Crown Sydney, BarangarooCredit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a coffee and harbour views from their luxurious Crown Towers hotel suite at Crown Sydney, Barangaroo.
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Savour incredible fine dining, opulent accommodation with stunning views and highly personalised tours of Sydney‘s buzzing city centre and beautiful harbourside precincts for the ultimate luxury holiday.
Make the day all about you
Feel like royalty when you take to dazzling Sydney Harbour in an opulent vessel. Prepare to be pampered when you step aboard superyacht Ghost 2, one of the largest private charter vessels on the harbour – it sleeps up to 12 in five ensuite staterooms. Or feel the wind in your hair and the sails on a skippered or bareboat yacht charter from Sydney by Sail as you spend the day sailing the harbour, stopping to drop anchor in secluded bays for a refreshing dip.
Be stirred by sails of a different kind when you arrive for a backstage Taste of Opera experience at the Sydney Opera House. Under the iconic building’s white ‘sails’ you’ll thrill to a private recital from one of Opera Australia’s talented opera singers, accompanied by a pianist, as part of this exclusive tour.
Express yourself and see the city’s highlights on your own terms with tours specially tailored to your interests. Sydney Privé specialises in private luxury tours and will take care of all the details, including securing your table at top restaurants. Or, absorb the city’s creative energy as art-world insider Jenny Garber leads you around the Sydney art scene on her inART Sydney tours.
Relax, kick back and take in the sights as Ultimately Sydney guides you around the city by boat and luxury car. Or enjoy a change in scenery with a daytrip to the NSW Southern Highlands or a wine tour of the Hunter Valley with AEA Luxury Tours.
Wine and dine like a diva
Taste the dedication of a legion of talented chefs as you sit down to incredible meals across Sydney. Feast on the best produce from New South Wales as you savour the seven-course degustation with premium wine pairings at Aria, one of the city’s exceptional fine-dining experiences, near the Sydney Opera House in Circular Quay.
Gaze up in awe at the spectacular, cathedral-like space at Bennelong restaurant at the Sydney Opera House, or reflect on Bennelong executive chef Peter Gilmore’s creative process as he balances the textures and flavours of bespoke produce at his other restaurant Quay, across the water at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
Feel the buzz as you indulge in French cuisine with a side order of live jazz at Restaurant Hubert in the city centre, or thrill to the discovery of little-known local wines at European-style wine bar Monopole at nearby Curtin Place.
Take your time choosing which astonishing restaurant to dine in at Crown Sydney at Barangaroo. Marvel at Nobu Matsuhisa’s contemporary Japanese fusion menu at Nobu, or be intrigued by the fine dining experience at Oncore by three-Michelin-starred British chef Clare Smyth.
Be moved by the views when Sydney by Seaplane flies you to one of several out-of-the-way restaurants for lunch. Relish an incredible only-in-Sydney experience as you fly up the glorious Northern Beaches before landing on sparkling Pittwater. Unleash your inner hedonist at Bert’s Bar & Brasserie, starting in the Champagne Bar before enjoying fresh Sydney rock oysters, caviar and dressed crab from the Oyster Bar.
Or enjoy stunning views of the city at sundown from Bar 83 at Sydney Tower, watching the city lights sparkle through floor-to-ceiling windows as you sip a glass of champagne with share plates of oysters, ocean trout tartare and premium bar nibbles.
And after a memorable dinner, sip an expertly crafted cocktail at Maybe Sammy, a regular on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. Be adventurous with an extravagant concoction from the High Rollers list, including vintage cocktails made with antique spirits from Maybe Sammy’s private collection.
Barangaroo, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Sun rising over Barangaroo and Pyrmont Bay, Sydney.
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Barangaroo, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Sun rising over Barangaroo and Pyrmont Bay, Sydney.
Maybe Sammy, The Rocks Credit: Destination NSW
Bartender creating a cocktail at Maybe Sammy cocktail bar in The Rocks.
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Maybe Sammy, The Rocks Credit: Destination NSW
Bartender creating a cocktail at Maybe Sammy cocktail bar in The Rocks.
Treat yourself
Indulge in extensive pampering at The Day Spa by Chuan at The Langham, Sydney, which offers facials, massages and relaxing body treatments, followed by complimentary use of the magnificently decorated indoor heated swimming pool room, hot tub and steam rooms.
