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 Sydney is built around a beautiful natural harbour, with much of the foreshore being dedicated as National Park. Easy walking trails abound, and some of the best views of the city can be had from the heights around Vaucluse (on the route of the blue Bondi & Bay Explorer) or from Bradley's Head, near Taronga Zoo. But you don't have to just look at the harbour from the shore, because Sydney is well-served by a wide variety of excellent harbour cruises and ferry services.
Most scheduled cruises depart from Circular Quay or from the eastern side of Darling Harbour near the Sydney Aquarium. The choice ranges from short jaunts of about one hour to cruises lasting a whole day or evening, from simple cross-harbour ferry-boat rides to luxury excursions on million-dollar yachts. We've listed a selection of the best we could find below.
 Captain Cook Cruises offers a wide range of cruises, with over 20 regular departures every day from 9.30am. Captain Cook's scheduled cruises include five 1¼ hour Harbour Highlights cruises, the superb 12.30pm Luncheon Cruise featuring a lavish meat and seafood buffet, plus the world famous morning and afternoon Coffee Cruises. The 2½ hour Coffee Cruises take in both Main and Middle Harbour, cruising by magnificent waterfront homes, secluded native bushland and beautifully manicured waterside parks. Complimentary coffee and refreshments are included. Captain Cook's fleet of ultra-modern cruise ships operates from both Darling Harbour and No 6 Jetty, Circular Quay.
For cruise information and bookings telephone 9206 1111.
 But if you are a keen yachtie or a would-be sailor you'll probably jump at the chance to see the wonders of Sydney Harbour from aboard the famous America's Cup racer 'Spirit'. Normally the preserve of only the highest echelons of competitive sailing, the sleek black 76ft 'Spirit' now takes up to 35 passengers on 3-hour cruises every Friday and Saturday. Experience is unnecessary as there's a small crew of professional sailors on board, but if you do want to get involved in the sailing you are very welcome to join in. Or you can just sit back and enjoy the ride - it's completely up to you. All you need is a pair of soft white-soled shoes, a hat, some sunscreen and a camera. Morning or afternoon tea is included. 'Spirit' sails from the wharf in front of Star City Casino at Darling Harbour.
For full details and bookings for cruises phone 9660 9133.
 The John Cadman Cruising Restaurant sails nightly at 5.00pm and again at 7pm from No. 6 Jetty, Circular Quay. This beautifully-appointed cruise ship allows you to enjoy superb a-la-carte dining and fine Australian wines while the twinkling lights of Sydney's harbourside suburbs drift slowly by. And for the romantics, there's dancing to the John Cadman Trio after dinner on the later 7.30 cruise.
Bookings phone 9206-6666.
 Situated right on the shore of Sydney Harbour, Taronga Zoo is known worldwide as "the zoo with a view". Its beautifully-manicured grounds offer breathtaking Harbour panoramas as well as the largest collection of native and exotic animals in New South Wales. You'll see koalas, kangaroos, echidnas and frilled lizards, plus the amazing Kodak free-flight Bird Show. Taronga also houses over 2000 rare and endangered animals including Sumatran tigers and Kodiak bears and a growing family of chimpanzees, man's closest relatives. And as an added bonus What's On in Sydney readers will receive 20% off the price of general admission with the coupon on this site. Taronga Zoo is open from 9am till 5pm every day.
For more information phone 9969 2777.
The easiest way to get to Taronga Zoo is by ferry from Circular Quay. There are various combined tickets available which include rail and ferry transfers with Zoo admission but none of these can be used in conjunction with the special What's On in Sydney 20% discount coupon. However if you purchase a SydneyPass you can use that for ferry travel to the Zoo as well as on the Sydney and Bondi Explorer buses, State Transit ferry cruises, the Airport Express and all other regular train, bus and ferry services. Taronga Zoo is open from 9am till 5pm every day. If you need more information phone 9969 2777.
 And while you're around the harbour make sure you leave time for a visit to Sydney's much loved fun park - Luna Park at Milsons Point. As you walk through the famous face you'll enter the magical world of a 1930s amusement park. Take on crazy rides such as the Tango Train and Tumble But, and nostalgic favourites like the superbly restored Carousel. The littlies just love the Space Shuttle and everyone will have the time of their life on the Giant Slides and all the other rides in Coney Island.
Then you can try your luck at a range of old-time slideshow games like the Laughing Clowns, or test your strength on the High Striker - there are fabulous prizes to be won. And the views of the Opera house, harbour, city and North Sydney from the top of the gigantic Ferris Wheel are truly spectacular.
After all that activity you'll be ready for something to eat and drink. There's plenty of choice from fairy floss, popcorn and ice creams at Peters Scoops Parlour to hot dogs, pies and hamburgers at the Lighthouse Cafe. Or you can enjoy the ultimate in coffee at Lavazza Piazza or some fresh seafood and a glass of wine at Fish 'n Sips.
Luna park is next to the northern pylon of the Harbour Bridge. It's easy to get to by bus, train, ferry or car and, best of all, entry is free. You just pay for the rides and games you want. For opening hours and everything else you need to know just call 9922 6644 or visit their website.
