Sydney and NSW export-ready product

ICONIC SYDNEY
Watch the sun set over Sydney Harbour from the deck of a yacht
or from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge; take in a show at
the world-famous Sydney Opera House, enjoy great food and
wine, learn to surf, or enjoy the stunning scenery.
Discover Sydney Opera House
Take a photo on the steps of the Sydney Opera House before exploring
inside on the multimedia Sydney Opera House Tour or the Backstage
Tour. Tours are offered in Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, French and
German. The ‘Tour and Tasting’ package offers a tour of the Sydney
Opera House and a delicious tasting plate at Opera Kitchen home to
some of Sydney’s best contemporary dining.
The Sydney Opera House offers a range of packages that merge worldclass performances with a guided tour and dining options to create the
ultimate Sydney Opera House experience. The Red Carpet Package
allows guests to indulge in fine dining options; the Starry Nights Package
provides a casual dining option; the Showcase Package includes a tour
and performance.
Icons on Sydney Harbour
The Opera Bar is perfect for a pre-show cocktail while Bennelong
Restaurant at the Sydney Opera House is now open, with one of
Australia’s most celebrated chefs, Peter Gilmore, at the helm.
Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay
Tel: +61 2 9250 7250
www.sydneyoperahouse.com
Opera Australia is Australia’s national opera company, presenting more
than 700 performances a year. Opera Australia welcomed over 54,000
international visitors to Sydney in 2015 from 125 countries. In addition to
nine months of opera performances in the Sydney Opera House,
highlights and new products include Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour on
the astonishing floating stage, a new Australian outdoor celebration titled
Sydney Opera House – The Opera, My Fair Lady directed by Julie
Andrews and New Year’s Eve at Sydney Opera House.
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
Tel: + 61 2 9318 8200
www.opera.org.au
Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
BridgeClimb Sydney welcomes visitors from around the world to enjoy a
unique view of Sydney from the top of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge
on a 3.5-hour tour. From dawn until dusk, the view is always different.
Climbs are available at dawn (limited departures), during the day, at
twilight or in the evening.
BridgeClimb has introduced the new BridgeClimb Sampler. In just 90
minutes, groups of 14 will get a taste of BridgeClimb as they follow the
express route, peaking at half-way to the summit. It’s ideal for those with
limited time.
Current as at 1 April 2016
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Dawn on the “Discovery Climb”
BridgeClimb also offers a Mandarin Climb, departing at 3pm daily with a
Mandarin-speaking guide.
Throughout the year, BridgeClimb runs bespoke climbs to celebrate
major festivals including Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras and Vivid
Sydney.
Children aged 8 years (and over 1.2 metres) can now climb, with the
BridgeClimb Express group size now 14 pax.
BridgeClimb Sydney, The Rocks
Tel: +61 2 8274 7777
www.bridgeclimb.com
Sail on Sydney Harbour
Explore Sydney Harbour aboard a luxury yacht, an America’s Cup
challenger or an historic tall ship. Whether helping to haul the sails or
relaxing on a skippered charter, this is the best way for visitors to enjoy
the harbour like a local and get a closer look at the secluded bays and
islands that make up the beautiful foreshore and harbour. Options range
from a three-hour sail to an overnight stay on the harbour.
Eastsail
Tel: +61 2 9327 1166
www.eastsail.com.au
Explore Sailing
Tel: +61 2 9660 9133
www.exploregroup.com.au
Harbour Days Sailing
Tel: +61 2 9968 1578
www.harbourdays.com.au
Sydney Harbour Tall Ships
Tel: + 61 2 8015 5571
www.sydneytallships.com.au
Cruise on Sydney Harbour
A harbour cruise is the ideal way for visitors to appreciate the beauty of
Sydney’s famous waterway, learn some of its history and discover many
of its unique landmarks. Scenic cruises, hop-on-hop-off cruises, coffee,
lunch and dinner cruises, private charters and cocktail cruises are just
some of the options available. The vessels range from catamarans to
luxury powerboats and multi-deck cruisers.
