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Sydney Harbour & Circular Quay
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The Manly Ferry leaving Circular Quay
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Many people think
that Sydney is built around Captain Cook's original landing place at
Botany Bay. That is actually the site of some rather uninspiring
industrial buildings, and the world famous Sydney Harbour is actually
known officially as Port Jackson. It will surprise few who have
experienced it to learn that, upon stumbling across the inlet, first
Governor Phillip declared that the crew of the Endeavour had ".. found the
finest Harbour in the world". It provided for security and the local
Dharak Aboriginal people had used the area for many years, knowing it to
be rich in food resources.
Today, the visitor's
demands are also easily met. There can be few harbours in the world where
you can take in world renowned sites like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and
the Sydney Opera House with just one casual glance. Nature has been kind
to the Harbour, and there are a number of attractive headlands scattered
along its 20km length. Thankfully, knowing the voracious nature of
Sydney's real estate market, the government has created the Sydney Harbour
National Park to keep these bushland headlands free from development.
If you only see one
part of Sydney Harbour during your stay, then make it the area around
Circular Quay. This is the heartland of the Harbour and home to the Bridge
and Opera House. It can be difficult to know what to look at first; the
best view of the Bridge is to be had from one of the cafes outside the
Sydney Opera House, whereas, a good vantage point for the Opera House
halfway across the Bridge.
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Cadman's Cottage on Circular Quay
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The beauty of these
structures is that their size makes for ample opportunities to view them
from different angles: try Milson's Point on Sydney's north shore for an
excellent exercise in getting a sense of scale on the Bridge and for a
view of the Opera House to the south. One pleasant walk you can take is
from Milson's Point, past the Bridge, taking in Luna Park and then heading
west over to McMahons Point from where you can get a square on view of the
Bridge, with the Opera House nestling beneath its vast arch.
Try the Lloyd Rees
Lookout at the end of Middle Street and Henry Lawson Park along Henry
Lawson Avenue. From here it is not far to the wharf at McMahon's Point,
from where you can enjoy a short, leisurely ferry ride back to Circular
Quay.
Indeed, the ferry
provides for an excellent guide to Sydney Harbour. One of the most popular
trips is the Circular Quay to Manly journey which takes about half an hour
($AUS 4.60 one way), and takes in the man-made and natural splendour of
Sydney Harbour. The joy of this trip is that you get to take in the
popular seaside suburb of Manly.
With a strip of
golden sand, cafes, restaurants and bars it is clear why so many people
make their way to this north shore destination in their hundreds every
weekend. The beach makes the area ideal for those who just want to kick
back and relax, whilst the 10km Manly Scenic Walkway and Manly National
Park make it popular with those who prefer to stay active.
Oceanworld at Manly is also a firm favourite with visitors, featuring
sharks and stingrays which really come to life at feeding time (12.15pm &
2.30pm). Entry is $14.50 for adults ($10 concessions), $7.50 for children
and there are some handy family packages available too. You can find
Oceanworld at West Esplanade, Manly 2095, Tel: (02) 9949 2644. It's open
everyday except Christmas Day, from 10am till 5.30pm.
Also visit the
Manly Visitors Bureau at Ocean Beach, South Steyne, Tel: (02) 997
1088, Fax: (02) 8966 8123, email:
vic@manly.nsw.gov.au, for details and maps.
Another good trip to
take on Sydney Harbour is to Fort Denison, located on the tiny Pinchgut
Island, a former prison which was used to accommodate difficult convicts.
It was originally designed during in the nineteenth century to act as a
defence against the perceived threat from Russian forces during the
1855-57 Crimean conflict.
Sydney Ferries can
take you there at weekends - the
National Parks and
Wildlife Service is currently building a "low-key" café in the former
barracks which will give stunning views of Sydney Harbour. It is due to
open soon.
Finally, Goat Island
(02) 9555 9844 is another tiny island stuck out in the middle of Sydney
harbour. It has been variously used as a shipbuilders and a quarantine
station, and the 3 hour tour is an informative insight into the history of
not only this island but the Harbour as a whole. Catch a ferry from the
Harbourmaster's Steps at Circular Quay. The tour and transport to and from
Goat Island will set you back about $AUS 12.
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