Sydney Harbour!
Thursday, December 27th – The weather is much improved over yesterday’s wind and rain as we lift anchor to head out of Broken Bay. We pass Barrenjoey Lighthouse on the southern headland of the bay, turn south and head out into the ocean.
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This is a day that The First Mate has long been anticipating. When we began talking about sailing around the world, two harbors sprung to her mind. Sailing under the Golden Gate bridge into San Francisco Harbor was one. That they did in 2009, and it was an emotional moment for her. Sailing into Sydney Harbour with the spectacular Opera House and the Harbour Bridge as back drops is her second spectacular, wished-for harbor. Today, we are going to do it. She is thrilled, excited — Oh, she doesn’t have the words, but she knows it is going to be an emotional time!
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At noon, we sail along and around the North Head and enter Port Jackson as the entry into Sydney Harbour is called. In the very far distance, we can see the skyline of Sydney. We both have been to Sydney before, but we have never been entered this amazing harbor from the sea on our own sailboat having crossed thousands of miles of ocean to do so. Is this real? Should she pinch herself?
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As we enter the harbor, South Head can be seen with its red and white striped Hornby Lighthouse. The skyline of Sydney is becoming ever more clear.
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Mother Nature let her creative genes run wild when she molded Sydney Harbour. It is huge natural marvel filled with many wonderful bays, coves and rivers. As it is not a commercial harbor, there are few large ships here. Instead, the harbor is filled with recreational boats, regular cruise ships and the many ferries that crisscross the bay. The massive, ugly docks and wharfs found in major commercial harbors are not found here. Instead, Sydney Harbour, outside the city itself, is lined with homes, parks and beaches.
Up and down this long harbor, there is plenty of traffic, and there are low spots, reefs and rocks which must be avoided. Fortunately, it is well marked with lights and buoys. Here a series of markers warns boats away from the Sow and Pigs Reef. It is a great spot to anchor off and fish as that little boat is doing but not something one would want to encounter with a deep-keel boat.
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Several islands also come into play as one winds down the harbor toward Sydney. Easy to see and well marked for those dark and stormy nights, they add to the overall picturesque beauty of the place.
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On down the harbor, we sail. Note that: we SAIL! What a thrill! Finally, in the distance, we can see the iconic Opera House. Even from this distance, it shines. Rising beyond it is the equally iconic Harbour Bridge, affectionately called The Coat Hanger. We’re here. We are really here!
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Beyond the Opera House on the water’s edge, the famous Tower Needle dominates Sydney’s skyline as we approach.
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Finally, we are sailing right up to and past the Opera House. How it shines! What a striking edifice it is from the water!
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Not content to just sail up to the Harbour Bridge, The Captain wants to complete his first navigation of Sydney Harbour by sailing under the bridge.
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There is always an optical illusion when sailing under a bridge. We know we have more than enough room, but still an inkling of doubt lingers. Will we make it? Of course, we do, but there is still a breath of relief when we clear to the other side.
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The thrill of sailing into Sydney Harbour was everything and even more than The First Mate expected. The harbor is alive with activity. It’s spectacularly beautiful, and the fact that our gorgeous Avante entered this bay under sail was truly special.
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The First Mate cannot help herself. The view of the Opera House from this side is just too beautiful to let go unmentioned.
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Our initial exploration of Sydney Harbour completed, with The Captain at the helm, we head back across the harbor to our marina. Because we have friends meeting us over the next several days we have reserved a berth in Rose Bay Marina which will allow everyone to find us easily. Reserving space in a marina at this time of year was not easy, and the price for 4 nights in a prime location in Sydney Harbour between Christmas and New Years is beyond impressive!