Local's Choice: Places to Visit within 10km of Sydney Harbour
The Australian cruise industry is fast expanding with various cruise lines sending more and bigger vessels to the seas down under. Sydney is by far the busiest home port for most of these vessels. Circular Quay is home to the Ocean Passenger Terminal and has breathtaking views of not only the world famous Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House but also beautiful natural features.
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| Pacific Pearl docked at Sydney Ocean Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay |
Here are the top choices picked your local Sydneysider to visit in Sydney within 10 km (6.2 mil) from Sydney Harbour. This is not in any particular order.
1) Powerhouse Museum
Powerhouse Museum is the museum of applied arts and science. This isn't the traditional museum where you go in to see ancient relics. Rather, its collection spans history, science, technology, design, industry, decorative arts, music, transport and space exploration. There's something interesting in there for almost everyone. There is also free Wifi in the museum.
Admission fee: $15 for Adults, $8 for students and free for kids under 16. (Price checked on 30/10/2015)
How to get there: Catch a train from Circular Quay station to Town Hall station, then walk 15 minutes to the museum.
Admission fee: $15 for Adults, $8 for students and free for kids under 16. (Price checked on 30/10/2015)
How to get there: Catch a train from Circular Quay station to Town Hall station, then walk 15 minutes to the museum.
2) Royal Botanical Gardens
The Royal Botanical Gardens is right next to Sydney harbour, walking distance from Circular Quay. The gardens is divided into four sections with its own theme. For tourist, this is one the best places to see the native flora.
Admission fee: Free.
The Royal Botanical Gardens is right next to Sydney harbour, walking distance from Circular Quay. The gardens is divided into four sections with its own theme. For tourist, this is one the best places to see the native flora.
Admission fee: Free.
How to get there: With some help from Google maps, this should take you 18 minutes to walk from Circular Quay.
3) Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo is Sydney's biggest zoo. You would find a fantastic range of not only Australian wildlife, but also wildlife around the world. Animals and their visitors at Taronga can enjoy the beautiful view of Sydney habour. The zoo is open 365 days of the year. At Taronga, you can attend various presentation talks at each animal enclosure by its keeper which are schedules one after another introducing different animals starting at 10:30 am.
Admission fee: $46 for adults, $26 for children (Price checked on 7/12/2015)
How to get there: Catch a ferry from Circular Quay right to Taronga Zoo.
Taronga Zoo is Sydney's biggest zoo. You would find a fantastic range of not only Australian wildlife, but also wildlife around the world. Animals and their visitors at Taronga can enjoy the beautiful view of Sydney habour. The zoo is open 365 days of the year. At Taronga, you can attend various presentation talks at each animal enclosure by its keeper which are schedules one after another introducing different animals starting at 10:30 am.
Admission fee: $46 for adults, $26 for children (Price checked on 7/12/2015)
How to get there: Catch a ferry from Circular Quay right to Taronga Zoo.
4) Ferry Ride around the harbour
There are plenty of private ferry operators around Sydney Habour and you would be spoilt for choice here. There are ferry cruises around the harbour with lunch, tea or dinner served. There are also jetboat rides if you are after a thrill.
The cheapest way to view the harbour is by public ferry. Popular routes are Circular Quay to Manly, or to Darling Harbour, or Cockatoo Island. Prices start at $12.40 for a short return trip for adults, half price for kids under 15 (price check on 7/12/2015). You can alternatively buy all day unlimited trip ticket (MyMulti Day Pass) for $24 for adults, $12 for kids. This includes all public transport in Sydney.
There are plenty of private ferry operators around Sydney Habour and you would be spoilt for choice here. There are ferry cruises around the harbour with lunch, tea or dinner served. There are also jetboat rides if you are after a thrill.
The cheapest way to view the harbour is by public ferry. Popular routes are Circular Quay to Manly, or to Darling Harbour, or Cockatoo Island. Prices start at $12.40 for a short return trip for adults, half price for kids under 15 (price check on 7/12/2015). You can alternatively buy all day unlimited trip ticket (MyMulti Day Pass) for $24 for adults, $12 for kids. This includes all public transport in Sydney.