Captain Cook Cruises
Tel: +61 2 9206 1111
www.captaincook.com.au
Fantasea Adventure Cruising
Tel: +61 2 9556 9200
www.fantasea.com.au
Magistic Cruises
Tel: +61 2 8296 7222
www.magisticcruises.com.au
Matilda Cruises
Tel: +61 2 8270 5188
www.matilda.com.au
Sydney Harbour EcoHopper
(Australian Attractions)
Tel: +61 2 8251 0078
Sensational Sydney Cruises
Tel: +61 427 440 571
Sailing on Sydney Harbour
Matilda Cruises Sydney Harbour
www.sensationalsydneycruises.com.au
www.sydneyharbourecohopper.com.au
Sydney Showboats
Tel: +61 2 8296 7200
www.sydneyshowboats.com.au
Current as at 1 April 2016
Sydney Princess Cruises
Tel: +61 2 9518 7813
www.sydneyprincesscruises.com.au
Sydney Showboats
Visit the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is only a short stroll from the city
centre, boasting some of the most iconic views and stunning photo
opportunities of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Harbour
Bridge. Take a stroll through the beautiful gardens or join a tour to learn
about the area’s rich Aboriginal history.
In June 2016, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney will open The Calyx –
Sydney’s newest attraction. A world-class horticultural space showcasing
ever-changing exhibitions, The Calyx is a fusion of art, theatre and flora.
The inaugural exhibition, Sweet Addiction, tells the botanic story of
chocolate. Visitors will be able to touch, see, smell, taste and experience
chocolate in unexpected ways. Open 10 am to 4 pm daily from 11 June
2016.
Botanic Garden Sydney
Tel: +61 2 9231 8111
www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
Visit one of Sydney’s museums or galleries
Adjacent to the Royal Botanic Garden, the Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW),
established in 1874, is one of Australia’s foremost cultural institutions
showcasing a collection of work by past and present Australian and
international artists. Galleries are dedicated to celebrating the arts of
Asia, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Permanent
collections are complemented by a calendar of world-class exhibitions.
Art After Hours is every Wednesday until 10pm.
Aboriginal Heritage Tour, Sydney
Botanic Gardens
Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney City
Tel: + 61 2 9225 1700
www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au
The Australian Museum houses extensive collections of natural science
and cultural artefacts dedicated to natural history, dinosaurs, indigenous
Australians and Australia’s unique wildlife. The newly-refurbished
Indigenous Australians exhibition traces Aboriginal culture from its
recorded history (dating back 40,000 years) and examines the themes
and issues in the lives of indigenous Australians today. Personal tours of
this gallery and other exhibitions at the Australian Museum are available
on request. A new rooftop café has opened with spectacular views over
the city skyline, it’s parks, St Mary’s Cathedral and the harbour.
Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney
Australian Museum, Sydney City
Tel: +61 2 9320 6000
www.australianmuseum.net.au
Art After Hours at Art Gallery NSW
The Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) is located on the
Darling Harbour waterfront and is Australia’s national centre for maritime
collections, exhibitions, research and archaeology. The museum has
launched Sydney’s newest attraction, Action Stations, a $12-million stateof the-art immersive waterfront attraction where visitors can explore the
danger and drama of life in the Navy. Visitors feel what it is like to be on
board a warship during operations, get hands-on with maritime
archaeology, science and history in the Discovery and Exploration Space,
and explore three ex-Navy vessels. The ANMM is represented by
Australian Attractions.
Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour
Tel: +61 2 8251 0078 (Australian Attractions)
www.anmm.gov.au
Current as at 1 April 2016
Australian National Maritime Museum
The world-famous Madame Tussauds in Sydney is the first fullyinteractive Madame Tussauds in the world. Experience the world of fame
for a day with life-like figures at every turn, from world leaders to sports
heroes, musicians and Hollywood’s hottest stars. Madame Tussauds is a
member of Merlin Entertainments Group.
