The Sirius anchor is an 18th-century wrought iron anchor from HMS Sirius, flagship of the First Fleet, displayed in Macquarie Place Park, Sydney, New South Wales, near the site where Captain Arthur Phillip claimed Australia for Britain in 1788. This guide covers opening times, admission, transport, accessibility and practical tips for visiting this First Fleet artefact and heritage park.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening times | Open 24 hours a day, year-round. |
| Admission | Free entry. No tickets required. |
| Address | Macquarie Place Park, 36 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000 |
| Getting there | 2-minute walk from Circular Quay Station. Central Sydney location between Circular Quay and Wynyard. |
| Time needed | 10 to 20 minutes to see the anchor and other park monuments. |
Sirius anchor opening times
Macquarie Place Park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. The Sirius anchor and other monuments in the park can be viewed at any time. There are no gates, staff or admission restrictions.
The park is lit at night but is most commonly visited during daylight hours between 08:00 and 18:00. The site is located in Sydney’s central business district and is busy with office workers during weekday lunchtimes.
Sirius anchor admission
Entry to Macquarie Place Park and viewing the Sirius anchor is completely free. No tickets, booking or admission charges apply. The park is managed by the City of Sydney and operates as public open space accessible to all.
Five great things to do while you’re in Sydney
- Take a small group tour to the Blue Mountains – with a Parramatta River cruise thrown in.
- See the landmarks and secret beaches – on a Sydney Harbour cruise.
- Discover Sydney’s most historic neighbourhood – on a Rocks walking tour.
- Go on a whale-watching cruise – and admire migrating humpbacks.
- Learn to surf at Bondi Beach – with beginner surfing lessons.
How to get to the Sirius anchor
Macquarie Place Park is located at 36 Bridge Street in Sydney’s central business district, on the corner of Bridge Street and Loftus Street. The park sits between Circular Quay and Wynyard, approximately 300 metres from Circular Quay.
By train, Circular Quay Station is a 2-minute walk (150 metres). Exit the station towards the Sydney Opera House, cross Alfred Street and turn left onto Loftus Street. The park is on the right. Wynyard Station is a 5-minute walk (400 metres) via George Street and Bridge Street.
By ferry, Circular Quay ferry wharves are a 3-minute walk (250 metres). From the ferry terminal, walk up Alfred Street or Loftus Street to Bridge Street.
By bus, multiple routes stop near Circular Quay including routes 200, 324, 325, 333, 380, 389, 392, 393, 394, 396, 397, 399, L94, X94 and Sydney Explorer. The nearest bus stops are on Alfred Street or George Street at Circular Quay.
By light rail, the nearest L1 Dulwich Hill Line tram stop is Circular Quay, a 3-minute walk away.
Parking near the Sirius anchor
No dedicated parking is provided at Macquarie Place Park. The park is a small triangular urban space with no car park. Street parking in the Sydney CBD is limited, metered and expensive.
The Wilson car park at Customs House (31 Alfred Street) offers paid parking approximately 100 metres away, typically charging $15-30 per hour depending on time and day. Secure Parking operates multiple car parks in the Circular Quay area with similar rates.
Public transport is strongly recommended for visiting the Sirius anchor due to limited and expensive parking in central Sydney.
How long to spend at the Sirius anchor
Most visitors spend 10 to 20 minutes in Macquarie Place Park viewing the Sirius anchor and other monuments. The park is small, covering approximately 1,000 square metres in a triangular shape.
The anchor can be viewed and photographed in 5 minutes. Visitors interested in reading the inscription plaque and viewing the other park monuments (Macquarie Obelisk, statue of Thomas Mort, cannon from HMS Sirius, Christie Wright Memorial Fountain) typically spend 15-20 minutes.
The park often serves as a brief stop on walking tours of Sydney’s historic sites or as a rest point between Circular Quay and other CBD attractions.
Accessibility at the Sirius anchor
Macquarie Place Park is accessible to wheelchair users and people with limited mobility. The park is at street level with footpath access from Bridge Street and Loftus Street. No steps are required to enter the park or view the anchor.
The Sirius anchor is mounted on a stone plinth approximately 1.2 metres high. The inscription can be read from ground level. Paths within the park are paved, though some areas have uneven historic stone paving.
Public accessible toilets are located in the Underground Public Conveniences beneath the park, accessed via stairs. These heritage-listed public toilets date from 1912 but are not wheelchair accessible.
Benches are provided throughout the park for resting. The park is surrounded by a low sandstone wall on two sides.
What to see at the Sirius anchor
The Sirius anchor stands 3.2 metres high on a 1.2-metre unpolished granite and marble base. The wrought iron anchor belonged to HMS Sirius, which wrecked at Norfolk Island on 19 March 1790. The anchor was recovered in 1905 through the efforts of Sir F. Suttor and erected in the park in 1907.
A plaque on the base reads: “This anchor belonged to H.M.S. Sirius, which conveyed the First Fleet, sailed from the Isle of Wight 13th May, 1787, arrived in Botany Bay 20th January, 1788, anchored in Sydney Cove, Saturday 26th January, 1788, and was wrecked 19th March 1790, at Point Ross, Norfolk Island, whence the anchor was recovered through efforts of Sir F. Suttor. Erected 1907.”
