Sydney Harbour
Sydney Harbour
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Secluded beaches, quiet coves and soaring headlands predominate this harbor, which is considered one of the world's most beautiful.
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Top ways to experience Sydney Harbour
The area
How to get there
- Circular Quay • 6 min walk
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Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
5,261 within 5 kms
Attractions
1,074 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- leuveenUnited Kingdom1,343 contributionsA beautiful spotA beautiful spot full of interesting things to do. You can either walk around, admire the architecture (or the bridge!), take photos of the top attractions, visit one of the many pubs and restaurants or just sit down and take a break.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 February 2024
- MathisSydney, Australia12 contributionsFamily fun at the HarbourA nice view and lively atmosphere, perfect for a weekend getaway with the family. From waterfront dining to interactive museums and entertainment venues, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Explore the vibrant atmosphere and attractions for a memorable family weekend at Darling Harbour.Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 27 February 2024
- ilovkpop76 contributionsIconic viewsWent to view the Harbour bridge and Sydney opera House. Weather wasn't ideal, but couldn't be helped. Naturally, a very busy area , with lots of visitors and camera phones. The views are well worth it though.Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 3 March 2024
- matschpflaumeBerlin, Germany231 contributionsMost beautiful harbor in the worldI sailed for 10 years and even then I loved it. And now we're back here on the Queen Victoria, it's wonderful. We've done a lot, but of course a lot has changed. But for me, Sydney is the most beautiful harbor and the most beautiful city in the world. Even Rio doesn't stand a chance!Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 March 2024
- need2trvlMiamisburg, Ohio843 contributionsBucket List Checked off!There are so many places and ways to enjoy Sydney Harbor. We enjoyed it by car, cruise ship, ferry, and walking different times of day and vantage points. We really enjoyed the area and park under the Harbor Bridge for a great view of the Opera House (especially at night). Walking along all the Pier by the Pier One Hotel was great early morning or night. Ferry you can see Cockatoo Island, UNESco Convict site. Loved watching people climb the Harbor Bridge. Another great location is by the Opera House. Enjoy!Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 March 2024
- Di PSunshine Coast, Australia22 contributionsSydney Beautiful One Day & Even Better on the HarbourSydney Harbour is certainly one of the wonders of the world. So easy to get around on ferries. Beautiful views. The ferry system is very easy to navigate with signage. Easy to tap on & off with your Opal Card.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 8 March 2024
- jbushman2017Nipomo, California523 contributionsPublic Ferry’s are Best way to ride around the HarborSydney harbor offers some of the best sights and views of any harbor in the world. With Opera House, the bridge and the different ferry destinations you can spend a day riding around on them. If our are a tourist that wants to ride on the ferries around the harbor you can book a private ferry boat. The easiest way, however to ride around on the harbor is to take her public ferries. You get on an off of them with a simple credit card so do not need to buy tickets in advance. Secondly, on weekends the ferries have a cap of $10 dollars, so if you use a credit card to ride the ferries, after the card has been charged $10 it will not charge you again, and all the rides you do the rest of the day will be free included the trams and buses.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 9 March 2024
- Ethan MNew York City, New York10 contributionsDefinitely worth visiting on your Sydney trip. Worth the hype.Busy area with a lot of tourists around. It's one of the must visit places in Sydney. Advised to visit during early hours to avoid the crowd and get better pictures. The views are beautiful and worth the hype. 5 stars from me. Highly recommended.Visited September 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 13 March 2024
- Naomi CAustralia2 contributionsIconic spot to take photoWe took photos on the side of the Gardens that is on the way to the Mrs. macquaries's Chair. That was an ideal spot! But you can also do the other side as it is less crowded there. Anyway this spot is iconic for a Sydney trip so don't miss it.Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 27 March 2024
- Traveling AmmoniteHeidelberg, Germany360 contributionsPeak sightseeing as far as harbors goI can see why this is the top destination in Sydney, like if you had two hours in the city I would still recommend that you go. You don't even have to like opera or distinctive architecture, just go. The view is nice, you can jog around the harbor - we saw many joggers and for like two seconds I was motivated to take up running again - and take a stroll in the botanical gardens after, you can check out the Rocks (or the Rocks Market on Sunday afternions), or just grab a bite to eat with a stunning view of water. Even the water is astoundingly clean for being a huge and famous destination. You can see the rocks on the sea floor!Visited October 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 October 2024
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5.0
21,977 reviews
Excellent
18,044
Very good
3,515
Average
381
Poor
27
Terrible
11
Mairwen1
United Kingdom12,070 contributions
Dec 2021
You can’t leave Australia without spending some time around or on Sydney Harbour. Even if you have very limited time in Sydney, I’d recommend taking at least one ferry trip. There are several ferry routes but the most top 3 are probably from Circular Quay to either Manly, Taronga Zoo or Watsons Bay. Any of these makes an excellent day trip.
