DK Travel : Sydney : Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour

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Arguably the most beautiful harbour in the world, it took the Parramatta and Lane Cove Rivers thousands of years to carve it from the sandstone. Well protected from off-shore winds, the harbour is also remarkably deep in parts. From its working docklands to its pristine and secluded beaches, this harbour is a natural asset that most cities can only dream of. Over the last 200 years the harbour has seen vast real estate developments, now comprising a lively array of apartment buildings and large residences, each vying for vantage points of the gorgeous harbour views and bustling maritime life.

Top 10 Attractions

1. Sydney Harbour National Park

This remarkable national park includes 5 islands. Aboriginal rock art sites, historic buildings, secluded beaches, monuments, lookouts and bushwalks are just some of its highlights. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) manages the park and operates several tours.
2. Harbour Beaches

Sydney’s harbour beaches are glorious and several have protective shark netting, including Shark Beach and Manly Cove (see Manly Cove). Parsley Bay, Camp Cove, and Lady Bay Beach in Watsons Bay are all gems and are accessible by ferry.
3. The Heads

3. The Heads

The rugged South and North Heads mark the entrance to Sydney Harbour and offer magnificent ocean and harbour views. They are particularly popular on Boxing Day when crowds gather to cheer on the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
4. The Islands

Of the harbour’s seven islands, Sydney Harbour Federation Trust manages Cockatoo and the NPWS manages Goat, Shark, Clark, Rodd, Spectacle and Fort Denison.
5. Harbourside Walks

Thanks to the Harbour Foreshore Vigilance Committee (see Nielsen Park), set up to retain harbourside land for public use, Sydney has great harbourside walks. Sydney ferries’ Go Walkabout booklet is a pocket-sized guide to some of the best options.
6. Harbourside Mansions & Penthouses

Among the fabulous abodes are Boomerang, built by music publisher Frank Albert, Craigend (Darling Point, owned by shipping mag-nate James Patrick), and Russell Crowe’s penthouse at Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf (see Elizabeth Bay).
7. Harbourside Parks

While some parks offer extensive walking trails, others are lovely pockets of shaded greenery. The best parks include Rushcutters Bay, Balls Head Reserve, the Botanic Gardens and Nielson Park.
8. Harbour Wildlife

8. Harbour Wildlife

Sydney Harbour is remarkably healthy, home to rainbow lorikeets, several species of shark and fish, sea horses, dolphins, the occasional whale and the only known Little Penguin breeding colony on the Australian mainland.
9. The Working Harbour

View the harbor’s working history at the National Maritime Museum, wander down Balmain’s backstreets, or discover the convict and maritime history of Cockatoo Island with the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.
10. Ferry Rides

10. Ferry Rides

No trip to Sydney is complete without a ferry ride (see On the Water). A journey to Manly is the classic trip, but other popular destinations include Watsons Bay, Balmain, Mosman and Darling Harbour.

Practical Information

Pack a picnic hamper and catch a water taxi to Clark Island for an al fresco lunch. There are picnic tables along the foreshore and walking trails through the bushland. Contact NPWS for details. On a sunny day, carry your bathing gear and towel on a harbourside walk. You will surely stumble upon an inviting beach or a harbourside pool. NPWS Information Centre: Cadmans Cottage, 110 George St, The Rocks 9247 5033 Open 9:30am–4:30pm Mon–Fri, 10am–4:30pm Sat–Sun Sydney Harbour Federation Trust: 8969 2100 www.harbourtrust.wwwwww. gov.au