Big Bus Tours Sydney Explore Ticket: 2-Day Bus & Harbour Ferry

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Two days on the open-top Big Bus in Sydney plus a day on the Captain Cook hop-on, hop-off harbour ferry, so you can ride to Bondi one day and cruise to Manly, Watsons Bay or Taronga Zoo the next.

Days

2 days

Age

All ages

Start / finish

Any bus stop or Circular Quay, Wharf 6

Return

See itinerary for details

Tour style

Self-guided hop-on, hop-off bus and ferry

Accommodation

Not included

Transport

Open-top double-decker bus and Captain Cook harbour ferry

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

View map

Included experiences

Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge — from the bus and the water
Bondi Beach — on the Bondi and Bays bus route
Manly — hop off the harbour cruise for the beach
Watsons Bay — harbour stop on the cruise
Taronga Zoo wharf — cruise stop, zoo entry extra
The Rocks and Darling Harbour — stops on the City route

Big Bus Tours Explore Ticket - FREE NIGHT TOUR included!

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

GETTING STARTED: ACTIVATE AND RIDE

Load your booking into the Big Bus Tours app, and on the day you want to start, press Activate and show the ticket to the driver. Your 48 hours run from then, so a midday start leaves you the rest of today, all of tomorrow and the next morning. Plug in the free earphones for commentary in one of eight languages and head for the top deck. The City (Red) and Bondi (Blue) routes meet at the Phillip Street interchange near Circular Quay, so many people ride the City route one day and the beach the next, then keep a clear day for the harbour.

THE CITY ROUTE: OPERA HOUSE TO THE ROCKS

The Red Route takes about 90 minutes if you stay on. It passes the Sydney Opera House, opened in 1973, and St Mary's Cathedral, whose sandstone spires were only finished in 2000, then drops to Woolloomooloo Bay and its long timber Finger Wharf. Past the Australian Museum, the country's oldest, founded in 1827, the bus reaches the Sydney Fish Market and Darling Harbour, with the Chinese Garden of Friendship, a gift from Guangzhou opened in 1988. It finishes along the water at Barangaroo and under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, opened in 1932, to The Rocks, where the colony began in 1788.

THE BONDI ROUTE: OUT TO THE BEACH

The Blue Route takes about 80 minutes. It passes the Queen Victoria Building, a Romanesque arcade from 1898, and the terraces of Paddington, then crosses Centennial Parklands, opened in 1888 for the colony's hundredth birthday. At Bondi Beach the sand runs about a kilometre between two headlands, and the cliff walk starts beside the Icebergs pool at the southern end. Coming back, the bus calls at North Bondi and Double Bay and passes Hyde Park, Australia's oldest public park, set aside in 1810.

THE HARBOUR DAY: CAPTAIN COOK HOP-ON HOP-OFF CRUISE

For your day on the water, swap your ticket for a cruise pass at the Captain Cook office at Wharf 6, Circular Quay. The loop takes about one and a half to two hours if you stay aboard, with commentary through the free app on your phone. Stops include Taronga Zoo, open on the Mosman shore since 1916 (entry extra), and Shark Island, a small picnic island in Sydney Harbour National Park. At Watsons Bay a short walk leads to South Head and the red and white Hornby Lighthouse of 1858. Manly was named by Governor Phillip in 1788 after the bearing of the Aboriginal men he met there, and the surf beach is a short walk from the wharf. The boat also calls at Darling Harbour.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Bus: any Big Bus stop; activate your ticket in the app and show it to the driver. Cruise: swap your ticket for a cruise pass at the Captain Cook office, Wharf 6, Circular Quay.
Departure time: Daily. Buses start around 9am and run every 30 to 45 minutes until late afternoon; exact times are confirmed when you book. The harbour cruise runs through the day, roughly 9am to 5pm.
Duration: Bus: 48 hours from activation. Cruise: one calendar day.
Minimum age: All ages. Children under 3 ride free; child tickets are for ages 3 to 15, and children must be with an adult aged 16 or over.
Accessibility: The lower deck of every Sydney bus has a ramp and room for one wheelchair; mobility scooters can't be carried, and the wheelchair user, helper and chair together must be under 300 kg.
Please note: You can change your travel date for free. Suitcases aren't allowed on the bus; luggage storage is available near the main stops.

What is included

48 hour ticket on the City (Red) and Bondi and Bays (Blue) bus routes
One day on the Captain Cook hop-on, hop-off harbour cruise
Recorded commentary in a choice of 8 languages on the bus, with free earphones
Free Wi-Fi on the bus

Not included

Taronga Zoo entry and the zoo bus from the wharf
Entry to other attractions
Food and drink
The night tour (was a free extra only until 30 September 2025)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 5 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

Our group of eight from America did the night tour. Our guide knew the area's past and present, gave directions and tips and kept us on schedule, and we liked hopping off in a few places for photos. Bring a jacket, as the top deck gets breezy near the harbour.

Maria Fahlsing Verified· Travelled 7th September 2026

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(5/5)

We went on the trip for Vivid and the staff were friendly, helpful and great for a laugh. Our guide's stories and history of old Sydney were fascinating, and I wished there was a daytime version with the same commentary. Rug up, as it gets chilly, though they had some blankets.

Mel Moore Verified· Travelled 7th June 2026

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(5/5)

It was really cool sitting on top of the bus taking in the harbour views lit up for Vivid.

archana palakati Verified· Travelled 24th May 2026

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(5/5)

Anne and Mark were great on our night tour, full of energy and really knowledgeable.

Nahal Verified· Travelled 13th April 2026

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(5/5)

Lisa looked after us on my first night tour and the team were wonderful. We saw lots of different places and learned plenty of history, and I'd do it again next time I'm in Sydney.

Chanthy Thong Verified· Travelled 15th March 2026

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