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Sydney Harbour is characterised by large expanses of intertidal (exposed at low tide) rocky shorelines which often extend under the water to form large subtidal (always submerged) rock platfoms. The most significant rock platforms in the Sydney Harbour area can be found at North Head, South Head, Middle Head and Georges Head.
The rocky shoreline is the habitat that is encountered the most by people living on and visiting Sydney Harbour. It provides an important habitat for a range animals and plants and some of Sydney's most recognisable geological features. It is also a focus for a range of popular recreational activities such as boating, walking, exploring rockpools and angling .
The most serious threat to the fragile ecosystems of the rocky shoreline is the removal or damage of plants and animals by people. Sydney Harbour and its entire foreshores, including the Parramatta and Lane Cove Rivers, is an Intertidal Protected Area. This gives complete protection to marine fauna and flora and means that collection of invertebrate animals living on the rocks is prohibited.
As the tide goes out on a rocky shore pools of water are left behind. These rockpools can be very small or very large and are home to a number of fish species. Common fish which can be seen in Sydney rockpools are juvenile Eastern Wirrah Acanthistius ocellatus, White Ear Parma microlepis, Stripey Microcanthus strigatus, Common Toadfish Tetractenos hamiltoni, Horned Blenny Parablennius intermedius Jumping Joey Lepidoblennius haplodactylus and Black-cheeked Threefin Enneapterygius rufopileus.
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