Omaha daily bee., 1907-05-12
[ Wv
10


ride I'm the most perfect security" 50
wrote Governor Phillip In 17Ss, when. hav-
ing found Botany bay unsuitable for set
tiement. he set on UP the coast with TIRES
boats TO seek for safer anchorage; and
Justly are Sydney people proud Of their
magnificent port, which Is, in truth. one
OF the wonders Of the world. From the
preclpitous Heads the splendid harbor
stretches some dozen or fifteen miles,
fringed with numberless coves and bays,
crowned with heights clad In dark green
foliage and affordng at once the most
ideal Of all conceivable waterways for
lovers OF aquatic sports, and the safest Of
anchorages for whole armadas Of the
hugest vessels.
As the incoming ship enters the Heads,
on the right lies the North harbor,
broad expanse Of water at the northern
extremity OF which Is situated the town
chip OF Manly, a favorite watersde re-
sort. distant about seven miles from Sydney
cove. Manly lies on a narrow strip OF
land. which is gently washed on its inner
beach by the quiet waters Of the sheltered
harbor, while on the other side, a few hun
dred yards away. the broad Pacific thun-
ders In its might upon the ocean beach,
and the huge green rollers burst into daz-
cling spray upon the long curve Of white
sea sand the haunt Of the surf bather.
There is an excellent steamer service be-
tween Manley and Sydney, and trip from
Circular quay to Manly wharf Is perhaps
the best method Of gaining an acquaintance
with the magnihcence Of the main harbor,
with its sparkling waters. studded at holi-
day time with the white wings of sailing
craft OF every size and build
81. n
long, many armed estuary extends several
miles into the land, and within its en-
trance a long narrow spit OF sand stretches
from the southern shore almost to the other
side. 30 that this portion Of the harbor,
although facing the open Pacific at one
extremity, is always safe for acquatlc pas
tim and the whole extent of the Middle
har1 with It's many inlets where the
water quietly laps upon snowy sand, and
steep wooded hills which compass It about
in every direction, affords an inexhaustible
variety OF camping grounds, which are the
favorte resort of all Sydney folk who de-
light to live under canvas in summer time.
At Middle Head are situated the chief Of
the fbrtifcations, where the big guns stand
guard over the harbor entrance Watson's
bay, a popular holiday resort, lies across
the waterway, on the inner side Of South
Head, an. = from the heights between Wat
sons bay and Rose bay on the south some
magnificent panoramic Views are to be OBJ
tained. The high lands to the southwest
Of Middle Head is occupied by the flourish
Ing suburb of Mosman, and at Bradley's
Head. the southern point of this promon-
tory. the harbor trends westward. Next
10 Sydney cove. which lies on the southern
shore. is Farm cove, where the warshlps
OF the British squadron ride at anchor, and
lite shores are occupied by tho
Sydney domain, the Botanical
gardens, and the Sydney residence and
grounds OF the governor general. From the
beautiful Botanic gardens, whore grow
ttyes and flowers of every, CLINE. the view
magnificent. At ones feet are green
Fward, and dancing fountains, and lily
icarpeted pools where the black swans glide
IN stately majesty beneath the willows and
the giant palms. Beyond the low stone
pRrapet loom the leaden-colored war yes
sells with their living freight. and beyond.
'Again, the busy ferry steamers ply up and
down with their living freight, while ever
. and anon a great ship FORCES its way out
20 the open sea, or, seeks its moorings after
a voyage from the other side OF the
world; and everywhere the white sails OF
pleasure boats fit like lowering gulls.
IN inc Two bAueb OI ao1uAG1 cow dA0 ING
bArths OF the great liners: and along the
sweeping curve at the southern end
stretches Circular quay whence the ferry
steamers ply necessarily TO the different
suburbs and picnic grounds. II Is from
this quay that the great main thorough
fares of the city OF Sydney lead On the
opposite shore lies the populous suburb OF
North Sydney, and on the promontory to
tho west is situated the densely populated
suburb OF Balmain. From the high ground
at the back Of Lavender bay. on the
northern shore. a magnificent view may
Be obtained Of Sydney, across the busy har-
bpr. and the quays and shipping. with its
towers and spires and great masses Of
buildings Especially is the sight beautl-
ful at night when the lights of Sydney
CLEAN out across the water, and the bril-
liAntly lit ferry boats fit to and fro
like giant hreflles In the darkness
To the westward, the estuary is known
as the Parramatta, and Is navigable for
steamers to within a short distance OF
ParramRtta. the land OF orange blossoms.
The scenery along the river is full OF
charm, and It is a popular resort for oars
men and sailing craft At Cockatoo
island, at the mouth OF the Parramatta,
there Is a huge craving dock capable OF
accommodating vessels COO feet In length.
TO the north lies Hunters hill, a long
tongue OF land, whose frontages are oocu-
pied by pretty villas This separates the
ParramRtta from the Lane Cove river,
trending away TO the northwest. The Lane
Cove IS a long! narrow estuary. winding
into orchard country for many miles, and
10 navigabls for light rowing boats TO a
point that may bo reached from the
Pymble railway station, where, the riveI
having narrowed to the width OF Few
yards some stones have been set up IA
form a little dam Behind this the fresh
water has formed a number OF small la
goons; before II the water Is baclCiSh from
the salt tide that Gibbs and flows from thu
hRrbor. The whole length OF the Lana
Cove Affords "A series Of delicious hooks foi
picniokers Sheltered for the most part b5
steep and wooded banks. a halycon calm
rests upon its waters perenni6lly, however
the winds may rave and buster overhead
To the lover OF every farm Of aquatic
pastime Sydney's magnificent harbor OF
fers the most varied attractions. Sailing
: men can take their craft to do battle with
the swell Of the Pacific as It rolls in at tn
\, heads, or glide over the stlller waters o
the lower Parramatta; oarsmen have
similar choice and light boats may ex
.Ylqfe the exquisite hooks OF bush and ferl