The steps are the only known remains of harbour works from the Macquarie era still in existence in Sydney Harbour. They are in what appears to be their original configuration, and still in daily use, and recall a bygone era when Navy ships anchored in Farm Cove, and the soldiers came ashore to Fort Macquarie, Sydney's main military base which once stood where the Opera House is today. The Man O'War Steps were the embarking and disembarking point for this function for over a century.
The original construction dating from 1810-20 became part of Fort Macquarie (Governor Macquarie laid the foundation stone of the fort on 17 December, 1817) and has been improved and /or replaced over subsequent years. The majority of the existing structure appears to have been put in place as part of Farm Cove seawall constructed in the 1860s.
Over the years, wooden wharves and pontoons were added to the stone jetty, and a substantial wooden shed built at the shore end for naval purposes.
In the 1850s, female immigrants were landed at Man O'War Steps and marched through the Gardens and the Domain to their barracks." Contemporary accounts describe it as "small landing place' of wooden construction of approximately the same configuration as the existing jetty. It enclosed a small beach and protected boat harbour, which became known temporarily as "Port Lachlan," after Macquarie's son Lachlan. Gradually the jetty was repaired and improved, and ceased to be reserved for the exclusive use of the Governor. By 1850, it was referred to by the Admiralty as a 'stone pier,' and stated to be in use for watering shipping anchored nearby. These were mainly warships , hence the name by which the jetty and steps are now known - although it is not known when its present name came into usage.
For the best part of 120 years, Naval sections of the Armed Forces and the State Government were in disagreement as to whose responsibility maintenance of the Man O'War Step were. The Maritime Services Board of NSW believed it was the Navy's, citing a government General Order of 1812 to support this, however the Navy disagreed. The matter was finally resolved in 1971 at a time when the State Government began its ongoing commitment to returning those parts of the Sydney Harbour foreshore used for military purposes to public use.
From an early date, the little harbour enclosed at the west of the jetty was used by watermen, and later by commercial launches. The jetty and adjoining foreshores were part of the Domain and the steps attracted picnickers to the park at the tip of Fort Macquarie. Naval use has of the steps has now ceased, with expansion of alongside facilities for major warships at Garden Island, but memorial plaques on the entrance pillars to the steps recall their most recent military use - "From these Steps 2215 officers and sailors of the RAN left to serve their country in the Great War 1914-18, and the Second World War 1939-45, Korea, Malaya and Vietnam, never to return to enjoy the fruits of their labours in their native land."
When the Opera House was built, the Man O'War Steps were cleared of all structures and the present day pontoons were added to the original stonework. Restored in 1973, the complex is now a major embarkation point for harbour cruises.
The steps are still used as the offical meeting place of dignatories from overseas. When a member of the Royal Family stays at Kirribili House on the opposite shore, they cross the harbour by boat and are given their offical welcome to Sydney by the Governor and Premier of NSW as they disembark at the steps.