Shakespheres Point loop
Download & Print Map and Notes
15 mins
661 m Circuit
24 m
Easy track
(0km) Greycliffe Ave Car Park → Mid Nielsen Park Int
70 m
1 mins
0m
-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.
(0.07km) Mid Nielsen Park Int → Nielsen Park Cafe
130 m
2 mins
0m
-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.
(0.07km) Mid Nielsen Park Int → Shakespheres Point int
50 m
1 mins
7m
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].
(0.12km) Shakespheres Point int → Bottle and Glass Clearing
140 m
3 mins
5m
-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.
(0.26km) Bottle and Glass Clearing → Roundabout gate
170 m
3 mins
4m
-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).
(0.44km) Roundabout gate → Greycliffe Ave Car Park
230 m
4 mins
8m
-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.
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
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).
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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)Your transport options to Greycliffe Ave Car Park are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/spl
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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