Boarding the ferry and sailing through the harbour to central Sydney is a fantastic start to the day. As we cruise round Bradleys Head, the two symbols of the city, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, come into view. This moment is truly breathtaking. As the ferry gets closer to Circular Quay, we glide past the Sydney Opera House offering a perspective of its dazzling sails that is going to be hard to beat.
Circular Quay has been at the centre of life in Sydney since the first fleet dropped anchor here in 1788, hence why most of Sydney’s key sights are concentrated in this area. Since the sun is in a good spot for a shot of the Big Two, I drift past the heaven-sent sails once more whilst circumnavigating Bennelong Point, then follow the waters edge to the gates of Royal Botanic Garden. I wander round these expansive gardens to get an unmissable perspective of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Arguably Australia’s most recognisable landmark, the billowing white sails of Sydney Opera House has a commanding presence in the harbour. Whilst the renovation works somewhat hamper my visit, I am mesmerised by this iconic building. I stroll back to Circular Quay past ‘The Toaster’ to check out the plaques of the Writers Walk. This series of metal discs, set into the promenade, which display quotes from well-known Australian writers, as well as notable overseas authors who lived in or visited Australia. My particular favourites are the contributions from Clive James, Barry Humphries and Germaine Greer.
A quick climb to the Cahill Walkway offers a different perspective of Circular Quay and then I pop into the Museum of Contemporary Art for a bit of culture. Exiting back into Circular Quay, I follow the waterline northwards towards the giant ‘coathanger’. As there is no ship docked in the Overseas Passenger Terminal, I climb to the top of observation deck for more impressive views of the harbour. I then wiggle through the charismatic back lanes of the Rock to the historic rooftop restaurant of the Glenmore pub. Here, I recharge my batteries, fill my belly and soak up yet more fabulous views of the harbour.
To walk off my lunch, I cross the majestic structure that is the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I climb the two hundred steps of the southeastern pylon to the Pylon Lookout to watch the ant-sized people on the BridgeClimb. I then stroll along the footpath that runs the length of the eastern side to Milsons Point and get the train back.
Next stop is the copper-domed Sydney Observatory atop of Observatory Hill for another perspective of the bridge. I then descend back to the harbour and wander through the Royal Botanical Garden once more to Mrs. Macquaries Point. From Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, an ancient seat chiselled into the rock, I enjoy watch the sunset over the bay and the city skyline.
Located within the building that once housed Sydney’s longest-running colonial hotel, dating back to the 1800s, I end my day in the Tap Rooms of Endeavour Brewing Co. for a well-deserved beer and some pub grub.
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