Top Sydney On the Water

No trip to Sydney is complete without a cruise through Sydney Harbour where you can see many of the city’s iconic landmarks. Climb aboard your vessel for a 90-minute ride to explore Sydney’s historic landmarks, hidden beaches, and magnificent cliffs. Listen to live commentary detailing the harbor's rich history as you soak in the views.

See Sydney Harbour the way it's meant to be seen: From the water. This lunch cruise passes by such world-famous sites as the Sydney Opera House as well as such hidden gems as secluded beaches and sandstone cliffs. On board, enjoy a delicious barbecue buffet lunch.

Learn the art of surfing with a lesson from a qualified instructor at the world-famous Bondi Beach, just a short hop from central Sydney. Get an informative and fun surfing lesson with your expert instructor, who shows you the basics, including getting up on the board, reading the surf and catching waves. If you want advanced instruction, private lessons accommodate all levels of expertise. Add a great workout and some waterside excitement to your vacation with a private or small-group surfing lesson in the heart of Australia’s surf culture.

The world’s most beautiful harbour deserves the very best cruise to experience it. Choose from two spectacular options, the Harbour Experience aboard our premier sightseeing fleet or, enhance your cruise with the Premium Harbour Experience to enjoy a house beverage of your choice and a Cheese & Charcuterie board to share, as you cruise by the majestic Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison and other top sights on this 1.5 hour cruise. Listen to commentary straight from your smartphone, relax into your seat or choose to venture up to the upper open-air deck as you marvel at the beauty of Sydney Harbour.

Uncover the secrets of Sydney’s heritage as you explore The Rocks on this guided walking tour of the historic precinct. Offering amazing views over the Sydney Harbour and the Campbells Cove Wharves, your guide will lead you along shady laneways and cobbled courtyards where you’ll discover some of Sydney’s earliest buildings, including Cadman’s Cottage, built in 1816 and the Garrison Church, which dates back to the 1840s.

Enjoy a whale-watching cruise that begins with a breakfast or barbecue lunch onboard the boat while in the calm waters of Sydney Harbour.  After breakfast or lunch, your boat glides past Sydney Head into the Pacific Ocean in search of the humpback and southern right whales that migrate along this coast from May to November. Keep an eye out for whales and dolphins as you learn about them from your naturalist guide, who provides fascinating commentary about Australian marine life during your tour.

Get the best possible views of stunning Sydney landmarks like the Sydney Opera House, and Sydney Harbour Bridge onboard a 35-foot (10.5 meter) catamaran. Relax and soak up the colorful sky as you cruise through the water at sunset while nibbling on an appetizer platter and sip on a cold beverage, or bring your own alcoholic beverages onboard with no corkage fee. Watch as the sun sets and the twinkling city lights come to life.

Join a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour by double-decker bus to discover the highlights of Sydney and Bondi Beach. Enjoy unobstructed views and recorded onboard commentary as you travel along two routes to top destinations like Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, and Bondi Beach. Go in-depth at any given place by simply hopping off the bus to explore. You can experience Sydney and Bondi's most noteworthy attractions at your own pace with your choice of ticket, valid for 24 hours.

Relax and admire the sights of Sydney Harbour on a leisurely two-hour cruise. Sit out on the deck or inside in the comfy lounge as you sip cocktails and snack on a charcuterie board with Australian cheeses. Take great photos of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, and other landmarks as you sail past. On the weekends listen to live music on board.

The Vivid Sydney Festival is one of the most spectacular events on central Sydney's calendar, and you'll enjoy the show from a prime position on Sydney Harbour. Get away from the crowds on a comfortable luxury motor catamaran, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Sip a complimentary drink while being mesmerized by the colorful light show outside.

Experience a close encounter with humpback whales without having to leave the city on this thrilling 2-hour speedboat tour from Sydney. Hop on-board the city’s fastest commercial ship and blast off across Sydney Harbour, past iconic landmarks like Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Leave the city behind and speed out into the Pacific Ocean, where you’ll have chance to spot majestic whales swimming and playing in their natural environment.

