Sydney Princess Cruises Sydney Harbour Long Dinner Cruise

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Four hours on Sydney Harbour from late afternoon into the night: drinks and appetisers on a luxury cruiser past the Opera House and the eastern bays, dinner ashore at The Public Dining Room on Balmoral Beach, then cheese and wine on the way back under the city lights.

Days

4 hours

Group size

Shared or private cruise

Start / finish

Circular Quay / Balmoral / Circular Quay
Circular Quay, about 9pm

Return

Circular Quay, about 9pm

Transport

Luxury cruiser

Meals

Appetisers, two-course dinner ashore, cheese board

Route

Map of Sydney Princess Cruises Sydney Harbour Long Dinner Cruise

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Included experiences

Sydney Harbour — Bridge and Opera House by day and night
Eastern harbour — Garden Island, Double Bay, Point Piper, Clark and Shark islands
Middle Harbour — round Middle Head to Balmoral
Balmoral — dinner at The Public Dining Room
Return cruise — cheese and wine under the city lights

Sydney Princess Cruises Sydney Harbour Long Dinner Cruise

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

5PM: CIRCULAR QUAY AND THE HARBOUR'S FRONT ROW

Board at the Eastern Pontoon at Circular Quay, the head of Sydney Cove, where the First Fleet came ashore in January 1788, and the drinks start as soon as you step on: sparkling, wine, beer, soft drinks, tea and coffee, with appetisers coming round. The cruiser heads out past the Sydney Opera House, opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge behind you, while the crew tell the harbour's story. Next is Woolloomooloo Bay, where the 1915 Finger Wharf still stands on its timber piles, and Garden Island, the navy base that began in 1788 as a vegetable plot for the crew of HMS Sirius.

EARLY EVENING: POINT PIPER, THE ISLANDS AND MIDDLE HEAD

Further east you pass Double Bay and Point Piper, named after John Piper, the colony's free-spending customs collector of the 1820s, and now home to some of the most expensive houses in Australia. Clark Island, named after First Fleet officer Ralph Clark, who planted a garden there, and Shark Island are both part of Sydney Harbour National Park. Off to the side is Rose Bay, where Qantas flying boats once took off for England. At about 6pm the boat rounds Middle Head, ringed with 1870s gun emplacements, and turns into the quieter waters of Middle Harbour.

6:30PM: DINNER AT BALMORAL

Around 6:30pm the boat ties up at Balmoral, a sheltered beach whose 1929 Bathers' Pavilion still looks out over the sand. You walk down the wharf to The Public Dining Room, right on the water, and choose an entrée and a main from the menu, with three drinks each to go with them. It's a proper sit-down dinner ashore rather than a meal on a moving deck, with the light fading over Middle Harbour while you eat.

8PM: CHEESE, WINE AND THE CITY LIGHTS

At about 8pm you're back on board, with a cheese board and wine to match for the run back to the main harbour. By now the city is lit up, and the Bridge and Opera House look quite different from the ones you passed in daylight. The cruise is back at Circular Quay at about 9pm, close to the ferries, trains and buses home.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Eastern Pontoon, Circular Quay.
Departure time: Boarding at 5pm.
Finishes: Back at Circular Quay at about 9pm.
Suits: Runs as a shared cruise, or you can hire the boat privately for your own group.
Please note: Runs all year. Times can shift a little with harbour traffic, and the restaurant can change for special events; you are told when you book.

What is included

Four-hour cruise on a luxury cruiser
All drinks on board: sparkling, still wine, beer, soft drinks, tea and coffee
Appetisers on board
Dinner at The Public Dining Room, Balmoral: one entrée, one main and three drinks per person
Cheese board served on board
Harbour commentary from the crew

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.

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