The Writers Walk at Circular Quay in Sydney is a tribute to authors with a connection to Australia – whether they be Australians, authors who lived in the country for a time, or visited Australia.
The walk features plaques set in the pavement around Circular Quay, with the name of the author, their birth year, an excerpt from their writing, and a short biographical summary of their notoriety.
| Distance: | 1km approximately |
| Start: | Circular Quay West |
| End: | Sydney Opera House forecourt |
| Public Transport: | Ferries, trains, light rail, buses at Circular Quay |
| Drinking Water: | Ground level of Museum of Contemporary Art Near MCA and near Ferry Wharf 2 (map) |
| Toilets: | Circular Quay Train Station Customs House Library on Alfred St Museum of Contemporary Art |
| Top Tip: | Visit the Sydney Writers Walk first thing in the morning when the crowds have yet to descend on Circular Quay. |
Sydney Writers Walk Overview
The Sydney Writers Walk features commemorative plaques in the pavement between the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay West and the Sydney Opera House forecourt at Circular Quay East.
The 60 plaques are each dedicated to a writer with a connection to Australia. Some of the featured authors are Australians, others called Australia their home for a time, and the remainder visited Australia at some point.
The Sydney Writers Walk was installed in 1991 as an initiative of the NSW Government’s Ministry for the Arts. The walk was expanded with additional plaques added in 2011.
“The extension of the Writers’ Walk in this, the historic gateway of Sydney, is strong testament to the importance of writing to Australian society and culture. Writers give us our voice and fuel our imagination,” said Chip Rolley in 2011, then Sydney Writers’ Festival Artistic Director.
You can walk the Sydney Writers Walk in either direction, and it’s approximately 1km point-to-point.
Best time to do the Sydney Writers Walk
Home to ferry wharves, a cruise ship terminal, museums, bars and dining, and the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay is a very busy part of central Sydney.
If you’d like the opportunity to beat the crowds and spend more time reading the author plaques, the best time to do the Sydney Writers Walk is first thing in the morning.
Make your way to Circular Quay for sunrise and you’ll enjoy a much quieter experience as you wander the pavement between the Overseas Passenger Terminal and Sydney Opera House.
Sydney Writers Walk Map
This map of the Sydney Writers Walk shows the approximate points you can start and end your walk: near the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay West and the Sydney Opera House forecourt in Circular Quay west, via the Circular Quay ferry wharves.
Facilities
Being located in Circular Quay, the walk is close to everything you need whether it be public bathrooms, somewhere to fill your water bottle, or a place to store your luggage for a few hours.
Drinking Water
Within the City of Sydney there are many drinking water fountains and bubblers. You can use this handy map to find the nearest drinking water fountain.
The closest drinking water to the Sydney Writers Walk is near the Museum of Contemporary Art and near Ferry Wharf 2.
There are also many cafes and restaurants around Circular Quay and The Rocks if you’d like another kind of drink such as a coffee or a cocktail!
Toilets
You’ll find public toilets located at Circular Quay train station, as well as across the road in Customs House Library on Alfred Street.
Luggage Storage
If you’re travelling and have bags or suitcases with you, you might also like to store them so you can properly enjoy the Sydney Writers Walk.
A handy app to use is Bounce which helps you find nearby luggage storage facilities. There are a number of places in Circular Quay and The Rocks where you can store your luggage while you explore the area.
How to get to the Sydney Writers Walk
Public Transport
Wherever you’re travelling from, the best way to get to the Sydney Writers Walk at Circular Quay is via public transport. Being located directly on the promenade around Circular Quay, you’ll find buses, trains, ferries, and light rail all close by.
Cruise Ship
If you’re arriving as a visitor on a cruise ship and tour ship is docked at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, you’ll find yourself within easy walking distance.
The Sydney Writers Walk begins very close to the Overseas Passenger Terminal, just keep your eyes peeled on the pavement and then make your way around Circular Quay until you reach the other side in front of the Sydney Opera House.
Driving
If you drive into the city to do the Sydney Writers Walk, you’ll find a number of paid parking stations close by including on George St in The Rocks and beneath the Sydney Opera House accessible via Macquarie St.
Sydney Writers Walk Highlights
The Sydney Writers Walk features plaques to 60 different writers with connections to Australia. It’s a great place to spend time, as you walk you can seek out a favourite author, or discover an author you’d like to learn more about.
The Sydney Writers Walk is not only a walk where you can learn about these great authors, it’s also a wonderfully scenic walk.
Located right on Circular Quay, the walk features views of Sydney Harbour. You’ll see the Sydney Harbour Bridge on one side of Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House on the other.
After you’re done exploring the Sydney Writers Walk, you might like to dine at one of the many cafes and restaurants along Circular Quay, or head around past the Opera House to visit the Royal Botanic Gardens.
You can also head up to Cahill Walk, a pedestrian path that sits above Circular Quay train station and connects with the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk.