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A new look for a new age at middle harbour.

Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) has been one of the best-kept secrets among Sydney’s sailing community for over 80 years.

Situated just west of the Spit Bridge on Sydney’s Northshore, MHYC’s 900 members have access to outstanding sailing and social facilities, including their own family-friendly private beach, a spacious waterfront restaurant, bar and a 76-berth floating marina.

Yachting standards range from expert tuition for youngsters, beginners, and intermediate sailors to the elite National Training Centre for the Australian Sailing Team next door.

Now, in a departure from the Club’s traditional, under-the-radar approach, MHYC has embarked on a radical re-branding exercise. The intention is to broaden its appeal to a young, lively, energetic clientele who will enjoy discovering the all-year-round joys of sailing on Sydney Harbour, before returning to the clubhouse for some well-earned, convivial, post-yachting recreation and fun.

MHYC has teamed up with marine supplier, Ross & Whitcroft, to revitalise the range of branded yachting apparel and accessories available to the Club’s members and supporters, and with their uniform division, Quality Marine Clothing (QMC), to create a new style of staff livery.

Both Ross & Whitcroft and QMC are already closely involved with MHYC, sponsoring a multitude of race-prizes. The deal signed earlier this year is valid for 3 years and covers all angles of the clubs’ requirements for apparel.

Many of the Club’s races start and finish in the calm stretch of water in front of MHYC, under the eagle eyes of judges in the control tower and enthusiastic fans in the restaurant and bar.

The new MHYC gear is made of light, modern, quick-drying material, in the club’s colours of red and white, as well as the ever-popular marine navy. It’s designed to be comfortable, functional, and effective at sea and on land, removing the need to change between sport and recreation.

Acme’s Sales & Marketing Director, Duncan Curnow, said ‘Choice is important, so we’ve made sure that the range includes many different brands, from the most cost-effective to high-performance brands like Code Zero and Dubarry, which we import to Australia from Europe. Yachties are a demanding bunch – and they know what they like!’

As well as the regular tee-shirts, polo-shirts, caps, jackets, vests and shorts, the new, MHYC-branded accessories include sunglasses and cap straps, 5-litre dry bags and emergency sunscreen, so there’s no excuse for not flying the club’s flag! All the merchandise is available now, both at the clubhouse and online from Ross & Whitcroft’s website: https://rosswhitcroft.com.au/collections/mhyc

On the weekend of 5-6 March, 190 keelboats will race in the spectacular 17th Sydney Harbour Regatta, always the biggest event of the year, hosted by MHYC. A huge crowd is expected and the Ross & Whitcroft/QMC team will be operating a special, pop-up shop in the clubhouse to showcase all the new gear.

The CEO of MHYC, Mark Mayberry, said: ‘Our club was founded in 1939, and we’re proud of our history. A lot of the new apparel carries the 1939 logo as a reminder of that, but this is the start of a new age for Middle Harbour. We’ve been discreet about our club for a long time, mainly relying on word-of-mouth and longstanding family traditions – but we have extraordinary facilities, and we’d like to share them with a new generation of Sydney sailors. The new look is an important part of that: it’s our way of saying: “You’re welcome! Come on in!”’

For more information about the club visit https://www.mhyc.com.au

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THE NAUTILUS MARINE INSURANCE SYDNEY HARBOUR REGATTA

Welcome!  Hosted by Middle Harbour Yacht Club, the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, this year its 20th Anniversary, is one of the largest competitive keelboat regattas in Australia.

190 keelboats will race across 19 divisions over 7 course areas, throughout Sydney Harbour as well as offshore near Sydney Heads. In 2025, the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta will be run on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd March, culminating in the presentation evening on Monday 3rd March. The Middle Harbour Yacht Club acknowledges the support of all of our Assisting Clubs and Event Partners in 2025.

