The Rocks Tour: Discover Sydney's Colonial History

Uncover the scallywag stories of convicts, soldiers, sailors, rum, and rebellions on a walking tour of Sydney’s colonial birthplace, The Rocks. Led by vibrant historians, this tour brings history to life through storytelling and visual imagery.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 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.
What's Included
  • 2.5 hour walking tour of 20 historic sites
  • Tour ends in The Rocks with local pub and cafe recommendations
  • Visual aids including historic photos, maps, and portraits
  • Inside visit at Customs House with Sydney scale model view
  • Expert guidance from a local crime historian
What's Not Included
  • Food is not included on this tour, but your tour guide will have fantastic local recommendations
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Get ready for a riveting journey through Sydney’s historical epicenter, The Rocks, in this engaging walking tour. You and your fellow explorers will dive into intriguing tales of convicts, military personnel, seamen, and revolts fueled by rum. Dynamic historians will lead the tour, engaging you with compelling narratives, vivid visuals, and…

Location
Customs House
Alfred Street
This tour meets in front of CUSTOMS HOUSE (31 Alfred Street Circular Quay). Your guide will be located outside the building on right hand-side if facing the entrance. Your guide will have a white tour folder that says CONVICT HISTORY TOUR and will check you in.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(280 Ratings)
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Tour23225940201
Sep 12, 2024
Bec is an amazing guide! - Bec had so so many interesting stories. We so enjoyed her tour. She was mindful of my sore knees and chose our path with that in mind. I'd highly recommend any tour she does. Her knowledge is extensive. I loved how she added in some personal stories. Great tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amber_s
Sep 12, 2024
Excellent tour! - Excellent tour, insightful guide, interesting storyteller. After having walked around the Rocks and Quay area previously, it was interesting to learn more about what has shaped the area over time. Would absolutely do it again!
Review provided by Viator
Cath
Sep 12, 2024
Informative and entertaining - Really enjoyed this very informative tour. The guide was a pleasure to listen to and made the subject entertaining. I would definitely recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fourbritsabroadagain
Sep 10, 2024
Informative and fun!! - Informative and fun, the tour was exactly what we wanted. Our guide was super knowledgeable and pointed out (and explained) so many interesting things that we would otherwise have completed missed. Would highly recommend, worth every penny.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anna_m
May 11, 2024
A very informative tour - This was a very informative tour & Bex our guide was very knowledgeable. She conducted the tour with so much enthusiasm & made it very interesting. We learnt a lot about the convicts and The Rocks and how Sydney became Sydney. Bex was able to answer all questions confidently. There was only 4 people on this guided tour so we were able to hear everything that was said, and also the tour was well paced. I would highly recommend this tour to first time visitors to Sydney.
Review provided by Viator
Justin_m
Apr 25, 2024
A must do tour when in Sydney - Excellent content and presentation. Read the ‘Fatal Shore’, go on Max’s tour and understand the colonial birthplace of Australia.
Review provided by Viator
Vernon_m
Apr 12, 2024
Walking tour gem - 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.
Review provided by Viator
Kevin_k
Mar 29, 2024
The 'WALK BACK' in time - 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.
Review provided by Viator
Kathryn_c
Apr 15, 2024
A great way to get an understanding of the history of Sydney. - 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.
Review provided by Viator
William_m
May 5, 2024
Interesting but too long - Our tour guide was great. The tour was interesting and informative, but this 3-hr tour should be about 1.5 hours.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 14 guests
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November 2024
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