strickland House, however if you want to use public transport, bus 325 has several stops along Vaucluse Road. For the return trip, bus 325 will take you either back to the start, or to Watsons Bay Wharf where you can catch a ferry.
Strickland House
We started the walk about halfway at Strickland House. This historic residence originally called Carrara was built in the mid-nineteenth century. The house has passed through many owners and is now owned by the New South Wales Government. Strolling around the grounds gives you an idea of the lifestyles of those who used to live here. The views over Sydney Harbour are amazing.
Unfortunately access into the house is not available, but you are able to walk around the outside.
Strickland HouseRear of Strickland House
The Foreshore Walk
From Strickland House, we followed the Hermitage Foreshore Walk, starting at Milk Beach. The boardwalk was in very good condition and made the walk easy, although in several places we did have to walk on sand and watch for incoming waves.
The views over the harbour are spectacular, with the bridge and Opera House visible at times. We even saw a seaplane taking off from Rose Bay.
Easy walking on the boardwalkWeathered boulders on the Hermitage Foreshore WalkWeathered boulders on the Hermitage Foreshore WalkView across the Sydney HarbourView across Sydney Harbour to the bridgeSydney Harbour with a seaplane about to take offView across the Harbour to the city with a seaplane taking off
Greycliffe House
The walk finished at Nielsen Park, where you will find Greycliffe House. Tours of the house need to be booked through NSW Parks and Wildlife. You are able to walk around the outside of this neo-Gothic Victorian house and it’s gardens. Even from the outside it looks impressive.
Greycliffe House
What did We Think?
This was a pleasant and easy walk, with amazing views of Sydney Harbour, with several historical house to see along the way. Only a short (but uphill walk) from here is Vaucluse House which is open to the public.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Located near Kincumber on the New South Wales Central Coast, Kanning Walk is a 1.2 km track as well as a cave and beautiful scenic Australian bush to enjoy.
We parked near the “mud brick building“, which is also marked as a kiosk. Unfortunately, it is closed, so any thought of a coffee was put aside until we finished the walk. This area also has toilets, electric barbecues, tables and sun shades. Along with the large grassed area, this would be a great place for a family picnic in summer. Also located here is Honeman’s Rock, a small rock outcrop overlooking the picnic grounds.
Kanning Walk
The walk begins near the carpark, where a sign points the way to go. One of the first sights is the root system of a fallen tree, which you pass through at the start. The well maintained track leads through eucalypt forest which was very shady and peaceful dover their uring our visit early on a winter’s morning.
After 200m, the track follows the base of a small sandstone outcrop which contain several small caves (more like rock overhangs). Probably so that visitors don’t think this is the main caves, a nearby sign points to its location 150m away.
Surprisingly large, the main cave is around 7m by 9m and provides nice shade from the weather. During summer this would be a great spot out of the sun.
Continuing on the walk, we passed some interestingly shaped trees that have been sculpted by bushfires over the years. As the track neared the return trail, some banksias in bloom were seen growing in the more exposed areas.
Around 100m passed the cave, the walk meets the Yanina Trail, which is a wide fire trail. Well signposted directions show the way back to the mudbrick building or adventuring on to other walks..
This was a fun easy walk with an interesting cave to see along the way.
Fallen tree at the start of the trackSteps on the trackGum tree and mossy boulderWind eroded patterns in a boulderExposed rocks and boulders along the trackThe TrackCave entranceHole in the back of the caveLooking out of the caveVery old and damaged gum treeGum treeBanksiaThe fire trail at the end of the walkThe mudbrick houseHoneman’s Rock
Located in the Wollemi National Park the Newnes Industrial Ruins is a heritage listed collection of decaying ruins of a once thriving shale oil processing plant. Established in 1902 and closed in 1932 due to the availability of cheaper crude oil, all that remain are decaying buildings and processing plant. The area is great for bushwalking with great tracks to the ruins and the surrounding area.
Getting There
The drive from Lithgow to the ruins takes a little over an hour, or three hours from Sydney. Road quality varies from excellent sealed road, narrow winding road down to the Wolgan Valley and dirt road for the final 12km. The views from the road as you descend from the top are amazing but, unfortunately there are few spots to stop and take advantage of them.
