Jump to:

Best time for whale watching
Best time of day for whale watching
Best places for whale watching in Sydney
Whale watching tour companies review in Sydney

Tours

Check this list if you are keen to go on whale watching cruise.
Choose your departure point from prices and time table:
Darling Harbour | Circular Quay | Manly | Sans Souci

Darling Harbour departures

* – 10-20% discount for online bookings
** – up to 45% off for online booking

Circular Quay departures

* – 10-20% discount for online bookings
** – 15% discount for online booking

Manly departures

*** – 16% off if you buy 2 tickets
**** – 5% off if you buy 2 tickets

Sans Souci departures

There are no Sans Souci departures any more. Let us know if you know any cruises departing from San Souci.

Here is a list of whale watching tour operators in Sydney with their no sightings policy and links to their websites:

So which company to choose? It depends on you – do want only whale watching or to do something else too, like speed boat ride? Do you stay in the city or in Cronulla or Manly?

My personal choice was – Bass and Flinders Cruises. They are longest period in this business and also participate in whales research program with Macquarie University, has shore based whale spotters which helps them faster to spot whales. In the sea it looks like all other companies just follow their boats.

One important thing – lower your expectation if you go on whale watching tour.  Sometimes whales are more active, sometimes they are not. I was reading some reviews there customers were complaining – they saw not enough whale breaches because ship went back to harbor as the tour time was out.  How you can complain about that? Some people won’t be lucky to see a breach even once and it is not the show where you command whales what they should do. So it is better to have low expectation and you definitely will enjoy whale watching – coastal or on boat tour.

Save

Save

The post Whale watching in Sydney. Best time, places and tour prices appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

There are ski fields in Tasmania and Victoria, but the largest ski fields are in New South Wales on the boarder with Victoria state and actually the first ski club in the world in 1861 was established in Snowy Mountains in Australia. Who could thought Australia has such long history of skiing?
Two largest downhill ski resorts are located not far from highest peak (Mt Kosciuszko) in Australia.  Thredbo ski resort has longest ski run and Perisher ski resort has largest ski fields – 12 square kilometers (4.6 sq miles) and it calls itself as largest ski resort in Souther hemisphere.

Both resorts are located somewhere in the middle between Sydney and Melbourne and only ~60 kilometers (~40 miles) away from each other, so you can visit both on your trip to snowy mountains.

Here is comparison of these two resorts if you want to choose one of these resorts.

* you can go up to 2034 meters (6673 feet) elevation and then climb 20 meters (66 feet) to the nearest peak. Both picture bellow are done from that highest point.

** all prices are in Australian dollars. The price of lift pass and ski/snowboard rent shows how much you need to pay if you pay at the resort. You can get better deals by buying lift pass and hiring skies/snowboard online in advance. Or buy visiting resorts during low season. Check their websites for the deals.

My choice was Perisher, because by lift you can get up to 2034 meters (6673 feet) elevation and climb another 20 meters (66 feet) to the peak of Mt. Perisher for fantastic view.

I also need to note that you should carry snow chains as you may require to put it on in case of heavy snow in a ‘snow-ice’ risk section within the Kosciuszko National Park. Chains can be hired in Jindabyne and Khancoban or in Cooma if you are coming from Sydney/Canberra.

So enjoy the snow but be careful and don’t underestimate snow in Australia, as it happened to these cross-country skiers.

Save

The post Skiing and snowboarding in Australia appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

January February March April May June July August September October November December

January

1 Start a New Year with wonderful fireworks in Sydney Harbour at midnight.

5 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

5 – 27 Sydney Festival 2013. Check official website for the list of free events.

11 and 13 check free performances at Micro Parks in Sydney.

12 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

18 – 27 Centennial Park Light Garden. As the sun sets over Sydney in late January, you’ll be able wander through the spectacular illuminated Light Garden in Centennial Park.

19 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

26 Australia Day. Head to The Rocks this Australia Day for a free celebration of music and song.

February

2 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour.

8-24 Celebrate Year of Snake in China Town in Sydney with Chinese New Year Twilight Parade as the highlight of the New Year festivities on 17th of February and watch dragon boats race on 23-24th.

9 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

14 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

16 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

17 Short film festival’s Tropfest main event will take place at The Domain. Go there early as place fills up very quickly.

23 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

March

2 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

3 From 19:45 to 22:00(7.45-10.00pm) at Oxford Street and Flinders Street watch colorful and outrageous Sydney Mardi Gras Parade. About 300000 spectators attend parade so get earlier there to take good spot.

9 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

9 – 10 check for latest deals at Travel Expo at Fox Studios, Moore Park

17 From 12:00 to 18:30 (6.30pm) annual Sydney St Patrick’s Day Parade commences from the corner of Bathurst and George Street to Hyde Park.