Madame Tussauds, Darling Harbour
Tel: +61 2 9333 9240
www.madametussauds.com/sydney
City Sightseeing
Experience Sydney and iconic Bondi Beach aboard a hop-on, hop-off,
open-top, double-decker bus tour. Sydney Explorer’s Sydney and Bondi
Explorer tours, including commentary, are included in one ticket. Valid for
24 or 48 hours, the ticket allows travellers to hop on and off, exploring
Sydney’s iconic attractions at their own pace.
Madame Tussauds
Image courtesy of Merlin Entertainments Group
Sydney Explorer
Tel: +61 2 9567 8400
www.theaustralianexplorer.com.au
Several quality coach tour operators offer full-day and half-day escorted
and guided sightseeing tours of the city and its icons daily. Options and
inclusions such as harbour cruises, aquarium visits and Sydney’s
Northern Beaches are also available.
AAT Kings
Tel: +61 2 9028 5182
www.aatkings.com
Opera House forecourt
Gray Line Australia
Tel: +61 3 9565 4901
www.grayline.com.au
Small group tours offer a range of more personalised sightseeing options
on a scheduled or private-charter basis; many have the option of
including a foreign-language guide.
AEA Luxury Tours
Tel: +61 2 9971 2402
www.aealuxury.com.au
All About Australia Tours (3AT)
Tel: +61 2 8415 7113
www.3at.com.au
Australian Luxury Escapes
Tel: +61 2 9980 8799
www.australianluxuryescapes.com
Beautiful Tours Australia
Tel: +61 447 250 355
www.beautifultoursaustralia.com
Just Sydney
Tel: +61 411 555 135
www.justsydney.com
Local Eyes Sydney
Tel: +61 2 9972 0899
www.localeyessydney.com
Mount’n’Beach Safaris
Tel: +61 2 9972 0899
www.mountnbeachsafaris.com.au
My Detour
Tel: +61 2 8399 3483
www.mydetour.com.au
Sydney Boutique Tours
Tel: +61 2 9436 1333
www.sydneyboutiquetours.com.au
TwoFeet and a Heartbeat
(walking tours)
www.twofeet.com.au
Ultimately Sydney
Tel: +61 407 903 162
www.ultimatelysydney.com.au
Waratah Adventure Tours
Tel: +61 2 9908 4697
www.waratahadventures.com.au
Current as at 1 April 2016
Hyde Park Barracks
Sydney Harbour Aerials
For independent travellers, the iVenture Card offers entry to more than 35
of Sydney’s top attractions, tours and things to do for one single price.
The card offers two types of passes: the Sydney Unlimited Attractions
Pass (valid for three or seven days) and the Sydney Flexi Attractions
Pass, where visitors choose up to seven attractions to visit and passes
are valid for three months. Sydney Explorer is now included in the
Sydney Attractions Pass. During Vivid, New Year's Eve and the whalewatching season, special passes are available combining the best
experiences on offer.
iVenture Card Australia
Tel: +61 2 9363 1100
www.iventurecard.com
Powerhouse Museum, Sydney
Discover surf culture at a famous Sydney beach
Learn to ride the waves at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach. Lets Go
Surfing offers surfing and stand-up paddle-boarding lessons for all skill
levels. New Discover Bondi Walking Tours are now available to the FIT
market. Let's Go Surfing has been providing Discover Bondi Walking
Tours as a group experience since 2007. Due to demand, they are now
offering daily guided walking tours showcasing the best of Bondi's secrets
and the famous Bondi to Bronte walk. Beach lovers can choose the ‘Get
Wet’ option. This 1.5-hour tour takes in all of the above plus a guided
swim between the flags, UV rash vests, wetsuits and sunblock. Tours are
available in English, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Korean.
Learning to surf at Bondi Beach
Pierre Toussaint; Let’s Go Surfing
Lets Go Surfing, Bondi
Tel: +61 2 9365 1800
www.letsgosurfing.com.au
www.discoverbondi.com.au
North of the harbour, visitors can explore Manly Beach and take to the
waves with Manly Surf School. Daily surf lessons teach the basics from
paddling to standing up on a board as well as surf safety.