Spend some time like a classic Aussie on a historical pub tour of The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest neighborhood. Join a fun-loving and informative guide, and visit some of the quarter’s oldest drinking holes to experience authentic Aussie pub life. Enjoy five drinks and dinner; discover pubs' behind-the-scenes secrets; and uncover the The Rocks' history, discovering how its drink spots have shaped local culture. Includes souvenir gift, photos, and discount vouchers for local shops and restaurants.

Cycling around Sydney is the perfect way to sightsee in this gorgeous harborside city. Join your expert guide for a fun and fascinating look at up to 30 top sights, including the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, along with many others. As you pedal around the city, learn about the history, culture and favorite local spots on your choice of four cycling routes. Choose from various tour durations depending on your schedule.

Escape the city on this private tour just for your group with our professional guide in his SUV. Pay a visit to the Sydney Olympic Park, Leura, Katoomba;observe kangaroos and koalas at the Featherdale Wildlife Park; and see landmarks like the Three Sisters, Boars Head Rock and Wentworth Falls. After lunch at a local restaurant (own expense), ride the skyrail at Scenic World (extra cost), then enjoy a scenic cruise down the Parramatta River to Sydney Harbour. This includes hotel pick-up.

Enjoy an afternoon sail on Sydney Harbour aboard a historic tall ship. Learn about Sydney’s maritime roots and your ship’s sailing history during a cruise that provides close views of iconic sights including Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, and Fort Denison. Get great photo ops and soak up the spectacular scenery. You can even lend the crew a hand by steering the ship and hoisting the sails.

Join your choice of a morning or afternoon excursion to Manly to snorkel in the clear calm waters of Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. Just a short hop from Sydney, see some of Australia's diverse marine life on this guided snorkeling tour from Shelly Beach. Your expert guide leads your small group of beginning and experienced snorkelers into the water from the beach. Note: participants must be able to swim 500 feet (150 meters), float, and tread in water unassisted; a swim test is conducted at the start of the tour.

Discover the history of Sydney on a 2.5-hour walking tour and pub crawl in The Rocks. Your knowledgeable and entertaining guide takes you to four of Sydney's oldest pubs where you try a different glass of craft beer, cider, or wine in each venue. Learn about the early days of the British colony in Australia and hear the stories of these old-time pubs as you enjoy their rich atmosphere and tasty drinks.

Don't let the crowds get in the way of your Blue Mountains Sunset Tour! Discover the breathtaking views and magnificent waterfalls of the Blue Mountains. The golden hour before sunset is the perfect time to see the Blue Mountains in all their mystical glory! Finish the day watching the sunset behind imposing mountain ridges. We designed this Blue Mountains Sunset Tour to avoid peak hour Sydney traffic and allow you to capture the Australian National Park at sunset after the crowds have dispersed.

Experience Sydney Harbour in a unique way: during a 30-minute wild ride on 'Thunder', a jet boat capable of slides, twists, wave riding, and fishtails. Enjoy some sightseeing between tricks with views of Luna Park, Taronga Zoo, Sydney Opera House, Rose Bay and other famous Harbour landmarks.

If you take just one day trip from Sydney, make it a journey into the Blue Mountains, stopping at natural wonders such as Echo Point, the Three Sisters, Jamison Valley, and Wentworth Falls. Catered to adult travelers, this tour includes scenic views, bush walks, a stop for a swim. All national park fees and transportation are also included.

Located on the shoreline of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Taronga Zoo is home to thousands of fascinating animals, including Australian natives such as the koala, kangaroo, and platypus. Check the schedule for daily keeper presentations, or book an animal encounter or guided tour (own expense) for a more in-depth experience.

Experience the majestic World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains on a small-group full-day tour from Sydney. Enjoy sweeping views of the Blue Mountains and sites including the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley. Hop onboard the Scenic Railway (or other rides) at Scenic World, enjoy a chef-prepared lunch (dietary requirements accommodated), and visit Featherdale Wildlife Park to see kangaroos and other native Australian critters. Then, cruise by boat back to Sydney Harbour on the Parramatta River.

Head to The Rocks to learn about Sydney’s colorful past. Your historian guide will regale you with stories of the first convicts to arrive in Sydney, their early experiences in Australia, and how they ultimately transformed a shanty camp to an enduring settlement. Listen to tales of street gangs, see the city’s oldest cottage, visit the Customs House, and check out maps and murals of old and new Sydney.