Top Sydney Cultural Tours

Go behind the scenes at the Sydney Opera House for a fascinating look at this Sydney icon. Your knowledgeable guide leads you through the World Heritage–listed building on a walking tour, sharing entertaining stories about the revered performance center's history and providing access to off-limits parts of the house.

Delve into the history of Sydney and British Australia on a leisurely 90-minute walking tour in The Rocks district with an expert guide. Enjoy the delights of present-day visuals as you explore The Rocks and hear the story of Sydney’s convict past as you discover shady courtyards, narrow laneways and hidden areas that even the locals do not know about. Stroll along the shoreline of Sydney Harbour with views of the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, past Cadman’s Cottage and Campbell’s Cove. Tour Highlights: • The shoreline of Sparkling Sydney Cove • Harbour views of Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge • Cadman’s Cottage, The Rocks oldest surviving cottage built in 1816 • Campbell’s Cove, offering fantastic views of Sydney Harbour • Awe inspiring Argyle Cut begun with convict labour in 1843 • Within The Rocks historic precinct, we will wander through Greenway Lane, Kendall Lane, Suez Canal, Foundation Park and much more.

Join a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour by double-decker bus to discover the highlights of Sydney and Bondi Beach. Enjoy unobstructed views and recorded onboard commentary as you travel along two routes to top destinations like Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, and Bondi Beach. Go in-depth at any given place by simply hopping off the bus to explore. You can experience Sydney and Bondi's most noteworthy attractions at your own pace with your choice of ticket, valid for either 24 or 48 hours.

Experience the majestic World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains on a small-group full-day tour from Sydney. Enjoy sweeping views of the Blue Mountains and sites including the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley. Hop onboard the Scenic Railway (or other rides) at Scenic World, enjoy a chef-prepared lunch (dietary requirements accommodated), and visit Featherdale Wildlife Park to see kangaroos and other native Australian critters. Then, cruise by boat back to Sydney Harbour on the Parramatta River.

Hit all the highlights of Australia's Blue Mountains on this day tour from Sydney. View native Australian animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park, see the famous Three Sisters at Echo Park, then head for Scenic World (all three rides included). Wind up on a river cruise on the Parramatta back to Sydney for drop-off at Circular Quay or Darling Harbour. National Park fees and round-trip transportation from select hotels included.

Experience Sydney Harbour in a unique way: during a 30-minute wild ride on 'Thunder', a jet boat capable of slides, twists, wave riding, and fishtails. Enjoy some sightseeing between tricks with views of Luna Park, Taronga Zoo, Sydney Opera House, Rose Bay and other famous Harbour landmarks.

Explore Sydney aboard a hop-on hop-off Sydney Harbour cruise that stops at top destinations including Circular Quay, Watsons Bay, Manly . Get a great vantage point for photo ops of icons such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Simply jump on and off at as many stops as you like; when you're ready to move on to your next destination, just catch the next boat. Upgrade to include an entrance ticket to Taronga Zoo, another fantastic attraction located on the harbor shores.

Be sure to put a performance by Opera Australia at the iconic Sydney Opera House on your Sydney itinerary. See classic operas by composers like Mozart and Puccini, as well as iconic Broadway musicals, depending on the season. Take in stunning views of Sydney Harbour while enjoying drinks or a meal (own expense) at one of the Opera House's fine dining venues before or after the performance to top off this unforgettable experience.

Visit your choice of two, three or four of Sydney’s top attractions with the convenient and economical Sydney combo pass. Choose from a list of five options: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Sydney Tower Eye or Madame Tussauds Sydney. The Sydney Tower Eye observation deck offers sweeping views over Sydney Harbour and the city. The zoo and aquariums feature an amazing array of native Australian wildlife. Pose for photos with life-like wax statues of your favorite celebrities at Madame Tussauds.

Experience the masters of opera at Sydney’s iconic performance venue. Choose from a variety of options and enjoy a 90-minute summer afternoon concert in this UNESCO-designated World Heritage site. Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma,” Bizet’s “Au fond du temple saint,” and Rossini’s “Largo al factotum” are among the classics performed by Australia’s finest opera singers.

Indulge your inner foodie as you discover the fine wines and culinary delights of Australia’s famous Hunter Valley. Set out from Sydney on a full-day small-group tour, stopping to enjoy tours and tastings at the region’s most prestigious boutique wineries. Along the way, tuck into lunch at a local restaurant, sample regional cheeses, and chocolates, and visit The Hunter Distillery.

This comprehensive tour of Sydney is perfect for first-time visitors or those short on time. Spend a half-day immersed in the history and culture of Sydney, learning through stops at landmarks such as Chinatown, Darling Harbour, and Australia’s largest urban development, Barangaroo. Your guide will follow a curated itinerary centered on the history of Sydney from 1788 to modern day, adding commentary to illuminate the details.

