We're staying in The Rocks area of Sydney in the Sydney Harbour Hotel which is a little dated but the room has everything we need. We were up and about early and although our room is up on the 5th floor anyway I couldn't resist popping up to the roof terrace for a couple of shots. Everywhere looked lovely in the soft morning light.
We have a two day Big Bus pass which includes a boat trip so we thought we'd start off with that. The boat leaves from Circular Quay which is just a 10 min walk from our hotel. I love seeing cities before they've really woken up.
We were first in the queue for the 1000 boat and got a prime spot right at the front. What we hadn't realised when we booked the tickets was that we could hop on and off and also do as many trips as we wanted in the day. This is roughly the route which takes around 1-1 1/2 hours depending on the number of stops.
Sydney Harbour (or Port Jackson to give it its proper name) is stunning, it's one of those places that is just like you see in a magazine (wish I could do an aerial shot) and you have to keep pinching yourself to realise you're actually there. So many, many, many repetitive shots but actually I don't care as this is what we came to see. (These are in chronological order as taken, but with two different cameras and a telephoto lens sometimes things look a bit out of order.
We were blessed with a fabulous morning and just enough cloud to make the glorious blue sky interesting.
Looking towards North Sydney.
Passing Robertsons Point Lighthouse.
There are numerous little beaches all along the coastline.
Shark Island - a popular picnic spot. You have to pay an AUD 7 landing fee and the whole island can be hired out for special events.
Shark Beach
Watsons Bay which does look very nice.
North and South Heads - whilst crossing here we had to be seated on the boat as the water was quite choppy.
In the distance is Manly which is now one of the most desirable suburbs of Sydney. Years ago I worked with a lady whose family home was there; a large beachside bungalow lived in by her 4 bachelor brothers and apparently in rather a state - I wonder what it would be worth now.
We had intended to get off here but it all looked a bit too built up for our liking.
Crossing back across the Heads.
Memorial mast to HMAS Sydney which sank without trace in 1941 with 645 crew onboard.
Fort Dennison a former penal site and defence facility.
I think I can be forgiven for taking so many shots - it really is just a WOW view.
A fantastic trip around the harbour, if a little chilly as I forgot to take a jumper.