Visit Sydney's exclusive harbour suburbs - Watsons Bay

Plan your perfect Australian holiday Sydney Travel Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some commonly asked questions about Your Sydney Guide services and also answers to questions about visiting Sydney generally.

Sydney Tour Information

Who does Your Sydney Guide work with?

YSG proudly works with many wonderful guests from the USA, Canada, UK and Europe, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and many more. We work with solo travellers, couples, families, senior travellers, cruise ship passengers and corporate groups and all our guests enjoy the kind of attentive and caring service that has given us unequaled ratings in Sydney. We are very understanding of travellers with special needs such as parents with young children and seniors with reduced mobility.

Where will you pick up/drop off for our Sydney tours?

We can pick up and drop off at any location in and around Sydney. This can be your hotel, AirBnB, airport, cruise ship terminal and can also be outside of Sydney if enough notice is provided. Charges may apply for excess luggage or for locations outside of the city. Enter your pick up details in the booking form or just send an email with details if they are unknown still.

What should I bring on the day?

If you on a Blue Mountains, North Coast or South Coast Tour you should have with you comfortable walking shoes (no thongs), a rain jacket, a hat and something warm in case of weather changes. A camera is recommended as well as some local currency for lunch or other purchases. For North and South Coast Tours you should also bring something to swim in and a towel.

Are children welcome on tours?

Yes, 100%. Most of our guiding team have children and we will happily look after families with children of any age. Tour schedules, pace and specific places of interest/fun for children can be built into any tour. Suitable car seats can be arranged if notice is given prior to the tour date.

What weather can I expect?

Depending on the time of year and even within a day, weather can change drastically due to the cities coastal location. If you are visiting in peak season between December and February then expect to have some hot and humid conditions. In the Blue Mountains it can be sub zero in cooler months and over 30 degrees (celcius) in Summer. Tours will run in all weather conditions unless it is unsafe to do so.

How many guests can you cater for?

We cater for groups of all sizes from solo travellers in Sydney to couples, families and groups. We are licensed to drive vehicles that carry up to 24 people and we can cater for groups up to this size and even larger if at least 3 days notice is provided.

Can I choose a different vehicle?

Yes, absolutely. Although all vehicles will be modern with air conditioning our whole philosophy is to cater to our clients exact needs so if you would prefer to tour in something more exotic like an Audi, Porsche, Mercedes or luxury SUV then just let us know and arrangements will be made. Note that costs for this service will be factored into tour pricing.

Can guests make suggestions on itineraries?

Absolutely! Our service philosophy is based around being highly flexible and accommodating. We can tailor a tour based on your general preferences or if you have specific places you would like to visit (or avoid) then that will be built in to your day. Just contact us before or after booking to discuss.

What is your cancellation policy?

Tours will proceed regardless of weather conditions unless it is unsafe to do so. In this case you can reschedule your tour date. Except for unavoidable circumstances the following timeframes will apply regarding cancellations.

Less than 72 hours prior to time of departure – 100 % cancellation charge
Between 4 – 7 days prior to day of departure – 50% cancellation charge
Between 7-14 days prior to day of departure – 30% cancellation charge
Greater than 14 days – no cancellation charge

Sydney travel advice and information

What time of year should I visit Sydney?

Our opinion is that Sydney is at its most beautiful in our Spring (Sept – Nov) and Autumn (Mar – May) seasons. It is not as hot and the temperature and general weather is perfect for being outdoors. In Summer with day light saving we have nice long days which is great and it is better beach weather, although temperatures can get above 40 degrees Celsius. Winter in Sydney is fresh and crisp too with temperatures down to around 7 degrees at night and up to around 20 during the day. Read more on best time to visit Sydney.

What are the best day trips out of Sydney?

Okay, so you are busy planning your perfect Sydney trip and wondering what day trips around Sydney to include during your stay. Below are some ideas to get you started:

The Blue Mountains: One of the most visited regions in Australia and for good reason. They are only 1.5 hrs west of Sydney and are a perfect day trip. Deep gorges and valleys, lush rain forrest, prolific bird life, quaint villages and amazing views at every turn.

