Sydney Harbour-side, for Australia Day; the ferries

January 26 is recognized as Australia Day, a day of celebration.  To quote this Australia Day website, "that was the day in 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the First Fleet of eleven convict ships from Great Britain and the first governor of New South Wales, arrived at Sydney Cove".

Though the weather forecast hadn't been brilliant, I'd decided late the night before that the predicted 'occasional showers' might only last for the two-hour journey on the train each way.  Just take a punt on it, be prepared for an early start ... and go!

To be sure, my collection of photographs will span several posts, so I'll just lead-up with one dedicated to the ferries, and the Ferrython!  A popular annual event where the Sydney ferries race from Circular Quay to Shark Island, with the finish line, heading under the Harbour Bridge.

It did shower on the latter part of the train ride, but cleared again before reaching Central, Sydney.  Just one more City-Circle line for a few more stops to reach Circular Quay, and the sun was shining, hurray! So I walk around the foreshore and take photos ... by the dozen.

 With a glimpse of the Opera House there, and a gloomy horizon too.

 this is what happens when the ferry reverses out of Circular Quay (on right-hand side of this photo); this one is maneouvering it's way around

 facing the right way now to head out.  

The background apartments are at Bennelong Point, and were highly controversial and objected to during the building phase.  According to this article in the Daily Telegraph, December 2011, it had been a $AUD600 million project, in the 1990's.  Real Estate pricing quoted, Level 12, five bedrooms, cost $AUD16.8m.  

 The skies are looking ominous now, just ahead of the race scheduled to start at 11 a.m.  This tug-boat has something to do with the start of the race

 

here they come; every floating vessel possible obviously accompanies the ferries

On the hillside, to the left of this photograph, stands Admiralty House, at Kirribilli, home to the Governor General of Australia.  There is a brief history for Admiralty House, Sydney, on this government site.

Way in the distance, a cruise-ship is anchored for passengers to watch from the beginning of the race end.  A helicopter is overhead to the right; there were several flying over the harbour. 

Television news coverage for some, like this one.  I can see the camera aimed, underneath.