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Gardeners Cottage

Sydney Harbour National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Overview

Replacement of Nielsen Park seawall

Construction to replace the concrete seawall at Nielsen Park is scheduled for completion in June 2024. Shark Beach will be closed during this time. Find out more about the improvements planned for Nielsen Park.

Treat yourself to a stay at Gardeners Cottage in the heart of Sydney Harbour National Park. This State Heritage-listed sandstone cottage is located by the beach in beautiful Nielsen Park, Vaucluse.

Accommodation Details
Accommodation type Cottage
Where 1 Fig Tree Road, Vaucluse, NSW, 2030 - in Sydney Harbour National Park
Bedrooms 2
Maximum guests 4
Facilities Barbecue facilities, cafe/kiosk, drinking water, showers, toilets, electric power, outdoor furniture, kitchen, plates and cutlery, pots and pans, bed linen, towels, washing machine, rubbish bin
Please note
  • A $300 security bond will be held against your card on the day of arrival or the day before.
  • Check in 2pm, check out 10am. Early check in is not available; attempting to enter before 2pm will set off an alarm. Fees may apply for late check outs.
  • Nielsen Park Kiosk and restaurant, The Nielsen, are currently closed due to renovation works. There are numerous cafés, food outlets and supermarkets only a short drive away in Vaucluse and Rose Bay.
  • You can pick up supplies at nearby supermarkets in Rose Bay.

Gardeners Cottage has everything you could hope for in a location. Located in Nielsen Park, you'll have harbour beaches on your doorstep. Enjoy stunning views as you walk along Hermitage Foreshore track, then explore the grounds of Strickland House.

Perfect for a couple or small family, waking up at Gardeners Cottage will fill you with delight. Your hardest decision will be whether to swim, walk, or picnic the day away. With so much to see and do, it’s the perfect opportunity to disconnect from the online world and get away from the stresses of daily life.

Enjoy breakfast and coffee at The Nielsen, a short walk from the cottage. You can also find cafes, bakeries, pubs and restaurants nearby in Rose Bay or Watsons Bay. The historic Vaucluse House is also nearby and offers tours and a garden café. 

If you're keen for some exercise take a longer walk to South Head via Parsley Bay, Camp Cove, and Watsons Bay. In winter you'll have a good chance of spotting whales between June and September as they migrate along the coast. And you may hear or see endangered powerful owls in the evenings. This special area is also home to 2 endangered plants – the Nielsen Park she-oak and the sunshine wattle.

This State Heritage-listed cottage is graced with a terracotta tiled roof and was built in 1851 for John Reeve. It was designed by J.F.Hilly in the picturesque Victorian gothic revival style.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Explore the area or hire these venues

 

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Hand holding a phone with NSW National Parks app on screen. Photo: Branden Bodman/DPIE

Things to do:

The Nielsen

Located in the picturesque grounds of Sydney Harbour National Park in Vaucluse, The Nielsen incorporates several dining spaces catering to a range of experiences.

People inside The Nielsen cafe in Nielsen Park. Photo: Simone Cottrell/DPIE

Bookings

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Park info

  • in Sydney Harbour National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
  • Sydney Harbour National Park is open sunrise to sunset but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

  • Park entry fees:

    Bradleys Head: $8 per vehicle per day. North Head: $5 per vehicle per day. Tap and pay card or phone payments accepted at pay machines. Coin payment available at Fairfax carpark machines only. Chowder Bay: Monday-Friday: $3 per hour, to a maximum of $16 per day. Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: $4 per hour, to a maximum of $20 per day. If you hold an NPWS All Parks or Multi Parks Pass, you can park free for up to four hours per day - additional time can be purchased. Car parks operated by Sydney Harbour Federation Trust or Mosman Council are not covered by your pass. Please check signs carefully. Park’nPay: You can also pay for your visit to any area via the Park’nPay app.

    Other fees:

    Landing fees or tour fees apply to visit Sydney Harbour islands. All public visitors to Shark, Clark or Rodd Island, need to pay a $7 per person landing fee. To arrange, please contact 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS). Annual NSW Parks Passes do not cover landing fees.

    Buy annual pass
See more visitor info