One of the great harbour cities of the world, Sydney is best experienced by those lucky people who travel by sea.
Few sights can compare with Sydney Harbour as it unfolds around the Heads upon arrival, and few ports can offer the chance to berth within sight of its best tourist attractions.
The Harbour is the frame for the city, providing the picturesque setting around which everything else is formed, the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, The Rocks and the central business district.
Within walking distance of either one of Sydney's two modern purpose-built passenger terminals are sites such as the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Darling Harbour and the National Maritime Museum.
A visit to Taronga Zoo on the harbour shore at Mosman, the best duty-free and fashion shopping, or a ferry trip to the beach at Manly are among the range of diverse experiences possible from the Sydney cruise base.
Sydney is a destination in itself, and a great starting point to visit many places of interest. The Blue Mountains are within 1.5 hours of the centre of the city, with coastal resorts to the north and south. Those looking for a rural experience can find it within an easy 2 hour drive, with the Hunter Valley wine-growing district also a 2 hours away.
Gallery Images
Tabs
Activities
Sightseeing Opportunities (Half Day)
- Sydney Opera House : Bennelong Point - walk or taxi;
- Royal Botanic Gardens : Macquarie Street - walk or taxi;
- Taronga Zoo, Mosman : by ferry, 15 minutes;
- Olympic Site : Homebush Bay;
- Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout : walk or taxi or take a guided tour over the bridge span;
- Darling Harbour : Sydneyﾒs Entertainment precinct, 10 minutes by taxi;
- The Rocks : the historic site of Sydney's first European Settlement - walking distance from port;
- Hay Day City Sights Tour : departs from passenger terminal.
Sightseeing Opportunities (Full Day)
- The Blue Mountains features breathtaking scenery. They can be visited on a day tour, but it is recommended that visitors allow time for an overnight stay;
- Hunter Valley wineries;
- Port Stephens;
- Southern Highlands;
- Wollongong and the south coast.
Dining (Best Restaurants for Lunch and Dinner)
Seafood is a particular specialty of the Harbour City.
- The Rocks : food ranging from casual pizza restaurants and pub counter meals to the fine dining provided by famous restaurants such as The Rockpool and Bel Mondo;
- Darling Harbour : close to Darling Harbour Passenger Terminal is another of Sydney's famous entertainment districts, including a mix of cafes and restaurants;
- City Centre : located approximately 1 kilometre from the port, the Central Business District has several fine dining restaurants offering spectacular 360 degree views of the city and surrounds. Restaurants include Sydney Tower Restaurant, The Summit and Level Forty One.
Evening Entertainment
Sydney is a cosmopolitan centre that attracts the best in Australian and international performances. From musical theatre and drama to opera and the symphonies, there are programs of activities in Sydney to suit all tastes.
- Sydney Opera House;
- Sydney Theatre Company;
- Sydney Symphony Orchestra;
- Evening Dinner Harbour Cruise;
- Darling Harbour.
Best Hotels
- ANA Hotel Sydney;
- Observatory Hotel;
- Quay West Apartments;
- Renaissance Sydney Hotel;
- Sydney Hilton;
- Sheraton on the Park;
- Park Hyatt;
- The Regent of Sydney;
- Hotel InterContinental.
Best Beaches
- Bondi Beach : 4 km;
- Manly Beach : 5 km or 25 minutes by ferry;
- Balmoral Beach : 7 km;
Golf
- The Australian Golf Club;
- Woollahra Golf Club Ltd;
- Royal Sydney Golf Club.
Tennis
- Inner City Tennis;
- Kent Street Tennis Courts;
- North Sydney Tennis Centre.
Other Sporting Activities
- Scenic Walks on the harbour foreshore.
Best Shopping Areas
- Queen Victoria Building : 1.5 km from port;
- Pitt Street Mall : 1 km from port;
- The Rocks : 1 km from port;
- Oxford Street : Paddington 3 km from port;
- Central Business District : 1 km from port;
- Double Bay : 5 km from port;
- Mosman : 10 km from port.
