Blue Mountains Day Tour Including Parramatta River Cruise
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Group size
- Up to 28 people
- Guide
- English
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Our take
This is the budget way to do the mountains with a guide, and it is the day we mean on our Blue Mountains guide when we mention a tour that comes home by river ferry. The base price covers the guide, the mini coach from pre-set city pickups and the ferry back on a Sydney Ferry, but not the attractions. Sydney Zoo and Scenic World entry are paid separately, in advance or on the day.
Where it does well is time in the mountains. The itinerary leans on quieter viewpoints away from the bigger buses, a short guided bushwalk to a lookout, and an hour of free time in Leura for lunch. Groups run to 28. If you add the zoo and Scenic World, the total gets close to the all-inclusive days, so it is best value for people who would skip one or both. Unlike most coach days, its listing says infants can ride in a pram or stroller.
Good for
- A cheaper day built around lookouts and Leura
- Travellers who do not want the zoo or Scenic World
Think twice if
- You want everything paid in one price. Compare the all-inclusive days
- You want a group under 20
Written by SydneySide Tours from the listing, traveller reviews and the videos behind our comparison pages. Checked October 2026. How we review tours.
From the operator
The Blue Mountains now World-Heritage listed, has deep gorges, steep cliffs, spectacular lookouts, excellent bushwalks and rich flora and fauna. On this tour, you'll discover the meaning of the name the Blue Mountains. You'll travel by clean, modern and air-conditioned deluxe mini coach on a personalized tour with friendly service. Your tour includes a pick up from pre scheduled locations in the city centre, . Travel with passionate, friendly and qualified guides with local knowledge and extensive commentary as you visit the famous places and “get off the beaten track”.
From the listing by Oz Trails & Sydney Exclusive Tours on Viator.
The tour, stop by stop
- Sydney Zoo, Sydney’s newest zoo is located on our way to the Blue Mountains. This is a great opportunity to meet Australian wildlife such as Kangaroo, Koala, Dingo, Wombat, Tasmanian Devil, Echidna and more. You can also meet African and Asian animals! (Cheetah, lion, Red Panda, Elephant, Sumatran Tiger and more). About 90 min.
- Explore the Blue Mountains
- a quieter viewpoint over the Blue Mountains, away from the larger tour buses. About 15 min.
- A short guided bushwalk to one of the Blue Mountains' most striking lookout points. About 20 min.
- Spend free time to explore this picturesque village. Great shops, excellent choices for lunch to cater to everyone’s taste & budget… Leura is very popular with Sydney locals. About 60 min.
- Katoomba is the centre of the Blue Mountains and the gateway to its two most popular tourist attractions: The Three Sisters rock formation and Scenic World.
- a cliff-edge lookout over the Jamison Valley, with views to Mount Solitary and the back of the Three Sisters. About 20 min.
- We are in the Blue Mountains for the day
- Here you will hear the Aboriginal legends about this famous rock formation. About 15 min.
- A quieter viewpoint over the Blue Mountains, away from the larger tour buses. About 30 min.
What's included
- Entrance fees to Sydney Zoo & Scenic World can be paid in advance or on day of the tour
- Harbour Cruise (on a Sydney Ferry)
- Experienced Tour Guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Pick up from pre-scheduled pickup points
Not included
- Personal Expenses
Meeting point
PLEASE CHOOSE ONE OF THE TEN PICK UP POINTS LISTED BELOW AND LET US KNOW WHEN MAKING THE BOOKING , PLEASE INFORM US OF WHICH PICK UP POINT YOU CHOSE.
Stop1:
6:45am PARK ROYAL Hotel, Darling Harbour, 150 Day Street (Darling Harbour area)
Stop2:
6:55am PIER ONE, Sydney Harbour, 11 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay (The Rocks area)
Stop3:
7:00am FOUR SEASONS Hotel (Level 3, rear entrance), opposite 111 Harrington Street
(Rocks area).
Stop4:
7:10am SIR STAMFORD Hotel, Circular Quay, 93 Macquarie Street
Stop5:
7:15am OVOLO Hotel, Woolloomooloo, 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway
Stop6:
7:20am HOLIDAY INN Hotel, Potts Point (Kings Cross area), 203 Victoria Street
Stop7:
7:35am VIBE Hotel, Sydney, 111 Goulburn Street (hyde Park area)
Stop8:
7:45 Central Station - Outside the Services NSW building, on Pitt Street cor Barlow Street near Rawson Place (across the road from Central Station), at 7:45 am
best if travelling from outside Sydney city centre by train, or by bus/Tram.
Stop9:
7:50am HOLIDAY INN Hotel, Darling Harbour, 68 Harbour Street (Haymarket/Chinatown area)
Stop10:
7:55am IBIS Hotel, Darling Harbour, 70 Murray Street (Darling Harbour area)
Checking in
Location chosen when making booking
Stop1:
6:45am PARK ROYAL Hotel, Darling Harbour, 150 Day Street
Stop2:
6:55am PIER ONE, Sydney Harbour, 11 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay
Stop3:
7:00am FOUR SEASONS Hotel (Level 3, rear entrance), opposite 111 Harrington Street
best if travelling from north shore by bus
Stop4:
7:10am SIR STAMFORD Hotel, Circular Quay, 93 Macquarie Street
Stop5:
7:15am OVOLO Hotel, Woolloomooloo, 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway
Stop6:
7:20am HOLIDAY INN Hotel, Potts Point (Kings Cross), 203 Victoria Street
Stop7:
7:35am VIBE Hotel, Sydney, 111 Goulburn Street
Stop8:
7:45am CENTRAL STATION, outside the Services NSW building, on Pitt Street near Rawson Place (across the road from Central Station).
best if travelling from outside Sydney by train, or from south/west/east by bus
Stop9:
7.50 am HOLIDAY INN Hotel, Darling Harbour, 68 Harbour Street
Stop10:
7.55 am IBIS Hotel, Darling Harbour, 70 Murray Street
Where it ends
The River Cruise ends at Circular Quay around 6:00-6:15pm
Your Viator voucher confirms the exact spot and time.
Good to know
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
How refunds and weather cancellations work is on our booking help page.
How it compares
We compare this tour with the other options on our blue mountains tours page and our things to do page, with what each one includes and where it leaves from. How we choose tours.
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