Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WATER TAXIS
Small, fast taxi boats will carry
passengers to any number of
destinations on the harbour.
You can flag them down like
normal cabs if you spot one
cruising for a fare. Try
Circular Quay near the Over-
seas Passenger Terminal or
King Street Wharf. You can
also telephone for a water
taxi. They will pick up and
drop off at any navigable pier.
Rates vary, but expect to pay
a charge for the boat (about
$45) and an additional fee per
person (about $10). They also
operate mini sightseeing tours,
of 15- or 45-minutes, taking in
the harbour's main sights.
Electronic destination board for all ferries leaving Circular Quay
SIGHTSEEING BY FERRY
all river and harbour cruises
from Circular Quay and
Darling Harbour and they do
not charge a booking fee.
Captain Cook, Matilda and
Magistic Cruises
(see p219)
are the most well-known
operators and offer a variety
of morning, lunch, afternoon,
cocktail and dinner cruises.
One good option offered by
both Captain Cook and
Matilda Cruises is the hop-on-
hop-off Harbour Express
service, which gives the
opportunity of stopping at
seven different sightseeing
locations throughout the day.
Boats depart every 45 minutes.
Alternatively, for a touch of
Aboriginal culture, Captain
Cook runs the Tribal Warrior
cruise. This tour includes a
visit to Shark Island, an
Aboriginal performance and
discussions on traditional
food gathering and fishing
techniques. Tours last just
under two hours and leave
from Circular Quay Wednesday
to Sunday at 1pm.
Although Sydney Ferries are
no longer operating
sightseeing tours, catching a
commuter ferry is still a great
way to discover the harbour,
and no visit is complete
without seeing the Sydney
skyline from the water. Close-
up views of the Opera House
and Fort Denison can be had
from any of the North Shore
commuter routes while the
Balmain/Woolwich ferry
makes a stop at Cockatoo
Island
(see p106)
. As well as
providing a fascinating
glimpse of Sydney's convict
history, this island offers
perhaps the best vantage
point for views of Harbour
Bridge and the city skyline.
For a more leisurely cruise
with a commentary, there is
an abundance of commercial
sightseeing cruises covering
all budgets and time
constraints; most last around
90 minutes.
Australian Travel
Specialists
has information on
A water taxi on Sydney Harbour
USEFUL INFORMATION
Australian Travel Specialists
Wharf 6, Circular Quay; Harbourside
Shopping Centre, Darling Harbour.
Tel
9211 3192.
Sydney Ferries Lost Property
Wharf 3, Circular Quay.
Map
1 B3.
Tel
9207 3101 (8am-4pm Mon-Fri).
Water Taxi Companies
Harbour Taxi Boats
Tel
9555 1155.
Harbour Water
Tel
1300 306 676.
STATE TRANSIT FERRY ROUTES AROUND SYDNEY HARBOUR
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