INCLUSIONS
- ULTIMATE Group Leader
- Airport arrival transfer
- 7 nights’ shared accommodation at WakeUp Hostel Sydney (10-bed mixed dorms)
- Welcome Gap Year Orientation & Sydney City Walk
- Welcome Dinner & Drink at WakeUp Hostel
- Private Sydney Harbour Catamaran Cruise (incl. Aussie BBQ & beach swim)
- Access to Sydney New Year’s Eve celebration options (cruise packages, events at extra cost)
| - Bondi Beach New Year’s Day outing
- Return transfer to ULTIMATE Basecamp at Port Stephens
- Wildlife spotting & coastal walks
- 4WD through the Worimi Conservation Lands
- Sandboarding on the Stockton Bight Dunes
- Tomaree National Park hike & lookout
- Evening beach stargazing experience
| - Dolphin-spotting cruise at Port Stephens
- Sydney nightlife experiences with your group
- 3 x Dinners, 2 x Breakfasts, 2 x Lunches
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THE ITINERARY
The Ultimate Sydney New Year’s Week is the best way to celebrate the start of 2026! Spend an unforgettable week in Sydney with other 18–35 year-old travellers from around the world on a custom itinerary designed around the biggest night of the year. Your week is packed with social activities, must-see highlights, and hidden gems of Sydney, all led by a fun, experienced Group Leader. The highlight? Ringing in the New Year with your new mates as Sydney puts on one of the world’s most iconic fireworks shows over the harbour. This is the ultimate way to kick off your year with memories to last a lifetime!
Day 1 | Monday | Welcome to Sydney
Meet at WakeUp Reception at 11:30am for a quick intro session and a walking tour of Sydney, including Darling Harbour. Bring comfy shoes, sunscreen, your phone and some money for lunch. In the evening, meet your new mates again at 6:30pm in the WakeUp Reception for a welcome dinner and drinks. (Dinner & 1 drink included – bring your ID).
Day 2 | Tuesday | Sydney Harbour Boat Day
Spend the afternoon on our private catamaran cruising Sydney Harbour! Take in iconic views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, swim at a secluded beach, and enjoy a traditional Aussie BBQ onboard. (Lunch included).
Day 3 | Wednesday | New Year’s Eve in Sydney
Today is a free day to enjoy Sydney at your own pace. In the evening, you’ll have a range of options to experience one of the world’s most famous New Year’s Eve celebrations:
- Book an optional New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise Package (extra cost)
- Line up early for a prime spot to watch the iconic fireworks over Sydney Harbour
- Purchase a ticket to Luna Park’s annual NYE event (extra cost)
- Or choose from many other events happening across the city (extra cost)
Day 4 | Thursday | New Year’s Day at Bondi
We start the year in true Sydney style with a day at Bondi Beach! Celebrate with other travellers and expats in the traditional beach party atmosphere – bring your swimmers, towel, sunscreen, and energy for a fun recovery day in the sun.
Day 5 | Friday | Port Stephens Basecamp
This morning, meet your Group Leader at WakeUp Reception and get ready for a 3-day, 2-night trip to our Ultimate Basecamp at Port Stephens. Spot local wildlife, relax on the beach and settle in for a group dinner. (Dinner included).
Day 6 | Saturday | Sandboarding & National Park Adventures
Head out by 4WD to the massive sand dunes for sandboarding, then explore Tomaree National Park on a guided bushwalk. In the evening, enjoy a BBQ dinner before heading down to the beach for a night under the stars. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included).
Day 7 | Sunday | Dolphin Cruise & Return to Sydney
After breakfast, jump aboard a dolphin-spotting cruise to see wild bottlenose dolphins. Bring your swimmers, camera and money for lunch. In the afternoon, we return to Sydney, check back into WakeUp, and wrap up an unforgettable New Year’s week adventure. (Breakfast included).
