Circular Quay, Sydney: Address, Phone Number, Circular Quay Reviews: 4.5/5
Circular Quay
Circular Quay
4.5
About
Circular Quay is a colorful port where ferries and cruise ships board and depart, and boat watching can be as good a pastime as people watching. While street performers entertain outside, those wanting a more cultural experience can head into the Museum of Contemporary Art where a sculpture garden on the roof is as much a view as the waterways below.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Top ways to experience Circular Quay
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Central Business District
The Sydney Central Business District is abuzz with energy. Power brokers run to and from high rise buildings and after-work drink places, high-end shoppers tour venues like the QVB, and fine diners frequent the many celebrity chef restaurants. For a dose of culture, walk to the NSW Art Gallery, or visit the Sydney Museum. To escape the hustle and bustle, reconnect with nature at the Sydney Botanical Gardens or picnic lunch at High Park. No matter your interest, be sure to check the full calendar of events hosted by the city, from the Sydney Festival in January to October’s Good Food Month at Hyde Park.
How to get there
- Circular Quay • 1 min walk
- Wynyard • 9 min walk
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
5,046 within 5 kms

William Blue Dining
492
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • European • Healthy • Australian

Playfair Cafe
509
0.4 km$ • Cafe • Australian • Vegetarian Friendly

La Renaissance Patisserie (The Rocks)
630
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • French • Cafe

Aria Restaurant Sydney
3,019
0.4 km$$$$ • Contemporary • Australian • Vegetarian Friendly

Gelato Messina Circular Quay
350
0.1 km$ • Australian • Gluten Free Options

Mode Kitchen & Bar
246
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Contemporary • Australian • Vegetarian Friendly

The Grand Pavilion
290
0.5 km$$$$ • Indian • Australian • Vegetarian Friendly

The Spice Room
1,022
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Indian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

Four Frogs Creperie Circular Quay
425
83 m$$ - $$$ • Dessert • French • Cafe

Cafe Sydney
4,190
83 m$$$$ • Australian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Attractions
701 within 10 kms

Customs House
208
51 mArt Museums • History Museums

Sydney Ferries
21,213
57 mFerries

Justice & Police Museum
252
0.1 kmSpeciality Museums • Historic Sites

My Fast Ferry
475
0.2 kmFerries

Harbour Ferry Wharves
48
80 mFerries

Sydney Light Rail
156
0.1 kmPublic Transportation Systems

Museum of Contemporary Art
1,201
0.2 kmArt Museums
Hinchliff House
1
0.1 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Amp Building Sydney
1
0.1 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

