15 Lunch Cruises in Australia, Compared

1.Harbour Cruise with Buffet Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 804 reviews · 2h 15m · from $53Our pick

Depart Circular Quay for a 135-minute Sydney Harbour cruise with a 13-option buffet lunch, tea, coffee, and live English commentary. Guides such as Ron and Ellen add local stories as you pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Garden, Darling Harbour, and waterfront landmarks. Expect open decks, photo stops, and a few stairs onboard.

“Ron our tour guide was amazing. kind and thoughtful and extremely informative. made everyone laugh aswell. Great team from the ticket booth to crew on board. Highly recommend 😘👌👍🌟”

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2.From Coles Bay: Wineglass Bay Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 539 reviews · 4h 30m · from $141

Join Pennicott Wilderness Journeys at Coles Bay for a 270-minute cruise aboard Schouten Passage II. Expect granite cliffs, sea caves, wildlife, and time near Wineglass Bay, with commentary from the crew and a Tasmanian-style Ploughman’s lunch. Captain Noah and his team are known for warm service and sharp wildlife spotting.

“Loved the whole experience The misty, rainy day just added to the experience The waterfalls were really special as were the seals”

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3.Sydney Harbour Discovery Cruise Including Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 511 reviews · from $53

Spend about 2 hours and 15 minutes cruising Sydney Harbour aboard Sydney Princess Cruises. You’ll pass beneath the Harbour Bridge, photograph the Opera House, spot secluded beaches and sandstone cliffs, and enjoy a buffet lunch with tea or coffee. Commentary from hosts such as Ron and Bruce adds local history and stories.

“Ron our coach speaker delivered a great experience for everyone. He showed us parts of Sydney and their features. Lunch was great too we enjoy the atmosphere!”

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4.Peppermint Bay Cruise & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 328 reviews · from $161

Leave Hobart at 10:30am aboard a comfortable catamaran and cruise the Derwent River into the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Look for seals, sea eagles, dolphins, or whales, then enjoy a seasonal three-course lunch at the Peppermint Bay Hotel in Woodbridge. The five to five-and-a-half-hour outing returns you to Hobart.

“Loved every moment of this cruise. Staff attentive and the cruise seats large and comfortable. Lunch was amazing, huge servings and a delightful setting.”

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5.Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 300 reviews · 2 hours · from $53

Board Sydney Princess Cruises at Circular Quay for a two-hour buffet dinner cruise past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens, and surrounding bays. You get hot and cold dishes, indoor seating, outdoor photo spots, and sunset views that turn into sparkling night scenes. Commentary is not provided.

“The huge prawns and the friendly and helpful staff.”

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6.Harbour View Lunch Cruise from Darling Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 294 reviews · from $75

Set sail from King Street Wharf at noon for a 1.5-hour, two-course or 3-hour, three-course lunch cruise. You will dine aboard a motor yacht with large windows, an atrium, an outdoor viewing deck, and views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, Shark Island, and waterfront homes. Window seats are available as an upgrade.

“A bit of a rip off, our 90 minute cruise spent 20 minutes talking on more passengers at circular quay”

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7.Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney all-inclusive Harbour Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 257 reviews · from $204Top rated

Set sail from Darling Harbour on a comfortable 24-meter catamaran for a seated gourmet lunch with à la carte choices, local wines, beer, and stunning harbour views. You’ll pass the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Taronga Zoo, and Luna Park, with time to step outside for photos. The cruise returns to King Street Wharf.

“The food, service and views were amazing. We had the all inclusive package and the drinks flowed. The boat was very clean and tidy and the staff were very friendly and attentive. We have had other harbour cruises, however this one took us to places we hadn't been before.”

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8.Sydney Harbour Unique Cruise Including Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 226 reviews · from $251

Board at Circular Quay for a four-hour yacht cruise past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, and quiet harbour bays. Your captain and host share local stories while lunch is served with Australian beer and wine. Some outings include time to swim or kayak, so bring a swimsuit if conditions allow.

