On the water

Fast facts

• Sydney is the city to set your pulse racing
• The harbour at its heart, beaches at its fringes

Why go there

Sydneysiders are famously obsessed by the outdoors and why not, with such a beautiful harbour, endless beaches and coastal walks. The opportunities afforded by Sydney’s natural landscape and climate means access to its harbour and beaches are easy with out-of-the-ordinary adventures commonplace.

Things to do

• On the harbour Catch a ferry, take a harbour cruise or feel the wind in your sails on one of the world’s most beautiful harbours. Kayaking in the quieter parts of the harbour is relaxing while a high-speed jet boat trip is pure fun.
• Above the harbour Take a seaplane flight from Rose Bay to Palm Beach or a shorter flight over the harbour and city gardens. Climb to the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge at dawn – or dusk – for a refreshing look at Australia’s favourite waterway.
• By the harbour Join a cycling tour that takes you through the heart of the city and around the harbour foreshores. Or jump on the back of a shiny Harley Davidson for a spin along the beach or over the Harbour Bridge.
• In the harbour Explore the temperate waters of Sydney Harbour and its large variety of marine life on a snorkelling tour, guided shore dive or boat dive from Chowder Bay near Balmoral.

Don’t miss

• Sydney’s great walks – Bondi to Bronte and Coogee or Manly to the Spit.
• Surfing Sydney’s beaches. You can hire boards at most beaches or have lessons at Bondi and Manly beach.
• Scaling Sydney Harbour Bridge on a BridgeClimb.
• White water rafting at Penrith Whitewater Stadium.
• Kayaking on the harbour from Rose Bay, Middle Harbour or Manly.
• A dive with the sharks at Manly’s Oceanworld.
• Explore the mangroves, Aboriginal heritage and the Royal National Park with Cronulla Cruises

Events

• The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race fleet sets off every Boxing Day.
• A Ringing Glass (Rilke); A major installation work by Ken Unsworth on Cockatoo Island, 1-28 June