Jessie Street Gardens
2
62 mGardens
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
4,312 reviews
Excellent
2,398
Very good
1,538
Average
326
Poor
38
Terrible
12
bob2bkk
Bangkok, Thailand5,780 contributions
Apr. 2022
It is one of the most crowded areas in Sydney. Tram lines start there, a major train stop above ground and the ferry terminals, along with passenger cruise ship terminal. Museums, restaurants, and lots of outdoor space to walk, sit and watch the crowds. Also adjacent to the popular Rocks area.
Written 16 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Helen W
Wagga Wagga, Australia99 contributions
May 2022
Lots of places to eat and drink. Easy to get to and easy to find your way around. Close to the Opera House, and easy to commute by ferry.
Written 11 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TeamBrad
Santa Fe, NM48 contributions
Apr. 2022
What better area to wonder, to see the Opera House, to stroll thru the Rocks and Dawes Point, and to view one of the most iconic bridges in the world. And of course to catch ferries!
Written 7 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
quekl
Singapore, Singapore133 contributions
Apr. 2022
Happened to walk there after going to seeing Sydney Opera House.
Was not crowded. Nice walk. Walking distance to The Rocks. Ferry terminal is there- can consider taking a day trip to the north or the zoo.
Otherwise, take the light rail to other parts of Sydney. Or even just to GVB!
Was not crowded. Nice walk. Walking distance to The Rocks. Ferry terminal is there- can consider taking a day trip to the north or the zoo.
Otherwise, take the light rail to other parts of Sydney. Or even just to GVB!
Written 30 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Pete S
Melbourne, Australia34 contributions
Dec. 2021
Trains and ferries to almost anywhere in Sydney including the airport train. Pharmacies, an alcohol bottle shop, lots of buskers most days. Good selection of fast food, through to casual and formal dining. A very pleasant walk to the opera house and Botanical Gardens as well as the Rocks and the iconic overseas terminal. Catch the ferry to Darling Harbour or deep into the harbour to Parramatta or across to Manly. You only life once! Go for it.
Written 5 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Anthony S
Brisbane, Australia1,688 contributions
Mar. 2022
Major transport intersection with ferries, trams and trains all converging here. Plenty of places to eat and enjoy yourself. Parks and gardens close by.
Written 27 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ahh
Port Macquarie, Australia77 contributions
Mar. 2022
Love the waterfront cafes, ferries coming and going. The atmosphere is abuzz. Stopping here is a must.
Written 22 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Fuzz K
Sydney, Australia242 contributions
Jan. 2022
Ferries coming and going the Coat Hanger (Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House - all there and with some great cafe's and restaurants.
Written 31 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JnVSydney
Greater Sydney, Australia14,107 contributions
Sep. 2021
You could say this area is Sydneys transport hub, International cruise ships park here, which is totally amazing for the visitors, it is the ferries hub as well as trains, light rail and buses all stop here.
the quay itself has a nice vibe about it, especially on weekends, a more laidback feel, looking out the bridge is to the left and the Opera house is on the right, the perfect setting to upon, Sydneys icons.
the quay itself has a nice vibe about it, especially on weekends, a more laidback feel, looking out the bridge is to the left and the Opera house is on the right, the perfect setting to upon, Sydneys icons.
Written 21 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
blackeldo
Kiama, Australia2,171 contributions
Nov. 2021
Here’s the thing. Few people go to Circular Quay as a final destination. Most pass thru on the way to somewhere else – a ferry trip to one of the numerous beaut locations around Sydney Harbour** or a walk to one one of the many close locations – The Rocks**, The Opera House**, The Museum of Contemporary Arts** , The Botanic Gardens** or one of rhe cafes just to the right along the way to the Opera House** or to the left in Lower George St., The Rocks**. Or even to get on one of the huge ocean liners at the nearby International Cruise Terminal**. You can also jump on heavy rail upstairs, lighrtail (trams) immediately south or buses a bit fiurther south to just about anywhere.
But it’s okay as a final destination. Maybe people watching is yer rhing – you won’t tire of watching joggers, cruisers with their huge bags, business types (it kills me to see the business suite/skirt wirh joggers and the dress shoes in a handheld bag) and myriad tourists (I like playing “guess from where” - “funny” clothing and accents help). There’s never a shortage of buskers. Or you may choose to do a meal/snack in one of the several restaurants beneath the expressway/rail-line section. There’s also plenty of faster-food options in the area, particularly at the inland end of the various ferry quays.
TIPS – not sure of best time of day to call by. I’ve been at many times and there’s always something happening.
