[1] The Circular Quay area is a popular neighbourhood for tourism and consists of walkways, pedestrian malls, parks and restaurants.

[4] In an archaeological dig in Parramatta, Western Sydney, it was found that the Aboriginals used charcoal, stone tools and possibly ancient campfires.

[5] Near Penrith, a far western suburb of Sydney, numerous Aboriginal stone tools were found in Cranebrook Terraces gravel sediments having dates of 45,000 to 50,000 years BP.

Sydney Cove, on which Circular Quay is located, was the site of the initial landing of the First Fleet in Port Jackson on 26 January 1788.

The governor's temporary canvas house was erected on the east side of the cove,[9] while the western shore became the centre of the early settlement.

Late 18th-century Scottish constitutional reformer Thomas Muir was sentenced to transportation to Sydney for sedition, and had a cottage on what is now Circular Quay.

In the early 19th century, the entire eastern shore of Circular Quay was part of the Governor's Domain, though some commercial activity developed along the shoreline.

Cadman's Cottage is a building which survives from that era, built in 1816 for the use of the governmental coxswains and their crews, it marks approximately the location of Circular Quay's natural western shore, prior to reconstruction.

Reflecting Circular Quay's status as the central harbour for Sydney, the Customs House was built on the southern shore in 1844–1845.

The historic "Moore Steps" was built in 1868 as a passage between two wool stores, leading from the shore to Macquarie Street.

The initial design caused significant controversy around the country, including intervention by the Prime Minister, Paul Keating, and internationally.

The resulting development of Bennelong Apartments (nicknamed by critics as The Toaster), and is criticised for it positioning and for obscuring views of the Sydney Opera House, from the main pedestrian approach.

Circular Quay is a major Sydney transport hub, with a large ferry, rail and bus interchange.

The Cahill Expressway is a prominent feature of the quay, running from the east, over the elevated railway station to join the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the west.

[17] In March 1995, the road on the eastern side of Circular Quay which served as a bus layover was closed and converted into a pedestrian zone.

In 2019, the CBD and South East Light Rail to Kingsford and Randwick opened with a terminus in Alfred Street.

In autumn 2006, the largest open-air art exhibition ever in Australia took place on Circular Quay: Over 7 weeks the Berlin Buddy Bears visited Sydney.

[20] Each bear represented a member-country of the United Nations, symbolizing the universal principles of peace, freedom and friendship.

"Circular Quay" is the title of a song from Dr. Robert of The Blow Monkeys which appeared on his 1994 debut solo album, Realms of Gold.