Ultimate Sydney Walking Tour (Small-Group, Drink Included)
Description
Discover the story of Sydney on this expert-led small-group tour (max. 12 guests), while hitting all of the city’s main attractions. Perfect for those who have just arrived, as well as locals and those who want to go deeper in learning about Australian history, culture, society and First Nations people. Starting from Customs House, you’ll hear about Sydney’s colonisation by the British - and how their arrival impacted the original inhabitants. Your guide will provide you with a range of perspectives on Sydney’s development, introducing Aboriginal leaders, British governors, convicts and entrepreneurs, as well as more recent arrivals. You’ll finish with a beer at a popular brewery with views of the Bridge, the Opera House and Sydney Harbour. Over a drink, your host will give you further recommendations to make your time in Sydney special – stuff you won’t find in a guidebook! Walk the streets in a small group so you’re not fighting to see & hear your guide or stay on the footpath.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We start at Customs House where you'll see a scale model of all of Sydney and where we will walk (approx 4km / 2.5 miles). You'll also learn some Aboriginal place names for parts of Sydney and explore the new precinct immediately behind Customs House.
We walk past the "Rum Hospital", which now consists of NSW Parliament, the Sydney Hospital and the Mint.
We will stop outside Hyde Park Barracks as you hear the story of its construction and infamous architect. We do not enter the Barracks.
We will briefly enter the Royal Botanic Gardens to see the location of the former Garden Palace and Governor Phillip Fountain.
We will briefly enter the Queen Victoria Building, but mainly just to see it and for any guests to use the bathrooms.
We stop in Hyde Park where you will get a great view of St Mary's Cathedral. We do not enter the cathedral or go up close to it (approximately 50 metres from the building).
We will stop in Martin Place and Pitt St to look at the General Post Office and hear the story of its controversial construction and design.
We will stop in Martin Place to hear about the ANZAC Cenotaph and Australia's involvement in World War 1.
We will walk through part of The Rocks towards the end of the tour, visiting the Nurses Walk, Jack Mundey Place and lower George St.
We will see the Opera House from where we finish the tour and at Campbell's Cove. We do not enter the Opera House but you will hear the story of its construction.
We will see the Sydney Harbour Bridge from where the tour finishes. We do not get up on the bridge as part of the tour, but it is a short walk from the end point.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Must be able to comfortably walk 4 km over 3 hours
- Tour not recommended for children under 12 years of age as it involves 3 hours of stories and significant walking (4 km)
- Not recommended for guests uncomfortable walking 4 km over 3 hours
Reviews(636)
We loved the ultimate walking tour we did with Andrew and Local Sauce. Andrew was extremely knowledgeable about NSW political and cultural history, shared the fascinating city lore, patiently answered our questions, showed us great photo spots, and just made it a fun day. We highly recommend this tour.
Great tour! Just right amount of information and breaks at the right places
Our guide, Jake, really made this Sydney walking tour fantastic! His deep knowledge of both its history and current culture made it so interesting. He was super approachable and had answers for all our questions. In just three hours, we explored a lot of historical sites and hidden gems we never would have found alone. Jake even provided visuals and a small treat to help us imagine what life was like back then. The walk itself was quite relaxing, and we had ample opportunities for bathroom breaks. We wrapped up the tour with a refreshing drink at a pub, which was the perfect ending to a wonderful tour!
Thanks so much for such a detailed review, Michelle! Really glad Jake's history knowledge and hidden gems (plus the treat and pub stop) made for such a memorable three hours. Cheers, Justin
Jake is very knowledgable and fun!
Thanks so much for the great review, Hayden! Glad Jake kept it fun and informative. Thanks for booking direct; it really helps our small business. Cheers, Justin
This walking tour was a perfect start to the trip after first getting there. Matt was so much fun. He is very informative and made the tour very engaging with games, fun facts, quiz questions. He was understanding and patient when I was running late after arriving into Sydney late! I would do this again. Highly recommend!! A very nice and welcoming person!
Thanks so much for the lovely review! Really glad Matt's games and quizzes made for such an engaging welcome to Sydney, and no worries at all about running late; we always do our best to make sure you can still make it to the tour. Cheers, Justin
Jake was fantastic! What a beautiful city, and his knowledge of the nooks, crannies, and history really improved our experience.
Thanks so much for the great review, Richard! Glad Jake's knowledge of Sydney's nooks and crannies made such a strong first impression. Cheers, Justin
Steve was incredible! He was full of knowledge about Sydney and could answer every question we had. He was extremely personable and funny, which made the tour so much fun! I would highly recommend this tour to anyone interested learning about the history of Sydney (including the Aboriginal people) in a fun and interesting way. As a history nerd, I learned so much and had so many other curiosities sparked. Thank you, Steve!
Thanks so much for such a thoughtful review! Really glad Steve's knowledge (including the Aboriginal history) sparked so much curiosity; always a good sign for a fellow history nerd. Cheers, Justin
Fab tour Loads of knowledge Interesting Finishing with a beer is perfect
Thanks so much for the great review! Glad it was loaded with knowledge. That beer at the end always seals the deal. Cheers, Justin
Steve was funny, knowledgeable and helpful. Gave an excellent history of Sydney and was friendly with a good sense of humor. Excellent tour!
Thanks so much for the great review, Sheila! Glad Steve's humour and history made for such an excellent tour. Cheers, Justin
Nice small group - there were 3 of us. Steve was a great guide and I saw things I’d never have discovered alone. Perfect pace with stops for coffee and bathroom breaks!
Thanks so much for the lovely review, Sheilah. Really glad Steve got the pace just right, and that a small group of 3 made it feel personal. That's one of the benefits of visiting Sydney in our low season - good choice! Cheers, Justin
