Sydney Discovery: Educational School Tour

• Experience a dazzling performance inside the famed Sydney Opera House
• Discover Aboriginal culture and create art on boomerangs
• Tour Sydney Harbour on a chartered boat for your group with a friendly captain
• See the Three Sisters from Echo Point in the Blue Mountains
• Swim or take a surf lesson at the incomparable Bondi Beach
• Enjoy Sydney Harbour National Park and the views from The Gap
• Stay in the quaint “Rocks” district and do a walking tour with your guide
• OPTIONAL Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, Luna Park and/or our Urban Challenge!

15+ students: $2136 per person (inc GST)
10-14 students: $2179 per person (inc GST)

Includes:

• Risk assessment
• Sydney airport Meet & Greet and airport transfers
• Small World Journeys guide on Days 1, 2, 3, and 4
• Boat captain/guide on Day 2
• All activities and entrance fees as described in the itinerary
• Sydney ferry, bus and train pass
• 5 nights Sydney hostel (4 or 6 share single-gender rooms)*
• All continental breakfasts
• 3 dinners
• Small World Journeys reusable water bottle and cloth shopping bag
• NEW: we offset the carbon emissions from your trip activities AND your flight to Sydney through Reforest

 *Two teacher rooms (private twin or triple share rooms) are included in the trip price for groups of 15 students or more. For trips with low numbers (10-14), one teacher room is included. A single supplement  is charged if an additional private room is required for the trip. If teachers are happy to share a room, no additional costs are incurred.

Small World Journeys reserves the right to change the order of activities for logistical reasons.
Prices are valid for travel 1 April 2026 until 31 March, 2027 outside of peak travel times.
(If you wish to travel before 1 April 2026, ask us about 2025-26 pricing)

Peak times: 1-7 April  | 21 June – 13 July | 19 September – 6 October 2026

• Airfare to Sydney
• Travel insurance (highly recommended)
• 5 lunches and 1 dinner
• Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, etc.)

• Darling Harbour optional activities (prices vary)
• Surfing Lesson at Bondi Beach ($150 AUD pp)
• Unlimited rides pass at Luna Park ($44 AUD pp)
• Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb (adult prices start at $294 AUD for standard week day climb)

Planning Your Trip

ACCESSIBILITY MENU: Small World Journeys’ website provides an accessibility menu. Visitors to our website can click on the “person” icon on the right side of the screen to bring up this menu. Options include increasing/decreasing font size, increasing/decreasing contrast, dyslexia-friendly fonts, and the ability to hide images, among other things.

BOOKING FORM: On our online booking form, we ask all participants to list any special needs they have, be them medical, dietary, or accessibility needs. We also offer free sensory packs to our guests who are neurodivergent, which include headphones, a timer for transitions, a squeezy fidget toy, and other treats to appeal to the senses like flavoured lip balm.

WAIVER FORMS: We understand that not all of our participants’ parents have a strong command of written English and therefore understanding and signing our on-line waiver may prove challenging. We therefore have our wavier form available in the following languages on request: Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish.

Arrival & Departure at Sydney Airport

ACCESSIBLE TOILETS & DRINKING FOUNTAINS: Public toilets are located throughout the terminals. Each toilet facility includes an accessible toilet suitable for wheelchair access. View or download our terminal maps to view their locations. Wheelchair accessible drinking fountains are located throughout the terminals.

Google Maps Indoor Live View is now available at Sydney Airport. Indoor maps is a new augmented reality feature on Google Maps – available in both international and domestic terminals – designed to help passengers find gates, baggage claims, retail outlets, dining options, restrooms, ATMs and more.

For any wheelchair or accessibility passengers, please select the ‘Wheelchair accessible’ preference to find wheelchair, pram and suitcase friendly paths. You can also turn on audio navigation prompts, in addition to visual cues.

TGSI and HEARING LOOPS: The Sydney Airport makes use of Tactile Ground Service Indicators (TGSI) and Hearing Loops to assist people with vision impairments and hearing difficulties, respectively. For example, tactile ground surface indicators are also used within the terminal to provide people who are visually impaired, indication of changes of surface conditions. Look for the International Symbol, which is used to indicate that a hearing loop has been installed. More information about hearing loops can be found here.

If you are a blind or low visibility traveller, you can use a free service to help you navigate your way through Sydney Airport’s International and Domestic terminals. Please visit the Aira website to find out more.

