Sydney Australia tours offer a wide variety of experiences and activities to satisfy many different interests and fit just about any budget. For sightseeing in the Central Business District (CBD), you have free Sydney bus tours available during off peak hours on weekdays (9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), with extended hours on Thursday evenings and weekends. These are hop-on, hop-off buses that are excellent both for sightseeing and shopping. Guided Sydney bus tours are often included as part of packaged vacations, and generally include stops for some walking and to visit certain landmarks.

There are also free self-guided Sydney walking tours that take you through the fascinating history of the city. These were developed by the City of Sydney History Program, which provides free brochures, including a clear map of the walk with numbered points of interest, suggested side detours, and suggested stops at various museums along the way. There are more than ten different Sydney Australia tours that walk you through routes covering attractions such as the water features of the city (from beautiful ornamental fountains to interesting men's public toilets and the sewers), walks that take you to picturesque lookout points like Mrs. Macquarrie's Chair to view the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, and walks that take you through the main nightlife district.

There are also guided Sydney walking tours led by knowledgeable, professionals. Many of these concentrate on the area around Sydney Harbour. They are apt to begin and/or end around The Rocks and to travel a route between Hyde Park and Circular Quay. Nearby, you will find the magnificent Royal Botanical Gardens. Established in 1861 by Governor Macquarrie (husband of the aforementioned Mrs. Macquarrie), this wonderful harborside park offers 75 acres with Sydney walking tours that can be either self-guided or guided. These tours are free, and the guided tours are led by volunteers. For a reasonable fee, you can book a tour led by a specialist or by an indigenous Aboriginal expert.

Sydney Map

Because this city sits on such a large natural harbor and is bisected by a major river, many Sydney Australia tours will involve the water in one form or another. Sydney Harbour sightseeing cruises are especially popular. These reveal the magnificent skyline of sparkling skyscrapers, the Sydney Tower, and (of course) the signature landmarks of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. You can book these cruise as sunset cocktail cruises or lunch or dinner cruises.

Like South Africa, located on the other side of the world and at about the same latitude, Australia has become widely known as a producer of fine wines. There are Sydney wine tours to be enjoyed in the wine regions of the beautiful Blue Mountains to the west of the city and in Hunter Valley, located north of the city and to the west of Newcastle. You can enjoy these on a Sydney day trip or choose to spend a night in one of the charming bed and breakfasts and do some exploring on your own. The day trips are usually guided Sydney bus tours that leave from a central point like Circular Quay and include a gourmet lunch—with tastings of local vintages...of course.