Convicts and The Rocks: Sydney's Walking Tour Led by Historian | 2 hours 30 minutes

286 Reviews | Sydney
Likely To Sell Out
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 14 travelers in total.
Adult (16-80) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 14
2
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Convicts and The Rocks: Sydney's Walking History Tour
2 Adults x $33.21
$66.42
Approx Total
$66.42

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
  • 2.5 hour walking tour covering approximately 20 historic sites and stories
  • Tour finishes in the heart of The Rocks beside historic pubs and cafes with local recommendations
  • A visual folder with historic imagery, maps and portraits of the area presented by your guide
  • A visit inside Customs House to discover scale model of Sydney from above
  • A local Sydney crime historian as your tour guide
  • Food is not included on this tour, but your tour guide will have fantastic local recommendations
  • Gratuities

Overview

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!

Meeting points

This tour meets in front of CUSTOMS HOUSE (31 Alfred Street Circular Quay). Your guide will be located outside the building on right hand-side if facing the entrance. Your guide will have a white tour folder that says CONVICT HISTORY TOUR and will check you in.

End point

Open in Google Maps

Itinerary

  • Journey Walks

    Meet you guide at our Journey Walks starting point in front of Customs House at Circular Quay for an introduction. Your guide will be located on right hand side of the building if facing the entrance with a CONVICT HISTORY tour folder.

    10 minutes

  • Customs House

    Begin your journey by unraveling the elaborate sandstone facade of Sydney Customs House — the gateway for people and goods arriving by ship into Sydney through the 19th & 20th Century. Then enter inside Customs House see a unique model of the entire city including Circular Quay and The Rocks in miniature (scale 1:500) below your feet as your guide illustrates the forming of the natural harbour and the urban settlement of Sydney.

    10 minutes

  • Macquarie Place Park

    Discover the hidden and forgotten relics found in Macquarie Place including the underground Edwardian lavatory, the First Fleet anchor and the Obelisk of distances — Sydney's first public monument designed and built by convicts for the Governor of NSW.

    20 minutes

  • Tank Stream Fountain

    Uncover the secrets of Sydney's original fresh water source, now hidden below your feet. The Tank stream not only helped Sydney's convict colony survive but it was one of the main reasons this cove was chosen as the site of Australia's first penal settlement

    10 minutes

  • The Rocks

    In The Rocks you'll find yourself wandering though back alleys and along cobbled lanes, passing some of the oldest pubs and houses in Sydney and getting lost in the stories of convicts, sailors and street gangs who occupied and worked in the area. Your guide will lead you to hidden sandstone ruins, old slums and underground cellars turned speak easy bars. The Rocks area is full of character, quirks and surprises.

    1 hour 20 minutes

  • The Argyle

    Finish your tour in the heart of The Rocks nearby the Argyle Stores surrounded by historic pubs, converted storehouses, shops, cafes, and beer gardens

    10 minutes

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • We continue our tours in all weather conditions so please dress accordingly. Umbrella's are a good idea if wet weather seems likely.
  • Due to the layout of The Rocks, some stairs are unavoidable at certain points along the way, but majority of the route follows flat terrain.
  • Anyone requiring special assistance is kindly asked to make contact with your local operator in advance.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are advised that this tour may include the names and images of people who are now deceased.
  • Your guide is a native English speaker and will carry tour folder with A3 size images to help illustrate the area's past
  • Groups are kept small (10 person maximum) and we encourage questions and interaction.
  • Your guide will ensure that Covid-safe social distancing measures and a contact free policy is in place throughout the tour

Free Cancellation

January 15100% refund
January 16No refund

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 canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

5.0

286 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    281
  • 4 stars
    3
  • 3 stars
    2
  • 2 stars
    0
  • 1 star
    0

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 281 reviews with 5 stars

Excellent historical tour

Published on Feb, 2025

Very interesting tour Lots of history filled with stories about people. Excellent tour. Choose this with confidence.

Amazing tour, value for money , exceptional guide .

Published on Feb, 2025

This tour was org aside for my parents as a Christmas gift . The following is the feedback they gave me. My parents have lived in Sydney the best part of 50+ years . They were so pleased with the experience . Max who ran the tour group was knowledgeable beyond his years , he told the stories , showed different locations of where and when events had happened during settlement , places my parents who have visited for years didn’t know held the history they did . The tour ran for 2.5hrs so when broken down it is exceptional value for money and well worth it . My parents left wanting more and had spoken to Max about some of the other tours , this time we will be booking as a family with brothers and grandchildren so that our kids learn a lot about the city they live in that would t be taught in school.

