What To See – Sydney Harbour Area
About The Sydney Harbour Area
The Sydney Harbour Area includes some of Sydney’s most famous sights including the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanical Gardens, and Circular Quay. For anyone visiting Sydney, the Sydney Harbour Area is the perfect place to begin sightseeing. My hotel was located in The Rocks which is an area just west of the harbour. As one of the most visited places in Australia, I am not going to go into great detail on the sights of the Sydney Harbour as there are already so many resources available.
What To See: Sydney Harbour Area - Table of Contents
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Circular Quay
Circular Quay is one of Sydney’s main transit hubs and has access to the Sydney Rail Network and the Sydney Ferry Network. In addition to the public transportation options, there are many private options, including Captain Cook Cruises. The ferries arrive at five wharves, numbered two through six. Behind the wharves is the train station which has direct service to both Sydney’s Central Station and Sydney Airport. Also important to note, there are public restrooms located near Wharf 2.
The Circular Quay area has many restaurants ranging from fast food to fine dining. There are also many shopping options from basic souvenirs to luxury brands. I highly recommend visitors begin their Sydney Harbour visit taking some time to familiarize themselves with Circular Quay.
There is a walkway around Circular Quay from the Overseas Passenger Terminal, which passes by the Sydney Opera House and connects to the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Harbour Bridge
Sydney’s Harbour Bridge is one of Sydney’s best-known sights. Connecting Sydney’s North Shore to the Central Business District the Harbour bridge is used by trains, cars, bikes, and pedestrians. Some of the best views of the bridge are from the Sydney Opera House or a ferry. It’s possible to take the ferry under the bridge by traveling towards Darling Harbour.
For those who are extremely adventurous, it is possible to climb the bridge. As of 2023, the cost of the Bridge Clim varies between A$163 and A$388. To learn more about climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and to support a fellow blogger, please visit Tom Henty’s blog clicking HERE.
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is Sydney’s best-known landmark. Tours are available for A$43 and tickets to shows can be as low as A$47. I did not go inside the opera house as I could only fit so much into a three-day visit. There is a circular path that surrounds the opera house so it can be photographed at every angle. On the west side of the path is the Opera House Cafe. Patrons can purchase food and drinks and eat outside with stunning views of the Opera House an Harbour Bridge.
In my opinion, the best way to photograph the Opera House is from the ferry.
Royal Botanical Gardens
Just east of the Sydney Opera House is the Royal Botanical Gardens. The gardens feature 74 acres of plant-lined paths with stunning views of the waterfront. The hours are seasonal and were from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm. Be sure to follow the stated hours, or you will be locked inside the gate. If that happens, there is a number to call, but I would not recommend getting locked inside. The best part was that there is no cost to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens
Once inside the gates, it is easy to find the various sights by following the signs. Each sign gives the distance in meters or kilometers as well as the estimated walking time.
Be sure to check the signs as you never know what you might see.
Even though my visit was in the winter, there was plenty to see. The gardens are set up to be a year-round attraction I loved walking around looking at the various trees and found their root systems fascinating.
The most spectacular of the trees was the Wollemi Pine. The pine is more than 200 million years old and was thought to long be extinct. In 1994, a living Wollemi Pine was discovered in Australia. Today, Wollemi Pines have been cultivated with one of those cultivations on display at the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Throughout the gardens, there were plenty of people relaxing on the various benches. The benches provided gorgeous views of the waterfront and gardens. In addition to native plants, there were some plant sculptures such as the koala pictured below.
The Calyx
The Calyx is located indoors and offers the chance to see interactive exhibits. Although inside the Royal Botanical Gardens, the Calyx has slightly shorter hours than the gates. During my visit, the Calyx was closed, so I was unable to go inside.
On display at the time were carnivorous plants which explains the hedges spelling out “bite me” near the entrance.
Mrs. Macquarie's Chair
In 1810, Lachlan Macquarie, Governor of New South Wales had convicts hand carve the sandstone in the shape of a bench for his wife, Elizabeth Macquarie. Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair is located just outside the gates to the Royal Botanical Gardens and overlooks Mrs. Macquarie’s point.
