Thread: Port Guide: Sydney, Australia

Port Guide: Sydney, Australia

Overview:

Originally the answer to Britain's burgeoning prisoner problem, Sydney has become one of the world's most liveable cities, and the Jewel in Australia's crown. A cosmopolitan city of shopping, restaurants, beaches and iconic landmarks, the city attracts millions visitors annually.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Opera House are familiar sights to us all, but Sydney has more on offer - the narrow streets of the historic "Rocks' area, the Sydney Cricket Ground, the beautiful Queen Victoria Building, amazing beaches just minutes from the city and fine restaurants throughout the city and Darling Harbour.

Famous for its beach culture, Sydney coast is a stretch of golden yellow sand, beautiful bodies, lifeguards and surfers. The well known Bondi and Manly beaches offer bustling atmospheres, great views and the chance to learn the great Aussie pastime of “catching a wave'.

For a day out of the city, Sydney is a short drive from some of Australia's natural landmarks including the 3 Sisters rock formation at Blue Mountains National Park, best seen from the Katoomba Scenic Skyway cable car. Alternatively, taste some fine wines at the Hunter Valley, Australia's oldest wine-making region and a wine buff's delight with shirazs and semillions a plenty.

Sydney has taken to cruising like a duck to water, its popularity as a port growing rapidly and only limited by the height of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There are two main piers within Sydney; Darling Harbour is home port for many of P&O's vessels, with views of Star City Casino and a short walk to cafes, restaurants and the aquarium. Larger ships tie up at the Overseas Passenger terminal, in the hub of the city and within in view of two of the most spectacular sites in the world, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

What to See and Do:

For first time visitors to this beautiful city what would a visit to Sydney be if you did not see the icons that are renowned all over the world, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Located at Circular Quay they are in close vicinity of each other, an easy walk around the waterfront. Tours of each allow you to get inside, or on top and hear about the remarkable history of this relatively new city. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge or take a bike ride across to the North Shore, for the Opera House, see a play, theatre production or take a short tour.

If just in port for the day there are a lot of highlights to be seen in a short period of time. The historic Rocks area, full of hidden laneways, great cafes and restaurants and arts, crafts shops galore and on the weekend the Rocks markets. Alternatively, take the opportunity to see one of the world's most famous beaches Bondi Beach. Take a swim between the flags, enjoy the people watching or do the popular Bondi to Bronte coastal walk. A private tour will provide you with the options to see the inside of the Bondi Surf Clubs and the beautiful homes of the Eastern suburbs where many Australian Hollywood stars live.

For those who would like to experience the Australian bush the Blue Mountains is a great option. With plenty of sites and a 90 minute drive out of the city, it does make for a full day, but Three Sisters is a great picture in the middle of beautiful eucalpytus forests, there are plenty of walking opportunities, antique shops galore, the steepest railway in the world (it's true!) and the scenic Cablecar. Many tours, both private and group will include the famous Featherdale wildlife park so that visitors have a chance to get up close and personal with the unique Australian animals including kangaroos, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, parrots and lots more.

For those who prefer a less active day, Hunter Valley is one of Australia's famed wine regions, pefect for a day of food and wine tastings, else find a cafe or restaurant overlooking the harbour and enjoy some fine cuisine.

Or for some other unique experiences head out to the northern beaches for some surfing lessons, take a ferry to Taronga Zoo or cruise the Harbour in a tall ship from the 1800's.

Sydney really is a city for everyone!

What NOT to Miss:

1) Cocktails at the Opera Bar - with views of both the Opera House and Harbour Bridge

2) Cruising Sydney Harbour - do it in luxury on a private yacht, or on a ferry

3) Sydney's beautiful beaches - take your pick from Manly, Bondi, Tamarama, Bronte, Coogee (blue water, golden sand, lifeguards & bikinis everywhere)

4) Fish & Chips by the water

Currency: The Australian Dollar ($AUD)

Language: Official language is English, however most hotels will have staff members that speak a variety of different languages.

Weather:

Top 5 Restaurant Choices from a Local's Perspective:

1) Trio Cafe - Bondi Beach - This actually is my local and in my opinion the best place in Sydney for breakfast. The mango pancakes with lemon curd and double cream are phenomenal as is everything else on the menu! On Campbell Parade, the main strip of Bondi Beach they have lovely views of the water and you can walk it off with a walk along the beach or the Coastal walk after!

2) Opera Bar - Circular Quay - The Opera Bar has the best views in the city that even the locals still get memorised - although not the cheapest place in the world to have a drink, if you get the view included and a bit of sunshine then it doesn't seem so bad. Tasting plates and lovely cocktails are a fantastic way to pass the afternoon.

