Circular Quay Overview
Circular Quay is Sydney's bustling ferry terminus located between The Rocks and Opera Quays with views overlooking both The Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.
This is also an important public transport interchange as a ferry terminus, train and bus stations are in close proximity. The train station is on the underground City Circle which allows workers and tourists easy access to some of the main stations in Sydney including Wynard, Town Hall and Central.
Circular Quay always seems to be a buzz of activity. with people waiting to catch ferries, harbour tours, trains, watching the street entertainers, strolling or just relaxing at one of the eateries.
Circular Quay is also the location for Writers Walk which is a series of round plaques with quotations commemorating various literary figures set into the walk way from the MCA to the Opera House. You can spot plaques for thirty four writers who are have some significance to Sydney or New South Wales including Charles Darwin, Banjo Paterson and Mark Twain.
Darwin's quote reads:
"This is really a wonderful Colony; ancient Rome in her imperial grandeur, would not have been ashamed of Such an Offspring"
Casual Dining
Circular Quay has a selection of cafes and casual eateries including The City Extra which is open 24 hours a day.
Also there are news stands, tour booking offices and souvenir shops opposite the ferry stands.
Circular Quay city rail station is located behind the restaurant / shop precinct.
Opera Quays
The smart Opera Quays leads from Circular Quay towards the Sydney Opera House. This precinct is partly covered as it is built beneath the desirably located residential and office buildings constructed here in the last few years. The supporting columns contribute to a dignified and sophisticated ambience and contrast with the hustle and bustle of Circular Quay.
Opera Quays has some designer name boutiques, souvenir shops, a cinema as well as a selection of cafes and good restaurants (including the award winning Aria) with views towards The Rocks and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The Minus Five Bar is also located at Opera Quays. This unique bar is maintained below freezing point and drinks are served in in glasses made from ice. Fortunately you will be provided with thick clothes and gloves to ward off the cold.
Along the eastern side of Circular Quay the line of some of the original harbour side is marked, indicating what has been reclaimed. Also here is the location for the Jet Boat which provides exhilarating thrill rides around Sydney Harbour.
Sydney Opera House
Opera Quays leads towards the steps of The Sydney Opera House which stands at the point between Sydney Cove and Farm Cove.
Before the Opera House is a precinct of cafes and bars, including The Opera Bar which has views of the Opera House and over to The Rocks
Understandably this is a popular location for photographs and the steps provide natural places to sit whilst taking in the views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and watching the ferries sail to and from Circular Quay.
There is a harbour side cafe and booking desk for shows and tours of the Opera House. More extensive guided back stage tours are also available.
Walking past the Opera House leads you towards The Royal Botanic Gardens which have a magnificent setting along Farm Cove.
Circular Quay accommodation
Circular Quay is a popular location for accommodation as it is so central to Sydney. The Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Sydney CBD are on the doorstep. Click here for a list of Circular Quay accommodation.
Museum of Contemporary Art
The walk round from The Rocks takes you past the Museum of Contemporary Art which is an imposing, stylish 1930's, art deco red brick building facing the harbour. The MCA has the most important collection of contemporary art in Australia and includes works by John Power and Andy Warhol.
There is a popular out door cafe here and the MCA features exhibits from living artists across a broad spectrum of the arts.
Street Entertainers also seem to congregate on the harbour side precinct opposite the MCA and the adjacent First Fleet Park. You can also catch a water taxi from this corner of Circular Quay.
Harbour Tours and Water Taxis
Although Circular Quay has undergone a face lift in the last few years, its purpose as the primary ferry terminus for Sydney remains the same.
Ferries can be taken to all the wharfs on Sydney Harbour including Manly, Parramatta, Olympic Park, Taronga Zoo, Darling Harbour, Balmain and Watsons Bay.
Day time and evening harbour tours can also be booked and boarded here including from Sydney Ferries, Captain Cook Cruises and Matilda Cruises. The companies offer a variety of tours from 1 hour trips to evening dinner cruises with entertainment.
Driving To Sydney
Some approximate driving times to Sydney are:
20Hrs From Adelaide(1400Km)
12Hrs From Brisbane (950Km)
31Hrs From Cairns (2500Km)
3.5Hrs From Canberra(300Km)
45Hrs From Darwin (4000Km)
12Hrs From Melbourne (950Km)
42Hrs From Perth (4000Km)
Driving through the Outback and remote or isolated areas of Australia is not recommended for the unprepared or inexperienced.
See Route and Distance Calculator for more accurate driving times and routes from additional locations.
Flying To Sydney
As a guide, some approximate flying time from Sydney are:
Perth is 5 hours
Melbourne 1.5 hours
Brisbane 1.5 hours
Cairns 3 hours.
Times do not include travel time to and from airports and adequate time prior to check in etc.
Sydney Climate
These figures are for guidance only:
Max Average Temperature
Deg C/ Deg F
Winter(June-Aug):17 / 63
Spring(Sep-Nov):22 / 72
Summer(Dec-Feb):26 / 79
Autumn(Mar-May):23 / 73
Average Monthly Rainfall - mm
Winter(June-Aug): 104
Spring(Sep-Nov): 78
Summer(Dec-Feb): 97
Autumn(Mar-May): 128
Further Sydney Climate information
