---
okf_version: "0.2"
type: "Article"
title: "Cruising Sydney Harbour aboard the MV Birchgrove Yacht"
description: "Captain Luke Magennis helps entertain celebrities and VIPs aboard the MV Birchgrove yacht, or in the formal dining room at the Wharf Birchgrove."
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/australia/new-south-wales/mv-birchgrove-yacht-sydney"
language: en
author: "Justine Tyerman"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 4
tags: ["Luxury", "Sydney", "New South Wales"]
entities:
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/new-south-wales"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/sydney"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/australia"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/luxury-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/experience-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/itinerary"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/winter-tourism"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/tyermanj", at: 2026-07-04T13:55:40+00:00 }
sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: mv-birchgrove-yacht-sydney.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Justine Tyerman"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/tyermanj"
    last_modified: 2016-07-13
timestamp: 2026-07-04T13:55:40+00:00
---

# Cruising Sydney Harbour aboard the MV Birchgrove Yacht

> A sunset cruise on Sydney Harbour aboard the 50ft MV Birchgrove, departing from the historic Wharf Birchgrove in Sydney, offering guided tours past iconic landmarks with Moët included.

## Destination
Sydney Harbour, departing from The Wharf Birchgrove, Sydney, Australia

## When to go
Sunset cruises are offered year-round; the article notes winter conditions with winds up to 25 knots are handled with ease.

## Why visit
A guided harbour cruise taking in Sydney's most iconic landmarks, with an experienced captain, champagne on board, and the option of whale watching off the coast.

## What to see
- **Sydney Opera House** — The iconic roof shells glow pink and gold in the fading light of a sunset cruise.
- **Sydney Harbour Bridge** — Passed beneath during the guided harbour tour.
- **Goat Island** — Included as a stop on the guided harbour tour.
- **Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay** — Also featured on the harbour tour route.

## What to do
- **Sunset cruise on the MV Birchgrove** — 50ft yacht cruise with Moët included, guided by captain Luke Magennis.
- **Whale watching** — Captain Luke offers whale watching excursions with a strong track record of sighting humpbacks breaching off the coast.

## Good to know
The Wharf Birchgrove, built on a former Stannard Brothers shipyard site, retains antique fixtures including a derrick crane, hand winch and fire-fighting equipment. The Norwegian-built Windy Triton Sports Cruiser, also moored at the wharf, is noted as the first luxury charter yacht in Australia with IPS drives and can sleep six and entertain up to twelve.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/MV-Birchgrove-Justine-Tyerman-captain-Luke.jpg"
    caption: "Justine with Captain Luke on the MV Birchgrove"
    keywords: ["MV Birchgrove", "Sydney"]
    captured: 2016-07-13
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/MV-Birchgrove-wharf.jpg"
    caption: "The MV Birchgrove pulls away from the wharf"
    keywords: ["MV Birchgrove", "Sydney", "yacht"]
    captured: 2016-07-13
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/MV-Birchgrove-Sydney-Opera-House.jpg"
    caption: "Sydney Opera House from the MV Birchgrove"
    keywords: ["MV Birchgrove", "Sydney"]
    captured: 2016-07-13
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/MV-Birchgrove-Sydney-Harbour-Bridge.jpg"
    caption: "Sydney Harbour Bridge from the MV Birchgrove"
    keywords: ["MV Birchgrove", "Sydney"]
    captured: 2016-07-13
```