Visit Sydney Australia
Inner City Areas: Sydney Cove and The Rocks | Central | Southern | Darling Harbour
East Circular Quay
Ever since the domestic animals which came to Australia with the First Fleet in 1788 were landed here, the eastern shores of Sydney Cove have played a significant role in the day to day life of Sydney. It has been used as a quarry, a tram depot, a military fort and wharfage for the Port of Sydney. These days it has been reclaimed by the people and is home to restaurants, cafes, boutiques and apartments. It also hosts one of the most iconics walks in Australia, boasting the Sydney Harbour Bridge (and more often than not a berthed cruise ship) on its opposite shore, and the Sydney Opera House at its northern end.
Set into the pavement at regular intervals around Sydney Cove are a series of circular plaques which honour writers past and present. Many are Australians, others, like Charles Darwin and Mark Twain, are well known overseas writers who in their lives had a connection with Australia.
Built as the head office of the AMP insurance company and opened in 1962, for a while it was Sydney's tallest building. A rooftop lookout proved a popular tourist attraction until a similar lookout on the higher Australia Square building opened five years later sadly precipitated its closure.
Once an island, Bennelong Point guards the eastern entrance to Sydney Cove. It has been home to a 19th century fort, followed by a tram shed, before being cleared and flattened to make way for its present occupant, the Sydney Opera House.
Located on the shores of one of the world s most picturesque harbours, the Opera House is one of the wonders of the modern world. Towering 66 metres above its 20 metre high podium, the peak of the highest shell is 9 metres higher than the roadway of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
A narrow strip of open parkland running along the eastern side of Macquarie Street, this relatively small elevated green space dotted with large trees has views to parts of Circular Quay, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Government House is immediately to the south-east of this area.
Step into the dark side of Sydney s past with a visit to a historic police and court building (1856-1886) that once imposed authority on Sydney's unruly waterfront. Explore the building's atmospheric interior heavy blocks of sandstone, spiked gates and the corridor of cells. Albert Street.
A walkway across the front of Circular Quay, which is in fact the footpath of the Cahill Expressway. It commences in The Rocks, and offers commanding views of the Sydney Cove. The walkway can be accessed from Macquarie Street, or by a lift on Circular Quay near the foot of Phillip Street.
Even before a drop of cement was poured, the last in the row of buildings that line East Circular Quay, and the closest to the Sydney Opera House, was un-affectionately dubbed the Toaster in the 1990s by locals who fought hard for it not to be built at all.
Situated in the Royal Botanical Gardens, Government House is of turreted Gothic Revival design, constructed of local sandstone and cedar. Up until recently, it was the official residence of the State Governor, but has now been thrown open for public access while still being used for special state functions. Entry fee applies.