Sydney Harbour

Whether you like to see Australia's pride, the Sydney Harbor Bridge, or you would like to be serenaded and enchanted by the performances in the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour offers you with entertainment like no other. If you want this kind of thrill, just head to Port Jackson at the south-east coast of Australia and there you can enjoy Sydney Harbour.

The Sydney Harbour Story

Once upon a time, when the land where the harbour stood was still unnamed, there lived on the land four tribes: the Cammeraygals, the Eoras, the Wanegals and the Cammeraygals. In the northern portion of the harbour lived the Cammeraygals. While in the Parramatta River southern banks, one could find the Wanegals. Going south of the Harbor, meanwhile, is the abode of the Eoras. The southern side of land, west to Petersham, belonged to the Gadigals. The lands of the tribes remained untainted, until one day Lt. James Cook discovered the harbor and was interested by its seemingly good anchorage. Delighted with it, he named the place after the Judge Advocate Fleet, Sir George Jackson. Following the event, a colony, named Sydney Cove, was established at a place in Fort Jackson by Capt. Arthur Phillip. He then was so fascinated by the land that he wrote in his letter that the fleet had found the most magnificent harbour the world has to offer, a harbour so splendid that with it, numerous sails could ride with utmost confidence.

Places and Points of Interests in Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour is frequented by various visitors because of the scenic view provided by the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It also offers visitors with fun activities such as riding in a ferry, viewing musical performances in the the Sydney Opera House and strolling in the charming restaurants and shops.

Circular Quay is the ideal place for visitors to start with when visiting Sydney Harbour, as from here, most attractions in the area are readily accessible. Once used in the transportation of products, Circular Quay is now popular for the various area of amusement it provides. Upon coming to Circular Quay, visitors would at once notice the line of ferries going to and fro every minute bringing visitors to harbour attractions like Watson, Mosman and Manly. Aside from this, Circular Quay is the home of the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanical Gardens and The Rocks.

The Sydney Opera House, with its grandiose expressionist architecture is one of the most popular features of Sydney. It is situated in Bennelong Point and is the venue of many musical, ballet and theater performances. A point of interest about the Sydney Opera House is its architecture. A lot of people will find the sail-like roofs both unique and elegant, and reading from its history, Sydney Opera House during its construction was ahead of its time, thus an architectural breakthrough. The Sydney Opera House is also the abode of the Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Symphony and Opera Australia. Considered worldwide to be among the most popular venues, the Sydney Opera House has come to symbolize Australia. The Royal Botanical Gardens, meanwhile, boasts of a wide display of plants and birds where visitors can unwind as well as know something about plants. Both the Sydney Opera House and the Botanical Gardens can be reached by going through the walkway due south of the Circular Quay.

Strolling on the northern part of Circular Quay, one can behold The Rocks and the ever prominent Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Rocks is the oldest place in Sydney and is an enchanting combination of both the old and the new, the historic and the present. The Rocks was recreated to have a line of shops, restaurants and cafes without spoiling the old feel of the place. It is sometimes nicknamed “outside museum” with old historical structures and archaeological tidbits still preserved for people to graze at. The Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia's pride, meanwhile, rests between the North Shore and Sydney Central Business District (CBD). Aside from carrying people and vehicles traveling from both ends of the bridge, it also serves as a tourist spot for its BridgeClimb, a popular activity wherein people can climb on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Another attraction, which is near the Circular Quay area is the Taronga Zoo. It is a 12-minute ferry ride from the Circulay Quay. The Taronga Zoo is located at Mosman and is supported by the Zoo Friends organization. It has a large collection of both local and exotic animals. First opened in New South Wales, it found its new home, with the bar-less zoo in mind, in Sydney Harbour.

A trip to Sydney Harbour brings tourists a mix of class and pure fun. Whether it is about walking idly through parks and gardens, appreciating old architecture or looking at the different animals at the zoo, Sydney Harbour is a place everyone--kids and adults alike--can enjoy.