Best of Sydney & the Great Barrier Reef

Sydney Sightseeing Bus Tour (half day)

See Sydney's iconic landmarks and learn about its fascinating history and culture on the half-day sightseeing bus tour. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, you'll enjoy exploring Sydney's best sites. As you travel, your guide will share fascinating stories about the places you see and Sydney's rich history. See below an indication of the places that you’ll see as you either pass by or visit:

• Finger Wharf (Pass by)
• Harry's Café de Wheels - Woolloomooloo (Pass by)
• Woolloomooloo (Pass by)
• El Alamein Memorial Fountain (Pass by)
• Potts Point (Pass by)
• Kings Cross (Pass by)
• Rushcutters Bay Park (Pass by)
• Double Bay (Pass by)
• Vaucluse (Pass by)
• Rose BayKincoppal-Rose Bay School
• Watsons Bay (Pass by)
• The Gap Lookout
• Macquarie Lighthouse
• Dover Heights (Pass by)
• Bondi Beach
• Bondi Junction (Pass by)
• Centennial Park (Pass by)
• Paddington (Pass by)
• Taylor Square Pride Village (Pass by)
• Hyde Park (Pass by)
• Sydney Opera House
• Sydney Harbour Bridge (Pass by)

The Sydney Rocks Walking Tour

The Secrets are Alive in the Sandstone – join a walking tour visiting The Rocks picturesque historic sites and hear the tales about ordinary people who did extraordinary things and so began the compelling story of British Australian settlement! 

The Rocks Walking Tours’ specialist trained local guides provide walking tours within the heart of historic and picturesque Rocks precinct, departing daily at 10:30am and 1:30pm from a handy location within The Rocks. The tour is conducted within intimate groups of no more than 25 people for a duration of 90 minutes covering approximately 1.2 miles (2 km) at a leisurely pace. 

Your Rocks walking tour will include the shoreline of sparkling Sydney Cove, spectacular harbour views of Sydney's Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, Cadman's Cottage (Sydney CBD's oldest surviving cottage built in 1816), Campbell's Cove - a beautiful, intimate cove offering fantastic views of Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Campbells Cove wharves. Also Argyle Cut and the Garrsion Church, officially known as the Church of Holy Trinity, built in the1840s. Within The Rocks historic precinct, you will wander through George Street, Greenway Lane, Kendall Lane, Rocks Square, Playfair Street, Foundation Park, Suez Canal and Nurses Walk and much more!

After convenient pick-up in Sydney, voyage into the heart of the Blue Mountains – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop at secluded lookouts offering magnificent views of the Three Sisters rock formation away from large crowds.

At Scenic World, ride on the Scenic Cableway that spans between two cliffs and awards you amazing panoramic views. Learn about local flora from your guide as you walk through the ancient rainforest on the Scenic Walkway. Listen for the native lyre bird and enjoy a peaceful moment in the trees. Discover the thrill of a 52-degree incline while riding the steepest passenger railway in the world—the Scenic Railway. The Railway experience through a cliff-side tunnel, emerging out of the ancient rainforest at the Jamison Valley floor, is a definite highlight for many visitors.

Your included lunch comes with a variety of menu options and gorgeous mountain views. Visit one final lookout, only accessible to small groups away from large coaches, before your next stop at Featherdale. At this wildlife park, see native animals like koalas, echidnas and salt water crocodiles, with the opportunity to hand-feed kangaroos.

Take to the water with a ticket that allows you to hop on and off a Sydney Harbour rocket ferry to cruise along the harbour at your own pace. With commentary along the route, learn about Australian history and the importance of the harbour from the city's soul.

Your ticket enables you to visit up to five famous harbourside locations:

• Circular Quay: Near the historic precinct of The Rocks, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Royal Botanic Gardens.
• Taronga Zoo: Australia's amazing wildlife including koalas, platypus, and kangaroos. Park entry fees apply.
• Watsons Bay: Doyles on the Beach, a famous seafood restaurant. A short walk to beautiful swimming beaches, HMAS Watson, and headland parks.
• Shark Island: An island national park perfect for a picnic lunch or a swim.
• Manly: Visit Manly's famous beaches, restaurants, pubs, cafes and shops.

Sydney Harbour Cruise Lunch

There isn't another harbour in the world that rivals Sydney's beauty, and the Harbour View Long Lunch Cruise is the best way to capture the million-dollar views and vibrancy with spectacular dining. The menu is a la carte and served on the upper restaurant deck of your vessel with sensational vistas of Sydney. Depending on your afternoon schedule, there is a choice of early or late disembarkation.

Sydney Opera House Official Guided Walking Tour

Discover insider secrets and stories of the Opera House artists and performances, and step inside the iconic theatres and foyers that bring to life over 1800 performances each year. Explore the building with our knowledgeable guides, and learn about how Jørn Utzon’s vision came into existence against impossible odds. Please note that as the Opera House is a busy performing arts centre, venues and theatres are subject to availability at the time of your tour.

Free morning for a sleep-in or more sightseeing, before catching a taxi to the airport for your domestic flight to Cairns in the early afternoon (subject to flight schedules). Upon arrival at Cairns Airport, please catch a taxi or make your own way to the hotel, where you are free to spend the evening at leisure in the tourist capital of tropical North Queensland and the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

This morning, enjoy hassle-free pickup from your hotel and board the impressive Quicksilver catamaran at Port Douglas Marina. Admire the unforgettable scenic views over the coastline towards the Daintree Rainforest as you cruise to Agincourt Reef, located on the edge of Australia's Continental Shelf, and land at the moored activity platform in the middle of this turquoise paradise. During the next 3.5 hours, experience a wide range of activities suited to both swimmers and non-swimmers. Take the plunge into the waters and snorkel with tropical fish, or dive deeper with all equipment provided (first-time divers are welcome for this option). Stay dry and take trips in the semi-submersible vessel for a diver's view of the reef. 