Manly Surf School
Tel: +61 2 9977 6977
www.manlysurfschool.com
Berowra Waters Inn
Take a scenic flight
On a beautiful Sydney day there is nothing better than taking to the skies
above the stunning harbour for a bird’s eye view of the city’s most famous
icons. Take off from the harbour on board a seaplane, soar above by
helicopter or fly over the harbour in a fixed-wing aircraft while enjoying
Sydney’s beaches and national parks.
Heli Experiences
Tel: +61 488 999 626
www.heliexperiences.com.au
Sydney HeliTours
Tel: +61 2 8251 0078
(Australian Attractions)
www.sydneyhelitours.com.au
Sydney Seaplanes
Tel: +61 2 9388 1978
www.seaplanes.com.au
Sydney Harbour Aerials
Current as at 1 April 2016
Meet native Australian animals
Taronga Zoo is a great place to see the rare and wonderful animals of
Australia. In addition to panoramic Sydney Harbour views, the zoo offers
a range of tours. Wild Australia Experience is keeper-led, behind-thescenes tour; the VIP Aussie Gold Tour is an excellent introduction to
Australia’s wildlife. Nura Diya Tour is a small group experience led by an
Aboriginal guide introducing visitors to the connection between Australia’s
fauna, flora and the Aboriginal Dreamtime. For independent travellers, an
interactive iPhone app provides a guided tour of Taronga’s most popular
native and exotic animals. Taronga Zoo also has an updated Mandarinlanguage map to help visitors see as many Australian animals as they
can in either 60 or 90 minutes by following a walking trail.
Baby Wombat Taronga Zoo Sydney
Image courtesy of Taronga Zoo Sydney
The ‘Roar & Snore’ program is a unique camping experience where
visitors stay overnight in luxurious safari tents enjoying after-hours and
behind-the-scenes access to the animals.
Test your limits by navigating your way through the Wild Ropes course.
Tackle obstacles, cross suspension bridges, and soar through the trees
while enjoying breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour. The activity can be
completed on its own or added to a same-day visit.
Taronga Zoo is celebrating 100 years of wonder and conservation. Ahead
of the Centenary celebrations, construction is commencing soon on a
Sumatran Tiger experience scheduled to open in 2017. Taronga Zoo will
also be delivering a new overnight conservation experience. The Taronga
Wildlife Retreat will wrap around a native wildlife sanctuary and nestle
within the new Australia Habitat. During a 24-hour stay, visitors will
experience unprecedented close-up encounters with Australian animals
and enjoy tours and talks within the Australian landscape including
morning and evening animal encounters.
Taronga Zoo
Tel: +61 2 9969 2777
www.taronga.org.au/taronga-zoo
Koala, Australian Animal
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium houses the world’s largest collection of allAustralian aquatic life. Visitors go on a journey through 14 themed areas
including Bay of Rays, Discovery Rockpool, Mangrove Swamps, South
Coast Shipwreck, ocean tunnel walk-through, Shark Valley and Shark
Walk. Along the way are some of the world's most incredible animals,
including two of only five dugongs on display anywhere in the world,
massive stingrays, turtles, jellyfish, platypuses, penguins, and thousands
of tropical fish. The aquarium offers behind-the-scenes tours, glassbottom boat and snorkel tours.
Next door, journey on an all-Aussie animal adventure at WILD LIFE
Sydney Zoo. Get up close to koalas, walk amongst kangaroos and
wallabies and come face-to-face with one of the world’s biggest
crocodiles. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo offers a ‘Koala Breakfast’ including a
hot buffet breakfast on the Koala Encounters rooftop area along with an
informative talk and the chance to cuddle up to a koala for a photo.
