Things to do in

Sydney Harbour

Overlooking magnificent Sydney Harbour, Taronga Zoo is just 12 minutes by ferry from Circular Quay and offers amazing wildlife experiences with stunning harbor views. Nestled on the shores of the world's most beautiful harbor, Taronga Zoo is surrounded by lush bushland of Bradley's Head National Park, popular for early morning walks. Ferries depart from Circular Quay every 30 minutes. The Zoo has many popular trails to explore including the Australian Walkabout, Kids' Trail, Reptile World, African Safari, Big Cats' Trail, Rainforest Trail, Seal Walk, Seals for the Wild, and the iconic must-see Free Flight Birds presentations. Zoo entry includes limited keeper talks, presentations, and access to the Sky Safari cable car. The many exhibits in Taronga Zoo can be reached by footpaths, ramps, lifts and escalators. 90% of Taronga Zoo is fully accessible. Strollers can be hired from the Visitor Information Desk in the main entrance at a small fee and manual wheelchairs can be rented for free and should be booked in advance.

Experience the most fun way to travel to Taronga Zoo and save money with a return ticket on the rocket ferry Circular Quay. Once inside the zoo, take in as many of the exhibits as you like at your own pace. Explore 10 themed areas, including Wild Australia, Wild Asia and the Great Southern Oceans. Hear talks by the zookeepers and go to interactive shows, such as the free bird show and free seal show. See native Australian animals, including koala and platypus, along with creatures from around the world such as Asian elephants, lions and giraffe. Grab some lunch at one of the many cafés, or take your own picnic and find a nice spot in the shade. Once you've had your animal fix for the day, head back to the dock and get some amazing views of Sydney on the cruise back to Circular Quay.

Tackle one of the best experiences on Sydney Harbour. Experience an exhilarating jet boat ride, reaching speeds of up to 75 kilometers per hour. Take in the iconic sights of Sydney Harbour during the Thunder Trill Ride. Choose a 30 or a 45-minute ride, then buckle up and get ready to get wet. Your skipper will ease you into this thrilling experience by gradually reaching high speeds and performing gentle maneuvers around the harbor. Watch out for the skipper’s signals as the ride is cranked up a gear with high-speed spins and breaks. Select a bundle to enjoy entrance to some of Sydney's top attractions along with your adrenalin-pumping ride.

Sydney Harbour is photogenic at any time of day, but as the sun sets and you get that pink glow, it's really spectacular. And once the sun goes down, the city lights shine bright and you can admire the gleaming metropolis reflected in the harbor. Your cruise departs from Darling Harbor just as the sun begins to set, you’ll be treated to some epic views of the skyline and surrounding bays. There’s plenty of room on the expansive top, fore, and aft decks to ensure you get uninterrupted 360-degree views of the iconic attractions as you sail past. As night falls and the city lights begin to sparkle, dinner is served. Enjoy a regionally focused menu, served over three courses. The chefs have created a menu that highlights the multicultural influences that make Sydney cuisine so special, using an array of fresh and flavorful New South Wales ingredients. Dinner is paired with a selection of beers, wines, soft drinks, and tea or coffee. The wine has been hand selected from some of the finest wine regions in New South Wales, so wine lovers are in for a real treat. After dinner you’ll sail past Taronga Zoo and Luna Park before arriving back into Darling Harbor.

Hop on a tall ship and discover the sights and sounds of Sydney on a unique historic-meets- modern harbor cruise. Sail past the Opera House and Fort Denison, as well as under Harbour Bridge, as you enjoy a 90-minute sailing experience on board the 1850s style wooden tall ship. Get involved and make the most of this interactive, unique cruise. Try your hand at steering, or help with the sails. If you'd like to heave on a rope, you can. Otherwise, simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the entertainment provided by your friendly crew. You will get to hear some of Sydney’s rich history and tales of Sydney’s only authentic timber tall ships. You will feel like you are being transported back to days gone by, and will be able to say you know what it was like for the sailors of yesteryear. Make sure to bring your camera to capture the best of Sydney Harbour. And expect to be the subject of many a happy snapping tourist, delighted at the sight of your tall ship in Sydney Harbour.

