Circular Quay Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Circular Quay. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Sydney Half-Day Private Tour: See Sydney Opera House and Bondi

• Taronga Zoo Entry & Return Ferry - Sydney Harbour

• Sydney 90-Minute Panoramic Big Bus Night Tour With Live Guide

• High Tea Cruise on Sydney Harbour

• Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise From Circular Quay

While it’s free to explore Circular Quay on your own, there are plenty of tours that let you see more of Sydney and the harbor. Budget-friendly options such as self-guided tours start at as little as US$5, while bus tours start at around US$50 and harbor cruises from around US$80. For private or small-group options covering more ground, expect to pay upwards of US$300.

Yes, Circular Quay is absolutely worth visiting. It's where Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Royal Botanic Garden all converge in one place. To get more out of your visit, consider booking a guided walking tour or a Sydney harbor cruise departing from the quay—you'll get commentary on the city's history and landmarks and see Sydney from a different angle.

Per one customer who booked the Sydney Half-Day Private Tour: See Sydney Opera House and Bondi, "The tour was absolutely perfect, exactly what we wanted for a quick tour covering the highlights of Sydney. We covered a lot of ground in the limited time we had, but saw everything we wanted to see. Julian was exceptional, very knowledgeable and accommodating to our questions and needs. He gave us suggestions for things we could do in the afternoon on our own. Thank you!"

Circular Quay is a transit hub in Sydney, where you can easily connect to ferries, trains, buses, and more. Plus there are several popular attractions nearby like The Rocks, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, the Sydney Opera House, and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Commuter ferries leave from Circular Quay, heading to Watsons Bay, Manly, Darling Harbour, and Taronga Zoo. You can also join sightseeing cruises from the quay, such as hop-on hop-off explorer cruises or cruises that include a meal, drinks, or high tea.

Since Circular Quay is a major transit hub, you can reach it by bus, train, or ferry. Once there, you can easily travel to most places in Sydney; catch a train from Circular Quay train station or pick up one of the many bus routes that terminate at the station.

Circular Quay used to be called Semi-Circular Quay, named for its semicircle shape. Over the years, the name has become shortened for convenience to lose the semi.

Circular Quay is a happening spot at night—residents and tourists alike head here and there’s always a buzz. There are all kinds of restaurants right on the water, with views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. For after-dinner drinks, head over to The Rocks.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Circular Quay. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Sydney:

• Sydney Harbour

• Sydney Opera House

• Sydney Harbour Bridge

• Featherdale Wildlife Park

• The Rocks

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Sydney.