The Royal National Park: Less than an hour south of Sydney and a true hidden treasure. Pristine Australian bushland, sparkling beaches, waterfalls, dramatic sea cliffs, scenic roads through towering forests and a laid back feel.

Southern Highlands: Close to Sydney and full of magical surprises, this region has wineries, stunning scenery, amazing local food, wildlife options and is free from large tour groups.

South Coast (Jarvis Bay): In my opinion this place is pure magic. Turquoise waters, white sand, dolphins, diving and vast coastal bushland make this place incredibly scenic.

Hunter Valley: 2.5 hours north of Sydney and a wine and food lovers dream. If you appreciate great wine then add this to your list for sure.

Port Stephens: Famous for its vast sand dunes, friendly local dolphins, beautiful beaches and relaxed coastal feel, this region is well worth considering.

How long should I stay in Sydney?

Always a hard questions to answer. We would love for you to stay for as long as you can to enjoy Sydney. We would suggest that a minimum of 3 days would be needed to see Sydney properly. This would allow for one day tour to Blue Mountains or similar plus some time to see the city sights. If you stay for 5 nights or longer that would be ideal.

What are the best restaurants in Sydney?

We have a list of some amazing Sydney Restaurants with links to their websites over on the Links page. There are many amazing places to eat in Sydney and our advice would be to enjoy some meals in and around Sydney city but also venture out to some outer suburbs like Balmain, Paddington, Haberfield, Surry Hills, Marrickville, Petersham and mix with some Sydney locals who enjoy food from all over the world. Greek, Italian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Nepalese, Spanish, vegan and vegetarian…you will find it all here in Sydney.

What is the best location to stay in Sydney?

You are probably reading reviews on TripAdvisor till your eyes hurt trying to find the right Sydney Hotel. The good news is that you can to anywhere around Sydney regardless of where you stay, but it still worth thinking about where to be. Here are a few options:

Sydney Harbour: Stay near the harbour for great views, night time walks, access to ferries and close to icons like Opera House and The Rocks.

Darling Harbour: Great location for proximity to dining and shopping and a great choice for families and corporate travellers. Adjacent to some exciting new city precincts like Barangaroo.

City Centre: Better for shopping, close to trains, Hyde Park, cinemas and art galleries etc.

City fringe: Choose a hotel in Surry Hills, Potts Point, Darlinghurst or similar for a more ‘Sydney’ experience and mix with the locals.

Is Sydney a safe city?

The short answer is yes. Sydney is a great place to live or visit and is not only very beautiful but very safe as well. Even travelling solo you can feel confident that people are generally kind and helpful and if you ask someone for help you will be well looked after. As with any city there are areas that are less safe, especially at night, so use common sense and ask someone if you are not sure.

Your Sydney Guide on Instagram #yoursydneyguide

Feeling small again with a little redwood #forestbathing in the beautiful town of #warburton in Victoria.

Out enjoying perfect snow conditions last weekend with a very special guest at Thredbo in the NSW snowfields. Can be accessed on road or short flight for those wanting a truly unique Australian experience.

Love this little secluded gem next to the famous Manly Beach in Sydney. Cabbage Tree Bay aka Shelley Beach can be accessed by ferry from the city or on any of our longer city tours.

A little zen to start or finish a city tour at the beautiful Chinese Gardens in the Darling Harbour precinct.

‘Like an Austrian Crocodile Dundee’...yeah that’s a pretty perfect description for our guide Charlie who showed this mum and daughter the Blue Mtns local style yesterday.

Looking for adventurous day tours around Sydney? We’ve got you covered, loads of options in all directions.

An all time favorite location and sneaky view on the north side of the harbour. Regular photo stop on our city tours 😀

Collecting breakfast for guests this morning led to finding this heritage listed Chinese temple in south Sydney.

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With so much cultural diversity to discover, here is a snapshot of some of the more popular suburbs and precincts around Sydney. This is just the start…

If you have a particular question or are looking for some reliable, local Sydney travel advice then please feel free to either email us or use the contact form and we will be happy to share our experiences and knowledge of this beautiful city.