Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi wave from the back of Sydney ferry Borrowdale as it heads into Sydney Harbour from Circular Quay. Picture: Simon Black Source: The Daily Telegraph
ELLEN DeGeneres has gone on a tour of Sydney Harbour in a vintage ferry.
Ellen DeGeneres, her partner, Australian actress Portia de Rossi, and DeGeneres' mother were mobbed when they arrived at Circular Quay.
"Wow this is crazy," DeGeneres said as she made her way through to the ferry terminal.
She shouted "It's amazing" from the top deck of the ferry as fans continued to chant her name.
The US talk show host did not board a luxury yacht or speed boat for the US talk show host with her posse boarding the Borrowdale - a 1985 steel twin catamaran vessel owned and operated by Sydney Ferries Corporation.
Ellen was welcomed aboard the ferry and watched her own private indigenous welcome to country ceremony.
The ceremony was performed on the back deck of the 105 tonne vessel by Tracy Keys, the first aboriginal deckhand for Sydney ferries, and regular crew member of the Borrowdale.
Customer experience manager for the ferries, Mark Champney, said the crew were surprised to discover who they were transporting today.
"We only found out late they would use our service and they kept all the regular crew," he said. "They didn't pick and choose, there didn't ask for anything glamourous.
"Just the rostered crew and that's it."
Then she tweeted the news that her fans wanted to read:
Ellen arrives at Sydney Airport, stopping to dance with fans. Photo: Simon Black
"All right Sydneysiders, tomorrow's on! Come to the Opera on the Harbour at the Fleet Steps. The fun starts at noon.
"If you’re planning on coming tomorrow, and I hope you are, Sydney, you can’t line up over night. The line starts at 6am!"
Her warning was designed to prevent crowds turning up tonight and interrupting the opening night of Carmen, which starts at 7:30pm and finishes at 10:30pm.
The entourage cruised past the Opera House before taking a scenic tour around the harbour and stopping at Taronga Zoo.
Ellen and her followers hopped in a troupe of black vans before headed in the direction of the VIP entrance.
DeGeneres is getting an amazing reception since this morning's arrival.
Naomi Vidler, who had travelled from Wagga Wagga, said seeing Ellen was "fantastic".
"It was amazing. She waved and said hello," Ms Vidler said.
Another fan, who asked only to be known as Josh, said he was nervous waiting to see her.
"She seemed very happy and glad to see everyone, like her usual positive self," he said.
"She waved to me and said she loved my t-shirt."
Earlier today she checked into her penthouse suite in Sydney's prestigious Intercontinental Hotel. She immediately went to a window and admired the view of Sydney Harbour on a sunshine-filled autumn day.
DeGeneres, de Rossi and their crew earlier arrived at Sydney Airport to the delight of hundreds of screaming Aussie fans.
The US talkshow queen stopped to groove along with the "Ellen choir" as she walked into the international arrivals lounge with Portia.
Ellen stopped and chatted to fans before being swept into waiting black vans swamped by her fans.
Even embattled Prime Minister Julia Gillard got in on the act.
Crowds at Sydney Airport ahead of talkshow queen Ellen's arrival. Photo: Simon Black
Ms Gillard tweeted: "Welcome to Australia @TheEllenShow. Hope you get to see as much as possible of our beautiful country. JG"
Hundreds of screaming fans crowded into the international arrivals terminal of Sydney airport waving banners and bearing gifts.
Several more hardcore fans clutched gifts they hoped would reach the US star.
Ellen stops to dance with fans in the arrivals lounge of Sydney Airport. Photo: Simon Black Source: The Daily Telegraph
"She embodies everything that's good about people," mother of two Lucy Brightman said. "She's so positive, what she does for people is amazing."
"She's so genuine."
Olympic star Geoff Huegill joined organiser Swiss' CEO, Radek Sali, at the gates.
"One of the measures of success if an event is how many people come and ask us for freebies," Mr Sali said.
"And we've organised sporting events, speaking events, but we have never had so many requests and so much buzz around an event as this."
"I'm sorry to Geoff but this has been number one for us."
US TV personality Ellen DeGeneres and her partner, Australian actress Portia de Rossi, arrive at Sydney Airport. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
"Not at all, this is huge," Mr Huegill agreed. "What a crazy atmosphere."
Olympic swimming champ Geoff Huegill joins Ellen fans at Sydney Airport. Photo: Simon Black Source: The Daily Telegraph
But not everyone was here for the festivities.
"I'm just here to pick up my mom," Canadian holiday-maker Chelsea McDonald said. "This is weird timing."
"There's so much jumping around. I had to come and sit down."
A number of additional police are in the arrival lounge.
While the terminal is incredibly crowded the atmosphere is overwhelmingly positive.
"What the hell is happening," one passenger snaps as he tries to push his way through the crowd.
Told Ellen is arriving he immediately brightens. "Oh I love her," he says. "Nice lady."
The Destination NSW cheerleaders marking the arrival of US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and hier partner, Portia de Rossi.
A fan of talkshow queen Ellen shows off her scrapbook at Sydney Airport. Photo: Simon Black Source: The Daily Telegraph
Meanwhile, an excited group of 40 Ellen fans have gathered at The Rocks this morning before they embark on a tour of Sydney on a double decker bus to celebrate Ellen DeGeneres's arrival in the county today.
The fans won a competition run by Destination NSW and The Sunday Telegraph to spend the day touring Sydney on the official fan bus.
A group of cheerleaders have also gathered and the bus has been decked out with "Sydney loves Ellen" signage.
Amanda O'Connor entered the competition with her daughter Erinn, 17, who has always wanted to travel to LA to meet the popular talk show host.
"Erinn loves Ellen, ever since she's watched her on TV, she's wanted to go and watch her overseas," Ms O'Connor said.
Ms O'Connor said they were hoping to catch a glimpse of Ellen on their tour.
"Apart from going around beautiful Sydney, we're hoping to get a glance of beautiful Ellen and be part of the excitement of welcoming her to Sydney," she said.
"She's funny, she's kind, fun-loving. She's got a really nice personality and she likes to make other people happy."
Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase said Ellen's trip was a "golden" opportunity to promote Sydney.
"I think Ellen has a very diverse audience and has done a lot of work for charity and animal welfare," Ms Chipchase said.
"She personifies Sydney. She's friendly, funny, witty and people love being with her."
"Who knows where she'll pop up but we're very excited about having her and her team in Sydney."
"There is a lot of excitement around the personality of someone like Ellen," Detective Acting Superintendent Anthony Bell told reporters at The Rocks on Friday.
During the next two days, Ellen and her team will be involved in a number of events in the NSW capital.
"Our message is clear - enjoy the moment but consider other people, keep safe and listen to any direction of security or event staff and police," Supt Bell said.
Portia de Rossi and Ellen Degeneres arrive at LAX airport. Picture: Rupert Thorpe / News Limited Source: news.com.au
US TV personality Ellen DeGeneres geets a Welcome Ellen cheer squad at Sydney Airport. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
