Top
5 Things to do in Sydney
The very best
things to do in Sydney
What are the
best things to do in Sydney? - Cruise Sydney Harbour and catch the Manly
Ferry
1 Catch the Manly
Ferry from Circular Quay in Sydney Harbour to Manly
The City of Sydney was built
around beautiful it's beautiful harbour, with the Sydney
Harbour Bridge stretching from the city centre across the water to
North Sydney, and the Sydney Opera House perched on the foreshore next
to Circular Quay. The best things to do in Sydney would look very different
without the harbour.
Picturesque Sydney
A Sydney Ferry is the perfect
way to appreciate just how beautiful Sydney really is. The Manly Ferry
will give you an excellent vantage point to enjoy the full splendour
of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. They are all yours
for the photo taking.
Sydney Cove
 Manly
Ferry heading back to Sydney Cove from Manly
Arrive a little early at
Circular Quay to ensure a good position in the queue. Aim for either
the front or the back of the Manly Ferry for the best view of the Sydney
Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House as you depart Sydney Cove.
Sydney Heads
Your voyage will last approximately
thirty minutes allowing you time to enjoy some of the best scenery the harbour has to offer. It can get a little choppy as you approach Sydney
Heads so be prepared to retreat inside.
Manly Ice Cream
Upon your arrival in Manly
check out the large new Manly Wharf Pub and Restaurant on your right.
If you can, resist the delicious ice cream, or the Max Brenner Chocolate
Bar, in the Manly Ferry Wharf.
Manly Fast Ferry
Consider catching the new
Manly Fast Ferry service on the way back across the harbour to Circular
Quay as it will do the same trip in around half the time.
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2 Sydney
Harbour Cruise
If you'd prefer an organised
cruise of the harbour then there are quite a few to choose from. You will
find most of the major tour operators like Captain Cook Cruises; operate
from Wharf No.6 on the west side of Circular Quay.
Sydney Harbourside Mansions
Most of these vessels are
quite comfortable and it can be a very civilised way to see and hear
about the harbour. Be warned that Sydney is obsessed with property prices
and so don't be surprised if the guide starts telling you who lives
in each waterfront mansion and how much they paid for it.
Sydney Ferry or Sydney Cruise?
Everybody goes on a Sydney
Harbour Cruise. Just bear in the mind the harbour looks equally fabulously
the same from the deck of a Sydney Ferry or a Sydney Cruise Boat.
The advantages of a cruise
The advantages of going on
a cruise are that it lasts longer than a ride on a Sydney Ferry and
provides commentary.
The disadvantages of a cruise
The main disadvantages are
that a cruise lasts longer than a ride on a Sydney Ferry, provides commentary
and costs more.
Catch the ferry and go on
a cruise
My advice is to catch the
Manly Ferry first and then decide. It is certainly easy to argue that
the best way to see Sydney is from the harbour (but she also looks pretty
awesome from the air).
How ever you look at it and however you experience it, the harbour is
one of the best things to do in Sydney.
Coffee Cruise and/or
Night Cruise
There are many
excellent Sydney Harbour Cruises to choose from. You can see many of
the Sydney's top sights from the harbour in just an hour or two. If
time allows, it is worth cruising at night so you can fully appreciate
the city lights, particularly during the Vivid
Festival.
Tall Ships
and Sailing - Recommended Sydney Harbour Cruises
As you might
expect, you can do more than just look at all the wonderful scenery
whilst cruising the harbour. You can go sailing for example, you can
even sail on-board an authentic Tall Ship.
Which Cruise
to Choose?
A review of
recommended harbour cruises might help you to decide which
cruise to choose?
3 Catch
a Sydney Ferry from Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour to Darling Harbour and
return
Once again, the harbour is
part of the top 5 things to do in Sydney with a ferry ride to Darling
Harbour from Circular Quay. The trip lasts approximately ten minutes taking
you under the Sydney Harbour Bridge as you head out of Sydney Cove. The
brief trip brings with it more opportunities to add to your collection
of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House photographs. You'll probably
stop at Balmain along
the way.
Darling Harbour - Playground
for Locals and Visitors alike
The Darling Harbour project
was publicly criticised at first, but Darling Harbour has grown to become
a popular and extensive Sydney playground for the locals and a key attraction
for visitors. Darling Harbour is also very popular with families.
