The infrastructure of a harbour is a most retensive undertaking. It's something that is plotted out by city planners, mayors and elected officials as well as private funders and people who have the power to initiate such a massive project. This is not an overnight accomplishment as it takes years, even decades to bring such an area to a serviceable and aethetically pleasing level.
The precursor to Sydney Harbour was Port Jackson. It was officially discovered in 1770 by Lt. James Cook who would name the inlet after Sir George Jackson, who was a Lord Commissioner.
For more than two hundred years after it was discovered the area has transformed into the Sydney Harbour that we know and love today. The Sydney Opera house dramatically enhances the whole harbour. It is a shining diamond that is framed elegantly by the famous Sydney Harbour bridge. It's unique beauty is there for all to interpret, just like a defining conceptual piece of art. It's image is as if there were a collection of open sea shells for sale in the fish market. It was built by Danish Architect Jørn Oberg Utzon who would later win the prestigious Pritzker Prize, which is architecture's greatest honour. The designing process actually started in the 1940's but it wasn't until 1959 when the work finally started. It was then opened on October 20, 1973 in a ceremony presided over by Queen Elizabeth II.
The Opera theatre is known as a proscenium theatre with over 1,500 seats. The Drama Theatre has more than 500 seats. There is also a playhouse with 398 seats. Over 200,000 people each year go on a guided tour through the Opera house. Around 3,000 events are conducted there every year. The Opera House sits on Bennelong Point. it's among the world's most distinctive 20th century buildings. The Concert Hall Grand Organ took ten years to complete and has over 10,000 pipes. The Utzon Room tapestry took four weavers just over eight months to complete.
Other attractions in the harbour area include:
. Harbour cruises via the Sydney Explorer which departs every 45 minutes from Circular Quay and Darling Harbour and takes in many attractions of Sydney's Harbour.
. Taronga Zoo which features many animals indiginous to this area.
. Shark Island, a world class area for professional surfers.
. Watsons Bay, a good place to eat or just go for a leisurely waterside walk.
. Luna Park. A year round amusement park. Poised on the Bay's edge, it offers many rides and attractions for the whole family that are whimsically Australian.
. Harbourside. Boasts many specialty stores, cafes, and bars. There is also the Harbourside Shopping Centre which boasts over 200 shops.
. Sydney Fish Market. Great, easy access to many premium seafood products.
. Sydney Bridge, which also offers a bridge climb!
. various lighthouses and islands are situated in and around the harbour area for you to discover
. Wine Tours, Mountain Tours, Parks and much more.
The mean average temperatures in Sydney are:
Useful links for Sydney and the Harbour area.
http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/
http://www.darlingharbour.com/
http://www.harbourside.com.au/
http://www.sydneyharbourbridge.info/
http://www.seaplanes.com.au/
http://www.sydney.com.au/
http://www.sydney.visitorsbureau.com.au/
http://www.sydney100.com/
http://www.sydney-australia.biz/
http://sydneyaquarium.myfun.com.au/
http://www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au/
http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/