Sydney, Australia Port Adventures - Updated with New Adventures Added

[rainbowredpanda]

As a local Sydney sider, would anyone be interested in a guide to the Port Adventures and guides on which to do and which not to do and possibly what else to go instead? I didn't want to write out a long post if no one was interested but there are ways you can do some of the Adventures cheaper or better.

 

[iannovich]

That sounds super helpful! We have an Australian cruise booked and it suddenly occurred to me that, although I've always wanted to visit Sydney, I don't actually know what I'd do there besides see the Opera House and Harbor Bridge (maybe do the bridge climb, since I saw it on an episode of The Amazing Race, lol)...

As of right now my Australia To-Do List currently looks like this:

1) See the Opera House and Bridge
2) Visit Australia Zoo (if there's a port day in Brisbane)
3) If in the neighborhood, visit P. Sherman at 42 Wallaby Way
4) Don't get bitten, stung, poisoned, or eaten by anything.

 

[rainbowredpanda]

I've now updated this post to include the new Port Adventures in Sydney

I've given a run down of each tour, recommendations and what I would recommend. I can answer any more questions if you have them. Hope this helps.


Sydney, Opera House and Bondi (SYD07) $171USD

This is another good overview of the city highlights. You can book the Opera House Tour yourself for $43 and it's within walking distance from the ship. This tour goes one hour although there are other options if you're interested. From here, you can walk up through the Botanical Gardens and visit Mrs Macquaries Chair for a stunning view across the harbour. On the walk back, there are many photos ops of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge and then plenty of restaurants to choose from on the walk back to the ship.

Gourmet Icons of Sydney (SYD09) $298 USD

Honestly, this one is not worth the cost and the activities aren't amazing either. The fish markets are worth a visit, but you can catch a tram there or get a taxi for around $10-15 from the port. There are so many wonderful places to eat here. Personally, I don't think the Tram Sheds are a great spot for lunch. I'd recommend coming back into the city and visit one of the many restaurants within the QVB or somewhere along Circular Quay. It would be much cheaper and you'll have much better food options.

Discover Sydney Panorama (SYD04) $56USD

This is a highlight bus trip of the city and it's quite a good tour for the price. Most of the bus trip, you will just be driving past with only a few stops for photos ops so if you want an in depth tour, this isn't it. Many of the places they visit, are within walking distance from the ship (The Rocks, QVB, Mrs Macquaries Chair) and while Double Bay and Watsons Bay are lovely to visit, they're not a necessity. Bondi is beautiful but you can get a taxi to Coogee from the port for another great beach to visit.

Blue Mountains (SYD01) $194 USD

This is quite a good tour on offer. The only two issues I can see with it is that you will spend at least 3 to 3.5 hours on the bus getting there and back and there isn't a great view for most of the drive. The view is also very dependant on the weather and sometimes visibility is poor, even when it's very sunny in the city. But the villages are lovely to visit, the steepest railway is wonderful (watch a YouTube video on this, as it might bother some people)

Aussie Wildlife (SYD02) $148 USD

Featherdale is a lovely animal park but you'll spend 2 hours on the bus to get there and back, and the entire tour is only 4-4.5 hours. I would recommend visiting Wild Life Sydney Zoo. It's a 10 minute taxi trip from the port, or you can catch a ferry 5 minutes from the port, where you'll travel under the Harbour Bridge to get to Darling Harbour. It's a 5 minute walk from there. Admission is from $38. You can walk around with the Kangaroos and have your photo taken with a koala.

If you have time, you can add on a visit to Sydney Tower Eye. It's a 10 minute walk from Sydney Zoo and you can get an amazing view across all of the Harbour. It's $65 for both the Zoo and Sydney Tower.

You can also visit Taronga Zoo which is along the Harbour (you can see the Giraffes with Sydney Harbour in the background). You can catch a ferry back and forth from Circular Quay, which is a 5 minute walk from the ship.

The Rocks By Foot (SYD06) $114 US

You can walk to The Rocks from the ship yourself and explore at your leisure but if you're really interested in the history of The Rocks, the guided tour might be worth it. If you like historical buildings. you should also visit the Queen Victoria Building (called the QVB). It's around a 15-20 minute walk from the ship or you can catch the tram next to the ship and it's a 5 minute trip (you can use any credit card to catch the tram, you scan it at the station). It's a beautiful building.

BridgeClimb & The Rocks (SYD03) $551 USD

There are much cheaper ways to do this. If you book the BridgeClimb directly, you'll spend $344 AUD per person. Climbs are offered every hour. You can walk from the ship to where you meet them to do the tour (approximately a 10 minute walk). The Disney Adventure takes you for a walk through The Rocks, which is a historic area of Sydney. Again, you can just walk this at your own leisure and visit Sydneys Oldest Pub called Fortune of War. There are plenty of restaurants within the Rocks as well to eat before returning to the ship.