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Competitors hot to topple Sydney 38 One-Design NSW champion

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Entries top 100 as prizes revealed for Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta 

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Club Management

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Keeping a steady course at Middle Yacht Harbour Club

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By Grant Jones

Middle Harbour Yacht Club in the early 1970s was all dark timbers, silver trophies, musty storerooms and old sea salts. For this writer, the return to the clubhouse after sailing tiny timber Flying Ants on Sydney Harbour offered cold lemonade, maybe some hot chips on the tiny beach for the kids and a beer or wine for the adults. In the ensuing half-century, not much had changed.

Mark Maybury came in as Covid started to hammer the industry. Having worked under the stewardship of Richard Errington, CEO of the then Rooty Hill RSL Club – pre Wests HQ – Maybury knew that change in clubs needs to be an evolution, not a revolution. 

“I enjoy clubs and working with the members and the cultural component of it,” he says.

Limited by a 100-berth marina, significant maintenance costs in a “brutal” environment, a tired and costly F&B offering, rusted-on membership, lots of wasted space, compliance costs and sub-lease planning hurdles, much needed doing.

With just four full-time staff, himself included, some part-timers and casuals and an array of elderly volunteers, Maybury decided to maximise the things he could change rather than worry about the things he couldn’t.

While they continue to undertake general maintenance, the ability of elderly volunteers to undertake some of the heavier work is declining. The average age of the 100 or so members is 60-65, with 70 per cent older males. Encouraging female membership with a women-only race series and using an all-female crew or mixed crew with a female skipper on donated boats has gone some way towards arresting the decline in women members. Meanwhile, a junior school holiday program with 300-400 children per year come through, is effectively long daycare with few converting to full membership.

“We can do the junior training but at some point, there has to be a full commitment from the individual and the family and that is time and financial resourcing, boat purchase, then that becomes expensive,” Maybury says. “Those that do come through have a tendency to come from a sailing family.”

Juniors also usually come back when they are 30 or 40 for twilight sailing, but the club needed to look at compacting sailing opportunities that don’t eat into too much of a weekend.

“The problem with sailing, like golf, is also that time constraint. We are finding that it is getting a bit more difficult for our weekend sailing to get crew. Race fleets on weekends are also declining,” he says. “It’s happening all over the place. We all have the same issues. The same with volunteers. They are all ageing … and some of those boat owners are getting older too and they are not as active or as competitive as they used to be.”

A sea change needed to happen. While his expertise is not sailing, it still is the core of Middle Harbour Yacht Club and needed to be addressed.

“How can we change the program to make it more attractive to people who have time constraints?” he asks. “Is it a shorter series or not racing every weekend or racing on Saturday or Sunday in a shorter format? We are just playing around with that at the moment because we see what we need to make an adjustment to that.”

While partnership in boat ownership and growth in cruising and leisure sailing means people want to come back to the club for a drink and a bite, competition numbers are dwindling.

“All the drop-off in race fleets has a knock-on effect to other parts of our club, particularly our on-land components hence why we’ve had to make some adjustments to our food and beverage,” he says.

A new dining prospect

Sailing also only takes place 120 days a year,and there were only a few days when the club was full outside of twilight sailing.

“Then you have 300 people coming off a boat who want to be fed and watered. But that is only 22 times a year,” he says. The in-house catering was also losing money “hand over fist”.

“The revenue levers that we could pull are very limited and our membership has remained pretty static,” Maybury says. “What was key for me and what I looked at was about bringing traffic and life down here and things that would complement our other services.”

During Covid, locals approached the club looking for small office spaces but that wasn’t the right fit.

“Bringing tenants in had to bring a value back to the club in one form, value back to members or second revenue or like activity,” he says. “When we looked at putting partners in here, we looked at what else did they bring [to the club and its members].”

Presenting new ideas and concepts to members was also key in getting ideas over the line.

“Their main thing was how do we take the members through it,” Maybury says of older members who considered the club “their” space. That included an idle former boat brokerage office and junior sailing school, that covered a hidden gem.

“I was standing at the junior sailing office one day looking out the window, looking at The Spit and it was winter and the sun was streaming in. I thought, ‘This is great. If we open this…’.”

