Visit Sydney Australia

Sydney Cove was named by Gov. Arthur Phillip in honour of Lord Sydney, Secretary of State for the Home Department, who had chosen him for the task of establishing a penal settlement in New South Wales. Lord Sydney never visited the cove or the city that would later be named after him. The wharves built around the three sides of the cove are known as Circular Quay, and were thus named because the original wharves lining the cove were circular in their aspect (or more accurately, semi-circular).

In years gone by, Circular Quay was the focal centre of maritime activity on Sydney Harbour. It was here that the tall ships of the 19th century unloaded their cargoes, that thousands of migrants - convict and free - got their first sight of Australia, and from here that many troops went off to war. Today, its maritime activity centres around pleasure craft and ferries taking residents and tourists to a variety of locations around the harbour, though every once in a while Circular Quay is graced by the presence of a cruise liner.

This terminal was built to provide better accommodation for the many larger passenger ships being built after World War II which brought thousands of migrants to Australia from Europe. By the time it was completed, the move away from sea to air travel had already begun and ironically, the first ship to use the terminal was the cruise liner, SS Oriana. The terminal was rebuilt on a smaller scale in 1988 at a cost of $16 million to a rather austere Structuralist style design. The stark look of the complex was tempered in another refit prior to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Sydney Harbour Bridge



Acclaimed as one of the most remarkable feats of bridge construction in the world at the time it was built, until recently the Sydney Harbour Bridge was the longest single span steel arch bridge in the world and is still in a general sense the largest. Since its completion in 1932, it has been an icon and an internationally recognised symbol of the the city of Sydney.

The first sod was ceremoniously turned on the site of the North Sydney Railway Station on 28th July 1923. The acquisition and demolition of buildings in the path of the new bridge and its approaches on both the northern and southern shores commenced on 28th July 1924.

The bridge was opened to roadway, railway and pedestrian traffic by the then Premier of New South Wales, Mr JT Lang, on Saturday 19th March 1932. The time taken to complete the whole work, including bridge and approaches was eight years. The contract for the bridge construction provided for six months' maintenance by the contractors from the date of opening, after which maintenance became the responsibility of the State.

Built at a cost of $20 million, it was only paid off in 1988, much of the cost being raised by tolls placed on vehicular traffic using the bridge. Tolls collected after the bridge was paid for has gone towards the cost of the construction of the harbour tunnel.

The first suburb to the west of the Harbour Bridge is Kirribilli, one of the city's most established and affluent neighbourhoods. Kirribilli is one of Australia's older suburbs, with the first land grants in the area being granted by the colonial government during the 1790s. The name Kirribilli is derived from an Aboriginal word Kiarabilli, which means 'good fishing spot'.

Admiralty House can be seen on the Kirribilli headland on the left hand side of the ferry after it has left Circular Quay. Because of its strategic location opposite the entrance to Sydney Cove, the Government of 1856 decided to take temporary control of a house built in 1842 by Sir George Gipps to take advantage of the sweeping views of Sydney Harbour. Cannons were mounted in the grounds though they were never used. Built on the site of the fort, Admiralty House is the larger of the two gracious houses which occupy the prominent north shore headland opposite Sydney Cove.
A single storey sandstone residence built by merchant Robert Campbell, in 1874 it was known as Wotonga. The house was extended and renovated in 1885 in order for it to serve as the residence of the commanding officer of the British Royal Navy's Pacific Squadron. The fancy upper floor lacework was added at this time. Believed by many Sydneysiders to be the city's finest address, Admiralty House is today the Sydney home of Australia's Governor General.

Kirribilli House can be seen on the Kirribilli headland on the left hand side of the ferry after it has left Circular Quay. This gracious home built by Lieut. Col. J.G.N. Gipps. Because of its strategic location opposite the entrance to Sydney Cove, the Government of 1856 decided to take temporary control of the house and use it as part of its harbour defence system. Cannons were mounted in the grounds though they were never used. For some time, the house was used as the official residence of Admirals commanding the British Naval Squadron stationed in Sydney and became known as Admiralty House. It has remained Commonwealth Government property ever since and is now the Sydney residence of the Prime Minister of Australia.

The tip of Kirribilli Point marks the entrance to Neutral Bay, and Careening Cove on its eastern side. Kurraba Point - the next peninsula - separates Neutral Bay and Shell Cove. Kirribilli Wharf is located below steps leading to Holbrook Avenue, Kirribilli. Admiralty House, Kirribilli House and Lady Gowrie Lookout are a short walk away and to the left at the top of the stairs.

