Australia · HOP-ON HOP-OFF BUS TOURS
Worth it in Sydney where the sights are spread and the hills are real, less so where a tram does the same job. These 15 compare route coverage, how often the buses run and whether a harbour cruise is bundled in.
Use a 24- or 48-hour Big Bus pass across Sydney’s city and Bondi routes, with 23 stops, multilingual commentary, Wi-Fi, and an optional Captain Cook harbour cruise. Add the night tour if offered. Staff such as Pat, Stephen, Gill, and Josh have helped make departures friendly and informative.
“really enjoyed the big bis sydney the commentary was really funky unlike many previous tours”
See Sydney from an open-top double-decker bus on city and Bondi routes, with recorded commentary in eight languages, WiFi, and flexible 24 or 48-hour access. Stops cover the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, The Rocks, Fish Market, museums, parks, and Bondi Beach. Optional upgrades add a Captain Cook harbor pass and night tour.
“The red blue and the purple bus was a really good experience, seeing the city in one go and hopping off and on on the next bus within 30-40 mins. It was convenient and efficient way of seeing Sydney when on a solo short trip The ferry however was a scam. It was no hop on hop off situation. If you hop off you get stranded for 3 hours (I did). It’s not well managed nor do they care about the hop on hop off customers. The ferry leaves earlier than the designated time, at the drop off destinations there is no one to ask when is the next ferry…”
See Hobart from an open-top double-decker bus on a 90-minute loop with 20 stops. Your ticket works for 24 hours from first use, during daily service from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Ride the full circuit first, then stop at Salamanca Place, Cascade Brewery, the Botanical Gardens, the Female Factory, and more.
“Very easy way to see the sights and areas around Hobart. Just know that you should not “hop off” close to 3:00pm somewhere remote as they stop running then and you’ll have to uber back.”
See Perth and Kings Park from an open-top bus on a 24 or 48-hour pass. Stay aboard for the full two-hour circuit, or hop off at stops such as Elizabeth Quay, the Perth Mint, Northbridge, and Kings Park. Recorded commentary is available in eight languages, with hourly buses, shade upstairs, air-conditioning below, and wheelchair access.
“I saw lots of things I would not have seen had I not been on the bus”
This 3.5-hour small-group tour takes you from your hotel through The Rocks, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Rose Bay, Watsons Bay, Bondi Beach, Centennial Park, Paddington, Chinatown, and Darling Harbour. Choose morning or afternoon departure, ride with a driver-guide such as Vic, Paul, Nigel, or Graham, and finish at Darling Harbour.
“Very informative. Andy was an excellent and fun guide . Took us to an extensive range of places: mainly by bus, but some walking time too.”
Ride Hobart’s open-top double-decker bus on a 90-minute city loop, then hop off at places such as Salamanca Place, Battery Point, Cascade Brewery, the waterfront, and the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Choose a 24 or 48-hour pass, use onboard WiFi, and listen to recorded commentary or driver tips as you explore independently.
“Hop in and let the driver do the rest!!! Enjoy the comments and learn about Hobart.:-)))))))))))))))”
Start at Katoomba railway station and use the Lyrebird Explorer Bus to reach Blue Mountains lookouts, walks, and waterfalls. Your $82 pass also covers unlimited Scenic World rides, including the steep Scenic Railway, Cableway, Skyway, and rainforest boardwalk. Guides such as Angus and Damien add local stories and practical walking tips.
“Long drive but guide kept us informed as to the history of areas on the way to hobbiton.”
Ride Perth’s double-decker Explorer bus around a 15-stop circuit covering the CBD, Swan River waterfront, Optus Stadium, the Perth Mint, Kings Park, Botanic Gardens, and Watertown. Listen to commentary in 11 languages or let children follow Kev the Green Kangaroo. The full loop takes about two hours, with buses running from morning into late afternoon.
“Great way to see the city when you have limited time, plenty to see and being able to hop on and off gives you that option”
See Darwin from an open-top double-decker bus with a 24 or 48-hour pass. The circuit links Crocosaurus Cove, Cullen Bay, Mindil Beach, museums, the Military Museum, Stokes Hill Wharf, and the Waterfront. Pre-recorded commentary adds useful local history, while hop-on access lets you set your own pace.
“Plan your time because some of the attractions need a bit of time. The service from the staff was amazing and everywhere we visited was worth seeing. Loved it.”
This full-day Barossa Valley tour picks you up at Adelaide’s Stamford Plaza at 9:30 am and carries you between 10 to 15 wineries, eateries, bakeries, and town stops. You choose where to hop off, usually fitting about four visits into the five-hour valley circuit. Guides such as Laurie, Brett, Bronnie, and Yvette add local advice.
“We loved the Hop On Hop Off experience. So good to be able to choose where you want to stop and what you want to see and where to spend your time. We had a wonderful time on this tour. Laurie our guide was great really informative and helpful. I would even do this tour again and choose different venues to visit. We will be back.”
Take the Explorer Bus from Brooke Street Pier to the 1270-metre summit of Kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Your English-speaking driver-guide shares Hobart stories, stops at lookouts, and gives you 30 minutes at the top. Use the pass to hop off at Fern Tree Park, The Springs, The Chalet, Big Bend, or The Pinnacle for short walks.
“The commentary was amazing, as was the drive up to the top. Overall great trip.”
Use a mobile ticket to board the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus at Katoomba Railway Station or any of 29 stops around Katoomba and Leura. Buses run about every 30 minutes, with friendly local guides such as Jimmy, Damien, and Kylie sharing tips. Add the Lyrebird Pass for unlimited Scenic World rides.
“All of it, great service and commentary on the bus, drivers knowledgeable, friendly and very helpful . Definitely a great way to see the blue mountain attractions”
Travel from Brisbane in a small group of up to 13, visit the daytime Glow Worm Caves, then use flexible hop-on hop-off transport around Tamborine Mountain. Guides such as Anthony, Andy, Terry, and Scotty are known for friendly local commentary and practical stop suggestions. Allow extra money for lunch, the Skywalk, or the optional $10 wine tasting.
“Andy was a great bus steerer and entertainer. We had 5 on our hop on off part of the tour but we all agreed on an itinerary for the afternoon and Andy drove us around as a group and we got to do more than we would have if we split up. Glow worms were great and enjoyed the skywalk. Next time I would opt for an earlier lunch and at least an hour to get around the shops. Enjoyed our day. Might do the winery tour next time!”
Ride to the 1,270-metre summit of kunanyi/Mt Wellington, spend 30 minutes taking in the views, then use a 48-hour open-top bus pass around Hobart. Drivers such as Tony, Paul, Dave, Sue, and Greg are known for friendly local commentary. The mountain weather can change fast, so bring warm layers.
“Our tour guide was excellent, well spoken and on time. The view of Mt Kunanyi/Mt Wellington was spectacular. We had so many lovely photos. I highly recommend this tour when in Hobart. I forgot his name but he was the guide on Sunday morning 9/01/24 9:30am.”
Ride the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus from Katoomba to cliff lookouts, waterfalls, bushwalks, Scenic World, and Leura Village. Hop off for a short view or a longer walk, then rejoin the route. English commentary, a useful map guidebook, and hourly departures make this a practical choice when you have no car.
“Had a great time exploring Katoomba and Leura by utilising the hop on, hop off bus.”
Pick a coastline, a desert or a cellar door.
