The Rocks History and Pub Walking Tour

Make your way to Circular Quay to meet your guide, then stroll a few minutes to reach the historic Rocks district. Your guide winds through backstreets and alleyways to show you important locations from Sydney’s early settlement after the colony's formation in 1788. Hear tales about the convicts who came to this area, cutting through the sandstone cliffs to build homes and roads in the fledgling colony.

Continue your walking tour though the neighborhood’s alleys and hear more about the history of The Rocks, which once had a reputation as a dangerous slum; hard to believe when you look around at today's fashionable boutiques and restaurants.

Your next stop takes you into a historic pub for a craft beer as you soak up the atmosphere of the pub, in operation since the early 1800s.

Next, stroll through tucked-away lanes to reach an extensive archaeological site with remnants dating back to the 1790s. Your guide shares further stories about convicts, settlers, bars and even a military coup that played out in The Rocks. Wrap up your tour with a delicious beer at another historic pub close to Circular Quay.

Expect to walk about 1.5 miles (2.5km) at a leisurely pace with plenty of stops. At the end of an entertaining and informative 2.5-hour tour, make your way to your next destination.