So artists’ impressions and an initial concept got members excited. While a fundraising effort was set at $200,000, the gutting of the space and some structural work cost about $350,000. So it would take a lot more to create a quality restaurant.

“It needed to go that next step of having a full kitchen so we tried to raise funds through our foundation,” he says, but the club just couldn’t raise enough and didn’t have the expertise.

“I went back to the board and they all wanted a better restaurant and I said unless you can give me the money we need to look at some more alternatives.”

Maybury proposed putting the venue out to tender on a separate lease, separate title with a liquor licence. The club then asked a local commercial real estate agent who had a queue of people looking for waterside venues. Among them were hospitality duo, chefs-turned-restaurateurs Mitchell Davis and Gavin Gray of Great Eats, the successful catering consultancy behind Bondi Icebergs Club.

“I went ‘Bingo’. This is perfect,” says Maybury. “It was the same vision we had. We aligned and we’ve ended up doing a straight lease with them,” he says.

St Siandra was born. The club then struck a deal to lease the function space above the restaurant. While St Siandra is open to the general public, the operators also offer a tighter menu to the members next door.

“The more successful they are, the more successful we will be,” Maybury says.

F&B is now cash positive. Over the past year, commercial revenue has also increased by 82 per cent. While building issues delayed the opening of St Siandra, things are expected to heat up this summer with forward bookings looking promising. New social members have also signed up.

“It’s brought a lot of life around here,” Maybury says. “It’s a different audience. There is a whole new clientele down here.”

This is an extract from a feature in the Spring issue of Club Management. Keep reading below.

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Adams 10s in close combat - Andrea Francolini, SHR pic

Condor (Super 40s) puts the foot down to stay ahead in 2023 - Andrea Francolini, MHYC pic

FarEast 28Rs offer excitement for sailors and fans alike - Andrea Francolini, MHYC pic

Performance classes competing last year - Andrea Francolini, MHYC pic

Entry opens for Sydney Harbour Regatta

Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC) welcomes all sailors to the New Year and entry into its 2024 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, due to take place from 2-3 March 2024, with another competitive weekend of autumn racing across multiple classes and divisions.

The Notice of Race is now online where you can also enter for the 19 th  running of the largest keelboat regatta in NSW which was introduced in 2006.

New in 2024 is the inaugural FarEast 28R National Championship. A quality Australia-wide fleet exists in this fun and fast Simonis Voogd One-Design class. Excitement is the key factor. Downwind in big conditions has caused a few heart stopping moments for crews and spectators alike and there is often less than half a bowsprit between finishers in races.

Following a successful first Australian J/99 Class Championships at the Sydney Harbour Regatta in 2023, Jules Hall will return with Disko Trooper to defend their title.

The competitive Sydney 38 One-Design class will again hold its NSW Championship as part of the SHR. Whether the determined team of Peter Byford and David Hudson (Conspiracy) can be beaten remains to be seen. MHYC’s Peter Sorensen (Advanced Philosophy) came close last year. He led into the final day, but Conspiracy accelerated to lift the title.

Joining the Sydney 38s for offshore windward-leeward races starting and finishing in the Harbour will be the Super 50 group, with a number of TP52s expected. The Open IRC divisions will race inshore this year.

“We are committed to remaining innovative in our approach to the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta. We review it each year. We continue to grow it and promote the strength of the various one-design classes and other designs in general via NSW and National Championships,” said MHYC Commodore Rob Aldis.

The Commodore will take part also, with Daguet 2, a French built Mylius 50 co-owned with Peter Byford from Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. 

Other one-design classes lining up for MHYC’s signature event include the J/70, J/24, Adams 10, Farr 40 and Etchells. All are ultra-competitive and sailed by some of Australia’s leading lights.

Add to the above the Super 30, Super 40, Performance Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker divisions, Classic Keelboats and Historic 18 foot skiffs – the classes that showcase Sydney Harbour and its famous landmarks in March each year. The Harbour is at its best when it is covered in white sails and colourful spinnakers.