Darling Harbour Attractions
Darling Harbour is full of
attractions including the Imax
Theatre, Sea
Life Sydney Aquarium, (said to be one of the largest aquariums in
the world), Sydney Wildlife World with over 5,000 Aussie critters, the
Monorail, the family
friendly Powerhouse
Museum and the popular Australian National Maritime Museum. In addition,
there are many Harbourside shops to browse through and cafes, bars and
restaurants to enjoy.
The Star or Star City
Sydney Casino, Star City
now renamed The Star, is also worth a mention if only for the Lyric
and Star Theatres.
Darling Harbour Festivals
Darling Harbour is home to
a growing number of Sydney Festivals including the Australia Day spectacular,
a Latin American Fiesta, the Jazz & Blues Festival and the Hoopla
acrobatic and street theatre festival. Check out the Festivals
in Sydney page for the top festivals currently on in Sydney and
the Sydney Entertainment page for
other top events.
Don't stay in Darling Harbour
for too long
It's very easy, with so many
attractions in one spot, to stay too long. If you have limitless time
and a robust budget then that's not a problem. If you don't, then you
had better not forget the ferry back to Circular Quay. You still have
another 100 or so things to do in Sydney
4 Walk from Manly Ferry Terminal
(Manly Wharf) to Shelly Beach
Manly features once more in
the top 5 things to do in Sydney as it feels more like a seaside town
rather than part of the largest city in Australia. The ocean side is east
of the Manly Ferry Terminal (Manly Wharf). Just cross the road and walk
the length of the Manly Corso.
Nautilus sculpture at Manly
Wharf
Stop and wonder at just what
Manly Council was thinking off when they commissioned the steaming Nautilus
sculpture at Manly Wharf, locally referred to as the "steaming
dog poo", just outside the ferry terminal. Don't forget to wipe
your feet.
Fairy Bower
Numerous pubs, cafes and
shops will crave your patron along the way. Fairy Bower, on route to
Shelly Beach, would be my choice for lunch and the Kiosk on Shelly Beach
is also worth considering but either, or, or not, Manly boasts a million
and one places to eat so you won't starve.
Shelly Beach
As you approach Shelly Beach
keep an eye out for the rock art to your right. Shelly Beach is an excellent
spot of diving and has free barbeques and shaded areas behind the beach
perfect for picnics. Once you've reached Shelly Beach you can walk up
to and across the car park for cliff top views out to sea.
Walking and the Manly Little
Penguin
Manly boasts many other walks
including a chance of seeing a Manly Little Penguin. Unfortunately,
the Little Penguins are endangered so it is far from certain that you
will actually see one, but you never know your luck.
Manly Bike Tours
.jpg) The
hard to beat Manly Bike Tours
It is hard to beat a self-guided
bike tour that takes you through a National Park incorporating secluded
coves, deserted beaches and unforgettable coastal scenery. When you
consider you'll be cycling through Manly and North Head you might start
to wonder how much this is going cost. Well it's only $28 per person.
Beat that.
For more details visit Manly
Bike Tours
5 North
Head, Manly
North Head (not far from Manly)
will provide you with a stupendous view of the harbour with coastal cliffs
and the city skyline behind. Depending on the time of year, and if you're
lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a migrating humpback whale. If it's
wet, or very windy, you might want to postpone this for another day. Too
far to walk from Manly - either drive, cab or bus it from the Manly Ferry
Wharf.
North Fort
Visit North Fort for fortifications,
tunnels and guns, being home to The National Artillery Museum. North
Fort boasts a cafe with a view to go with the refreshments. Alternatively,
make use of the picnic and barbecue facilities.
North Head Views
Look out of, and for, the
North Head lookouts with sweeping views over the ocean and around the
harbour. It is the combination of all these delights that makes North
Head such a great place to visit. The natural flora and fauna of North
Head and the Sydney Harbour National Park combined with great Sydney
views and interesting history.
Manly Bike, Hike and Canoe
 Are
you 'Manly' enough?
A bit of biking, hiking and
kayaking tends to separate the boys and girls from the manly and womanly.
This is a full-on Manly experience you won't forget.
Athletes not Required
You don't need to be an athlete
to do this, but if you like to be a little different, and can handle
a full day's adventure, then this is for you. You will see close up
and personal many aspects of the harbour that most locals have never
experienced.
Follow the 'Next Page' link
below to take you to the next installment of the best things to do in
Sydney.
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