Any Boat Sydney Harbour Sailing Experience - Circular Quay

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Three hours on a sailing yacht with a skipper and no more than 10 guests, from the city wharves under the Harbour Bridge and out to Vaucluse, then back along the north shore past Taronga and Kirribilli House. Take the wheel and trim the sails, or just sit back with your own picnic.

Days

3 hours

Group size

Max 10

Start / finish

Darling Harbour / Vaucluse / Darling Harbour

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Sailing yacht with skipper

Meals

No meals are included; bring your own food and drinks

Route

Map of Any Boat Sydney Harbour Sailing Experience - Circular Quay

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Included experiences

Sydney Harbour Bridge — sail underneath it, out and back
Opera House and Fort Denison — pass both from the water
Eastern bays — Double Bay, Rose Bay and Vaucluse
North shore — Taylors Bay, Athol Bay and Kirribilli House
Sailing — steer, raise the sails and work the winches

Any Boat Sydney Harbour Sailing Experience - Circular Quay

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

CAST OFF: UNDER THE HARBOUR BRIDGE

You board the yacht at a city-side wharf, confirmed when you book, meet your skipper and the rest of the group, never more than 10, and head straight out under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Its arch rises 134 metres above the water, and gliding under it on a sailboat, with the deck close to the waves, is a thrill all of its own. Then the Sydney Opera House slides past on your right, its sails covered in more than a million tiles. Bring your own food and drinks; drinking water is on board.

EAST ALONG THE SOUTH SHORE TO VAUCLUSE

Heading east you pass Fort Denison, the little island fort the convicts called Pinchgut, finished in 1857 when Sydney feared a Russian attack during the Crimean War. The south shore then opens into the bays: Double Bay, with its waterfront homes, and Rose Bay, where from 1938 Qantas flying boats lifted off for England and seaplanes still take off today. The sail carries on to Vaucluse near the harbour mouth, home to Vaucluse House, the 19th-century estate of the explorer and politician William Charles Wentworth. Out here the city skyline sits behind you in a single line.

BACK ALONG THE NORTH SHORE

The yacht then crosses to the northern side for one of the best views of the city from the water. You sail past Taylors Bay, where a Japanese midget submarine was sunk by depth charges during the raid on Sydney in June 1942, and Athol Bay at the foot of Taronga Zoo, which moved to this hillside in 1916. Continuing along the shore you pass Kirribilli House, a Gothic-style house from the 1850s that is now the Prime Minister's Sydney residence, before sailing back under the bridge to finish.

YOUR TURN AT THE HELM

How much you do is up to you. You can take the wheel and steer, help raise and set the sails, and wind the winches and haul on the ropes to get the yacht sailing well. Sydney Harbour is a busy working port, with ferries and ships crossing all day, so your skipper shows you how to read the wind and keep clear. Or leave it all to the crew, sit back on deck and enjoy the ride with the food and drinks you brought.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: A city-side wharf in Darling Harbour (the sail is listed from King Street Wharf and Aquarium Wharf); your boarding wharf and time are given when you book.
Duration: 3 hours.
Suits: Couples, friends and families. You can sit back and relax or join the crew, and children travel at a child rate.

What to bring

Your own food and drinks

What is included

3-hour sail on Sydney Harbour
Sailing skipper
Drinking water
The chance to steer and help sail the yacht

Not included

Food and drinks (you are welcome to bring your own)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.