The Queen Mary 2, the biggest cruise ship ever to berth at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, has arrived in Sydney.
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"I'm very pleased to welcome the arrival of the QM2 ... into the heart of our city," NSW Ports Minister Duncan Gay said in a statement.
The Queen Mary 2 docked at Circular Quay after arriving into Sydney early this morning.Credit: Dallas Kilponen
"This is the first time that a ship of this size has berthed at the Overseas Passenger Terminal."
The QM2 berthed at 6.30am today, with a special heavy-duty anchor sunk into the seabed at Campbell Cove to ensure safe berthing for the 345-metre, 151,4000-tonne ship.
She will stay until 8.30pm tomorrow.
The QM2 won't be the last big ship to come to Sydney shores with the 315-metre Celebrity Solstice and the 310-metre Voyager of the Seas arriving next season.
Mr Gay said the government had invested $5 million in mooring improvements at the Overseas Passenger Terminal as part of an $87 million infrastructure program designed to support the cruise industry.
There were 150 cruise ship visits to Sydney in 2010/11, and 216 ships this season.
Next season is expected to welcome 264 cruise ships to Sydney.
The QM2's operator, Cunard, said this will be the ship's first overnight stay in Sydney, coming after its 30—day circumnavigation of Australia as part of a 108-night world trip.
The liner carries 2500 passengers.
It rises 62 metres above the water line - just five metres shy of the highest sail of the Sydney Opera House and 10 metres above the navigational clearance for the Harbour Bridge.
Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which represents Cunard Line in Australia, said the boat's Sydney stay would inject $1 million into the local economy.
She returns to Sydney next year on a 106-night world voyage which will include a circumnavigation of New Zealand.
AAP
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