Sydney Christmas Gifts

Sydney Christmas gifts here are experiences, so the person unwrapping one gets a day out instead of more stuff. This page covers harbour cruises, flights, wildlife visits and city tours across Sydney, with a few day trips beyond the CBD. Most product pages carry a Buy as a gift voucher option, so you can sort a present without picking the date for them.

Sydney Harbour cruise gifts

For someone who wants to sit back, the Sydney Harbour Sunset Cruise runs on a 10.5 metre catamaran with numbers capped at 30, plus a grazing platter and the option to bring your own drinks.

A sit-down meal on the water suits couples and parents. The Sydney Harbour 3 Course Fine Dining Dinner Cruise leaves King Street Wharf and passes the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and Luna Park after dark. The 2 Course Lunch Cruise does the same in daylight.

For more story, the Sydney Harbour Aboriginal Cultural Cruise sails on the Mari Nawi (Big Canoe) with Aboriginal hosts, then steps ashore on Me-Mel (Goat Island) for a performance. More boats sit in Sydney cruises.

Thrill and scenic flight gifts in Sydney

The Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride leaves from Circular Quay in the red shark boat, with 270-degree spins, power-brake stops and fishtails past the Opera House and Fort Denison. Warn the recipient they will probably get wet.

From the air, the Sydney Scenic Seaplane Highlights Flight takes off from Rose Bay and heads over Bondi Beach, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. The Sydney Heli Flight departs Mascot with commentary through voice-activated headsets. The sunrise hot air balloon flight from Camden finishes with breakfast at The Camden Valley Inn.

For heights, the Sydney Tower SKYWALK sends guests out on a glass walkway 268 metres above the city, harnessed in and guided. More flights live under flying experiences in Sydney.

Animal and family day-out gifts

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in Darling Harbour is home to the Aussie Big 5: koala, kangaroo, platypus, crocodile and wombat. At the same Darling Harbour address, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium has the Penguin Expedition boat ride and Shark Valley. Early risers can book Breakfast with the Koalas, a 7:15am buffet on the Koala Rooftop with a keeper talk.

The Taronga Zoo Entry and Return Ferry Combo makes the harbour crossing part of the day, with a ferry from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour. Browse more under Sydney zoos and aquariums or things to do in Sydney with kids.

Opera House and Blue Mountains gifts

The Sydney Opera House Guided Tour goes inside the UNESCO World Heritage-listed building Jørn Utzon designed, through theatres and foyers. It suits anyone who has walked past it a hundred times and never gone in.

West of the city, the Blue Mountains Scenic World Pass bundles the Skyway, Railway, Walkway and Cableway at Katoomba.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy a Sydney experience as a Christmas gift voucher?

Yes, on most of them. Many Experience Oz product pages for Sydney cruises, flights and wildlife attractions show a Buy as a gift voucher option next to Book now, though a few, such as the Opera House tour, only show Book now. Check the voucher terms and validity on the product page before you buy.

Which Sydney Christmas gift suits someone who has everything?

A Sydney Harbour dinner cruise, a scenic seaplane flight from Rose Bay or a sunrise hot air balloon flight from Camden gives them a story rather than an object.

What are good Sydney Christmas gift experiences for kids and families?

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Taronga Zoo with a ferry ride and Madame Tussauds Sydney are all day-out gifts for families. Check each product page for age and height requirements before you book.

Local tip: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium share Darling Harbour, so pair a daytime visit with a dinner cruise from King Street Wharf that evening.

Pick a cruise, a flight or a zoo day from the things to do in Sydney range and someone gets a good Christmas morning. All good days are waiting.