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

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

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From $30.22

199 reviews (4.99)

Price varies by group size

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Pricing Info: Per Person

Duration: 2 hours

Departs: Sydney, Sydney

Ticket Type: Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Free cancellation

Up to 24 hours in advance.

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Overview

Expect fascinating history, delivered with energy and insight on a walking exploration of Sydney's colonial birthplace: The Rocks. Together your group will uncover the scallywag stories of convicts, soldiers, sailors, rum & rebellions. This tour is led by vibrant historians who share their passion for the past through great storytelling, visual imagery and extensive research.

Before reaching the narrow alleyways & hidden ruins of The Rocks district, you’ll enter inside Sydney’s historical Customs House & discover the colonial relics at Macquarie Place.

In The Rocks your guide will bring to life the convicts, craftsmen & cut-throats littered throughout its early history. You'll also venture below street level to discover a sandstone cellar connected to Sydney's gold-rush era.

After getting lost in the area's rich history this tour finishes in the heart of The Rocks surrounded by heritage pubs, cafes, boutique shopping, art galleries & the local market on Saturdays. Welcome aboard!

What's Included

2.5 hour walking tour covering approximately 20 historic sites and stories

A local Sydney history expert as your tour guide

Local recommendations and extra question time with your guide is included after the tour.

Tour finishes at a friendly old fashioned Pub in The Rocks for a chance to share a drink together

What's Not Included

Food is not included on this tour, but your tour guide will have fantastic local recommendations

Gratuities

Traveler Information

ADULT: Age: 16 - 80

Additional Info

Anyone requiring special assistance is kindly asked to make contact with your local operator in advance.
Groups are kept small (10 person maximum) and we encourage questions and interaction.
Public transportation options are available nearby
We continue our tours in all weather conditions so please dress accordingly. Umbrella's are a good idea if wet weather seems likely.
Your guide will ensure that Covid-safe social distancing measures and a contact free policy is in place throughout the tour

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are advised that this tour may include the names and images of people who are now deceased.
Due to the layout of The Rocks, some stairs are unavoidable at certain points along the way, but majority of the route follows flat terrain.
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Your guide is a native English speaker and will carry tour folder with A3 size images to help illustrate the area's past

Cancellation Policy

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

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Experience may be cancelled due to Insufficient travelers
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What To Expect

Journey Walks

Meet you guide at our Journey Walks' starting point Quay Bar — an outdoor venue with coffee and bathrooms where you can take a seat and enjoy being transported back in time as your guide introduces the age of British penal colonies and the story you are about to undertake on foot.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket 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.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket 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

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.

1 hours • Admission Ticket Free

The Argyle

A hidden courtyard in the heart of The Rocks with an ancient sandstone storehouse once filled with barrels of spirits and tobacco that now functions as a beer garden and club.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

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