Big Bus Tours Discover Ticket

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A 24 hour ticket on the open-top Big Bus in Sydney, covering both the City and the Bondi and Bays routes, so you can ride past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge in the morning and be on Bondi Beach by the afternoon. Hop off at any of the 23 stops and catch a later bus.

Days

24 hours

Age

All ages

Group size

Hop-on, hop-off bus

Start / finish

Any stop, Sydney city and Bondi loops

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Open-top double-decker bus

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

View map

Included experiences

Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge — ride past from the top deck
The Rocks and Circular Quay — hop off for the old town and harbour
Darling Harbour and Chinatown — stops by the waterfront
Sydney Fish Market — hop off for seafood
Bondi Beach — ride out to the beach and North Bondi
Centennial Parklands and Paddington — on the Bondi route

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: START AT THE QUAY

Your 24 hours begin when you first ride, so there is no rush to board early. The easiest places to start are The Rocks, Circular Quay or Central Station, where you swap your voucher with the driver or a Big Bus staff member. Plug in the free earphones for the recorded commentary in one of eight languages, climb to the top deck and choose a route. The City (Red) and Bondi (Blue) routes meet at the Phillip Street interchange near Circular Quay, the harbour's ferry hub, so it is simple to ride one and then change to the other.

THE CITY ROUTE: OPERA HOUSE TO KINGS CROSS

The Red Route takes about 90 minutes if you stay on. From the Phillip Street interchange by Circular Quay it passes the Sydney Opera House, opened in 1973 and World Heritage-listed since 2007, then St Mary's Cathedral, whose sandstone spires were only finished in 2000, and the Art Gallery of NSW, which added its Sydney Modern building in 2022. The bus drops down to Woolloomooloo Bay, where the Finger Wharf is one of the longest timber-piled wharves in the world, and up past the El Alamein Fountain in Kings Cross, a dandelion of water pipes built in 1961.

THE CITY ROUTE: DARLING HARBOUR AND THE ROCKS

The second half of the Red Route runs past the Australian Museum, the oldest in the country, founded in 1827, and through Central Station to the Sydney Fish Market, where you can eat seafood on the wharf. The Chinese Garden of Friendship, a gift from Guangzhou opened in 1988, sits beside Chinatown and Darling Harbour. The bus then follows the water to Barangaroo, named after a Cammeraygal woman who lived around the harbour when the First Fleet arrived. Last come the Sydney Harbour Bridge, opened in 1932, and The Rocks, where the colony began in 1788 and the lanes are still lined with old sandstone.

THE BONDI ROUTE: PADDINGTON TO THE BEACH

The Blue Route takes about 80 minutes and heads east to the beach. It passes the Queen Victoria Building, a Romanesque arcade from 1898, then climbs Oxford Street to Paddington, known for its terrace houses with iron lace balconies. Centennial Parklands opened in 1888 for the colony's hundredth birthday and is big enough for horse riding. At Bondi Beach the sand runs about a kilometre between two headlands, and from the southern end the coastal walk follows the cliffs past the Icebergs pool. The route comes back through North Bondi and Double Bay, then past Hyde Park, Australia's oldest public park, set aside in 1810.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Start at any Big Bus stop and swap your voucher with the driver or staff. Good places to start: The Rocks, Circular Quay (Phillip Street) or Eddie Avenue, Central Station.
Departure time: Daily. Buses start around 9am and run every 30 to 45 minutes until late afternoon; exact times are confirmed when you book.
Duration: 24 hours from your first ride. A full loop of each route takes about 80 to 90 minutes.
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: Suitcases, including carry-on bags, aren't allowed on the bus; luggage storage is available near the main stops.

What is included

24 hour ticket, unlimited travel on the City (Red) and Bondi and Bays (Blue) routes
Up to 23 stops to hop on and off
Recorded commentary in a choice of 8 languages
Free earphones on board

Not included

Entry to attractions along the routes
Food and drink
Harbour cruise and night tour (other tickets)

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.