Boutique Wineries of the Hunter Valley (SYD08) $344 USD

As lovely as the Wineries are, I can't recommend this Port Adventure. Of the 9-9.5 hours allocated, you will spent approximately 5-6 hours in the bus getting there and back. Most of the drive doesn't even have lovely views that you'll be able to enjoy. If you want to enjoy wine, there are plenty of restaurants close to the ship that will be wonderful selections but it's just too far to recommend.


Exclusive Cruise Around Sydney (SYD05) $229 USD

Within walking distance from the cruise terminal (5 minutes walk), you can book Captain Cook Cruises yourself. For $30 to $45 AUD, you will get a 90 minute cruise around the Harbour where you will see all the highlights. There are other options where you can have lunch on board for $90. Book online for a discount. I'd recommend booking the Top Deck Lunch from Captain Cook Cruises directly.

• 3-course à la carte menu with expanded main course options including Australian Premium Beef
• Your choice of one or two 90-minute circuits of Sydney Harbour for up to 3 hours onboard our air-conditioned super-cruiser Sydney 2000
• Two departures at 12:00pm and 12:30pm
  
  It's within walking distance back to the ship as well.

Jet Boating Around Sydney (SYD 11A and SYD 11B) $160 or $230 USD

Jetboating is plenty of fun but I wouldn't organise this through DCL. You can book this yourself for around $70 to $90 per person or for a family of 4 for about $230. If you are docking at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, you can walk to where the boats go from. If you're at White Bay, you can take a taxi to Circular Quay which will cost you about $15. There are plenty of companies that offer this and they all take you around for about 30 minutes. You can prebook online to save more money and the boats go all day.

Learn to Surf At Bondi Beach (SYD10) $378 USD

This is vastly overpriced. You can book a 2 hour lesson online for around $90 dollars AUD per adult. or a 1 on 1 lesson for around $145 and $80 per person if you want a private group lesson for just your own group/family. A taxi from the port to Bondi will cost about $30 each way.

Nightly Ghost Tours (SYD12A SYD 12B) $114USD or $184USD

The ghost tours are fun if you like that thing but you can book this yourself for cheaper. Most tours charge around $49 per person. If you're at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, you can walk from the ship. If you're not, you can get a taxi from White Bay for about $20 each way.

 

[rainbowredpanda]

That sounds super helpful! We have an Australian cruise booked and it suddenly occurred to me that, although I've always wanted to visit Sydney, I don't actually know what I'd do there besides see the Opera House and Harbor Bridge (maybe do the bridge climb, since I saw it on an episode of The Amazing Race, lol)...

As of right now my Australia To-Do List currently looks like this:

1) See the Opera House and Bridge
2) Visit Australia Zoo (if there's a port day in Brisbane)
3) If in the neighborhood, visit P. Sherman at 42 Wallaby Way
4) Don't get bitten, stung, poisoned, or eaten by anything.

1. Both of these are within walking distance from the ship. You can directly book a tour of the Opera House or Bridge Climb. Both are a 10-15 minute walk from the port.
2. Australia Zoo is amazing. It's around a 90 minute drive from the port to the Zoo.
3. The closest you'll get is clown fish at Sydney Aquarium
4. You'll be quite safe in the city But yes, we have plenty that can bite, sting or eat you here.

 

[KDG]

This was nice of you to compile. Thanks! We have been studying guide books and travel articles about Sydney. My DH and I plan to get around on our own for 3 days after we disembark in late October and are really looking forward to our cruise and visiting Sydney.

 

[readyplayer]

Thanks so much for your information. Very helpful!

 

[wendlle]

That sounds super helpful! We have an Australian cruise booked and it suddenly occurred to me that, although I've always wanted to visit Sydney, I don't actually know what I'd do there besides see the Opera House and Harbor Bridge (maybe do the bridge climb, since I saw it on an episode of The Amazing Race, lol)...

As of right now my Australia To-Do List currently looks like this:

1) See the Opera House and Bridge
2) Visit Australia Zoo (if there's a port day in Brisbane)
3) If in the neighborhood, visit P. Sherman at 42 Wallaby Way
4) Don't get bitten, stung, poisoned, or eaten by anything.

Australia Zoo is AMAZING!! You really need two full days, but one is fine if it's all you have. 100% worth the 60min drive there from Brisbane.
if you're in Sydney, Taronga Zoo is great and has awesome views of the city which make for some great pictures.

You'll have a great time! Sydney is a very easy place to get around with public transport, I wouldn't do any of the port adventures thru Disney.