Discover the wonders of Sydney Harbor on a luxury cruise aboard a 78ft vessel. Board the boat in Darling Harbor then marvel at the impressive city skyline as you sail towards one of the most iconic destinations in the world. There’s plenty of room onboard to explore, admire the surroundings, or simply relax, including an expansive top deck boasting 360 degree views. Upon arrival in the harbor, enjoy a lavish lunch with an array of generous a la carte meals inspired by locally sourced, regional delights, paired with a selection of beers, wines, soft drinks and tea or coffee. The wine has been hand-selected from some of the finest wine regions in New South Wales, so wine lovers are in for a real treat. After lunch, set sail past the famous Taronga Zoo and the colorful Luna Park, before arriving back to Darling Harbor at around 2:40 PM.

Experience a first-class dining experience aboard one of Sydney's premier vessels, the MV Sydney 2000 or John Cadman II, as you sail around a dazzling night sky or a mesmerizing Sydney Harbour during sunset (summer). Enjoy the enchanting backdrop of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge and savor the scrumptious choices of the 3-course a la carte meal Contemporary Australian menu and 5-star service. Once you have indulged in the fantasic cuisine on offer, enjoy the wonderful tunes provided by the live band and singer onboard from your seat or out on the dance floor! The Captains Dinner is truly the perfect choice for celebrating a special occasion or a night out for dinner in the city.

Climb aboard for a 20-minute helicopter flight over Sydney Harbour for an experience you'll remember for a lifetime. Get a safety briefing and pre-flight photos at the heliport before boarding. Enjoy time to relax, use the bathroom, grab some water and chill out in the beautiful lounge room area. Then it's liftoff time. Fly over sights such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, and Taronga Zoo in the company of a licensed pilot. Listen to a running commentary through the provided voice-activated headsets as you continue over Watson's Bay, Rose Bay, and Manly Cove. Upon take-off, enjoy full panoramic views of the Sydney skyline, Pacific Ocean and the historic port of Botany Bay. Within minutes of your departure, your experienced and skilled pilot will have you above the glistening waters of Maroubra Beach and heading north along the coast at 500 feet. You will fly along the picturesque coastline of the eastern suburbs beaches and see Coogee, Clovelly and also the world-famous Bondi Beach with it's the aquamarine waters sparkling against the Sydney sun. Admire the spectacular houses of Dover Heights and Vaucluse perched on the chiseled sandstone cliffs as you continue northbound to Sydney Harbour, the world’s largest and most beautiful natural harbor.

Embark on a 90-minute cruise and experience a relaxed way to see the iconic Sydney Harbor. Get stunning views of the city skyline, taste tasty tapas and cocktails from the bar lounge, and enjoy the festive ambiance of live music on board.  Depart from the King Street Wharf and benefit from the offering flexibility to disembark at either Circular Quay or back at King Street Wharf. Take in the 360-degree waterfront bar views from the various observation decks as you cruise past iconic Sydney sites, including Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Listen to live music and visit the bar lounge to try the unique cocktails and tapas available to purchase from a Sydney-inspired menu that was designed especially for the 90-minute cruise duration.

Hen parties, baby showers, birthdays, charity events and more are all hosted on this cruise, which is a revival of a great British tradition with a uniquely Australian flavor. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon cruise around Sydney Harbour accompanied by high tea goodies and sparkling wine from Brown Brothers, a classic Australian winery. Admire clear views of iconic landmarks such as Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison and the city skyline. Sample Menu • Crystal Bay prawns on dill blini crème fraiche • Finger sandwich selections including: cucumber dill and four crème dill fingers, smoked salmon, chive cream cheese & caviar, leg ham and Swiss cheese and chutney • Porcini mushroom, chilli jam and spec pork sausage rolls • Caramelized onion, beetroot and goat cheese baby tartlet • Mini scones with strawberry jam and vanilla cream • Glazed mango and coconut custard tartlets • Chocolate dipped strawberries • Assorted petite fours  Drinks • Sparkling wine • Tea • Coffee