Vivid Sydney Cruises

The Sydney Harbour Bridge lit in colour during Vivid Sydney, with light trails from boats
Vivid Sydney from the water. The light trails are the cruise boats themselves.

Vivid Sydney is an annual festival of light, art and music that has run since 2009, and during it the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House are lit by large scale projections. Vivid Sydney Cruises is the booking brand Australian Cruise Group uses for its festival departures.

Why see Vivid from the water

The installations along the foreshore and the projections on the Bridge and the Opera House are designed to be seen from the harbour, and from a boat you get the sequence of precincts in one continuous view instead of walking between them in the crowds. Cruises run to the official Vivid Sydney playlist.

Departures

There are three departures nightly during the festival, from Darling Harbour and Circular Quay, with the shortest cruises running about an hour. Options range from a dinner cruise on the Clearview glass boat or the Showboat, through to viewing only cruises where dinner is not included and you are simply out on the water for the lights.

Vivid runs on fixed dates each year and the departures are sold per festival season, so the current schedule and fares come from the operator.

Contact and location

Getting here

Vivid departures board from King Street Wharf 5. King Street Wharf sits on the western edge of Sydney city centre, a short walk from Wynyard station. Our getting here guide covers the walking routes, and the parking page covers the nearby stations and car parks if you are driving. The wharves guide explains how the numbered berths are laid out, which is worth a look before you arrive, because the cruise operators along the promenade board from different wharves.

Outside the festival season, compare the year round cruises from King Street Wharf.

Book this cruise: Book this cruise on Viator