Sydney- The Rocks, Circular Quay & Waterfront Guided Walking Tour
- 1h 15m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Enjoy a 75 minute guided walking tour through Sydney’s iconic Circular Quay and The Rocks, led by a friendly local guide (Dave). Perfect for first time visitors, this experience combines iconic harbour views with engaging stories about Sydney’s past and present. Starting at Customs House, take in views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge while learning about the city’s origins, from Aboriginal heritage to the First Fleet. Continue into The Rocks to explore historic laneways like Nurses Walk and Suez Canal, pass Susannah Place, and hear tales of convicts, sailors and early colonial life. As the tour continues, enjoy elevated views across Circular Quay from the Cahill Expressway, offering a unique perspective of the harbour and city. Stroll next to the Royal Botanic Gardens while your guide shares insights into Sydney’s growth, with clear views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Finish at the Sydney Opera House forecourt, a memorable end to a scenic and informative walk.
Inclusions
What's included
- Local Guide
Itinerary
Begin at the Customs House Forecourt with sweeping harbour views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge while your guide introduces Sydney’s story — from its Aboriginal heritage and the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 to the vibrant harbour city visitors see today.
Walk into The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest European neighbourhood. Once home to convicts, sailors and dock workers, this historic precinct is filled with sandstone buildings, pubs and narrow laneways that reveal the city’s colonial past. Make your way through Nurses Walk & Suez Canal, and explore cobblestone laneways that once formed the heart of early Sydney. Hear stories about the colony’s first hospital, life in the crowded port district and the notorious “push gangs” that once ruled the streets. Visit the preserved 1840s terrace houses of Susannah Place and learn how working families once lived in The Rocks. The guide will also explain the famous “Green Bans” movement that saved the neighbourhood from demolition in the 1970s.
Take in elevated views across Circular Quay and Sydney Harbour from the Cahill Expressway viewpoint while learning how the city developed through the 20th century. Stroll along the edge of the Royal Botanic Garden and via Tarpeian Way with stunning views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge — one of the most scenic walking routes in the city. Finish the tour at the Sydney Opera House forecourt, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most famous buildings in the world.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
- 52
- 40
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- 10
Ratings come from 2 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- We meet on the steps of Customs House (31A Alfred St, Sydney) a short walk from Circular Quay Station.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 20 travellers
- Operated by
- Daves Tours
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Sydney
- Its from-price is 80% below the median of the 1000 experiences we list in Sydney.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 552 of 1000.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Sydney
Sydney wraps around a glittering natural harbour, with a famous sail-roofed opera house, golden surf beaches and an easygoing outdoor life.
The Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge face each other across Circular Quay, where ferries come and go. The Rocks, the old colonial quarter, has sandstone pubs and weekend markets, and the Royal Botanic Garden curves around Farm Cove to Mrs Macquarie's Chair for the classic view of both landmarks.
Top-ranked sights in Sydney: Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Harbour.
Special offers in Sydney
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
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