A cannon from HMS Sirius is displayed alongside the anchor. Both artefacts are owned by the Royal Navy and state government but remain on permanent display in the park following conservation work by the Australian National Maritime Museum.
The Macquarie Obelisk, erected in 1818 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie, stands nearby. The obelisk served as the zero reference point for surveying distances to new towns across New South Wales. It is the oldest surviving public monument in Australia.
A statue of Thomas Sutcliffe Mort (1816-1878), erected in 1883, commemorates the businessman and wool baron. The Christie Wright Memorial Fountain, a decorative wrought iron structure, dates from the late 19th century.
Practical tips for visiting the Sirius anchor
| Tip |
|---|
| Visit during weekday office hours (09:00-17:00) when the park is busiest and safest, or weekend mornings. |
| Combine the anchor with nearby attractions at Circular Quay including the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Garden and The Rocks. |
| The park is small and can be fully explored in 15 minutes, making it suitable as a brief stop on walking tours. |
| Photography is permitted. The anchor photographs well against the surrounding heritage buildings and mature trees. |
| Information boards in the park explain the historical significance of the site and the First Fleet. |
| The park contains mature trees including Moreton Bay figs and plane trees providing shade in summer. |
| Seek out the small bronze birds from Tracey Emin’s 2016 art installation “The Distance of Your Heart” scattered throughout the park. |
Facilities at Macquarie Place Park
Public toilets are located underground beneath the park but are only accessible via stairs. The heritage-listed conveniences date from 1912 and feature ornate wrought iron canopy entrances.
Seating is provided on benches throughout the park. The triangular park features mature trees offering shade. No café, shop or visitor centre is located in the park.
Customs House, located 100 metres away at Circular Quay, provides accessible toilets, a free library, visitor information centre (Monday-Friday 08:00-12:00, Saturday 10:00-12:00, Sunday 11:00-17:00), restaurants and cafés.
Frequently asked questions about the Sirius anchor
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Sirius anchor suitable for children? | Yes. The park is family-friendly with open space and monuments to explore. Supervision is recommended near roads surrounding the park. |
| Do you need to book to visit the Sirius anchor? | No. The park and anchor are freely accessible 24 hours a day with no booking or tickets required. |
| Is the Sirius anchor accessible on Sundays? | Yes. Macquarie Place Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. |
| Can you touch the Sirius anchor? | The anchor is mounted on a plinth and surrounded by low barriers. Touching is not explicitly prohibited but visitors should treat the 200+ year old artefact respectfully. |
| What was HMS Sirius? | HMS Sirius was the flagship of the First Fleet which arrived in Sydney in January 1788. The vessel wrecked at Norfolk Island in 1790 while delivering supplies. |
| Why is the anchor in Macquarie Place Park? | The location is near where Captain Arthur Phillip claimed Australia for Britain in 1788, and the anchor is displayed alongside other First Fleet and early colonial artefacts. |
Historical significance
Macquarie Place Park was the first formally laid out public space in Sydney, established in 1810 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie. The park originally served as the town square before being reduced in size when Circular Quay was built and the Tank Stream covered.
The site is close to where Captain Arthur Phillip claimed eastern Australia for King George III on 26 January 1788. The HMS Sirius was lying nearby in Sydney Cove during the claiming ceremony. The anchor and cannon were initially displayed in front of Customs House before being moved to Macquarie Place in 1907.
Macquarie Place Park is heritage-listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, added on 5 March 2010. The park is located on Gadigal land, traditional country of the Eora Nation.
Things to do near the Sirius anchor
Customs House (100 metres) is a heritage Victorian Georgian building housing a visitor information centre, library, restaurants including Café Sydney, and a spectacular 1:500 scale model of Sydney’s CBD visible through a glass floor.
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (400 metres) showcases Australian and international contemporary art in rotating exhibitions. The Art Deco building at West Circular Quay houses over 4,000 works.
Sydney Opera House (600 metres) is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed performing arts centre. Guided tours operate daily exploring the concert halls, opera theatre and architecture.
The Rocks (500 metres) is Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood featuring heritage sandstone buildings, museums, weekend markets, galleries, pubs and restaurants. The Rocks Discovery Museum explores the area’s history.
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney (800 metres) comprises 30 hectares of gardens overlooking Sydney Harbour. The garden features native and exotic plants, themed gardens, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair viewpoint and free guided walks. Open daily 07:00-17:00/20:00 depending on season.
Those with an interest in Australian history should consider Sydney’s top historic museums – including the Justice and Police Museum, Susannah Place Museum, Hyde Park Barracks and Museum of Sydney.
More Sydney travel
Other Sydney travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Planning a visit to Lane Cove National Park.
- Neighbourhood guide to Surry Hills.
- What to see at the Anzac Memorial in Sydney.
- What to expect at Calmsley Hill City Farm.
- Taking on the Bondi to Coogee walk.
