Sydney,

Australia

Photo by EyeEm Mobile on iStock

000

For all emergencies.

Emergency Number

Australian Dollar ($)

Local Currency

5,557,233 (2024)

Population

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Local Time

UTC+10 until 3:00am on 5Oct25, then UTC+11

Time Zone

English

Official/Primary Languages

Port Essentials

Everything you need to know for your visit to Sydney.

Cruise Terminal

Address Corner of Argyle and George streets, Circular Quay West, The Rocks, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia

Distance to CBD 0.7 km (0.4 miles)

Tender Required No

Walk Off/Shuttle Both Options

Notes The Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT), officially known as Sydney Cove Passenger Terminal, is located in the heart of Sydney's iconic harbor, directly across from the Opera House and beside the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is New South Wales' original international cruise terminal.

General Information

Current Offset UTC+10

Daylight Saving Start Sunday, 5 October 2025 at 3:00am local time. The offset moves to UTC+11.

Daylight Saving End Sunday, 5 April 2026 at 2:00am local time. The offset moves to UTC+10.

Primary Local Currency

Australian Dollar (AUD $).

Currency Conversions

Below we've listed some conversion rates for the Australian Dollar against popular international currencies. The exchange rates are based on 100 AUD, are refreshed once per day and were last updated on 03 Jul 2025

Currency	Equivalent
USD	65.71
EUR	55.90
GBP	48.15
AUD	100.00
CAD	89.13
JPY	9532.01
CNY	471.05

To convert custom amounts, or to see the exchange rate of the Australian Dollar against different currencies, try our currency converter by clicking the button below.

Major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are widely accepted in Sydney. While Visa and Mastercard are almost universally accepted, some smaller locations may not accept American Express due to higher merchant fees.

Tap-and-pay systems like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted. Contactless payments are widespread and businesses readily accept payments via smartphones and smartwatches.

Overall expectation Tipping is not customary or expected in Sydney, due to Australia's fair minimum wage.

Weekdays 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturdays 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Sundays 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Notes

Standard trading hours in Sydney can vary quite a bit depending on the store or shopping centre. While there are general patterns, it's always smart to double-check specifics before you go.

Many shops, especially those in major shopping centres, keep extended hours. Thursday evenings are a popular time for late-night shopping, with stores often staying open until 9:00pm.

On public holidays, you’ll still find many stores open, though they may operate with reduced hours or altered schedules.

Tip: Always confirm opening hours with the individual store or shopping centre, especially during holiday periods or special events.

Staying connected in Sydney is easier than ever, thanks to an abundance of free public Wi-Fi options scattered across the city. Below are some common and confirmed locations:

Sydney City Libraries: Branches in Kings Cross, Surry Hills, Darling Square, and Green Square offer unlimited free Wi-Fi.
State Library of NSW: Enjoy free internet access throughout this historic and beautifully designed library.
Customs House: Across from Circular Quay, this architectural gem offers Wi-Fi across its ground, first, and second floors.
Westfield Shopping Centres: Free Wi-Fi is available across all locations, including Pitt Street and Bondi Junction, with a 3-hour limit and 1GB data cap per day.
Sydney Opera House: You’ll find Wi-Fi throughout the venue, perfect for guests enjoying the bars, restaurants, or just relaxing by the harbor.
Art Gallery of NSW: Log in while viewing world-class exhibitions.
Taronga Zoo: Wi-Fi is available for guests - great for uploading your giraffe selfies!
Apple Store – 367 George Street: A reliable spot for fast, free Wi-Fi.
Sydney Ferries: Select services offer on-board Wi-Fi.
McDonald’s Australia: Most Sydney branches provide free Wi-Fi, handy for a quick email check with your coffee.

A note of caution: Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but it’s not always secure. Avoid logging into sensitive accounts or entering personal information when connected to open networks. Consider using a VPN for additional security.

PortQuest recommends Nomad eSIM

Whether you're checking maps, messaging friends, or booking last-minute tours, staying connected matters. That’s why we recommend Nomad eSIMs — one of the best travel eSIMs on the market (and we've tried a few!)

Nomad offers reliable, affordable data in over 100 countries, including most cruise ports. No physical SIM swap, no roaming surprises — just install and go.

Get a Nomad eSIM

Outlets Type I

Voltage 230V at 50Hz

Outlet and Plug

Transportation

Below is a list of common transport options for cruise ship visitors. We haven't included every possible choice — public transport, for example, is not listed since most visitors won't need it for a short, one-day stay.

Ride-share

Uber

Website: Click here.

Redy2GO

Website: Click here.

E-Scooter

WalkSmart Australia (via Gecko)

Website: Click here.

Taxi

13CABS

Website: Click here.