More than 150 yachts are expected to take part in the 19 divisions across seven course areas on the Harbour and offshore.

“We appreciate the large number of competitors who support the event each year and show our Harbour off to its best advantage. We also thank those clubs that support us each year to hold the regatta; a huge undertaking,” Commodore Aldis said.

Those clubs that continue to support the running of the Regatta are: Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Sydney Amateur Sailing Club, Manly Yacht Club, Royal Australian Navy Sailing Association, Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, the Sydney Flying Squadron and their skilled and committed volunteers. 

Early entries close at one minute to midnight on Wednesday 21 February, so enter now and take advantage of the Early Entry Fee.

For the Notice of Race and to enter the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta, please visit:  https://www.shr.mhyc.com.au

Di Pearson/MHYC media

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The Sydney Hop on Hop off Ferry: An Itinerary for exploring the Harbour

So you have a few days in Sydney and are wondering if the Hop on Hop off Ferry is a good idea. So were we. We ride Sydney’s public ferries often and have taken more than our share of harbour cruises, but we were curious about the benefits of the Captain Cook Explorer boat—also known as the HOHO ferry—and whether it justified the expense. When Captain Cook offered us a free pass to experience it firsthand, we decided to give it a try.

In this article, we’ll share our 48-hour journey using the Hop-On Hop-Off ticket . We will also give you some background on each of the stops on the route to help you decide what you might enjoy doing.

Why Choose the Hop On Hop Off Experience?

Considerations, which stops should you get off at, how to make the most of your hop on hop off pass, ticket pricing: finding the best deals, family-friendly activities on the ferry route, photography spots: capture sydney’s beauty, accessibility information, comparing the captain cook ferry to other options, general tips.

This page contains affiliate links. You can find our full disclosure policy here .

Whether you follow our itinerary to the letter or use it as a springboard for your own adventures, we hope it helps you decide if the ticket is right for you.

Ok, so let’s start with answering the most obvious question. Why not just use the Sydney Harbour Ferries to explore?

Well, you can. However when it comes to exploring Sydney Harbour in just a couple of days, opting for the Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) ferry offers some clear advantages over regular public ferries.

• Unique stops : The HOHO ferry stops at Shark Island. This wharf is not on the public ferry route so unless you kayak over or book a water taxi a hop on hop off boat is the only way to get there.
• Efficient travel : Often public ferries require you returning to Circular Quay to switch routes, the HOHO ferry allows direct travel between key locations such as Manly, Watsons Bay and Taronga Zoo. This will save you time backtracking and give you more flexibility planning your day.

Enhanced Experience:

• Freedom to explore : The full circuit takes about 90 minutes, comparable to standard harbour cruises, but with the added benefit of hopping off whenever something piques your interest.
• Accessibility : The boat is fully accessible for wheelchair users and has an accessible toilet. Not all of the stops are accessible but the full circuit can be enjoyed by all.
• Multilingual commentary : The app available with your ticket offers commentary in multiple languages, so instead of wondering what you are looking at you will learn about the history of the harbour and its key sites.

Weaving Dreamtime and Indigenous knowledge with colonial history and recent events, even as a local I found the information shared interesting. For example, did you know that between 1938 and 1950, Rose Bay was this was the site of Sydney’s international airport?

Onboard Amenities:

• Free Wi-Fi : The availability of free onboard Wi-Fi allows you to stay connected and share your adventures in real-time.
• Outdoor decks : The HOHO cruise boats are catamarans with an enclosed lower deck and an open top deck perfect for all weather.

So while you can explore Sydney Harbour using public ferries, the HOHO ferry is very convenient and can enhance your visit. Particularly if you need to maximize your time and want to explore some off-the-beaten-path locations.

