Guide to planning your Sydney Harbour boat tours

Car: It takes just 5 minutes to reach Darling Harbour from the CBD by car. You can reach here by taking Market St or Sussex St.

Parking: 

• First Parking Darling Quarter Car Park (Approx. 1.2 km)
• Number One Dixon Car Park (Approx. 1.7 km)

Bus: Sydney CBD is almost right next to Darling Harbour. But it takes about 1 hr 16 mins to reach Darling Harbour from the Sydney Airport. Take the buses 350, 396 and 500X to reach here. Board the 350 from Sydney Airport, Terminal 3 Domestic and reach Pacific Square, Anzac Pde. Take the 396 from here and get down at St James Station, Elizabeth St, Stand C. Then take the 500X from Hyde Park, Park St, Stand C and reach Town Hall House, Druitt St, Stand L. From here, it is a short walk to Darling Harbour. 

Train: You can reach the Darling Harbour jetty in about 40 minutes from the Sydney Airport. Take the T8 train from the Domestic Airport station and get off at the Town Hall station. From there, the harbor is a 10-minute walk.

Walking: It takes 13 minutes to reach Darling Harbour boarding point from the Sydney CBD. Walk through Market St and Kent St to reach the jetty.

Car: It takes just about 5 minutes to reach King Street Wharf from Sydney CBD by car. Take King St or Clarence St to get to the wharf.

Parking: 

• Secure Parking - King Street Wharf Car Park (Approx. 550 m)
• 10 Shelley Street Car Park (Approx. 600 m)

Bus: King Street Wharf is about 1 hr 9 mins away from the Sydney Airport by bus. Board bus no. 350 from the Sydney Airport, Terminal 3 Domestic stop and get off at Anzac Pde at Garden Lane. Take the 396 from Maroubra Rd After Garden St and get to St James Station, Elizabeth St, Stand C. From here, you’ll need to walk for about 14 minutes to get to the wharf.

Train: It takes about 36 minutes to get to the King Street Wharf from the Sydney Airport by train. Take the T8 from the Domestic Airport station and get off at Wynyard station. From here, King Street Wharf is an 11-minute walk away. 

Walking: King Street Wharf is just a 12-minute walk from Sydney CBD. Take Market St and Sussex St or use Kent St to reach the spot.

Wheelchair accessibility

• The entry-level deck of most Sydney Harbour cruises is accessible for guests on wheelchairs.
• The Circular Quay and Darling Harbour wharves also have accessibility assistance.
• Assistance dogs are usually allowed to accompany guests with visual impairment.
• Audio commentary is available for those with impaired vision.
• Some cruises have accessible toilets on board, so please enquire about this beforehand if you require one.

• Smart casuals are recommended for a cruise on the Sydney Harbour. You can dress up a little for evening or dinner cruises. 
• Avoid wearing extremely casual and beach clothing onboard like bathing suits and flip-flops.
• Closed shoes are recommended for both style and safety on the boat. 
• It can get chilly on the water so guests should keep something warm at hand, especially after March.
• Get sunscreen and sun protection like sunglasses and hats,especially for day cruises. Keeping an umbrella at hand may also be useful in case of a sudden shower.

• Pay attention to the safety briefing: Listen to the instructions of the crew carefully and follow through with all directives.
• Keep your children close: If you’re taking kids onboard, make sure to keep an eye on them at all times. Kid-sized life jackets are also available, so ensure that they are wearing them if your child tends to wander off. 
• Inform any food allergies: For meal cruises, make sure to let the staff know about any food allergies or dietary conditions that you may have. You can also mention any requirements while making the booking as well. 
• Mind your step: Be careful about where you step on the deck, especially if you’re trying to click pictures, as there may be obstructions on the deck. Do not climb the railings.

Most Sydney Harbour cruises that offer a meal serve local cuisine and domestic wine. You can most likely view the menu for your meal cruise while booking your tickets itself. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are available along with a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. 

Some cruises also include an experienced skipper to serve you during your meal. 

Note: Be sure to mention any dietary restrictions when booking your tickets itself to allow the necessary arrangements to be made. 

Dining styles:

• Buffet: Some cruises offer a buffet-style meal in which you can pick and choose what you want to eat and get your fill from a number of food stations. 
• Course menu: Some Sydney Harbour cruises have curated courses that are carefully picked by a local chef. You can usually find both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
• Appetizers: Some cruises offer small snacks or shareable food like canapes, tapas and charcuterie boards to guests during the cruise.

Park Hyatt Sydney: This waterfront 5-star hotel has stunning views of the harbor and has the two most prominent Sydney landmarks, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, on either side of it.

Blues Point Hotel: A heritage establishment that has been here since 1864, the Blues Point Hotel is a striking Art Deco boutique hotel with one of North Shore’s oldest pubs, a bistro with delicious fare and a history worth learning about.

The Darling: With a beautiful Sydney Harbour view and more than 50 fully decked suites, this top-tier hotel near Darling Harbour will give you a taste of luxury like no other. The spa at this hotel is popular city-wide.

Cremorne Point Manor: Sitting at Sydney’s Lower North Shore, this beautifully restored historic property will give you opulence, elegance and a touch of rustic, all at the same time. 

Nomads Sydney: A budget accommodation, this is perfect for you if you want a cozy nook to rest in after spending the day exploring the city. The hotel is close to most of Sydney’s iconic landmarks, including the Sydney Town Hall. 

YHA Sydney Harbour - The Rocks: This hotel in the Rocks area has incredible harbor views from its rooftop deck. With a range of price options, it’s a perfect choice for budget travelers.

• Reach early: Reach the boarding point at least 15-30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the cruise. This will make the entire onboarding process smoother.
• Carry motion sickness medication: If you’re prone to getting motion sickness, you may want to take some counteractive medicine before you get on board.
• Watch your alcohol intake: Be careful while drinking on board. Stay away from the railings if you feel tipsy. Let the staff know if you feel unwell.
• Cruise must-haves: There are some cruise must-haves that we recommend you keep — sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, an umbrella, a warm jacket or scarf and some cash for tips.