If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can contact Sydney Airport via the National Relay Service. Provide the NRS with the Sydney Airport Customer Care number, 133 793.

ASSISTANCE ANIMALS: Assistance animal toilet and watering facilities are available at the T1 International terminal after security on the arrivals level. A temporary animal relief facility is now open at T2, located on arrivals level, opposite baggage reclaim carousel 2.

HIDDEN DISABILITIES: Wearing a sunflower lanyard at Sydney Airport enables staff to recognise that you have a hidden disability. If you would like to identify your hidden disability, you can pick up a hidden disabilities lanyard at one of the following locations:

• The Airport Services Centre located on Level 3 (Administration) at T1 International terminal
• The Ambassadors information desk on Arrivals level at T2 Domestic terminal
• The oversized luggage counter on Departures level at T3 Domestic terminal

At security screening and passport control this lets staff know that you may need more time and support through processes. Where possible, staff will facilitate you through the special assistance lanes. Note this lanyard does not give you fast track access through security or passport control.

Our Safety Talks

Our arrival safety talk is done verbally but is supported by cards that illustrate the main talking points. Similarly, our snorkelling safety talk is done in the same manner, supported by cards with pictures and illustrations. We can provide a transcript of our safety talk to any hearing-impaired guest.

Transport

Please let us know in the planning phase of your trip if you have a member of your group using a wheelchair or mobility device and we can arrange for accessible transport options.

Hotels

FLEXIBILITY WITH ACCOMMODATION: We have flexibility with the accommodation we choose; therefore if we know in advance that we have a guest with a wheelchair, mobility scooter or is short statured, we can choose hotels that cater accordingly.

PREFERRED HOTEL (SYDNEY): The entire property is accessible for wheelchair and mobility device users. There are accessible rooms as well: the shower is a roll-in shower with a flip-down shower bench. The accessible accommodation is suitable for up to three people. There are lifts in the building to get to rooms and to street level. There are spots on site where a person who is neurodivergent could find a quiet space with reduced stimuli or retreat to his/her room.

Meals & Restaurants

FLEXIBILITY WITH RESTAURANTS & CATERING: We have quite a bit of flexibility with the restaurants we choose; therefore if we know in advance that we have a guest with a wheelchair, mobility scooter or is short statured, we can choose restaurants that cater accordingly.

We offer flexible menu options for people who have food allergies or intolerances, and in many cases religious requirements relating to food.

Guests are given space on our online booking form to specify their allergy, intolerance or religious requirement. On arrival we then give them a bag containing, for example, lactose-free milk, nut-free cereal and snacks, and/or other food items that cater to this allergy or intolerance. Unfortunately, we are not able to guarantee catering for preferences like low carb meals or FODMAP.

Similarly, we inform all caterers and restaurants of our guests’ food allergies or intolerances.  Breakfast is typically served at the hotel, whilst lunches are often boxed lunches as we move around quite a bit on our tours.

Activities

Activities vary from trip to trip. If we are informed in the planning phase of your trip about  any participants or (potential participants) who have disabilities or special needs, we can suggest certain activities over others. and adjust your itinerary for a custom group trip.

Barangaroo Walk with Indigenous Guide

Wulugul Walk, which follows the 1836 foreshore, is relatively level and, like all dedicated pedestrian pathways in the Reserve is 3.8m wide. At the northern end, Wulugul Walk provides stair-free access to the Waranara Terrace and the Stargazer Lawn for wheelchair or mobility device users. The Indigenous guide delivers his/her talk verbally, so there are not provisions made for those with hearing impairments. There are some spots on site where a person who is neurodivergent could find a quiet space with reduced stimuli.

Sydney Tower Eye

Accessibility for wheels:

• Access with Portable Ramp
• Accessible elevator
• Easy without assistance
• Accessible Toilet

Access for Visually Impaired:

• Braille description
• Audio Guide
• Place has Special Guide Service
• Service animals permitted
• Touch Gallery

There are not necessarily any spots on site where a person who is neurodivergent could find a quiet space with reduced stimuli.

Harbour Cruise

There are no accessible toilets on the boat and no provisions for people who use a wheelchair or mobility device. There are no separate spots on the boat where a person who is neurodivergent could find a quiet space with reduced stimuli; however this is possible to find once disembarking the boat.  People with hearing impairments can easily be shown visually the boat safety procedures and those with vision impairments will be assisted by our guide. Please let us know in the planning phases if you have a wheelchair or mobility device user and we can make alternate choices.

