At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead kayaking adventures on Sydney Harbour and create unforgettable experiences for guests.
- Company: Join the passionate team at Sydney By Kayak, an award-winning ecotourism company.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, ongoing training, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Be part of a close-knit team that values adventure, nature, and genuine connections.
- Why this job: Experience breathtaking sunrises and sunsets while working in one of Australia's most iconic locations.
- Qualifications: Must have kayak guiding experience, strong paddling skills, and excellent communication abilities.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 $ per year.
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 great 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
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. 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.
Lead Kayak Guides in North Sydney employer: Sydney by Kayak
Sydney By Kayak offers an extraordinary work environment where the beauty of Sydney Harbour becomes your office. As a Lead Kayak Guide, you'll be part of a passionate team that values adventure, customer connection, and environmental stewardship, all while enjoying competitive pay, ongoing training, and a supportive culture that encourages personal growth. With unique perks like barista-made coffee at dawn and a close-knit team atmosphere, this is more than just a job; it's a lifestyle filled with memorable experiences and genuine camaraderie.