Take the pulse of Sydney’s fashion and design scene in two of Sydney’s most prestigious suburbs, Double Bay and Paddington, just 10 minutes from the city centre. Put yourself in expert hands on a personalised shopping tour with Splendour Tailored Tours as your personal stylist guides you around Double Bay’s best boutiques. Browse Belinda for local and international fashion and salivate at the signature jewellery at Jan Logan. In nearby Paddington, venture into Parlour X for a range of exclusive clothing and must-have accessories from luxury brands.
Feel the anticipation of a big night on the town as you prepare with a blow out with celebrity stylist Renya Xydis at Paddington’s Valonz, or sharpen your look with bespoke barbering with principal barber Aiden Xydis at The Men’s Grooming Room.
Retreat to your luxury suite
Take in sweeping harbour views from the comfort of your suite at a five-star hotel in The Rocks and Circular Quay, such as the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, Shangri-La Hotel Sydney or the recently refurbished InterContinental Sydney. Splash out on the two-bedroom Sydney Suite at the Park Hyatt Sydney and soak up a panorama of Sydney Harbour from your spa bath overlooking Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Shop ‘til you flop onto your plush bed at Kimpton Margot Sydney, an art deco masterpiece with a soaring lobby complete with a restaurant by acclaimed Australian chef Luke Mangan, mere blocks away from fashionable shopping precincts in the heart of the city.
Soak up the neighbouring harbourside precincts of Darling Harbour and Barangaroo at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, which has a stunning infinity pool, and the super-luxurious Crown Towers, the tallest hotel in Sydney, at Crown Sydney. The W Sydney, with its striking ribbon-like design, also opens in Darling Harbour in 2023.
Or, head north and recharge from indulgent days in the city with the ultimate overnight stay in the great Australian bush. Gaze down at the harbour on a spectacular 30-minute flight with Sydney Seaplanes to Marramarra Lodge to laze by the Hawkesbury River, enjoy treatments in the spa and wind down with a degustation dinner.
The Day Spa by Chuan, at The Langham, Sydney Credit: The Langham
Set underground at The Langham, Sydney, The Day Spa by Chuan boasts a 20m heated pool.
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The Day Spa by Chuan, at The Langham, Sydney Credit: The Langham
Set underground at The Langham, Sydney, The Day Spa by Chuan boasts a 20m heated pool.
Marramarra Lodge, Berowra Waters Credit: Isabel Darling
Woman enjoying a beverage with scenic views across Hawkesbury River at Marramarra Lodge, Berowra Waters.
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Marramarra Lodge, Berowra Waters Credit: Isabel Darling
Woman enjoying a beverage with scenic views across Hawkesbury River at Marramarra Lodge, Berowra Waters.
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Ghost Elite Charters, Rose Bay in SydneyCredit: Ghost Elite Charters
Cruise Sydney Harbour in style on the Ghost Elite Charters superyacht Ghost II.
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Soak up mesmerising views of Sydney aboard a privately chartered boat on its iconic harbour. Discover hidden coves and beaches, or simply relax on deck as you navigate Sydney Harbour’s sparkling waters with a crisp glass of wine in your hand and fresh local seafood at your fingertips. Whether you’re keen to take charge yourself or would prefer an expert crew handle everything, you’ll find a range of operators headquartered along the Sydney waterfront. Here’s a selection of the most luxurious vessels to hire.
Live it up on a skippered vessel
Feel spoilt for choice with Sydney Harbour Yacht Charter’s gleaming fleet of superyachts and motor yachts for up to 110 guests. These are some of Sydney’s best-equipped boats, whether you prefer formal dining, fishing with state-of-the-art gear or spending the night in five-star digs. Slip into the role of a film star — or royalty — as you head out on the water. After all, the company has hosted British royalty, celebrities such as Robert de Niro, and US Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
Revel in a sense of style as you cruise Sydney Harbour, or up and down the east coast, with Ghost Elite Charters, a boutique outfit with two luxurious yachts to choose from. Feast on fare from the company’s in-house culinary team or its stable of renowned freelance chefs. Make the most of your time on the harbour by staying the night on the Ghost II superyacht, which accommodates 12 guests overnight.
