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Convicts and The Rocks: Sydney's Walking Tour Led by Historian

5 (273)
Sydney, AU
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Convicts and The Rocks: Sydney's Walking Tour Led by Historian

5 (273)
Sydney, AU
Share
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Experience the captivating history of Sydney's colonial birthplace on the Convicts and The Rocks walking tour led by vibrant historians. Get ready for fascinating tales of convicts, soldiers, sailors, and rebellions as you explore the narrow alleyways, hidden ruins, and sandstone cellars of The Rocks district. Before diving into this rich history, the tour begins with a visit to Sydney's historical Customs House and the colonial relics at Macquarie Place. Led by knowledgeable guides who bring the past to life through storytelling and visual imagery, this tour guarantees an immersive and educational experience. After delving into Sydney's convict history, the tour concludes in the heart of The Rocks, surrounded by heritage pubs, cafes, boutique shopping, art galleries, and the local market on Saturdays. Don't miss out on this captivating journey through Sydney's past!

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Included
  • 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Suitable for 1-14 Participants
  • Private Tour, Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Fascinating history of Sydney's colonial birthplace
  • Scallywag stories of convicts, soldiers, sailors, rum & rebellions
  • Hidden ruins and sandstone cellar from Sydney's gold-rush era
  • Wandering through back alleys and cobbled lanes of The Rocks
  • Finish in the heart of The Rocks surrounded by historic pubs and cafes
  • 2.5 hour walking tour covering approximately 20 historic sites and stories
  • Tour finishes in the heart of The Rocks beside historic pubs and cafes with local recommendations
  • A visual folder with historic imagery, maps and portraits of the area presented by your guide
  • A visit inside Customs House to discover scale model of Sydney from above
  • A local Sydney crime historian as your tour guide
  • Gratuities
  • Food is not included on this tour, but your tour guide will have fantastic local recommendations

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Discover the fascinating history of Sydney's colonial birthplace, The Rocks, on an immersive walking tour led by passionate historians. This tour offers a unique opportunity to delve into the scallywag stories of convicts, soldiers, sailors, rum, and rebellions. As you explore the narrow alleyways and hidden ruins, you'll be captivated by the vibrant storytelling, visual imagery, and extensive research provided by your knowledgeable guide.

What to expect?

On this 150-minute tour, you can expect to embark on a journey through time, uncovering the secrets and tales of The Rocks district. From the moment you meet your guide in front of Customs House at Circular Quay, you'll be taken on a captivating adventure. The tour includes visits to historical sites such as Macquarie Place, where you'll discover hidden relics and learn about Sydney's original fresh water source, the Tank Stream. In The Rocks, you'll wander through back alleys and cobbled lanes, discovering hidden sandstone ruins, old slums, and underground cellars turned speak easy bars. The tour concludes in the heart of The Rocks, surrounded by heritage pubs, cafes, and boutique shopping.

Who is this for?

This walking tour is designed for history enthusiasts, curious travelers, and anyone seeking to explore the rich heritage of Sydney. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this experience promises to immerse you in the captivating stories of convicts, craftsmen, and cut-throats that shaped the history of The Rocks. From individuals interested in colonial history to architecture enthusiasts intrigued by sandstone facades and hidden ruins, this tour caters to a wide range of interests and curiosities.

Why book this?

Join this walking tour and unlock the hidden depths of Sydney's history. Led by engaging historians with a real passion for the past, this experience offers a unique blend of entertainment and education. The vibrant storytelling, visual imagery, and extensive research ensure that the history of The Rocks comes alive before your eyes. Whether you're a history buff or simply looking for an enriching cultural experience, this tour will leave you with a deep appreciation for the convicts, sailors, and street gangs who once occupied this area.

Good to know

During the tour, you'll have the opportunity to explore inside Sydney's historical Customs House and discover colonial relics at Macquarie Place, providing added insights into Sydney's past. It's important to note that the tour requires walking through narrow alleyways and cobbled lanes, so wearing comfortable footwear is recommended. Also, keep in mind that The Rocks area is brimming with character and surprises, so be prepared to be enchanted by its quirks and charms.

Reviews

Customers who have experienced this walking tour rave about the engaging and knowledgeable guides who bring history to life through their storytelling skills. Many reviewers highlight how the tour offers a unique perspective on Sydney's past, allowing them to uncover hidden aspects of The Rocks they would have never discovered on their own. Overall, participants express high levels of satisfaction with the tour, describing it as an immersive and captivating experience that exceeded their expectations.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Journey Walks

Meet you guide at our Journey Walks starting point in front of Customs House at Circular Quay for an introduction. Your guide will be located on right hand side of the building if facing the entrance with a CONVICT HISTORY tour folder.

