The Rocks: Recommended tours & tickets

In this private walking tour, we will explore the picturesque historic sites of The Rocks. This area is the birthplace of modern Australia, and any tour of this city should start here. The tour guide will run the tour exclusively for you or your group (up to 10 guests). This is a very intimate experience to make you really enjoy the rich history of the oldest neighbourhood in Australia. We will reveal how Britain created a penal colony on the other side of the world and what the first convicts found when they first arrived. We will explore hidden cobblestone alleyways to unveil the harsh living conditions of this first settlement. We have tons of fun anecdotes to bring this historic district to life. Sydney Harbour is the perfect background for this tour, and we will explore all the secrets behind the two major projects that have put Sydney on the map, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Sydney Opera House. The starting time is 18:00. Please get in contact to organize a private tour at a different time (min 6 guests).

Expect fascinating history, delivered with energy and insight on a walking exploration of Sydney's colonial birthplace: The Rocks. Together your group will uncover the scallywag stories of convicts, soldiers, sailors, rum & rebellions. This tour is led by vibrant historians who share their passion for the past through great storytelling, visual imagery and extensive research. Before reaching the narrow alleyways & hidden ruins of The Rocks district, you’ll enter inside Sydney’s historical Customs House & discover the colonial relics at Macquarie Place. In The Rocks your guide will bring to life the convicts, craftsmen & cut-throats littered throughout its early history. You'll also venture below street level to discover a sandstone cellar connected to Sydney's gold-rush era. After getting lost in the area's rich history this tour finishes in the heart of The Rocks surrounded by heritage pubs, cafes, boutique shopping, art galleries & the local market on Saturdays. Welcome aboard!

Learn how to best use your digital camera in manual modes and master composition. Need a local professional photographer to show you the best spots at the best time, this is the best way to explore and discover. A unique learning adventure to inspire and spark your passion for photography. Smartphone Tours also available fortnightly.

Drink In History and explore Sydney's most historic settlement on The Rocks Pub Walk. This 2.5 hour small group historical walking tour visits four of Sydney's oldest pubs, stopping for a drink of craft beer, wine or cider in each. Discover the myths, meet the legends of Sydney's oldest pubs!

Come on an all-inclusive journey to Sydney's oldest and most charismatic pubs as you wander through Australia’s oldest neighbourhood, The Rocks. With drinks and dinner all included, you will be “Edutained” by an expert, local, passionate guide as you venture into the heart of Australian pub culture, and experience first-hand how much these charming locations have shaped Aussie culture. Tours operate at 2:30pm and 6:30pm. The meal is self guided and can be enjoyed pre or post tour. Maximum group size: 15 travellers This tour starts at Harts Pub. To claim your meal (before or after the tour), present your booking confirmation to the DUTY MANAGER at the Australian Heritage Hotel (100 Cumberland St, The Rocks) to receive your meal and drink, no later than 1 hour before your tour begins. Make your way to Hart's Pub to meet your guide at 2:30pm or 6:30pm

When your cruise ship docks in Sydney, go ashore take a guided walking of the Rocks. Tours depart daily at 10:30am and 1:30pm from a convenient location in The Rocks, for a duration of 90 minutes, walking at a leisurely pace. Your guide will lead you throughout the historic and picturesque Rocks precinct as you weave your way through hidden alleyways, along charming lanes and into shady courtyards, areas that could be overlooked by the casual unguided visitor. This is a must-do for all visitors to Sydney!

Delve into the history of Sydney and British Australia on a leisurely 90-minute walking tour in The Rocks district with an expert guide. Enjoy the delights of present-day visuals as you explore The Rocks and hear the story of Sydney’s convict past as you discover shady courtyards, narrow laneways and hidden areas that even the locals do not know about. Stroll along the shoreline of Sydney Harbour with views of the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, past Cadman’s Cottage and Campbell’s Cove. Tour Highlights: • The shoreline of Sparkling Sydney Cove • Harbour views of Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge • Cadman’s Cottage, The Rocks oldest surviving cottage built in 1816 • Campbell’s Cove, offering fantastic views of Sydney Harbour • Awe inspiring Argyle Cut begun with convict labour in 1843 • Within The Rocks historic precinct, we will wander through Greenway Lane, Kendall Lane, Suez Canal, Foundation Park and much more.

Australia has the best food and views. Let us introduce you to some of the best dining in the city, and the must-see locations at Barangaroo and The Rocks, and view the iconic views from a vantage point only known to locals.  This is the ultimate Sydney experience and the perfect start to any trip for lovers of food, culture, and history. Try Sydney's newest dining delights and explore one of Sydney's oldest colonial areas (The Rocks), and Sydney's newest urban suburb (Barangaroo). Enjoy iconic sights- Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and more! This is a 3.5 hours fully guided cultural tasting tour where you will sample Australia's favourite dishes from Italy, France, and more, enhanced with Australian ingredients, as well as a cold beer in a brewery pub. All while hearing stories and history of the Rocks and Barangaroo.

Adventure Clues - Explore The Rocks in Sydney in a series of fun cryptic clues using our unique web app. The colourful characters of The Rocks’ past come alive on this trail of discovery as they challenge you to uncover the interesting back stories of this important area. Your mission is to solve the 13 cryptic clues so that you can uncover the location of the Captains Ship. You will get up close and personal with the living history and heritage of Australia’s first settlement area and Sydney’s oldest streets. Wander down hidden alleyways, into mysterious courtyards, walk the shortest street in Sydney, and watch out for the notorious Rocks Push gang! Along the way we will show you 3 awesome stop off points to enjoy some beverages if you wish. At the end we will provide you with your stats and a detailed explanation of all the sights. Do you have what it takes to Unlock The Rocks? Team numbers recommended - 2-4 Players. Price is Per Player

Be touched by the most ancient human culture on earth in a 90-minute leisurely walkabout with an Aboriginal guide in The Rocks Sydney, and journey into DreamTime, the culture of Aboriginal People. illi-Langi The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour is 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned and was developed by Aboriginal Elder, Margret Campbell, a Dunghutti – Jerrinjah woman. It is led by Aboriginal guides who have her permission to share her cultural knowledge. The tour gives you the opportunity to discover how the ancient Aboriginal DreamTime is still alive within the modern Sydney landscape and how the billion-year-old harbour, marine environment, sandstone strata, waterways, flora and fauna continue to influence how Aboriginal people live today.