• Before you buy, check the timetable and make sure the timing works for you. If you miss the ferry it can be quite a while to the next one.
• I personally think the commentary makes this ticket worthwhile even if you are only going to use it to go to a couple of stops.
• I also like that it is never as crowded as the Manly or Taronga ferry are on the weekend when everyone is taking advantage of the Opal price cap . Paying a little more means a lot more room up top for taking in the view.
• Kids’ tickets can be free on this ferry – check with the operators via the chat window when you book. They currently have free kids tickets if you use the code “Family” when booking.
• If you are on a tight budget you can see most of these places on the public ferries but it will take longer.

One of the best aspects of the Hop-On Hop-Off ferry is the flexibility it offers to explore Sydney at your own pace. With six stops and only a day to see them it’s crucial to know which ones are worth jumping off for.

Each stop boasts its own unique charm and worthwhile activities. Here’s our guide to the top stops and what you shouldn’t miss.

Watsons Bay

Watsons Bay is perched at the entry to Port Jackson at South Head. With the harbour on one side and sandstone cliffs looking out to the Pacific Ocean on the other, it’s an interesting spot to explore for an hour or two.

Highlights you shouldn’t miss here are:

• The Gap Lookout: discover the beauty and the sadness of these towering cliffs.
• The South Head Heritage Trail : this picturesque trail winds through coastal bushland to newly restore Hornby Lighthouse.
• Camp Cove Beach : is marked as the site where Captain Philip first stepped ashore in Sydney Harbour
• Watsons Bay Baths : an enclosed harbour swimming pool that offers a safe spot for families with young kids to paddle around.

Where to eat in Watsons Bay

Watsons Bay offers some delicious dining options, especially for seafood lovers. With its roots as a former fishing village, the area continues to serve fresh and tasty seafood.

• Doyle’s on the Beach : A local institution since 1885, serving seafood meals with a stunning view of the harbour.
• Watsons Bay Hotel: offers casual pub style dining with a strong focus on seafood and wood fire pizzas for those looking for something different.
• Budget-Friendly Options : If you are looking for more casual dining, grab some takeaway fish and chips from the wharf and enjoy a picnic under the shady trees in Robertson Park.

Regardless of your budget, this makes a great lunch time stop with Robertson Park’s shady trees the perfect place to enjoy a picnic if the budget doesn’t stretch to a slap up lunch.

Manly still lives up to the 1920s advertising slogan designed to sell it to locals: “Seven Miles from Sydney and a Thousand Miles from Care.” Just a 30-minute ferry ride from the city centre, Manly offers the quintessential Australian beach experience.

Highlights to explore in Manly:

• Swim : Whether you prefer the calm waters of the harbourside or the rolling waves of Manly’s ocean beach, you will find it here.
• Wander the Corso : A vibrant dining and shopping strip that joins the harbour to the Pacific Ocean, perfect for a leisurely stroll.
• Follow the footpath to Shelly Beach : A picturesque walk that features a couple of waterfront cafes, perfect for people watching.
• Manly Markets : Held on weekends, these markets are a great place to find unique souvenirs and local crafts.
• Visit Q Station : If you’re planning a two-day ticket, make time to visit Q Station and take one of their engaging tours.

For more detailed recommendations, check out our article on our favourite things to do in Manly .

Where to Eat in Manly

Manly offers a wide variety of dining options to suit all tastes and budgets. Here are a few of my favorites:

• The Pantry : Located on the beach, this spot is perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The food is just as impressive as the views.
• Four Pines Brewery : Beer enthusiasts should not miss this local favorite, just a few minutes’ walk from the wharf.
• Norma’s Deli : Halfway along the Corso, this spot offers all the deli favourites as well as tasty sandwiches that are perfect for a picnic.
• Wharf Hotel and Manly 16 Foot Skiff Club : Great options for afternoon drinks with ocean views.

To cap off your visit, treat yourself to some ice cream on the Corso. Anita Gelato and Gelato Messina are two popular choices that won’t disappoint

Shark Island / Boowambillee

Shark Island, standing between Bradleys Head and Point Piper, offers one of the most intimate and scenic experiences in Sydney Harbour. With its 360-degree views, the island is the perfect spot to relax and watch the sailboats and ferries gliding by.