Customs House

Begin your journey by unraveling the elaborate sandstone facade of Sydney Customs House — the gateway for people and goods arriving by ship into Sydney through the 19th & 20th Century. Then enter inside Customs House see a unique model of the entire city including Circular Quay and The Rocks in miniature (scale 1:500) below your feet as your guide illustrates the forming of the natural harbour and the urban settlement of Sydney.

Admission Included

Macquarie Place Park

Discover the hidden and forgotten relics found in Macquarie Place including the underground Edwardian lavatory, the First Fleet anchor and the Obelisk of distances — Sydney's first public monument designed and built by convicts for the Governor of NSW.

Admission Included

Tank Stream Fountain

Uncover the secrets of Sydney's original fresh water source, now hidden below your feet. The Tank stream not only helped Sydney's convict colony survive but it was one of the main reasons this cove was chosen as the site of Australia's first penal settlement

The Rocks

In The Rocks you'll find yourself wandering though back alleys and along cobbled lanes, passing some of the oldest pubs and houses in Sydney and getting lost in the stories of convicts, sailors and street gangs who occupied and worked in the area. Your guide will lead you to hidden sandstone ruins, old slums and underground cellars turned speak easy bars. The Rocks area is full of character, quirks and surprises.

The Argyle

Finish your tour in the heart of The Rocks nearby the Argyle Stores surrounded by historic pubs, converted storehouses, shops, cafes, and beer gardens

Admission Included

Reviews

(273)

5 (273)

Justin_M

Excellent content and presentation. Read the ‘Fatal Shore’, go on Max’s tour and understand the colonial birthplace of Australia.

Kathryn_C

Our guide, Beck provided us with a well structured and very interesting account and tour from the arrival of the British to Australia and the development of Sydney up to the present day. The illustrations she brought with her were particularly helpful.

Vernon_M

Bec, our tour guide, was wonderful - engaging, knowledgeable, and friendly. We enjoyed her sharing so many stories about Sydney and the Rocks. And wonderful to be able to walk around while learning history. Would highly recommend.

Kevin_K

The walking tour was excellent from start to finish 👏 . Our tour guide Beckie was very knowledgeable and dealt with all questions with interest and intusium.

TheStrods

Really informative and interesting walking tour around Sydney’s harbour. Beccs (our guide) was well informed and engaging which helped bring the history to life. Mostl of this walk is at street level, but there are a number of steps at the end of the tour, so most people should manage it quite well, however, I would check before you book if you have any accessibility needs as I’m not sure there is any alternative for wheel chairs, etc. All in all, well worth taking a couple of hours out of your time in Sydney if you can spare it, you will see a side to the city most will miss.

Vena_C

Fantastic guide so knowledgeable. Would recommend this tour interesting, entertaining and an easy walk.

Roamer023

As cruise ship passengers, we only had a day in Sydney, and this tour was perfect! Max is a fantastic guide and a master storyteller. We've had guides in the past that recite boring names and dates that we'll never remember, but not on this tour! With Max, we heard fascinating true stories about the convict history of Sydney and much more. We were left us with a much richer understanding of the area - thank you Max!

John_L

This tour brings alive early history of the rocks and why that location was important to the development of Sydney and the larger region. Our guide, Max, is a history teacher and that was evident in the way he wove the history and culture together to help us develop a feeling for what that place was/is about.

Katytrumbo

Rebecca was a fantastic tour guide. She wove the whole tour into a wonderful history lesson about the Rocks and Sydney. I would definitely recommend this tour!!

Chip_G

Max was our guide. He was simply the best guide we had in the three weeks in Australia (about 10 different tours). Besides completely knowing the subject, Max wove the history of the US into the history of Australia. Max provided anecdotes about each stop and foreshadowed future stops that became so much more meaningful when we got to that next stop. There was a lot of walking, but Max was patient, kept our group together and gave rest (and shade) when we needed it. Max was funny, informative and helpful. He offered suggestions on other things to do and see in Sydney. We were ready to sign up for his class. If you have any interest in better understanding the history and culture of Sydney, please sign up for this tour and specify Max.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-05-01 07:55