Behind-the-scenes tours, cassowary and python encounters and the
opportunity to feed a saltwater crocodile are also available. A selfpropelled ride called WILD Flight will allow visitors to experience a flight
through the attraction’s aviary.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Image courtesy of Merlin Entertainments Group
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium are members of
the Merlin Entertainments Group.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Tel: +61 2 8251 7800
www.sydneyaquarium.com.au
Current as at 1 April 2016
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Tel: +61 2 9333 9288
www.wildlifesydney.com.au
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Image courtesy of Merlin Entertainments Group
View Sydney from above
SKYWALK at the Sydney Tower Eye is a breathtaking outdoor
experience, 268 metres above the streets of Sydney. Step out onto a
glass-floor viewing platform for 360 degree views as a guide points out
the sights. Recently launched is the new Mandarin-language SKYWALK
tour. Mandarin-speaking travellers now have the chance to learn about
Sydney from one of its highest vantage points via audio guide.
SKYWALK at the Sydney Tower Eye is a member of the Merlin
Entertainments Group.
Tel: +61 2 9333 9222
www.sydneytowereye.com.au
Visit a harbour island
Sydney Ferries operate daily services to many of Sydney’s harbour
islands which all offer stunning vistas and a wealth of cultural and historic
significance. Unique Sydney Cruises operate a ‘Convicts, Castles and
Champagne’ guided tour to Goat Island; Tribal Warrior Aboriginal Cultural
Cruise visits Goat Island for an authentic cultural performance; Cockatoo
Island offers guided and audio tours of the former shipyards and an
opportunity to stay overnight; Matilda Cruises and Captain Cook Cruises
have hop-on, hop-off services to Fort Denison and Shark Island; Sydney
Harbour Discovery offers the opportunity to swim or snorkel in Sydney
Harbour.
Captain Cook Cruises
Tel: +61 2 9206 1111
www.captaincook.com.au
Cockatoo Island*
Tel: +61 2 8969 2100
www.cockatooisland.gov.au
Fort Denison Tours*
Tel: + 61 2 9361 5208
www.fortdenison.com.au
Matilda Cruises
Tel: +61 2 8270 5188
www.matilda.com.au
Sydney Ferries*
Tel: 131 500
www.transport.nsw.gov.au
Sydney Harbour Discovery
Tel: +61 2 9518 7813
www.ozwhalewatching.com.au
Tribal Warrior Aboriginal Cultural
Cruise
Tel: + 61 2 9699 3491
www.tribalwarrior.org
Unique Sydney Tours and Cruises
(Dynamic Experience Group)
Tel: + 61 2 8015 5571
www.uniquesydneycruises.com.au
Catch the Manly ferry
A visit to Manly by ferry is a quintessential Sydney experience. The halfhour journey from Circular Quay takes in many of Sydney Harbour’s most
beautiful sights. Nestled between a tranquil harbour beach on one side
and a surf beach on the other, Manly offers visitors sophisticated dining,
stylish boutiques, a beachfront promenade, a swim or surf.
Sydney Tower Eye
Image courtesy of Merlin Entertainments Group
Sydney Harbour Island Hopping
Tribal Warrior experience on Clark Island
Sydney Ferries*
Tel: 131 500
www.transport.nsw.gov.au
Manly Cove
Current as at 1 April 2016
Bike tours
Join an escorted cycling tour of Sydney’s main attractions or hire a set of
wheels to explore at your own pace. Either way, a bike tour is a great way
to get active and see Sydney at the same time.
Blue Bananas Electric Bike Tours
Tel: +61 2 9114 8488
www.bluebananas.com.au
Bonza Bike Tours, Sydney
Tel: +61 2 9247 8800
www.bonzabiketours.com.au
Manly Bike Tours, Manly
Tel: +61 2 8005 7368
www.manlybiketours.com.au
Sydney Bike Tours
Tel: + 61 2 8005 5724
www.sydneybiketours.com.au
Walk the Sydney coastline
Follow trails winding along the harbour shoreline through native bushland
and rocky cliffs between popular city beaches. Walking Coastal Sydney
has developed a series of maps and apps to assist those keen to explore
Sydney’s natural beauty on foot. Local Eyes Sydney offers full day guided
bushwalks along Sydney’s harbour foreshores, including lunch at a
private home. Alternatively, Sydney Coast Walks operates guided group
and private walks through the Sydney Harbour and Royal national parks
and Zoo2Q offers guided return walks from the city to Manly with
ovenight stays at Taronga Zoo and Sydney Q Station.
