Is the Sydney Attractions Pass Worth It? An Honest Verdict and How to Get the Most Out of It
Is it worth it?
- Worth itYes for families doing 2-4 of the Darling Harbour attractions, starting with SEA LIFE. On Merlin's own sites it starts from A$49 for 2, less than two single tickets online.
- Skip itNo for Taronga Zoo. It isn't on it (A$51.30 online).
- Skip itNo for one attraction. Book it online directly.
- 2-4 attractions
- SEA LIFE first
- Sydney Tower Eye
What is The Sydney Attractions Pass?
The Sydney Attractions Pass bundles 2 to 4 of Merlin's Sydney attractions: SEA LIFE Aquarium (always the first visit), WILD LIFE Zoo, Madame Tussauds and Sydney Tower Eye.
In Sydney three of the attractions sit together at Darling Harbour, with Sydney Tower Eye a short walk away.
By our maths, you can save about 70% compared with buying each ticket separately. Realistic from 2 attractions.
- Attractions
- 2-4
- First visit
- SEA LIFE
- Taronga Zoo
- Not included
- Price
- From A$49 (2) on Merlin's site
How to get the most value out of The Sydney Attractions Pass
Do SEA LIFE first, then the zoo and Madame Tussauds next door; the Tower Eye fits the evening.
| Don't | Do this instead |
|---|---|
| Start somewhere other than SEA LIFE | SEA LIFE must be your first visit on most versions. |
| Expect the Skywalk at Sydney Tower Eye | The pass covers the observation deck, not the Skywalk (A$84-99 on its own). |
| Pay at the Sydney Tower Eye door | Walk-up tickets are A$39; online they're A$29 on weekdays and A$34 at weekends. If you only want the tower, book online. |
| Choose WILD LIFE and Taronga on one trip | They're both zoos. WILD LIFE is at Darling Harbour; Taronga is across the harbour by ferry (A$7.35) and takes most of a day. |
| Go up Sydney Tower Eye at midday | Go for sunset over the harbour. |
| Visit SEA LIFE in school holidays mid-morning | Go at opening. |
| Head to SEA LIFE Sydney without checking how busy it is | Check SEA LIFE Sydney's live crowd level on beatthecrowd.co first. If it's busy, do another Sydney sight on your pass and come back later. |
Before you set off for SEA LIFE Sydney, check how busy it is right now on beatthecrowd.co. An hour in a queue is an hour of your pass gone.
Check live crowds in Sydney →Who The Sydney Attractions Pass is for
Good fit
- Families with young kids doing a rainy or hot Darling Harbour day
- First-time visitors who want the city view from Sydney Tower Eye
- Short stays where Taronga doesn't fit
Skip it if
- Taronga Zoo is your zoo
- Only one attraction
- You'd rather spend the day at the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and Bondi, which cost nothing to see
- 2-4 attractions
- SEA LIFE first
- Sydney Tower Eye
What the pass covers
Choose 2, 3 or 4 of Merlin's Sydney attractions.
- Three are side by side at Darling Harbour; Sydney Tower Eye is a short walk away.
- SEA LIFE has to be the first visit, so start your pass day there.
- Sydney Tower Eye online is A$29-34, and the door price is A$39, so it's the attraction where the pass saves most against walk-up prices.
- Taronga Zoo isn't a Merlin attraction: A$51.30 online, A$57 at the gate.
The big sights
- SEA LIFE Sydney AquariumIncludedMust be your first visit.
- WILD LIFE Sydney ZooIncluded
- Madame Tussauds SydneyIncluded
- Sydney Tower Eye (deck)IncludedA$29-34 online on its own.
- Taronga ZooNot includedA$51.30 online.
- Sydney Opera HouseNot includedFree to see from outside; tours sold separately.
- 2-4 attractions
- SEA LIFE first
- Sydney Tower Eye
Pass vs individual tickets
On Merlin's own sites the passes start from A$49 for 2 attractions, A$54 for 3 and A$59 for all 4, against A$194 for the four at full price. Even against the cheapest single tickets online (SEA LIFE from A$39 on an off-peak weekday, Sydney Tower Eye A$29-34), 2 attractions come to A$68-73, so the pass saves money from 2 attractions up. Prices on resellers can differ, so compare before you buy.
- 2-4 attractions
- SEA LIFE first
- Sydney Tower Eye
Fine print
- Order
- SEA LIFE first on most versions.
- Validity
- On Merlin's own version, up to 60 days after your SEA LIFE visit to use the rest.
- Refunds
- Cancellation terms depend on where you buy, so check them on the listing before you pay.
Is it safe? Where people lose money
- Reassuring: The Sydney Attractions Pass is from Merlin, which runs all four attractions.
- Reassuring: Refunds: Cancellation terms depend on where you buy, so check them on the listing before you pay.
- Watch out: SEA LIFE must be your first visit.
Where people lose money
| Don't | Do this instead |
|---|---|
| Plan Taronga Zoo on it | Taronga isn't included (A$51.30 online). |
| Expect the Skywalk | The pass covers the Tower Eye deck only. |
| Queue at SEA LIFE Sydney at peak time | Check beatthecrowd.co for SEA LIFE Sydney's quiet hours before you go. |
Queuing is the easiest way to lose value in Sydney. Check which sights are quiet right now on beatthecrowd.co, starting with SEA LIFE Sydney.
Check live crowds in Sydney →- 2-4 attractions
- SEA LIFE first
- Sydney Tower Eye
Alternatives
Planning your order and avoiding queues is the simplest way to get full value: see how busy Sydney’s attractions are right now →
- 2-4 attractions
- SEA LIFE first
- Sydney Tower Eye
FAQs
Does the Sydney Attractions Pass include Taronga Zoo?
+
No. Taronga is A$51.30 online separately.
Is it worth it?
+
Yes for 2-4 of the Merlin attractions: from A$49 for 2 on Merlin's own sites, against A$68-73 for two single tickets online. For one, book it directly.
Which attraction do I have to visit first?
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SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, on most versions of the pass.
Does it include the Sydney Tower Skywalk?
+
No, only the Sydney Tower Eye observation deck. The Skywalk is A$84-99.
How much is the 4-attraction version?
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From A$59 online on Merlin's own sites, against A$194 for the four bought separately at full price.