Highlights :

• Breathtaking views : Enjoy panoramic views of the harbour and city skyline, making it an ideal spot for photography and picnics or even proposals !
• Rich history : Originally used as an animal quarantine station in the late 1890s, Shark Island became a public recreation area in 1900 and was later incorporated into the Sydney Harbour National Park in the 1970s.
• Natural beauty : The island features plenty of shady trees, small sandy areas, and little caves where you can spot marine life.

Not a lot of locals make it to Shark Island, the limited access options mean you need to plan ahead. You can kayak from Rose Bay, hire a water taxi, or, most conveniently, hop on the Captain Cook ferry. Just be sure to keep an eye on the ferry schedule to avoid missing the last ride back.

Fact: The first Sydney to Hobart race started from the site on Boxing Day in 1945.

Since there are no food vendors on the island, pack a picnic. There are designated picnic areas with tables, but you can also find a cozy spot under a tree.

Tip : Consider visiting on a Wednesday afternoon to catch the Middle Harbour Yacht Club races or on a Saturday lunchtime to see the Double Bay Sailing Club in action. I don’t think the harbour ever looks better.

Taronga Zoo Wharf

Taronga Zoo Wharf is the most popular stop on the HOHO route, and for good reason. While the zoo itself is a primary attraction, there’s much more to explore from this stop.

Visiting Taronga Zoo :

• Plan ahead : If you’re planning to visit Taronga Zoo, it’s best to start early to make the most of your time. The zoo is expansive and features incredible exhibits that showcase a wide range of wildlife. If time is short, make the Australian animals your first stop.
• Zoo Combo Ticket : Consider purchasing a combo ticket that includes zoo entry—it’s convenient and can save you time.

Exploring beyond the zoo : Even if you’re not visiting the zoo, the surrounding area offers serene harbour trails, quiet beaches and picturesque views:

• Whiting Beach and Sirius Cove : Upon disembarking, head left to walk the trail towards Whiting Beach and Sirius Cove. These quiet harbour beaches provide a peaceful retreat and beautiful views.
• Chowder Bay Walk : Head right for one of the most scenic bushwalks in the harbour. The full walk to Chowder Bay is 3.5 km each way, offering an immersive nature experience. You can choose to walk part of the trail or complete the entire route.

Dining Options :

• Ripples at Chowder Bay : If you’re up for a waterfront dining experience, Ripples offers a delicious menu with stunning views.
• L’Héritage : For a touch of French flair, L’Héritage provides a charming setting and impressive menu.

Budget Tip: There are no budget dining options here, so consider bringing snacks and water if you’re looking to save.

Taronga Zoo Wharf offers a a chance to meet the local wildlife and the natural beauty of Sydney Harbour National Park, making it a versatile stop on your Hop-On Hop-Off ferry adventure.

Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour, packed with restaurants and things to do, is likely already on your list of places to visit while you are in the city.

Top Attractions :

• Australian National Maritime Museum : Dive into Australia’s maritime history with interactive exhibits and historic vessels.
• Sea Life Sydney Aquarium : Experience the underwater world with fascinating marine life displays.
• Madame Tussauds : Get up close with lifelike wax figures of your favorite celebrities and historical figures.
• Wild Life Sydney Zoo : Discover Australian wildlife right in the heart of the city.

Beyond these major attractions, simply strolling along the wharf offers plenty of charm. The area is usually very lively with street performers, public art installations, and great vantage points for harbour views.

