Harbour Experience

Coming soon - Harbour Experience

Sydney is a modern, thriving metropolis that is also steeped in culture, historical monuments, hidden coves and a rich colonial past. The adage ‘people make a place’ is also more relevant in Sydney than anywhere else in the country. Our unique Harbour Experience cruise helps to bring to life the unique stories of Sydney through smart mobile commentary of the people, places and the events that have made Sydney harbour the most beautiful and exciting natural harbour in the world. On this cruise, you can listen to the stories of Sydney while cradling a glass of Australian sparkling wine, whilst also indulging on a dozen of delicious Sydney Rock Oysters from the onboard purchase bar. Sydney’s best sightseeing cruise draws from over 50 years of experience and is the culmination of it’s predecessors, the Coffee Cruise and Harbour Story Cruises. 

There are some cities in the world where you just can't self-guide no matter how good a tourist you think you are! 

That’s why we’ve created the Harbour Experience cruise and if you only have a limited time in Sydney during your next visit, we have the perfect storytelling experience that will help you and your travelling companions slowly unpeel the layers that make this city so special.

From its historical and colonial past, to it’s modern thriving present as a financial and international hub, our Harbour Experience  redefines the way you should sightsee on Sydney Harbour.

This cruise draws from its predecessors, the Coffee Cruise and the Harbour Story Cruise, both known to be Sydney’s best sightseeing tours.After collecting you and other guests from Circular Quay and Darling Harbour from the minute you step on board, you will be  listening to live commentary about some of Sydney’s most amazing characters. 

Get comfortable and settle in with a glass of sparkling wine or a cappucino from the onboard purchase bar and let your imagination run wild against the warm hues of an endless Sydney vista.

Our sightseeing cruise route will take you all the way to Bradley’s Head and  each of our cruises guarantee sightings and commentary on the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens, Garden Island Naval base, Taronga Zoo, Government House, Fort Denison and much more.

Sydney is a buffet of rich experiences and stories. It’s distinctive CBD skyline and palatial Eastern Suburbs mansions help give context to a city constantly evolving and reinventing itself. Which is why only a local company - and a harbour cruise just like this - can help to tell it’s story.

 

Car Parking 

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​​Children Under 18 Years

  • Please note children under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult on all licensed cruises.

Terms & Conditions 

  • Special payment and cancellation conditions apply to all special offers and special events. View our terms and conditions

Inclusions

  • Sydney's best sightseeing cruise by day or night
  • Approx. 1½ hours of relaxed cruising
  • One harbour circuit of the harbour – each circuit approx. 90-minutes 
  • Departures from 12:00pm to 9:00pm
  • Commentary
  • Spacious outdoor and indoor areas with expansive viewing windows
  • Onboard Harbour Bar & Restaurant
  • Circular Quay & Darling Harbour King Street Wharf

Need to know

Timetable

View of the full schedule of pick up and drop off times for the Harbour Bar & Restaurant. First pick up is Darling Harbour, followed by Circular Quay before completing each circuit of the Harbour. Please note special timetables operate on selected dates

Departs Darling Harbour King St Wharf 1 Circular Quay Wharf 6 
Oct-Nov 2020: Fri-Sun
Dec-Jan 2020: Wed-Sun
Feb-Mar 2021: Fri-Sun
Check availability for additional departures		 Depart  12:00pm, 1:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:00pm, 7:00pm, 9:00pm
Disembark 1:30pm, 3:00pm, 4:30pm, 7:00pm, 9:00pm, 10:30pm		 Depart 12:30pm, 2:00pm, 3:30pm, 5:30pm, 7:30pm, 9:30pm
Disembark 2:00pm, 3:30pm, 7:30pm, 9:30pm

Ferry Timetable  View timetables, check your date for special events and changes to the normal cruise program

Car Parking Specials   Remember to check your date for NSW road closures

Find Us

 

Other Options

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Whale Watching

Our 2020 season has now concluded. It was fantastic to get back on the water after a late start to the season to see the majestic whales on their annual migration. Stay tuned for 2021 season details.

Sydney’s spectacular sandstone coastline is also a humpback whale highway and if you plan to visit Sydney harbour between May and October, it’s a veritable playground for whales of all kinds including humpbacks, orcas, southern right whales and minke. Whale watching with Captain Cook Cruises also offers full commentary as well as our unique whale watching guarantee, which means if you don’t see a whale, you cruise again with us for FREE!

Face masks are strongly recommended for passengers.