Bondi Beach

Bondi park and promenade can be accessed from the main entrance on Campbell Parade, access to the beach is from the northern end of the beach via the accessible ramp. The promenade provides level access to view the surf and beach, attend an event or visit a local cafe.  The sand can be accessed by booking a beach wheelchair, or by using the beach access mat. Beach mat is available all year round on; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for people who prefer to use their own wheelchair.

Toilets
Accessible and ambulant toilets are located at the North Bondi amenities, close to the accessible ramp and beach wheelchair storage.

Showers
An outdoor shower is located alongside the beach wheelchair storage locker to enable people to wash away the sand before transferring back into their own wheelchair. An accessible shower and Changing Places facility are also located in Bondi Pavilion.

There are limited spots at this busy beach and esplanade site where a person who is neurodivergent could find a quiet space with reduced stimuli.

Darling Harbour

There are several lifts located in Darling Harbour for ease of access.

• Pyrmont Bridge – Lifts are available on either side of the bridge, linking to Ultimo and the Sydney CBD.
• Cockle Bay – Lift adjacent to Home Nightclub, linking through to Druitt Street
• Darling Quarter – Lift linking to Bathurst St
• Convention Centre – Lift linking to Ultimo

Accessible toilets can be found in the Harbourside Shopping Centre.

Darling Harbour attractions such as Madame Tussaud’s Sydney Sea Life Aquarium and the Maritime Museum are all fully accessible.

There are limited spots at this busy harbour area where a person who is neurodivergent could find a quiet space with reduced stimuli.

Sydney Opera House

Optional Sydney Bridge Climb

For many, climbing to the top is a must-do experience. BridgeClimb has installed hearing loops on the bridge and Auslan-guided tours are conducted approximately twice a month or upon demand, accompanied by an Australian Sign Language interpreter who will explain the commentary about Sydney and the bridge. Continuous handrails are provided for guidance. Many people with vision impairment have climbed the bridge.  There are limited spots at this site where a person who is neurodivergent could find a quiet space with reduced stimuli.

Optional Sydney Luna Park

Guests with accessibility requirements are invited to attend Guest Relations upon arrival at the Park where our team members will assist you with planning your visit. There are very limited spots in this busy area where a person who is neurodivergent could find a quiet space with reduced stimuli. 

Excursion Safety & Compliance Checklist

1. Check Small World Journeys Safety Record

• ☐ Demonstrated excellent safety record with thousands of high school students – both Australian students and international students

• ☐ Teacher safety references available on request

• ☐ Proven experience delivering school excursions and educational tours

2. Risk Management & Documentation

• ☐ Written risk assessment completed for every excursion

• ☐ Risk assessment provided to organising teacher prior to departure

• ☐ Activities governed by documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• ☐ Crisis Management Plan in place and available to schools

• ☐ Daily risk review conducted by guides during the program

3. Student Safety Briefings

• ☐ Mandatory student safety briefing delivered during program orientation

• ☐ Briefing addresses local environmental hazards and regional risks

• ☐ Clear expectations for student behaviour and group safety

4. Transport Safety

• ☐ All buses fitted with seatbelts for every passenger

• ☐ Vehicles exceed Queensland minimum legal requirements

• ☐ Daily vehicle safety checks conducted by guides

• ☐ Buses undergo Department of Transport inspections every 12 months

5. Guide Qualifications & Child Safety

• ☐ All guides hold current Senior First Aid certification

• ☐ All guides hold current CPR certification

• ☐ Valid Driver’s Authority held by guides when driving

• ☐ Valid Working With Children Check (Blue Card)

• ☐ Guides have undergone thorough background screening

• ☐ Guides trained in duty of care, code of conduct with teenagers and risk management

6. Supervision & Duty of Care

• ☐ Appropriate student-to-guide supervision ratios

• ☐ Teachers supported by experienced trained guides

• ☐ Clear lines of responsibility for student wellbeing and incident response

7. Compliance Assurance

• ☐ Program aligns with school excursion policies and approval requirements

• ☐ Documentation suitable for principal approval and risk review

• ☐ Ongoing communication with schools before and during the excursion

Arrival:

Welcome to Sydney! On arrival, you are met by your friendly local guide—a true Sydneysider with in-depth knowledge of the city’s iconic landmarks and hidden gems. After a brief orientation, you are transferred to your centrally located accommodation to settle in and prepare for your city adventure.