 

[rainbowredpanda]

This was nice of you to compile. Thanks! We have been studying guide books and travel articles about Sydney. My DH and I plan to get around on our own for 3 days after we disembark in late October and are really looking forward to our cruise and visiting Sydney.

Are you coming from Hawaii? If you have any questions about Sydney, feel free to reach out

 

[KDG]

Yes, Hawaii-Sydney in mid October. So no DCL port adventures since the cruise is over but I enjoyed your suggestions on things to do.

 

[rainbowredpanda]

Yes, Hawaii-Sydney in mid October. So no DCL port adventures since the cruise is over but I enjoyed your suggestions on things to do.

I'm glad I could help. October/November is a great time to come. School is in session and it's getting warmer here but not summer heat.

 

[pennymike]

That sounds super helpful! We have an Australian cruise booked and it suddenly occurred to me that, although I've always wanted to visit Sydney, I don't actually know what I'd do there besides see the Opera House and Harbor Bridge (maybe do the bridge climb, since I saw it on an episode of The Amazing Race, lol)...

As of right now my Australia To-Do List currently looks like this:

1) See the Opera House and Bridge
2) Visit Australia Zoo (if there's a port day in Brisbane)
3) If in the neighborhood, visit P. Sherman at 42 Wallaby Way
4) Don't get bitten, stung, poisoned, or eaten by anything.

HA!!! You are my people! That is our EXACT To-Do list!!!! Hope you are on our cruise.

 

[Hubie]

Thanks, we'll be in Sydney for 5 days after our cruise from Hawaii. We plan to get Opal Passes for travel and visit the Royal Botanical Garden, the Sea Life Aquarium, Maritime Museum, Historic George Street District, and take the Hop-On, Hop-Off Cruise to Luna Park, Manly Beach and the Taronga Zoo. We also plan to go to the QVB, Opera House and check out the Bridge.

 

[wendlle]

Thanks, we'll be in Sydney for 5 days after our cruise from Hawaii. We plan to get Opal Passes for travel and visit the Royal Botanical Garden, the Sea Life Aquarium, Maritime Museum, Historic George Street District, and take the Hop-On, Hop-Off Cruise to Luna Park, Manly Beach and the Taronga Zoo. We also plan to go to the QVB, Opera House and check out the Bridge.

Opal passes are good but you don't need them anymore, you can just tap on and off with your Credit Card - if you don't have transaction fees that is much easier than loading and getting an Opal Card. If you do have transaction fees then it would be better to get an Opal card so you only pay the fee once when you load it up.

Most of the places you mention you can walk to from each other, the Botanical Garden, Aquarium, Maritime Meseum, Harbour Bridge and Opera House are all in walking distance of one another so no need to keep getting on and off transport.
I find Sydney a really walkable city for a lot of the main attractions around the harbour.

 

[Hubie]

Opal passes are good but you don't need them anymore, you can just tap on and off with your Credit Card - if you don't have transaction fees that is much easier than loading and getting an Opal Card. If you do have transaction fees then it would be better to get an Opal card so you only pay the fee once when you load it up.

Most of the places you mention you can walk to from each other, the Botanical Garden, Aquarium, Maritime Meseum, Harbour Bridge and Opera House are all in walking distance of one another so no need to keep getting on and off transport.
I find Sydney a really walkable city for a lot of the main attractions around the harbour.

Thanks for the credit card advice. I do have an AMEX card that doesn't charge for exchange fees. Hope I can use that instead of purchasing Opal cards. We can't wait to visit. Have a Good Day!

 

[rainbowredpanda]

Thanks, we'll be in Sydney for 5 days after our cruise from Hawaii. We plan to get Opal Passes for travel and visit the Royal Botanical Garden, the Sea Life Aquarium, Maritime Museum, Historic George Street District, and take the Hop-On, Hop-Off Cruise to Luna Park, Manly Beach and the Taronga Zoo. We also plan to go to the QVB, Opera House and check out the Bridge.

You don't need to get an Opal Card, you can just use your credit card to tap on and off. But Opal cards don't cost anything, you just upload money onto them. Minimum is $20 at a time I think.

Many of the places you have mentioned are within walking distance of one another.

Sea Life & Maritime Museum, you can comfortably do together on the same day and they're about a 10 minute walk from each other. If you buy SeaLife online, the ticket is cheaper and you can also add a ticket to Sydney Tower Eye which isn't far away and it's worth the visit, as you do get an amazing view of the city. You don't have to visit SeaLife and Tower Eye on the same day but it's only about a 10 minute walk apart.

Luna Park isn't open everyday so make sure it's open on the day you want to visit. You can take the Cruise of just take a ferry over from Circular Quay which is likely cheaper. You can use an Opal Card or Credit Card for the Ferry. Buy your ticket to Luna Park Online as it's cheaper and check height restrictions as that can depend on what ticket is your best option. We love Luna Park. We have had Annual Passes and visit often. It's even better at night, The Ferris Wheel overlooking the Harbour is a must, even for the locals.

