About this Event
Australia Day on Sydney Harbour aboard MV Sydney
There are two ways to spend Australia Day on the water. The lunch cruise puts you on the harbour for the daytime program: ferries racing, tall ships, flypasts and the harbour parade. The dinner cruise takes you into the evening for Australia Day Live and the fireworks. Both include buffet-style food and a drinks package, and each one is booked separately.
CHOOSE YOUR CRUISE
Tuesday 26 January 2027
☀️ Lunch Cruise: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
🎆 Dinner Cruise: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Each cruise is a separate ticket. Choose lunch, dinner or both at checkout.
TICKET INCLUDES
⚓ Australia Day lunch or dinner cruise aboard MV Sydney
🍽️ Buffet-style food service
🍺 Drinks package: beer, wine (red, white, sparkling) and soft drinks
🌃 Top Deck and Main Deck, with indoor and outdoor areas for open-air harbour views
⚡️ Cocktail style, with indoor and outdoor seating and standing
🎵 Music throughout the cruise
DRINKS PACKAGE
The drinks package includes:
- Beer
- Red wine
- White wine
- Sparkling wine
- Soft drinks
The following drinks are not included, but may be available to purchase from the onboard bar:
- Spirits
- Cruisers
- Cider
- Red Bull
- Lemon, lime and bitters
- Other drinks not expressly included in the package
All alcohol service is subject to Responsible Service of Alcohol requirements.
FOOD
A buffet-style food menu will be provided onboard.
The final menu will be selected by the vessel operator and released closer to the event. Food will be supplied in sufficient quantity for guests onboard.
Guests with serious allergies or dietary requirements should contact the organiser before purchasing. Dietary requests cannot be guaranteed unless confirmed in writing.
AUSTRALIA DAY ON THE WATER
Lunch cruise: The daytime harbour program usually includes the Ferrython, the Salute to Australia, the RAAF flypast, the Tall Ships Race and the Harbour Parade.
Dinner cruise: The evening program usually includes the Australia Day Live concert at the Sydney Opera House and a fireworks finale over the harbour.
MV Sydney cruises as part of the general spectator fleet, so you can take it all in from the deck with a plate in one hand and a drink in the other.
MV Sydney by Opal Charters is an independent cruise operator and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the official Australia Day program or its organisers. Program times are set by the event organisers and may change.
SCHEDULE
Lunch Cruise
- 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM: Meet at King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour
- 11:20 AM: Boarding
- 11:30 AM: Departure
- 2:30 PM: Return to King Street Wharf
Dinner Cruise
- 6:30 PM – 6:50 PM: Meet at King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour
- 6:50 PM: Boarding
- 7:00 PM: Departure
- 10:00 PM: Return to King Street Wharf
Wharf number to be announced closer to the date. It will be sent to you by email.
🚨 Please don’t be late. Australia Day is the busiest day of the year on Sydney Harbour, with road closures and crowded transport. Arrive at least 30 minutes early. Both cruises depart on time and cannot wait for late arrivals.
REFUNDS & CHANGES
- Change of mind: Cancel on or before 27 December 2026 (30 days before the cruise) for a full refund of the ticket price.
- Within 30 days: Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Late arrivals and no-shows: Guests who miss departure are not eligible for a refund.
- Weather: Cruises go ahead in all weather unless the Master decides conditions are unsafe. There are no refunds for unfavourable weather.
- Cancellation by us: If we cancel the cruise, you’ll be offered a full refund or a transfer to another sailing where one is available.
- Australia Day program: The harbour program, concert and fireworks are run by third parties and are not a condition of this cruise. The cruise proceeds as scheduled if any part of the program is delayed, relocated, altered or cancelled.
THINGS TO KNOW
- Dress code: Smart casual.
- Footwear: No heels allowed.
- Accessibility: No prams and no wheelchair access.
- Sun (lunch cruise): The outdoor decks are open-air. Bring a hat and sunscreen.
- Children: Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
- Alcohol: Served only to guests aged 18 and over. Responsible Service of Alcohol requirements apply at all times.
- BYO: Strictly no BYO food or drinks.
- Questions: For ticketing and all other enquiries, email [email protected].
Lunch or dinner, there’s no better place to spend Australia Day than on the harbour. Book your cruise now.
Event venue & nearby stays
King Street Wharf Darling Harbour, Lime Street, Sydney, Australia
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.