9 Sydney Bus Tours to Build a Day Around

1.Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,697 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $51Our pick

Use a 24- or 48-hour pass on Sydney’s red City Route and blue Bondi Tour, covering 23 stops. Add the Captain Cook harbour cruise for views of the Opera House, Bridge, Manly, Watsons Bay, and Taronga Zoo. An optional night tour adds a 90-minute city ride.

“Pat our Guide was absolut Great!!! Unfortunately the weather was bad so we could not see the full beauty. Time sometimes was too limited during the actions we had.”

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2.Big Bus Sydney and Bondi Hop-on Hop-off Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,690 reviews · from $52

Use a 24 or 48-hour pass on Sydney’s red city and blue Bondi routes. Ride past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, The Rocks, Fish Market, and Bondi Beach, hopping off as you please. Add a Captain Cook harbor pass or evening panoramic tour if your schedule allows.

“The hop on hop off big bus was really easy to use. It was fun to travel around the city. It was pretty hot so wearing sunscreen is definitely recommended.”

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3.Sydney Guided Sightseeing Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 436 reviews · from $35

Spend 3.5 hours touring Sydney by air-conditioned bus with a live guide such as Martin or Michael. Stop for photos at Mrs Macquarie’s Point, The Gap, Bondi Beach, and the Opera House, while passing suburbs including Kings Cross, Paddington, and Watsons Bay.

“The Tour Guide/Driver (Martin) was Exceptional. He was full of information, Fun Facts and how to explore areas Further, if you wanted to/had Time. The Trip was ‘Worth Every Penny/Dollar’! Thank You!”

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4.City Highlights Guided Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 321 reviews · 3h 30m · from $34

Join an English-speaking guide, often Martin or James, for a 210-minute air-conditioned bus tour from Hyde Park to the Sydney Opera House. See Woolloomooloo, Kings Cross, Watsons Bay, The Gap, and Bondi Beach, with photo stops and time for coffee, beach views, and local advice.

“We enjoyed the tour. My 4 yo daughter and elderly parents equally enjoyed. Tour guide Martin's commentary was fun filled.”

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5.Hop-on Hop-off Harbour Cruise with Commentary

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 258 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $31Best value

Start at Circular Quay Wharf 6 or Darling Harbour and use a 1 or 2-day Captain Cook Cruises pass to reach five Sydney Harbour stops. Stay aboard for a 60 to 90-minute round trip, or get off for the Opera House, Watsons Bay, Taronga Zoo, and Manly. Attractions and food cost extra.

“We went with the boat to watson bay and manly beach. It was a great experience”

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6.Big Bus Panoramic Night Tour by Open-Top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 57 reviews · 1h 30m · from $44

Join Big Bus Sydney at 7:00 or 7:30 PM for a live-guided, English-language ride through the city after dark. You’ll cross the Harbour Bridge, stop at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and Milsons Point, and return to Circular Quay after 90 minutes. Guide Leonie has earned especially warm praise.

“Given the significance placed on the iconic Opera House, it was sad that the Conservatorium of Music on the route was not given any mention at all. Considering this is the very place where prospective Opera singers train. I saw lots of passengers taking photos of this building but no mention of it by the guide.”

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7.Blue Mountains Day Tour & Hop-on, Hop-off Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 11 reviews · 10 hours · from $169

Travel from Central Station to the Blue Mountains with a guide, Sydney Zoo admission, koala photo, kangaroo feeding, Leura, Echo Point, and unlimited Scenic World rides. Return around 6pm, then use your 24-hour Big Bus ticket to see Sydney and Bondi at your own pace.

“Great, it was amazing 😃 Thank you for interesting stories our guide Alfie😀”

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8.Morning Sightseeing Bus to Bondi with Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 8 reviews · 5h 30m · from $174

Start with hotel pickup in a luxury minibus of up to 14 people, visiting The Rocks, Mrs Macquarie’s Point, Rose Bay, The Gap and Bondi Beach. Return to Circular Quay for a 2.25-hour harbour lunch cruise with buffet, drinks and live commentary. Guides may include Matt, Dane, Karen or Ron.

“Very knowledgeable guide on the bus tour and comfortable bus. Lunch time cruise was excellent and thoroughly enjoyed the food and narration.”

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9.Whale Watching & Hop On Hop Off Cruise Package

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 2h 30m · from $88Top rated

Spend your first day watching humpback whales from Sydney Harbour, with English commentary and a free return cruise if none appear. Then use the 48-hour hop-on hop-off pass to reach up to six harbour precincts, including Manly, Watsons Bay, the Opera House, and Harbour Bridge.

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