Make Sydney Harbour Your Office

Sydney By Kayak | Lavender Bay, Sydney Harbour

Imagine starting your workday as the sun rises behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge, reflecting its rays off the sails of the Sydney Opera House. Your morning commute is across Sydney Harbour, your first coffee is barista made, and your customers are ridiculously happy to be there. By the time most of Sydney is opening their laptops, you’ve already spent the morning paddling beneath the Harbour Bridge.

Welcome to Sydney By Kayak.

We’re looking for several amazing Lead Kayak Guides to join our award winning ecotourism team for the upcoming summer season, with opportunities to stay well beyond summer for the right people.

We’re a small, passionate team who genuinely love what we do. For almost fourteen years, Sydney By Kayak has been creating memorable kayaking experiences on Sydney Harbour, combining adventure, warm Australian hospitality and a genuine commitment to protecting the environment we’re lucky enough to work in.

Our Sunrise Kayak and Coffee experience has become one of Sydney’s most iconic ways to see the harbour. We also run morning adventures, sunset paddles, corporate experiences and environmental clean ups, and now we’re looking for some exceptional humans to help lead them.

What does a Lead Guide at SBK actually do?

You’ll lead groups of paddlers onto Sydney Harbour and make them feel like they’re spending a few hours exploring with a great friend who just happens to know an enormous amount about the harbour and the best spots for iconic photos.

Yes, you need to be an excellent paddler, but being an amazing SBK guide is about much more than kayaking. It’s remembering someone’s name, helping a nervous first time paddler feel completely comfortable,



knowing when someone needs a little encouragement, sharing outstanding stories about Sydney, making people laugh, taking incredible photos, looking after your support guides and noticing the little things that turn a good experience into an unforgettable one.

And every now and then, you’ll probably find yourself sitting on Sydney Harbour at sunrise or sunset thinking, “I cannot believe this is my job.”

We’d love to meet you if you have

- At least one year of kayak guiding experience

- A recognised Kayak Guide or Instructor qualification from an accredited organisation

- Current First Aid and CPR

- Strong paddling ability and good physical fitness

- Fantastic communication skills and naturally warm customer service

- Confidence leading groups and making decisions on the water

- Leadership or mentoring experience, as our Lead Guides work alongside a team of co-guides

- Availability for early mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays

- A genuine love of people, adventure and the natural environment

- Australian working rights

- The sort of personality that makes people feel comfortable within seconds of meeting you

And if you bring positive energy, a good sense of humour and occasionally enjoy singing while you work, our founder Laura will probably consider that an unofficial qualification.

The good stuff

We believe great guides should be looked after.





You can expect competitive pay based on your qualifications and experience, ongoing training and development, opportunities to take on greater leadership within the business, and a workplace where your ideas are genuinely welcomed.

On Sunrise shifts, there’s a barista made coffee waiting for you at dawn, followed by a freshly prepared breakfast and another coffee at our Eco Hub after the tour.

Our guides also have access to their own downtime space at the Hub, including a private sunny courtyard and a dark loft rest area where you can properly switch off between adventures.

There are team excursions, dinners and plenty of opportunities to explore Sydney together. Most importantly, you’ll join a close knit team of people who genuinely care about one another, our customers and Sydney Harbour.

No beige office. No fluorescent lights. No sitting in traffic wondering what happened to your life.

Just sunrises, sunsets, coffee, kayaks, great people and one of the most spectacular, award winning workplaces in Australia.

Sound like your kind of job?

We’d genuinely love to hear from you.

Please send your resume and a short introduction to ••••@sydneybykayak.com.au

Tell us a little about yourself, your kayaking and guiding experience, what brings you to Sydney, and why you think you’d be a great addition to the Sydney By Kayak team.

Personality matters to us, so please don’t feel like you need to write a formal corporate cover letter. We’d much rather hear about the real you.

We’re hoping to recruit soon and begin training ahead of the summer season.

Come and make Sydney Harbour your office.

Sydney By Kayak
More than kayaking..

📌 Lead Kayak Guides (North Sydney)
🏢 Sydney by Kayak
📍 North Sydney