Phone: 13 22 27

Legion Cabs

Phone: 131 451

Premier Cabs

Phone: 13 10 17

Silver Service Fleet

Website: Click here.

Phone: 133 100

St George Cabs

Phone: 132 166

GM Cabs

Phone: 131 001

Black & White Cabs

Phone: 133 222

Wav Cabs

Phone: 1300 928 793

Rydo

Phone: 131 001

Private Bus

Alura Coaches

Website: Click here.

Phone: (02) 9540 0900

NSBC Group

Website: Click here.

Phone: (02) 9427 8533

Big Bus Co

Website: Click here.

Phone: 1300 244 287

CDC Charter NSW

Website: Click here.

Phone: 1800 473 267

BusCharter.com.au

Website: Click here.

E-Bike

Lime

Website: Click here.

Road Bike Rental

MC Cyclery

Website: hire@mccyclery.com.au

E-Bike Rental

Sydney Ebike Rentals

Website: Click here.

E-Bike & E-Scooter

Syd Car King

Phone: 0455 307 888

Scooter Rentals

OMG Scooter Service PTY LTD

Phone: 0411 366 662

Private Ferry

Captain Cook Cruises (Matilda Cruises)

Website: Click here.

Fantasea Cruising

Website: Click here.

Phone: 1800 326 822

Sydney is a highly walkable city, especially for visitors focusing on its main attractions. A 2024 study ranked Sydney among the top 15 most walkable cities in the world.

Many iconic sites are located within a compact area and can be easily explored on foot. These include the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Garden, Circular Quay, and The Rocks.

While Sydney’s topography includes hills and occasional steep routes, thoughtful planning makes it easy to get around without needing a car.

Safety & Health

Universal

Call 000

Notes: For all emergency services (Police, Fire, Ambulance) in life-threatening situations.

Universal Secondary

Call 112

Notes: An international standard emergency number that redirects to 000, can be dialed on digital mobile phones.

Police Assistance Line

Call 131 444

Notes: For non-urgent police matters, reporting minor crime, and general inquiries.

State Emergency Service (SES)

Call 132 500

Notes: For assistance during floods, storms, and other natural disasters.

Poisons Information Centre

Call 13 11 26

Notes: For advice on poisoning, suspected overdoses, bites, and stings. Available 24/7 Australia-wide.

Mental Health Line (NSW)

Call 1800 011 511

Notes: 24/7 statewide phone service for mental health advice and referral to NSW Health mental health services.

Lifeline

Call 13 11 14

Notes: 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Travel Safety Guidance for Australia

No official Smartraveller advisory for Australia.

Australia is a safe and stable country. Still, all travellers should stay alert and informed, especially regarding local conditions like bushfires, wildlife, and health alerts.

Use common sense and follow local laws and signage.
Check seasonal hazards like fires or flooding.
Stay aware of conditions when exploring regional or remote areas.

For more info, visit Australia’s official tourism safety guide.

Safe to drink? Yes

Precautions Generally, no precautions are needed. Sydney's tap water is treated to meet the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

Weather

Monthly weather in Sydney

°C °F	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum Temp	26.1	79	25.5	77.8	24.3	75.8	22	71.6	19.2	66.5	16.5	61.7	16.5	61.7	17.7	63.8	20.2	68.4	22	71.5	23.2	73.8	24.9	76.9
Minimum Temp	19.5	67	19.2	66.6	18.1	64.5	14.8	58.7	11.4	52.5	9.5	49.1	8.5	47.2	8.9	48	10.9	51.7	13.4	56.1	15.7	60.2	17.6	63.6
Avg Rainfall (mm)	88	106	129	78	55	69	53	45	46	64	89	64
Avg Rainy Days	11	12	13	9	7	9	7	6	7	9	10	10
Daylight Hours	14.1	13.3	12.3	11.2	10.4	9.9	10.1	10.9	11.9	12.9	13.9	14.4
Avg UV Index	9.4	9.2	8.2	6.5	4.8	3.7	4.2	5.7	7.1	8.5	9.2	9.5

Best Time to Visit

Cruise ships usually just spend one precious day in port — and we want to help you make the most of it.

To give you the best chance of an enjoyable visit, we’ve created a custom “Best Time to Visit” score for each month, unique to each destination. The score is calculated using factors that are likely to matter the most:

Comfortable temperatures
Lower rainfall and fewer rainy days
More daylight hours
Moderate UV levels

Each score is based on historical monthly averages and adjusted for each port’s climate. We weight the above factors — for example, long daylight hours and fewer wet days matter more when you're only ashore for part of the day. That's also why no month gets a 10/10, as there's always a trade-off. For example, warmer weather and clear skies comes with higher UV (and more sweat!).