A masterclass on Sydney history

Published on Jan, 2025

A true masterclass on Sydney’s early history and the history of The Rocks. It shows what a great difference it makes to employ a real historian as your guide. I just wished we had done the tour on the first day of our stay in Sydney - it would have made my whole experience of the city even more enjoyable. My only advice would be for them to change the name of the tour: the convicts tour does not give the dimensions of how good it actually is. It is a tour about convicts, but it is more than that — it really intertwines personal stories of convicts with the wider history of Sydney and Australia.

Brilliant tour must do

Published on Dec, 2024

Amazing guide she was brilliant patient and full of information. I would highly recommend taking this tour earlier in stay to appreciate the historic sites. My 15 and 18 year old sons LOVED IT !

Fun and informative tour.

Published on Dec, 2024

Really enjoyed this walking tour with Beck. She was very knowledgeable and interesting. A great way to start exploring Sydney!

Compare Similar Experiences

Current

Convicts and The Rocks: Sydney's Walking ...
Likely To Sell Out
48144P1
time

2 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
286
Sydney & The Rocks Walking Tour
New On TravelOne
184156P4
time

2 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
30
Explore Sydney's Secrets In A Series Of ...
121809P1
time

1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours

time Free Cancellation
26
Explore The Rocks Sydney In A Series Of ...
121809P2
time

1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours

time Free Cancellation
12
A Self-Guided Walk Tour to the Opera Hou ...
New On TravelOne
110804P853
time

1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes

time Free Cancellation
0
Discover Sydney: Self-Guided Audio Tour
30114P59
time

1 hour to 3 hours

time Free Cancellation
0
Ultimate Sydney Walking Tour (Small-Grou ...
161916P5
time

3 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
308
90min Brisbane River Cruise/Tour
30012P1
time

1 hour 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
863
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
#1 Rated Blue Mountains Tour, Scenic Wor ...
22584P1
time

10 hours

time Free Cancellation
5,602
Blue Mountains Day Trip from Sydney Incl ...
8129P1
time

10 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,824
Blue Mountains Small-Group Tour from Syd ...
45249P1
time

10 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,218
Sydney Bike Tours
2952SYD
time

2 hours to 5 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,037
Blue Mountains: Three Sisters, Scenic Wo ...
62347P1
time

10 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,029
Small-Group Blue Mountains Day Tour with ...
5558BMV
time

11 hours

time Free Cancellation
952
Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise from ...
3378SUNSET
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
837
Sydney Taronga Zoo General Entry Ticket
2055SYDTARZOO
time

3 hours to 6 hours

time Free Cancellation
833
Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including L ...
5951OWW
time

4 hours

time Free Cancellation
773
30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride o ...
23388P2
time

30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
721
Wild Wombat and Kangaroo Day Tour from S ...
120137P2
time

10 hours to 11 hours

time Free Cancellation
643
Sydney Harbour Ferry with Taronga Zoo En ...
3378ZOOEXPRESS
time

4 hours to 8 hours

time Free Cancellation
533
Recently Viewed
San Diego Whale Watching Tour
69764P1
time

2 hours to 3 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,263
Half day Chianti Vineyard Escape from Fl ...
Special Offer
6367P13
time

5 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,389
Prague 5 Courses Medieval Dinner and Liv ...
20364P9
time

3 hours

time Free Cancellation
2,370
2 Hours Turtle Feeding, Shipwreck & Reef ...
330592P1
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
112
Connect with TravelOne
Louise Berg
Destination Expert
Plan your Next Trip
TravelOne Subscribe
We organise unforgettable vacations.
Subscribe for trending deals.
© Copyright 2025 TravelOne Technologies Inc. | All Rights Reserved.
Visa Card Mastercard Maestro Amex Discover

TravelOne uses cookies to give you the best possible service. If you continue browsing, you agree to the use of cookies. More details can be found in our privacy policy.

Do you have a destination in mind, or would you like TravelOne AI to suggest one?

What is your destination?

Are you visiting Japan for the first time?

Travel Date

What is your general interest for this trip?

City Breakup


Travelers Details


Adults
Ages 12 or above
Child
Ages 8-12
Child
Ages 3-7
Infant
Ages 0-2
Adults
Ages 12 or above
Child
Ages 8-12
Child
Ages 3-7
Infant
Ages 0-2

Accommodation Preferences

Preferred Star Rating?

Property Preference?

Property Location?

Preferred Hotel Chain?

Meal At The Hotel?

Dining Preferences

Which meal package would you like to choose?

What are your meal preferences?

Dining Style Preferences?

Cuisine Preferences?

Dining Atmosphere Preferences?

Preferred Meal Times?

Transportation

What are your preferences for arrival/departure transfers?

What are your preferences for internal transfers?

