Harbour Days Sailing Experience

Harbour Days Sailing Experience conducts the ultimate in Harbour cruises. Visitors on-board one of our luxury sailing vessels will experience a day tour which will provide memories for a lifetime.

No visit to Sydney is complete without sailing it's unique Harbour and by a stroke of good fortune much of the 160 kilometer shoreline of the Harbour hasn't been engulfed by residential and industrial development, but remains in it's natural state for everyone to see and enjoy.

Visitors embark their vessel at the Aquarium Pontoon at the Aquarium Wharf Darling Harbour and the tour begins. By the very nature of the tour catering for an exclusive few a feeling of opulence and knowing that this lifestyle should not be reserved just for the very rich. Cruising up Darling Harbour we shortly turn towards the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, completed in 1932 and is the largest steel arch bridge in the world. The Opera House is upon us and offers the perfect place to take some photographs with such a famous landmark as the backdrop. Continuing our adventure we dodge the ferries leaving and entering Circular Quay and see the Rocks, birthplace of British settlement and where convict labor constructions are easily visible. Continuing past Farm Cove and Mrs. Macquaries Chair on our right and Fort Denison on the left which was constructed on Rock Island originally an area for prisoners where they were left with only bread and water to survive on. Turning towards Rushcutter's Bay hoping to catch a glimpse of a famous resident such as Tom Cruise or Nicole Kidman, we hoist the sails and turn the engine off, depending on the weather and wind conditions we set our course. Sailing past the traditionally wealthy suburbs of Sydney viewing the spectacular private homes at Darling Point, Point Piper and Vaucluse and the national parks of Clarke and Shark Islands, perfect spots to return another day and spread out a picnic. Passing Shark beach and seeing the still maintained nets keeping out any stray sharks from the beach but I assure you that sharks are a rare sight indeed. Past Watsons Bay and the beachside restaurant Doyles, operated by the same family for over 100 years. Next Camp Cove the first place where white people stepped ashore in Sydney in 1788, at the same time view the Gap where on the ocean side the worst ever single tragedy to take place in Sydney occurred on the night of 20 August 1857 when the migrant ship the Dunbar was blown onto the rocks in a gale; 121 people lost their lives and only one survivor remained. A little further up the coast is Lady Bay, Sydney's official nudist beach which regardless of the weather always seems to be someone there. Crossing the Harbour Heads we discuss Sailing to Queensland, Tasmania or across to Japan.

We have now been approximately two hours and at 12 noon everyone is looking forward to lunch and the opportunity to cast a fishing line or having a swim. As we enter Spring Cove on North Head we go back in time as little has changed since Captain Phillip was attacked by Aborigines in 1790, now this lovely quiet beach is surrounded by natural bushland, the peaceful atmosphere enhanced by the sound of a small waterfall cascading over rocks or the laughter of a Kookaburra in the trees.
While lunch is prepared Bream and Flathead can occasionally be caught so we make sure the cameras are handy to record the event. In the cockpit we settle down to enjoy a delicious lunch of prawns, sushi, chicken, ham, salad, pasta, bread. With a glass of Australian wine and beer relaxation takes over and a desert of fruit and cheese makes it almost impossible to leave at about 1.45pm. After we have studied the map the option of returning to Darling Harbour or the opportunity to disembark at Rushcutter's Bay to view the million dollar boats and a short stroll to Double Bay famous for it's ritzy shops and cosmopolitan atmosphere. When everyone has made their decision we head for home under sail and soaking up the sun and fresh air.