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Where do ships dock in Sydney?


binkey36
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Sydney has two primary large ship "harbours;" Circular Quay and White Bay/Darling Harbour.

 

Circular Quay is located in the main ferry terminal area and has a large number of shops and other activities that are walking distance from a ship tied up in the cruise ship pier. It has the advantage of being accessible by all sizes of ships because there are no bridges between the pier and the open sea.

 

Darling Harbour and White Bay Cruise Terminal is a ground distance of about 2 miles (3.3 Km) and 4 miles (6.8 Km), respectively, southwest of Circular Quay but both require ships to pass under the Harbour Bridge.

 

The Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority assigns the dockage rights and is well known for making last minute changes. For example, a few years ago Celebrity heavily promoted a Millennium cruise where they featured a perfect viewing location for the New Year's fireworks display from the Harbour Bridge because they were scheduled to be docked in Circular Quay (more accurately, "The Rocks").

 

However the Authority decided to send the Millennium to Darling Harbour when it arrived in Sydney where the view of the fireworks was totally blocked.

 

That means you cannot predict where any ship will be docked. So when arranging for independent tours of Sydney be prepared to ask the tour operator to check with the SHFA so they can meet you at the assigned dock location or plan to grab a taxi to take you to a predesignated meeting point.

 

Circular Quay and Darling Harbour are both convenient to public transport and Sydney's central business district, but the White Bay location requires a taxi ride to go anywhere (unless you're prepared to take long walks).

Edited by Host Walt
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HAL ships fit under the bridge so they usually dock at the new (and less convenient) cruise terminal which is something like 30 minutes from town and Circular Quay is reserved for larger ships. Here is a website that can help:

http://www.globenettravel.com.au/cruises/sydney_port_cruise_schedule.asp

 

We were fortunate that our 2012 Oosterdam cruise docked at Circular Quay for both embarkation and debarkation. It was truly spectacular. Our stateroom was on the side of the ship facing the Opera House.

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Thank you so much for all of the information. We are thinking of taking a tour on the Hop On/Hop Off boat that goes around Sydney Harbor. Thanks again...all this information has helped...including the fact that EVERYTHING can change at the last minute (LOL!)

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HAL ships fit under the bridge so they usually dock at the new (and less convenient) cruise terminal which is something like 30 minutes from town and Circular Quay is reserved for larger ships. Here is a website that can help:

http://www.globenettravel.com.au/cruises/sydney_port_cruise_schedule.asp

 

The Circular Quay is better IMHO because it is right next to the Hop On HOP Off tour bus with museum access. Also, at the circular quay you can catch the ferry to the must see Taronga Zoo. The ferry offers for one price the fare to the zoo and the entrance fee to the zoo. Just ask at the ticket window.

 

Also at the Circular Quay is the Opera House -- 5 minute walk in plain sight as well as a good selection of shopping including an Uggs Store

 

ZU

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The Circular Quay is better IMHO because it is right next to the Hop On HOP Off tour bus with museum access. Also, at the circular quay you can catch the ferry to the must see Taronga Zoo. The ferry offers for one price the fare to the zoo and the entrance fee to the zoo. Just ask at the ticket window.

 

Also at the Circular Quay is the Opera House -- 5 minute walk in plain sight as well as a good selection of shopping including an Uggs Store

 

ZU

 

I will keep my fingers crossed for Circular Quay. The ferry sounds like exactly what we want to do. UGGS STORE?? I know where I will be shopping....YEAH!

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We are cruising on the Oosterdam (in about 9 days) and it is scheduled to dock at the Darling Harbour facitily, which does not make anyone very happy. Seems to be a trend for HAL to use that inconvenient facility.

 

Hank

 

Hank,

We sail on the Oosterdam in April 2015. I will be anxious to hear what you think of Darling Harbor, the ship, crew, entertainment etc. Wishing you clear days and calm seas! :)

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Hank,

We sail on the Oosterdam in April 2015. I will be anxious to hear what you think of Darling Harbor, the ship, crew, entertainment etc. Wishing you clear days and calm seas! :)

 

We will not make a judgement on the ship, crew, entertainment until during and after our cruise. As to Darling Harbour...we can make a judgement right now and that judgement would be that the docking position SUCKS. We are DIYers (seldom to ever take a ship excursion) and Darling Harbour is a real challenge as the closest public transit (bus) is quite a hike.

 

Hank

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We will not make a judgement on the ship, crew, entertainment until during and after our cruise. As to Darling Harbour...we can make a judgement right now and that judgement would be that the docking position SUCKS. We are DIYers (seldom to ever take a ship excursion) and Darling Harbour is a real challenge as the closest public transit (bus) is quite a hike.

 

Hank

 

If we dock at Darling Harbor, we will attempt to take a taxi to the Quay. My dad will be 91 on this trip and hiking to the bus stop isn't a good option.

 

We always keep at open mind on the ship/crew/etc, until we sail. I just like to know what observations current cruisers have on the ship we will be sailing on.

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If we dock at Darling Harbor, we will attempt to take a taxi to the Quay. My dad will be 91 on this trip and hiking to the bus stop isn't a good option.

 

We always keep at open mind on the ship/crew/etc, until we sail. I just like to know what observations current cruisers have on the ship we will be sailing on.

 

Was just reading some of the recent ship reviews (here on CC) and they are not particularly good when it comes to everything related to food. Guess we will have to lower our expectations and perhaps take advantage of HAL cut-backs and lose some weight on our cruise :(.

 

Hank

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The biggest ship in port on any day docks at Circular Quay (Overseas Passenger Terminal) so if Royal are in then the Volendam is the ship more likely to go to the a White Bay terminal. Circular Quay can only take one ship while White Bay can take several. I wouldn't think HAL has a choice - size wins.

 

Also Darling Harbour is no longer being used as a cruise dock as it is now a huge construction site.

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Correct, We misspoke as the new White Bay facility has taken over for Darling Harbour. But the result (for passengers) is about the same as White Bay is in a semi-remote location not well served by public transit and out of the main part of town.

 

Hank

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Sydney is now a very busy cruise port in the southern summer with only 3 berths for cruise ships.

The old one - Overseas Passenger Terminal [OPT], Circular Quay & 2 new ones at White Bay.

Berths are allocated by Sydney Ports Corporation - the department that looks after the ports of Sydney & Botany Bay plus others in NSW.

On their site http://www.sydneyports.com.au planning for cruise ship visits is out to January 2021 - & changes to berths do not happen very often due to this advanced planning.

Ships are no longer allowed at OPT Circular Quay during the large firework celebrations in Sydney.

If a large cruise ship cannot get under the bridge then it has to use OPT - or in some cases a buoy in the harbour.

HAL Volendam, Oosterdam & later Noordam can get under the bridge, but they do sometimes get OPT if there are no other larger cruise ships in port.

Unfortunately there is still no ferry service to White Bay & the best way is to use a taxi.

Darling Harbour where the old cruise terminal was is now a building site.

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