Guide Support

What kind of guide support do you prefer during your trip?

Preferred Language for Guide?

Preferred Type of Guide?

Group Size for Tours with Guides?

Desired Role of the Guide?

Specific Guide Personality/Style Preference?

Dining recommendations/reservations?

Flights Preferences

What are your preferences for onward and return flights?

Cabin Class

Preferred Departure Time

Preferred Arrival Time

Preferred Airlines

What are your preferences for internal flight?

Cabin Class

Preferred Departure Time

Preferred Arrival Time

Preferred Airlines

What type of experiences do you seek while traveling?

    Culinary Classes and Workshops
    Candy Making Classes Chocolate Tours Cocktail Tastings Mixology Classes Paella Making Classes Pasta Making Classes Pizza Making Classes Olive Oil Tasting Wine Making Workshops
    Food & Beverage Tours
    Beer & Brewery Tours Chocolate Tours Coffee & Tea Tours Culinary Tours Pastry Tours Sake Brewery Tour Sake Tasting Street Food Tours Taco Tours Wine Tours
    Food Tastings and Sampling
    Cocktail Tastings Olive Oil Tasting Sake Tasting Wine Tastings High Tea
    Dining Experiences and Meals
    Brunch Dinner Lunch Breakfast Restaurants Dinner and Show Tickets
    Food-Related Cruises
    Brunch Cruises Coffee Cruises Dinner Cruises Lunch Cruises
    Thematic Food Events & Experiences
    Donut Walking Tour Markets
    Specialized Food Events
    Dining Experiences Dinner and Show Tickets
    Wildlife Observation & Encounters
    Bird Watching Dolphin Watching Whale Watching Shark Diving Wildlife Watching Wildlife Encounters Swim with Dolphins Zoos & Wildlife Parks Aquariums Safaris
    Hiking & Exploration
    Hiking Tours Glacier Walks Nature Walks National Parks Nature Parks Parks Natural Attractions Outback Tours
    Camping & Outdoor Stays
    Camping Honeymoon Packages
    Adventure & Sports in Nature
    Mountain Bike Rentals Mountain Bike Tours Horseback Riding Sandboarding
    Boating & Cruises
    Sailing Glass Bottom Boat Tours Gondola Cruises
    Paddle & Active Water Sports
    Kayaking Tours Stand Up Paddleboarding Jet Ski Rentals
    Underwater Exploration
    Scuba Diving Snorkeling Shark Diving Swim with Dolphins
    Fishing & Marine Experiences
    Fishing Charters Eco Tours
    Sky & Aerial Nature Experiences
    Hot Air Balloon Rides Northern Lights
    Historical Landmarks & Sites
    Ancient Ruins Castles Tours Monuments and Memorials Religious Sites
    Museum & Cultural Institutions
    Museums Museum Tickets & Passes Attractions & Museums Planetariums
    Classic & General History Tours
    Archaeology Tours Architecture Tours City Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours
    Literature, TV & Film-Based Tours
    Game of Thrones Tours Harry Potter Tours Literary Tours TV Tours
    Mystery & Dark History Tours
    Ghost Tours Crime Tours Underground Tours
    Industrial & Commercial History
    Factory Tours Plantation Tours
    Observation & Structural History
    Observation Decks Skyscrapers & Towers Classic Car Tours
    Sacred & Religious Sites
    Religious Sites Religious Tours
    Spiritual & Cultural Rituals
    Sufi Whirling Shows Easter Lunar New Year
    Traditional & Cultural Bathing Practices
    Arab Baths Hammams & Turkish Baths Onsens
    Healing & Wellness Experiences
    Thermal Spas & Hot Springs Spas Yoga Classes
    Immersive Spiritual Experiences
    Light & Sound Shows
    Nature & Wildlife Conservation
    Eco Tours Nature and Wildlife Tours Wildlife Encounters Wildlife Watching
    Protected Natural Areas
    National Parks Nature Parks Involves Poverty Stricken Communities Involves Animals
    Sustainable & Responsible Travel
    Sustainable Tours Volunteer Tours
    Land-Based Exploration
    Hiking Tours Nature Walks Walking Tours Self-guided Tours
    Cycling & Eco-Friendly Transport
    Cycling Cycling Classes Bike Rentals Bike Tours E-Bike Tours
    Nightlife & Entertainment
    Adults-only Shows Bar Tours Burlesque Shows Cabaret Casino Tours Comedy Shows Night Cruises Night Tours Nightlife Pub Tours
    Live Music & Performances
