Fantasea Cruising Sydney · Circular Quay, Wharf 6
Fantasea's one-hour loop from Circular Quay Wharf 6 passes the Opera House, Fort Denison, Bradleys Head and the zoo's shoreline, with a live host. It does not stop at Taronga; book it for the harbour itself, on another day or the morning before your zoo visit.
The zoo ferry takes about 12 minutes and shows you one stretch of water. This takes an hour and goes the long way. From Circular Quay it heads east past The Rocks, the Opera House and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, then Garden Island, Fort Denison, Clark Island and Shark Island. It turns at Bradleys Head below the zoo, comes back past Kirribilli House, and runs under the Harbour Bridge to Luna Park, Blue Point, Goat Island and Simmons Point.
A host talks you through it in English, with an audio guide too. There's a bar on board, with drinks at your own cost, and the listing marks the cruise as wheelchair accessible. It pairs well with a zoo day: ride it the morning before, and you'll know which green headland you're heading for.
Check two things. The listing shows four departures a day from Wharf 6, the first just before 11am, and asks you to check the current timetable; departures from Darling Harbour have stopped. And the cancellation terms are inconsistent. The header says free cancellation up to 24 hours before, while the small print says full refunds only beyond 48 hours. Check the cancellation terms at checkout before you pay.
Find Circular Quay Wharf 6. Check the day's timetable first.
Past The Rocks, the Opera House, Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Garden Island and Fort Denison.
The turn below the zoo's headland, with the city skyline behind you.
Kirribilli House, the Harbour Bridge, Luna Park and Goat Island.
Off at Wharf 6, a short walk from the train station and the zoo ferries.
★★★★★It was a great sightseeing cruise for a beginner. The Opera House was beautiful from the water!
★★★★★The commentary was very interesting, and the boat wasn't going too fast, which allowed us to admire the scenery around us.
★★★★★Excellent tour, great guide with all the knowledge.
Read next:
No. It passes Bradleys Head and the zoo's shoreline but doesn't stop. For the zoo, book the Fantasea ferry combo.
Circular Quay Wharf 6. The listing says the Darling Harbour departures have been discontinued.
One hour, from Wharf 6 and back.
The listing is inconsistent: free cancellation up to 24 hours before in one place, full refunds only beyond 48 hours in another. Check the terms at checkout.
Ready to book
An hour on the harbour with live commentary, past the Opera House, Fort Denison and the zoo's shoreline.
Zoo Ticket with Return Fantasea FerryA return Fantasea ferry from Circular Quay Wharf 6 or Darling Harbour Pier 26, with zoo entry. Check the timetable first.★ 4.5 · Full day
Zoo Entry & Return Ferry from Circular QuayA Captain Cook ferry from Wharf 6 there and back, plus zoo entry. You land by the Lower Entrance, at the bottom of the hill.★ 4.6 · Full day
Whale Watching Cruise & Taronga ZooA 2.5 hour whale cruise beyond the Heads, then the zoo and a ferry back. May to November; not for wheelchairs, says the listing.★ 4.4 · Full day