Visitors can take their picture while sitting in the exact spot Mrs. Macquarie used to sit.
Government House
The Government House has served as the heritage-listed vice-regal residence of the Governor of New South Wales, Australia and is also located just outside the gates of the Royal Botanical Gardens. The grounds of the Government House are open for tours from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Overseas Passenger Terminal
Just west of the wharves of Circular Quay is the Overseas Passenger Terminal. As one of Sydney’s two cruise ship terminals, it is not uncommon to see a massive ocean liner docked at the pier. During my three day visit to Sydney, I saw only one cruise ship, the Carnival Cruise ship pictured below.
Where to Stay
There are many great hotels located in the Sydney Harbour Area. I chose to stay at the Shangri La Hotel Sydney. For a detailed write-up please click HERE.
It is not necessary to take a tour to enjoy the Sydney Harbour. All of the attractions highlighted on this page can be enjoyed for free. There are some tours and packages that can enhance your visit to Sydney Harbour. I have linked 8 of them below. I am an affiliate partner of Viator. If you book a tour using one of the links below I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider booking using one of my links.
Prices are accurate as of June 2023.
Sydney Harbour Area Tours and Packages
 Sydney Harbour Tour by Helicopter - $176.12 Fly over beautiful Sydney Harbour by helicopter for a bird's-eye view of Sydney. Your expert pilot will provide informative commentary on all the sites as you soar through Sydney skies for approximately 20 minutes. You'll have the best vantage point of Sydney and its sparkling blue harbor, 1,000 feet up in the air during your memorable helicopter flight. |
 Sydney Opera House Guided Walking Tour - $29.12 Get an insider look at the World Heritage–listed Sydney Opera House on this 1-hour walking tour. Go behind the scenes with a knowledgeable guide who will entertain you with stories about the opera house’s controversial construction and the thousands of performances that have taken place there since it opened in 1973. Enjoy photo ops from off-limits vantage points, and upgrade to include a tasting plate at the Portside or Dine at the famous Opera Bar. Tours take place every 30 minutes throughout the day, so it’s easy to fit into your sightseeing schedule. |
 Sydney Harbour Afternoon Tall Ship Discovery Cruise - $46.56 Come aboard a grand old lady of the sea and set sail upon an authentic 1920s century Tall Ship for a 1 hour and 30 minute afternoon cruise on Sydney Harbour. Hoist the mainsail, heave the ropes or take a turn at the helm as you sail the waters of Sydney Harbour. |
 30-Minute Sydney Harbour and Olympic Park Helicopter Tour - $222.90 Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Opera House as well as the famous Olympic Park precinct from the seat of your helicopter. Your flight will start as you depart Bankstown Airport and head North to fly over the magnificent Sydney Olympic Park, home of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. You will then follow the Parramatta River all the way to Sydney Harbour, flying over multi-million dollar mansions along the way. Your flight will take you over the world famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, where you can wave to those doing the bridge climb before reaching Fort Denison. Your professional pilot will then turn your aircraft to offer you unparalleled views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and the Sydney CBD Skyline and more. |
 Sydney Opera House Guided Backstage Tour - $118.84 Go behind the scenes of the iconic Sydney Opera House on a backstage tour of one of the world's most famous performing arts centers! You'll gain exclusive access to areas of the Sydney Opera House that are normally reserved for staff and performers, including the stage and dressing rooms, while hearing from your expert guide about the real-life dramas that go on behind the curtain. To top off your morning, enjoy a full Australian breakfast in the Green Room. Small-group tour limited to 10 people ensures a more personalized experience. |
 VIVID Lights Sydney Harbour Cruise - $30.64 Starting in late May, Sydney shines with colorful light displays during the spectacular VIVID festival. Take a 1-hour evening boat cruise around the Sydney Harbour for front row viewing of lighted art displays that decorate Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay and more. With drinks available for purchase on-board, sip on a glass of wine, beer or soda as part of your unforgettable evening at VIVID Sydney. Your cruise ends at Darling Harbour, where you can continue to explore the illuminated waterfront at your leisure. |
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