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Sydney Harbour
Cruises & boat tours

Cruises & boat tours

Our most recommended Sydney Harbour Cruises & boat tours

Sydney: Big Bus Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Tour

1. Sydney: Big Bus Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Tour

Benefit from access to 2 different routes with 30 stops on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. See all the sights of Sydney and Bondi Beach at your own pace. Learn about the local culture with audio commentary and unlimited rides while driving past the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.  Savor the culinary delights of cosmopolitan cafés and restaurants, explore the city's maritime history at the Maritime Museum, take a stroll in the Chinese Gardens or shop for unique gifts in some of Sydney's finest shopping districts. Create your own itinerary around the city. Experience Sydney aboard the double-decker buses and see the Sydney Harbour, hidden beaches, pristine bushlands, botanic gardens, and islands to explore. Explore highlights of the city including Circular Quay, Hyde Park, and Sea Life Sydney Aquarium on the Red Route. Discover the Bondi Beach tour as a perfect introduction to Australia’s beach culture. Let Big Bus take you to the best shopping and dining precincts, plus Centennial Parklands, one of Australia’s most picturesque parks. Explore stops like Central Station, Sydney Tower Eye, and Bondi Beach.

Sydney: Harbour Cruise and Taronga Zoo

2. Sydney: Harbour Cruise and Taronga Zoo

Experience the most fun way to travel to Taronga Zoo and save money with a return ticket on the rocket ferry Circular Quay. Once inside the zoo, take in as many of the exhibits as you like at your own pace. Explore 10 themed areas, including Wild Australia, Wild Asia and the Great Southern Oceans. Hear talks by the zookeepers and go to interactive shows, such as the free bird show and free seal show. See native Australian animals, including koala and platypus, along with creatures from around the world such as Asian elephants, lions and giraffe. Grab some lunch at one of the many cafés, or take your own picnic and find a nice spot in the shade. Once you've had your animal fix for the day, head back to the dock and get some amazing views of Sydney on the cruise back to Circular Quay.

Sydney: Morning or Afternoon Harbour Sightseeing Cruise

3. Sydney: Morning or Afternoon Harbour Sightseeing Cruise

Discover the sights of Sydney Harbour on this sightseeing cruise. See the Sydney Opera House and Royal Botanical Gardens and learn about the history of the city with informative live commentary. Along the way, help yourself to hot drinks and fresh fruits and cookies. Set sail from Eastern Pontoon in Circular Quay and choose from either a morning or afternoon sightseeing cruise. Pass by Sydney's most iconic landmarks, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanical Gardens, and all the sights in between. Refresh with a tea or coffee from the drinks station and help yourself to cookies and fruit. Along the way, enjoy live commentary from a knowledgeable skipper and make sure to bring your camera as there will be countless photo opportunities along the way.

Sydney: Taronga Zoo Tickets

4. Sydney: Taronga Zoo Tickets

Overlooking magnificent Sydney Harbour, Taronga Zoo is just 12 minutes by ferry from Circular Quay and offers amazing wildlife experiences with stunning harbor views. Nestled on the shores of the world's most beautiful harbor, Taronga Zoo is surrounded by lush bushland of Bradley's Head National Park, popular for early morning walks. Ferries depart from Circular Quay every 30 minutes. The Zoo has many popular trails to explore including the Australian Walkabout, Kids' Trail, Reptile World, African Savannah, Rainforest Trail, Seal Walk, Seals for the Wild, and the iconic must-see Free Flight Birds presentations. Zoo entry includes keeper talks and presentations. The many exhibits in Taronga Zoo can be reached by footpaths, ramps, lifts and escalators. 90% of Taronga Zoo is fully accessible. Strollers can be hired from the Visitor Information Desk in the main entrance at a small fee and manual wheelchairs can be rented for free and should be booked in advance.