- a board at the inland end of most quays tell which wharf, what time to where.
- a relatively unknown zone is the walkway along the Quay side of the elevated Cahill Expressway – this gives a great overview of the Quay and is also a shortcut to the Botanic Gardens to the east and The Rocks to the west. Access via a lift at eastern end of Quay.
How can it be improved? Well I lack a certain amount of imagination but the thing is every-time I pass thru (maybe a dozen times a year which aint bad for a non-Sydney local) there is something new going in. So the authorities are improving it all the time.
Plus something for sure – trendies are always going on about how the Cahill Expressway and the lower rail-line should be put in a tunnel underground. Now my background is economics and on a cost/benefit basis that make zero sense – the better idea would be to cantilever some sort of pedestrian/dining zone out from the existing Cahill walkway, which would give a magic overview or rhe Quay, Bridge and all the other nearby stuff - and would be a destination rather than a focus.
But it’s okay as a final destination. Maybe people watching is yer rhing – you won’t tire of watching joggers, cruisers with their huge bags, business types (it kills me to see the business suite/skirt wirh joggers and the dress shoes in a handheld bag) and myriad tourists (I like playing “guess from where” - “funny” clothing and accents help). There’s never a shortage of buskers. Or you may choose to do a meal/snack in one of the several restaurants beneath the expressway/rail-line section. There’s also plenty of faster-food options in the area, particularly at the inland end of the various ferry quays.
TIPS – not sure of best time of day to call by. I’ve been at many times and there’s always something happening.
- a board at the inland end of most quays tell which wharf, what time to where.
- a relatively unknown zone is the walkway along the Quay side of the elevated Cahill Expressway – this gives a great overview of the Quay and is also a shortcut to the Botanic Gardens to the east and The Rocks to the west. Access via a lift at eastern end of Quay.
How can it be improved? Well I lack a certain amount of imagination but the thing is every-time I pass thru (maybe a dozen times a year which aint bad for a non-Sydney local) there is something new going in. So the authorities are improving it all the time.
Plus something for sure – trendies are always going on about how the Cahill Expressway and the lower rail-line should be put in a tunnel underground. Now my background is economics and on a cost/benefit basis that make zero sense – the better idea would be to cantilever some sort of pedestrian/dining zone out from the existing Cahill walkway, which would give a magic overview or rhe Quay, Bridge and all the other nearby stuff - and would be a destination rather than a focus.
Written 17 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Maryanne B
Naples, FL13 contributions
Where is a good place to buy quality tee shirts in Sydney?
Euan williams
Bulli, Australia55 contributions
There e many tourist shops around Sydney the best ones are either Circular Quay or Darling Harbour.
JanetECanny
7 contributions
Where to have dinner
Jodie S
Sydney, Australia1,376 contributions
So many places around.... we love the central location of city extra. It’s casual dining and the pancakes are always a hit with the kids.
Doron D
Dubai, United Arab Emirates9 contributions
What are Rules/Regulations at Customs and Immigration when arriving in sydney port ?
Jan C
Sydney, Australia35 contributions
Sorry, not sure really what is required, however you might want to have a look at the website:
Australian Government
Department of Home Affairs
Arriving into Australia
hongkongmay11
Sydney, Australia3 contributions
if you arrive early can you store your luggage until boarding
Howarth S
Worcestershire, UK543 contributions
I'm not sure, sorry. Might depend on which boat you are taking -perhaps contact the company?
Frequently Asked Questions about Circular Quay
- We recommend booking Circular Quay tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 27 Circular Quay tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Circular Quay:
- Big Bus Sydney and Bondi Hop-on Hop-off Tour (From AU$59.92)
- Taste of Sydney - Barangaroo and the Rocks (From AU$159.21)
- Sydney Harbour Ferry with Taronga Zoo Entry Ticket (From AU$74.75)
- Sydney Harbour High Tea Cruise (From AU$90.39)
- Sydney Harbour Hop-on Hop-off Cruise (From AU$35.55)
- Hotels near Circular Quay:
- (0.18 km) Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour
- (0.21 km) Sir Stamford at Circular Quay Hotel Sydney
- (0.21 km) Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay
- (0.23 km) The Russell Boutique Hotel
- (0.27 km) Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
- Restaurants near Circular Quay:
- (0.03 km) Mcdonalds Sydney Gateway
- (0.03 km) Zumbo Patisserie Circular Quay
- (0.03 km) Hero Sushi
- (0.03 km) Young Alfred Restaurant
- (0.03 km) Circular Quay Kiosk
- Attractions near Circular Quay:
- (0.05 km) Pimp My Plate Tours
- (0.05 km) Journey Walks
- (0.05 km) Customs House
- (0.06 km) Sydney Ferries
- (0.15 km) Welcome Walking Tours