Take your pick from Sydney Luxury Cruise’s veritable flotilla of opulent vessels ranging from a classic wooden speedboat to sleek cruisers and a superyacht. Or cast away on a voyage of discovery with Sydney Harbour Boat Tours, which specialises in half-day cruises on small boats to some of the harbour’s lesser-known corners. Thrill to the discovery of secluded beaches and national parks as well as Sydney’s most exclusive waterfront neighbourhoods on its private Sydney Harbour Discovery Cruise, and learn something new about Sydney from the local crew, who share their insider knowledge throughout the charter.
Be privy to some of the harbour’s best-kept secrets with My Sydney Boat, which offers private eco-certified luxury charters for small groups. Feel the romance on a 90-minute Sydney Harbour Twilight Cruise, when the harbour is bathed in golden light, or make a longer booking to revel in the opportunity to explore secluded national park waterways and hidden beaches.
Enjoy the independence of self-drive options
Step into the captain’s (boat)shoes for a day, or even a full weekend, on a bareboat charter, which comes minus the skipper and crew. Booking one in Sydney is quick and easy: generally, all you need to do is produce a valid boat licence or sign a statutory declaration confirming your ability. Companies specialising in bareboat charters include EastSail, located at Darling Point in the city’s east, and Eastcoast Sailing, which offers pick-ups in Rushcutters Bay and Lavender Bay, also on the harbour’s eastern shores.
Get a thrill driving a boat for the first time with operators such as Salty Boat Hire in Rose Bay and Manly Kayak Centre in Manly, which will let you hire a small boat after undertaking a basic training session. You can also enjoy an eco-friendly self-skippered jaunt on the harbour behind the wheel of Danish-designed electric GoBoat, based at Cabarita Point in Sydney’s Inner West, which can fit up to eight people, as well as your pooch. Keep in mind that these vessels are speed-limited, so you won’t be able to travel as far as you might on a skippered boat.
Sydney Luxury Cruise, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Luxury Cruises operates on Sydney Harbour exploring the harbour beaches, waterfront mansions and icons.
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Sydney Luxury Cruise, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Luxury Cruises operates on Sydney Harbour exploring the harbour beaches, waterfront mansions and icons.
Eastsail, Darling Point in Sydney Credit: Eastsail Pty Ltd
Experienced sailors can hire one of EastSail’s luxury yachts to explore Sydney Harbour.
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Eastsail, Darling Point in Sydney Credit: Eastsail Pty Ltd
Experienced sailors can hire one of EastSail’s luxury yachts to explore Sydney Harbour.
Leave the legwork to a cruise agent
Tap into the expert knowledge of an online cruise agent to book your next luxury harbour cruise. Any Boat brings together dozens of independent operators providing skippered services on Sydney Harbour. If only the biggest and best will do, check out Any Boat’s luxury hire section, which spotlights 18 of Sydney’s most lavish superyachts.
International broker Ahoy Club also caters to the top end of the market, with more than 100 skippered luxury yachts available for hire in Australia. Splash out on a four-hour harbour cruises or a weeklong jaunt along the New South Wales coast, departing from and returning to Sydney. (Note that prospective clients must register to access Ahoy Club’s features.
Arrive at your harbourside destination in style
Lean into the convenience of flitting between waterfront hotspots on in your own water taxi. If you’re overnighting at one of Sydney’s dazzling waterfront luxury hotels, like the Park Hyatt Sydney or Pier One Sydney Harbour, stay in your luxury bubble by walking out of the lobby and straight into a water taxi to zip around the harbour. What better way to arrive at a waterside restaurant such as Catalina in Rose Bay? Speedy vessels from the likes of Majestic Water Taxis, VIP Water Taxis and Aquanox Water Taxis are a thrill to ride and, thanks to their compact size, can get into places on the shoreline that many larger boats can’t.
The Gantry Credit: Dave Wheeler
The Gantry restaurant offers contemporary dining in a newly renovated Dining Room, with a covered outdoor Terrace and al fresco dining on the pier.
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The Gantry Credit: Dave Wheeler
The Gantry restaurant offers contemporary dining in a newly renovated Dining Room, with a covered outdoor Terrace and al fresco dining on the pier.
The Dining Room by James Viles, Park Hyatt Credit: Destination NSW
The Dining Room by James Viles, Park Hyatt.
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The Dining Room by James Viles, Park Hyatt Credit: Destination NSW
The Dining Room by James Viles, Park Hyatt.