Sydney Harbour
Sydney Harbour
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Secluded beaches, quiet coves and soaring headlands predominate this harbor, which is considered one of the world's most beautiful.
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Tours & experiences
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Top ways to experience Sydney Harbour

The area

How to get there
  • Circular Quay • 6 min walk
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See what travelers are saying

  • Pam
    Golden Valley, Minnesota38 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth every penny.
    It was a great tour. Great tour guide. So thankful it was a covered vehicle since it was raining. The only thing is that the crew prepared a meal for the next set of customers which smelled SO good it made me hungry. Minor issue. Nice overview of the harbor. Definitely worth the price.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written November 4, 2023
  • Smita Singh
    Singapore, Singapore6 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    just wow
    Mind Blowing spectacular and magical maritime museum that shares stories of the sea. Visited Darling Harbour to explore tall ships and beautiful boats, diving under the sea on a submarine, discover contemporary exhibitions and enjoy creative family activities. Duration: 2-3 hours
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written December 18, 2023
  • leuveen
    United Kingdom1,302 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A beautiful spot
    A beautiful spot full of interesting things to do. You can either walk around, admire the architecture (or the bridge!), take photos of the top attractions, visit one of the many pubs and restaurants or just sit down and take a break.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 24, 2024
  • Mathis
    Sydney, Australia11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Family fun at the Harbour
    A nice view and lively atmosphere, perfect for a weekend getaway with the family. From waterfront dining to interactive museums and entertainment venues, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Explore the vibrant atmosphere and attractions for a memorable family weekend at Darling Harbour.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written February 27, 2024
  • ilovkpop
    76 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Iconic views
    Went to view the Harbour bridge and Sydney opera House. Weather wasn't ideal, but couldn't be helped. Naturally, a very busy area , with lots of visitors and camera phones. The views are well worth it though.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written March 3, 2024
  • need2trvl
    Miamisburg, Ohio845 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Bucket List Checked off!
    There are so many places and ways to enjoy Sydney Harbor. We enjoyed it by car, cruise ship, ferry, and walking different times of day and vantage points. We really enjoyed the area and park under the Harbor Bridge for a great view of the Opera House (especially at night). Walking along all the Pier by the Pier One Hotel was great early morning or night. Ferry you can see Cockatoo Island, UNESco Convict site. Loved watching people climb the Harbor Bridge. Another great location is by the Opera House. Enjoy!
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 5, 2024
  • Di P
    Sunshine Coast, Australia21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sydney Beautiful One Day & Even Better on the Harbour
    Sydney Harbour is certainly one of the wonders of the world. So easy to get around on ferries. Beautiful views. The ferry system is very easy to navigate with signage. Easy to tap on & off with your Opal Card.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 8, 2024
  • jbushman2017
    Nipomo, California519 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Public Ferry’s are Best way to ride around the Harbor
    Sydney harbor offers some of the best sights and views of any harbor in the world. With Opera House, the bridge and the different ferry destinations you can spend a day riding around on them. If our are a tourist that wants to ride on the ferries around the harbor you can book a private ferry boat. The easiest way, however to ride around on the harbor is to take her public ferries. You get on an off of them with a simple credit card so do not need to buy tickets in advance. Secondly, on weekends the ferries have a cap of $10 dollars, so if you use a credit card to ride the ferries, after the card has been charged $10 it will not charge you again, and all the rides you do the rest of the day will be free included the trams and buses.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 9, 2024
  • Ethan M
    New York City, New York10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Definitely worth visiting on your Sydney trip. Worth the hype.
    Busy area with a lot of tourists around. It's one of the must visit places in Sydney. Advised to visit during early hours to avoid the crowd and get better pictures. The views are beautiful and worth the hype. 5 stars from me. Highly recommended.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written March 13, 2024
  • Naomi C
    Australia2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Iconic spot to take photo
    We took photos on the side of the Gardens that is on the way to the Mrs. macquaries's Chair. That was an ideal spot! But you can also do the other side as it is less crowded there. Anyway this spot is iconic for a Sydney trip so don't miss it.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written March 27, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles21,977 reviews
Excellent
18,041
Very good
3,518
Average
381
Poor
26
Terrible
11

