Queens Beach to Hermit Point

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions
Start (-33.8608695,151.2695806)
Mode Bus Car
Directions From New South Head Road
Turn on to Vaucluse Road then drive for 440 m
Turn left onto Queens Avenue and drive for another 165 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the 'Hermitage Foreshore Walk - Queens Beach' sign on Queens Ave (just near Little Queens Lane), this walk heads down the sandstone steps towards the water. Partway down the steps (before the beach), this track comes to three-way intersection with the main Hermitage Foreshore walking track.....

An optional side trip to Queens Beach.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Then head down the steps (about 55 m long)
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Queens Beach. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip veer right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. Turn right, to head along Hermitage Foreshore Walk.
	Continue another 235 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 290 m to get back to the start. About 10 m past the end is "Hermit Point". Hermit Point Hermit Point hosts a grassy open area and is surrounded by a sandstone sea wall. The sea wall has been shaped to host some boat pens, a launch and a timber wharf. The area is now protected as part of the Sydney Harbour National Park. Here, you will find a number of picnic tables, a small sandstone cave, natural shade and some great water views. The headland, bay and ultimately the Hermitage Foreshore Walk, derive their names from the large home behind this point. The Hermitage was originally built in 1840 by Alexander Dick, then in the 1870's, Edward Mason Hunt undertook some significant renovations, turning it into a Victorian Rustic Gothic house. About 115 m past the end is "Hermit Bay beach". Hermit Bay beach This secluded beach in Hermit Bay (just north of Hermit Point) is home to a 40m-wide, east facing sandy beach. Behind the beach is the Hermitage Foreshore walk track and a few houses through the trees. The beach is lined with some natural sandstone sculptures of interesting form and is a quiet place to enjoy the wide harbour views.
	Start heading along Hermitage Foreshore Walk. After another 20 m come to "Queens Beach". Queens Beach Queens Beach is a small, 50m wide sandy beach that faces west, near Queens Ave Vaucluse. The beach has the Hermitage Foreshore walk running behind it. The beach is protected from the ocean surf and is not patrolled. There are great views across the harbour to the city and Harbour Bridge. A quiet spot, providing an excuse to enjoy the view and splash the feet.
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 20 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Queens Beach to Hermit Point

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	580 m
Time	15 min to 20 min

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Queens Beach
Queens Beach is a small, 50m wide sandy beach that faces west, near Queens Ave Vaucluse. The beach has the Hermitage Foreshore walk running behind it. The beach is protected from the ocean surf and is not patrolled. There are great views across the harbour to the city and Harbour Bridge. A quiet spot, providing an excuse to enjoy the view and splash the feet.

Hermit Point
Hermit Point hosts a grassy open area and is surrounded by a sandstone sea wall. The sea wall has been shaped to host some boat pens, a launch and a timber wharf. The area is now protected as part of the Sydney Harbour National Park. Here, you will find a number of picnic tables, a small sandstone cave, natural shade and some great water views. The headland, bay and ultimately the Hermitage Foreshore Walk, derive their names from the large home behind this point. The Hermitage was originally built in 1840 by Alexander Dick, then in the 1870's, Edward Mason Hunt undertook some significant renovations, turning it into a Victorian Rustic Gothic house.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Bondi Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
  
  Saturday 27 July
  
  18°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning. Light winds.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
  
  Sunday 28 July
  
  10°C → 15°C
  Mostly sunny.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Winds westerly 20 to 30 km/h turning southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon and evening.
  
  Monday 29 July
  
  9°C → 15°C
  Possible shower. Windy.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  Tuesday 30 July
  
  9°C → 15°C
  Shower or two. Becoming windy.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, with possible small hail along the coastal fringe. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Wednesday 31 July
  
  9°C → 15°C
  Shower or two. Windy.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Thursday 1 August
  
  10°C → 15°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds south to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Friday 2 August
  
  11°C → 17°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Sydney Harbour National Park alerts
  Other planned events: Fox trapping program in Sydney Harbour National Park
  A fox trapping program will be undertaken in Sydney Harbour National Park from Saturday 27 July 2024 until further notice. Please keep to the centre of formed tracks. Some areas may be closed temporarily. Signage will be in place around any closed areas.
  For more information, please call the local area office.
  
  Hazard reduction burns: Taylors Bay HR
  There is a planned Hazard Reduction burn in this park from 24/07/2024. The fire is called Taylors Bay HR. Refer to the Rural Fire Service for latest information. Do not enter any closed area or area with fire. If you see an unattended fire call Triple Zero (000). Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire safety in parks and reserves, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page for park safety guidelines.
  
  Other planned events: North Head Scenic Drive roadworks
  Repair of potholes on North Head Scenic Drive near the Quarantine Station roundabout will be undertaken on Monday 22 July from 6.30am to 5pm. The road will remain open and traffic control will be in place.
  
