Sydney Harbour is the world’s largest natural harbour and the jewel in Sydney’s crown. No trip to Sydney is complete without a harbour cruise.

Sydney Harbour is commonly referred to as the most beautiful natural harbour in the world. Those who come to see it will understand why. The 320 kilometres of shoreline encompass approximately 54 square kilometres of water, which translates to an enormous area for exploration and discovery.

Much of the northern side of the harbour is green with large tracts of forested foreshore on Middle Head and North head conserved within the Sydney Harbour National Park.

On the eastern side of the harbour there are many beautiful bays and beaches, which form part of Sydney’s affluent eastern suburbs.

Along the harbour, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and the Sydney Royal Botanic Garden are two large adjoining expanses of parkland and gardens that lie between the Garden Island naval dockyard and the Sydney Opera House. Historic Government House sits on high ground on Bennelong Point at the back of the Sydney Opera House.

Sydney Harbour also has plenty of marine life, including a colony of Little Manly Penguins and fur seals, with the occasional pod of bottle nosed dolphins and humpback whales cruising in from the Pacific Ocean.

FACTS

Nearly 15 million trips are made by ferry each year.

Nearly 600 species of fish are found in Sydney Harbour, more than in the Mediteranean Sea.

Over 70,000 tonnes of fish are caught by recreational fishers every year.

There are about 20,000 boats registered in the harbour, which is over 50 boats per square km.

There are more than 20 swimmable beaches in the harbour.