Cruise ships of all lines dock in Sydney at two locations, each of which can accommodate 1 vessel at a time.

1. Overseas Passenger Terminal - Circular Quay.

2. Wharf 5, Hickson Rd, Darling harbor.

Both docks are only a 15 minute walk apart. 5 minutes by cab.

Either way it's quick and easy walk to Circular Quay and the ferries, shopping and trains.

The cruise terminal is located at Circular Quay and adjacent to the Rocks, the original old city. Water taxis, ferries, trains, taxis and buses all depart regularly from the wharf location.

The Sydney Terminal is approximately 11 miles from Sydney's Kingsford International Airport. Travel time between the airport and the pier is approximately 35 minutes.
Airport Link is a fast and convenient way to reach the center of Sydney. Trains run approximately every 10 minutes and the journey into the city takes only 13 minutes. The international and domestic rail stations link directly to the City Circle which means most city destinations are within a short walk of stations.

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Sydney is a definite stop on just about any cruise that travels Down Under and often serves as a starting or ending point for ships that also travel to New Zealand. It is the largest city in Australia, and while many of the nation's cultural and financial institutions are located in Sydney, the city's real draw is its dramatic natural scenery.

Although it is a modern city strongly influenced by British roots and current American popular culture, Sydney's real character is derived from its exotic location and brash beauty. Walking through the glass and concrete downtown, known as the Central Business District, you could be in any other Western-culture metropolis -- until a fluorescent red and green lorikeet parrot swoops overhead or an unexpected flash of the brilliant blue harbor appears between the skyscrapers.

Any proper visit to Sydney must begin in the harbor, which is both the birthplace of the city and its current iconic centerpiece. The area is called Circular Quay (pronounced "key" by locals). It is hard to imagine a more picturesque setting for a city's heart than this, with the Opera House and harbor Bridge displayed against the inlet's bright water.

Sydney spreads across a massive geographic area, but the majority of its most interesting areas can be found near the ocean coast, in the area known as the Eastern suburbs. Oxford Street, the main thoroughfare running east from downtown to the ocean beaches, hosts Sydney's famous gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade each February and is popular because of its upscale shops and cafes during the rest of the year.

Sydney is a well-balanced blend of a big city lifestyle and the laid-back Australian mentality. Although Aussies who hail from other towns often disparage Sydney for its flashiness and hectic pace, urban inconveniences seem minor here compared to places like New York and London. Tourism is a huge industry around Sydney, and locals are accustomed and happy to providing visitors with service, helpful directions and a rousing welcome to the stunning city that they call

Sydney Explorer Hop-on Hop-off harbor Cruise

Sydney and Bondi Hop-on Hop-off Tour

Take a tour of the world-famous Sydney Opera House. There are a handful of varieties (backstage, historic and what is called the "tour de force" for travelers with special interests in architecture, engineering or the arts). Guided tours are conducted between 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. Of course, schedule permitting, travelers can also take in a show.

The best way to see the harbor is to get a bird's eye view from the top of the harbor Bridge on a Sydney harbor Bridge Climb -- not your ordinary stroll across a bridge and not just for the young and crazy. The 3.5-hour trek up and down the famous landmark is safe, slow and suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels; you'll don a bridge suit and wear a bridge harness along the ladder-like stairways and narrow catwalks.

The climbs are guided tours and are offered during the day as well as at night. There are lots of rules and regulations, including: no kids under 10 (and children aged 10 to 16 must be accompanied by an adult), no women more than 24 weeks pregnant, climbers must wear rubber soled shoes, and all climbers must pass a breath-test (for a blood alcohol limit of less than .05 percent).

From the bridge, visitors can walk around the inlet to tour the always-crowded Opera House. It is easy to continue from there through the Royal Botanical Gardens, a collection of flowers and trees overlooking the water, where it is possible to see some of Australia's unique flora without having to leave the city.

Mass transit options abound from Circular Quay. Trains (there's a stop across from the terminal) are easily accessed as is the monorail, which serves downtown Sydney.

It pays to compare your cruise line shore excursions here.

Options in Sydney include central areas like Pitt Street Mall, downtown and Castlereagh Street (from Hunter Street to Goulburn Street) for chi-chi designer stores. Also include the aforementioned Rocks and Darling harbor, Oxford Street and Five Ways in Paddington. Sydney also has an excellent collection of weekend outdoor markets. Glebe holds its version every Saturday, while Bondi hosts a market each Sunday.

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Shops and services are generally open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and until lunchtime on Saturday. In cities and larger towns, many shops stay open late on Thursday or Friday evening - usually until 9pm - and all day on Saturday. Shopping malls are often open on Sundays as well.

In remote country areas, roadhouses provide all the essential services for the traveller and, on the major highways, are generally open 24 hours a day. In tourist areas, even ones well off the beaten track, tourist offices are often open every day or at least through the week plus weekend mornings; urban information centers are more likely to conform to normal shopping hours.

Tourist attractions such as museums, galleries and attended historic monuments, are often open daily, though those in rural communities may have erratic opening hours.

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