Sydney is one of Australia’s most iconic destinations, known for its sparkling harbour, world-class dining, and rich cultural history. From the unmistakable sails of the Opera House to lively waterfront precincts, the city offers a blend of natural beauty and cosmopolitan charm.
Visitors can stroll along Circular Quay, wander historic laneways in The Rocks, or take in sweeping views from the Harbour Bridge, making it a destination that rewards both first-timers and seasoned travellers.
Experience the magic of Grafton’s Jacaranda Festival on this vibrant 6-day tour. Travel in Gold Class comfort as you explore Tropical Fruit World, delight in dolphins at the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, and witness fireworks and the famous float parade in Grafton. Visit historic towns like Glen Innes and Tenterfield, savour wine tasting at Ballandean Estate, and soak up festive fun at the Granite Belt Christmas Farm. The tour finishes with a fabulous day out at the Melbourne Cup in Toowoomba filled with fashion, fun and racing excitement. A blooming beautiful celebration of spring, nature, and Aussie tradition!
Discover the pristine Dorrigo National Park with 4 nights at the tranquil Lookout Mountain Retreat. Drive the breathtaking Waterfall Way then celebrate Christmas in style with newfound friends against the backdrop of the stunning mountain and valley views of the retreat.
Step into a slice of Scotland at the Brigadoon Highland Gathering in Bundanoon on this unforgettable 6-day cultural adventure. Begin with a scenic Sydney Harbour lunch cruise before heading to the Southern Highlands for wildlife encounters, vineyard dining, and a private tour of the Bradman Museum. Soak up the atmosphere of the festival with massed pipe bands, Celtic dancers, Highland games and a bustling market. Enjoy high tea at the historic Hydro Majestic, tour Mount Panorama in Bathurst, and visit the Gulgong Pioneer Museum. With luxury stays, stunning scenery and rich heritage, this Gold Class tour is full of flair.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve like never before on our 5-day Sydney New Year Spectacular tour. Stay four nights in the heart of the city, dine at SkyFeast with 360-degree views, and explore Sydney icons including the Opera House, Madame Tussauds, and the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Cruise through the Hawkesbury at Broken Bay Pearl Farm before boarding an unforgettable New Year’s Eve harbour cruise. Enjoy gourmet dining, paired wines, and front-row views of Sydney’s world-famous fireworks. With Diamond Class coach touring, luxury accommodation, and Carbon Neutral travel, this is the ultimate way to welcome the year ahead in sparkling style.
Vivid Sydney is Australia’s largest celebration of light, music, ideas and food, transforming the harbour city into a glowing canvas each winter. The festival is known for its bold artistic vision, bringing together leading creators who turn iconic landmarks into vibrant stories told through colour, sound and movement. From the mesmerising projections on the Opera House sails to interactive sculptures and illuminated harbourfront trails, Vivid invites visitors to see Sydney in a completely different light. Each year introduces a new creative theme, inspiring fresh installations and imaginative experiences across the city.
The event spans multiple precincts, each with its own unique personality and artistic charm. Circular Quay offers the most recognisable light shows, while The Rocks features heritage laneways filled with pop-up artworks and street performers. Darling Harbour often features dramatic water and laser displays, while Barangaroo offers contemporary light walks that highlight its modern architecture. Together, these locations create an atmosphere that is both vibrant and welcoming.
Vivid Sydney takes place during the cooler months, so warm, layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes will help older travellers enjoy the experience fully. The festival spans several kilometres along the harbour, and while many installations are easy to access, the distances between precincts can be longer than expected. Planning your route, taking breaks at cafés or waterside restaurants, and allowing yourself time to explore at a relaxed pace can make a noticeable difference. Clear signage, ramps and accessible viewing areas are available throughout the precincts, making the festival more inclusive for visitors with varied mobility levels.
Crowds are part of the Vivid atmosphere, especially on weekends and early evenings. Travellers who prefer a quieter experience may find later time slots more comfortable, with fewer queues and gentler pacing. Public transport is often the simplest way to reach Vivid precincts, as road closures and limited parking are common during the festival. Sydney’s trains, ferries and light rail provide smooth access to key viewing points.
Fun Over 50’s Vivid Sydney tour is explicitly curated for travellers over 50 who prefer a relaxed and comfortable way to explore the festival. Travelling by luxury coach means minimal walking, smooth access to key precincts and thoughtfully chosen viewing spots. It’s an easy, enjoyable way to experience the lights without navigating busy areas on your own.
Circular Quay offers some of the most iconic views, showcasing projections on the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The Rocks and Barangaroo offer excellent vantage points, featuring a mix of elevated viewpoints and immersive light trails. Darling Harbour is another standout precinct with water and laser displays.
The main Light Walk usually stretches 2–3 kilometres and can take a couple of hours, depending on how many installations you stop to enjoy. While it’s designed to be accessible, the crowds can make the walk feel longer. Many travellers choose guided coach tours to reduce walking while still seeing festival highlights.
Fireworks aren’t a standard part of the Vivid Sydney program, as the festival focuses on light projections, installations and creative performances instead. Occasionally, separate city events may include fireworks, but these aren’t officially connected to Vivid. Visitors can expect a dazzling visual experience without pyrotechnics. If you’re looking for even more fun, check out our other New South Wales tours.
Most Vivid Sydney installations operate nightly from 6 pm to 11 pm, allowing plenty of time to explore at your own pace. Busier crowds tend to appear earlier in the evening, so visiting a little later can offer a calmer experience. Times can vary slightly by precinct, but the lights remain on throughout the evening.
Our team is always happy to help if you have any questions about us or our tours. Fill out our form and we will get back to you soon.
.avif)
We are a Green Travel Leader. This is awarded to businesses which have consistently proven their commitment to sustainable tourism management over ten years.
As a Sustianable Tourism accredited business, we are proud to offer engaging tourism experiences that follow sound sustainability practices and environmental appreciation.
Quality Tourism accredited businesses like Fun Over 50 lead the way by offering the highest industry standards of customer service, satisfaction, reliability, and ethical practices.
We are committed to operating in ways that respect and reinforce Indigenous cultural heritage and the authenticity and integrity of living cultures of Indigenous communities.
We have incorporated strategic climate change responses across all relevant levels of our planning and operations. We are working towards becoming carbon neutral.
With Advanced Ecotourism certification, we offer outstanding experiences which let you get back to nature, help conservation, and minimise environmental impact.
We are a credible, well trained, and professional business. We conduct business in compliance with Australian Consumer Law and in accordance with ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct.
The Council of Australian Tour Operators represents tour operators and wholesalers. As a full CATO member, we provide authentic and original holidays with sustainable travel.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them, their cultures, and to the elders both past and present.
Powered by EngineRoom
Fill out your details and we will get in touch with you to reserve your place on the tour.
We roll out the red carpet so you can just sit back and relax and know that everything is included in your holiday experience, no surprises, all inclusive!
More on tour inclusions
.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
%20-%20Wentworth.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
-min.avif)