Best Shopping Buys
- Opals;
- Pearls;
- Aboriginal art;
- Contemporary Australian art;
- Local and international fashion;
- Duty free;
- Australian contemporary designs.
Customs
Working hours |
|
| Customs Officers | 24 hours |
| Quarantine Officials | 24 hours |
| Immigration Officials | As for Customs |
Customs and Immigration |
|
| Passenger Manifest | Three copies at the first port of call with one copy to Immigration with the passengers card one copy to Customs and the third copy to remain on board the ship. |
| Embarking Passenger Manifest | 3 copies - 1 to Customs 1 to Port 1 stays |
| Crew Manifest | 2 - 1 at first port to Immigration 2nd stays. |
| Stores List | 2 (Aust. Customs Service and Sydney Ports Corporation |
| Customs Declaration (Ship) | 1 (Australian Customs Service) |
| Customs Declaration (Crew) | 2 (Australian Customs Service) |
| Forms Comments | All forms listed above are produced at the first Australian port of call and then one copy of each form travels on board the ship to be produced at subsequent ports. |
| Customs Declaration (Passengers) | One at first Australian port of call only. |
Port health |
|
| Health Declaration | One (pratique) at first Australian port of call only |
Ground Operations
The following Ground Handlers are ACA members and supply superior ground handling services throughout Australia.
Ground Operations Links
Port Approach
Approach |
|
| Arrival Departure Restrictions | Yes |
| Tidal Variation | 1.5 metres maximum |
| Prevailing Currents | 1.2 knots |
| Prevailing Winds | n/a |
| Length of Channel | West channel 1000 metres |
| Depth of Channel | 13.7 metres |
| Comments | Access to Circular Quay (Sydney Cove Passenger Terminal) is limited during peak ferry periods. |
Depth and breadth of turning basin |
|
| Location of Turning Basin | n/a |
| Diameter | No restriction |
| Depth | 13 metres |
| Other points | Constant ferry traffic and dense recreational traffic on weekends and holiday periods. |
Pilotage |
|
| Pilotage Name | Sydney Sea Pilots P/L (SSP) |
| Pilotage Address | Marine Parade Watson NSW |
| Pilotage Phone No | 61 2 9337 6648 |
| Pilotage Fax No | n/a |
| Is Pilotage Compulsory | Yes |
| Position of Pilot Pickup | 4 nautical miles east of Sydney Heads entrance |
| Distance from Berth | 11 nautical miles |
| Pilot VHF Channel | Channel 6 when directed by Harbour control or pilot vessel |
| Description of Pilot Boat | 15 metre, aluminium hull, orange superstructure |
| Pilot Hours | 24 hours |
| Pilotage Fees | On application |
Port Services
Shipping agents |
|
| The following ACA members offer superior service throughout the region. | |
Port Operations/Services |
|
| Inchcape Shipping Services | |
| Address |
Suite 604, Level 5 152 Bunnerong Road Eastgardens, NSW 2036 Australia |
| Telephone |
+61 2 9314 1666 |
| 24 hour contact |
+61 2 9314 1666 |
| Fax |
+61 2 9314 1599 |
| Website | www.barwil.com |
|
CruiseOps.Sydney@iss-shipping.com |
|
| Services | Contact: Karlie Taylor |
Towage |
|
| Are tugs available | Yes |
| Are tugs compulsory | As required |
| Tug operator`s name | Waratah Towage Pty Ltd |
| Tug operator`s fax | 61 2 9810 7991 |
| Ship or tug lines | Tugs |
| Tug working hours | Normal hours 0730 to 1530. Available 24 hours. |
Linesman |
|
| Working hours | 24 hours |
| Port officials | |
| Working hours | 24 hours |
| Overtime | Yes |
Stevedoring |
|
| For details of suitable stevedores, please contact the Shipping Agent | |
Provedoring |
|
| For details of quality competitively priced contractors please refer to the port operator. | |
Telephones |
|
