Making the most of 2021 Vivid Sydney

Billed as a week-long creative festival bursting with creativity, innovation and technology, one aim of the festival is to convert Sydney’s waterfront and skyline into a dynamic light show.

This year’s event will run from August 6 to 28, with one significant event being the Lighting of the Sails, a nightly sound and light show cast onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House.

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This year, Vivid Sydney will feature a stunning new digital artwork titled Yarrkalpa – Hunting Ground 2021, created by the Martu Artists collective and Sydney-based virtual reality creative studio Curiious.

Each year, a big fleet of recreational boaters heads out to check out Vivid, cruise the harbour and drop into the Darling Harbour marina, which is usually booked out by a motor yacht club or two.

It's great fun idling around on a winter's night while taking in the amazing light show. Watch the neons dance on the harbour's steely surface as the city and its icons are illuminated in ways you've never seen before. Don't forget a blanket and a thermos.

But if you are planning to use your own boat to see the spectacular Vivid Sydney light show on the harbour there are a few more serious things you need to consider before you cast off.

Lighting effects along Sydney Harbour’s shoreline transform the water into a spectrum of light and movement as the displays are reflected by the large number of boats cruising past.

This year, Vivid Sydney will feature vibrant projections veiling the city’s iconic architecture on the edge of the harbour, including Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour.

Sydney’s iconic ferries also join in on the fun, featuring individual light shows as they ply the harbour's waters.

Experiencing Vivid from the water on a recreational boat is a great experience, but make sure you follow the navigation rules of keeping to the right and displaying the correct navigation lights.

Recreational vessels are not permitted to enter Sydney Cove (Circular Quay) or to access the southern end of Darling Harbour.

Read up on safe night boating rules and regulations before you hit the water, and check your navigation lights all work.

If your boat is fitted with a spotlight, don’t turn it on. Intensely bright lights will lessen the ability of other skippers to navigate safely.

Transport for NSW sets certain guidelines for how boats need to behave when they are viewing Vivid Sydney.

The waterfront displays are growing in number and size, which means viewing Vivid Sydney from the water is becoming highly popular for both commercial and recreational vessels.

With increased vessel activity during the event, safe navigation practices are paramount.

Transport for NSW will place illuminated signs on the shoreline advising of restricted areas.

Note, too, that certain parts of the harbour will become no stop and no drift zones to ensure there is no build-up of boats heaving to in high-traffic areas, and especially the Sydney Harbour Bridge transit zone between Kirribilli Point to Bennelong Point, and Millers Point to Blue Point.

The pinch point between Dawes Point and Luna Park will be split into eastbound and westbound passages to keep traffic separated.

Transport for NSW publishes a map with a recommended route as well as speed-restricted zones and areas open only to commercial vessels during the festival. Pyrmont will be out of bounds between the hours of 5.30pm and 11pm – a lit sign on Darling Island will let boaters know where the zone starts.

Boats needing access to Pyrmont will need to gain permission from a control vessel to access jetties between Darling Island and the Sydney Casino wharf.

A number of charter boat companies run harbour cruises during Vivid Sydney.

If you are jumping on a cruise to view the Vivid Sydney lights from a vessel in the harbour, it is important to note that the event starts at 6pm each night.

Some operators may offer services via agents, direct sales and online deal websites. It is suggested that you read all terms and conditions and relevant information before booking a trip.

Also read all information on your ticket including departure times, boarding locations and other conditions.

Water taxis provide a great service for visitors to Vivid Sydney. As the event continues to grow it has become necessary to introduce some wharf restrictions for water taxi operators in Sydney Cove to reduce spectator congestion and ensure greater safety for on-shore visitors.

Commissioners Steps, Harbourmasters Steps and Ives Steps all close during the festival’s peak on-water times.

Instead, you’ll have to board water taxis from Campbells Cove, Eastern Pontoon, Man O’ War Steps, Walsh Bay 2 and Towns Place.

More details about the Vivid Sydney spectacular are at www.vividsydney.com.