If you’re looking for an easy walking track with absolutely spectacular views that feels a million miles from the city, then the Cremorne Point walk is for you. For such a short walk you get a great reward with jaw dropping harbour views, cute little hidden coves, a lighthouse, and even a secret garden. We’re also going to tell you about a detour which takes you to Mosman Bay with the chance to have a coffee or a glass of wine mid trail! What more could you want in a walk?!
Here’s what to expect and what to look out for on the trail.
The Cremorne Point Walk
The stats
Distance: 3.3km (including the lighthouse)
Elevation: 91m
Difficulty: Easy
Type of trail: Circuit
Start of trail: Cremorne Point Ferry Wharf
The Cremorne Point Walk is one of the best short walks in Sydney. This trail takes about 1-1.5 hours at a leisurely pace (but you can take longer if you want to stop off and enjoy the views).
The walk is flat for virtually the entire route, the only uphill part is when you have to cross between the eastern and western side of the trail (when you head along Hodgson Avenue).
Starting the trail to the lighthouse
Once you get off the ferry, head up the staircase directly in front of you and turn right. This short detour from the main trail will take you to Robertsons Point Lighthouse. It’s a wide, paved, flat trail with spectacular harbour views on your right and pretty bushland on your left.
It’s only 150m from the wharf to the lighthouse so it barely adds on any time but is well worth the diversion.
The paved trail will end and there are steps cut into the rock, just before you see the lighthouse you’ll come to a bench and some large rocks (our personal favourite spot!) where you can sit and take in the magnificent views.
The Sydney Tower and Opera House look miniature from here and it’s a picture perfect scene.
To get down to the lighthouse itself requires climbing down the ladder. You can’t actually go in the lighthouse but you can sit on the jetty and watch the waves crash against the shore. Once you’ve had you fill of harbour views, head back the way you came to the stairs near the ferry.
Continuing on to the secret garden
There will be two paths in front of you, straight on or right, we’re going to detail the trail using the path to the right but you could go either way as it’s a loop!
Taking the path on the right it’s just 300m before you’ll come to the secret garden, also on your right, it’s very easy to miss the turning and the sign is inconspicuous so keep an eye out!
The Lex and Ruby Graham Gardens are nothing short of magical, particularly when you know the backstory. You instantly feel like you’ve left Sydney behind and stepped into a wild and wonderful jungle! The plants are huge, lush and so dense they tower over you.
The garden grew from one elephant’s ear bulb that was found in the ocean by Lex Graham in 1959. The bulb flourished and he and his partner Ruby continued to add cuttings to the garden until it became what you see today. A pretty special place indeed.
Follow the trail down to the water (the path is cut into rock and the steps are uneven but it’s not difficult to get down) and you can perch on the rocks and have a paddle. When you look back up the path you would never think it led to a city walking trail! There are two paths that cut down to the water, just moments apart, but they lead to different spots so you can pick the one that has no one else on it - which could easily be both because not many people know about this garden!
After you’ve finished relaxing by the water there are many paths to explore - more than you would think when you first get in there!
When you’re ready to leave, head back the way you came and re-join the main trail. The garden isn’t huge but the beauty lies in taking the time to really appreciate it and relax in solitude by the water.
Continuing on to Mosman Bay
Normally we’re all about the wilds but we actually love the next part of the trail for the really quaint houses which look out to the bay. Some of them are very grand and some look like really cute country homes that should be out in the woods somewhere! It’s a gorgeous stretch of trail and will probably have you dreaming about moving in!
There are plenty of places along the way where there are large grassy verges right on the waters edge which would be just perfect for a picnic.
You’ll pass by the picturesque Old Cremorne Ferry Wharf, it’s hard to believe that this is how people commute to work in Sydney!
After 1.9km you’ll come to a turning, to continue on the Cremorne Point walk you would now take a left but if you are happy to add on just over a kilometre (total) we’d highly recommending continuing on straight to Mosman Bay. You will follow the route you would take if walking the Cremorne to Mosman Bay trail and then backtrack to this point to continue the Cremorne Point walk.
The trail follows the shoreline the whole way and you are never without a stunning view. It’s not long before you cross over a picturesque wooden bridge, surrounded by huge trees, and again, you will find it hard to believe you could possibly still be in Sydney.
As you come to the end of the Mosman Bay trail you will reach Mosman Rowers Club which is the perfect place to stop for a coffee or a glass of wine out on the deck overlooking the bay. It’s a truly gorgeous spot and a lovely way to make this short walk into a longer day out.
If you wanted to bow out at this point you can walk from Mosman Rowers Club around the bay and past the park to the Mosman Bay Ferry Wharf. It’s only a few hundred metres away. There’s also a bus that goes directly from the wharf into the city depending on your preference.
Continuing the Cremorne Point walk
Assuming you’re still keen for a little more walking, retrace your steps back to the turnoff you passed earlier and head up the stairs and onto the road. Walk up the hill and cross over to the other side of the road when you see the red walking sign. Follow the signs and after a little more road walking it will lead you into the other side of Cremorne Reserve.
You’ll have more epic houses on your left and the water on your right as you walk along the flat and shady path. It might run alongside houses but the vibe is absolute serenity. The little beaches with tiny wooden shacks down by the water made me feel like I was on an English seaside holiday!
At points you’ll just see the very tip of the Harbour Bridge peeking over the houses as well as the new Barangaroo Casino, which is slightly less picturesque than its iconic neighbour.
Here come the show stopping views
It’s not long before you come out of the wooded path and the views to your right completely open up. They are no doubt some of the most magnificent harbour views in the city and a delight to follow all the way to the end of the trail. This is the area where you’ll find lots of locals picnicking on the grassy verges by the water, and who wouldn’t? It’s a simply incredible view and one of the best picnic spots in Sydney.
Part way along the harbour path you’ll come to the famous Maccallum Pool, this is the local ocean bath which is free to use, and has, you guessed it, absolutely outstanding Harbour Bridge views. It’s such a delight that it is still free of charge when so many cities would charge a fortune for a vista like that. If you have more time it’s the perfect place to take a dip before finishing up the last 400m of the walk.
The walk finishes when you arrive back at the wharf where you can catch a ferry back to Circular Quay. There’s also a bus stop here if preferred.
The verdict
All in all, this is one of the best short walks in the whole of Sydney and an absolute must if you’ve never explored the area before. It was one of the first walks we did when moving to Sydney and if anything it gets even better the more times we do it!
If you’re looking for more harbour walks to compare it to, we have you covered in this guide.
Getting to and from the trail heads
The best way to start and end the walk is by taking the scenic ferry ride from Circular Quay to Cremorne Point Ferry Wharf, the journey takes eight minutes.
If you want to finish the trail early you can do so at Mosman Bay Ferry Wharf where you can take a boat back to Circular Quay, which takes 20 minutes. Alternatively you can take a bus directly from the wharf.
Packing suggestions for the walk
Having the right gear can make a huge difference. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Sunscreen: Cancer Council Active. With a high SPF, but not the greasy feel of other sunscreens. Makes a big difference when you’re working up a sweat on a sunny day! Check it out on Amazon
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item we always pack in our bag! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check it out on Amazon
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check them out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon
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Are you planning on a walk in Sydney? Do you know of a better short walk than the Cremorne Point Walk? Let us know in the comments below!
