Cremorne Point Walk – The Best Harbour Walk in Sydney

Sydney is blessed with an abundance of public land lining the harbour’s edge, allowing us all access to explore the foreshore. Cremorne Point Walk is a fabulous way to see the city from a new perspective. If you are short of time, this is a lovely place to spend a few hours just soaking up the harbour views. 

You can complete this nice easy walk in one hour or so, longer if you wish to stop to enjoy the view or stroll through the gardens.

What you will see on this beautiful harbour walk

  • A 33m harbourside swimming pool with federation style picket fence opened that in the 1930s
  • Stunning views back across the harbour to the Sydney Opera House
  • The very picturesque Robertson Point Lighthouse
  • A gorgeous heritage-listed garden created by a local couple, Lex and Ruby Graham, in the 1960s that is possibly more of a secret garden than The Secret Garden
  • Excellent examples of Federation architecture that are you will be daydreaming about for some time!

Step by Step Photo Guide to Cremorne Point Walk

So let’s get going.

When you exit the Cremorne Point ferry wharf, head to the left and walk along the foreshore away from the harbour so you can take in the view. Be sure to check out the picket-fenced swimming pool. When you are done, retrace your steps to Cremorne Reserve.

Maccallum Pool

In warm weather, we suggest you pack your swimmers and take a dip in this lovely harbour pool with its views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Originally a rock pool created by former Olympic swimmer Fred Lane, the first proper version of the swimming pool was built by local man Hugh Maccallum in the 1920s.

These days there is no entry fee, and the pool is open most days unless being cleaned. The North Sydney Council website lists the cleaning dates.

Maccallum Pool Mosman on Cremorne Point
With no entry fee and this view, the pool can get popular on hot summer days.

Harbourfront homes and stunning harbour views

The path is lined with large houses mostly built between 1910-1930. In its early days, the area attracted residents who favoured more unique building styles than existed in Sydney at the time. Some of these large homes have now been converted to apartments.

Homes converted into apartments along Cremorne Point walking path
Waterfront apartments at Mosman

With views like these, the hefty price tag on rentals does not seem to put people off. Renting a three-bedroom apartment in this area will set you back approx $1000 a week!

This view of the city from Cremorne
This view of the city from Cremorne from just left of the pool in Shell Cove

Cremorne Point Reserve

Cremorne Point Reserve has a long history of making Sydneysiders happy. The reserve was once home to the Cremorne Pleasure Gardens, an amusement park that operated from 1856 to 1862. A small ferry brought visitors from Sydney across the harbour to enjoy an afternoon riding the carousel or showing off their archery and pistol shooting skills.

In the evening, a dance hall operated, attracting those who wanted to escape Sydney for the night to let their hair down in relative privacy. Sadly, it closed after residents complained about the debaucherous behaviour. Sound like our current lockout laws have a bit of history. 

These days, you are more likely to find kids playing on swing sets and picnickers enjoying the city skyline view. There are public toilets if you need them before you start walking.

Robertson Point Lighthouse

Also known as Cremorne Point Lighthouse, the small but still active lighthouse sits on the tip of Roberton Point. You can walk out on the wharf by the lighthouse via a small bridge.

This is a brilliant spot to sit and watch life on the harbour. You can also get some lovely photos from here; it’s particularly pretty in the early morning light.

National Trust listed Lex and Ruby Graham Gardens

Next up on the path, you will come to an area of well-planted garden beds leading down to Sydney Harbour’s edge. A local couple built these gardens in the late 1950s and worked on them for the rest of their lives. Today they are maintained by volunteers.

Lex and Ruby Graham Gardens Cremorne
The story of how the garden began from a single elephant’s ear bulb

Unless you are in a hurry, take a few minutes to wander down one of the little paths

Lex and Ruby Graham Garden bed Cremorne Point Walk
Along the path, so many hidden garden beds,

The gardens stretch to the water’s edge, and there are lots of small trails that crisscross the space that kids will love to explore.

Mosman Bay Federation house
Grand homes line the walking path

Back on the tracks and the impressive homes just keep on coming. This one is my personal favourite!

Mosman waterfront home with pool
What I wouldn’t do for a backyard like this one!

Lunch at Mosman Rowers

With its stunning waterfront location, the Rower’s Club is a perfect place to stop for a quick drink – or to stay and enjoy a long lazy lunch before you eventually head back to the ferry.

