Queen Mary 2

Today was a big day for Sydney and its harbour. The biggest liner in the world, Queen Mary 2, came for a visit. She was due to come through the Heads into the harbour at 6.30, as the sun came up. Her sister ship, QE2 is due in later this evening. Its the first time that two vessels bearing these names have been in Sydney Harbour since 1941 when they were troopships.

We left home at 4.30am and managed to find a parking spot at Mrs MacQuarie Point near the Botanical Gardens. By the time we walked down to the water it was just starting to get lighter in the Eastern sky.


Just could'nt resist an early morning shot of the Opera House.


Here comes sunrise, with the tip of Garden Island naval base in the foreground.


And the waiting crowds.


Our first sighting of the biggest liner in the World as she passes Bradleys Point.


The tip of Garden Island naval base in the foreground.


She is 23 storeys above the water line.


Passing Fort Denison and starting to swing to Port.......


Every where she went she was preceeded by the fire tug and followed by a huge flotila of other craft.


.......before going astern towards the Harbour Bridge.




She is too tall to go under the Harbour Bridge and the Overseas Terminal at Circular Quay isnt deep enough so she has to moor at the RAN base at Garden Island.


Catching the early morning sun.


Free helicopter washing service as its a very special day.


Heading for Garden Island.


Just rounding Mrs MacQuaries Point and entering Garden Island naval base.


Vessels of all sorts on the Harbour for this special occasion. This is a harbour working boat towing a pontoon fitted out with a BBQ, Sunshade, deck chairs and even two artificial palms at the stern. BBQ breakfast smelt good.



Finally moored at Garden Island, Woolloomooloo, with Kings Cross in the background.



What a contrast between QM2 and the steam vessel Lady Hopetoun.


She is still bigger than the top of MacQuarie Park. Even the Ibis was impressed.