Uncover the secrets of Sydney’s heritage as you explore The Rocks on this guided walking tour of the historic precinct. Offering amazing views over the Sydney Harbour and the Campbells Cove Wharves, your guide will lead you along shady laneways and cobbled courtyards where you’ll discover some of Sydney’s earliest buildings, including Cadman’s Cottage, built in 1816 and the Garrison Church, which dates back to the 1840s.

Enjoy incredible views of the Sydney Opera House & Harbour Bridge
Go on an in-depth walking tour and discover places the locals don’t know
Learn about how Sydney’s foundations were built by convict labour
Visit the oldest surviving cottage in Sydney’s CBD

What's Included

90 minute guided walking tour
Specialist trained guide with expertise in & around The Rocks
Umbrella (if required)
Guide has amplification for ease in hearing commentary

Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off (provided for private bookings)
Transportation to/from attractions

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

The Rocks Walking Tours
Cnr Argyle & Harrington Streets Shop 5 - Clocktower Square, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia
Departure Point: Shop 5 - Clocktower Square, Corner Argyle and Harrington St Please check in at our office inside the Clocktower Square 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

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
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
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Toilet facilities accessible
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

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.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

Traveller Tips

The Rocks is built on hills, so expect to climb some stairs or walk uphill.

This is the best way to start a Sydney trip, get acclimated and learn about Syndey’s origins.

Reviews

5.0

881 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 881 reviews

Great tour

Fred_Q, Mar 2023

Ann was a great guide. Very knowledgeable. Her commentary brought the story of the rocks to life. I would recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you Fred for your great review and 5 stars. Our guides love showing people around The Rocks and bringing it to life with our stories, ancedotes and photos. Lovely to hear that you enjoyed the tour and once again, thank you for supporting us.

Would recommend to anyone arriving in Sydney and looking for a historical synopsis and to get your bearings

Stephanie_A, Mar 2023

Fascinating historical insight into how Sydney first became developed. Masses of information with clear visuals and interwoven tales so that you didn’t lose track. Very well orated by Anne. I would recommend this tour to anyone arriving in Sydney to get your bearings and get an insite into how it came to be the thriving city it is now. Although the tour is 1.5hours, it doesn’t cover a big distance so fine for people not wanting too much walking. There are a number of steps. We were a group of 16 and it was easy to hear the guide with the audio speaker she carried. Excellent tour

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thanks kindly for taking the time to write us such a great review! We really appreciate it! We are very lucky to have talented tour guides such as Anne, I will be sure to pass on your kind words.

Do this on your first day in Sydney

Sanjhi_R, Mar 2023

The walking tour was great as it helped us understand the history of Sydney & its people. Also helped us discover the inner lanes of rocks which are beautiful!

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you for you review and 5 stars Sanghi. The Rocks is a fascinating area with many hidden gems for our visitors to discover with the help of our guides.

Great tour in Sydney

aphill2222, Mar 2023

I enjoyed my walking tour of Sydney Australia very knowledgeable and informative I would recommend this to Friend

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you for your review and 5 stars. Delighted you enjoyed your timeon our tour discovering Sydney's oldest neighbourhood

Entertaining Tour

Doug_K, Mar 2023

Enjoyed learning the history of Sydney, especially the stories of the initial British settlers. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and entertaining.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you for your review and 5 stars Doug. We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the historical component of the tour. The Rocks is a fascinating area and is an integral part of Australia's colonial history.

Our guide, Anne, was very...

Steve_U, Mar 2023

Our guide, Anne, was very knowledgeable. We appreciated learning so much about the beginnings of Sydney.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you for your review and 5 stars Steve.Anne is a self-confessed history buff and loves sharing her extensive knowledge of this area.

Very knowledgeable guide....

Melissa_C, Mar 2023

Very knowledgeable guide. Great way to learn a bit more about the rocks area and general history of Sydney.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thanks for posting a review after attending your tour with us Melissa. It's great to hear you enjoyed the way our guide delivers the tour and you found it to be fun and interesting.

Sydney Rocks Tour

Kenneth_D, Mar 2023

Fiorella was articulate and knowledgeable about all things in the Sydney Rocks past and present. All four of us enjoyed it much. Thanks

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you for your review and 5 stars. Great to hear you enjoyed your time with Fiorella on our tour. All of us here love sharing our passion for this amazing historical village that sits within Sydney with our guests.