| Telephones | Yes |
| How many | 5 |
| Notice required | Yes |
Bunkering |
|
| Fuel Grades | All |
| Quay or barge | Both |
| Suppliers | Shell operates only available bunkering barge Caltex will supply by road tanker |
Water |
|
| Fresh Water | Yes |
| Exquay or barge | Quay |
| No of hoses | 2 connections 4 hoses |
| Capacity per hose/hour | n/a |
| Tonnes per hour guaranteed | 25 |
| Type of connect | Male |
| Connect size in inches | Various |
Dry garbage |
|
| Dry garbage | Yes |
| Barge alongside | No |
| Containers available | No |
| Size of containers | N/A |
| Number available | N/A |
| Incineration or dump | Incinerator |
| Facilities to transport | Can be pumped to either barge or truck |
Wet garbage |
|
| Wet garbage | Yes |
| Ship or shore pump | Both |
| Sludge disposal | Yes |
| Sludge details | Sludge can be pumped to facilities at Shell tanker berth Gore Cove by prior arrangement with Shell |
Charges |
|
| Port Charges | Not known |
Repair facilities |
|
| Nearest dry dock | Sydney - Australian Defence Industries - Garden Island |
| Length | 347 metres beam 40 metres |
| Maximum Tonnage | 110000 tonnes deadweight (according to vessel design) |
| Divers Available | Yes |
| Engineering facilities | Yes |
Dredging |
|
| Dredging undertaken | No |
| Dredging when | n/a |
Shipping Agents
Port Operator
Port operator |
|
| Name | Sydney Ports Corporation |
| Address | Maritime Centre Tower |
| 207 Kent Street | |
| SYDNEY NSW 2000 | |
| Telephone | 61 2 9296 4999 |
| Facsimile | 61 2 9296 4776 |
| Web Site | www.sydneyports.com.au |
| Email Address | info@sydneyports.com.au |
Berth details |
|
| Berth | Darling Harbour Passenger Terminal (DHPT) |
| Maximum draft | 9.9 metres |
| Tidal variation | 1.5 metres |
| Berth length | 376 metres |
| Guaranteed berthing for cruise ships | Yes |
| Are other ships able to dock | Yes |
| Cargo ships at dock | Yes |
| Security fences | Yes |
| Berth | Sydney Cove Passenger Terminal (SCPT) |
| Maximum draft | 10.4 meters |
| Tidal variation | 1.3 |
| Berth length | 300 meters |
| Guaranteed berthing for cruise ships | Yes |
| Are other ships able to dock | Yes |
| Cargo ships at dock | N/A |
| Security fences | Yes |
Nearest ports |
|
| Australia | Melbourne 36 hours, Brisbane 36 Hours |
| Nearest Overseas Port | Amadee Island, New Caledonia, 2.5 days |
Terminal
Terminal facilities |
|
| Terminal Building | Yes Circular Quay and Darling Harbour |
| Meet and Greet Facilities | Yes |
| Toilet Facilities | Yes |
| Telephones | Yes |
| Availability of Maps and/or Brochures | Yes |
| Souvenir Shopping | Yes |
| Money Exchange | No |
| Is the US Dollar Accepted? | No |
Transport |
|
| Closest Airport to Pier | Sydney Airport |
| Distance to Airport | 15 kms |
| Transport to Airport | Taxis (AUS$25 from either cruise terminal) |
| Can Passengers Walk to Town | Yes |
| Drive Time from Pier to Shuttle Stop | Not applicable |
| Distance from Pier to Town Centre | 1 km from Circular Quay; 0.5 km from Darling Harbour |
| Are Shuttle Buses Necessary | No |
| Suggested Shuttle Stop in Town | Not applicable |
| Availability of Taxis at Pier | Yes |
| Availability of Public Transport at Pier | Yes |
| Other Forms of Transport at Pier | Yes |
Tour buses |
|
| Distance from Ship to Tour Buses | 50 metres |
| What is the Normal Coach Capacity | 50 passengers |
| Are Tour Buses Air Conditioned | Yes |
| Are Refreshments Provided on Buses | On request |
| Are Cold Towels Provided on Buses | On request |
| Are Step Stools Provided on Buses | Yes |
Tourism
Tourism operators in New South Wales:
Tourism operators