
Gateway to the sea —
The most familiar Sydney view of all: the Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge as photographed from the Appliances Online blimp, the only one currently flying in the Southern Hemisphere. It's the starting point of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, won in December by American yacht Comanche.

Sailing by —
Maxi yacht Wild Oats X cuts through the calm surface of Pittwater. The yacht is a sister of Wild Oats XI, which set a Sydney-Hobart record of one day, 18 hours, 23 minutes and 12 seconds, in 2005 that remained unbeaten until 2012. In 2015, Comanche became the first American entry to win line honors since 1998 despite suffering damage en route.

Golden years —
A kayaker prepares to launch his craft from the beautiful sands by the side of Pittwater.

Shimmering splendour —
Boats bob at Bayview, a northern suburb of Sydney, beneath sparkling sunshine.

Crest of a wave —
A stand-up boarder rides a wave at Manly Beach, one of Sydney's most popular beaches.

Club class —
An impressive array of yachts lined up alongside a jetty at the Royal Prince Alfred yacht club. The Pittwater-based club has a history stretching back to the 1850s.

Moor the merrier —
Yachts moored in Pittwater. The area, located to the north of central Sydney, is popular among fans of sailing and fishing.

Staying put —
A yacht at anchor floats serenely at Spring Cove, near Manly.

Baskets case —
Rowing boats are lined up on the beach at Forty Baskets, a beach offering spectacular harbor views.

Board meeting —
Surfers paddle their boards and cast shadows on the seabed at Avalon Beach.

Boat show —
An array of yachts on Pittwater.

High note —
A spectacular view of Sydney's most famous landmark, the Opera House, as it casts its distinctive shadow on a sunny April day.