Historic District Accommodation:

Your accommodation is set in The Rocks, Sydney’s original historic precinct where the city was first established. Rooms feature private ensuites and air-conditioning, while shared facilities include spacious communal areas, internet access, a coffee bar, and a spectacular rooftop terrace with uninterrupted views of the Sydney Opera House—an unbeatable location for exploring the city.

Walking Tour:

Join your guide for an engaging walking tour through Sydney’s cultural, historical, and natural highlights. Following the footsteps of convicts and early settlers, you wander cobblestone streets and narrow laneways, uncovering stories of scandal, survival, and transformation that shaped modern Sydney.

Aboriginal Culture in the City:

Later, an Aboriginal guide leads you through a culturally significant area once home to clans of the Indigenous Eora Nation. Through storytelling and place-based interpretation, you learn about Aboriginal life around Sydney Harbour, the deep spiritual significance of the land, and traditional uses of native plants for food, medicine, and tools. Despite being surrounded by the modern city skyline, this experience offers powerful insight into tens of thousands of years of continuous culture.

Sydney Tower Eye:

Next, take in breathtaking views from Sydney’s highest observation point. Rising 309 metres above the city, Sydney Tower Eye offers sweeping panoramic vistas from Bondi Beach to Sydney Olympic Park and, on clear days, all the way to the Blue Mountains.

4-D Cinema:

Your visit also includes an immersive 4-D cinema experience that brings Sydney to life through stunning aerial footage of the harbour, coastline, iconic landmarks, and major events. With sensory effects such as wind, bubbles, and light, this dynamic film offers a memorable and entertaining introduction to the sights, energy, and spirit of Sydney.

Accommodation: Sydney Historic District budget accommodation
Meals Included: Dinner

City Highlights from the Water:

Today you explore the world-famous Sydney Harbour from a unique perspective—on a private boat exclusively for your group. As you cruise across the sparkling harbour, your knowledgeable local skipper shares fascinating stories about Sydney’s landmarks, neighbourhoods, and harbour-side lifestyle. You’ll pass iconic sights and the waterfront homes of well-known Australians and international celebrities, gaining insight into why Sydney Harbour is considered one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world.

Sydney Harbour National Park:

Next your vessel glides into Sydney Harbour National Park, where rugged sandstone cliffs, secluded coves, and panoramic ocean views create a striking contrast to the nearby city skyline. The highlight is a stop near The Gap, a dramatic coastal lookout offering sweeping views across the Pacific Ocean. During winter months, this area is also a prime location to spot humpback whales on their annual migration.

Watsons Bay:

Your harbour adventure continues with a stop at the charming waterfront suburb of Watsons Bay. Here, you can relax like a local—enjoying a soft drink by the water or sampling classic Australian fish and chips from the iconic Doyle’s on the Beach. With its relaxed atmosphere and stunning views back across the harbour, Watsons Bay provides the perfect conclusion to a day discovering both Sydney’s famous icons and its hidden coastal gems.

Accommodation: Sydney Historic District budget accommodation
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Blue Mountains National Park:

This morning you depart early for an immersive day in the spectacular Blue Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage area renowned for its dramatic escarpments, deep valleys, and eucalyptus forests that create the region’s distinctive blue haze. As you ascend into the mountains, your expert guide leads a series of short walks and explains the ecological and cultural significance of this protected landscape. Home to more than 400 animal species, the park provides vital habitat for native wildlife such as the spotted-tailed quoll, koala, yellow-bellied glider, and long-nosed potoroo.

Skyway, Cableway Ride & Scenic Rail:

At Scenic World, you experience the Blue Mountains from every angle. Glide between towering cliffs on the Scenic Skyway with its glass floor suspended above the rainforest canopy, descend into the Jamison Valley on the world-famous Scenic Railway—the steepest passenger railway on Earth—and soar back above the valley on the Scenic Cableway. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views of Katoomba Falls, Orphan Rock, and the surrounding World Heritage landscape.