Mosman Rowers Cremorne Point Walk
The Rowers Club – an excellent way to end the Cremorne to Mosman Walk

After lunch, if you feel like walking a little longer. You can continue around to Taronga Zoo, from Taronga Zoo to walk around to Bradley’s Head, Clifton Gardens or Balmoral Beach for more amazing views and some great food. 

Cremorne Point Walk Key Facts

Length: 2km.
Public transport rating: super easy, ferry at start and finish (Cremorne Point and Mosman Wharf)
Wheel-friendly: Yes, almost the entire route is along concrete paths
Dog-friendly: yes, on a leash on the paths
Lunch options: Mosman Rowers or pack a picnic – there are picnic tables at Cremorne Point Reserve.

A similar walk – the Cremorne Point Circuit walk starts and finishes from the Cremorne Point ferry wharf, but we prefer to do it one way and finish at Mosman Rowers for a drink.

How to get to Cremorne Point Walk

By Public Transport

We strongly suggest you travel to Cremorne by bus or ferry. Street parking is limited. You will probably find you walk further from your car than you will from the ferry.

Route F6 – Circular Quay to Mosman or F2 Taronga Zoo Ferry

It is only a 15-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay.

Either of these will get you to Cremorne Point Wharf. However, if, like us, you miss it and don’t fancy waiting 30 mins for the next one, you can take the F5 to Neutral Bay and get off at Kurraba Wharf. From here, it is a slightly longer walk with some steep hills to raise the heart rate, but it allows you to explore the full extent of Cremorne headland. Return to the Quay from Mosman Bay Wharf.

By Car

Parking is incredibly hard in this part of the city, so expect to have to walk quite a bit. Make your way to Military Road and turn down Murdoch Street and then Milson Road. Park as soon as you see a space!

Resources

We have dozens of walks on our site you can follow or stick with one of the most popular ones below.

We can’t think of a better way to spend a sunny day in Sydney than on one of these lower north shore walks and see the Sydney Harbour with new eyes. Want more walks? Check out our favourite Sydney coastal walks too!

First published July 23 2013, fully checked and revised March 2023

29 thoughts on “Cremorne Point Walk – The Best Harbour Walk in Sydney”

  1. Oh wow, the views! Can you imagine not just an apartment but having the whole of one of those harbourview houses? And that back garden with little pool in the lawn, that looks amazing!

  2. Wow, I would get a serious case of ‘house envy’ if I walked along there. It looks like the sort of place where I WOULD go though, there’s so much detail in your guide.

  3. This looks like a fab way to build an appetite before dinner or drinks in Sydney. It’s ages since I’ve visited and we were far too lazy to walk but would be more keen to do this if I were to return now.

  4. I totally want that backyard with the pool and the amazing view! But I think I’d need a little more shrubbery for a bit of privacy.

  5. Would love to do the Cremorne Point Walk; part of Sydney we haven’t experienced yet. We’re based in Canberra so only a short 3 hour drive – have a two day escape planned for March, so will aim to jump over to Cremorne Point Wharf – thanks for the tip!

  6. I came home and starting looking at rentals along the route quite seriously for about 30 mins and then remembered I really like traelling so I better stay put!

  7. That is such a nice walk. It’s crazy how much rent costs in “normal” housing in Sydney these days… let alone suburbs like Cremorne!

  8. I know – it’s criminal – but if you get a couple of blocks back from the water it’s almost the same price and things in the inner suburbs.

  9. Wow, those houses are gorgeous and the views are amazing–great pics! The Lex and Ruby Graham Gardens look really great too. Looks like a perfect spot for some amazing photos!

  10. I have never been in Australia and had no idea that Sydney has such beautiful greenery! How relaxing morning walks on that waterfront path could be! Lucky are those who live there.

  11. What a beautiful and quaint little walk in the bustling, tourist heavy Sydney Harbour. It’s so nice to see that Lex and Ruby’s gardens are still being maintained by volunteers, but be very peaceful over there.

  12. I think we will do this walk on our next visit to Sydney, looks awesome, and it includes a ferry ride. I love to get out on the water.

  13. Fantastic guide! I love the photos and the tips. I have tried this route a couple of times and I always end up staring at the sceneries. Those homes and the views are simple too amazing to ignore.

  14. Hi Paula, just discovered your blog post. The Cremorne Walk is also a favourite Sydney walk for me. I used to go there twice a week to provide French lessons to two households that had spectacular views over the harbour. I do miss it… especially the little coffee place at Cremorne Wharf! 🙂

  15. Thanks for your post! – heading off to follow your advice this morning!!

    Chris

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