16 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

21 March – 3 April Easter show at Sydney Showground in Sydney Olympic Park. The Easter Show is Australia’s largest annual event, an iconic showcase of Australian culture, heritage and excellence. It combines innovation, heritage, education and entertainment. It is not free event, but tickets include transport as well as admission to the Show.

22 March – 1 April Sydney family show as always at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter. Thought it is more kids, but it is free entry event packed with fun activities the whole family can enjoy. Though you need to buy tickets for rides you want.

23 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

23 from 20:30 to 21:30 (8.30pm-9.30pm) the annual lights-out event Earth Hour will be held. It start couple years ago in Sydney, but now over 5000 cities across 135 countries are involved.

29 March – 1 April visit Hoopla festival at Darling Harbour. Australia’s annual circus, sideshow and street theatre festival.

April

1 Hoopla festival continues at Darling Harbour.

1 Last day of Sydney family show at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter.

1 – 3 Easter show continues at Sydney Showground in Sydney Olympic Park.

6 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

13 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

20 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

25 ANZAC day – a national day of remembrance. The day starts with dawn service at Martin Place and following parade on George Street.

27 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

May

4 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

11 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

17 May – 23 June If you love photography you must visit Head On Photo Festival. Events this year are spread across Sydney from the CBD extending, north, south, east and west. Aside from traditional venues such as art galleries and museums, exhibitions and events were set in less formal venues such as cafes, pubs and Centennial Park.

18 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

19 Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon is held. It is Australia’s largest and most prestigious half marathon and you still have time to join it. This year introduced one lap course.

24 May – 10 June one of most colorful festivals in Sydney – Vivid Sydney 2013. Two weeks you can enjoy impressive light projections, performances from local and international musicians as part of Vivid LIVE and a free outdoor exhibition of interactive light sculptures.

25 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

June

1 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

1 – 10 Vivid Sydney 2013 continues around the city.

1 – 23 Head On Photo Festival continues.

5 – 16 60th annual Sydney Film festival takes place. It is always full of interesting movies to watch. Check screening schedule on their website.

7 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 19:30 (7.30PM).

8 – 10 Darling Harbour Jazz & Blues Festival. The Darling Harbour Jazz & Blues Festival showcases legendary names in jazz and blues, rubbing shoulders with emerging and young Australian musicians.

8 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

15 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

22 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

29 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

July

[TBA] State Library presentes World Press Photo 2013 exhibition.

[TBA] International Food safari at King Street Wharf. Check it to taste various international cuisine.

[TBA] Winter Festival at Bondi beach. Watch ice hokey games or Disney on Ice or try ice skating yourself.

[TBA] Australia’s biggest coffee event Aroma festival takes over the historic laneways of The Rocks.

Full month – July is peak month for whale watching in Sydney.

August

11 city2surf is one of Australia’s favorite event and even you are not runner go to cheer for participants of this 14 kilometers run from city center to Bondi beach.

September

8  11:00 – 16:00 (11am – 4pm) Festival of the Winds most colorful spring festival in Sydney. Head to Bondi beach to see lots of kits in the air.

20 September – 20 October Art & About Sydney with opening party in Martin Place. A lot of different events and exhibitions to explore art around the city, in laneways, parks and galleries. Check it here for full list of venues.

October

1 – 20 October Art & About Sydney continues.

[TBA] Latin American festival Australia’s largest annual festival at Darling Harbour.

November

[TBA] Sydney Travel Expo at Sydney Town Hall. FREE entry.

[TBA] Newtown Festival is one of Sydney’s largest and longest running free community festivals on 11th of November. At festival will be three stages which will feature a diverse range of Sydney’s finest, with live bands, acoustic artists and world music

[TBA] Santa Claus is coming to Sydney. Darling Harbour transforms into a sea of red and white jolly men for the Santa Fest Water Spectacular. There’ll be Santas popping up all over Darling Harbour doing everything from water skiing to stilt walking!

[TBA] fireworks at Darling Harbour every Saturday from 9pm in November.

December

until 25th Christmas projections in the city.

[TBA] the biggest Christmas (Carols in the Domain) concert in Australia will be held in Sydney.

[TBA] Sydney Hobart Yacht Race starts.

31 famous Sydney New Year Eve fireworks.

Save

The post What’s on in Sydney appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

As there are high cliffs out there and it makes very good place for observation. South Head is my preference, as there is trail along the coast and you can walk almost all way down to Bondi Beach which Southern Right Whales like to visit from time to time.

Besides whale watching from the shore is more ecologically friendly as still there is unknown how boats are affecting whales migration. Marine Mammal Research Group at Macquarie University currently working on a project assess the current whale watching guidelines in Sydney. Actually they have some volunteering positions if somebody interested to join them.

While on the coast you can follow whale watching tour boats and it will be easier to spot whales.