This chart isn't meant to suggest that a port is bad to visit outside the highest rated months — each season provides something memorable for each location. But if you’re deciding when to cruise, this will hopefully give you the best chance of having perfect weather on your visit.

Temperature Chart

Rainfall Chart

UV Index Chart

1–2: Low

3–5: Moderate

6–7: High

8–10: Very High

>10: Extreme

Tours & Experiences

Each tour you see below has been selected for cruise ship visitors. For example, each tour has Free Cancellation, as most of us have experiened the stress of trying to refund a tour when a port visit is cancelled or an itinerary changed on short notice. They're also no more than 6 hours in length, leaving you plenty of time to make dinner on the ship, or explore the port further on foot.

By booking through our links, you help support PortQuest and allow us to continue providing valuable content to enhance your port visits (at no extra cost to you).

Top Attractions

Discover the top attractions in Sydney, selected for cruise passengers!

Featherdale Wildlife Park

★ 4.8 (12879)

View Details

Mrs Macquarie's Chair

★ 4.8 (3787)

View Details

Sydney Opera House

★ 4.7 (17466)

View Details

Sydney Harbour

★ 4.6 (13358)

View Details

Sydney Harbour Bridge

★ 4.6 (17718)

View Details

White Bay Cruise Terminal (WBCT)

★ 4.6 (26799)

View Details

PortQuest Picks

Our team has hand-selected these tours to showcase the best and most unforgettable experiences each port has to offer — ones we've either personally enjoyed or have at the top of our bucket list.

Private Tour: Sydney City Highlights & Hidden Gems

See the absolute best of Sydney in a day, with this full-day private Sydney city tour with a professional tour guide in a modern and comfortable spacious vehicl...

$198 USD (≈ 302 AUD)

6h 0m

★ 5.0 (236)

Sydney,

Australia

Sydney, Australia

000

Australian Dollar ($)

5,557,233 (2024)

Loading...

UTC+10 until 3:00am on 5Oct25, then UTC+11

English

Port Essentials

Cruise Terminal

General Information

PortQuest recommends Nomad eSIM

Transportation

Ride-share

E-Scooter

Taxi

Private Bus

E-Bike

Road Bike Rental

E-Bike Rental

E-Bike & E-Scooter

Scooter Rentals

Private Ferry

Safety & Health

Weather

Best Time to Visit

Temperature Chart

Rainfall Chart

UV Index Chart

Tours & Experiences

Top Attractions

Featherdale Wildlife Park

Mrs Macquarie's Chair

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour Bridge

White Bay Cruise Terminal (WBCT)

PortQuest Picks

Browse Tours

Private Tour: Sydney City Highlights & Hidden Gems

Ultimate Sydney Walking Tour (Small-Group, Drink Included)

Sydney's Secret Bars Nightlife Tour

Sydney Street Art & Food Tour

Private Tour in Sydney to Bondi and Historical Site

Experience the Real Sydney with our Signature Tour

Sydney Harbour Secrets Boat Tour with Lunch

Private City Tour: Best of Sydney

Sydney Half Day Private Tour

Luxury Sailing Cruise on Sydney Harbour with Lunch

First Timer Sydney Sightseeing & Bondi Beach 1/2 Day Tour

Ultimate Aussie Food Tour: Private Sydney Tasting Experience

The 3 Bridges Harley Tour - see the main iconic bridges of Sydney on a Harley

Forkabout Sydney foodie walking tour

Story of Sydney Tour

Sydney 6 Hour Private Tour

Guided Electric Bike Tour of Sydney

PRIVATE Essential Sydney City Tour (4 Hours)

The Top Ten Hidden Harbour Beaches Tour with Jen

Access the Inaccessible Sydney Luxury Golf Packages

Sydney Electric Mountain Bike Guided Tour

Sydney Half Day Highlights - Luxury Private Tour | Morning or Afternoon Avail

Secret Sydney Foodie Walking Tour

Sydney Opera House and Aussie Animals Private Tour

Private Sydney City and Bondi Beach Half Day Tour

Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour

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

Sydney Half-Day Private Tour | Beaches, History & Icons

Explore Sydney on Your Own Private Tour

Kickstart Sydney Half-Day Private Tour

Sydney Shore Excursion: The Original Guided Walking Tour of The Rocks

Drag Queen Walking Tour through Sydney's LGBT District

Private Essential Sydney Tour Including Lunch at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

Sydney Harbour: Hands-On Sailing Experience on Luxury Yacht

Sydney Fish Market Behind the Scenes Walking Tour

Sydney Secrets and Bondi Beach 4 HOUR AFTERNOON PRIVATE TOUR

Sydney Icons & Bondi Half Day Private Tour

Luxury Sydney Tour

Sydney sights tour 1 Hour

Sydney Harbour Progressive Long Lunch Cruise