Sydney Harbour

Culinary & Nightlife

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 an a la carte meal of a Contemporary Australian menu and 5-star service. Once you have indulged in the fantastic cuisine on offer, enjoy live music on Saturday and Sunday nights. See stunning Sydney Harbour by night aboard your premium dining experience.

Every year, Sydney is transformed into a spectacular canvas of lights when the Vivid Sydney festival takes over the city after dark. Vivid Sydney is the biggest festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. It was even named Best Tourism Event at the Australian Event Awards in 2014. Last year’s Vivid Sydney featured a wild mix of projection mapping and interactive displays wherein the vessels on Sydney Harbour were also decorated with special colored LED lights for the first time. This year, audiences can expect much of the same and more. Join for a sensational cruise and enjoy outstanding views of the Sydney Opera House as the world famous sails are transformed by majestic 3D mapped projections by award-winning international artists. Watch in awe as you are taken on a dramatic journey through time – from the birth of architecture and civilization through to the pinnacle of human and technological achievement. During the cruise, you will be served a delicious and substantial dinner and enjoy live music, creating a delightful atmosphere for you and your guests to savor. Depending on the starting time, you will be on either the Soren larsen Tallshop or the Southern Swan, you can see the schedule below: This 1.5 hour Vivid Sydney cruise is a great way to see the lights in comfort and style.

Make your way to Circular Quay to board your whale-watching vessel. Numbers are restricted on this whale-watching cruise, allowing for ample elbow room in the cabin and on the outside decks of your boat. You have the choice of two options on this cruise which will allow you to enjoy the whales with ultimate comfort and a delicious meal! Every day the cruise with lunch is available and on the weekends whales with brekky is an option! Seeing these giant mammals of the sea has the ability to change your whole view on life. The gracefulness, the peacefulness, the playfulness, the curiosity, the showmanship and the awesome power of a humpback whale is something everyone should witness in their lifetime. Whale watching is an exhilarating adventure - seeing these incredible creatures frolicking and swimming in the ocean is an awe-inspiring treat that you will remember forever! Breaching, tail slaps, spy hopping, fluke dives and peduncle throws are all some of the great moves you may see from the whales on their migrations. The whale population is increasing each year and and this year there are 30,000+ whales expected to migrate past Sydney. Whale watching season runs from May to November. From May to August, the whales are on their Northern migration to Tropical North Queensland and then from mid August to November, they're on their southern migration back to the Antarctic along with their new born calves - the little calves are just gorgeous!

Join the fun at the largest festival of light, music, and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere. Vivid attracted over 2.3 million visitors last year, with 2020 set to be bigger and better than ever. Beat the crowds and view the Vivid show from the water of Sydney Harbour. Sit back, relax, and take in the transformed city while enjoying a welcome drink and a buffet dinner. With dining rooms and multiple viewing platforms on the boat, you won’t miss a thing or a great photo opportunity.  Cruise past the spectacular Sydney Opera House Sails, the visual feast of Customs House in The Rocks, and National Maritime Museums' enormous light display on its roof. These are just some of the amazing sights you will experience during Vivid Sydney. Pickup and drop-off will be from King St Wharf in Darling Harbour. Wharf numbers will be advised closer to departure date. Full scheduled wharf departure numbers can also be found on the local partner's website.

Avoid the crowds and admire Sydney’s Vivid Festival from the comfort of a catamaran. Arrive at the wharf departure point and be met by a friendly crew member who’ll welcome you aboard and tell you everything you need to know about your cruise. Depart the wharf and begin your cruise around Sydney's world-famous harbor. The catamaran offers indoor and outdoor viewing spots, allowing you to take in the beauty of Sydney from all angles. To enhance the experience, enjoy a complimentary beverage and a delicious antipasto spread complete with bread rolls. From the water, soak up uninterrupted 360 degree views of the stunning cityscape that surrounds you and admire the mystical lights that dance across the buildings. The cruise also passes by some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, so you can snap incredible photos for your vacation album.

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.

Step aboard a historic tall ship for a 2-hour twilight sail from Sydney Harbour. You will travel on one of our two tall ships; the Southern Swan, the flagship of the celebrated First Fleet Re-Enactment, or the graceful Søren Larsen, a beautifully maintained Brigantine ship that sailed from Denmark to Greenland, and through the South Pacific to Sydney. You will depart from Campbell’s Cove, and sail past the Opera House, Fort Denison, Garden Island, Luna Park, and the Admiralty House before returning to stunning Sydney Harbour glistening in the twilight. On board, you will enjoy a delicious dinner, splendid views, and an authentic sailing experience. This Tall Ship Cruise gives you the opportunity to get involved. You are welcome to help hoist and set the sails, and even take a turn steering the ship! Or, if you prefer, sit back, relax, let the others do the work and enjoy the scenic views of Australia from the sea. Tall Ship Dinner Cruise Menu Starters • BBQ Chorizo Slices • Spinach and Cheese Triangles Salads • Roast pumpkin, zucchini, mixed bean with sultanas, sunflower seeds & coconut salad • Mixed Leaves Salad • Potato Salad Main Dishes • Mild spiced chicken with mushroom, capsicum, baby spinach & Spanish onion – Gluten Free • Sweet potato, eggplant & tomato with lentils – Vegetarian and Gluten Free Dessert • Chocolate brownies Please note, the menu is subject to change, to ensure fresh produce of premium quality.

Avoid the crowds and admire Sydney’s Vivid Festival from the comfort of a catamaran with the freedom to bring your own alcoholic drinks to enjoy as you sail. Arrive at the wharf departure point and be met by a friendly crew member who’ll welcome you aboard and tell you everything you need to know about your cruise. Depart the wharf and begin your cruise around Sydney's world-famous harbor. The catamaran offers indoor and outdoor viewing spots, allowing you to take in the beauty of Sydney from all angles. To enhance the experience, enjoy a complimentary soft drink and a delicious antipasto spread complete with bread rolls. From the water, soak up uninterrupted 360 degree views of the stunning cityscape that surrounds you and admire the mystical lights that dance across the buildings. The cruise also passes by some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, so you can snap incredible photos for your vacation album.

Spend the afternoon at leisure on a 3-hour lunch cruise of Sydney Harbour. Climb aboard the pleasure boat at King Street Wharf and make use of all the on board facilities, including a licensed bar selling a range of refreshing drinks. Live musicians will perform ultimate relaxing tunes to unwind you, while the aroma of a delicious and fresh seafood and carvery buffet will whet your appetite for the hours ahead. Dig into tasty chicken and roast beef, succulent seafood, and fresh pastas and salads. Follow it off with a choice of teas and coffee, along with sumptuous desserts. Wash it down with a glass of bubbly from the bar, and enjoy the brilliant sights of Sydney Harbour, such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge from various spacious indoor and outdoor decks.

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.