One of the highlights of Sydney's Lunar New Year festival is the annual series of dragon boat races that take place on Cockle Bay in Darling Harbour.
Over two days, thousands of paddlers race in ornately designed boats carved with the head and tail of a dragon, with colourful scales painted down the sides. Each 12-metre vessel carries up to 20 rowers, plus a drummer to lead the paddling with a rhythmic beat.
The regatta begins with the dotting of the dragon’s eye – a symbolic awakening of the dragon before the races begin.