Be touched by the most ancient human culture on earth in a 90-minute leisurely walkabout with an Aboriginal guide in The Rocks Sydney, and journey into DreamTime, the culture of Aboriginal People. illi-Langi The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour is 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned and was developed by Aboriginal Elder, Margret Campbell, a Dunghutti – Jerrinjah woman. It is led by Aboriginal guides who have her permission to share her cultural knowledge. The tour gives you the opportunity to discover how the ancient Aboriginal DreamTime is still alive within the modern Sydney landscape and how the billion-year-old harbour, marine environment, sandstone strata, waterways, flora and fauna continue to influence how Aboriginal people live today.

Spend an afternoon visiting Palm Beach, aka Summer Bay from the famous Australian TV show ‘Home and Away.’ Your expert guide shares the inside scoop on the people and places from the hit TV series, and you can snap photos at outdoor filming locations from the show. You may even get meet some of the cast and watch the filming in action. Visit the seaside town of Manly and see other renowned surfing beaches. Choose from four different tour options to suit your schedule and budget.

Take a thrilling ride across Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge on a trike or Harley Davidson. Cruise past Luna Park, Blues Point Reserve, the Opera House, stunning homes in the Eastern Suburbs, Bondi Beach, and more. Your local guide will provide live commentary by headset to enrich your trip. This tour includes helmet, jacket, gloves, and round-trip transport from CBD hotels.

Dive deep into the cultural roots of Australia during this Blue Mountains tour from Sydney including round-trip transport, morning tea and scones, and a 2-course lunch. Watch a traditional aboriginal smoking ceremony at Katoomba Waterfall, and then head to the Waradah Aboriginal Centre and Featherdale Wildlife Park. End your day with a ferry ride up the Parramatta River into Sydney Harbour.

Cram all of Sydney’s most memorable landmarks into one tour! Enjoy a 4-hour sightseeing tour, jam-packed with photo opportunities and iconic sights, and pick up insider tips from your knowledgeable local guide. Take in the views from Mrs Macquarie's Chair and The Gap; marvel over Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera house; and visit bustling Chinatown. After strolling neighborhoods like The Rocks, Paddington and Woolloomooloo, head to the coast to discover Bondi Beach, Rose Bay and Shark Beach.

On the 'DISCOVER THE ROCKS' tour we will visit the picturesque historic district The rocks on foot. This is the birthplace of modern Australia, and any tour of the country should start here. We are going to know together, in a very dynamic and close way, how the first convicts got here and the interests that the British crown had to create a penal colony on the other side of the world. We will walk through its streets and our hair will stand on end when we know the living conditions of this first settlement. We have tons of fun anecdotes and we will analyze the two great projects that have put Sydney on the map, the Harbor Bridge and The Opera House. This tour was born from the head of a couple of friends; an official guide and an architect, with a passion for storytelling. We feel that Sydney is our home and we want you to join us in discovering it. We assure you that this tour is the best thing that will happen to you in Australia for not knowing English.

Ditch the guidebook and explore Australia’s most populous city with a local host. Craft an itinerary that suits your interests and hit the streets with an insider, visiting landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, as well as authentic local institutions and hot spots. Benefit from a resident’s perspective on this beautiful, diverse metropolis and enjoy a cocktail and a delicious bite.

Get familiar with Sydney with the help of a local guide on this half-day tour that is tailored to your interests. You can select the neighborhood and sights that you want to explore, then set out with your guide. Find out how to navigate the city on foot or with public transportation, and get tips about great places to visit on your own later.

If you've ever wondered how pearls are made and where they come from, this tour is for you. From the comfort of a catamaran you'll admire the nature of the Central Coast, maybe even spotting pelicans, turtles, and stingrays. Visit a pearl farm, where you'll have a chance to chat with the farmers, learn about Australia's pearl farming history, and see examples of beautiful Broken Bay pearls.

Discover Sydney’s most infamous crime scenes and learn about its chilling past on this leisurely walking tour. The saying “Truth is stranger than fiction” plays out as you hear Sydney’s most terrifying tales, walk through its neighborhoods, and visit the sites of its true crimes. Your guide provides fascinating facts about the city’s dark history.

Explore Sydney on a private full-day tour with a guide who shows you around by car and on foot. Highlights include the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. Next, head to the eastern suburbs and see places that most visitors miss. Continue on to view the Pacific Ocean through The Gap and stop at Bondi Beach for lunch (own expense).

Enjoy a scenic flight over Sydney in an immaculately restored historic seaplane that evokes the golden age of Australian seaplanes in the 1930s and ‘40s. Your 15-minute air tour starts from Rose Bay and flies over Sydney’s top landmarks, including Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach. Upgrade to include a delicious 3-course a la carte lunch at Catalinas, an elegant waterside restaurant with views that overlook Sydney Harbour.