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Balmain Pub Walk: Iconic Sydney Pubs Tour
Visit Sydney’s most famous ‘puburb’ on the Balmain Pub Walk. This 3 hour small group historical walking tour visits four iconic Balmain pubs, stopping for a drink in each. Step away from the tourist crowds and get some local stories with a local flavour.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
Balmain is Sydney’s most famous ‘pub-urb’ as it has the highest pub to people ratio in Australia.
Balmain has been the home of duelling colonists, escaped convicts, gangsters and football players that can’t be killed. Combine all of them in the place that has more pubs per person than anywhere else in Australia and you’ve got a recipe for some of the most colourful local history in the country.
The pubs here have seen it all, convicts, movie stars, gangsters, Olympians and even been the birthplace of a major political party.
This 3 hour tour walking weaves through the streets and stories of Balmain visiting 4 of its most iconic pubs where you can enjoy a choice of craft beer or wine in each.
Tour highlights include:
- Balmain’s Oldest Pub
- The Watch House
- Escape from Cockatoo island
- Balmain gangsters
- The Balmain Tigers’ ‘Team of the Penitentiary’
- Duelling colonists
- The murderous confectioner
- The hidden treasure of Australia’s most audacious robbery
- and many more tales of murder, vice and intrigue
Points of Interest
-
Cockatoo Island
-
Peek Tours Sydney
-
Balmain Market
-
Dave’s Pub Walks
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Beverages
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Lunch
Additional Information
- Minimum age is 18 years
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(11 Ratings)
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1 star
Qld4101
Nov 20, 2020
Great afternoon - Great afternoon, Dave (Greg) kept our group entertained. As someone who lives in Sydney and spent time here it was really interesting to hear the history behind the area.
Greg was very knowledgable about the beer and was cool find a few that I hadn't tried.
You'll enjoy it not just for the beer but the history also.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Martinm247
Nov 15, 2020
A Very Pleasant Saturday Afternoon - I was impressed with the balance between history, geography, pub and beer information. It was all delivered by Greg with a great sense of fun.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ross
Feb 10, 2019
Fun facts of Balmain, Beer and an interesting walk - Its a quirky look at certain pubs in Balmain. Hidden gems with some interesting banter from Greg our guide about the history of the pubs, the area and people through different eras of Balmain that we were unaware of. It was a great present from my daughter and my sons also got the present so we had a group of four plus Greg which made it an informal and very pleasant afternoon
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Takenover123
Apr 16, 2018
Highly recommended tour! - The Balmain pub tour is the perfect afternoon of history, beer and stories of the past. Gregg (aka Dave) was incredibly knowledgeable and could answer all the challenging Australian history questions posed by my American relatives!!
Highly recommended way to spend an afternoon in Sydney!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ryanmcgreal
Jan 15, 2018
Balmain Pub Walking Tour - I can't recommend this tour enough. We went over the weekend in a fairly small group and it was terrific. The guide we had (Gregg) was really informative. He kept things interesting and fun the whole time with historical facts and anecdotes about the area.
We went to four different pubs and learnt about the history of each and most importantly the different beers available in each place.
Would highly recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about the Sydney area with an appetite for good craft beer.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Garthj2018
Jan 15, 2018
The best way to see Balmain! - We had a great day learning all about the sleepy, boozey puburban pocket that is Balmain. Great stories, great pubs and great beer! Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Heidi
Dec 20, 2017
Balmain Beertastic - Great afternoon of laughs, learning and lagers....well more delicious craft beers and less lagers, but you get the gist. Gregg, our guide, was warm, welcoming and well informed on the colorful history of Balmain. All of the pubs that we visited were great with a special shout out to the staff (and beverages) at the East Village Hotel who were all exceedingly helpful and accommodating. All in all, our group had a ball, and I will certainly do another tour, perhaps Dave’s Brewery Tour next! An outstanding day. Highly recommend for any lover of beer/wine/cider or history. Thanks
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brataccas
Nov 27, 2017
Amazing, fun, refreshing tour; top of the crop anywhere. Gregg rocks. - Having been to Sydney several times, we were looking for a tour that would be both insightful, fun, sincere and off the beaten path. We have done tours with such aim before, from Sydney to London. Not only was Dave's tour an amazing insight into - in our case - Balmain, but Gregg was a fabulous tour guide, partner, insightful Sydneysider that we would come back to tour with anywhere, anytime.
While some pub tours (or tours in general) can be dry or formulaic, Gregg's style lends itself to an incredibly fun afternoon that makes you truly part of the afternoon, not just a spectator. Clearly able to adapt to his clientele, he was a joy to be with, learn from, and convinced us to do Dave's Tours again in a heartbeat when we return to Sydney!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Natalie
Apr 25, 2017
Great fun and informative tour - My partner and I did the Balmain Pub Tour and we had a great time. Guide was really informative. The walk goes through the streets of Balmain so you see sights you may not see by car. Really enjoyable day out.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robert
Jan 19, 2018
Great way to spend an afternoon - What a way to see & learn about historic Balmain!
Thanks Gregg, have already told friends about your service
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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