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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check available tour dates and times?

Current dates, departure times, prices and availability are shown in the booking calendar for each experience.

If your preferred date is not listed, or you are booking for a large group, please contact us. With reasonable notice, we may be able to arrange an additional session if the minimum guest numbers can be met.

What if a session shows zero places available?

If a session appears with zero places available, it is fully booked, but you can still select it and join the waitlist.

Waitlist offers are sent in the order customers verify their registration and also depend on whether the available seats can fit the requested party size. Places are not held and are secured only when the booking is completed.

You can join the waitlist for multiple sessions. Joining a waitlist does not guarantee that a place will become available or that you will receive an offer.

If you need several places or are organising a large group, please contact us. With reasonable notice, we may be able to arrange an additional session if the minimum guest numbers can be met.

Do the tours operate all year?

Yes. Tours operate throughout the year.

If your preferred date is not listed, please contact us. With reasonable notice, we may be able to arrange an additional session if the minimum guest numbers can be met.

How do I get there?

Driving is the easiest and most reliable option. There is free parking on the road leading down to the wharf.

If driving is not suitable, you can take the train to Hawkesbury River Station, then pre-book a lift with Brooklyn Water Taxi on 0422 300 100, Brooklyn Rideshare on 0425 266 437, or use My Local Ride for the full trip. Arrange both your arrival and return in advance. We do not provide transfers to the boat ramp, and Uber can be difficult to get from the pickup location.

Where does the tour start?

Tours depart from Kangaroo Point Boat Ramp, 1420 Pacific Highway, Brooklyn NSW, next to Luxury Afloat. Searching for Luxury Afloat Brooklyn in Google Maps usually gives the clearest directions.

How long do the tours run?

The Oyster Farm Tour generally runs for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

The Immerse Yourself experience generally runs for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.

The Oyster Elegance experience generally runs for approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.

These times are approximate. Allow up to an additional 30 minutes because tides and operating conditions can occasionally affect the return time.

What time should we arrive?

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time so you have time to find parking.

Our boat usually pulls up to the wharf at the start of your booking. Tours are scheduled to depart on time. If you are delayed, the boat may wait for up to 15 minutes.

If you are more than 15 minutes late, the team may be able to direct you to an alternative pickup point, depending on the boat’s location and the tour schedule. This is offered on a best-effort basis and cannot be guaranteed.

If you miss the departure and another pickup cannot be arranged, the booking will be treated as a no-show and will not be eligible for a refund.

What happens if it rains?

We aim to keep tours running in most weather conditions. The captain and team make the final decision on the day based on local conditions.

If a tour needs to be cancelled or rescheduled because of the weather, our team will contact you by SMS or phone to discuss options. A refund is also available if rescheduling is not suitable.

Can you confirm in advance whether a tour will operate?

The captain and team make the final decision on the day based on local conditions, so we may not be able to confirm the final outcome in advance.

What if the tour is running but I do not want to attend because of the weather?

If available for your booking, you can change your tour date or time through Manage my booking.

If you cannot reschedule online or would like to discuss your options, please contact us as early as possible.

How do I change my tour date or time?

For the same experience, you can usually change the date or time yourself in Manage my booking.

Please contact us when you need to cancel, change the number of guests, switch to a different experience, or if Manage my booking says the booking cannot be changed.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellations made at least 48 hours before departure are eligible for a full refund. No explanation is required.

Refunds are returned to the original payment method.

Can I reschedule within 48 hours?

Customers may request to reschedule within 48 hours where there is a reasonable explanation, such as illness, an emergency or concerns about the weather.

Try Manage my booking first if you only need a same-experience date or time change and the page still allows it. Otherwise, contact us as soon as possible.

We consider requests individually, including those made close to departure, but changes remain subject to availability and cannot always be accommodated.

This also applies to bookings made using gift cards or promotional discounts.

Everything else now preserves the client’s directions, including waitlists, large-group enquiries, self-service rescheduling, seasonal Oyster Elegance catering, and toilet information.

What happens if Sydney Oyster Tours cancels my tour?

You can reschedule or request a refund.

A refund is available if rescheduling is not suitable, including for interstate and international visitors.

How long do refunds take?

Refunds are processed automatically, but the time taken for the funds to appear depends on the customer’s bank or card provider.

What happens if I miss the boat?

If you miss the departure and the team cannot arrange another pickup point, the booking is treated as a no-show and is not eligible for a refund.

Do you offer gift cards?

Yes. Gift cards are available for purchase. If your gift card is for a specific tour, you also have the flexibility to upgrade to a different experience.

How long are gift cards valid?

Gift cards are valid for three years from the date of purchase. Redeem them in the booking flow on an experience page. If the card will not redeem and you believe it should, contact us.

Can I use more than one gift card?

Yes. Multiple gift cards can be used in one booking.

Can I combine a gift card with a card payment?

Yes. Gift cards can be combined with a card payment.

Can I upgrade a gift card to another experience?

Yes. You can apply the gift card value to another experience and pay the difference.

What happens if I cancel a booking paid with a gift card?