3) Quay - Circular Quay - If I was able to pass on this recommendation with first-hand knowledge I would be a very happy person. Quay restaurant is the Jewel in the crown - the ultimate location, three chef hat rating and exquisite food. With stunning views of the harbour, silver service and white linen tablecloths, the food is as pretty as a picture too!

4) Watson's Bay Fish & Chips (Doyle's) - Doyles are well-known for their fish and chips and have a few venues throughout the city. My recommendation - skip all the highbrow and go for their budget option Doyles on the wharf. Take a ferry to Watson's Bay and either eat in or get a takeaway pack and lounge in the park, then it's either a lovely ferry ride back to the harbour or you can take a bus from there and head over the Bondi.

5) Odyssey Wine Bar - Anywhere wine is on tap definitely is a place of interest, but Odyssey do it so well! With a focus and intention on educating about Australian wines, one must spend some time in the tasting room first before sampling their unique menu all paired with Australian wines. Located in the Rocks area it's the perfect spot for lunch or dinner between shopping, arts galleries and sighseeing the harbour.

Cruise Lines and Ships Visiting:

Royal Caribbean: Rhapsody of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas (2012-2013)
Celebrity: Celebrity Century, Celebrity Millennium (2012 - 2013), Celebrity Solstice (2012 - 2013)
Carnival: Carnival Spirit (home port from mid 2012)
Princess: Diamond Princess, Dawn Princess, Sea Princess, Ocean Princess
Holland America: Volendam, Amsterdam, Oosterdam, Zaandam (2012 - 2013)
P&O Australia: Pacific Jewel, Pacific Sun, Pacific Pearl,
Orion: Orion
Saga: Spirit of Adventure, Saga Ruby
Silversea: Silver Shadow
Classic Cruises: Athena
Crystal: Crystal Serenity
Seabourn: Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Quest (2012 - 2013)
Costa: Costa Deliziosa, Costa Romatica II (2012 - 2013)
Regent Seven Seas: Regatta, Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Marina (2012 - 2013)
P&O: Oriana, Arcadia, Pacific Dawn
Cunard: Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria, Queen Mary 2 (2012 - 2013)
Residensea: The World
Fred Olsen: Black Watch, Balmoral (2012 - 2013)

Special Thanks to Hope at ShoreTours.com.au (Member Profile: shoretours.com.au) for compiling and writing all of this great information. Feel free to add your suggestions and we'll incorporate them into this constantly growing Port Guide to Sydney, Australia.

Questions about Sydney, any of the ships listed above or other regions in Australia - don't hesitate to ask!

Happy to help Tim, Sydney is my home town so it's very easy for me to find out nearly anything! Please ask away!

Originally Posted by shoretours.com.au

Happy to help Tim, Sydney is my home town so it's very easy for me to find out nearly anything! Please ask away!

You know - I was wondering if we could get a top 5/10 list of the best restaurants in town, as recommended by a local?

Let me know!

Ahhh! Food - my favourite topic - well this is a bit of a mix of a top 5! They are my top 5 eating experiences in Sydney that will appeal to the traveller as well! I don't think many of you will be interested in popping down to my local thai take out :-)

1) Trio Cafe - Bondi Beach - This actually is my local and in my opinion the best place in Sydney for breakfast. The mango pancakes with lemon curd and double cream are phenomenal as is everything else on the menu! On Campbell Parade, the main strip of Bondi Beach they have lovely views of the water and you can walk it off with a walk along the beach or the Coastal walk after!

2) Opera Bar - Circular Quay - The Opera Bar has the best views in the city that even the locals still get memorised - although not the cheapest place in the world to have a drink, if you get the view included and a bit of sunshine then it doesn't seem so bad. Tasting plates and lovely cocktails are a fantastic way to pass the afternoon.

3) Quay - Circular Quay - If I was able to pass on this recommendation with first-hand knowledge I would be a very happy person. Quay restaurant is the Jewel in the crown - the ultimate location, three chef hat rating and exquisite food. With stunning views of the harbour, silver service and white linen tablecloths, the food is as pretty as a picture too!

4) Watson's Bay Fish & Chips (Doyle's) - Doyles are well-known for their fish and chips and have a few venues throughout the city. My recommendation - skip all the highbrow and go for their budget option Doyles on the wharf. Take a ferry to Watson's Bay and either eat in or get a takeaway pack and lounge in the park, then it's either a lovely ferry ride back to the harbour or you can take a bus from there and head over the Bondi.

5) Odyssey Wine Bar - Anywhere wine is on tap definitely is a place of interest, but Odyssey do it so well! With a focus and intention on educating about Australian wines, one must spend some time in the tasting room first before sampling their unique menu all paired with Australian wines. Located in the Rocks area it's the perfect spot for lunch or dinner between shopping, arts galleries and sighseeing the harbour.

