Wangiwriter's Blog

Photographs on Friday – Sydney Harbour

We were in Sydney the other day, and decided to take a trip on the Manly Ferry. It is something most Aussies who live in NSW have done, and something tourists often have on their list of things to do. After all, Manly Beach is known world-wide. But, in all the 61 years since I came to Australia, I had never been to Manly, and never taken the Manly ferry.

We have quite a busy harbour. A giant cruise ship was being refuelled as we passed by.

We started at Circular Quay and sailed past some of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks. I took photos of course. Although I only have a cheap point-and-shoot camera, it takes reasonable shots, and I love to go through them when we get home to see what I have caught in the lens.

Sydney Opera House

My outward bound photos weren’t as good as those on the way back, so the only one of Manly Beach is also one of me.

Me sitting on the promenade wall; the southern end of Manly beach behind me.

The ferry that will take us back to Circular Quay arrives at Manly.

Most ferries in Sydney Harbour are named after Sydney suburbs or famous people. The one above is named after the suburb of Collaroy.

Sydney Heads, the entrance to the harbour from the Tasman Sea

The last time I saw the Sydney Heads (the headlands that protect the harbour and make it such a fine one), was in March 1954. That was when we arrived in Sydney by ship from England.

Another Sydney ferry passed inside the Heads

A Whale watching boat takes passengers through the Heads and out to sea.

I enjoyed capturing some of the boats that ply the Harbour on a regular basis. It is a very popular place for sailing, but vigilance is the watchword, especially on a public holiday.

A sailing boat races along under the influence of the strong southerly breeze.

Heading back towards the city.

As we approached the city, it was hard to know what to take photos of. We passed the several small islands along the way. Garden Island is the largest and has long been a naval dockyard. A small island houses Fort Denison, built in the 19th century to repel any Russian invasion. I didn’t get decent photos of those, so haven’t included them.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

As we came into the quay, I took another photo of the huge cruise ship. Re-fuelling had been completed, and I had a clear view of it.

The Carnival Legend cruise ship from Valetta.

Then I thread3ed my way to the other side of the ferry to get a final photo of the Opera House with the sun shining through the grey clouds onto its sails.

The Sydney Opera House lit by afternoon sun

We certainly have a beautiful harbour – even on a cloudy day like it was.

(c) Linda Visman