 

10:00am Whale Watching

  • 10:00am-1:00pm
  • Adult $95 | Child 4-15 $50 | T&C's 

1:15pm Whale Watching

  • 1:15pm-4:15pm
  • Adult $95 | Child 4-15 $50 | T&C's 

Sydney Harbour Whale Watching Explorer

10:00am Whale Watching Explorer

  • 10:00am Whale Watching tour plus 2-Day Hop On Hop Off Pass commencing on day of your Whale Watching tour
  • Adult $99 | Child 4-15 $59

 

More Info
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Hop On Hop Off

Hop on Hop off Cruises recommence from 05 December 2020

Don’t be fooled, Sydney is a big place to explore over just one weekend and while its world class natural harbour is part of the enduring charm, it is also one of the reasons that makes sightseeing in by normal public transport so challenging. But with Captain Cook Cruises you can do what the locals do and travel on the harbour highway with our famous Hop On Hop Off ferry pass conveniently allowing you to explore Sydney’s best bits - Circular Quay (The Rocks & Opera House), Taronga Zoo, Shark Island, Watsons Bay and Manly - all with the convenience of live commentary from a friendly local throughout your journey. 

 

Sydney Harbour Explorer 2 Day Hop On Hop Off Pass

2-Day Hop On Hop Off Pass

  • 2 consecutive calendar days
  • Captains Special
    - Adult $50 | Child $28
    - Normally Adult $52 | Child $29

Sydney Harbour Explorer 1 Day Hop On Hop Off Pass

1-Day Hop On Hop Off Pass

  • 1 calendar day
  • Captains Special
    - Adult $35 | Child $20
    - Normally Adult $39 | Child $25

Big Bus Sydney Pass

Hop On Hop Off + Big Bus Sydney

  • Hop On Hop Off 2-Day Pass
  • Big Bus 24-Hour Classic Ticket
    - Valid within 7 days of cruise
  • Adult $99 | Child $59
More Info
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Attractions

Pre-purchase your entry to any of Sydney's attractions and beat the queue when you arrive. Visit Sydney's famous harbourside attractions including Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Madam Tussauds, Sydney Tower, Taronga Zoo or explore the city & surrounds with Big Bus. For a flexible harbour sightseeing option, select a 1 or 2-day ferry pass allowing you to hop on and off at famous harbourside attractions including Circular Quay, Manly, Watsons Bay, Shark Island and Taronga Zoo.

Big Bus Sydney

Big Bus Sydney Classic Ticket

  • Valid for 24-Hours
  • Special
    - Adult $52 | Child 5-15 $36
    - Valid for sale to 31Aug20
    - Normally Adult $65 | Child $45

Sydney Hop On Hop Off 1-Day Pass

1-Day Hop On Hop Off Pass

  • Recommencing 05Dec20
  • Hop on and off at up to 5 famous stops
  • Flexible harbour sightseeing
  • Captains Special
    - Adult $35 | Child $20
    - Normally Adult $39 | Child $25

Sydney Hop On Hop Off 2-Day Pass

2-Day Hop On Hop Off Pass

  • Recommencing 05Dec20
  • Hop on & off at up to 5 famous stops
  • Valid 2 consecutive calendar days
  • Captains Special
    - Adult $50 | Child $28
    - Normally Adult $52 | Child $29

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

  • Due to Covid-19, currently only available direct through attraction

Madame Tussauds 

  • Due to Covid-19, currently only available direct through attraction

Sydney Tower Eye

  • Due to Covid-19, currently only available direct through attraction

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

  • Due to Covid-19, currently only available direct through attraction

Taronga Zoo

  • Due to Covid-19, currently only available direct through attraction

 

More Info
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Rocket Sightseeing

Rocket Sightseeing Cruises recommence from 05 December 2020

Jump on the Hop On Hop Off Harbour Explorer for a single loop of Sydney Harbour on a rocket sightseeing tour. See all the famous landmarks as you travel between Circular Quay and Manly, stopping briefly at various locations around the Harbour. The cruise takes approximately 80 minutes and departs regularly throughout the day from Circular Quay between 9:30am and 3:00pm.

More Info

Choose a Unique Gift

Spoil someone special with a unique gift. Choose from High Tea, Lunch, Dinner or a Cruise Cash voucher from $50

Christmas Day Lunch

Join our family for Christmas Day Lunch onboard flagship MV Sydney 2000. Tickets on sale now.

Gift Voucher Sale

Save up to 35% on Cruise Vouchers. No crowds, no queuing, vouchers emailed instantly. Buy online now!

Gold Dinner

Degustation dining and first class service with Gold Penfolds upgrade option. Luxury awaits.

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21ST BIRTHDAY CHARTER - I couldn't think of a better way to spend my birthday. The food was amazing & crew top-notch - thank you for making all of this happen. Emily, NSW Read more reviews