Grand homes. Harbour views. A historic hanging bridge. Tiny, sheltered, adorable beaches. Welcome to Vaucluse, where the coves and sandstone walls whisper tales of Sydney’s past, while you marvel at stunning harbour views (and opulent estates you could never afford).
I designed this self-guided walking tour for curious locals (like me) and visitors eager to scratch beneath the surface when sightseeing in Sydney. I’ll take you from pristine parklands and historic mansions to hidden bays and breathtaking vistas, piecing together a narrative that stretches back millennia. Come on, let’s get to the heart of Sydney’s identity.
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Getting to Vaucluse
Several bus routes service Vaucluse (including the 324, 325, and 380), but the most scenic way to get there is by taking the ferry. The closest ferry wharves are Rose Bay and Watsons Bay, from which you can catch a connecting bus, or walk.
I designed this itinerary so that you can start from Watsons Bay and finish the walk at the Rose Bay Wharf. It’s a long (6-8 km), but captivating walk.
Getting to Vaucluse by car is possible, but I don’t recommend it, because parking is a pain, especially on weekends. Many streets have time-restrictions, and the ones that don’t fill up insanely quickly. Vaucluse is located on a narrow peninsula. Save your nerves and take the ferry.
Read more about Sydney’s most scenic ferry routes!
The Historical Vaucluse Walking Tour: Your Step-by-Step Guide
First thing first: your Vaucluse walking tour on the map
Starting point: Watsons Bay Wharf
If you start at the Watsons Bay ferry wharf, the waterside walkway in Robertson Park and further along Watsons Bay Bath already offers fabulous distant Sydney skyline views (and quite a few scenic benches to stop… you might not want to resist, especially if a toddler is nagging you for snacks).
At Gibsons Beach you’ll leave the waterfront and continue on residential streets for a little while: Marina Parade, Hopetoun Ave and The Crescent takes you to the first stop on the historical Vaucluse walk:
Stop 1: Parsley Bay Reserve & Suspension Bridge
The sheltered cove of Parsley Bay has long been a cherished local spot. Its Indigenous name is recorded as Gooree.
Its highlight is the Suspension Bridge, a pedestrian only bridge that was built in 1910, which offers the prettiest views of the bay. Well, my son wouldn’t exactly agree with that. As much as he likes running through the bridge, the highlight for him is Parsley Bay Beach.
This beach is very sheltered, has shallow water, with beautiful green hues, and most of the bay is a protected swimming enclosure. There’s a tiny patch of sand, a large grassy area and a playground, a small kiosk and toilets.
You continue the walk by crossing the bridge.
Stop 2: Vaucluse House & Gardens
From Parsley Bay you’ll walk further on residential streets towards beautiful Vaucluse House at 69A Wentworth Road.
Also called the Wentworth Estate, this Gothic-style mansion is one of Australia’s oldest and most significant house museums. It was the 19th-century estate of William Charles Wentworth – explorer, politician, and the father of the Australian Constitution –, his wife Sarah and their immediate family of 10 children. Inside you find lavish furnished entertaining rooms, but also more functional spaces, a kitchen wing and the rooms of servants. The furnished living quarter is upstairs.
The house is free to visit, and it’s open from Wednesday to Sunday 10am – 4pm. Kind volunteers tell you about 19th-century life, and you can learn about the lifestyles of the Wentworth’s and of the servants, both convict and free, who lived and worked there.
The house is surrounded by stables, outbuildings, and ten hectares of formal gardens and grounds. The front garden is particularly pretty, and you find some benches, too.
Stop 3: Nielsen Park & Shark Beach
From the Wentworth Estate follow Coolong Road back to the coast, which provided vital sources of food for the Gadigal people for millennia. The land was eventually acquired by the government and dedicated as a public reserve in the early 20th century, largely thanks to the efforts of politician and conservationist Niels Nielsen, after whom it’s named.
And in front of Nielsen Park you find one of the most popular Sydney Harbour beaches: Shark Beach. It was reopened in 2024 after quite extensive reconstructions, and it’s the largest Sydney beach protected by shark net. Its calm, naturally protected waters make it perfect for swimming. Add the distant Sydney skyline views, and who could blame you if you can’t resist? Frequent swim stops are part of this walk, anyway.
If you get out of the turquoise waters, you can choose between the soft sand, the grassy park or the spacious seating area along the promenade. There’s a café, plenty of toilets, showers (both in the washroom and outdoors) and changing rooms, benches and drinking fountains. I haven’t seen the previous Shark Beach, because it was closed for reconstruction when we moved to Sydney, but the current beach and outdoor space is outstanding!
