Sydney Tall Ships Afternoon Discovery Cruise

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A 90 minute afternoon cruise around Sydney Harbour on a traditional timber tall ship, with some of Sydney's colourful history and the old world charm of sailing.

Days

1.5 hours, afternoon

Group size

Max 72

Start / finish

Campbell's Cove Jetty, The Rocks / Campbell's Cove Jetty

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Historic timber tall ship

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Sydney Tall Ships Afternoon Discovery Cruise

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Included experiences

Sydney Opera House — sail past
Sydney Harbour Bridge — sail under
Fort Denison — sail past
Tall ship — try steering or setting the sails

Sydney Tall Ships Afternoon Discovery Cruise

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

AFTERNOON: BOARDING AT CAMPBELL'S COVE

Check in at least 15 minutes early at Campbell's Cove in The Rocks, named after Robert Campbell, the Scottish merchant who built a private wharf and warehouses here in the early 1800s, in the shadow of the Harbour Bridge. You sail on one of two timber tall ships. The Soren Larsen was built in Denmark in 1949 and led the First Fleet Re-enactment voyage from England to Sydney in 1987 and 1988. The Southern Swan is a three-masted barquentine. Either way, the crew have you settled on deck and moving off within minutes, the harbour opening up ahead of you.

UNDER SAIL: OPERA HOUSE, FORT DENISON AND THE BRIDGE

Over 90 minutes you sail past the Sydney Opera House, opened in 1973 and World Heritage-listed since 2007, its sails covered in more than a million cream and white tiles, and out to Fort Denison, the small island fort convicts called Pinchgut. Its stone Martello tower, finished in 1857, is the only one in Australia. Then the ship passes under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, whose steel arch, opened in 1932, rises 134 metres above the water. If the wind and conditions allow, the engine goes quiet and the sails take over, and you get a sense of how this harbour was first seen, from the deck of a timber ship.

HANDS ON DECK

This is a cruise you can join in. Take a turn at the wheel, or heave on a rope and help the crew set the sails. If you'd rather not, sit back and enjoy the crew's stories and the views of the city. For an extra cost you can add a mast climb, harnessed and coached by the crew, or a drinks package. After 90 minutes the ship is back at Campbell's Cove, a short walk from Circular Quay.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Campbell's Cove Jetty, The Rocks. Check in at least 15 minutes before departure.
Suits: Adults are 15 and over, children 4 to 14; family tickets are for 2 adults and 2 children.

What to bring

Camera

What is included

90 minute tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour
Hands-on sailing — steering and setting the sails

Not included

Mast climb (optional add-on)
Drinks package (optional add-on)

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

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

4.7

Based on 3 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)

Three of us did the afternoon cruise on the smaller tall ship. It was a warm, breezy afternoon and the crew were thrilled to get all the sails up. We enjoyed the stories and history, and tasty canapes with bubbles.

Jill Safey Verified· Travelled 20th April 2026

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(4/5)

The Afternoon Discovery Cruise was a real delight. The staff were friendly and professional, it was great fun and good value, and next time I'll do the mast climb. My one disappointment was that there was no mention at all of Aboriginal people and their connection to the harbour.

Gerri Minshall Verified· Travelled 19th April 2026

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(5/5)

I took friends on the afternoon cruise when they visited Sydney and it was the perfect way to see the harbour.

Louisa Santone Verified· Travelled 27th March 2026

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