The trip on the Manly Fast Ferry takes 20 minutes, compared to half-an-hour on the old ferries, so very soon the city sky-line was in view.

We veered pretty close to Fort Denison, a former prison and military fortress that’s now a fine dining restaurant and function centre.

Beyond the island are the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Opera House – always a reassuring sight. We pass by two old ferries which service the smaller wharves on the Harbour.

A cruise past the Opera House, and we’re once again into Circular Quay. Not a bad commute.