Interesting tour

Philip_B, Mar 2023

Very interesting and informative about first settlers. Nice to poke about in area and have things pointed out for you that you would never pick up on by yourself.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you for your review and 5 stars Philip. Delighted you enjoyed exploring Sydney's oldest neighbourhood with our guide to help you discover hidden areas that you may not have found on your own.

Excellent value and terrific tour guide for the history of The Rocks!

sharlenetabata, Mar 2023

Vicky is terrific ambassador for Sydney! We thoroughly enjoyed the History of The Rocks and all it's nooks and crannies!

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thanks kindly for taking the time to write us such a great review! We really appreciate it! We are very lucky to have talented tour guides such as Vickie, I will be sure to pass on your kind words

Great tour of a significant historical location.

Marshall_P, Mar 2023

Numerous locations within the Rock area all with significant history and tied together by guide in great story.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you for your review and 5 stars Marshall. Delighted you enjoyed your time with our guide discovering Sydney's oldest neighbourhood.

Great tour.

Robert_S, Mar 2023

Very informative and friendly tour guide. Learned a lot about the history of The Rocks section of Sydney and Australia in general.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you for your review and 5 stars Robert. We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the historical component of the tour. The Rocks is a fascinating area and is an integral part of Australia's colonial history.

excellent guide , very...

Sheila_F, Mar 2023

excellent guide , very knowledgeable , looked after quite a large number of people. we had some interesting facts on the area.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you for the review and 5 stars Sheila. Our guides take this seriously and love showing people what they do for a living. Lovely to hear that you enjoyed the tour and once again, thank you for supporting us.

A history of Sydney

Sue_A, Mar 2023

The knowledge the guide had and the way she imparted it was excellent. Her name was Anne. She also competently answered questions and shared it with the group. I would recommend this tour as it informs on how Sydney started and gives a good portrayal of the conditions endured by the settlers.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thanks for kind words about Anne and we're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the historical component of the tour. The Rocks is a fascinating area and is an integral part of Australia's colonial history.

Can’t rain on Vickie’s parade

Katie_D, Feb 2023

Vickie was an excellent guide - covering the history of the Rocks area. The tour itself was easily walkable even in the misty rain! The tour group provided umbrellas if you weren’t prepared. Very informative and would definitely recommend!

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you for your review and 5 stars Katie. Iur company is very fortunate to have such great guide such as Vickie. Delighted to hear that you enjoyed your time with her and were well looked after.

This is a fun tour. Our...

Paula_K, Feb 2023

This is a fun tour. Our guide, Ann, did a great job telling us the story of The Rocks. I would definitely recommend this tour, especially if you are interested in history.

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Thank you for your review and 5 stars. It's great to hear you enjoyed the way Anne delivered the tour and you found it to be fun and interesting. The Rocks is truly a fascinating area with great history.

Knew Her Stuff!

grovesherry, Feb 2023

This lady knew her stuff- including short cut “canals” throughout the Rocks! We hit all the historic spots and got the history timeline in an interesting way with personal stories of early settlers.

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Thank you for your review and 5 stars. Delighted you enjoyed your time with our guide discovering Sydney's oldest neighbourhood

Loved my tour!

Robyn_S, Feb 2023

Vickie was very friendly and knowledgeable! I learned a lot and loved the “nooks and crannies” we visited…in addition to the famous sites. Thank you!

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Thank you for your review and 5 stars Robyn.It's great to hear you enjoyed the way our guide delivers the tour and you found it to be enjoyable and interesting.

Well worth it

Kathleen_B, Feb 2023

Anne was very knowledgeable. She makes the Rocks come alive. I highly recommend this tour for everyone. Not too much walking.

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Thank you for your review and 5 stars Kathleen. Delighted you enjoyed time with Anne on our tour. Greatly appreciate the recommendation as well.

It was OK... but wouldn't recommend it.

Scott_B, Jan 2023

We do a lot of tours while traveling... and have experienced the best and the worst. This one fell in the middle. Not great, not terrible. The guide was nice, but not particularly tuned into the group. His microphone continued to fall away from his face, and he couldn't be heard. We actually left the tour before the end ... that was a first for two people in my group.

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Thank you for your review Scott. Apologies that the tour did not live up to your expectations. We will take your feedback on board to ensure we continue to deliver a great experience for all our guests.

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