“What a fun experience! A great way to see Sydney and Darling Harbors from a different point of view. Our guide Maggie was energetic, knowledgeable and fun! She gave us interesting details about various houses and landmarks along the coast. She pointed out the HogsRead more”

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9.Darwin Harbor Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 221 reviews · 2 hours · from $105

Board the Charles Darwin at Stokes Hill Wharf for a two-hour Darwin Harbor cruise, timed for sunset. You’ll dine on a Territory-style buffet with seafood and local produce, use the top deck for photographs, and buy drinks from the licensed bar. Assigned seating keeps boarding orderly, though commentary is limited.

“An excellent excursion. The barramundi was outstanding. Highly recommend.”

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10.Luxury Sailing Cruise on Sydney Harbour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 171 reviews · from $251

Join Captain David aboard the 40-foot yacht Emma Mei for a five-hour Sydney Harbour cruise. You’ll pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Watsons Bay, and Sydney Heads, then stop at Store Beach for swimming, snorkeling, and a gourmet lunch with Australian beer and wine. The group is limited to eight.

“We had a great time sailing with David! He was knowledgeable the Sydney area and his commentary was informative and entertaining. He served an amazing lunch which far exceeded my expectations! I highly recommend this tour!”

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11.2-Course All Inclusive Lunch Harbour Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 146 reviews · 2 hours · from $112

Board a 78-foot vessel at Darling Harbour for a relaxed two-hour lunch cruise past the Opera House, Taronga Zoo, and Luna Park. You’ll have a premium two-course meal, regional New South Wales wines, beer, soft drinks, tea, and coffee. The boat is wheelchair accessible, but commentary can be hard to hear.

“We were 15 minutes late arriving at the boat and the staff greeted us with smiles and made us feel comfortable immediately. The cruise went smoothly and we were updated with landmarks around the ship and got some brilliant photos. The service from the cabin crew was excellent and we were never without a drink and/or refill. The food was superb - my wife had the barramundi and the coffee dessert and I had the chicken and the rose frangipanni dessert. My wife isn't a dessert person but she cleaned her plate on Tuesday. I booked the cruise to celebrate my wife's birthday and you have created a memory we…”

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12.Jazz Lunch Cruise on Sydney Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 120 reviews · from $71

Cruise Sydney Harbour from King Street Wharf for about three hours, passing the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, Rose Bay, Taronga Zoo, Luna Park, and more. Your allocated table comes with a buffet of seafood, carvery meat, fruit, cakes, and beverages. Live jazz and pop music play onboard, while drinks from the licensed bar cost extra.

“The cruise was on time. Systemically done. The musicians were great and the food was delicious. Most of all, we enjoyed the scenery.”

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13.Harbour Lunch Cruise with 2 or 3-Course Menu

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 105 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $74

Meet at Darling Harbour’s King Street Wharf 1 for a 2 to 3-hour lunch cruise aboard Sydney 2000 or Captain Cook III. Choose a 2 or 3-course a la carte meal, buy drinks onboard, and enjoy indoor dining plus open decks with views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and coastline. Window seats are available as an upgrade.

“beautiful meal and attentive staff. even though weather was not too good it was very enjoyabls”

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14.Sydney Combo: Morning Sightseeing to Bondi & Harbour Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 61 reviews · from $176

Cover Sydney’s essential sights in 5 hours 45 minutes, from The Rocks and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair to Bondi Beach, then board a two-hour lunch cruise from Circular Quay. A maximum of 14 people ride in the Mercedes minibus, while the boat carries up to 80. Guides may include Graham, Nigel, Paul, Tyler, Vic, or Karyn.

“The bus driver named Graham seemed to be fixated on prostitution, and was very misogynistic in his conversation. He didn't respond at all to my reminding him over and over that females are not the only ones involved in prostitution and honestly I found it very inappropriate. It made for an uncomfortable and unpleasant bus ride as he went around and asked everyone about prostitution in their countries and women and sex and just really he needs to be reeducated. Or fired.”

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15.3 Hour Abba Tribute Show Harbour Cruise with Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 10 reviews · 3 hours · from $55

Board at Eastern Pontoon near the Opera House for a three-hour Sydney Harbour cruise with a hot buffet dinner, DJ, and live Fabba Girls ABBA tribute. Sing along to Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, and Super Trouper, then step outside for harbour views and photos. Drinks cost extra, and the cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users.

“My expectations for this event was much higher than we got. At leat the food was good. No ABBA music from the «dj» before the show with «Agnetha and Ann Frid» They did their best. Tourist trap💁🏻‍♂️”

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