Our team has been pulling together the best small-group tours, day trips and multi-day adventures around New South Wales for years. Mick reads the traveller reviews before any tour earns a spot on this page — if a tour's a dud, it doesn't get listed.
A two-hour walk through Sydney's queer past and present, tracing hidden Indigenous perspectives through colonial suppression to the radical 1970s uprising. You'll discover the stories behind Australia's most visible LGBTQ+ figures, the watershed 1978 Mardi Gras, and how the community navigated the AIDS crisis. Coffee or tea included.
Spend a full day exploring Sydney's Blue Mountains with Rocky Road Tours, a small operator who handles everything personally rather than farming you out to larger companies. Visit Sydney Zoo and Scenic World across 8–10 hours, travelling in a private vehicle with a local guide who knows the region well. Pick-up from your hotel, airport, or cruise terminal is included, and your itinerary can flex to suit your interests. The pace is deliberately unhurried—no rushing between stops.
A four-hour private coastal tour through Eurobodalla's quieter reaches, where you'll track native wildlife across headlands and scan waterways for marine visitors. Travel in an air-conditioned minivan with a knowledgeable guide who knows where wallabies graze, dolphins surface, and migratory whales pass. You'll photograph tidal systems, estuaries and secluded beaches far removed from packed tourist spots. Hotel or Moruya airport pickups included, with water and refresher towels provided.
Launch from Swansea Bridge into the Swansea Channel aboard the Hydro, a purpose-built vessel designed for close encounters with migrating Humpback Whales along the Lake Macquarie coast. This two-hour expedition positions you at water level to observe these marine giants during one of Earth's most remarkable migrations, guided by accredited wildlife specialists. The return journey sweeps past the dramatic geology of Caves Beach and the Lake Macquarie shoreline.
This nine-hour private tour sweeps south from Sydney through coastal scenery, vineyard country, and charming inland villages. Travelling in a climate-controlled minivan with up to six others, you'll visit beaches, winery estates, and historic towns at your own pace. National park entry fees are covered, as is onboard WiFi. The route suits all fitness levels, though you'll want to arrange lunch separately at one of the local pubs or cellar doors along the way.
Venture 90 minutes south from Sydney into the Southern Highlands wine country for a nine-hour tasting tour across three boutique wineries. The region's cool climate produces distinctive, slow-ripening wines that locals are eager to explain. Between tastings, you'll graze on local cheese and produce, then sit down for a one-course meal paired with wine at a well-regarded restaurant. Choose a private vehicle for your group or join others to share costs.
This seven-hour private food tour takes small groups (up to six people) through Sydney's outer suburbs—Cabramatta, Auburn, Campsie, Lakemba and Marrickville—sampling dishes from Vietnamese, Lebanese, Portuguese, and Indian kitchens. You'll eat at neighbourhood spots most visitors miss, visit Sydney Fish Market, try gelato, and weave between markets and street life with a local guide who knows where the real food happens. Eat as much or as little as suits you.
Break free from Sydney's sprawl on this 10-hour private loop through three distinct landscapes. You'll traverse coastal national parks with ocean vistas, climb the escarpment through dense rainforest, and finish in the Southern Highlands' wine country. A driver-guide steers you through quieter routes, sharing local knowledge while you watch the terrain shift from sea cliffs to cool-climate vineyards. Pickup and park entry fees included.
A customisable private tour of Sydney's southern coast combining Royal National Park exploration with optional Symbio Wildlife Park visits. Your driver shapes the itinerary around your interests—whether that's coastal hikes, wildlife spotting, photography or leisurely cafe stops. You'll travel in a spacious, air-conditioned Mercedes rather than a packed minibus, covering the park's best vistas and Wollongong's highlights over eight hours.
A full-day private tour through the Blue Mountains World Heritage area that lets you set the pace. Your local guide drives and shapes the itinerary around what catches your interest—whether that's wildlife parks, walking trails through native bushland, isolated clifftop viewpoints, or the mountain village of Leura. You'll see the Three Sisters rock formation and learn how the unique landscape supports its own ecosystem. Hotel pickups bookend a flexible day built entirely around you.
A nine-hour private exploration of the Blue Mountains with a local guide, departing Sydney. You'll start at Featherdale Wildlife Park before dawn crowds arrive, spotting kangaroos, koalas and wombats, then venture into a secluded clearing for morning tea. The afternoon brings lunch with wine at a Leura restaurant, followed by scenic lookouts and a short mountain walk. Hotel pickup and drop-off included.
Spend 1 hour 45 minutes floating Sydney Harbour whilst eating your way through a buffet spread. The vessel cuts under the Harbour Bridge and sails past the Opera House, giving you three separate decks to claim a spot and watch the city skyline shift around you. Cold salads, warm mains, and sweets come out as you drift—straightforward, no fuss, decent feed with a view.
A four-hour private afternoon tour that covers Sydney's headline landmarks—Opera House, Harbour Bridge, The Rocks—while steering you toward quieter corners locals favour. Your driver adapts the route to your interests, whether that's spotting kookaburras in Harbour National Park, walking the Bondi clifftops, or picking through heritage laneways. You'll see Woolloomooloo, Double Bay, Paddington, Rose Bay, Bronte and Tamarama beaches at your own pace.
A four-day coastal journey linking two lighthouses via walking and paddling along Australia's southeastern shore. Stay in heritage lighthouse keeper's quarters with views across Disaster Bay, hike through windswept heathland and native forest, and paddle sheltered waters. Each night includes locally sourced dinners prepared on-site, while the operator plants a tree in your name towards coastal restoration.