One of the city's most established and affluent neighbourhoods, Kirribilli is located three kilometres north of the Sydney central business district. A harbourside suburb on the Lower North Shore of Sydney Harbour, Kirribilli is home to Kirribilli House (the official Sydney residence of the Prime Minister of Australia), Admiralty House (the official Sydney residence of the Governor-General of Australia), and the headquarters and marina of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, located on the former Carabella mansion adjoining Milson Park, formerly Kirribilli Park. The Sydney headquarters of ASIO were formerly at 31 Carabella Street.

Comprehensive Guide to Kirribilli

Dr Mary Booth Lookout

Whoever had the foresight to set aside the million dollar piece of real estate upon which Dr Mary Booth Lookout sits public use deserves a medal. Located directly opposite The Sydney Opera House, the classic picture postcard panorama has everything - the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Cove, The Sydney Opera House and Farm Cove. Top that if you can! Dr Mary Booth was founder of the Memorial College of Household Arts and Science at 63 Kirribilli Avenue. She was awarded an OBE in 1918. Dr Booth died in 1958. The lookout is in Warunda Street, From Kirribilli wharf, walk up Holbrook St, left into Carabella St, right into Kirribilli Ave, left into Warunda Ave, right into Warunda St.

Nearby Stanton Lookout (near Cnr Broughton St. and Kirribilli Ave) offers similar views. From Kirribilli wharf, walk up Holbrook St, left into Carabella St, left into Kirribilli Ave.


Lady Gowrie Lookout

Alternatively, take a stroll past Killibilli House and Admiralty House to the delightful Lady Gowrie Lookout which affords views east across Sydney Harbour towards Neutral Bay, Cremorne and Mosman. Alongside the lookout is a small park with steps leading down to the water's edge. From Kirribilli wharf, walk up Holbrook St, left into Carabella St, left into Kirribilli Ave.



If you have a few hours to spare, you can enjoy a very pleasant walk from Kirribili to Neutral Bay and Cremorne. Take the ferry to Kirribilli Wharf. Walk along Carabella, left into Peel St, right into Elamang St, right into Clark Rd and Kurraba Road. Return by ferry from Kurraba Wharf. Along the way see Milsons Park and Careening Cove, the former HMAS Platypus site, Anderson Park, Nucote.

Kurraba Point is one of the smaller suburtbs of Sydney's Lower North Shore, occupying a peninsula of the same name directly opposite Woolloomooloo Bay and the Garden Island Naval Base. The name "Karraba" or "Kurraba" is of aboriginal derivation and is thought to mean or identify the location as "a good fishing place". Early colonial records indicate that the Cam-mer-ray-gal Aboriginal people were regularly seen fishing here.


Kurraba Point Reserve

Kurraba Point Reserve occupies the site of a quarry from which 8,000 tonnes of sandstone was extracted and used to build Fort Denison. Earlier, a soap and oil factory had been established here. After quarrying ceased, it was used as a shipbuilding yard. To reach the Reserve from the Kurraba Point Wharf, go to the top of the steps and turn right, following Kurraba Road to the end.



Hodgson Park Lookout and its neighbour, Spains Lookout, boast magnificent views across the waters of Sydney Harbour to Kirribilli, Fort Denison, Garden Island Naval Base and the city of Sydney. They are on a popular foreshore walk around Cremorne Point. Walk up from the Kurraba Point whaqrf and turn right upon reaching Kurraba Road.


Cremorne Point walkway

Kurraba Point wharf is a great starting point for a pleasant walk through the suburbs of Neutral Bay and Cremorne. Catch the ferry from Circular Quay to Kurraba Point, and then walk along Shell Cove Road and Honda Road to the Cremorne Reserve. An easy walking path follows the shoreline to Robertsons Point and Cremorne Wharf where you can catch a ferry back to the city.


Shell Cove Falls

Shell Cove has the honour of being home to the closest waterfall to the Sydney central business district. Most of the bays of the Lower North Shore once had small streams that cacaded off the high ground in pretty waterfalls. This is only one that survives. Run-off water after rain is channelled from the nearby steets to the place where the original stream plumetted 16 metres off the hillside and into the cove. Shell Cove is on the opposite side of Kurraba Point to Neutral Bay. The best views of the waterfall are from Cremorne Reserve on the eastern side of Shell Cove. Note: water flows over the falls only after rain.

In 1789, a year after the colony of New South Wales had been established at Sydney Cove, this bay was set aside by Governor Phillip as a safe haven for neutral ships which could anchor here in safety. At the time, England was at war with France. Neutral Bay remained dense bushland, except for a military road which passed through it, until the turn of the 20th century when subdivision and development commenced.

