ON THE WATER · LUNCH CRUISES IN SYDNEY
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 lunch cruises in Sydney worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to check before you pay.
Cruise Sydney Harbour from Circular Quay for 135 minutes with a 13-choice buffet lunch, tea, coffee, and live English commentary. Guides such as Ron and Ellen bring the harbour’s story to life as you pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Botanical Gardens, and Darling Harbour.
“Good narration, Plenty food, very comfortable ship. Great value”
Enjoy a 1.5-hour or 3-hour Sydney Harbour lunch cruise aboard a spacious motor yacht. Choose a 2 or 3-course meal, watch the Opera House and Harbour Bridge pass by, and use the outdoor deck for photos. A window seat can be guaranteed for an added cost.
“View and atmosphere were beautiful. Service was great. More vegetarian options would be cool and the vegan dessert was way too sweet. Was a bit sad that the live music didn’t play any Christian carols.”
Board a 24-meter Journey Beyond vessel at Darling Harbour for a roughly 2.5-hour lunch cruise. Enjoy an à la carte meal, local wines and beer, and open-deck views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Taronga Zoo, Luna Park, and Sydney skyline.
“The cruise is awesome and it includes a lot of beautiful sites in Sydney. I would recommend this to anyone interested in this city.”
Spend three hours aboard Vagabond Cruises from King Street Wharf 9, enjoying a seafood and carvery buffet, desserts, live music, and broad views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, Garden Island, White Bay, and the Parramatta River. Drinks cost extra at the licensed bar.
“Celebrated my 60th and my grandsons 13th, it was a lovely day, crew on board amasing, had a fabulous day, food was lovely”
Meet at Campbells Cove in The Rocks for a two-hour cruise on a restored square-rigged tall ship. You’ll pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, Taronga Zoo, and Luna Park while learning about Sydney’s maritime past. Crew members may let you help set the sails or steer.
“A most enjoyable lunch cruise. Commentary and crew were great, food was good, weather was kind to us too and we sailed back to Circular Quay. This was the second time for me, first time for my friend, and I'd do it any time again. My friend is also recommending this cruise to her visitors arriving from Melbourne. time.”
Cruise Sydney Harbour for about three hours from King Street Wharf, passing the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, Taronga Zoo, and more. Enjoy allocated seating, a buffet of seafood, carvery meat, fruit, cakes, and drinks, plus live jazz and pop music. The licensed bar costs extra.
“Relaxing cruise; Good buffet; Dessert was lacking; Jazz band comprised of guitarist and singer - played for 1/2 to 2/3 of the cruise; Microphone announcements unable to understand; Crew happily accommodated an extra person in our group.”
Board Sydney 2000 or Captain Cook III at Darling Harbour for a relaxed 2 to 3-hour lunch cruise. Choose a 2 or 3-course a la carte meal, add a window seat, and watch the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and coastline from indoor tables or the open viewing decks.
“beautiful meal and attentive staff. even though weather was not too good it was very enjoyabls”
Spend two hours aboard an authentic timber tall ship with an English-speaking crew, passing Sydney’s Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, and Taronga Zoo. Help hoist the sails, enjoy a freshly prepared three-course lunch, and hear lively stories from crew members such as Howard, Ruth, and Marti.
“great experience. The crew were welcoming and knowledgeable with the history of the tall wooden boats in the harbour, the surrounding landscape past and present. It was nice to meet the owners and learn about their journey from europe with the tall wooden ship. i would highly recommend taking the tour fun for all ages.”
Start with hotel pickup in a Mercedes minibus, then see The Rocks, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Rose Bay, Bondi, Centennial Park, Paddington, and Darling Harbour. Finish with a two-hour Sydney Princess Cruises lunch buffet and harbour commentary. Guides include Graham, Nigel, Paul, Tyler, and Karyn.
“Was a great tour of the city and Graham was a great tour guide. The lunch harbor cruise was wonderful too!! Great narrative throughout the cruise of the city/harbor sites.”
Board Vagabond Cruises at King Street Wharf for a three-hour Sydney Harbour lunch with live jazz, a three-course meal, desserts, tea, and coffee. You can sit indoors or head outside for views. Drinks cost extra, and the meeting wharf number is confirmed after booking.
“Relaxed atmosphere, courteous staff and a fun place to meet new people.”
Cruise the Nepean River aboard the restored Nepean Belle paddlewheeler from Jamisontown. You’ll pass through the narrow gorge below the Blue Mountains, enjoy a shared-platter 2-course lunch, and chat with Captain Chris if available. Coffee and tea follow the meal, while bar drinks cost extra.
“Great relaxing lunch cruise. Sitting upstairs is a must. Scenery is great. The captain and staff are fantastic.”
Spend four hours aboard the small Spectre with guides such as Zane or Captain James, cruising Sydney Harbour, spotting wildlife, and stopping at CYCA for an Aussie lunch, one drink, and a look at the club tied to the Sydney to Hobart race.
“Really enjoyed the tour. Captain James was friendly and knowledgeable. The group was small - only 8 people. We got to see most of the Harbour and had a nice lunch..”
Join a small group of up to 10 for a four-hour open-boat cruise from Campbells Cove. Your guide, including hosts such as Zane and Chantelle, brings you close to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, then on to waterfront lunch, mansions, national park waterways, and possible dolphin or seal sightings.
“Fabulous. We saw so much of the whole Sydney harbour area it was amazing. Zane our host was terrific. Knowledgeable, friendly and great company”
Spend 4.5 hours on a small motoryacht, cruising from Sydney Harbour to Watsons Bay and Balmoral. Enjoy a starter at Doyles, a main at Public Dining Room, then cheese and dessert onboard, with sparkling wine and other drinks included. The boat carries no more than 14 people.
“Nice boat but a very good staff. They are very good at what they do in the boat. The service was awesome and the food and snacks excellent. Highly recommended.”
Board the MV Vagabond Spirit at Walsh Bay for a three-hour Christmas lunch cruise. You’ll enjoy a seated seafood and carvery buffet, dessert, music, bon-bons, a Santa visit, outdoor decks, and Sydney Harbour views. Alcohol costs extra at the licensed bar.
“Last year my family didn't make it on our booked Christmas cruise due to Covid so it was credited for this year. I rang up Vagabond in early November to rebook on the Princess. They were very busy, I think short staffed so the communication Read more”
Pick a river, a harbour or a kind of evening.