Whichever destination you choose, crossing the harbour by ferry is an experience in itself. It’s a very different view of the city that you probably can’t get any other way.
The Manly Ferry is probably the most popular and ticks all the boxes in terms of seeing the main harbour sights.
Preferably, get a seat outside at the front of the ferry for the best views.
In the 30 minute trip, you will see the Harbour Bridge up-close, pass right by the front of the Opera House and pass Fort Denison as well as ’the Heads’ that make up the wide entrance into the harbour (Quarantine Head, North Head, South Head, Middle Head, Bradleys Head, Georges Head).
TIP: Using a pre-loaded Opal Travel Card is the best way to use the ferries (and can be used on other public transport).
Whichever destination you choose, crossing the harbour by ferry is an experience in itself. It’s a very different view of the city that you probably can’t get any other way.
The Manly Ferry is probably the most popular and ticks all the boxes in terms of seeing the main harbour sights.
Preferably, get a seat outside at the front of the ferry for the best views.
In the 30 minute trip, you will see the Harbour Bridge up-close, pass right by the front of the Opera House and pass Fort Denison as well as ’the Heads’ that make up the wide entrance into the harbour (Quarantine Head, North Head, South Head, Middle Head, Bradleys Head, Georges Head).
TIP: Using a pre-loaded Opal Travel Card is the best way to use the ferries (and can be used on other public transport).
Written 18 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sm00thtravel
Port Huron, MI257 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
We went to the harbor the first night in Sydney and every day after. It is undoubtably a place of constant activity and attraction! One can stroll the harbor and see the iconic skyline or stop at a coffee shop,restaurant or ice cream parlor to enjoy the view. Not to be missed!
Written 6 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DGC2013
Boston, MA32 contributions
Feb 2023
The harbour walk at night with the Opera House and Harbour Brigde light up in lazer and colored lights is seductive! My wife and I did it all three nights we were in Sydney. The boats and ships plying the waters, the diversity of people, and street singers created an energenic vibe we loved.
We took the ferry from Circular Quay to the Taronga Zoo which provided scenic views of the city. The zoo across the harbour looks down onSydney with the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge bookending the city.
We took the ferry from Circular Quay to the Taronga Zoo which provided scenic views of the city. The zoo across the harbour looks down onSydney with the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge bookending the city.
Written 13 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lets cruise
Miami, FL2,154 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
A center piece of the whole city. Everything happens right there. The Circular Quay being the point of origin of all the harbors ferries makes it very easy to get around the city. 3 Train lines and 1 Light rail line also originates out of this place and its walking distance to the Opera and the Bridge
Written 10 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike Spencer
Hagetmau, France67 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
Spent three weeks in Australia and had a wonderful time. Sydney Harbour is truly magnificent with so many places to visit. You can criss cross the harbour using the tap on top off ferries using your debit/credit card or opal card. We spent less than 40€ for a week, including Sydney Trains to and From Gosford.
The harbour is buzzing with too many wonderful attractions to list. We loved it.
The harbour is buzzing with too many wonderful attractions to list. We loved it.
Written 22 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ntjsmith
Lancaster, UK198 contributions
June 2023 • Business
Walked around the harbour on a recent business trip, absolutely stunning from Darling harbour right around under the bridge to the opera house and the Botanic gardens. A must for any visitor to Sydney. There was even an Angus Young impersonator playing all the back catalogue from AC/DC on the harbour front and stalling selling BBQ crocodiles, Emu and Kangaroo a truly Australian experience
Written 24 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony P
Brisbane, Australia3 contributions
Mar 2023
We drove from Queensland with our 23 foot motor cruiser and stayed on Sydney Harbour with their own transport and accommodation at a very low cost. It was phenomenal fun. From your own boat the harbour is wonderfully accessible. We could run a short in our tenders and walk to the main to instructions. We also got to go to some beach is that just aren’t accessible any other way. We left the boat trailers at Kssing Point right on the Parramatta River and had no hassles.