 You can explore Sydney Harbour in great luxury, you can cruise it sedately under sail, or you can flash around at up to 80km/hr wave-riding and doing wild fishtails with Oz Jet Boating. You'll get to see all te harbour's main sights while the driver performs amazing extreme turns, power-brake stops and 270-degress spins - there's nothing on the harbour like it! Oz Jet is Sydney's most popular jet boat operator, having carried more than 170,000 passengers since beginning operations in 2000, and this is Australia's most powerful jet boat. They offer a range of trips - from a 30-minute thrill ride to a full 1-hour adventure out to Sydney Heads and back - every day of the year. Oz Jet departs from the jetty on the Eastern side of Circular Quay, from 10am between November and February and 11am between March and October. But they're extremely popular so bookings are advisable on 9808 3700.
 Among the more distinctive sights on Sydney Harbour are the spectacular blue and orange sails of the big sailing catamarans operated by Matilda Cruises. These magnificent boats are renowned for their spaciousness, stability and comfort. Your can choose from morning or afternoon sailing cruises, a superb seafood luncheon cruise, or a very relaxing late afternoon cocktail cruise. For your enjoyment, there's live commentary and a licensed bar on all cruises. You can join Matilda's luxury catamarans at Pier 26, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour any day.
Alternatively Matilda's Rocket Harbour Express might suit your needs better. If you're short on time you can just do the one-hour loop of the harbour, or stay on board and hop on and off as often as you like throughout the day using the one ticket. You'll see all the ladmark harbour attractions and there are stops at Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, Watson Bay and Taronga Zoo. Matilda also operates the Zoo Express from Circular Quay and the Luna Park Rocket Ferry, the only direct service from Circular Quay and Darling Harbour to Luna Park. For more information and bookings for either the big Matilda catamarans or the Rocket Harbour Express phone 9264 7377.
Sydney Jet, Sydney Harbour's high-performance jetboat tours! Experience Sydney Harbour like never before with Sydney's only high-performance jet boats, pulling awesome fish-tails and spins around the harbour. And remember, SydneyJet has a spotless 100% safety record and has fully-trained staff that will give you a guaranteed 100% adrenaline rush!
There's a new high-powered missile hurtling around, Sydney Harbour this summer. Called, Thunder Jet, this 85km/hour speedster is by far Sydney's biggest adventure jet boat. Wild fishtails, stomach-churning 270 turns and eye-popping crash stops are all part of the daily routine, and Thunder Jet passengers sit in front of the driver - up front where all the action is.
Thunder Jet operates all day, every day from Jetty 1 on the Eastern Pontoon at Circular Quay, just near the Opera House.
 You can also explore Sydney Harbour with Sydney Ferries. As well as their regular morning and afternoon cruises there is an evening cruise, which departs Circular Quay at 8pm every Monday to Saturday, returning at 9.30pm. You'll wander past the Opera House and Fort Denison and cruise upstream to see the bright lights of Darling Harbour. You can join any of Sydney Ferries cruises as part of your 3, 5 or 7-day SydneyPass.
For full details phone 131 500.
 Another great thrill these days is to be right amongst the giant whales as they migrate up and down the coast off Sydney from June to November. One of the most experienced whale-watching operators is Bass and Flinders Cruises, the only people who have won a NSW Tourism award and are fully-certified for ecologically sustainable tourism. Bass and Flinders have a 98% success rate in spotting whales and offer a Whale Guarantee – in the rare case of no whales being sighted they’ll happily give you a free return trip. And this year Bass and Flinders offer you a choice of short trips on their new 50-knot rigid-hulled inflatable or half-day cruises on the big 115ft catamaran. Phone 9583 1199 or go to www. WhaleWatchingSydney.net for full details and bookings.
 There’s plenty of action at this time of year just off the Sydney coast too. Hundreds of whales journey north from the Southern Ocean to give birth in the warmer waters of the Whitsundays. They cruise past Sydney on their way north from June to August, then grace our shores again till mid-November on their way back home. These days you can get to see them at close range on True Blue, a purposebuilt 16m Sea Cat that operates daily trips out of Darling Harbour. There’s a special lower viewing deck so you can get as close to the whales as possible, and expert commentary on all cruises. They even guarantee you’ll see whales on all cruises till August 1 or you’ll get your money back. After that they’ll give you a free return trip if no whales are spotted on your cruise. Phone 1800 309 672 for more information and bookings.
Here’s a way to get that great shot that will impress the folks back home. Sydney’s leading helicopter operator, Sydney HeliTours, offers an interesting array of scenic flights, ranging from 20-minute jaunts over the Harbour and beaches to full-day excursions to the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley and the South Coast. There’s even an adrenaline-pumping run over the city’s main attractions in a chopper which has the doors off. Courtesy shuttle bus transfers from selected city hotels to the heliport are free and the flights themselves are surprisingly affordable. Better still, What’s On in Sydney readers will receive a free souvenir DVD of Sydney, valued at $20, with this coupon. For more info and bookings phone 9317 3402 or visit www.sydneyhelitours.com.au
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