Sydney: 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour by Catamaran

5. Sydney: 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour by Catamaran

Reach a top speed of almost 30 knots on a purpose-built whale-watching vessel, Fantasea Avalon. Take only 15 minutes to get from Circular Quay to the open ocean and enjoy more time watching whales. Experience your whale-watching cruise from spacious, wrap-around decks over 2 levels. Whale watch in comfort with air-conditioned cabins with large windows and great indoor and outdoor seating. Listen to informative commentary by a marine biologist or experienced crew. Know exactly what to look out for with onboard multimedia presentations. Don't worry if you don’t capture the perfect whale photos, as an onboard professional photographer has that covered with photos available for purchase onboard. Tea, coffee, and bottled water are included in this cruise. Additional drinks are available for purchase from the onboard licensed bar.

Sydney: Harbor Cruise with Buffet Lunch

6. Sydney: Harbor Cruise with Buffet Lunch

Brighten up your day with a complete Sydney Harbour cruising experience departing from the iconic Circular Quay. Enjoy a buffet lunch and live commentary while passing by famous landmarks like Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, and more. Once onboard you will savor a delicious buffet lunch with 13 different food options. Hear live commentary whilst soaking in the beautiful panoramic views of the coastline. You will see the Sydney Botanical Gardens, Darling Harbour, and other highlights of the city. Discover the secrets of one of the world's most famous and spectacular natural harbors. Spend some relaxing time in a perfect way to see Sydney from a unique vantage point with plenty of amazing photo opportunities.

Sydney: Harbour Dinner Cruise with 3, 4 or 6-Course Menu

7. Sydney: Harbour Dinner Cruise with 3, 4 or 6-Course Menu

Enjoy a unique dining experience aboard one of Sydney's premier vessels, the MV Sydney 2000 ship, as you sail around Sydney Harbour during an evening sightseeing cruise. Depending on the season and chosen departure, see the changing colours of a Sydney Harbour sunset, twilight, or night time city lights. Soak in the enchanting backdrop of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge and savour the delicious choices of a premium dinner selection and 5-star service. Choose from: The Sunset Dinner Cruise 3-courses chosen for you by our onboard chefs, the entrée, main and dessert are served alternatively. Entrée • Smoked salmon with herb salad of dill, capers, and cornichons (GF) • Crispy pear and garden leaf salad with toasted walnuts and Grana Padano (V, GF) (VG Available) Main • Gremolata rubbed barramundi with salsa verde, roast vegetable medley, and fried caper berries • Twice-cooked crispy skin chicken with creamy potato cake, roast pumpkin, baby spinach and honied carrots *Vegan available on request* Middle Eastern eggplant with zucchini, roasted capsicum, polenta and marinated semi-dried tomatoes (VG, GF) Dessert • Lemon and lime tart with a dollop of double cream (V, GF) • Chocolate raspberry coconut pebble with raspberry sauce (VG) The Starlight Dinner Cruise 4-course à la carte dining, course one being a chefs selection of canapes. A platter of chef's selection canapés to share Entrée - Smoked salmon with herb salad of dill, capers and cornichons (GF) - Crispy pear and garden leaf salad with toasted walnuts and Grana Padano (V, GF) (VG Available) - Pumpkin, ricotta and goats cheese ravioli with Napolitana sauce and topped with Italian aged Grana Padano Main - Black angus Riverina beef sirloin with creamy potato pave, baby beets, carrot batons and a shiraz jus (GF) - Gremolata rubbed barramundi with salsa verde, roast vegetable medley, and fried caper berries - Twice-cooked crispy skin chicken with creamy potato cake, roast pumpkin, baby spinach and honeyed carrots - Middle Eastern eggplant with zucchini, roasted capsicum, polenta and marinated semi-dried tomatoes (VG, GF) Dessert - Lemon and lime tart with a dollop of double cream (V, GF) - Malibu and coconut slice with mango coulis - Chocolate raspberry coconut pebble with raspberry sauce (VG) The Gold Penfold's Dinner Cruise 6-course degustation dinner with the option to add paired Penfold's wines. Course 1 Chef's selection of canapés served on arrival Course 2 Seared scallops w/ lime foam Course 3 Herb salad Course 4 Casarecce pasta with rocket pesto and aged Italian parmesan Course 5 Angus centre cut eye fillet with sautéed mushrooms and a rich jus Course 6 Black violet cheesecake Once you have indulged in the fantastic cuisine on offer, enjoy the fabulous live music on Saturday and Sunday nights. See the stunning Sydney Harbour by night aboard your premium dining cruise.

