A View from Circular Quay Sydney

By SidneyMorgan

Far too often, one’s initial days in an unfamiliar city are spent searching for the part of town that might be equally beloved to tourists and locals alike. The sort of spot where there’s always something exciting going on, day or not. Perhaps the kind of neighborhood that would be host to one of the coolest restaurants or the latest boutique hotel to get a fabulous write-up.

Travelers on their way to Sydney should head to Circular Quay if they want to save a couple of days of exploring and simply start out in one of the most happening spots in town. A bustling metropolis unlike any other, Sydney boasts the most distinct opera house in the world and some of the most stunning architectural structures. For an unforgettable view of them all, many visitors decide to embark upon a ferry ride out in Sydney Harbour. Far from being cheesy, this is a truly fabulous way to take in the entire cityscape, and definitely can be helpful with orientation for future exploring.

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A view of Circular Quay Sydney from a Ferry

Ferry rides

Ferry rides out in the harbour are definitely not limited to those who are interested in bringing cameras along to capture every minute; even those from other places in Australia can be found out on the water, enjoying the sunset behind the Opera House or other distinctive structures of Circular Quay.

A Sydney Ferry

Sydney Opera House

For those gazing upon the Sydney Opera House in real-life for the first time, things can be almost overwhelming. While it might be mentioned up there with some of the other biggest structures in the world built in the last 100 years, many people aren’t really expecting to be that wowed in person by the building, but once you catch a glimpse of its distinctive edifice jutting out from Bennelong Point, you’ll understand why it is an award-winning structure. Far from just a place to take in performances of famous operas, this multipurpose space also hosts a wide variety of concerts and other arts-related events. And of course, the view from the inside of the building is almost as incredible as the one taking it in from the outside.

Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay

The Rocks

To understand how Sydney’s bustling waterfront started out, it’s good to learn a little bit about the development of what is known as The Rocks. This is where, in the 19th century, the influx of trade and business brought the city’s first warehouses, which have been redeveloped into that consummate waterfront space where local businesses flock, restaurants thrive, and perhaps one or two hotels, the best Sydney accommodation around, open their doors. If you’re looking for a way to party with the locals, then don’t look any further than the hippest new neighborhood to integrate the arts and the history of one of Australia’s most exciting cities.

For a night out at The Rocks, many travelers start out by strolling around the streets right at dusk, getting a feel for one of the coolest historical neighborhoods in the entire world. A number of different plaques around the area offer insight into how the now-calm streets were once ripe with bubonic plague and crime. The redevelopment of the area began in the 1970s, meaning that the neighborhood is far more stable today, boasting everything from daytime artisan markets to the most popular restaurants and live music performances in town once the sun starts to set. For those who are history buffs, there’s nothing better than heading out on a tour of the neighborhood, taking care to stop at Cadman’s Cottage, the oldest surviving building in the entire city, and the Dawes Point Battery, which was the first fort constructed in the city, providing an important base for the Australian military.

Market at the Rocks

Royal Botanical Gardens

Of course, if you’re going on a ferry ride in the harbour to learn about more out-of-the-way spots, there are some other things you should take care to pay attention to. Nature lovers seem to flock to the Royal Botanical Gardens, where it’s possible to forget you are anywhere close to a city at all. Gigantic and magnificent trees, incredible views across Farm Cove, and the chance to truly relax are just some of the reasons that the gardens are practically packed year-round. And as the most centrally-located botanical gardens in Sydney, it’s also a place where you know that locals and tourists alike will flock, so the chance to soak up some local flavor while relaxing is definitely high.

Sydney Royal Botanical Gardens

So no matter where your day takes you, an excellent way to begin your time in Sydney is right in the water of Circular Quay, taking it all in visually, and deciding where you hope to spend your first evening in one of the world’s most exciting and unconventional cities.

Some of my other Sydney related hubs

If you are looking for more information about what to see and do while visiting Sydney take a look at some of my other Sydney related hubs.

Explore the historic Islands around Sydney Harbour
A big day out in Sydney Australia
Darling Harbour’s best attractions

Sydney Related Books

	Top 10 Sydney (EYEWITNESS TOP 10 TRAVEL GUIDE) Amazon Price: $4.99 List Price: $14.00
	Lonely Planet Sydney Encounter Amazon Price: $7.26 List Price: $11.99
	Sydney (Eyewitness Travel Guides) Amazon Price: $12.97 List Price: $23.00
	Lonely Planet Sydney (City Travel Guide) Amazon Price: $13.54 List Price: $21.99