8 Great Sydney Waterways Activities
From climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge and taking the Manly ferry to hiring a Hawkesbury River houseboat and rowing through Lane Cove National Park, there are plenty of exciting ways to discover Sydney’s waterways. David Whitley checks just some of them out.
Hawkesbury River on a houseboat
There’s a world of difference between going for a quick trip on the water and living on it. To get an insight into a completely different lifestyle, you can rent out a houseboat on the Hawkesbury River for a few days.
As the name suggests, these are floating homes, with all the mod cons crammed into a surprisingly spacious vessel. The beauty, of course, is that you don’t really have neighbours, so you can relax or live it up as much as you like.
Holidays Afloat rent out two to four berth vessels.
Learn to sail on Pittwater
For the total beginner, the duckpond-esque surface of Pittwater represents a pleasant spot to learn which ropes to pull when. OK, so it’s not quite as rugged and adrenaline-inducing as steering a course through ocean swells, but you’re also far less likely to drown or be munched on by a shark after you’re thrown overboard by buffeting spray. Pittwater Yacht Charter and Sailing School runs lessons for sailors of all levels of competence. A two-day introductory adventure involves rope work, steering, using winches and reading charts amongst other rudimentary skills.
Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge
If you want a magical view of the Harbour, then the best place is from on top. It’s not taken long for the BridgeClimb to become one of Sydney’s must-dos, and once you’re up there, you can take in 360 degree views of the city’s greatest natural asset.
On the negative side, however, you will have to wear a deeply unflattering grey jumpsuit and suffer a few nervy moments whilst walking over shaky-looking grilles on the underside of the bridge. It’s a trade-off well worth making.
Take the Manly ferry from Circular Quay
There are seemingly hundreds of harbour cruises, but very few of them add much more than a good old trip on the public ferry.
Provided you’re not travelling at commute o’clock, then the chances are you’ll be able to get a good spot.
Whilst there are speedier Jetcats available, the lumbering ferries ensure that you can get a proper look at what’s around you. And the real beauty is that, even if you get the ferry from Manly to Circular Quay every day, there’s always something new that you’ve not spotted before.
Cycle along the banks of the Parramatta River
Bicycles and water usually go as well together as steak and custard, but as long as you stick to the bank, then the Parramatta Valley Cycleway provides a fabulous way to take in the Parramatta River.
Starting at Morrison Bay Park in Ryde, it makes its way up to the George Kendall and Eric Primrose Reserves.
The Sydney Olympic Park is just a quick nip across the bridge, while there are plenty of parks and scenic spots in which to rest the legs after a sturdy pedalling session.
Rowing in Lane Cove National Park
The Lane Cove National Park is an extraordinary oasis in the middle of the north shore’s urban sprawl, and you can explore it properly under your own steam. Providing you’re prepared for your arm muscles to ache like they’ve been put on a rack the next day, then hiring a rowboat and messing about on the river is a wonderfully tranquil experience.
You can pick one up at the boatshed, although don’t get any fancy ideas about going downstream of the weir.
Scenic flight in a Tiger Moth over Botany Bay
Through a cloudless sky, Botany Bay’s big round curve is an absolute treasure to behold, and it’s arguably the finest sight on Airborne Aviation’s one-and-a-half hour scenic flight over Sydney’s beaches and waterways.
Sat in prime viewing position in a Tiger Moth plane, you’ll buzz over everywhere from Narrabeen to Wollongong, but it’s Botany’s distinctive outline that really catches the breath.
Port Hacking fishing tour
It’s not just us that appreciate the water – millions of fish do too, and you can do your bit to reduce their numbers by taking a day’s angling adventure at either Port Hacking or Botany Bay.
A full day’s trip, led by an expert local fisherman, is available with Southern Sydney Fishing Tours. All the gear is provided, from quality rods to a variety of bait, both live and less squirmy.
This article was originally written for the Sydney Morning Herald in October 2006.