Stop 4: Greycliffe House & Greycliffe Gardens
As fantastic as Shark Beach is, don’t miss out on what’s behind it: the Greycliffe House and its gardens. Overlooking Sydney Harbour, this elegant Gothic Revival mansion carries a rich and captivating history. It’s also connected to the Wentworth family: it was originally built for Sarah Wentworth, the wife of William Charles Wentworth.
Imagine the grand balls and bustling family life within its walls during the 19th century! After the Wentworths, the property saw various owners and uses, eventually becoming part of a hospital complex, before being beautifully restored. Today, it stands as a testament to Sydney’s colonial past, offering a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the city’s early elite. Visiting it requires a bit of planning though, because guided tours run only on certain Sundays (usually once a month), and booking is essential.
Even if you can’t enter the mansion, you can marvel at the architectural grandeur and the breathtaking backdrop of the harbour.
Stop 5: Milk Beach & Strickland House
From Nielsen Park, walk up Greycliffe Avenue, then turn right onto Vaucluse Road. Strickland House will be on your left. You can also follow the coastal path, the Hermitage Foreshore Walk, that takes you from Shark Beach to Milk Beach (this is my preferred option!). The grand residence of Strickland House is right behind the beach – the beauty of Sydney!
This magnificent Victorian Italianate mansion was built in the 1850s for John Hosking, Sydney’s first elected mayor. It was later owned by several prominent families, then in the early 20th century, it was acquired by the government and became the Strickland House Convalescent Home for Women (and later for men and the aged). It served this purpose for much of the 20th century. The building is not open to the public, and its future is often debated. Nevertheless, the grounds offer breathtaking views and the mansion still looks impressive.
Stop 6: Hermit Beach
Continuing along the spectacular Hermitage Foreshore Walk from Milk Beach, you’ll soon reach Hermit Beach. This is another small, secluded stretch of sand, offering peaceful harbour views, and yes, the water is very tempting on a warm, sunny day. My tip is, however: wait for the next beach, Queens Beach, for a particularly scenic swim.
The Hermitage Foreshore Walk path is well-maintained and includes long stretches of boardwalks, but also some stairs and undulating sections. It’s an easy walk, but not pram-friendly as I learned it from my own mistake. But the tiny, secluded beaches are perfect for families!
Stop 7: Queens Beach
Just a little further along the Hermitage Foreshore Walk past Hermit Beach, you’ll find my favorite: Queens Beach. Similar to Hermit Beach, it’s a smaller, picturesque sandy cove with stunning outlooks towards the city skyline and across the harbour. These views make it the most special beach along the walk.
These little beaches along the foreshore are like stepping into secret worlds, offering clear, calm waters perfect for a quick refresh. You might choose a favorite, but there’s no wrong choice here.
Stop 8: St. Michael’s Anglican Church
As you finish the Hermitage Foreshore Walk near Rose Bay, a short walk up the hill will bring you to St. Michael’s Anglican Church on Gilliver Avenue. This Victorian Gothic Revival church, built predominantly from local sandstone in the late 19th century, is the primary historical church in Vaucluse. You can spot it from any of the nearby streets. It’s still an active parish.
End the walk: Rose Bay
Your historical Vaucluse walking tour conveniently ends in Rose Bay. From St. Michael’s Church, it’s a short downhill stroll to the main commercial strip of Rose Bay, where you find plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops.
Catch a ferry back to Circular Quay from Rose Bay Wharf, enjoying one last spectacular harbour journey. Rose Bay also offers a lovely foreshore park perfect for hanging out in case you missed the ferry and need to wait a bit for the next one.
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What tempts us back to Vaucluse
Significant to the First Nations peoples, this landscape and the neighborhood of Vaucluse was dramatically altered by European settlement, from grand estates to public parks. It has long been associated with Sydney’s affluent and influential figures, and let’s face it, few of us knows anyone who owns one of those grand estates there even today.
Taking a closer look, we can notice the often-unseen labor of convicts and free servants, but the blooming bushing lining the tranquil streets, too. The breathtaking harbor views and the stunning, sheltered beaches and coves are the highlight of Vaucluse!
Vaucluse holds a remarkable concentration of Sydney’s history and natural beauty, and this Vaucluse walking tour offers a unique blend of it. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for a beautiful way to spend a day with the family, the captivating stories and stunning vistas of Vaucluse await.
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