The Circular Quay and The Rocks

The Circular Quay is the hub of Sydney Harbour and a major tourist attraction, situated at a small inlet called Sydney Cove, the founding site for Sydney and Australia. It is a stepping-off point for most attractions based around the harbour and an exciting place to be on a warm summer's day. Circular Quay is made up of walkways, pedestrian malls, parks and restaurants. A great vibe with loads of restaurants, cafes, fast food and pubs as well as locals, workers and tourist going about their business.

The Circular Quay is a vibrant, bustling place with ferries leaving every few minutes to different parts of the harbour, including Manly, Watsons Bay, Mosman and Taronga Park Zoo. There are great views of the Harbour Bridge, a short distance away. It hosts a number of ferry quays and a train station.

On the southern side of Circular Quay is a walkway that leads to the Sydney Opera House and Royal Botanical Gardens; while on the northern side, a short walk along lovely landscaped walkways takes you to the Harbour Bridge and The Rocks, one of the oldest, most attractive and most interesting parts of Sydney.

Circular Quay is at the foot of the central business district and the older, historic end of the city. Buses depart here for Bondi and the eastern suburbs.

Framed by the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Circular Quay (Sydney Cove) is the real-life, postcard-perfect vantage point that captures the city in the mind's eye of the world. There is a major railway station at the quay, which is part of the underground City Circle, which skirts around the CBD. Alongside the ferry terminals are a number of small outdoor cafes and the area is a magnet for tourists and buskers of every description.

Circular Quay name is a contraction of Semi-Circular Quay – the cove's old crescent-shaped, convict-built (1837-1844) sea wall. Sydney began here in 1788, when the First Fleet dropped anchor on January 26 (Australia Day). It is the focal point for many of the cities celebrations - most notably the New Years Eve Fireworks display.