MikeinRaleigh
Raleigh, NC85 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
We strongly recommend any visitors try to stay within walking distance of the harbour. It is an action-packed location, offering places to eat, shop, and just absorb some of the best Sydney has to offer. With ferries and ships on the move constantly, you won't be bored.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CathyGri
Newark-on-Trent, UK281 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Lots of bars shops and restaurants on the quayside. Would recommend buying a two day harbour pass to use the boats and the Manly fast ferry. We had one full day were we sailed to the various stopping points and explored. A harbour pass works out more economical than purchasing individual tickets.
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,166 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021
You can’t leave Australia without spending some time around or on Sydney Harbour. Even if you have very limited time in Sydney, I’d recommend taking at least one ferry trip. There are several ferry routes but the most top 3 are probably from Circular Quay to either Manly, Taronga Zoo or Watsons Bay. Any of these makes an excellent day trip.
Whichever destination you choose, crossing the harbour by ferry is an experience in itself. It’s a very different view of the city that you probably can’t get any other way.
The Manly Ferry is probably the most popular and ticks all the boxes in terms of seeing the main harbour sights.
Preferably, get a seat outside at the front of the ferry for the best views.
In the 30 minute trip, you will see the Harbour Bridge up-close, pass right by the front of the Opera House and pass Fort Denison as well as ’the Heads’ that make up the wide entrance into the harbour (Quarantine Head, North Head, South Head, Middle Head, Bradleys Head, Georges Head).
TIP: Using a pre-loaded Opal Travel Card is the best way to use the ferries (and can be used on other public transport).
Written February 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

nocatnow
Melbourne, Australia797 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
Sydeny's magnificent harbour is incomparable. Its beauty is well appreciated by the locals and tourists from all over the world. To use a ferry to take you to Manly, Watsons Bay or Paramatta is a great, cheap, way to spend time.

Away from the harbour, Sydney is just another city. In essence, Sydney Harbour is Sydney!
Written April 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nanioften
Boston, MA64 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Sydney’s many inlets add up to miles and miles of coastline, each nook with its own character and delights to explore. From Darling Harbour to Circular Quay to Bondi Beach and the Toranga Zoo, it would take weeks if not months to explore every fun location. Start at the Sydney Opera House and go on from there, getting an Opal Card and taking advantage of the city’s fleet of ferries to get around. You’ll be exhausted before you run out of fun!
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cindy R
Shellharbour, Australia53 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Family
One of the most beautiful and one of the busiest harbours!!! Spectacular scenery, take a ferry across it, walk around it...whatever you choose you won't be disappointed. Amazing restaurants, theme park, bars, picnic areas and a bustling city surround it, only problem is choosing what to do!!
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Champsellysse
72 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
Absolutely glorious and as spectacular as you see on the postcards! Sydney is a booming city with so much excitement providing memorable experiences from the immense shopping precincts: Westfield centres in all major cities, the splendor of the beaches from the infamous Bondi to the northern beaches and to southern NSW Jervis Bay. Sydney never fails to amaze visitors and guests with activities to delight all your senses from Whale Watching with 'Oz Whale Watching', Sydney Bridge Climb, Blue Mountain Tours, River Cat Cruises or Captain Cook Cruises to name a few. Accommodation is wonderfully hospitable with the likes of the luxurious and prestigious Shangri-La Hotel overlooking the new Barangaroo precinct, Sydney Harbour with views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, delectable food & beverage menu, sensational facilities and outstanding service.
Written August 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rarri22
Long Beach, NY14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Really fun place make sure you have two days to see the full Harbor, Stayed in Sydney for five days spent two days walking around the harbor taking a look at the bridge in the opera house, I would tell you that one of the best things to do is walk through the botanical gardens. I also was able to watch the fireworks on New Year’s Eve 2019 into 2020 at the opera bar which was an amazing experience and well worth the 500 Australian dollars. What I would say is is that the other harbors and peninsulas have so many small hidden gems of restaurants that you really need to spend a few days walking around and enjoying.
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Robert R
Fairfax, VA854 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
This is a must see place in Sydney. The best way is to take a long cruise that includes a narrator. Did this in my first visit a few years and ago and very limited narration on my current cruise. The prices on some of the visible homes is mind blowing. Another suggestion is to go on a cruise that allows you to get off on a particular stop for a while and then hop back on.
Written March 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Travel.Stories.People
Woodinville, WA318 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
We stopped by the Sydney Harbor in the evening. It is a great way to spend the evening as the structure is beautiful to look at, and it is fascinating to see how they made it with tiles. Wish we had tickets to see a show. Next time!
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Sydney Harbour - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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