Circular Quay

Circular Quay is a harbour, former shipping port, and now a passenger terminal, public piazza, heritage area, and transport node in Sydney, New South Wales. It is located in Sydney Cove on the northern shoreline of the Sydney central business district, between Bennelong Point and The Rocks. Often called the 'gateway to Sydney', the precinct has commanding views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, and is a popular location for viewing the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks.

Don't miss

• Views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House from the promenade
• Sydney Writers Walk – a series of plaques commemorating writers with some connection to Sydney, installed in 1991
• The Museum of Contemporary Art, located in the former Maritime Services Board building
• The heritage-listed Customs House, built in 1844–1845, which now houses the City of Sydney Library
• Cadman's Cottage, a building from 1816 that marks the approximate location of the quay's natural western shore
• The Overseas Passenger Terminal, where large cruise ships dock

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Circular Quay

Cheapest way inSydney Harbour Sightseeing Highlights Cruise4.4★ · 177 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$26 per personSee dates →Most bookedSydney Opera House Official Guided Walking Tour4.7★ · 4,135 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$36 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleSydney Half Day Private Tour: See Sydney Opera House and Bondi4.9★ · 139 travelers~4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$295 per personSee dates →

Know before you go

• Cruise ships dock at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay or at the White Bay Cruise Terminal. If docked at Circular Quay, you can walk off the ship into The Rocks and the City Centre.
• Circular Quay railway station is the only station on the City Circle that is above ground, with views of the harbour, bridge, and Opera House.
• The quay is a major bus terminus, with many routes following former tram lines. The CBD and South East Light Rail also has a terminus in Alfred Street.
• Circular Quay is the terminus for all public ferry routes in Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River, except the Mortlake Ferry.

A bit of history

The Aboriginal name for Circular Quay is Warrung, meaning 'little child'. The area was inhabited by the Cadigal clan for at least 30,000 years. Sydney Cove was the site of the initial landing of the First Fleet on 26 January 1788. Circular Quay was constructed in 1837–1844 by reconstructing the southern section of Sydney Cove with an artificial shoreline. The harbour was originally known as 'Semi-Circular Quay', shortened for convenience. By the 1870s, commercial shipping moved to Darling Harbour, and the quay became a hub for passenger ferries. The railway station and elevated Cahill Expressway opened in the 1950s.