Dining Options : Darling Harbour is a culinary hotspot with more bars and restaurants than you could explore in a single visit. Here are a few recommendations to suit different tastes and budgets:

• Fine Dining : Head to Barangaroo for upscale dining options with stunning waterfront views. Cirrus and Anason are top picks for a sophisticated meal.
• Casual Eats : Make your way to Darling Quarter for family-friendly dining. Fratelli Fresh is popular with families and nearby Planar offers a great happy hour and a variety of casual meals perfect for a quick bite.
• Asian feasting: At the southern end of Darling Harbour current hotspot Darling Square offers a diverse range of Asian dining options at all price points. Choose from my favourites, Lilong, Hello Aunty and Chinta Ria.

Darling Harbour’s blend of attractions, dining, and fun night time atmosphere makes it a great stop to end your Hop-On Hop-Off ferry adventure.

The beauty of the pass is that you don’t need to plan in advance if you don’t want to. But if you want to make the most of your time, it’s a good idea to rough out an itinerary. To help you, we have shared two we tried and tested.

*Note times may vary depending on events so please check the schedule on the day.

Riding on a One Day Ticket

The perfect day on the harbour for anyone on limited time

Day One – Taronga, Watsons Bay and Manly

• 9am – Take the first ferry over to meet the animals at Taronga Zoo or if you are not keen to visit the zoo do the Taronga to Chowder Bay walk.
• Make you way to the wharf for the ferry for either the 12:35pm or the 2:30pm ferry if you want to spend more time at the zoo.
• 12:50pm – Take the ferry to Watsons Bay – explore the lookouts and lighthouse.
• 2:45pm – Time to reboard the rocket for the trip to Manly. Wander the Corso, check out the beaches and grab a sunset drink at the wharf.
• 4:40pm – Take the last ferry to Circular Quay (or Darling Harbour)

You could join an evening walk in the Rocks, a sunset drink at Opera Bar or perhaps dinner at Barangaroo.

If you have another day

Day Two – Off the beaten track – Shark Island, South Head, Q Station or Shelly Beach Manly

• 9am – Take the ferry from CQ to Shark Island where you will have an hour and 20 minutes to explore the small island and snap some wonderful harbour photos.
• 10:55am – Reboard the ferry from Shark Island to Watsons Bay.
• Walk out to Hornby Lighthouse, Explore Camp Cove Beach and visit the Gap Lookout
• Decision Time – Lunch at Watsons Bay or Manly
• 12:25pm or 2:55pm – It’s time to move on to Manly
• 5:35pm – Depart Manly and take the ferry back to Circular Quay – for most of the year this is golden hour and a lovely time of year to be out on the water.

Captain Cook have a few options for tickets

• One day pass – ride the bus for one full day
• Two day pass – add another day
• Combo zoo and ferry pass – a one day cruise pass with zoo entry or a two day cruise pass with zoo entry for the same price.
• Combo zoo and HOHO Bus pass – One day cruise and 1-2 days bus pass

If you are travelling with kids then Taronga, Manly and Darling Harbour will be the top choices. Start with the zoo, in summer a swim at fish and chips on the beach in Manly and then finish the day at Darling Harbour and check out the playground – its surrounded by family-friendly dinner options.

Watsons Bay and Shark Island are two must stops for photographers. At Watsons Bay you can shoot the cute candy striped lighthouse, the very picturesque Camp Cove Beach and dramatic cliffs of The Gap.

Shark Island gives you the chance to take 360 degree views of the harbour and a chance to capture postcard views of Sydney’s icons.

Accessibility is key to a great experience. The HOHO boat is accessible for wheelchair users and has an accessible toilet, however only Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Taronga Wharf are accessible for disembarking. At other wharves you would need to have your own help to navigate steps or uneven surfaces.

If you are travelling with a pram, staff will be able to assist you on and off the boat.

Ok, so you could do everything we suggested in our itinerary except Shark Island using the public ferries, but you would have to do a fair bit of coming and going from Circular Quay to make it work. Yes it would save you a little bit of money by hitting the daily Opal cap, but you would lose time and have to work out the various timetables. You also wouldn’t get the commentary or the free wifi.

