Sydneysiders Dazzled by Cabaret Dinner Cruise

Ask any Sydneysider, that view just never gets old. The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House are always a show-stopper; and integral to Sydney life, is getting out on the water to appreciate our beautiful city.

Combine Sydney’s spectacular harbour views with a bold burst of colourful sequins, feathers and a score of high-energy musical numbers, and voila… you’ve got yourself a truly iconic Sydney experience!    

Locals will be familiar with the historic red and white paddlewheeler moored at King Street Wharf. Sydney Showboats has, incredibly, been welcoming guests since 1987. Some are drawn by the appeal of cruising around Sydney Harbour, others by the lure of cabaret. At the end of the night, everyone wins.   

With so many years under its belt, the experience is well-tuned, although anything but dated. The widely-acclaimed cabaret show ‘Voyage of Love’ sweeps guests into a musical journey, with a song list inspired by signature dances from around the world. Think French Cancan (of course!), Brazilian Carnival, Spanish Flamenco and Indian Bollywood, all packaged into one hugely entertaining show.   

The glamorous troupe of local dancers perform ten fast-paced and tightly choreographed sets in their cabaret couture, adorned in feathers and headdresses to suit each segment. An esteemed lead vocalist guides the evening with world-class talent. Just the right amount of kitsch from the performers adds to the fun of the evening.   

The dining experience is the cherry on top. Sydney locals have seen restaurants come and go, but impressively enough, Sydney Showboats has served more than seven million guests. The 3-course set menu is satisfying as it is, but with Sydneysiders enjoying the finer things in life, there is the option to add on extra luxuries, such as lobster thermidor and a cheese platter. 

Begin the evening with a luscious cocktail, like a Blood Orange Spritz or Lychee Highball. If you’re in the mood to celebrate, start with a bottle of Ba-Ba-Rumba Prosecco or Veuve Clicquot before moving onto the wine list of Aussie favourites, with a heavy lean towards NSW producers, as well as international superstars.  

Impress your significant other with the full package — dinner and a show, with Sydney Harbour your stage. Date night just went up a notch as you cruise under the sparkling lights of the Bridge and past the shining sails of the Opera House.  

Spread the word and gather your besties, as you can’t dream up a more fabulous girls’ night out. Same goes for work parties — you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the loud cheers from your usually quiet co-workers. The pre-booked set-menu and drinks packages make it an ideal and easy option for group events like hens’ nights and team-building dinners.  

The silver lining of the pandemic is that we were all reminded to explore our own cities and support our local talent. Sydney Showboats does all this and more. A not-so-hidden gem, the experience brings together the things we love best about Sydney — its harbour, its dining and its dazzling theatrics.