Hi

I am doing a cruise on the Celebrity Century in Jan/ Feb and will visit Sydney for 2 days after crossing from NZ, this is before diong a number of ports before flying back to UK from Perth. When we are in Sydney we will not be docking but tendering, does anyone know where we will tender into, we were hoping to go in to Sydney at night but if the tender drops you off to far out it will not be possible.
Thanks
Michael

Hi Michael,

I had a chat to Sydney ports and they were very helpful. They advised the following, but mentioned that things may change. Celebrity Century is anchored out at Athol Buoy which if you are looking at a map is close to Mosman. The tender will probably take between 15-20 minutes to come in and they are expecting it to bring tendering passengers into Dawe's Point. If you look it on the map it is just under the Harbour Bridge. It is very close to the Rocks area and to Circular Quay (perhaps 7 minutes walk) which has many great options for dining.

Hi
Thanks for the information,we will look on the map and see where everything is.
Bye for now.
Michael

Hi!

We will be on the Carnival Spirit when she arrives in Sydney in October. We plan to spend an additional 5 days in Sydney and then fly back to the U.S. Do you have any advice on things to do in Sydney? We will be including the Sydney Opera House as something we would like to visit. We also like visiting historical sites, or enjoying the natural beauty of an area as well.

Thanks!

Caryn

Wow! Caryn you are so lucky – I think Spirit is going to take off in a big way over here. I can see lots of Australians getting on board so you will have a lot of fun!
Sydney is an awesome city – I think my favourite in the world (NY is very close behind) and you will definitely need some time to see her properly. 5 days is perfect as you will have some time to explore by yourself and do some tours so you can find out more about the culture and history of the area.
These are some of my favourite tours that I think might suit what you are after:
Sydney Classic Bike Ride – This popular tour takes in all the highlights and gives you an amazing overview of the city, so you will know where to head yourself. Great history & great commentary so you find out a little more in-depth about Sydney.
Rocks Bay Walking tour or City Central Walking Tour – Is done with local guide Janet who makes it feel as if you are going for a walk with a friend. Great history, some great sightseeing and unusual places. Some of the history of the Rocks makes you shudder!
Surfing Day Out – I don’t know if you’ve learnt to surf before or not but either way this tour gives you an opportunity to take part in one of Australian’s great cultural/sporting pursuits and see some of our magnificent beaches
BBQ Lunch and Tall Ship Experience – Perfect for those that love sailing would love to see what it was like to arrive to Australia 200 years ago on a magnificent tall ship with full sails. Get some amazing views of the harbour and enjoy a great BBQ lunch onboard.
Blue Mountains Day Tour – I am a massive Blue Mountains fan after spending a few days out there earlier this year. Spectacular scenery, amazing history (used to be a big mining area), antiques, walking, photos. This tour will allow you to get right into the Australian Bush.
Bridgeclimb – This tour is amazing and one of the most popular in Sydney. We will be offering it by the end of the month with our special cruise ship refund policy and it allows you to climb all the way to the top of the Harbour Bridge for beautiful views of Sydney Harbour and the city. Have a look at this video to see what it is all about!

Other highlights are:
Taronga Zoo: Beautiful zoo, so easy to get too and will allow you to make sure you see all your Australian animals before you leave!
The Rocks Markets: Pefect for gifts, souvenirs and yummy food! It’s set in historical Sydney so lots of gorgeous alley ways, hidden shops etc.
Queen Victoria Building: One of our stunning historical buildings, is now a gorgeous shopping centre for high end brands.
Food: You can’t help but eat well in Sydney and there is so much to try. Perhaps some prawns (shrimp), steak or Kangaroo!
Beaches: Whether it’s Bondi, Manly or Cronulla the beaches are where things are happening when the sun comes out!
Now, I’m also going to share my favourite independent day out tour of Sydney. This is one you can totally do by yourself, will let you get some amazing pictures and spend some time where the locals go – the only catch is though you have to like walking and you have to like beaches J
Most of the cruise ships come into Circular Quay and there is a ferry terminal there. You want to jump on the ferry that is heading to the Eastern Suburbs with the last stop being Watson’s Bay. Get on and prepare for some great pictures of your ship in the harbour, the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Get off in Watson’s Bay. Depending on what time of day it is you might want to enjoy some amazing fish and chips – best place to do so is from the place on the pier, they are much cheaper than the restaurants and you can get takeaway and enjoy it in the park. Once you are done, walk to the top of the park and cross the road, you will see there is a pathway leading up a hill. This will take you up to see some sensational views of the cliff faces of Sydney and the opening to Sydney Harbour. When you are done, head back down and catch the 380 bus to Bondi Beach – don’t worry you can’t miss it. Jump off and spend some time at Australia’s most famous beach, go for a walk, have a swim, get something to eat or head to a bar for a great drink with spectacular scenery. Then head to the South of the Beach near Icebergs famous restaurant and you will see that there is a walking track heading along the coastline. Its about a 15-20 minute walk to the next beach Tamarama with some great views on the way and Tamarama is a very unique little beach, although has a strong undertow so you want to make sure you swim between the lifeguard flags. Once you are thoroughly exhausted and ready to head home you can return to Bondi and bus back to Circular quay or the city which is approximately a 1 hour journey.

