10 Extraordinary Sydney Experiences for Business Event Groups

1. Encounter Australian animals

For a top-quality wildlife experience in Sydney, look no further than the famous Taronga Zoo overlooking Sydney Harbour or Sydney Zoo in the city’s west.

• Groups can catch a charter vessel or ferry to Taronga Zoo, which offers a new immersive Australian wildlife experience – Nura Diya – a 400-metre walking trail where guests can stroll among kangaroos, meet adorable dingo pups and walk within the tree canopy to see koalas up close. The trail ends with nguwing nura - ‘nocturnal country’ – home to iconic night-loving Australian wildlife like spinifex hopping mice, ghost bats and the greater bilby. Taronga’s new Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Centre opened in June 2024 and provides opportunity for guests to encounter amphibians and reptiles from across Australia and around the globe through six immersive zones, from icy sub-alpine regions to blazing deserts and lush tropical rainforests.
• Sydney Zoo in Eastern Creek makes the perfect pit-stop to or from the Blue Mountains. It offers several experiences suitable for corporate groups, from the self-guided koala trail to a private VIP behind-the-scenes tour with a resident keeper, or an informative culture talk by a First Nations guide who’ll explain the significant role Australian animals play in Aboriginal culture.

2. Explore the Blue Mountains

Around 90 minutes’ drive from Sydney lie the majestic Blue Mountains, which make a fantastic day trip for business events groups.

• Scenic World offers an array of experiences, starting with the sensational Scenic Skyway suspended 270 metres above ancient ravines, which reveals the rainforest canopy beneath your feet through the electro-glass cabin floor, plus breathtaking views of Katoomba Falls.
• A slightly shorter journey, the Scenic Cableway gently descends into the Jamison Valley and returns to the top of the escarpment past iconic rock formations including the Three Sisters, Orphan Rock and Mt Solitary. Guests seeking an extra thrill can experience a 52° (128%) incline riding the steepest passenger railway in the world, the Scenic Railway.
• On the ground, the Scenic Walkway is a 500m elevated boardwalk through the rainforest, home to species of native flora and fauna dating back to the Jurassic era. It can be explored self-guided or with an Indigenous guide who’ll share the stories of Gundungurra Country through the eyes of the oldest living culture on earth.
• Nearby, the Zig Zag Railway allows guests to experience the nostalgia and romance of a bygone era, travelling on a heritage steam train through tunnels and across stone viaducts down the picturesque western escarpment of the Blue Mountains.

3. Take a ride on the wild side

Groups looking for a thrilling adventure in Sydney and surrounds can take a guided quad bike, motorbike or electric bike tour.

• In Port Stephens, two hours north of Sydney, the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council own and operate Sand Dune Adventures which combines First Nations culture with the exhilaration of riding a 400cc quad bike through the largest coastal sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere – the Worimi Conservation Lands. An Aboriginal guide shares the stories and history of the area, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the significance of the sand dunes to the area’s Traditional Owners.
• Back in the city, groups can experience the sights of Sydney Harbour on the back of a sleek Harley Davidson motorbike with Wild Ride Motorcycle Tours; from the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House to the famous Bondi and Manly beaches.
• Or, use pedal power (with a little extra help!) on a fully guided small group electric bike tour with Sydney Harbour Bike Tours or Bonza Bike Tours, which allow guests to explore key stops around the Harbour including Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour and Pyrmont.

4. Embark on an aquatic adventure

Home to the world’s largest natural harbour, seeing Sydney from the water is a must.

• Corporate groups can take a cruise on Sydney Harbour Tall Ships, which offers lunch, dinner and sunset cruises on an 1850s style tall ship that cruises past Fort Denison, the Opera House and under the Harbour Bridge.
• From May to November each year, migrating humpback whales can be spotted along the coast and occasionally in Sydney Harbour itself – get a close-up look with local experts Whale Watching Sydney. Whales can also be spotted north of Sydney in Port Stephens, where Moonshadow TQC runs seasonal whale watching cruises in the sheltered waters of Nelson Bay, as well as dolphin spotting cruises all year round.
• For a more hands-on activity, groups can learn to surf at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach under the guidance of a passionate and experienced instructor from Let’s Go Surfing.
• Alternatively, Sydney by Kayak offers group kayaking tours on the Harbour – including a sunrise experience which includes a barista-made coffee in a splash-proof eco cup.
  
  

5. Wet your whistle

Sydney and its surrounding regions boast a plethora of craft breweries, distilleries and wineries that offer experiences for business events groups.

• At Archie Rose Distilling Co in Rosebery, guests can gain an insight into the rich history of gin before being guided through the process of blending a carefully curated selection of Archie Rose gin with a choice of botanical distillates into their very own signature gin to take home.
• Or, take a self-guided exploration of the Inner West Ale Trail which celebrates 13 independent craft breweries in Sydney’s Inner West.
• In the famous Hunter Valley region, groups can go behind the scenes at the renowned Brokenwood winery with The Brokenwood Journey, which includes an exclusive private winery tour and barrel tasting plus a flight of premium wines matched with house-made canapés. For lovers of the Hunter Valley’s signature style – Hunter semillon – look no further than the historic Tyrrell’s Wines, which offers a guided vertical tasting of their iconic Vat 1 Semillon accompanied by locally sourced cheeses.
• Directly east of the Hunter Valley towards Port Stephens, B Farm by Murray’s boasts an onsite brewery, distillery, winery cellar door and a range of dining experiences, set among leafy gardens with shady outdoor decks, sunken terraces, a cocktail bar and a high tea pavilion.