Where To stay
Accommodation is available through the Newnes Hotel which has five self contained cabins. The hotel itself does not offer rooms and no longer operates as a hotel. You will need to brings your own food and drinks.
Camping is available at two spots on either side of Wolgan River, but you will need a four-wheel drive to cross to the far side. Booking for campsites is through New South Wales Parks and Wildlife.
We chose to stay in one of the cabins which proved to be very comfortable, with a comfortable bed and nice shower. You do need to bring your own bedding including sheets, blankets and pillows. You will also need to bring all food and drinks as there isn’t a kiosk on site.
View from our cabin balconyCabin No.4Cabin No.3The five cabins
Newnes Hotel
On arrival, we went to the Newnes Hotel to collect our keys. the owner also gave us a booklet with information on the area and a list of the walks available. From here we went to our cabin and unpacked before exploring.
Scattered around the Hotel area are some relicts of the past. Some old rail cars line the road to the river crossing and some old buildings are near the river bank. Across the road from the Hotel is a great view of the Wolgan River. With the recent rain it was flowing well.
Newness Industrial Ruins MapNewness HotelThe Wolgan RiverOld railway carOld railway carTable and seat near the Wolgan River
Newnes Industrial Ruins Walk
Deciding to walk to the ruins first, we headed to the river crossing. As we were walking, we waded across, as the stepping stones were under water and did not look safe. If driving, you will need a four-wheel-drive to cross the river. Otherwise, leave your car at the crossing and walk across.
From the river to the start of the track takes around 30 minutes. It is flat and well graded, so an easy walk.
A locked gate is at the start of the walk along with a detailed map of the industrial ruins. The first ruins are the most interesting, a row of brick bee hive kilns. There are still 13 kilns in good condition with the other 80 odd kilns in various states of decay.
Also in the area are the remains of retaining walls and ruined buildings. It takes about two hours to walk around and take in the atmosphere of the place.
Wolgan River CrossingUnstable stepping stone over the Wolgan RiverTrack to the Industrial ruinsPart of the ruins walking trackBeehive kilnsDamaged beehive kiln showing the interiorIntact beehive kilnThe surrounding mountains Fireplace and chimney ruinOld brick steps in the industrial areaSign near the ruins detailing the operationRemains of the industrial area, now just ruinsOld industrial area brick wallWhat used to be the railway sidingEscarpment
Philosophers Walk
This walk starts at the far side of the camp ground, where it crosses Little Wolgan Creek. As we were staying in the cabin, we walked the short distance to the creek early in the morning. Crossing the creek was easy, but after rain, and with a higher water level, it might be difficult without getting wet.
Heading uphill, the first section of the track is steep and rocky in places, but with amazing views of the surrounding mountains. Little piles of stones mark the way, and the track had recently been cleared, so it was easy to follow. Along the way we passed small rock overhangs and tiny caves, but didn’t see anything inside.
At the top of the hill you are rewarded with views over the forest, river and out to Mystery Mountain. After recovering from the uphill walk, we set off for the return leg, which was all downhill.
The Return Leg
Walking past the ruins of the manager’s house all we saw were old brick stairs, but not far away were two old Zephyr cars. A manager left them here and after several bushfires and forest regrowth they are rusty wrecks surrounded by trees.
This was a great walk with views through trees to the mountains, old ruins and rusty cars. With more time we would have added the Hidden Valley walk, but will do that on our next visit.
Camping ground surrounded by bush and mountainsThe Philosopher’s Walk trackSteps on the The Philosopher’s WalkRocks to climb over on the Philosopher’s WalkOld brick steps at the manager’s residenceTwo rusted out Zephyrs in the bush near the manager’s residencePhilosopher’s Walk
School Ruins Walk
Starting behind the cabins, this short walk takes you through trees and across a small creek to what is left of the old school. Time, weather, and bushfires have left only brick chimneys and scattered bricks to show where the school once stood. It was hard to imagine that a small town once stood here that required a school, when there is so little of it left.
Dry stone wall in Capertee CreekSchool house ruinsThe surrounding mountains and eucalyptsSome of the surrounding bush and mountains
What Did We Think?
We loved it here and could have stayed longer, because there are so many more walks to do. We would have liked to the walk to Hidden Valley and the Glow Worm Tunnels, but just didn’t have the time. With the old industrial ruins, great bush walking and amazing accommodation, this was a great visit.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
