Sydney

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

Both terminals make for Australia's largest cruise destination.

1. Overseas Passenger Terminal - Circular Quay. Mainly for tall ships which cannot fit under the Harbour Bridge. In prime position opposite the Sydney Opera House. This terminal is right in the city.

Public Transport options: Bus number 431 drops you off on George Street outside the OPT precinct Circular Quay train station is located a three minute walk to the OPT building Circular Quay Ferry Station is located a three minute walk to the OPT Building Wynyard Train station is located 783m to the OPT Precinct Taxis available from George Street, in front of the OPT precinct Onsite parking is available via the OPT Wilsons Car Park

From the airport: Purchase a train ticket to Circular Quay at either the Sydney Airport Domestic or International Train Station. Catch the train to Circular Quay. The Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal is a very short walk from the Circular Quay Station, towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge

This terminal does NOT have free WIFI.

2. White Bay has been in operation as of 2013, replacing the former Darling harbor location. For guests arriving at the airport, cruise lines offer transfers by coach to the new terminal. P&O charges AU$22 per person each way, as well as post-cruise transfers from the ship to Central Railway Station for AU$15 per person. Public transportation is at the moment an issue here. The terminal is 6km from the city center.

The best options to reach White Bay are taxi, private transfer (eg. limo, shuttle bus) or drive and leave your car at Wilsons long-term car park.

Sydney Airport is 17km (11 miles), around a 30-minute drive from White Bay. Some cruise lines operate their own airport shuttle (contact your travel agent).

In addition to the two berths listed, occasionally cruise ships dock at the naval base at Garden Island, a little to the east of Circular Quay, especially for very large ships.

Printable map to take along.

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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…

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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…

Darling Harbour is reachable within a 35-minute (2.6 km/1.6 miles) walking distance from the dock at Circular Quay, or 10-20 minutes driving, depending on the traffic. From the White Bay terminal, it takes only a 5-10 minutes drive to get to Darling Harbour. This waterfront destination is home to some of Sydney's major attractions including Wildlife Sydney Zoo, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Madame Tussauds wax museum, Australian National Maritime Museum, Pyrmont Bridge, and others.

Bondi Beach The closest ocean beach to the centre of Sydney (7 km), Bondi Beach has become synonymous with Sydney's beach lifestyle and is very popular with tourists, daytrippers, backpackers, residents and all Sydneysiders.

Hunter Valley Wine Tour. Situated north of Sydney, Hunter Valley is one of Australia's major wine regions, with a wine-making tradition dating back to the early 1800s. This region is home to a large number of wineries, including world-renowned brands and family-run wine cellars, offering vineyard and wine tasting tours.

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.

Australian Dollar

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 traveler 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.