The Unique Beauty of Sydney Harbour

Pilot Guides

When the First Fleet of a British convicts and sailors landed in Sydney Cove in 1788 they had in fact discovered what many would later agree was the world’s most spectacular harbour.

Here are some of the highlights:

1. Sydney Harbour National Park

The National Park protects a number of islands and foreshore areas around this famous harbour. The park is home to superb swimming spots, bushwalking tracks and picnic areas, which offer a huge range of activities.

See native wildlife living in rare pockets of bushland once common around Sydney, or take a walk to explore the park’s cultural history. You’ll see everything from convict-built buildings and military fortifications to Aboriginal sites and a heritage lighthouse. And with the harbour’s staggering coastline creating an endless natural lookout, the park’s jaw-dropping views spectacular . If you’re at one of the park’s lookouts at the entrance of the harbour during winter, be sure to keep a lookout for whales on their annual migration north.

2. Harbour Islands

Named for the noisy sulphur-crested parrots who squawk their ownership at high-decibels, Cockatoo Island is the largest island in Sydney’s harbour – 18 hectares in size and set at the intersection of the Parramatta and Lane Cove rivers – and was an Aboriginal fishing spot before it was turned into a prison to house convicts from Norfolk Island. It then became a shipyard.

Known as Me-mel by the local Cadigal people, Goat Island was once inhabited by Bennelong and Barangaroo. Guided tours are available to explore the rich history of the island.

Other islands include Shark Island, Clark Island, and Rodd Island, which offer scenic picnic spots, and Fort Dennison.

The Navy still controls nearby Snapper and Spectacle islands. But all the others are managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service as part of the Sydney Harbour National Park, first gazetted in 1975.

Circular Quay

Circular Quay is always a hive of activity being a major transport hub interconnecting trains, buses and ferries. Ferries arrive here from all points in the harbour .Circular Quay is also central to Sydney’s major attractions: The Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, the Customs House, the Botanic Gardens, Museum of Contemporary Art and the New South Wales Art Gallery in the Domain.

Home to buskers and street entertainers, the area also offers a selection of dining options as well as centres for tour bookings, day trips and harbour cruises.

Harbour Ferries

Sydney Harbour is regarded as one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world – for good reason. This dreamy aquatic playground covers more than 240km of shoreline, with some 100 inner-city beachesand dozens of ocean pools to splash about in, not to mention swathes of native bush and postcard-perfect gardens. There are also plenty of landmarks, including Luna Park, Taronga Zoo Sydney, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The best way to reach them all? Via ferry. The main ferry hub is Circular Quay, Ferries have been used as public transport in Sydney for over 160 years, with the service now featuring a fleet of 32 vessels. Sydney Ferries currently operates 28 ferries and 2 charter vessels, mostly named after local beaches, Australian sportsman, and nine are named after the first fleet of ships to arrive here carrying 750 convicts and marines in 1788

If you’re after a bite-sized taste of the beauty of the Sydney ferries experience, the trip to Barangaroo from Circular Quay lasts about twenty minutes and scoots you under the Harbour Bridge, often via the gourmet village of Balmain, with its nexus of bars, cafés and restaurants. Your end point of Barangaroo is a major waterfront dining precinct, home to some glorious alfresco eateries and high-energy bars.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Completed in the early 1930’s ,Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks. Not only is it the largest steel arch bridge on the planet, but it also spans one of the globe’s finest natural harbours. Affectionately named the Coathanger by locals, it’s an intrinsic part of the city; you can walk or cycle across it and even climb to its peak for incredible views.

Sydney Opera House

The spectacular and ground breaking modernist construction is together with the harbour bridge a unique symbol tk the beauty of Sydney Harbour. Regarded as one of the great architectural works of the 20th century. It was completed in 1973 and brings together multiple strands of creativity and innovation in both architectural form and structural design.
As a great urban sculpture set in a remarkable waterscape, at the tip of a peninsula projecting into Sydney Harbour, the building has had an enduring influence on architecture.

The Rocks

The oldest settled part of Sydney on the harbour front.In 1788 the first cargo of convicts arrived in Sydney to form the first European settlement, which centred round the district known as The Rocks. While few traces of the early days are found here now, the area remains popular with tourists for its historical significance, not to mention its numerous picturesque cafes and expensive shops. The Colonial House Museum and Aboriginal & Tribal Art Centre offer educational and cultural opportunities in this part of town, or you can just find a spot to sit and enjoy the view.

Sydney Botanic Gardens

A showcase of Australia’s unique plant life . Established in 1816, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney provides a beautiful and restful retreat from city life. With features such as the Tropical Centre, the Fernery and even a picturesque restaurant, the gardens attract a wide range of visitors including tourists, local joggers, picnickers and even T’ai Chi classes.

Harbour Beaches:

Sydney’s coastline is home to some of the best surfing beaches in the world but it’s harbour also offers some spectacular beach settings and calmer waters . Popular harbour beaches include Balmoral on the north shore and Nielsen’s Park in Vaucluse and Camp Cive at Watsons Bay in the eastern suburbs on the south shore