Sydney Harbour Boat Tours Sydney Harbour Secrets

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Spend an afternoon on Sydney Harbour aboard a modern, luxury sports cruiser, visiting harbourside gems and secluded national park waterways, home to Sydney's resident penguin and seal colonies. Lunch is included at a waterfront restaurant.

Days

4 hours, afternoon

Age

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Circular Quay / Circular Quay
Circular Quay, around 4:30pm

Return

Circular Quay, around 4:30pm

Transport

11-metre sports cruiser with a captain and guide

Meals

Lunch and a drink at a waterfront restaurant

Route

Map of Sydney Harbour Boat Tours Sydney Harbour Secrets

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Included experiences

Sydney Harbour — cruise past the Harbour Bridge and Opera House
National park coves — penguin and seal colonies
Point Piper — waterfront mansions
Fort Denison and Shark Island
Camp Cove and North Head
Waterfront restaurant — lunch

Sydney Harbour Boat Tours Sydney Harbour Secrets

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Itinerary

Map

12:30PM: ABOARD AT CAMPBELLS COVE

Your afternoon starts at the floating pontoon in Campbells Cove, on the western side of Circular Quay, named after merchant Robert Campbell, whose family built the sandstone Campbell's Stores here between 1851 and 1861. Your boat is an 11 metre Axopar sports cruiser with 600 horsepower twin outboards, built for a small group, with a cabin and dining table, a sunroof that slides back, 360 degree views and a toilet. Your captain is also your guide, with local stories and history the whole way. The exact route depends on the day; here is the harbour you'll see, from the city out to the Heads.

THE CITY HARBOUR: LANDMARKS AND MANSIONS

Right from the start you have the Sydney Harbour Bridge, opened in 1932, and the Sydney Opera House, World Heritage-listed since 2007. Across the water sits Kirribilli House, built in 1854 and now the Prime Minister's Sydney home. Fort Denison stands on a rock the convicts called Pinchgut, its round tower finished in 1857. At Garden Island, warships tie up at the Royal Australian Navy's main east coast base. Then the mansions start: Point Piper, where Wolseley Road ranks among the most expensive streets in Australia, with waterfront homes you can only really see from the water.

THE EASTERN BAYS AND NATIONAL PARK COVES

Further east, past Double Bay, Rose Bay was Sydney's flying boat base, where Qantas flying boats took off for Singapore and England from 1938. Shark Island is part of Sydney Harbour National Park, whose quiet coves are home to penguins and seals; sightings depend on the day, so keep the camera ready. Camp Cove is where Governor Arthur Phillip came ashore on 21 January 1788, scouting the harbour before he chose Sydney Cove for the colony. Out at the entrance, North Head rises from the sea, where ships arriving with disease were held at the Quarantine Station for more than 150 years.

LUNCH BY THE WATER, AND BACK TO THE QUAY

Partway through the afternoon you tie up for lunch at a waterfront yacht club, a main course and a drink of your choice (wine, beer or a soft drink), with plenty of options for different diets. Bottled water is on board all afternoon. Then it's back on board for the cruise home, returning to Campbells Cove at about 4:30pm, four hours after you left, with the Bridge and the Opera House lining up ahead of you as you come in.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Campbells Cove Floating Pontoon, Circular Quay West, in front of The Squires Landing Bar & Restaurant. Arrive by 12.15pm.
Departure time: 12.30pm.
Finishes: Around 4.30pm at Circular Quay.
Minimum age: Infants under 3 years are not permitted.
Fitness: Relaxed, but passengers need a good level of mobility. Not suitable for wheelchairs.

What to bring

Sun protection: sunglasses, hat and sunscreen
A warm top or jacket — it can be cooler on the harbour, even in summer
Soft-soled shoes or sandals (no heels)
Camera
ID with your home address for check-in for lunch

What is included

4 hour sightseeing cruise with captain and guide
Lunch with an alcoholic or soft drink
Bottled water
All safety equipment

Not included

Wheelchair or mobility device access

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 1 review

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)

My wife and I booked the small-group Sydney Secrets Lunch Cruise. When the other guests cancelled, the cruise still went ahead as a private half day with Skipper Seth, who was attentive and knew the harbour inside out. We had a lovely lunch at the yacht club too.

Evan Porges Verified· Travelled 7th October 2026

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