Sydney: the geographically blessed capital of Australia. In particular, Kirribilli; an affluent suburb at the northern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
It's that nice the Prime Minister and Governor-General decided to take up residence and enjoy the views (except Malcolm; he's decided to remain in his impressive mansion at Point Piper rather than move into Kirribilli House.)
I am lucky enough to have a friend living on the famous stretch and I flew down for the weekend to checkout the view in preparation for what will be an exciting New Year fireworks display.
I took this panorama at the base of our apartment complex on the edge of the harbour, just after sunrise.
A wind-free morning and few boats on the harbour helps create a calm image, in stark contrast to the general bustle that builds up from around 7am.
Each image was exposed for about 90 seconds using a Lee Filter (Big Stopper).
42mm | ISO 100 | f/13 | 82 seconds
42mm | ISO 100 | f/13 | 93 seconds
I spent hours over the weekend taking in the view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House and lights of corporate skyscrapers around Circular Quay.
A colourful sunset was my goal but Mother Nature didn't play along. About an hour before sunset thick clouds rolled in and washed out all the colour.
Completed in 1980, the brutalist grey building rehoused tenants that were displaced by the redevelopment of The Rocks area a decade earlier.
Arguably the most valuable plot of social housing land in Australia.
Kirribilli will set the scene for a memorable fireworks display on 31 December.
Stay tuned...
© 2026 Hilton Luke
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