One of the slightly awkward things about finishing a cruise in Sydney is working out what to do between disembarkation and your flight home.
You've generally got to leave the ship in the morning, but if your flight isn't until late afternoon or early evening, that can mean hours of sitting around Sydney Airport.
And after spending days being thoroughly spoiled onboard a cruise ship, that's not exactly an exciting way to finish your holiday.
Fortunately, there's a much better option if you have a few hours to spare.
Drop your luggage in the city, enjoy a leisurely buffet lunch at SkyFeast in Sydney Tower, and take in some of the best views Sydney has to offer before heading to the airport.
The best part? You can do it all using public transport, without needing to drag your suitcases around the city.
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Getting From Circular Quay to the City
If your cruise finishes at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay, you're already in a very convenient location for exploring Sydney.
Circular Quay Station is just a short walk from the terminal, and from there you can catch a train to St James Station.
It's only a short journey, so there's no need to organise an expensive private transfer just to spend a few hours in the city.
From St James Station, it's an easy walk towards Martin Place, where you can arrange luggage storage before heading to Sydney Tower.
If your ship docks at White Bay instead, you'll need to allow for the additional transfer into central Sydney, as there isn't a train station directly at the terminal.
Where to Store Your Luggage in Sydney
The first thing I'd organise is somewhere to leave your suitcases.
After all, walking around Sydney is considerably more enjoyable when you're not hauling several weeks' worth of cruise luggage behind you.
Bounce Luggage Storage has storage locations around Sydney, including the Martin Place area, which is convenient for this itinerary.
From St James Station, it's approximately a 400-metre walk to the Martin Place area, depending on which storage location you book.
Once you've dropped off your bags, you're free to enjoy the rest of your time in Sydney without having to worry about them.
I'd recommend booking luggage storage in advance, checking the exact address and confirming the location will still be open when you return to collect your bags.
It's also worth checking any size restrictions if you're travelling with particularly large suitcases.
With your bags safely stored, it's time for the fun part.
Lunch at SkyFeast Sydney Tower
Sydney Tower is one of the city's most recognisable landmarks, rising above the surrounding buildings in the heart of the CBD.
And while the tower itself is impressive from street level, the views from the restaurant are something else entirely.
SkyFeast is a revolving buffet restaurant located high above the city, offering sweeping views of Sydney Harbour, the city skyline and the surrounding suburbs.
As you enjoy your meal, the restaurant slowly rotates, giving you a changing view without having to leave your table.
It's a lovely way to see Sydney from above, particularly if you've already spent the morning disembarking your cruise and don't feel like rushing around between attractions.
To access SkyFeast, enter through Level 4 of Westfield Sydney at 108 Market Street and follow the signs for the restaurant's dedicated lift.
One thing worth knowing is that SkyFeast and the Sydney Tower Eye observation deck are separate attractions. A standard SkyFeast reservation doesn't automatically include admission to the observation deck.
The Food at SkyFeast
Of course, the views are only part of the experience.
SkyFeast offers an all-you-can-eat buffet with a substantial selection of dishes, including seafood, salads, hot meals and desserts.
It's a particularly good option when travelling as a family because everyone can choose what appeals to them.
And after a cruise, when you've become accustomed to having an enormous selection of food available without having to cook any of it, a buffet feels like a fairly natural way to finish the holiday. 😂
The selection changes, but SkyFeast offers a variety of Australian and international dishes, making it a good option for groups with different tastes.
If you're travelling with children who are particular about what they'll eat, having the freedom to choose from a buffet can make lunch considerably easier.
I'd recommend checking the current menu before booking if you have particular dietary requirements or food allergies.
The Views From Sydney Tower
While the buffet is a major part of the experience, it's the views that make SkyFeast particularly memorable.
The revolving restaurant offers a constantly changing perspective over Sydney, from the harbour and surrounding buildings to the suburbs stretching towards the horizon.
Depending on visibility and where you're seated, you'll have opportunities to spot some of Sydney's most familiar landmarks from a completely different angle.
It's also a nice way to appreciate just how enormous Sydney is.
You can spend the morning looking at the city from the deck of your cruise ship and then enjoy an entirely different perspective from high above it a few hours later.
And because the restaurant revolves, you don't have to spend the entire meal trying to look past someone else's shoulder to enjoy the view.
Booking Your SkyFeast Experience
I'd recommend booking SkyFeast in advance, particularly if you're planning your visit around a flight.
You can check available dining sessions and book your SkyFeast experience through Viator.
When choosing your session, allow enough time to get from the cruise terminal, drop off your luggage and enjoy your meal without feeling rushed.
Check the inclusions of your selected booking, particularly the dining session, seating arrangements and cancellation conditions.
Check Availability & Book SkyFeast
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Getting to Sydney Airport Afterwards
Once you've finished lunch, simply walk back to your luggage storage location, collect your bags and make your way to the nearest convenient station for the airport train.
Sydney Airport is connected to the city by rail, making this a relatively straightforward way to finish the day without needing to organise a car transfer.
Depending on where you've stored your luggage, Martin Place or St James may be convenient stations to use.
Both are on the City Circle network, although you should check the current train timetable and connections before travelling.
Sydney Airport has train stations serving both the domestic and international terminals, so make sure you're travelling to the correct one.
Just remember to allow enough time for collecting your luggage, travelling to the airport, checking in and clearing security.
If you're flying internationally, you'll generally need a larger buffer than for a domestic flight.
And while this itinerary works particularly well with a late afternoon or evening departure, I wouldn't attempt to squeeze it into a tight connection.
The whole point is to enjoy your last few hours in Sydney, not spend lunch nervously checking the time. 😂
A Few Things to Consider Before Booking
Before committing to SkyFeast, I'd check your expected disembarkation time, flight departure, luggage storage hours and available restaurant bookings.
Lunch is the most practical option for many passengers with late afternoon or early evening flights, although dinner could work if you're staying overnight or departing much later.
Remember that Sydney cruise ships can arrive at either Circular Quay or White Bay, which changes the first part of your journey.
And if you're travelling with children, consider how everyone is likely to be feeling after disembarkation.
A relaxed lunch with beautiful views can be much more appealing than trying to fit in several hours of sightseeing.
I'd also leave some flexibility in your plans. Cruise disembarkation can occasionally take longer than expected, and public transport services can be disrupted.
A Lovely Way to Finish a Sydney Cruise
There's something particularly nice about ending a cruise with one final experience instead of heading straight to the airport.
Sydney is a beautiful city, and if you've already travelled all that way to cruise from Circular Quay, it seems a shame not to enjoy a little more of it before going home.
A short train ride, somewhere to store your luggage and a leisurely buffet lunch overlooking the city can turn an otherwise awkward few hours into a memorable finish to your holiday.
And it's certainly better than spending the afternoon sitting beside your suitcase at the airport. 😂