Local Eyes Sydney
Tel: +61 2 9972 0899
www.localeyessydney.com
Sydney Coast Walks
Tel: +61 2 8521 7423
www.sydneycoastwalks.com.au
Walking Coastal Sydney*
www.walkingcoastalsydney.com.au
Zoo2Q
Tel: +61 2 8521 7423
www.zoo2q.com.au
Electric Cycle Tour, image courtesy of Blue
Bananas Electric Bike Tours
Coastal Walk, Bondi
Visit Sydney Olympic Park
Sydney Olympic Park features mangrove boardwalks and bird watching,
a children’s water playground at the Aquatic Centre, as well as facilities
for tennis, mini-golf, volleyball and hockey. Take a tour of ANZ Stadium,
hire a bike to ride through Bicentennial Park, try your skills at the Monster
Skatepark or enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the picturesque barbeque
areas dotted throughout the parklands.
Sydney Olympic Park*
Tel: +61 2 9714 7888
www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au
Shop for precious Australian souvenirs: Opals
For a beautiful and lasting memento, or to learn more about one of
Australia’s most precious stones, the Opal, visit Altmann & Cherny or the
National Opal Collection in Pitt Street.
ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park
Open seven days a week, the National Opal Collection is home to one of
Australia’s largest collections of opals and opal jewellery. It is the perfect
place to pick up a souvenir or a collector's item. The centre also houses
an impressive private museum that tells the story of how opals are
formed and mined.
Tel: + 61 2 9247 6344
www.nationalopal.com
Australian-owned family business, Altmann and Cherny has built an
international reputation for excellence as opal experts. All visitors are
given an educational talk on where opals are found, mined and valued.
Tel: +61 2 9251 9477
www.altmanncherny.com.au
Current as at 1 April 2016
Lightning Ridge Opals
Enjoy great Sydney food and wine experiences
An abundance of fresh produce, world-class chefs and some of the most
idyllic settings on the planet make dining in Sydney a great visitor
experience. Picnic by the beach, take a seaplane to lunch, enjoy cocktails
by the harbour’s edge, meet the growers at one of the city’s produce
markets or enjoy fine dining at a famous restaurant.
The Sydney Fish Market is one of Sydney’s iconic food experiences.
Open from 7am daily, it is the largest fish market in the southern
hemisphere and incorporates a working fishing port, wholesale fish
market and seafood retail market. Watch wholesale fish auctions on a
behind-the-scenes tour, enjoy a seafood lunch by the water’s edge or join
a class to learn some great new recipes and techniques at the renowned
Sydney Seafood School.
Opera Kitchen, Sydney Opera House
Sydney Fish Market*, Pyrmont
Tel: +61 2 9004 1100
www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au
Getting from and to Sydney Airport and Cruise Terminals
Redy2Go is an innovative airport shuttle transfer service with free Wi-Fi,
smartly dressed drivers, new 12-seater vehicles and quick journey times.
Redy2Go services Sydney’s domestic and international airport, hotels,
cruise terminals and the Sydney CBD, Pyrmont, Kings Cross and North
Sydney. The Sydney Airport shared ride service is limited to three stops
to or from Sydney’s airport. If guests prefer a whole van or sedan, private
transportation is also available.
There is a new bus stop/rank at T1 Sydney International undercover with
seating, two new desks inside Sydney Domestic Airport and two desks
inside Sydney International Airport
Tel: +61 2 9534 0820
www.redy2go.com.au
Operators marked with an asterisk (*) generally do not pay commissions.
For further tasty ideas and inspiration, please also see Destination
NSW’s Food and Wine Experiences fact sheet.
Current as at 1 April 2016
Sydney Fish Markets
Airport Shuttle Service
Image courtesy of Redy2Go