From the underwater observatory, be mesmerised as tropical fish go about their day in this amazing underwater world. Learn more with a marine biologist-guided snorkel tour or take the plunge with Ocean Walker – helmet-diving suitable for all levels of swimming ability – or even take to the sky for a scenic helicopter flight and a whole new perspective of the reef (optional activities at an additional cost).

After a cruise back to the port, your hotel shuttle will be waiting to return you to the hotel after an incredible day. When joining the cruise from Cairns, you'll see one of the most spectacular scenic coastlines in Australia by a luxury coach with commentary.

Today you will be collected and taken out on a full day tour to the Daintree Rainforest. Enjoy a tour on the Daintree River Croc spotting. Gain a greater understanding of the Mossman Gorge ecosystem from top to bottom on this outdoor excursion. Stroll through the ancient Daintree Rainforest, cruise down the Daintree River, walk along the beach at Cape Tribulation, and enjoy stunning views of the region from popular lookout points.

The tour begins with a convenient morning pickup, then travel to the Mossman Gorge Centre. Enjoy morning tea before boarding the shuttle bus into the Gorge. Follow your informative guide into the Daintree Rainforest, breathe in the fresh air, and soak up the enchanting woodland setting. After exploring the Gorge, we make our way to the Daintree River for a 1-hour river cruise; marvelling at the abundant wildlife species that call its calm water home, including the estuarine crocodile.

Next stop is the private access rainforest of Noah Valley. Enjoy a walk through the creek-side rainforest before a delicious BBQ lunch. Set up under the sky-high forest canopy, this mid-day meal features fresh fish and tropical fruit, followed by a steaming cup of regional Daintree Tea.

Emerging from one of the world's oldest rainforests, venture to Cape Tribulation on the coast. Amble along the beach and take in vistas of the stretching coastline and captivating coral reefs from the Kulki Lookout. Time for an afternoon refreshment at the Daintree Ice Cream Company. Here you will enjoy a delicious cup of fruit ice cream made from exotic fruits grown on their own on-site orchard. The final stop is at Alexandra Lookout. Situated over the Daintree River estuary, this breathtaking ledge offers widescreen views of Snapper Island, the Alexandra Range, and the glimmering Coral Sea. Now sit back and relax on the journey home after exploring the World Heritage Rainforest.

A day in paradise plus the essential inclusions. Catch the ferry from Cairns to Fitzroy Island and snorkel directly of one of the beaches. Take time out in the middle of the day to enjoy a buffet lunch at Zephyrs restaurant in Fitzroy Island Resort. 

Plenty of time remains for your glass bottom boat tour or a self-guided walk along the varying National Park trails. *Optional activities available to add to your experience include Kayak tour, Turtle Rehabilitation Centre visit or guided nature walks.

On this half-day tour, let the spectacular Skyrail Rainforest Cableway take you on a ride through the lush rainforest of Kuranda and explore the quaint village before you board the Kuranda Scenic Railway for a look at one of Australia's most historic journeys.

After you're picked up from Cairns, head to Skyrail's Smithfield terminal to board the Skyrail cableway, which takes you gliding silently over and through the rainforest on the way to Kuranda. You can stop at 2 stations along the way to enjoy a walk to spectacular lookouts or visit the CSIRO Interpretive Centre.  When you arrive in Kuranda, get some time to explore this fascinating village. The Heritage Markets operate 7 days a week, full of colourful arts and crafts. Next, board the world-famous Kuranda Scenic Rail for your return journey to Cairns. Wind through hand-hewn tunnels, across bridges, and around curves, all the while appreciating what an amazing engineering feat it is. Upon arriving at Freshwater Station, our coach will transfer you back to Cairns.

Cruise to Green Island, the only coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef with a lush rainforest. Spend the day exploring this protected Marine National Park—immersing yourself in its surrounding undersea universe teeming with coral and marine life.

Your journey begins aboard a high-speed catamaran steering for the soft, white beaches of Green Island. This 6000-year-old coral cay boasts its own rainforest—the only one of its kind in the Great Barrier Reef. Mid-cruise, tune in to your local guide's informative snorkelling and reef presentation. Upon arrival, step ashore to soak up the turquoise waters, glittering sand, and fringe of emerald palms ringing the island. Climb into a glass-bottom boat and lean over the railings to get an up-close look at a colourful underwater world. Feast your eyes on brilliant colonies of zany Brain Coral, orange sea stars, and scores of blue damselfish flitting about. If you're craving a swim, strap on a snorkel and mask to see everything up close: black and white angelfish feeding on sponges and striped clownfish nestled among anemones. Emerge from the water to amble around the island at your leisure. Relax on the beach to soak up the sun, or choose to indulge in an optional semi-submarine tour, or buffet lunch before cruising back to Cairns.

This morning, it’s time to check out of your hotel and reflect on the amazing Australian sites and highlights that you’ve witnessed. If you’re flying out today, please allow plenty of time to take a shuttle bus or a taxi to the airport.