The post Best places for whale watching in Sydney appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

Here is a chart with weekly humpback whale sightings in Sydney between 2010 and 2012 :

And here is a chart with monthly whale sightings in Sydney in 2010-2012:

It is clear visible two peeks in the season. In June/July humpback whales migrating North for breeding in the waters of the Coral Sea.  From end of September until December they  are going back South to the Antarctic feeding ground for the southern hemisphere summer. At this time of year females with new born calves usually are seen closer to the shore. End of June/July and then October is probably the best time of year for whale watch in Sydney.

August looks like quite month in this chart, but is not because there are no whales. It is the middle of winter and sea can be rough and you won’t have much fun to be on the boat, so some whale watching tours are canceled because of weather during this period.  Whales are still there, as not all whales migrating like humpback whales. The Southern Right Whales do not migrate North or South, they usually move along the coastline seeking places to mate and shelter with their newborn calves. This year you even could see Southern Right whales in Sydney harbor:

In Sydney you can see other kind of whales too, but are much rare then Humpback whales or Southern Right Whale. Some people are lucky to see very rare Bryde’s whales, killer whales (or else known as Orcas), also False Killer whales, Minke whales. You most likely also will see Pacific and Bottlenose dolphins.

What time of the day is better for whale watching in Sydney?

Five years ago it was huge difference between morning and afternoon sightings as you can see in this chart.

It probably was just a glitch in sightings recording as by looking to whale sightings of 2010-1012 it doesn’t matter when you go.

It is almost the same in the morning or afternoon. I think it is because most whales are not staying around Sydney but migrating and you can see them when they passing by and time of day is not so important.

Whale sightings numbers for above chart are taken from this page https://whalewatchingsydney.com.au/sightings/index.php?year=2012.  I just decided put numbers into more convenient form.

Southern Right whale in Sydney harbor was taken by Tammy.

The post Best time for whale watching in Sydney appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

Darling Harbour | Circular Quay | Manly | Sans Souci

Darling Harbour departures

* – 10-20% discount for online bookings
** – 15% discount for online booking

Circular Quay departures

* – 10-20% discount for online bookings
** – 15% discount for online booking

Manly departures

** – 15% discount for online booking
*** – 15% off if you buy 2 tickets

Sans Souci departures

The post Whale watching prices in Sydney, 2014 appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

These are not light shows.  A lot of cities are lighten during Christmas time, but only some have still or video projections. Here is short list where it can be seen.

Christmas projections in Sydney, Australia

I am not sure when these projections started in Sydney but personally I saw it 5 years ago for the first time. Projections were amazing and I don’t remember how many nights I spend watching it during that month. It looks so naturally and it seams like building painting but not a projection. Projection pattern changes during the night and here is pictured only one of them.

Town hall is major building during Christmas projections in Sydney, but other buildings also can be lighted. It varies from year to year. Bellow are Hyde Park Barracks, St James Church, Sydney Conservatorium of Music lighted during Christmas

This year (2013)  projections should be on two sides of Sydney Town Hall – an usual projection on George street facade and new digital animation should be shown on the side in Sydney Square.

3D Christmas projection in Vilnius, Lithuania

Sydney is introducing video projection this year meanwhile in Vilnius (Lithuania) it was done two years ago in 2011. It was called 4D projection because besides visual 3D projection you could smell some scent during the show. Watch this 10 minutes long tale on the walls of city’s cathedral

In 2012 it was introduced interactive 3D Santa Claus which was talking to public. Children were a little bit shy during the first shows, but at the end Santa didn’t have enough time to answer all questions he was getting. This is record of one of the first sessions. Unfortunately there is no translation from Lithuanian to English, but you can get the idea what was happening there:

Projections in Melbourne, Australia

In 2011 Christmas light projection was at the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne, but in 2012 location was changed to City Hall:

I think State Library was better location without trams in front of building, but this year projections are shown on Town Hall walls again.

Projections in other cities

I would like to hear if anybody knows interesting Christmas projections in other cities. Please post it in comment and enjoy Christmas time!

The post Best Christmas projections appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

This year 150 countries are joining.  Are you turning off your lights during Earth Hour tomorrow?
Above photo was taken in 2008 in Sydney where everything started and this year hopefully even less lights were visible.

The post Weekly Travel Photo. Earth Hour in Sydney appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

Auckland, New Zealand

Sydney, Australia

Taipei, Taiwan

Hong Kong

Singapoure

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Moscow, Russia

Berlin, Germany

London, UK

Toronto, Canada

Photo credit:  ekv8H, sydneynewyearseve.com, cfnews13.com, militaryphotos.net, channelnewsasia.com, cntraveler.com, emirates247.com, q8allinone.com, abc.net.au, thestar.com

The post Best New Year Eve fireworks around the world appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.