5) Cockatoo Island
Cockatoo Island is a UNESCO world heritage listed island in Sydney Harbour. The island is steeped in convict and maritime history which you can visit on self-guided tours. Cockatoo island is also a popular location for locals to picnic and camp. The local bar is also a great place to grab a drink and chill out while absorbing the beautiful harbour views. This is good place to visit if you are after a nice place to chill out and not do much.
Admission fee: Free
How to get there: Catch a ferry from Circular Quay to Cockatoo Island.
6) Centennial Park
Centennial Park is a 189 hectares park located in the Eastern Suburb, approximately 6 km (3.7 miles) from Sydney harbour. The park has beautiful landscape and water features, and is a popular place for wedding photography. The park is fantastic for families with a wide range of activities. There a number of playgrounds for kids, bicycle hire and horse riding. The park is a very popular place for picnics and has free BBQ facilities for public use on a first come first serve basis.
Admission fee: Free
How to get there: Catch a bus (373, 377, 392, 396, 397 or 399) from Circular Quay to Centennial Park.
Cockatoo Island is a UNESCO world heritage listed island in Sydney Harbour. The island is steeped in convict and maritime history which you can visit on self-guided tours. Cockatoo island is also a popular location for locals to picnic and camp. The local bar is also a great place to grab a drink and chill out while absorbing the beautiful harbour views. This is good place to visit if you are after a nice place to chill out and not do much.
Admission fee: Free
How to get there: Catch a ferry from Circular Quay to Cockatoo Island.
6) Centennial Park
Centennial Park is a 189 hectares park located in the Eastern Suburb, approximately 6 km (3.7 miles) from Sydney harbour. The park has beautiful landscape and water features, and is a popular place for wedding photography. The park is fantastic for families with a wide range of activities. There a number of playgrounds for kids, bicycle hire and horse riding. The park is a very popular place for picnics and has free BBQ facilities for public use on a first come first serve basis.
Admission fee: Free
How to get there: Catch a bus (373, 377, 392, 396, 397 or 399) from Circular Quay to Centennial Park.
7) Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach (pronounced as bon-die) is one the Australia's most famous beaches. It was made famous by the Surf Life Rescue television series. Bondi beach is approximately 1 km long with fine white sand and a gently sloping beach. Prevailing currents make the waters of Bondi cool all year around, even when it is really hot in summer. Bondi is also full of great cafes and restaurants.
For tourists, do remember to swim BETWEEN the red and yellow flags. These areas are where currents will pull you back into shore. If you swim outside these flags, you risk swimming in a rip and currents will drag you out to sea. If you find yourself getting caught in one, swim along the direction of the coast (not towards shore), until you find currents pushing you back. The waters tend to me more gentle on the North end (if you are facing the sea, it is the left end), and is more suitable for swimming. The South end is more for surfing. Also remember when you hear a siren to get out of water, do heed the warning as there may be a shark lurking. Finally, do remember to use sun screen 15 minutes before you head out into the sun. Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer because of the depletion of the ozone layer over the continent.
Admission fee: Free
How to get there: From Circular Quay, hop on bus 333 straight to Bondi Beach. The journey will take approximately 40 minutes.
Bondi Beach (pronounced as bon-die) is one the Australia's most famous beaches. It was made famous by the Surf Life Rescue television series. Bondi beach is approximately 1 km long with fine white sand and a gently sloping beach. Prevailing currents make the waters of Bondi cool all year around, even when it is really hot in summer. Bondi is also full of great cafes and restaurants.