Written 6 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ITRT
Virginia46,163 contributions
Nov 2022
Sydney Harbor and Quay has it all! The harbor, known officially as Port Jackson, is the gateway to some of Sydney’s famous landmarks such as the Harbor Bridge, the Opera House, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. The quay is the city’s main transportation hub where ferries depart on a regular basis and is home to the Overseas Cruise Terminal. You can also catch a train or tram to farther out places like Hyde Park. The quay is bustling with locals and tourists alike. There are many harborside restaurants, souvenir shops, and museums. You can’t beat the views.
Written 24 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kaylie G
Brunei Darussalam45 contributions
Dec 2019
We were on a flying visit to Sydney for the day and came into the Harbour from Watson's Bay which was fabulous we got the water taxi. The view coming into the Harbour was good you get a great view of the Bridge and the Oprah House. The Harbour was busy but not to over crowded you have a clear view of the bridge from the walkway and you can walk all the way round the Oprah House. The views are great and unobstructed. There happened to be a Choir singing on the steps of the Oprah House which was an unexpected surprise and rather good. There are plenty of shops/restaurants to grab and drink/food but it was a bit pricey. Nice to walk around and take the obligatory photo.
Written 9 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly O
London, Ontario17 contributions
Mar 2023
Lots to see and do. Ferry travel out of this harbour along with many tour boats, as well as the city trains and light rail. Shopping in the area along with many restaurants.
Written 19 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Accomodation with veiws of Sydney opera house
Written 19 March 2019
Sorry, I cannot help you with that one. Try the local tourist office.
Written 22 March 2019
I see on the terms and conditions you can queue up at 9am.. is it necessary to get there early? Do you think its possible to find a spot to eat and drink, then head over around 11pm for the fireworks?
Written 12 November 2018
Yes the earlier the better to find a spot and reserve it
Written 11 May 2019
We're coming over for 3 weeks. We have a lot to pack in but have 2 days in Sydney. I want to get in a harbour cruise as it's the best way to see the harbour I'm told. Do we need to book it before we come or are the queues fast moving? Don't want to queue half a day to get tickets as I don't want to miss any other things. What do people recommend? -and what else should we see apart from the opera house, harbour cruise... giving harbour bridge walk a miss doe to vertigo. But is there anything I'm missing? Thank you :)
Written 20 November 2017
You can get on cruises pretty quickly as there are a fair few operating with some having shows etc
We have been a few times and easy to get on might wait for 30 min to hour.
The ferry is also another way of seeing lots of the harbour as can stop at various points for photos and is very inexpensive. We were surprised how much we saw on the ferry’s.
There is lots to do zoo, museums, restaurants, live shows, underwater world, Luna park for kids, casino you will be able to get lots of information from circular quay or darling harbour.
There are lots of short trips on buses and trains and if you search what’s on in Sydney will give you lots of options for sight seeing or thrill seeking depending what your into.
Hope this helps
Regards
Written 20 November 2017
Where is the best spot to view Sydney opera house and Sydney Harbour Bridge? is it from Mrs Macquarie's chair?
night or day is better?
Written 2 November 2017
For the opera house and bridge photos, Take the Pyrmont Ferry. You get good views of the opera house from the water. You actually go under the bridge, and get the iconic view of the opera house below the bridge at two of the stops before Darling Harbour.
For passing shots of the opera house and long shots with both the opera house and bridge take the Manly ferry (this trip will also provide you iconic shots of the harbour, Sydney heads).
Written 18 October 2018
Where is the cruise port located ?
Written 20 October 2017
There are 3 wards for international cruise ships that I know of being Circular Quay, Darling Harbour & Garden Island. If it's a local cruise you are looking for then Circular Quay is where most of the Ferries & Cruises leave from.
Written 20 October 2017
transportasi apa jika ke opera house dan berapa biayanya
Written 3 September 2017
Hay que reservar para subir al puente? Cuanto cuesta? Existe algún requisito para poder hacerlo? Gracias!!!!
Written 2 September 2017
Yes, you have to book in advance! It is quite expensive, about 300 AUS$. More details here bridgeclimb com
Please check my review, I also listed other options for a cheaper great view.
Written 3 September 2017
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