When an eligible refund is processed, the gift card portion is returned to the same gift card.

Any amount paid by card is returned to the original card where a refund is approved.

What if my gift card appears expired?

If the booking system says your gift card has expired and you believe this is incorrect, contact us.

Are gift cards transferable?

Yes. Gift cards can be transferred to another person.

Are gift cards refundable?

No. Gift card purchases are not refundable.

Can promotional discounts be used on gift cards?

Some promotions apply to gift cards and others apply only to direct experience bookings. Check the conditions of the specific promotion.

Are children allowed?

Yes. Children are welcome on tours, and child tickets are available where an experience offers them.

Age suitability and participation requirements can differ by experience and by conditions on the day, such as tide height for in-water activities. Check the experience page for the tour you are booking. If you still have questions about height, mobility or suitability for younger guests, contact us.

All children, including infants, must be included in the booking because every passenger must be recorded on the boat’s passenger manifest.

What should I wear?

For the Immerse Yourself experience, wear long pants, socks and comfortable clothing suitable for the weather.

Waders are provided. Guests should provide their shoe sizes before the tour where possible.

Wader body sizing increases with boot size. Guests with a larger build may be more comfortable requesting a larger size. If you are unsure which size to request, contact us.

Will we get wet?

The team makes every reasonable effort to keep guests dry during the boat ride, but spray may occur on windy days or because of wake from other boats. Bring a change of clothes if you are concerned about getting wet.

For the Immerse Yourself experience, waterproof waders are provided. They are regularly checked, but occasional leaks are possible. If you notice water entering your waders, tell the guide immediately so another pair can be provided.

What does the Immerse Yourself experience usually involve?

The experience normally includes boarding at the scheduled time, a 10 to 15 minute boat ride to the oyster lease, approximately 45 minutes of guided oyster farm information, and around 1 to 1.5 hours of in-water dining.

The order may change depending on the tide. The guided talk may take place before or after the in-water component.

I do not eat oysters. Are alternatives available?

Alternatives such as prawns or cheese and crackers may be arranged on request. This must be organised before the tour.

Food substitutions cannot always be arranged on the day. Contact us in advance if you need an alternative.

Can you accommodate food allergies?

Customers with food allergies should contact us before booking or as soon as possible after booking.

We can discuss available options, but we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment or the absence of cross-contamination.

What food is included in the Immerse Yourself experience?

The Immerse Yourself experience includes 18 fresh oysters per person, prawns and condiments.

What food is included in the Oyster Farm Tour?

The Oyster Farm Tour includes 12 oysters per adult and 6 oysters per child.

What food is included in Oyster Elegance?

Oyster Elegance includes approximately 18 to 24 oysters per person, depending on oyster size, a bowl of prawns, condiments, dessert and a gourmet beach lunch.

The menu is seasonal and selected by our caterer, so individual dishes may vary.

Can additional food be arranged?

Additional food may sometimes be arranged for an extra cost. It must be requested and confirmed before the tour because additional food may not be available on the day. Contact us to arrange this.

Are drinks included?

Guests are offered one glass of Crémant per person on the applicable dining experiences.

Additional drinks may sometimes be arranged before the tour. Contact us to arrange this.

Can we bring our own drinks?

Yes. Guests may bring their own alcoholic drinks on all tours.

Glasses are provided for Immerse Yourself and Oyster Elegance.

Glasses are not provided for the Oyster Farm Tour, so guests should bring their own suitable glasses or cups.

Guests under 18 cannot consume alcohol.

What condiments are provided?

Condiments may include lemon and red onion vinaigrette. The vinaigrette may contain gluten.

Is parking available?

Yes. Free parking is available near Kangaroo Point Boat Ramp, including on the road leading down to the wharf.

If you are arriving by coach or bus, contact us before arrival. Larger vehicles may be directed to Parsley Bay Boat Ramp, which has more room to park and turn around.

Are the tours wheelchair accessible?

Accessibility is limited. Guests need to be able to get on and off the boat with little help.

Our team can help where we can, but not every boat is wheelchair accessible. Contact us before booking so we can talk through your needs.

Are toilets available?

We recommend using a toilet before boarding.

If you arrive early, toilets may be available at The Estuary or Mooney Mooney Club during their opening hours.

The closest public toilets are:

If you need to use a toilet during the tour, please tell your guide. Where operating conditions allow, the boat can make a quick stop at a nearby public toilet.

Can you recommend local accommodation?

For a luxury stay nearby, we recommend Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Spa.

There are also many holiday homes, guesthouses and Airbnb properties around Brooklyn, the Hawkesbury River and the surrounding Central Coast.

Where do you operate?

Sydney Oyster Tours operates on the Hawkesbury River around Mooney Mooney and Brooklyn, approximately 45 minutes north of Sydney CBD. We also operate Brisbane Oyster Farm Tours at brisbaneoystertours.com.

How can I contact Sydney Oyster Tours?

The best first step for most requests is our contact page.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +61 416 888 801 (9am to 5pm every day)

When asking about an existing booking, include your booking reference, booking name and tour date where possible.

When asking about a gift card, include the gift card code where possible.