A 10-hour exploration of Port Stephens north of Sydney, showcasing dramatic coastlines, sheltered bays and golden beaches. Your local guide handles transport via air-conditioned minivan, with hotel or port pickup included. The region harbours roughly 150 bottlenose dolphins year-round, viewable from Nelson Bay cruises (optional extra). Between June and November, migrating whales pass through coastal waters. Beyond marine wildlife, the landscape offers sand dunes perfect for boarding and camel rides across Anna Bay's sprawling sands.
A 10–12 hour private tour of Canberra departing from Sydney, led by an owner-operator with seven years' experience. Travel in a dedicated vehicle to sites larger coach groups can't access, moving at your own pace through Australia's capital. Explore national monuments, cultural institutions, and leafy parklands that define the city's identity. Tailor the itinerary to suit your interests—whether you're drawn to political history, art galleries, war memorials, or the natural landscape surrounding Lake Burley Griffin.
Tear around Sydney Harbour in a high-powered jet boat for 45 minutes of adrenaline-fuelled action. Departing from Darling Harbour, you'll hit speeds up to 75 km/hr whilst the skipper executes sharp turns, fishtails and dramatic braking manoeuvres past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Taronga Zoo and Luna Park. The ride pushes out towards Sydney Heads where open-water swells amp up the intensity. Expect to get soaked—ponchos provided.
Cruise Sydney Harbour with your dog aboard an intimate catamaran holding a maximum of 20 passengers plus up to 10 dogs. The 1-hour journey departs from Man O War Steps next to the Opera House, offering unobstructed views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House whilst you nibble a grazing platter and sip your chosen beverage. Your dog gets treats and water bowls, while you mingle with other dog owners in a relaxed, deliberately small-group setting.
Arrive at Sydney airport in style with a direct transfer to the Blue Mountains, handled by professional drivers who treat you as their priority guest. Choose between modern limousines or climb into a restored 1929 Cadillac LaSalle for a vintage driving experience that doubles as a scenic tour through the Upper Blue Mountains region. The journey spans 1–2 hours depending on your final destination, with all tolls and refreshments covered.
A 7–8 hour exploration of Byron Shire's lesser-known corners, moving beyond the crowded foreshore to find tea-tree lakes, hidden waterfalls, and swimming holes locals favour. You'll travel by private vehicle with someone who knows the region well, stopping for lunch and refreshments along the way. The drive covers white-sand beaches and quiet pockets of the subtropical hinterland, revealing a markedly different side of the area from what postcards typically show.
Spend seven hours touring three independent breweries across the Hunter Valley with a knowledgeable local guide. You'll travel between venues in a cool minivan, sample craft beers and ciders at each stop, and sit down to a proper lunch mid-tour. The day suits anyone keen to understand how these operations work and what sets each brewery apart, from their recipes to their approach.
Paddle across Sydney Harbour as the sun dips below the skyline, passing the Opera House and Bridge with a small group and local guide. This 90-minute evening kayak keeps you on calm water, timing the light show without the crowds of land-based viewpoints. You'll handle a sea kayak at an easy pace—no experience needed, though a baseline of fitness helps.
Chase Sydney Harbour's golden hour with a professional photographer as your guide, capturing you against the city's most recognisable landmarks. This four-hour private tour takes you to lesser-known vantage points around the waterfront, then onto a 30-minute sunset cruise where the skyline transforms under twilight. You'll leave with a curated portfolio of edited shots, not just phone snaps.
Combine coastal exploration with bushland trekking around Lake Macquarie, the southern hemisphere's largest permanent saltwater lake. This four-hour outing pairs a guided boat journey through secluded bays and islands with a moderate bushwalk through conservation land. You'll finish with lunch overlooking Pulbah Island before returning to Speers Point. All gear, entry fees and a meal are included.
Hire Kirralee, a roomy 10.5-metre catamaran, for a private cruise around Sydney Harbour. Choose between 60 or 90 minutes of sailing or motoring past the city's most recognisable landmarks. The vessel suits up to 30 people and mixes indoor comfort with open decks. Plot your own route, bring your own food and drink, or arrange catering on the day. Works equally well for sightseeing, corporate moves, or wedding transfers between harbour wharves.
Ride in a decommissioned Australian Army Land Rover through the Blue Mountains World Heritage area on this 90-minute open-air tour. You'll experience the landscape from an elevated vantage point with nothing between you and the views—no windows, no barriers. The drive captures the scent of eucalypt forests and the bite of mountain air. Ideal for travellers seeking an unconventional way to see the region's dramatic escarpments and valleys.
Leave Sydney behind for a full day in Australia's purpose-built capital. Your private driver navigates the 200km journey, giving you twelve hours to explore Canberra's major institutions: Parliament House, the Royal Australian Mint, and the National Museum of Australia. Travel in air-conditioned comfort with a knowledgeable guide who can tailor stops to your interests, whether that's politics, currency history, or Australian culture. Perfect for those wanting to see the capital without the hassle of driving themselves.
Step onto a real game-show set in Sydney's CBD for 75 minutes of competitive trivia where strategy matters as much as knowledge. You'll face off against other teams under studio lights and sound, answering questions across multiple rounds. Coffee or tea keeps you sharp as you compete for bragging rights in an experience that strips away the screen and puts you centre stage.
Tackle two contrasting Blue Mountains canyons in a single 9-hour day. Twister Canyon delivers relentless water jumps and slides, while Rocky Creek narrows into dramatic gorges with tunnel sections that'll make your heart race. A guide leads you through both, supplying all gear and a solid lunch. You'll need moderate fitness and a willingness to get soaked.
Track down Sydney's most innovative food and drink makers over four hours. You'll visit the fish market at dawn, slip into a craft distillery, watch coffee roasters at work, and meet the artisans behind Australia's native ingredient revolution. Each stop includes tastings and conversation with the people who've built these businesses. Private car whisks you between spots, lunch features native Australian produce, and you'll access spaces the general public doesn't usually see.
