Nielsen Park — Attraction in Sydney

Nielsen Park is part of the traditional land of the Birrabirragal Aboriginal people. The site was an attractive occupation site due to its accessibility, supply of fresh water and fishing resources. Extensive archaeological evidence at Nielsen Park demonstrates use of the land for camping and fishing over an extended period. To date there are 14 recorded Aboriginal sites within the park, each containing middens, rock shelters and various aesthetic pieces. Archival records attest to the continuing use of the land by Aboriginal people post-European contact. For example, during the  Wentworth  occupation of the site 1827-1911 Aboriginal people were recorded to be camping at the site. The recorded sites and potential unknown archaeological deposits link the Birrabirragal peoples of the past to Aboriginal peoples of the present. The landscape continues to be of cultural value for Aboriginal people.

With the arrival of the Colonists the land comprising Nielsen Park went through several phases of private ownership. In 1793 Governor John Hunter made a grant to Thomas Laycock, Deputy Commissionary - General Quartermaster in the NSW Corps of 32 hectares (80 acres). Three years later in 1797 the land was purchased by Capt. Thomas Dennett and named Woodmancote. Six years later in 1803 Sir Henry Brown Hayes purchased the land along with another 40 acres and together the lands formed the Vaucluse Estate. Hayes built a house and cleared the land; 20 hectares (50 acres) for cattle, orchards and vegetables. Hayes also leased the land to Samuel Breakwell who in turn leased it to Sir Maurace O'Donnell, who then leased it to Captain John Piper. Piper went on to purchase some of the estate until in 1827 his economic circumstances took a downturn and he sold the land to William Charles Wentworth who was granted another 150 hectares (370 acres) bringing the Vaucluse Estate to 208 hectares (515 acres).

Previously part of the Wentworth Estate, the area which became Nielsen Park was once owned by William Wentworth. It was disused since 1898 after the death of Wentworth's last surviving unmarried daughter Eliza Sophia Wentworth, at a time when little of Sydney Harbour's foreshore was accessible to the public. From the 1890s, pressure built to buy back private land, and following agitation by the Harbor Foreshores Vigilance Committee (sic), the New South Wales Government took control of 9.3 hectares (22.9 acres) of the Vaucluse estate on 6 July 1910. Known as Vaucluse Park, it was soon renamed Nielsen Park in honour of The Hon. Niels Nielsen, the Secretary for Lands from 1910 to 1911,once an additional 21 hectares (51 acres) were added in 1911.

The historic 1851 residence Greycliffe Houselies within its grounds, and after 1911 served as a neonatal hospital and mothercraft residence before its eventual function as an office for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and visitors centre for the Sydney Harbour National Park.Nielsen Park is part of the traditional land of the Eora or Birrabirragal people. Shell middens lie on the walk west of Nielsen Park...

Beautiful place to take the kids for a picnic and a swim. Construction 🚧 has finally finished ✅️ Nielsen Park Vaucluse is now reopened. Nielsen Park, located in Vaucluse, is a heritage-listed part of Sydney Harbour National Park. It features Shark Beach with a netted swimming area, expansive lawns for picnics, and scenic walking tracks like the Hermitage Foreshore track. Dogs are not allowed at Nielsen Park. Shark Beach, located within Nielsen Park in Sydney's eastern suburbs, has reopened after extensive renovations. The beach, known for its calm waters and scenic harbor views, was closed for approximately three years.Nielsen Park offers one of the most picturesque locations on Sydney Harbour for a picnic, swim, and a short walk. Located in Sydney Harbour National Park at Vaucluse, it boasts 3 large, sheltered picnic areas and expansive lawns. Relax on the grass and enjoy your lunch beneath a shady fig tree. Once you've taken a swim at the glistening Shark Beach drop into The Nielsen cafe for a coffee or an ice cream while the kids build sandcastles. Stroll along the scenic foreshore walking track or explore the area by kayak. For a longer walk, explore Bottle and Glass Point or take a 3.6km return walk along the unmissable Hermitage Foreshore track for ultimate views of Sydney Harbour. Nielsen Park also features picnic areas, walking tracks, and the historic...

Located at 6 Steele Point Road, Vaucluse, New South Wales, Australia 🇦🇺. This is a wonderful park located directly facing the Sydney Harbour. It runs onto Shark Beach and gives a really protected place to swim. There’s fantastic shower amenities available for changing before and after a swim and plenty of places to sit and relax. I would’ve liked to see more tables/chairs and possibly BBQ’s. There’s a really pretty walkway that winds around the park. The canopy of beautiful old trees 🌲 makes the park so beautiful and creates protection from the sun. It’s a very wheelchair accessible park. There’s plenty of parking 🅿️ at the entrance to the park. I loved the shelving steps that face the beach. A good place to sit and watch the water or friends/family swimming. It’s a fantastic place to swim, the water is so clear and you are protected by the shark net. There’s great toilets facilities including disabled toilets. We came on a week day so there wasn’t really a lot of people but I imagine on the weekends or during holidays it would be packed. I had a fantastic day and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Neilsen Park. Thumbs...