Private Tours from Sydney

Sydney Harbour, NSW

Private day trips from Sydney

Our private tours from Sydney are for your group only: one vehicle, no strangers, with hotel pickup and drop-off across greater Sydney. The one exception is our small group Blue Mountains tour, which is shared with at most one other booking. Choose a tour below, from the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley to the Southern Highlands, Jervis Bay and Canberra. We stay as long as you like at each stop and skip the ones you don't, led by a guide who has been exploring Eastern Australia since 2009.

exploring Kiama Blowhole on our private tours from Sydney
Jamison Valley Rainforest with sun in the middle on Private day trips from Sydney

Which day trip is right for you?

Quick guide to our day trips

Use this guide to compare how far each day trip is from Sydney and who it suits best.

Northern Beaches

Drive from Sydney: 30 minutes to Manly, about 1 hour to Palm Beach

Best for: Beaches and coastline

Southern Highlands

Drive from Sydney: About 90 minutes

Best for: Couples and wine lovers

Blue Mountains

Drive from Sydney: 90 minutes to 2 hours

Best for: Families and first-time visitors. The half-day tour suits short stays, and the small group tour (up to 5 guests) suits smaller budgets.

Kiama

Drive from Sydney: About 2 hours

Best for: Coastal scenery

Jervis Bay

Drive from Sydney: About 2.5 hours

Best for: Families and wildlife lovers, with a dolphin cruise and whale season from May to November

Hunter Valley

Drive from Sydney: About 2.5 hours

Best for: Couples and wine lovers

Canberra

Drive from Sydney: 3 to 3.5 hours each way

Best for: History and politics. A long day, best for adults.

Mount Panorama, Bathurst

Drive from Sydney: About 3.5 hours

Best for: Motorsport fans

Short on time or staying in the city? Our private Sydney day tour covers the harbour, The Rocks and Bondi without a long drive.

Travelling with Escape Scenes

Eight hours in a minibus with twelve strangers is a different day to eight hours in your own private vehicle. Our private tours run for your group only, with a maximum of 7 passengers. Only the small group Blue Mountains tour is shared.

What guests say

Five stars across 57 TripAdvisor reviews and 76 Viator reviews — all unprompted, all earned on the road.

Read guest reviews on TripAdvisor

FAQs

Can I do a day trip from Sydney without hiring a car?

Yes. Your driver-guide collects you from your hotel, cruise terminal or airport in greater Sydney and looks after all the driving and parking, so you can spend the day looking at the scenery instead of a map. Pickup and drop-off are included on our private day tours.

How far are the most popular day trips from Sydney?

The Blue Mountains are 90 minutes to 2 hours from Sydney, and the Southern Highlands about 90 minutes. Jervis Bay and the Hunter Valley are each around 2.5 hours, while Canberra is 3 to 3.5 hours each way. Because the stops are flexible, we plan the day around the drive and what you want to see.

Which day trips are best for families?

The Blue Mountains and Jervis Bay suit most families, with lookouts and bush walks in the mountains and a dolphin cruise at Jervis Bay. Child seats are available on request, so tell us your children's ages when you book. Canberra is a long day, so we usually suggest it for adults.

What is the best winter day trip from Sydney?

Jervis Bay is a favourite in winter because whale season runs from May to November, and the Southern Highlands suit cooler days with wineries and country villages. Travelling by private vehicle means you set the pace, stay warm between stops and spend less time waiting around.

How many people can join a private tour?

Up to seven passengers can travel on a private tour, and the vehicle is yours alone for the day. The one exception is our small group Blue Mountains tour, which takes up to five guests and is shared with at most one other booking. Tell us your group size when you enquire and we'll confirm the right option.

How much does a private tour from Sydney cost?

Private tour pricing is tiered: a base price covers your group up to a set size, with a per-guest fee for each additional guest, so larger groups pay less per person. The price for each tour is on its page, and you can send a booking request with your date and group size for confirmation.

Do you offer private tours outside NSW?

Yes. Our extended tours run across NSW, the ACT, Victoria and Queensland, and we quote each one individually with a fixed-price proposal before you book. Accommodation and meals are paid separately. If you have a route in mind, send us the dates and places and we'll plan it with you.

Can I book a private transfer instead of a tour?

Yes. We offer point-to-point private transfers on longer routes, with the price confirmed before you commit. This suits longer trips such as Canberra to Sydney, where you want a comfortable, direct journey in a private vehicle instead of a day of sightseeing.

Booking request form

If availability is not showing for your chosen tour, get in touch using the contact form below.