For tourists, do remember to swim BETWEEN the red and yellow flags. These areas are where currents will pull you back into shore. If you swim outside these flags, you risk swimming in a rip and currents will drag you out to sea. If you find yourself getting caught in one, swim along the direction of the coast (not towards shore), until you find currents pushing you back. The waters tend to me more gentle on the North end (if you are facing the sea, it is the left end), and is more suitable for swimming. The South end is more for surfing. Also remember when you hear a siren to get out of water, do heed the warning as there may be a shark lurking. Finally, do remember to use sun screen 15 minutes before you head out into the sun. Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer because of the depletion of the ozone layer over the continent.
Admission fee: Free
How to get there: From Circular Quay, hop on bus 333 straight to Bondi Beach. The journey will take approximately 40 minutes.
8) Art Gallery of NSW
For the art lovers, the Art Gallery of NSW has a good collection of modern and contemporary art work. Here you would also find also a dedicated gallery for Aboriginal and Asian art. The Art Gallery is conveniently located right next to the botanical gardens, walking distance from Circular Quay. During the local school holidays, the Art Gallery also hosts many events for children to get into art.
Admission fee: Free
How to get there: With some help from Google maps, this should take you 15 minutes to walk from Circular Quay.
9) Kayaking on Sydney Harbour
Why take in the view of Sydney Habour from the sidelines when you can be right in the water! Kayaking in Sydney Harbour is one the best ways of taking in the best sceneries. If you aren't familiar with paddling, or using a map, or how to navigate around busy water channels, it would be best to join a guided kayaking tour. Most tour operators provide basic safety gear. Remember to bring plenty of water, hat and sunscreen for your trip
Admission: From around $80
How to get there: Google Kayak Sydney Harbour to find a range of tour operators.
10) Darling Harbour
Darling Habour is an adventure on its own. You would find attractions like the IMAX theatre, Madam Tussaude's Sydney, Chinese Gardens, Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Australian National Maritime Museum all in Darling Harbour! Darling Harbour is filled with amazing restaurants and cafes from a large array of cuisines. Darling Harbour is 30 minute walk away from Circular Quay, but the best way to get there is by a 13 minute public ferry.
Admission fee: Admission to Darling Harbour is free, just pay for admission to the different attractions.
How to get there: 30 minute walk or 13 minute ferry from Circular Quay.
Have fun in Sydney!
Related Posts
Sydney - How to get to the Cruise Terminal Port
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For the art lovers, the Art Gallery of NSW has a good collection of modern and contemporary art work. Here you would also find also a dedicated gallery for Aboriginal and Asian art. The Art Gallery is conveniently located right next to the botanical gardens, walking distance from Circular Quay. During the local school holidays, the Art Gallery also hosts many events for children to get into art.
Admission fee: Free
How to get there: With some help from Google maps, this should take you 15 minutes to walk from Circular Quay.
9) Kayaking on Sydney Harbour
Why take in the view of Sydney Habour from the sidelines when you can be right in the water! Kayaking in Sydney Harbour is one the best ways of taking in the best sceneries. If you aren't familiar with paddling, or using a map, or how to navigate around busy water channels, it would be best to join a guided kayaking tour. Most tour operators provide basic safety gear. Remember to bring plenty of water, hat and sunscreen for your trip
Admission: From around $80
How to get there: Google Kayak Sydney Harbour to find a range of tour operators.
10) Darling Harbour
Darling Habour is an adventure on its own. You would find attractions like the IMAX theatre, Madam Tussaude's Sydney, Chinese Gardens, Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Australian National Maritime Museum all in Darling Harbour! Darling Harbour is filled with amazing restaurants and cafes from a large array of cuisines. Darling Harbour is 30 minute walk away from Circular Quay, but the best way to get there is by a 13 minute public ferry.
Admission fee: Admission to Darling Harbour is free, just pay for admission to the different attractions.
How to get there: 30 minute walk or 13 minute ferry from Circular Quay.
Have fun in Sydney!
Related Posts
Sydney - How to get to the Cruise Terminal Port
To subscribe to my blog, please Like on our Facebook page.
To support my blog, please click on one of my sponsor's advertised links :)
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