Originally Posted by shoretours.com.au

Wow! Caryn you are so lucky – I think Spirit is going to take off in a big way over here. I can see lots of Australians getting on board so you will have a lot of fun!
Sydney is an awesome city – I think my favourite in the world (NY is very close behind) and you will definitely need some time to see her properly. 5 days is perfect as you will have some time to explore by yourself and do some tours so you can find out more about the culture and history of the area.
These are some of my favourite tours that I think might suit what you are after:
Sydney Classic Bike Ride – This popular tour takes in all the highlights and gives you an amazing overview of the city, so you will know where to head yourself. Great history & great commentary so you find out a little more in-depth about Sydney.
Rocks Bay Walking tour or City Central Walking Tour – Is done with local guide Janet who makes it feel as if you are going for a walk with a friend. Great history, some great sightseeing and unusual places. Some of the history of the Rocks makes you shudder!
Surfing Day Out – I don’t know if you’ve learnt to surf before or not but either way this tour gives you an opportunity to take part in one of Australian’s great cultural/sporting pursuits and see some of our magnificent beaches
BBQ Lunch and Tall Ship Experience – Perfect for those that love sailing would love to see what it was like to arrive to Australia 200 years ago on a magnificent tall ship with full sails. Get some amazing views of the harbour and enjoy a great BBQ lunch onboard.
Blue Mountains Day Tour – I am a massive Blue Mountains fan after spending a few days out there earlier this year. Spectacular scenery, amazing history (used to be a big mining area), antiques, walking, photos. This tour will allow you to get right into the Australian Bush.
Bridgeclimb – This tour is amazing and one of the most popular in Sydney. We will be offering it by the end of the month with our special cruise ship refund policy and it allows you to climb all the way to the top of the Harbour Bridge for beautiful views of Sydney Harbour and the city. Have a look at this video to see what it is all about!

Other highlights are:
Taronga Zoo: Beautiful zoo, so easy to get too and will allow you to make sure you see all your Australian animals before you leave!
The Rocks Markets: Pefect for gifts, souvenirs and yummy food! It’s set in historical Sydney so lots of gorgeous alley ways, hidden shops etc.
Queen Victoria Building: One of our stunning historical buildings, is now a gorgeous shopping centre for high end brands.
Food: You can’t help but eat well in Sydney and there is so much to try. Perhaps some prawns (shrimp), steak or Kangaroo!
Beaches: Whether it’s Bondi, Manly or Cronulla the beaches are where things are happening when the sun comes out!
Now, I’m also going to share my favourite independent day out tour of Sydney. This is one you can totally do by yourself, will let you get some amazing pictures and spend some time where the locals go – the only catch is though you have to like walking and you have to like beaches J
Most of the cruise ships come into Circular Quay and there is a ferry terminal there. You want to jump on the ferry that is heading to the Eastern Suburbs with the last stop being Watson’s Bay. Get on and prepare for some great pictures of your ship in the harbour, the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Get off in Watson’s Bay. Depending on what time of day it is you might want to enjoy some amazing fish and chips – best place to do so is from the place on the pier, they are much cheaper than the restaurants and you can get takeaway and enjoy it in the park. Once you are done, walk to the top of the park and cross the road, you will see there is a pathway leading up a hill. This will take you up to see some sensational views of the cliff faces of Sydney and the opening to Sydney Harbour. When you are done, head back down and catch the 380 bus to Bondi Beach – don’t worry you can’t miss it. Jump off and spend some time at Australia’s most famous beach, go for a walk, have a swim, get something to eat or head to a bar for a great drink with spectacular scenery. Then head to the South of the Beach near Icebergs famous restaurant and you will see that there is a walking track heading along the coastline. Its about a 15-20 minute walk to the next beach Tamarama with some great views on the way and Tamarama is a very unique little beach, although has a strong undertow so you want to make sure you swim between the lifeguard flags. Once you are thoroughly exhausted and ready to head home you can return to Bondi and bus back to Circular quay or the city which is approximately a 1 hour journey.

Great new list of the best tours available for cruise visitors in Sydney.

Thanks so much for the timely advice.

Caryn - thanks for posting and we can't wait to hear all about your cruise! This guy = jealous.