Cruise Articles - Cruise Reviews :
Australia - Sydney with Captain Cook Cruises
Cruise on Australia's Sydney Harbour
by Roger Allnutt
Sydney Harbour is undoubtedly one of the best and most attractive harbours in the world. On a bright sunny day with a good breeze blowing the sight of yachts and other pleasure craft is a magnificent sight.Photo: Captain Cook Cruises - Sydney Harbour
Icons such as the Bridge (don’t forget to include a Bridgeclimb in your visit) and the Opera House are world famous, Darling Harbour has many new attractions, and walking round the historic Rocks area is a joy. A relatively inexpensive way to enjoy the harbour is to take one of the many ferries or faster river cats that start from Circular Quay, criss-cross the harbour and ply up the Parramatta River to historic Parramatta. If you take the River Cat to Parramatta make sure you allow time to walk around this historic precinct .
There are many companies offering cruises on the harbour from short daytime cruises, to dinner and supper cruises.
Photo: Captain Cook Cruises
I recently enjoyed sailing on the regular weekender cruise operated by Captain Cook Cruises which provided an opportunity to spend a relaxing weekend with stops at interesting and lesser known points on the harbour, the chance to enjoy walks onshore, learn more about the history of Sydney, be tempted by excellent food and to meet new companions. Cabins are comfortable although rather small; the twin bed configuration seemed better than the double bed option.
As well as providing superb views of the bridge, Opera House, Admiralty House (home of the Governor-General when in Sydney) and other icons, the cruise visited lesser known areas of the harbour such as the lovely Lane Cove River, stopped at Bradleys Head and Watson’s Bay and had time for leisurely walks around The Rocks, to the Gap and South Head from Watson’s Bay, around the foreshore of the Botanic Gardens to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and to the old gun emplacement at Bradleys Head.
Knowledgeable guides on board gave interesting commentaries on the history of Sydney and places being passed as well as pointing out the homes of famous residents and the enormous prices being paid for houses and apartments especially those on the water’s edge.
Photos courtesy Captain Cook Cruises
Sydney Harbour Overnight Cruises depart from Kings Wharf near Darling Harbour most Fridays at 6pm and the cruise concludes around 3pm on Sunday. For more information on all the cruises operated by Captain Cook Cruises check the website www.captaincook.com.au
Roger Allnutt is a freelance travel writer based in Canberra, Australia, and a long-time member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers. He travels widely around the world researching material for publication in newspapers and magazines in Australia, New Zealand, US, Singapore and other parts of the world.
Roger is happy to accept commissions and can provide material on many parts of the world. He can be reached at [email protected].
His other interests include food and wine, classical music and theatre and playing tennis.
Roger Allnutt was a guest of Captain Cook Cruises on the Sydney Harbour cruise.