• Download your commentary app – our free guided commentary is available directly on your smartphone. Don’t forget to bring your headphones. Click here for details.
• View the latest timetables including Hop On Hop Off, Zoo Express, Rocket Sightseeing and Ferry Services
• If your booking includes Taronga Zoo entry, your Taronga Zoo pass must be collected on the day from the Captain Cook Cruises office on the wharf at Circular Quay, prior to boarding your vessel. Your Reservation Record is not accepted at the Zoo.

My Final Thoughts

I believe Sydney is a city that’s best experienced from the water. If you’re looking for a unique and flexible way to explore the harbour city, the Hop-On Hop-Off Sydney Harbour Explorer is a relaxing way to do this.

The cruise allows you to take in breathtaking views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge , while giving you the freedom to hop off at some of Sydney’s most popular spots. It’s not as cheap as combining a couple of ferry rides but I really enjoyed my weekend riding the boat and for a visitor I think it’s money well spent.

Got a question? Head over to our Sydney Expert Facebook Group and ask a local.

Paula Morgan

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Marina and Moorings

• Current Marina Berth occupiers;
• Current Club Mooring occupiers;
• Current Club Full, Club Senior or Club Life Member;
• Wait list applicants.

Additionally in allocating vacancies the club applies a preference to vessel type and club usage:

• Prime preference to boats of appropriate size to berth;
• Preference to yachts engaged in the clubs sailing program (racing or cruising);
• Motor Vessels, based on involvement in club activities.

Marina Information

MHYC has marina berths available to Club Full, Club Senior and Club Life Members only, who shall maintain current membership of the club for the period a berth is allocated to them.

Marina berth fees are charged monthly, on a direct debit system. Fees are annually based:

2022 Marina Fees - at competetive prices. Contact Marina Manager for details. Additional maintenance fees may apply.

To download a Marina Application form - click here To download a Marina Licence Form - click here To download a Vessel Registration form - click here

Mooring Information

MHYC has 9 moorings available to Club Full, Club Senior and Club Life Members only who shall maintain current membership of the club for the period a berth is allocated to them.

Moorings fees are charged monthly, on a direct debit system. Fees are annually based:

Contact Marina Manager for details. Additional maintenance fees may apply.

Casual Berthing Information

From time to time temporary berthing may be available for visiting yachts and vessels. Casual Berths are considered as the Marina T-Heads & Vacant Berths or Moorings. All fees include GST.

Casual Marina Rates, per day:          

To download the Casual Berthing application - click here

Commercial Operations

MHYC can provide shore access to charter operators, price on application, to all drop off/collections.

Berthing Regulations:

• All visiting and Members Vessels are to report to the Marina Office or Dock Master on arrival. Prior contact can be made on Tel: 0451 466 157 (or VHF Channel 73 on race days). Casual Marina and Mooring Fees apply.
• No vessel with a displacement of more than 20 tonnes is permitted to moor, embark, disembark passengers or attach itself in any way to the marina structure. No vessel shall berth for longer than 10 minutes adjacent the Marina Pump out Facility on Marina Arm B.
• Substantial mooring lines and spring and fenders shall be used;

Fenders of a type and size appropriate to the size of the vessel must be placed before the yacht approaches the marina. (NOTE: plastic containers and tyres are not considered adequate fenders); When a yacht/vessel, because of special circumstances, needs to be left overnight, the owner or skipper must first obtain the consent of the Marina Manager or Duty Officer and complete a casual berthing form. All vessels must pay the required fee for a day or overnight stay with the exception of Members who shall receive one night free of charge per month, up to a maximum of 6 nights per year, any subsequent stays in that year shall be charged at the member’s rate. Where a yacht is left overnight on the marina on the eve of a Race Day and is not to be actively raced that day, IT SHALL VACATE THE MARINA BY 0900 HOURS; No vessel will be permitted to be left overnight on the beach or the yachts’ launching ramp areas without first obtaining the consent of the Marina Manager and completing the appropriate form, which may be obtained from the office or bar; The Marina Manager has the authority to move any casual occupant to another berth, mooring or emergency mooring.

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