Lavender Bay and Milsons Point Circuit Walk

Last updated: May 11, 2023

The Lavender Bay and Milsons Point circuit walk is a short but scenic walking trail on the lower north shore, offering stunning views of Sydney Harbour, the city skyline, and the Harbour Bridge.

Highlights and landmarks along this easy walking track include Bradfield Park, Luna Park, North Sydney Olympic Pool and Wendy’s Secret Garden.

Read on to find out more about this family-friendly walk and its highlights.

Lavender Bay Circuit Walk
Distance: 2.5km (circuit)
Time: 1 hour
Grade: Easy

How to Get to Milsons Point

There are various ways to get to Milsons Point. The easiest way would be by train from the city on the north shore line.

You can also catch a ferry from Circular Quay and cross Sydney Harbour to Milsons Point ferry wharf, located opposite Luna Park and the North Sydney Olympic Pool.

Or, if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can walk across the Harbour Bridge from the city and enjoy the views along the way.

City and Harbour views from Milsons Point
City and Harbour views from Milsons Point

Lavender Bay Walk Track Notes

The walking track as described below starts and finishes at Milsons Point train station.

While the walk is relatively short, it can take some time to complete as there are so many pretty sights and beautiful views to take in.

Top highlights along the Lavender Bay and Milsons Point circuit walk:

  1. Bradfield Park and Broughton St Lookout
  2. Luna Park
  3. Lavender Bay Foreshore
  4. Wendy’s Secret Garden
  5. Lavender Bay Parklands

Let’s look at these highlights in a bit more detail.

1. Bradfield Park and Broughton St Lookout

From Milsons Point train station, head south towards the Harbour and cross Bradfield Park underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Bradfield Park in Milsons Point
Bradfield Park in Milsons Point

The park extends to the Broughton St Lookout, perhaps the most scenic lookout point in Sydney with panoramic views of the city skyline, the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Broughton St Lookout
Broughton St Lookout

From the lookout, follow the picturesque walking path around the Milsons Point peninsula along the shoreline while enjoying incredible city and Harbour views.

The path continues under the bridge towards Luna Park and the historic North Sydney Olympic Pool.

North Sydney Olympic Pool
North Sydney Olympic Pool

Opened in 1936, the iconic, art deco-style swimming pool complex includes a 50m outdoor pool, a 25m indoor pool, a professional gym, and a sauna and spa.

Swimming in the outdoor pool with views of the Harbour Bridge is quite a unique experience.

2. Luna Park

The enormous face next to the swimming pool forms the entrance to Luna Park, Sydney’s world famous amusement park featuring fantasy architecture in classic 1930’s style.

Listed on the NSW Heritage Register, the park’s prominent Harbour location and unique architecture give it a special place in the hearts of Australians and visitors alike.

Entrance to Luna Park in Milsons Point
Entrance to Luna Park in Milsons Point

Before Luna Park was established, the location was used as an industrial site to support the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Upon completion of the bridge in 1932, the North Sydney Council opened applications for tenders to develop the site.

The development of Luna Park at the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge began in 1935, and the park opened to the public on 4 October in that same year.

Until 1972, Luna Park was closed during the winter months each year to allow for essential maintenance and upgrades.

Luna Park facing Lavender Bay
Luna Park facing Lavender Bay

Following the Ghost Train fire tragedy in 1979 which killed seven people, Luna Park was immediately closed and partly demolished. After an extensive redevelopment, the park reopened under the name Harbourside Amusement Park in 1982.

The park endured a series of safety, noise pollution and financial issues in the 1980s and 1990s, which resulted in another redevelopment at the start of the 20th century. Luna Park finally reopened in 2004 under new ownership and has continued operating ever since.

You can continue the walk through Luna Park (free entrance) or otherwise via the boardwalk that follows the foreshore of Lavender Bay.

3. Lavender Bay Foreshore

When walking along the picturesque Lavender Bay foreshore, you will notice an old rail line that follows the shoreline between Luna Park and Quibaree Park at the north end of the bay.

It was first opened to the public in 1893 as an extension to the North Shore Rail line between Waverton and Hornsby.

Lavender Bay foreshore
Lavender Bay foreshore

This section of the North Shore Line closed in 1924 in preparation for the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and in 1932 the main rail line was routed over the bridge. Today the Lavender Bay rail line is used for stabling trains and training purposes.

At the north end of the bay, climb up the steep stairs to discover Wendy’s Secret Garden.

4. Wendy’s Secret Garden

One of Sydney’s worst-kept secrets is Wendy’s Secret Garden, a green oasis of native plants, fig trees, beautiful flowers and a thriving community of birds.

But while most of us are familiar with Wendy’s Secret Garden, many Sydney-siders have yet to visit this beautiful and unique spot on the lower north shore.

Lavender Bay views from Wendy's Secret Garden
Lavender Bay views from Wendy’s Secret Garden

Created in 1968 by artist Wendy Whiteley, this beautiful garden has been featured on the radio, television, newspapers, and blogs countless times since its inception.

After her ex-husband, Australian artist Brett Whiteley, died in 1992, Wendy decided to transform a derelict piece of land into a beautiful garden.

Wendy's Secret Garden
Wendy’s Secret Garden

With the ashes of her husband and daughter buried in the garden, Wendy has continuously maintained and beautified the garden for us all to enjoy.

The garden is a beautiful place for office workers and residents to wind down, eat lunch, read a book, or enjoy the views.

5. Lavender Bay Parklands

Wendy’s Secret Garden is now part of the Lavender Bay Parklands, a collection of green spaces and parks in and around Lavender Bay, such as Clark Park, Watt Park, Quibaree Park, and the Lavender Bay Foreshore.

Dogs are welcome in the Parklands, albeit with a few minor restrictions. You can find more info about the Lavender Bay Parklands on the North Sydney Council website.

Keen to discover more walks and interesting sights on Sydney’s lower north shore? Have a look at Balls Head Reserve, or Berry Island Reserve, both very close to Lavender Bay.

If you enjoy this type of walk, be sure to check out our list of pretty bay walks in Sydney. All of these walking trails are relatively easy and offer panoramic views.

Map and Route

In the below map, the Lavender Bay circuit walk starts and ends at Milsons Point train station. Walk across the bridge or catch a train or ferry to Milsons Point.

Limited (and mostly paid) street parking in the area is available but can be hard to find on the weekends.

Map and route of the Lavender Bay and Milsons Point circuit walk

 

Lavender Bay and Milsons Point circuit walk

 
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