DOWNLOAD ITINERARY
NEW YEAR'S EVE
New Year’s Eve in Sydney is one of the most iconic celebrations in the world. Millions of people gather around Sydney Harbour to watch the famous midnight fireworks light up the sky over the Opera House and Harbour Bridge – it’s an atmosphere like no other and something every traveller should experience at least once in their life.
On this day, we don’t make arrangements for you – it’s completely up to you to decide how you want to celebrate. Everyone has their own style of New Year’s, and Sydney gives you endless options to choose from.
Boat Cruises: Join one of the exclusive NYE cruises on the harbour, with food, drinks, music, and unbeatable views of the fireworks.
Theme Parks & Festivals: Head to Luna Park or one of the many festivals across the city, with live music, entertainment, and an all-night party vibe.
Public Vantage Points: Want to keep it simple? You can join thousands of others at Sydney’s free vantage points. These are public parks and harbourside spots where you can watch the fireworks for free. Just be prepared – it’s first-come, first-served, and many people line up early in the day to secure a good view. Bring a picnic, snacks, and make a day of it while soaking up the pre-fireworks buzz.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, you’ll be part of one of the biggest New Year’s Eve events on the planet – and trust us, it’s a night you’ll never forget.
NEW YEAR'S DAY
After the biggest night of the year, there’s no better way to start 2026 than at Bondi Beach – Sydney’s most famous stretch of sand and a global icon in its own right. New Year’s Day at Bondi is a rite of passage for travellers and locals alike. Picture thousands of people, sun-soaked and smiling, shaking off the night before with a swim, a beach picnic, or simply lying back and soaking up the Aussie summer vibes.
Bondi comes alive on New Year’s Day. The atmosphere is buzzing with backpackers, expats, and Sydneysiders all sharing the same laid-back energy – it’s the ultimate recovery party. Whether you dive into the waves, chill with your mates on the sand, or join in the beachfront celebrations, it’s an experience you won’t forget.
Kicking off the year at Bondi is more than just a day at the beach – it’s the perfect mix of fun, freedom, and that “only in Australia” feeling. For many travellers, this is the moment they remember most from their Sydney New Year’s adventure.
BOOKING INFORMATION
HOW TO BOOK
To book your Ultimate Sydney New Year Week, simply select the Monday 29th December 2025 departure date and choose any optional extras you’d like to add. Once booked, we’ll send your confirmation along with all the important details you’ll need to prepare for the trip.
If you’re not ready to pay in full, you can secure your spot with a $300 deposit.
FLIGHTS, INSURANCE & VISA INFO
Flights to Sydney are not included. Compare flight prices here.
We recommend arriving into Sydney on Sunday 28th December, so you’re ready for the tour start on Monday morning. Arriving later? No problem – your arrival transfer can be arranged for any incoming flight.
Travel insurance is not included. Get a quote from our recommended travel insurance partners here or via World Nomads here.
ESSENTIAL BOOKING INFORMATION
The Ultimate Sydney New Year Week begins on Monday 29th December 2025 at 11:00am in Sydney and ends on Monday 5th January 2026 at 10:00am (check-out). Extra nights can be added when you book online. Read our full booking terms and conditions here.
Expect to spend around $50–$100 AUD per day on meals, drinks, and extra activities outside of what’s included. New Year’s Eve events in Sydney range from free public vantage points to premium experiences like cruises or festivals priced up to $399 AUD, depending on how you choose to celebrate.
EASY ARRIVAL
On arrival, catch your pre-arranged airport transfer directly to your hostel in the heart of Sydney. Everything will be set up so your check-in is quick and stress-free. Your Ultimate Sydney New Year adventure kicks off on Monday morning with your Group Leader and a full week of experiences ahead.
Trips do book out quickly, so secure your place with a deposit today or get in touch for help planning your New Year adventure!
OPEN DATED BOOKINGS
Not sure yet if you can make this New Year’s departure? Book open dated to secure the price, then lock in your spot on any available start date in the future (subject to availability).
