Captain Henry Waterhouse Reserve - Kirribilli, New South Wales

PorcBelly

A fantastic place to view the Sydney Harbour Annual New Year Firework. The view span from the Botanical Garden to the Harbour Bridge with the Opera House taking centre stage.
2020 New Year is the first time you will need to get ticket to view the event. It’s all worth it as there are better security in place and crowd are at a manageable level. Highly recommended but do go early if you want the prime spot.

Kenneth J.

This spot can be regarded as one of the most iconic views of Sydney harbour. You can get the bridge and the opera house into a single frame. It is no wonder it is popular for weddings. The foreshore is well maintained. It can be accessed easily by bus, train, ferry and car with plenty of 2hr & 4hr metered parking. Alcohol free after 6pm. Extremely crowded on New Years Eve because it's a great venue to watch the fireworks. Great romantic spot for an evening walk. Better put this spot on your bucket list. Click the like button if you think this place is awesome.

TheDiscerningDiner

Beautiful just beautiful The views are really spectacular here if you’re looking for a really nice picnic spot or a wedding or just taking a beautiful walk I highly recommend this place
Flowers done by @Crazy About Flowers

Brenden W.

The views from this park are amazing. Sit here and watch ferries and boats pass by. Views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, city and Circular Quay. This park has some history too. A sign at this location says this park is dedicated to the memory of British Naval Officer Captain Henry Waterhouse "who made a significant contribution to the development of New South Wales for the years 1788 to 1800." In 1993, the Waterhouse family donated this land for public use.

This is what the plaque at this location says:

"This Reserve is to honour the memory of Captain Henry Waterhouse, Naval Officer, (1770-1812) who made a significant contribution to the development of the colony of New South Wales between the years 1788 to 1800. As a midshipman, Waterhouse sailed with Captain Arthur Phillip on HMS Sirius, the First Fleet flagship. Following his arrival, and promotion to 3rd Lieutenant, he and Lieutenant William Bradley assisted Captain John Hunter in completing the first detailed survey of Port Jackson and the adjoining coastline (shown here). He accompanied Governor Phillip on many excursions and was a central figure in the drama at Collins Cove (now Manly Cove) where Phillip was speared by an Aborigine. Waterhouse returned to England in 1791. In July 1794 he was appointed Second Commander of HMS Reliance on the recommendation of the newly appointed governor, Captain Hunter. The following year Captains Hunter and Waterhouse returned to Port Jackson on the Reliance with their friends George Bass and Matthew Flinders. In 1796 Waterhouse sailed with others to the Cape of Good Hope where he purchased and brought back the first pure merino sheep to be imported into the Colony. These were subsequently sold to John and Elizabeth Macarthur, Samuel Marsden, William Cox and others. In 1800 Waterhouse was recorded by Collins as being the first to sight what is now known as a wedge-tailed eagle. He was granted land at Liberty Plains, Parramatta, purchased The Vineyard from Philip Schaffer in 1797, and acquired two leases at Port Jackson one of which was on Garden Island. He returned to England in 1800, on the journey discovering and naming one of the islands now known as the Antipodes, and was afterwards one of the witnesses at his sister Elizabeth's marriage to George Bass. Waterhouse died on 27th July 1812, unmarried but survived by a daughter, Maria, born in 1791, whose mother was Elizabeth Barnes. He is buried at St John's Westminster. In 1993 the Waterhouse family who owned Greencliffe dedicated a port."

Philipp S.

It is one of my favourite spots in Sydney. And it surely has one of the best views upon this graceful city. It is sad that drinking in public is not allowed in Australia, because it is a great place where you would enjoy it and a BWS is close by. It is beautiful at any time of the day, yet sunsets can be pretty perfect. Something I found really amazing is that this place is often very calm in contrast to the nearby tourist stop at the street.

Ali S.

Extremely good views of the Sydney skyline, opera house and harbour bridge.
Highly recommended at night.
There is meter parking next to the Jeffrey Street Wharf.
Beware of mozzies in certain seasons

Haaris A.

Brilliant views and very soothing. I loved walking along the harbour area. It's a great place for coming out to with Family or Friends. Definitely worth a visit.

NickSydney

Great views from the harbour here and plenty of places to relax and have something to eat in the lawn. Parking can be difficult so a train to Milsons Point can be another Ilton during the busier times.