Sydney Fish Market, a privately owned company was established in 1945 by the NSW government. One can buy Sydney’s freshest seafood here and it is also the home to Sydney’s leading cooking school, Sydney Seafood School. The school offers courses in cooking different variety of seafood at home. Over 14, 000 people attend this school every year.

In terms of variety SFM is world’s second largest seafood market and the biggest in the southern hemisphere. Trading over 13,000 tones of seafood annually it sources products both nationally and internationally. Around 50 tones of seafood are auctioned daily through Dutch computerized auction systems.

SFM provides ultimate seafood experience along with amazing Sydney marketplace atmosphere and is a perfect place to be for seafood lovers. It has a working fishing port, fresh food retail market, wholesale fish market, and food and beverage outlets, it offers visitors with an authentic harbor side experience.

SFM has over 100 species of known and exotic varieties of seafood available daily to satisfy diverse tastes of Sydney residents and other visitors. One can also enjoy perfectly cooked fish and variety of other seafood on the wharf overlooking the ocean.

The Sydney Fish Market is a hot spot for observing the people, meeting family and friends, and a hub for tourists, educational tour groups and office workers, who all enjoy the watching the catch of the day auctioned straight from the fishing trawlers.

SFM offers a unique opportunity for everyone to experience the state of the art working seafood market with their Behind the scene tours every Monday and Thursday. This authentic seafood market is a premier place which attracts over 2 million visitors every year. The tours are conducted by experiences SFM guides. The tours cost $20 for adult and $10 for children under13. Children under the age of 6 are not allowed.

Visitors are required to wear enclosed non slippery shoes due to safety measures.

The Sydney Fish Market also has a sushi bar, delicatessen, cafes, bakery, bottle store, ice supplier, butcher, and gift shop, net and tackles shop, and fresh fruit and vegetable supplying shop.
SFM is located at Bank Street Pyrmont and except for Christmas day it remains open from 7am every day. Convenient quiet and clean, Metro Light Rail is the best way to travel to Sydney Fish Market. You can take the rail from Darling Harbor. One can also take a bus, mono rail or catch a boat to reach the fish market. The Darling Monorail station is just a 10min walk from SFM. There is a paid car parking for private vehicles.

SFM also organizes events to educate people about behind the scene lives at the fish market and to promote fishing.

SFM also has a range of fresh packed seafood meal options called ‘Market Pride’. The products are simple, delicious and easy to make even for those who do not know cooking seafood.
When in Sydney make sure to visit Sydney Fish Market for an out of the world experience.

If you feel like moving around to the scenic outdoors or head for some sports and recreation area, then you could literally do with some cross-over. And we do mean literally crossing a bridge. The Spit Bridge (don’t ask how it got the name) is a continuous stretch of the Spit Road and spans the Middle Harbour to connect the North Shore of Sydney with the even further based Manly Walk (don’t ask about the history of this naming either).

The original Spit Bridge was constructed way back in 1924, and was as per the requirement in that era, mostly of heavy wood. But as the city and its traffic grew, the old bridge had to give way to a new version that could carry the ever-increasing traffic load of the city and its suburbs. The current Spit Bridge is a totally concrete and steel construction completed in 1958, with a two-lane track on either side and even has the facility to literally split down the middle and lift open. The split feature is essentially to facilitate the passage for the inland water boat traffic that is constantly plying from one harbour to harbour.

This said and done, it is imperative we inform you that the Spit Bridge and the Spit Road are one of the heavy-traffic stretches and during peak hours, or when the bridge is lifted, the going can sometimes get pretty slow. The plus feature, however, is that the drive does take one through some very lovely and affluent neighbourhoods that are interspersed with absolutely amazing scenic sights.

The fastest way to get to Manly Walk across the Spit Bridge is definitely a car. No hassles for parking as there is provision of ample space. Alternately one can take a bus from the Sydney CBD. And if you have the time as well as the inclination, we would recommend a one way manly walk preferably while headed towards Manly Walk. It may be noted that the northern suburbs and the beaches there are mostly outdoor locales with practically little or no covering. Therefore it is essential to be comfortably attired depending on the time and the season of the visit. Needless to say, cap and shades, and especially a camera, are a must in the attire on any excursion in and around Sydney.

The Manly Walk is open 24 hours on all days of the week, and a half-day (4 hrs) visit is the ideal recommended time. This could include the commute time by conveyance on four wheels or on two legs. There is absolutely no fee levied for usage of either the Spit Bridge or the facilities at Manly Walk. Since the trip is as an outdoor excursion, it would be ideally suitable for the entire family, right from infants to senior citizens. The trip can be equally amazing for a group of friends, and even couples or solo travelers.

For further details or information, one can contact

Manly Visitors Information Bureau – +61 2 9977 1088

The Sydney Harbour has many small islands that are worth exploring. Shark Island is one of these islands that dot the ocean around Sydney Harbour, Australia. It gets its name from its shape and not due to sharks being found in that area. Sydney itself is a modernistic urban place, but the islands around it are relatively untouched, and the natural beauty of these islands is very relaxing.

Shark Island is a part of the Sydney Harbour Park. It is just 100 meters from the popular Cronulla beach. The tiny island comprises of a rocky ledge that is surrounded by shallow waters. The natives call the island Boambilly. Till 1995 it served as an animal quarantine and naval depot. Then it became a picnic spot included in the Sydney Harbour National Park.

It has a scheduled ferry and tour operators take people to the island.

Since Shark Island is connected by ferry, and is just a kilometer away from Rose Bay, it has become a popular picnic destination. Picnic tables are set on the grassy park which is full of shady trees. It is known for its beaches, for fishing and also as a picnic spot where you can spend a peaceful day with your friends and family.

Shark Island is a popular destination for surfers and body boarders. The most popular event at Shark Island is the annual Shark Island surfing contest. On heavy days, the waves are so big, that only the very experienced surfers are advised to surf there. In fact adventure lovers think that the surf here is thrilling and risk the huge waves for the adrenalin rush.

Even if you are not a surfer or body boarder, you can visit the place and take the awesome pictures of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and also the Sydney Opera House. They look magnificent from this island.

Shark Island is available for special events like functions, weddings etc, and can accommodate up to 500 people. You can book your event in advance.

Facilities available on the Island

• Five picnic shelters consisting of one table, one attached bench each. Additionally there are four open picnic tables also having benches attached to them
• There is just one gazebo which can easily accommodate 25 to 30 people. The sad part is that this can not be booked. The first large group that visits the island can avail of it, so you need to be early to get this.
• They offer you facilities like drinking water and toilets.
  There are many shady spots and a small beach area for swimming.
  Since there is no shopping area, you should carry your own picnic basket and drinks along with you.

Shark Island is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and during daylight saving from 8 am to 8 pm. To visit the island you have to book your trip in advance.

The ferry to Shark Island starts from Circular Quay and there are four trips a day. Of course you could hire a water taxi but it is expensive. The adventurous and more agile people could hire a canoe and paddle their way across to the Island from Rose Bay.