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Best Australian Ports Of Departure - Sydney

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Let's Cruise From Sydney

Sydney is the largest and most economically important city in Australia, with a total population of nearly 4 million. The city is sited on the eastern coastline of Australia. The Pacific Ocean is located to the east and the Blue Mountains are to the west.

The town was started in 1788 when a fleet of convicts from England arrived in Australia. The transportation of prisoners to Australia was the brain wave of Lord Sydney, the British Secretary of State. Consequently the new town's name. The original colonists had a paultry existence, living in wood shacks, eating meager rations, and suffering savage discipline from the wardens. The natives, though, were to suffer even more baldy, as the diseases brought struck vast numbers of Aborigines. The mild weather, and the multitude of opportunities was a big attraction, and the first free settlers came in 1793.

The settlement expanded at an incredible rate through the 19th century, as the inhabitants founded lots of businesses, uninhibited by burdensome bureaucracy. Through the twentieth century, rapid growth carried on as migrants arrived from both Europe and Asia. Nowadays Sydney is a large, modern and multicultural city, with citizens originating from all over the globe.

The city has become a well-liked destination for tourists. Celebrated sights include the Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Sydney Harbor Bridge and The Rocks. Sydney's seaboard situation and many attractions have helped make it a top cruise port. Over 150 cruiseliners use Sydney port annually.

Things To Do Near Sydney Cruise Port

If you have a day or so to spare at either end of your cruise vacation, Sydney makes a wonderful tourist destination.

The Rocks
The Rocks is the oldest part of the city, and lots of of the buildings at The Rocks are well conserved, for instance Campbells Storehouse, the Merchants House, Cadman's Cottage and Susannah Place. Integrated into this historical fabric, the tourist will find bars, shops, restaurants, cafes and galleries. The Rocks area is near to Circular Quay.

Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House, sited on Bennelong Point on Syney Cove, is thought by many to be one of the archictectural wonders of the world. Designed by Jorn Utzon and built with much controversy, it was opened in October 1973. If your plans allow, watch an opera, a concert or a ballet.. The Opera house is a quick walk along the shoreline from Circular Quay.

Royal Botanic Gardens
The beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens is a green haven sited between the waterfront and the busy center of the city. A trail leads around the sea front, giving lovely views across Farm Cove and Sydney Harbour.

Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Harbour Bridge has a footpath giving easy access to the visitor. Call at the Pylon Lookout on the southern end of the bridge to enjoy an interesting display on the construction of the bridge. If you're not frightened of heights book the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb, a 3 ½ hour expedition to the summit of the bridge. The climb takes you up catwalks, girders and ladders during day or night.

Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is known across the world as as Sydney's most popular beach. During the summer months Bondi beach is the beach for fun, sun and surf. The beach has a magnificent outlook on a wide moon shaped bay of deep blue ocean. From Circular Quay Bus 380 takes forty-five minutes to Bondi.

Recommended Cruises

There's a fantastic variety of cruise vacations departing from Sydney to choose between.

Greenhorn cruisers may appreciate the limited cruises to nowhere, a great introduction to cruising.

7 night cruises include sunny subtropical Queensland, or rainforest-covered Tasmania.

Somewhat longer cruises call at the picture-perfect beaches of the Pacific islands Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

14 day cruises would be a trip around New Zealand, or a journey to the stunning Pacific islands of Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia.

Longer cruises include trips to the oriental wonders of Japan and China, or the fabled circumnavigation of Australia.

For the complete range of cruise on offer, see Cruises From Sydney.

Sydney Cruise Terminals

Sydney's cruise ship services are divided between 2 locations, the Overseas Passenger Terminal and Wharf 5.

Overseas Passenger Terminal
The Overseas Passenger Terminal has access to a 800ft quay, able to berth one large vessel. The terminal is modern with the usual variety of functions for passengers. It features restaurants, an hotel and outside . The OPT is located at Circular Quay, opposite the Opera House within walking distance of Sydney's main tourist attractions.

Darling Harbour Wharf 5
While new facilites are under construction at White Bay, Wharf 5 at Darling Harbour is being employed as a short-term terminal.

Wharf 5 features an arrivals area, customs control, an immigration area and a departure area. The terminal is close to Circular Quay.

The new cruise terminal at White Bay is solely suitable for cruises originating from Sydney, as its location is not convenient for the city's center. Also the facility will be inaccessible to several ships due to height restrictions at Sydney Harbour bridge. With this in mind further plans for another facility at Garden Island, a mile east of Circular Quay, are being formulated.

For the Sydney Port website see Sydney Port.

Sydney Cruise Terminal Map

Transport To The Cruise Terminals

From Sydney Airport
Overseas Passenger Terminal - Catch the train from either the Sydney Airport Domestic station or International Train Station to Circular Quay (Airport and East Hills line). The OPT is within walking distance of the station at Circular Quay.
Wharf 5 - Catch a train from either the Sydney Airport Domestic station or International Train Station to Wynyard station (Airport and East Hills line). It is a 10 minutes walk from Wynyard station to Wharf 5. Another option is a taxi.

From Central Train Station
Main line trains terminate at the Central Rail Station.
The Inner West or South lines connect Central station to the city center. Alight the train at Wynyard or Circular Quay. A further option is a taxi.

By Car
Neither the OPT or Wharf 5 terminals have attached parking lots, however long stay parking is possible nearby.