6. Get a bird’s eye view

Sydney looks spectacular from above, and there are several ways groups can get a bird’s eye view of the harbour city.

• BridgeClimb takes guests to new heights - the summit of the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, in fact – which towers 134 metres (440 feet) above sea level and offers panoramic 360-degree views over Sydney Harbour. Private group climbs are available, and the BridgeClimb team can even arrange exclusive surprise experiences like a yoga class or a private musical performance at the summit. Or, scale to the summit with a First Nations Storyteller as your guide on the Burrawa Climb and learn the history behind Indigenous landmarks around Sydney Harbour including Bennelong Point and Barangaroo, while hearing the stories of Australia's First Nations peoples.
• Another fantastic way to see Sydney from above is on a scenic flight with Sydney Seaplanes, which depart from the harbourside location of Rose Bay. Guests can soar above Sydney’s famous coastline and harbour and take in the sights of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and famous spots like Bondi Beach. Sydney Seaplanes also offers transfers to waterfront venues like the hatted restaurant Jonah’s Whale Beach or Broken Bay Pearl Farm.
• In the Hunter Valley, hot air ballooning is the ultimate way to discover this picturesque wine region. Take a sunrise balloon flight with Hunter Valley Ballooning or Balloon Aloft and float above the vineyards of Australia’s oldest wine region.

7. Tantalise the tastebuds

• For groups interested in a foodie experience, Sydney Seafood School at the Sydney Fish Market runs private seafood cooking classes for corporate groups, which include drinks and seafood canapés, a cooking demonstration and then a hands-on cooking experience in the school’s state-of-the-art onsite kitchen. The Market is undergoing a major architectural transformation, and the new Sydney Fish Market will open in 2025.
• In Broken Bay on the Hawkesbury River, Sydney Oyster Farm Tours offers the chance for guests to explore an operating oyster farm where they’ll learn about the evolution of farming and current cultivation methods before enjoying an elegant white tablecloth seafood lunch on a secluded beach (starring freshly shucked oysters, of course!).
• Or, learn how to forage for wild food, medicinal plants, and edible fungi with Diego Bonetto, a foraging expert with more than 20 years of experience presenting wild food foraging workshops in Sydney and surrounding regions. Diego can offer bespoke adventures for corporate groups, from coastal foraging along Sydney’s beaches to wild mushroom workshops in the Blue Mountains.
  
  

8. Leave a legacy

To leave a lasting impact, organise an experience that mobilises social change.

• A leader in this field is Sydney-based company Team Building with Purpose, which specialises in developing and facilitating team building activities that also do good – resulting in wins for the team, the company, and the charity. From working together to create kits for people experiencing homelessness, to brainstorming practical ways to benefit the environment by reducing waste, this exciting hybrid between team building and corporate volunteering allows corporate groups to make a difference to both the destination they visit, and its people.
• Alternatively, choose to dine at a profit-for-purpose restaurant like Song Kitchen in Sydney’s CBD, where all profits go towards supporting women and children affected by domestic violence.
• Hosting an event at International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) also facilitates opportunities to give back through the different streams of ICC Sydney’s innovative Legacy Program – from choosing edible centrepieces for tables to engaging a First Nations supplier to provide an authentic Indigenous experience for delegates.
• The Sydney Street Choir provides uplifting group workshops as well as performances and has been changing lives through the power of song since 2001. It is a musical community that supports men and women dealing with homelessness, mental illness, addiction and/or social disadvantage.

9. Discover First Nations cultures

 Groups visiting Sydney can gain a deeper understanding of First Nations cultures by partaking in an experience hosted by an Indigenous guide.

• In the heart of Sydney, guests can walk alongside a First Nations guide through the Botanic Gardens on an Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour to learn more about native bush foods and how these foods were used traditionally and adapted to the modern plate and palate. Or, admire the beauty and history of Sydney Harbour through the lens of the Gadigal peoples on a one-hour Aboriginal Harbour Heritage Tour of the Gardens.
• For a water-based experience, jump aboard Tribal Warrior’s Mari Nawi ("big canoe”) vessel and explore Sydney’s stunning harbour in the warm and welcoming company of First Nations hosts and crew. This enriching two-hour experience includes a guided tour of the national park island of Be-lang-le-wool, known today as Clark Island – as well as an exhilarating cultural performance featuring traditional dances and music that celebrate the rich heritage of the First Nations peoples.
• Or, if you’re planning an event at ICC Sydney, engage Aboriginal community organisation KARI to facilitate a Yarning Circle - an ancient Aboriginal tradition incorporating cultural practices like weaving, dance, stories and conversations.

10. Admire the arts

One of Australia’s most culturally sophisticated cities, Sydney offers an exciting arts and culture scene for both locals and visitors.

• The Sydney Opera House is a good place to start when organising a cultural experience for groups, with a vibrant calendar of events taking place in the fabulous array of performance spaces within this architectural masterpiece. Bespoke performances for corporate groups can also be arranged with ensembles like Sydney Theatre Company, Bangarra Dance Theatre or Sydney Dance Company, as can private behind-the-scenes guided tours to reveal the inner workings of this complex and historic performing arts venue.
• From late March each year, Opera Australia presents Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour – a phenomenal spectacle under the stars featuring a popular opera or musical stage show, complete with harbourfront drinks and dining and culminating in nightly fireworks.
• And for those interested in the visual arts, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia offer fascinating guided tours, exhibitions, and event spaces.