You can visit the Opera House and the Botanical Gardens on the same day. There are quite a few tours at the Opera House if you're interested but book these early as they do tend to sell out often especially on weekends. The Gardens are beautiful.

There are some beautiful historic buildings along George Street, especially in The Rocks. You mentioned the QVB which I would highly recommend. A few others I would recommend visiting are:
St Andrew's Cathedral on Cnr George St and Bathurst St
St Marys Cathederal St Marks Road (A 5 minute walk from Sydney Tower Eye)
Sydney Town Hall 483 George St (It's next to the QVB) - They have tours but these fill up quick so book in advance
Cadmans Cottage 110 George St. - It's one of the oldest buildings in Australia
Government House (inside the Botanical Gardens) - If they are offering a tour that day, it's a must
Hyde Park Barracks - Queens Square, Macquarie St. It's $12 I think to go inside

Most of these are within walking distance of one another and could be done in one day

Taronga Zoo will take most of the day and Manly will take at least a morning or afternoon, depending on what you want to do there.

If you're into musicals or shows, there will be a few choices while you're here. Beauty and the Beast and Wicked will be playing (you will need to book in advance) but you could combine this with your day at Taronga.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask

 

[Hubie]

You don't need to get an Opal Card, you can just use your credit card to tap on and off. But Opal cards don't cost anything, you just upload money onto them. Minimum is $20 at a time I think.

Many of the places you have mentioned are within walking distance of one another.

Sea Life & Maritime Museum, you can comfortably do together on the same day and they're about a 10 minute walk from each other. If you buy SeaLife online, the ticket is cheaper and you can also add a ticket to Sydney Tower Eye which isn't far away and it's worth the visit, as you do get an amazing view of the city. You don't have to visit SeaLife and Tower Eye on the same day but it's only about a 10 minute walk apart.

Luna Park isn't open everyday so make sure it's open on the day you want to visit. You can take the Cruise of just take a ferry over from Circular Quay which is likely cheaper. You can use an Opal Card or Credit Card for the Ferry. Buy your ticket to Luna Park Online as it's cheaper and check height restrictions as that can depend on what ticket is your best option. We love Luna Park. We have had Annual Passes and visit often. It's even better at night, The Ferris Wheel overlooking the Harbour is a must, even for the locals.

You can visit the Opera House and the Botanical Gardens on the same day. There are quite a few tours at the Opera House if you're interested but book these early as they do tend to sell out often especially on weekends. The Gardens are beautiful.

There are some beautiful historic buildings along George Street, especially in The Rocks. You mentioned the QVB which I would highly recommend. A few others I would recommend visiting are:
St Andrew's Cathedral on Cnr George St and Bathurst St
St Marys Cathederal St Marks Road (A 5 minute walk from Sydney Tower Eye)
Sydney Town Hall 483 George St (It's next to the QVB) - They have tours but these fill up quick so book in advance
Cadmans Cottage 110 George St. - It's one of the oldest buildings in Australia
Government House (inside the Botanical Gardens) - If they are offering a tour that day, it's a must
Hyde Park Barracks - Queens Square, Macquarie St. It's $12 I think to go inside

Most of these are within walking distance of one another and could be done in one day

Taronga Zoo will take most of the day and Manly will take at least a morning or afternoon, depending on what you want to do there.

If you're into musicals or shows, there will be a few choices while you're here. Beauty and the Beast and Wicked will be playing (you will need to book in advance) but you could combine this with your day at Taronga.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask

Rainbowredpand this is great information. I'm grateful for getting your recommendations for purchasing tickets on-line. Again, thank you for the advice.

 

[Hubie]

I just read where my wife and I will need two different credit cards to use for transportation. If we both bring our American Express cards which have the same account number does mean one of us will have to bring/use a different card. We will have a Disney Visa card along, but it would charge transaction fees.

 

[rainbowredpanda]

I just read where my wife and I will need two different credit cards to use for transportation. If we both bring our American Express cards which have the same account number does mean one of us will have to bring/use a different card. We will have a Disney Visa card along, but it would charge transaction fees.

If they are two separate physical cards, these are fine. You just can't use one card to pay for both of you as it would only register 'one trip'. But if you both tap your cards, you'll each be charged.

 

[Hubie]

Apparently the Wonder will be docking at the White Bay Terminal. Is there a light rail line that we can catch to get near the Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbor Hotel or should we just plan to grab a taxi?

 

[Douglas Dubh]

I really enjoyed the Hyde Park Barracks, as well as the Museum of Sydney. But then I really like history.