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. Happy cruising.
 Whether it’s a day trip to Taronga Zoo, a seafood lunch off Watsons Bay or an elegant dinner for 2 or 2000, there is a Captain Cook Cruise for every budget and every occasion. Sydney’s largest fleet of cruise, sail and rocket ferries offers a choice of over 20 cruises daily from No 6 Jetty, Circular Quay and Pier 26, Darling Harbour. The award-winning 2.5 hour Coffee Cruise to beautiful Middle Harbour, featuring personalised commentary and morning or afternoon tea on board, is justifiably world famous. It departs every day at 10am and 2.15pm. The Sydney Harbour Explorer cruise combines the ease and comfort of a cruise with the flexibility of a ferry. The all-day Explorer ticket lets you hop on and off at any of seven harbourside attractions – including Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay, Fort Denison, Shark Island, Luna Park and Darling Harbour. At 5pm Captain Cook's Cocktail Cruise offers the perfect way to finish a great day of sightseeing. For bookings phone 9206 1111 or visit www.captaincook.com.au.
 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 75ft 'Spirit' now takes up to 30 passengers on 3-hour cruises every Friday and Saturday. No experience is needed 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 on the western side of Darling Harbour. For full details and bookings for cruises phone 9660 9133.
 The MV Sydney 2000 takes Sydney Harbour dining to an impressive level. Sydney’s most prestigious cruise ship offers a comprehensive range of cocktail, lunch and dinner options from sumptuous seafood buffet lunches to elegant seven-course degustation dinners. Over the three dining decks the entertainment varies from dancing to opera, or for the romantics, the silent symphony of the sparkling city lights by night. For bookings phone 9206 1111.
 Situated right on the shore of Sydney Harbour, Taronga Zoo is known worldwideas "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, platypus, echidnas and frilled lizards, and an amazing free-flight Bird Show. Taronga also houses over 2000 rare and endangered animals including a breeding herd of Asian elephants, Sumatran tigers and Kodiak bears and a growing family of man's closest relatives, the chimpanzee.
 The latest attraction at Taronga is called Great Southern Oceans. This spectacular new 1.2 hectare exhibit allows you to come face-to-face with an amazing array of seals, sea lions, penguins and all the other precious creatures that inhabit the waters around Australia. The little penguins seem to be ‘flying’ as they swoop and glide through the water when seen through the big viewing windows in their specially-designed pool, and the antics of the seals and sea lions as they frolic and play their way through the show at the new Seal Discovery Theatre is simply a joy to behold. The easiest way to get to Taronga Zoo is by boat from Darling Harbour or Circular Quay. Regular commuter ferries operate all day, and the Zoo is also on the route of Captain Cook Cruises’ Sydney Harbour Explorer round-harbour service. As an added bonus What's On in Sydney readers will receive 15% off the price of general admission with the coupon on this site. Taronga Zoo is open from 9am till 5pm every day of the year. For more information phone 9969 2777.
On one of your evenings in Sydney you just have to step aboard the Sydne y Showboat for a magical evening afloat, combining the spectacular sights of Sydney Harbour by night with lavish cabaret entertainment and fine a-la-carte dining. From the moment the gorgeous showgirls greet you at the dock you know you’re in for a night you will never forget. The exciting cabaret features an array of world-class performers who have danced their way from New York, Las Vegas and Paris to the glistening waters of Sydney Harbour, while the friendliness of the staff and the superb a-la-carte dinner is absolutely second to none. And For full details and bookings phone (02) 8296 7266 or visit www.sydneyshowboats.com.au
 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 Ferris Wheel. 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, Sydney Harbour and the city and suburbs from the top of the gigantic Ferris Wheel are truly spectacular. 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 better still, go straight to www.lunaparksydney.com.
You can also explore Sydney Harbour with Sydney Ferries. 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 May to December. 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 have a new 50-knot rigid-hulled inflatable so you can get out there and back in around two hours and still have a full hour among the whales. Of course they still offer half-day cruises on their big 115ft catamaran. Phone 9583 1199 or go to www.WhaleWatchingSydney.net for full details.
 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. These days you can get to see them at close range on an adventure ecotour with True Blue Cruises. Experienced crew provide informative commentary and the specially designed lower viewing decks allow you to get as close as possible to these gentle giants. True Blue guarantees you’ll see whales on all cruises from June 1 till July 31 or they’ll give you half your money back. Before and after these dates you’ll get a free return trip if no whales are spotted on your cruise. True Blue Cruises operate from King Street Wharf # 8 at Darling Harbour. Phone 1800 309 672 for full details and bookings.
 There’s an exciting boat offering whale-watching cruises off Sydney this season. It’s called JetCruiser – a big open-aired jetboat with an expansive deck to give you a 360-degree view of all the action. JetCruiser is ideal for those with limited time as the cruise only takes 2 hours – they can do this because the boat gets down to the Heads and out to sea so quickly. You’ll see all the mainsights of Sydney Harbour on the way to the Heads, while still having plenty of time outside to see the whales. And although the boat has the capacity to seat 64 people, passengers on whalewatching cruises are limited to just 46 to ensure everyone on board can move about easily and get good close-up photos of these gentle giants loping along. And while you’re out there there’s an informative commentary from the friendly crew and ponchos are available on request. JetCruiser’s 2-hour whale watching cruises depart Circular Quay and Darling Harbour daily. If you mention What’s On in Sydney you’ll get a special deal of only $65 per adult – which is a really good price. Phone 9807 1999 for full details and reservations.
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