The Rocks Guided Walking Tour in Sydney: Celebrating History and Heritage
4.8
1,172 Ratings
The Rocks
Experience the rich history and hidden gems of Sydney's iconic Rocks district on a guided walking tour. Explore convict past, waterfront views, and historic landmarks. Book now!
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

The Secrets are Alive in the Sandstone

Discover the enchanting history of The Rocks on a guided walking tour. Explore the area’s beautiful historic landmarks and listen to stories about the extraordinary feats of ordinary people that shaped the narrative of British Australian settlement.

The Rocks Walking Tours’ expert local guides lead you through the heart of The Rocks precinct, with tours departing daily at 10:30am and 1:30pm from a convenient location within The Rocks.

Experience the tour in small, personal groups of no more than 25 participants, lasting 90 minutes and spanning roughly 1.2 miles (2 km) at a comfortable pace.

Stroll through secret passageways, cobblestone paths, and cool courtyards, pausing at charming terrace houses that might be missed by the unguided wanderer.

Be enchanted by the allure of this unique area and enjoy commentary that is both fascinating and amusing!

Your journey through The Rocks includes views of the shimmering Sydney Cove, breathtaking harbor vistas featuring the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, Cadman’s Cottage – the oldest surviving residential building in Sydney’s CBD from 1816, Campbell’s Cove with its stunning views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and the wharves, Argyle Cut, and the Garrison Church, known as the Church of Holy Trinity, constructed in the 1840s.

Your exploration of The Rocks historic district will take you along George Street, Greenway Lane, Kendall Lane, Rocks Square, Playfair Street, Foundation Park, Suez Canal, Nurses Walk, and many other notable spots!

Points of Interest

  • The Rocks Walking Tours
What's Included
  • 90 minute guided walking tour
  • Guide with amplification for clear commentary
  • Umbrella provided if needed
  • Specialist trained guide with local expertise
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (provided for private bookings)
  • Transportation to/from attractions
Additional Information

Embark on a 90-minute relaxed walk around The Rocks district in Sydney to journey through its and British Australia’s history under the guidance of a knowledgeable guide. Take pleasure in the captivating visuals of contemporary life as you traverse The Rocks and learn about Sydney’s penal colonies history. Uncover the city’s closely held secrets found in hidden corners, narrow passages, and concealed courtyards even locals might be unaware of. The route features a walk along the coast of Sydney Harbour, where you can gaze at the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Cadman’s Cottage, and Campbell’s Cove.
Tour Highlights:
• The gleaming shoreline of Sydney Cove
• Landscapes overlooking Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Cadman’s Cottage, the oldest preserved home in The Rocks, erected in 1816
• Campbell’s Cove, offering breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour
• Marvel at the Argyle Cut, started by prisoners in 1843
• We meander through lanes like Greenway, Kendall, along the Suez Canal, Foundation Park, amongst others within The Rocks’ historic region.

  • Please arrive at our office to check in and meet your guide for the day, a minimum of 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour time
  • Children and Infants must be accompanied by an adult
  • A moderate amount of walking is involved covering approx. 1.2 miles (2km) at the pace of the group’s participants
  • Small groups (no more than 20 people)
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress to the predicted weather conditions appropriate for an outdoor activity
  • Comfortable walking shoes, hat and a bottle of water suggested
  • Tour encompasses uneven surfaces, cobblestones, worn sandstone flagging and steps; while these elements of the tour have never been considered to be strenuous by most people, for others this may be considered as an unsuitable activity.
  • Tour is wheelchair accessible however be prepared for uneven surfaces at the sites visited which may be difficult for those with walking disabilities or using a powered wheelchair/ scooter
  • Meeting point is easily accessible on foot for cruise arrivals/ shore excursions
  • Wheelchair (manual) and pram friendly route
  • Toilet facilities accessible
Location
The Rocks Walking Tours
Departure Point: Shop 5 - Clocktower Square, 35 Harrington St Please check in at our office inside the Clocktower, 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour. Our office is located within The Rocks, is easily accessible for all, located close by to the Overseas Passenger Terminal
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.8
(1172 Ratings)
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Kathrynbk349nc
Jun 2, 2024
Ab fab - Really interesting insight into the history of Sydney. Very respectful of first nations people. Our guide Vickie was extremely knowledgeable and pointed out so many hidden gems. Gave us the confidence to explore further.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sarah_p
May 31, 2024
Interesting and fun - We loved our time with Claudia , she was so much fun, it was the highlight of our trip, totoally recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Angus
May 28, 2024
Include this Walking Tour in Your Visit to Sydney - Our guide, Vickie, was quite knowledgeable and truly passionate in sharing the history and character of this unique neighborhood. She shared fun facts, architectural details of some of Sydney’s oldest buildings, the history of the original inhabitants, the British arrival and settlement, and interspersed the tour with historic photos for context. From past to present we were left with a greater appreciation for The Rocks.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ross_m
May 27, 2024
Recommended - Really worthwhile tour. I’m a Sydney person and still learnt a lot. Stan was a great and knowledgeable guide. I would recommend the tour to anybody there was a bit of walking but mainly in the flat ir downhill. Not challenging for older people at all.
Review provided by Viator
Rossmac0
May 26, 2024
Thoroughly recommended - Great experience. Our guide Stan was an expert and enthusiastic as well. The crucial thing is that walking is mainly on the flat or downhill and we had some in our group who were a bit shaken on their legs but managed it all just fine. I’m a Sydney boy and I learnt a a great deal about early history. Thoroughly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alan_b
May 26, 2024
A fabulous inciteful, educational walk in the heart of Sydney's Rocks area. - Our guide Anne was superb. Obviously Anne was very knowledgable about Sydney's early settlement and history and in particular the Rocks area. She is very passionate about what she does, a real people person. I'm a little hard of hearing but the small broadcast device that she employed did a great job. As expected we were educated on the early settlement of the rocks area, some of the main players, we looked at where the old harbour water's edge would have been, and where some of the people of the time lived. We learnt about some of the more recent history such as the Jack Mundey influence in the preservation of some of the old parts of the rocks whilst looking after the interests of local residents. The transformation of the area from less than idyllic to what it is today. All in all a fabulous story well told by a well informed guide.
Review provided by Viator
Gayle_w
May 23, 2024
Learning about the history of the Rocks - The tour guide Anne was very good. She had so much knowledge about the area. I had a sore ankle at the time and she did her best to make sure I was ok. Really appreciated. Great tour!
Review provided by Viator
Myras919
May 23, 2024
Informative Tour! - The Rocks Walking Tour was a wealth of history about the area! Anne, our guide was extremely knowledgeable! A definite must in Sydney!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dennis_v
May 22, 2024
A great history lesson - Our guide was very knowledgeable about the area. She spoke clearly and made sure everyone could hear her
Review provided by Viator
Clare_o
Jun 10, 2024
Very interesting - Very interesting walking tour with some fascinating 'hidden' away places we wouldn't have found ourselves. Suggest the large number stairs & steps involved should have been flagged in tour information
Review provided by Viator
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