Best Places in Sydney For Taking Photos
Best Places in Sydney For Taking Photos
Deb Carr
Sydney is full of interesting buildings, diverse cultures, amazing restaurants, things to do and fantastic places to photograph. Whether you are looking for Harbour views, beaches, city night lights, people, marine life, bird life or culture, you name it; we have it.
Having been the publisher of a Sydney Lifestyle blog for over five years now, I’ve certainly found plenty of interesting photo opportunities.
Here are my favourite places to discover awesome subjects to photograph when visiting Sydney.
QUEEN VICTORIA BUILDING
If it is beautiful architecture you like to capture or stained glass windows then this is one building you must bring your camera to.
Designed by George McRae and completed in 1898, the Queen Victoria Building, now commonly known as the QVB, was built as a monument to the long reigning monarch. The Building has four levels plus the basement that leads to Town Hall Train Station. It is an elegant building with plenty of photo opportunities.
THE STRAND ARCADE
Similar to the QVB The Strand Arcade exhibits its own charm and beauty. I’d highly recommend exploring photo opportunities at the Strand Arcade. I particularly like the tiling, the boutique shops and the view from the upper levels down and across the whole arcade.
THE ROCKS
The Rocks is full of Sydney history with its sandstone buildings and cobble stone paths. The Rocks houses lots of unique boutique shops and various markets. What I love about the rocks is the little nooks and secret pathways you come across when you explore this area. The Rocks is close to Circular Quay, and Millers Point so the area is certainly worth spending some time exploring and finding that perfect photo.
As well as the amazing historical subjects, the Rocks offer plenty of foodie opportunities. There are some interesting bars and hotels in the area offering a range of ornate features and architecture to capture.
SYDNEY EYE TOWER
You will need to pay to get to Sydney Eye Tower but it’s worth every cent. The building has 360 degree views of Sydney up to the Blue Mountains and over past North Head to the Ocean. On a clear day, you will be able to see one of the most spectacular cities in all its glory.
THE ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS
I can’t count how many times I’ve had my camera out at the Royal Botanical Gardens. For those who love to photograph botanical subjects then this is the place for you to visit. As well as the acres of gardens, the Art Gallery is nearby which makes for a great photograph.
The Gardens are next to Sydney Harbour, and there are plenty of opportunities to get the camera out here. Views include the Opera House, The Harbour Bridge, The Harbour, Visiting Ships and much more.
Close by is Andrew Boy Charlton pool overlooking Woolloomoolloo and this is also a nice scene to capture. Continue to walk along past Andrew Boy Charlton Pool and you will come to the famous Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and the photography opportunities here are awesome.
DARLING HARBOUR
There are plenty of photo opportunities at Darling Harbour including the Pyrmont Bridge, which used to have traffic but now is only for pedestrians and cyclists. The water views at Darling Harbour are great to photograph, and at night the lights are stunning. Opportunities around this area are Barangaroo, China Town and the Chinese Garden of Friendship. The Chinese Garden of Friendship has delighted me many times with interesting things to photograph. Darling Harbour and Barangaroo are a foodies paradise, so if it’s food you like to photograph you might find some great subjects around the area, plus you will get to eat it too!
RUSHCUTTERS BAY
Rushcutters Park and Rushcutters Bay are about a 10 minute walk from Potts Point. This is where the famous Sydney to Hobart Race starts.
Here you can photograph the marina and the park. The Park is fabulous on a clear day at sunrise and sunset. For those who like to capture yachts this is certainly the place to visit. A walk along to Darling Point is also worth taking the camera, you will get a great view of the Harbour, including the Harbour Bridge.
MANLY
Manly has plenty of photography options including the Corso, Manly Wharf and the Beach itself. The walk from Manly to Shelly Beach forms part of Cabbage Tree Bay, a protected marine reserve that lies adjacent to North Head and Fairy Bower. You will see plenty of people snorkeling in the bay due to the large variety of marine life, which can be viewed in relatively shallow water. For those photographers will underwater cameras and diving skills this will be a fabulous opportunity for you.
If you like nature, you will most likely spot water dragons lazing in the sun and parrots and other birds to photograph. Further up the hill from Shelly Beach, you will discover a lookout that displays the ocean in all its magnificence and between July and November you may be lucky enough to spot Whales migrating.
Continue up the hill for an amazing bush walk and an old relic sandstone wall. Which is another fantastic subject for photography. Climb through this wall and you will discover a billabong on top of the hill! This truly is a photographer’s paradise.
You may also wish to visit Q Station. Q Station is full of history, with a sad story behind it because it was once used as a Quarantine Station where people with diseases such as Small Pox or Scarlet Fever were sent to recover, and of course many died. Q Station has lots of interesting sandstone buildings, views and bush walks to photograph. Some even believe it is haunted! I have to say when I stayed there I did experience something weird!
