Two Queens meet in Sydney Harbour. The QE2 and Queen Mary 2 receive royal treatment in Sydney

January 20th 2007 was the day that the magnificent QE2 and Queen Mary 2 ships sailed into Sydney Harbour. I was one of those mad people that was in the harbour by 5.30am to make sure I had a good vantage point - and I was still only just on time! There was a huge crowd down at Mrs Maquires Chair. Photo enthusiasts like myself, parents who’d been dragged out of bed by their kids and people who just wanted to see this floating behemoth.

When it came into the harbour, initially all you saw was the smoke from the funnels, high above everything else. Then it poked it’s nose round the corner. It was immense! It so large that the hills and treeline near the harbour mouth could only just conceal it from view. Accompanying it was a large floatila of Sydney’s boats, lead by the Fireboat that clears the way for larger vessels.

As it approached, you just couldn’t help but marvel at the scale of it. 61m above the waterline, and two thirds the length of the harbour bridge, the Queen Mary 2 just cannot help but impress. Watching it glide effortlessly round Fort Denison, before doing a pirouette to face it’s final berth.

But, as if bowing to the crowds, it started gliding backwards towards the bridge. It was making the most of one of it’s many moments in the spotlight, but setting itself up for some fantastic shots set against Sydney most famous landmarks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. It didn’t seem in the least bit fazed by all the boats buzzing around it viing for attention, or the helicopters keeping a watchful eye on her as she performed effortlessly for the crowd.

In fact, the Queen Mary 2 was so into the moment, that it seemed not to care about the other ships in the harbour, making the - usually large - manly ferry wait until she’d finished what she was doing, and allowing no room to pass.

Then finally it glided past us. I was honestly amazed it could fit through the gap as it was only 10 metres from where I stood, and I was making use of the low tide to stand on rocks further out than normal.

It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. And, it was made more impressive when her Sister Ship, the QE2 sailed in that evening. Although, to be honest, as impressive as the QE2 is, it had the limelight stolen by her bigger cousin, the Queen Mary 2.

If you ever get the chance to see either of these magnificent boats, do! They’re well worth it. And if you can see it somewhere like Sydney, even better!

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