  Closed areas: Reef Beach amenities closure
  The Reef Beach amenities building will be closed for upgrades from Monday 5 August to the end of October 2024.
  The nearest alternate amenities are located at Forty Baskets Beach.
  The trail will remain open for the duration of the works.
  For more information contact the Sydney North Area office 02 9960 6266.
  
  Other planned events: Pay machine upgrade
  Pay machines in this park are being upgraded to provide an even more reliable service for your convenience. Whilst this process is underway, coins may not be accepted at pay machines, however cash payments for park use fees can still be made at visitor centres. Pay machines will continue to accept credit card. ParknPay remains available in all Parks via the ParknPay app.
  
  Closed areas: Middle Head toilet block
  The toilet block at Middle Head will be closed from Tuesday 4 June to late July as the building undergoes remediation works.
  
  Closed areas: Castle Rock pedestrian bridge closed for replacement
  The Manly to the Spit walking track will be closed between 91 Cutler Road and 17 Ogilvy Road, Clontarf from Wednesday 29 May to Monday 29 July 2024 for the replacement of a pedestrian bridge near Castle Rock Beach. An alternate route is available via Cutler Road, Barrabooka Road and Ogilvy Road. Directional signage will be in place to guide pedestrians through the alternate route.
  
  Closed areas: Bluefish Point closed
  The Bluefish Point bushland area is closed to public access for public safety and to protect the landscape and important plant and animal communities. Access to rock pools is difficult and dangerous. Please stay on sign-posted walking tracks when visiting Sydney Harbour National Park for your safety and observe warning signs in the area.
  
  Other planned events: North Head Scenic Drive gate opening times
  The North Head Scenic Drive gate opening times are:
  
  AEDT From 1 October 2023 to 7 April 2024 - from 5am to 8.30pm
  
  AEST From 8 April 2024 to 6 October 2024 - from 6am to 6pm
  
  Closed areas: Gardeners Cottage closure
  Gardeners Cottage will not be available for bookings until the replacement of the concrete seawall at Shark Beach, Nielsen Park has been completed. For more information on the seawall replacement please visit the project website or call the NPWS Vaucluse office on 02 9337 5511.
  
  Other planned events: Hornby Light renovation works
  Hornby Lighthouse at South Head is currently undergoing restoration and maintenance. Completion is scheduled for September 2024. South Head heritage trail remains open. However, views and access around the Hornby Lighthouse will be temporarily impacted during these works.
  
  Other planned events: 1080 pest management operation
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting a baiting program using manufactured baits, fresh baits and canid pest ejectors (CPEs) containing 1080 poison (sodium fluroacetate) for the control of foxes.
  The program is continuous and ongoing between Thursday 1 February 2024 and Wednesday 31 July 2024 in the following areas of Sydney Harbour National Park:
  
  Chowder Bay
  
  Dobroyd Head
  
  Bradleys Head
  
  Georges Head
  
  Middle and North Head (North Head includes the adjoining land of Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, Australian Institute of Police Management and Quarantine Station).
  
  Please don’t touch baits or ejector devices. All baiting locations are identifiable by signs.
  Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  Fox baiting in these reserves is aimed at reducing their impact on threatened species.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact:
  Middle Head - 02 9960 6266 (business hours)
  NPWS after-hours call centre: 1300 056 294 (after hours)
  North Head Sanctuary, Manly (Harbour Trust Lands): 02 8969 2128 (business hours).
  
  Closed areas: Fort Denison closed
  Fort Denison is currently closed.
  Conservation and upgrade works are currently underway. Key elements include the construction of a new accessible wharf and maintenance and upgrade to buildings and services. Fort Denison will be closed to visitors until these works have been completed.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  Standard work hours during the construction phase will be between:
  
  7am and 6pm Monday to Friday
  
  8am and 1pm on Saturday
  
  For more information, visit the project webpage or email us. Visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
  
  Closed areas: North Head partial closure
  Some parts of North Head in Sydney Harbour National Park are closed due to fire damage and geological instability. The closed areas include:
  
  Bluefish Point
  
  Wastewater Treatment Plant emergency access road
  
  The following areas, and the bushland surrounding them, are also closed due to steep and unstable ground:
  
  Old Man's Hat
  
  Cannae Point
  
  Quarantine Head
  
  Do not enter the closed areas.
  Open areas include:
  
  Q Station
  
  North Head Sanctuary and Bella Vista Cafe (entry via North Fort)
  
  The track between Shelly Beach and Bluefish Drive
  
  Bluefish Drive to the Avenue of Honour
  
  Collins Flat Beach
  
  Fairfax track
  
  Burragula and Yiningma lookouts
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757 or Sydney North area office on 02 9451 3479 between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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Start	(-33.8608695,151.2695806)
Mode	Bus Car
Directions	From New South Head Road Turn on to Vaucluse Road then drive for 440 m Turn left onto Queens Avenue and drive for another 165 m

Weather Forecast

Alerts