Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour is the city’s most popular area recognised as one of the
most spectacular natural harbours on the face of the earth. One of the
main attractions is that from this coast you can appreciate in all its glory.
The Opera house, the Sydney bridge, and flashy skyscrapers neighbour
the harbour to create beautiful views. If you’re here during the Christmas
holidays, there’s a great firework display on New Year's eve that lights up
the harbour.

With more than 240 km of coast and waterways, there is a lot to explore
and to discover in this harbour city. Around the harbour, there are
national parks, world heritage sites and many other experiences to
discover.

Navigating through history
The first European discovery registered at this harbour, and this was by
the Lieutenant James Cook in 1770. According to his notes on the
binnacle, the sailor wrote, "at midday we were at about two or three miles
from land and a bay or harbour inside it; it looked like if there was a safe
anchorage which I called Port Jackson". Then, in may 1778, the governor
Phillip stated: “We had the satisfaction of finding the best harbour of the
world, in which a thousand sails of the line may ride in a perfect
security…”

During the Second World War, the harbour played an important role in
protecting the city from a submarine attack. The city built a giant net
construction which covered the harbour from Green Point to the battery
in Georges Head, on the other side of the bridge. There were at least three
submarine attacks, but because of the net, the harbour was impenetrable.
Shortly after the end of the war, the net was destroyed, leaving a few
vestiges under the water. Some elements from that time, are part of the
Australian monument to war. Likewise, others are exhibited at the RAN
Heritage Centre. After the war, the harbour remained an important point of
the city.

The experience
Sydney harbour is packed with bustling bars, vibrant restaurants and
many shops and as such, the área is always brimming with locals and
residents alike. The nearby neighbourhood of ‘The Rocks’ also attracts a
lot of attention as its home to traditional houses and many pubs.
The harbour is best viewed however from the wáter so make sure you
catch a ferry out of Circular Quay for the best views of the city and
harbour. You can also hire a kayak, private boat or yacht and visit Fort
Denison, Shark Island, Rodd and Goat Island.