Comprehensive Guide to Neutral Bay

Around that time, a gas works was built on eastern shore near the head of Neutral Bay. In 1942 the gas works site was resumed by the Commonwealth Government for the manufacture of torpedoes and maintenance facility for the vessels of the Pacific Fleet. 25 years later, the site was commissioned as a base for the Royal Australian Navy's Oberon class submarines and was named HMAS Platypus. The base was closed in 1998.


Anderson Park

Anderson Park: It was from Anderson Park at the head of the bay that pioneer aviator and adventurer Air Commodore Charles Kingsford-Smith and Captain P. Gordon Taylor took off on 19th October 1934 at the commencement of what was to become the first flight across the Pacific from Australia to the United States of America. Their Lockheed Attair Monoplane VH-VSB, named Lady Southern Cross, was the very aircraft in which Kingsford-Smith and Tommy Pethybridge would die a year later in their to be the first to make the flight from England and Australia. From Neutral Bay wharf, proceed along Hayes St, left into Manns Ave, left into Kurraba Rd.

Comprehensive Guide to Neutral Bay


Nutcote

Nutcote: A short walk from the Neutral Bay Wharf, at 5 Wallaringa Avenue,is Nutcote, the historic home of May Gibbs, creator, illustrator and author of the famous Snugglepot and Cuddlepie classics of Australian children's literature. The home is dedicated to her memor. Entry fee applies. UBD Map 8 Ref B 10. Neutral Bay. Open Wed  Sun 11.00am - 3.00pm.
The Kurraba Point Wharf is on the eastern shores of Neutral Bay.

More information

The North Sydney wharf (also known as High Street wharf) is located at the end of High Street on Neutral Bay. The wharf is not wheelchair-accessible. The wharf has always been viewed as North Sydney's back door, as the majority of people entering and leaving North Sydney do so via the Pacific Highway, the Sydney Harbour Bridge or Warringah Freeway, which lie to the north of Neutral Bay. But as its name suggests, a short walk up High Sreet will take you into the heart of North Sydney.


Kesterton Park

Kesterton Park: A delightful harbourside park featuring spectacular harbour views. Something of a hidden gem, it is located near the ferry wharf, and features seats, picnic tables, a bubbler, a covered shelter with seats and a table and a custom-designed, fully-fenced playground. The land on which Kesterton Park stands was originally part of the Whaling allotment, taken up by Kemmis and Brown in 1830. It was later acquired by Patrick Hayes in the 1870s and became a quarry for sandstone. The playground is linked to Sub Base Platypus by an over-the-water walkway.



Sub Base Platypus: backed by vertical sandstone cliffs, the former HMAS Platypus site is now managed by the Harbour Trust which has turned it into a recreational area. The first stage of the project - an urban parkland featuring a scenic over-water walkway, BBQ area and submarine themed pocket playground - has been completed, with the public granted access to these amenities in May 2018, the first time in 150 years.



These facilities have transformed this once-hidden gem into a waterfront parkland. Navy history pervades the new area; there is a walk along the old submarine wharf. During stage two a plaza and courtyard will be added along with a model Oberon-class submarine and periscopes, which have been built by helpers from the Harbour Trust's Volunteer Restoration Team.


Milson Park

Milson Park: Just a 10 minute walk along High St (then left into Hipwood St) from the High Street ferry wharf is one of North Sydney's most historically significant parks. It has harbour views and some fine plantings in a formal landscape setting. This foreshore park is particularly spectacular in spring when the many Jacaranda trees in and around it are in full bloom. Significant cultural heritage plantings including magnificent towering palms, spreading figs and other specimen trees date from 1912. Milson Park was created by reclaiming the head of Careening Cove during the 1890s (the area had previously been used as a rubbish dump).

Facilities include public toilets, seating, picnic tables, a bubbler, lighting and a co-operative community garden.



North Sydney is both a suburb and commercial district on the Lower North Shore of Sydney. It sits across the waters of Sydney Harbour opposite Millers Point, 3 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district. Though dominated by commercial office towers, parts of old North Sydney still survive, and searching out the 19th century cottages in the back streets can be quite rewarding, especially for those with an interest in the past.

There is also plenty to do along the harbour foreshore. Numerous pockets of bushland in and around North Sydney that have been saved from development now contain walking paths that bring the calm and serenity of the Australian bush right into the centre of the city.

Comprehensive Guide to North Sydney