Sydney: Sydney Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

8. Sydney: Sydney Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

Join a relaxing sightseeing cruise around Sydney Harbour with commentary created by the Tribal Warrior Aboriginal Corporation and the Australian Maritime Museum. Discover the sparkling blue waters of Sidney Harbour, along with hidden beaches, pristine bushlands, and pretty botanic gardens brimming with native flora and charming islands. Choose between a Inner Loop Sightseeing Cruise between Darling Harbour, Circular Quay and Taronga Zoo and the Outer Loop Sightseeing Cruise between Darling Harbour, Circular Quay and Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay and Manly Sightseeing Cruises depart from Darling Harbour and Circular Quay.

Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Afternoon Cruise

9. Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Afternoon Cruise

Hop on a tall ship and discover the sights and sounds of Sydney on a unique historic-meets- modern harbor cruise. Sail past the Opera House and Fort Denison, as well as under Harbour Bridge, as you enjoy a 90-minute sailing experience on board the 1850s style wooden tall ship. Get involved and make the most of this interactive, unique cruise. Try your hand at steering, or help with the sails. If you'd like to heave on a rope, you can. Otherwise, simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the entertainment provided by your friendly crew. You will get to hear some of Sydney’s rich history and tales of Sydney’s only authentic timber tall ships. You will feel like you are being transported back to days gone by, and will be able to say you know what it was like for the sailors of yesteryear. Make sure to bring your camera to capture the best of Sydney Harbour. And expect to be the subject of many a happy snapping tourist, delighted at the sight of your tall ship in Sydney Harbour.

Sydney: Hop-on Hop-off Harbour Cruise with Commentary

10. Sydney: Hop-on Hop-off Harbour Cruise with Commentary

Get your keys to the city of Sydney with a 1 or 2-day pass for the Sydney Harbour hop-on-hop-off fleet. Cruises depart from Circular Quay and Darling Harbour and allow you the flexibility of visiting up to 8 famous harbour precincts or simply stay on board for a round trip.  • Darling Harbour: Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Madame Tussauds, National Maritime Museum, Explorer Bus, China Town, shopping, restaurants, bars, ICC Sydney, Barangaroo and more • Watsons Bay: Home of Doyles famous seafood restaurant and one of Sydney’s best waterfront pubs. Take a short stroll to Camp Cove, the Gap and historic South Head • Circular Quay: Sydney Opera House, the historic Rocks precinct, weekend markets, Royal Botanic Gardens, Harbour Bridge pylon, restaurants, bars and the Explorer Bus • Taronga Zoo: Discover Australia’s amazing wildlife including koalas, platypus and kangaroos plus animals of the world. Park entry fees apply • Manly - A short walk to famous Manly surf beaches, ocean-front restaurants, bars and cafés

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Other Sightseeing Options in Sydney Harbour

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What people are saying about Sydney Harbour

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 288 reviews

The ride was really fun and the guide explained clearly what to expect during the ride, so it was not that scary. The views at the habour were amazing and the guide also stopped a few times at scenic places to explain to us what where the sights around the habour. Do expect to get slightly splashed but it is definitely worth it!

We had a great time, we recommend it. We had to rent a wheelchair for my Mum as she can't walk for too long. The zoo has wheel chair access however is a bit hard to get around when you go up hill, other than that the whole experience was good. Really nice views of the city.

Fantastic trip on a beautiful tall ship with helpful and informative staff. A lovely way to enjoy the beauty of Sydney Harbour.

Very knowledgeable host and captain. Good food. Very congenial group of guests. Definitely an enjoyable experience.

Good trip. Nice food presented in a buffet style. Good team onboard the ship.