Sydney Tall Ships Tall Ship Lunch Cruise

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Board an 1850s-style tall ship and cruise Sydney Harbour in classic style and comfort, while enjoying lunch prepared freshly on board by your friendly crew.

Days

2 hours

Group size

Max 75

Start / finish

Campbell's Cove Jetty, The Rocks / The Rocks

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

1850s-style timber tall ship, Southern Swan or Soren Larsen

Meals

Lunch prepared on board

Route

Map of Sydney Tall Ships Tall Ship Lunch Cruise

View map

Included experiences

Sydney Harbour — tall ship sailing cruise
On deck — help hoist and set the sails
Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House — sail past
Fort Denison, Garden Island and Admiralty House — sail past
Taronga Zoo and Luna Park — views from the water

Sydney Tall Ships Tall Ship Lunch Cruise

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MIDDAY: ALL ABOARD AT CAMPBELL'S COVE

Check in 15 minutes before departure at Campbell's Cove in The Rocks, the waterfront where Sydney's first European settlement took shape in 1788. The cove is named after the merchant Robert Campbell, whose sandstone warehouses still line the quay. Your ship is the Soren Larsen or the Southern Swan, Sydney's only authentic timber tall ships. The Soren Larsen is a brigantine built in 1949 for the Baltic cargo trade; she starred in The Onedin Line and led the First Fleet Re-enactment to Sydney for the 1988 Bicentenary. The Southern Swan, a three-masted barquentine, was built in Denmark in 1922 and worked Baltic trade routes, partly for the Tuborg brewery, until 1969. Find a spot on deck as the lines are cast off.

UNDER SAIL ON SYDNEY HARBOUR

Once you're clear of the wharf the crew set the sails, and you're welcome to haul on a line or take a turn at the wheel. Then comes the moment the engine cuts out and only the wind moves the ship, the way sailors crossed this harbour for well over a century. The Sydney Harbour Bridge, opened in 1932 and known to locals as the Coathanger, carries its arch 134 metres above the water, and the sails of the Sydney Opera House, designed by the Danish architect Jørn Utzon and opened in 1973, sit on Bennelong Point. Your crew tell the stories behind the landmarks as you pass, from the early colony to the harbour you see today.

WHAT YOU SEE FROM THE DECK

On the southern side of the harbour, Fort Denison sits on a rock island the convicts nicknamed Pinchgut, after prisoners left there on bread and water; its round Martello tower was finished in 1857. Further along, Garden Island takes its name from the vegetable garden First Fleet sailors planted there in 1788, and today it is a naval base. Across on the north shore, Admiralty House at Kirribilli is the Sydney home of the Governor-General, Luna Park has grinned at the harbour through its giant face since 1935, and Taronga Zoo, opened in 1916, climbs the hillside at Mosman with its own harbour view.

LUNCH ON BOARD

Lunch is cooked fresh on board by the crew while you sail, and served on deck with the harbour sliding by. Drinks from the bar are extra, or you can add a drinks package when you book for bubbly, wine, beer and soft drinks. After two hours on the water the ship turns back for Campbell's Cove, where The Rocks and Circular Quay are a few minutes' walk away. Fancy a view from higher up? For an extra cost you can climb the mast in a full harness with the crew coaching you, best done before a drink.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Campbell's Cove Jetty, The Rocks. Check in at least 15 minutes before departure.
Duration: 2 hours.

What is included

Two hour tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour
Lunch prepared freshly on board
The chance to help hoist and set the sails

Not included

Mast climb — can be added
Drinks package — can be added

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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 4 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)

I booked the lunch cruise with a mast climb for my parents and two nephews. The kids loved running around the deck and climbing the mast, and there was an indoor area for my parents when the wind picked up. Thanks to Ruth and the team.

Axe Kong Verified· Travelled 2nd October 2026

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(5/5)

The Southern Swan lunch cruise was a fantastic day out for our extended family, from the five-year-olds to the grandparents. The crew were very friendly, the food simple and delicious, and the views beautiful. Next time we'll book a longer cruise.

Sveta Bespalova Verified· Travelled 23rd August 2026

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(5/5)

A wonderful lunch cruise around the harbour, with an excellent captain and crew, a tasty lunch and beautiful views.

Dave Bradlee Verified· Travelled 25th May 2026

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(5/5)

A great afternoon on the Tall Ship lunch cruise. The crew were friendly and got everyone involved, so we helped set the sails, had a go at steering and I climbed the mast. Stunning views, a relaxed lunch and a great atmosphere.

Judy Roberts Verified· Travelled 16th February 2026

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