    Concerts Jazz Shows Musical Shows Opera Performances R&B/Soul Concerts Rap & Hip-Hop Concerts Samba Dance Shows Theater Shows Live Concerts Music Tours
    Festivals & Seasonal Celebrations
    Festivals Mardi Gras Carnival Christmas Halloween Oktoberfest Packages & Special Events
    Dance & Cultural Party Experiences
    Disco Dance Shows Luaus Samba Dance Shows
    Spectacle & Family-Friendly Entertainment
    Children’s Shows & Concerts Circus Shows Family-friendly Shows Fireworks Shows Shows
    Unique & Themed Experiences
    LGBT Friendly Tours Street Art Tour Theme Parks Universal Theme Parks
    Performing Arts & Live Shows
    Acoustic Concerts Ballet Tickets Ballroom Dance Shows Belly Dance Shows Broadway Shows Cirque du Soleil Shows Classical Concerts Classical Music Flamenco Performance Live Concerts Musicals Opera Performances Sufi Whirling Shows Tango Dance Shows Theater Shows Traditional Dance Performances
    Cultural & Heritage Experiences
    Cultural Tours Culture Costume Dress Up Experiences Fashion Shows Fashion Tours Lantern Festival
    Art & Creative Workshops
    Art Classes Craft Classes Painting Classes Pottery Classes Photography Tours
    Dance & Music Participation
    Dance Lessons Dance Shows
    Language & Cultural Learning
    Language Classes Spanish Lessons
    Historical & Traditional Skills
    Archery Classes Swordsmanship Classes
    City Exploration
    Hop on Hop Off Buses Trolley Tours Tuk Tuk Tours
    High-Adrenaline Aerial Adventures
    Air Tours Hang Gliding Helicopter Tours Heli-Hiking Helicopter Transfers Paragliding Parasailing Skydiving Ziplining
    Land-Based Extreme Driving
    4WD Tours ATV Tours Buggy Rentals Dune Bashing Hummer Tours Motorcycle Tours Off-Road Tours Performance Car Driving Motor Sports Go Kart Road Trip Vespa Rentals
    Air & Water-Powered Thrill Rides
    Airboat Tours Jet Boat Rentals Jetpacks Flyboarding
    Climbing & Vertical Challenges
    Climbing Ice Climbing Rock Climbing Caving Sea Caving
    Snow & Ice Adventures
    Dog Sledding/Mushing Husky Dog Tours Ice Fishing Ice Skating Snowboarding Snowmobiling Snowshoeing
    Water & Surf Sports
    Freediving Kitesurfing Rafting Scuba Diving Surfing Lessons Wakeboarding Waterskiing White Water Rafting
    Sand & Desert Adventures
    Camel Rides Sandboarding
    Unique & Unconventional Challenges
    Bungee Jumping Escape Rooms Flight Simulator Shooting Shooting Ranges Tubing Zorbing Scavenger Hunts Fun & Games
    Spectator Sports & Events
    Baseball Tickets Horse Racing Rugby Soccer Sporting Event Tickets & Passes
    Ball Sports
    Golf Tours & Tee Times Lacrosse Classes Softball Classes Tennis
    Winter Sports
    Skiing Skiing Classes
    Combat & Tactical Sports
    Martial Arts Classes Paintball
    Extreme & Challenge-Based Sports
    Obstacle Courses
    Sports Training & Lessons
    Sports Lessons Cycling Cycling Classes
    Exclusive & VIP Experiences
    Private and Luxury Viator VIP Tours Once in a Lifetime Experiences Viator Experience Award 2022 Viator Experience Award 2023 Viator Experience Award 2024 Viator Exclusive Tours
    Private & Personalized Travel
    Private Day Trips Private Drivers Private Sightseeing Tours
    Romantic & Scenic Experiences
    Romantic Tours Sunset Cruises Helicopter Tours Limousine Tours Luxury Car Tours Photo Shoots
    Weddings & Special Celebrations
    Wedding Ceremonies Wedding Packages Weddings & Celebrations Photo Shoots
    Classic & Scenic Cruises
    Canal Cruises Catamaran Cruises Dhow Cruises Gondola Cruises Sightseeing Cruises Water Tours
    Themed & Specialized Cruises
    Dinner Cruises Night Cruises Submarine Tours
    Multi-Day & Extended Water Journeys
    Multi-day Cruises Ports of Call Tours Shore Excursions Worry-Free Shore Excursion
    Private & Adventure Boating
    Boat Rentals Power Boats Sailing
    Unique & Alternative Water Travel
    Duck Boat Tours Pack Animal Tours Ferry Services Water Transfers Water Parks Water Equipment Rentals
    Travel by Season
    Autumn / Fall Spring Summer Winter Spring Break Winter Sports

    Loading questions for you...! Please wait...!

    Loading questions for you...! Please wait...!