The Three Sisters:

One of the most iconic landmarks in Australia, the Three Sisters rise dramatically above the Jamison Valley as three towering sandstone pillars shaped by millions of years of erosion. Your guide shares the Aboriginal Dreaming story associated with the formation, adding cultural depth to this natural wonder. The surrounding lookout areas are also excellent places to spot wild kangaroos and wallabies grazing peacefully, offering memorable wildlife encounters in a truly iconic Australian setting.

You return to Sydney at the end of the day.

Accommodation: Sydney Historic District budget accommodation
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Bondi Beach:

Bondi Beach is a global icon and one of Australia’s most famous stretches of sand, celebrated for its golden shoreline, rolling surf, and vibrant coastal culture. Host venue for the beach volleyball events at the 2000 Summer Olympics, Bondi has also starred in countless films and TV series, including Bondi Rescue. With a one-kilometre sweep of beach ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and people-watching, it’s the perfect place to soak up the laid-back Aussie lifestyle. From here, the scenic Bondi to Bronte coastal walk hugs dramatic cliffs and ocean views and is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most spectacular seaside trails.

Optional Surf Lesson:

Few experiences capture the Australian way of life like learning to surf. At Bondi, you can choose to take a beginner-friendly surf lesson and learn to ride your first wave in one of the world’s most famous surf locations. In a small-group setting, qualified instructors introduce you to ocean dynamics including tides, rips, wave formation, and surf safety. You then practise paddling, standing techniques, and surf etiquette before heading into the water to put your skills to the test. Designed for first-timers, this experience builds confidence, resilience, and a real connection to Australia’s coastal culture. (Surf lesson available at an additional cost of $150 AUD.)

Darling Harbour:

Darling Harbour is one of Sydney’s most lively waterfront precincts, offering a mix of entertainment, dining, shopping, and attractions. You are free to explore at your own pace—browse the Harbourside Shopping Centre, discover marine life at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium*, meet native animals at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo*, experience cutting-edge visuals at the IMAX Theatre*, or get up close with famous figures at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum*. With its buzzing atmosphere and harbour views, Darling Harbour showcases modern Sydney at its most dynamic. (Attractions marked incur an additional cost.)

Sydney Opera House Performance:

The day concludes with a truly unforgettable cultural highlight—a live performance at the Sydney Opera House. This architectural masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most recognisable buildings on Earth. Depending on availability, you may attend a play, symphony, opera, or dance performance, immersing yourself in Australia’s world-class performing arts scene. Experiencing a show inside this iconic venue is a quintessential Sydney moment and a fitting finale to an extraordinary day.

Accommodation: Sydney Historic District budget accommodation
Meals Included: Breakfast

Optional Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb:

If you wish, you can plan an afternoon departure from Sydney and spend your morning experiencing one of Australia’s most iconic adventures—the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. Led by an expert climb leader, you’ll ascend the bridge via purpose-built catwalks and ladders, making your way to the summit 134 metres (440 feet) above Sydney Harbour. Over approximately 3.5 hours, you’ll enjoy uninterrupted 360-degree views across the city skyline, harbour, and coastline while learning about the bridge’s fascinating engineering and history. Reaching the top delivers an unforgettable sense of achievement—you’ve conquered a world-famous Australian landmark. (Prices start from $294 AUD.)

Optional Urban Challenge:

If you have an afternoon flight, you can choose to take part in Small World Journeys’ Urban Challenge (no extra cost). This fast-paced, team-based activity turns Sydney into an open-air classroom, blending problem-solving, leadership, and cultural discovery. Working in small groups, students race against the clock on a treasure-hunt-style challenge through The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest historic district. Along the way, you uncover stories of convicts, colonists, public art, and hidden laneways—making this a highly engaging way to explore Sydney’s history and culture. The winning team earns bragging rights and a prize!

OPTIONAL Luna Park:

Just across the harbour sits the instantly recognisable smiling entrance of Luna Park Sydney, one of the city’s most beloved historic amusement parks. Here you can enjoy classic rides such as the Devil’s Drop, the Wild Mouse roller coaster, and DodgeEm City. A spin on the Ferris wheel rewards you with spectacular views back across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge—an unforgettable way to end your Sydney experience. Park hours are more limited during winter; please ask us when planning your tour. Entry is free, with unlimited ride passes available at an additional cost.

Later you are transferred to the Sydney airport for your flight home.

Meals Included: Breakfast