Thread: Things to Do and See in Sydney, Australia When Your Cruise Ship Is in Port

Things to Do and See in Sydney, Australia When Your Cruise Ship Is in Port
Sydney is a long way from the USA--a 15 hour flight from the west coast--but it is an exciting cosmopolitan city with a spectacular harbor and friendly people.

Cruise ships visit Sydney year-round, with most ships sailing to Australia and the Southern Hemisphere in the months of November through March. The cruise ship pier is conveniently located near the south side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.I flew to Sydney and joined the third segment of a world cruise on the Regent Seven Seas Voyager. We had an overnight on the ship before sailing out of Sydney Harbour, which allowed a day and a half to explore the city on excursions or on our own. Here are some of the Sydney highlights.


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Hop on a Sydney Ferry right there in Circular Quay where your boat will dock, you can get ferrys to lots of beautiful places for just a few dollars, famous Manly Beach to surf and great scenery, Sydney Zoo which is built into a hillside overlooking Sydney Harbour with fabulous views of the Harbour, a 2hr ferry ride for approximatley $6.00 will take you all the way to Parramatta, a great way to see so much. Also at Circular Quay you can get a water taxi, (again for just a few dollars), and go to Darling Harbour where you can walk right round the Harbour, lots of coffee and outdoor eateries here plus a fantastic Aquarium, Japanese Gardens and easy access to the monorail which will take you into the center of the city. One other thing we have done is do a tour of the inside of the Opera House, it is stunning inside. You can walk to this from the cruise terminal.

The Blue Mountains are a great side trip and easily reached by train from Sydney. Then get on the hop-on hop-off bus and tour the area for great scenery.

Sydney is truly one of the most beautful ports in the world - where else can you see the Sydney Opera on the port side and the Sydney Harbour Bridge Starboard!

Sydney is predominantly used as an embarkation/debarkation port so luckily you'll get to spend a few extra days there pre or post cruise.

Other highlights would be Bondi Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the world - it is after all the home of surf lifesaving! There is an amazing coastal walk there that will take you down the coast to see some of the lesser known beaches that are if not more stunning. Easy to get to with public transport!

Blue Mountains is a chance to really get out and see what Australia bush really has to offer. See spectacular rock formations, cliffs and with the right tour waterfalls and Australian animals in the bush!

The Hunter Valley is also close by and for a sample of what the Australian food and wine industry has to offer this is one amazing introduction wines, cheeses, chocolate, fudge, fruit! You will not go hungry!

Then what about the other options! Surfing is the most Australian past time you can think of - Take a lesson at one of Australia's northern beaches, do a walking tour around the historic rocks area (Australia may be a new country - but we've still managed to rack up a few dirty secrets in our past), go out and feel like a local on a luxury yacht on the harbour, take a ferry to Watsons Bay for the most amazing fish and chips or take a bike ride across the harbour bridge!

And for the tour of the opera house! Definitely worth it. Did you know there is also a lesser known tour that goes behind the scenes! Goes early in the morning and a little more expensive but you really get the full treatment with that one.

Enjoy! You are unlikely to run out of things to do!

Thanks for giving us so many options for Sydney! You make it sound so inviting.

We flew 15 hrs. to Australia from Los Angeles, went through customs with our luggage, got a taxi within 15 minutes, checked into the Four Points Sheraton immediately (which was great since it was only 9:30 am), started sightseeing by going to the Sydney Wildlife World, then went to the Aquarium, walked around the Darling Harbor, went to bed around 6:30 PM (were exhausted from the 1 1/2 travel to get to Australia). Got up early the next day, ate a wonderful buffet breakfast at the Four Points Sheraton, walked to Circular Quay, got the first ferry to the Taronga Zoo, visited the Zoo for about 3 hrs, ate lunch there, got some great pictures, then got the ferry back and walked around the Botanical Gardens, went to the Opera House, walked to the Rocks area, did some shopping, went back to Darling Harbor, ate dinner, went to bed, got up early and got our taxi to the Sun Princess at 11:00 am. Got on board by 11:30 am, whew I am tired just thinking about all we did.
Oh did I forget to mention that we had a 8 hr. layover in Los Angeles before we boarded our flight on Qantas to Sydney.
Then we relaxed and did our 13 day cruise on the Sun Princess. Best cruise ever.
Then got off the ship, taxi to airport, 3 hr wait for plane on Qantas, took off at 3:00 PM Australia time and got back to Florida the same day at 11:00 PM Florida time.
That's pretty much it. Any questions, send me a message.

HI Grumpy!

Glad you had a great time at the Four Points by Sheraton! I'm the Guest Services Manager there so we always love to hear that you enjoyed your time in Sydney and with us at the hotel!

Sounds like you had an amazing time and made the most of your trip down under! Which cruise did you do and what were your favourite ports?

Hope