The 15 Best Tours of The Rocks

1.Sydney The Rocks Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,546 reviews · from $32Our pick

Walk roughly 2 kilometres through The Rocks with a small-group guide, passing Cadman’s Cottage, the Garrison Church and old government buildings. Expect stories of convict labour and early Sydney, tucked-away lanes, and views toward the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Guides such as Judith, Michael and Paul have led tours, though your guide may vary.

“You'll learn all about Sydneys history. Judith was our guide and she was wonderful. She took her time to explain the history and loves questions.”

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2.The Rocks 90-Minute History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,092 reviews · 1h 30m · from $32

In 90 minutes, an English-speaking guide leads you through The Rocks’ cobbled lanes, alleys, courtyards, historic pubs and landmarks, with views across Sydney Cove to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Guides such as Judith, Anne, Paul and Vickie have brought the area’s convict and waterfront stories to life. The route is mostly manageable, though it includes slopes, stairs and uneven ground.

“it was an excellent tour with lots of interesting information about the rocks. Our guide Anne have us lots of tips for things to see and do around the area when the tour was over.”

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3.The Rocks Ghost Tours with Guide in Sydney

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 482 reviews · from $39

At 7:45 pm, meet your guide at 110 George Street for a small-group walk through The Rocks. Over about 90 minutes to two hours, hear stories of murder, suicide, hangings and hauntings while exploring narrow lanes and areas behind locked gates. Guides such as Craig, Dave, Lola and Phil have led tours, though your guide may differ.

“We enjoyed Lachlan's presentation and tour. We learnt of The Rocks historical dark past exploring many sites.”

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4.The Rocks Pub Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 447 reviews · from $82

Join a guide for a 2.5-hour walk through The Rocks, from Harts Pub to The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel. Along the way, visit four historic pubs, hear stories of convicts, larrikin gangs, the plague and local pub culture, and choose a 285ml craft beer, wine or soft drink at each stop. Guides have included Dave, Doug, Craig and Tanya.

“This was a fun and interesting tour! Lots of history and lots of beer! We were lucky enough to have Craig as our tour guide -- he was full of interesting information and history as well as lots of great and colorful local sayings! If you have a chance to take this tour -- do it!! And if you don't drink beer, there's always wine or cider!”

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5.Convicts and The Rocks: Sydney’s Walking Tour Led by Historian

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 304 reviews · from $37

Walk for about 2.5 hours from Customs House into The Rocks with a local crime historian. You’ll hear stories of convicts, sailors and street gangs, see around 20 historic sites, and use old maps and images to picture Sydney’s past. The group is capped at 15, and the tour ends near historic pubs and cafes.

“Excellent content and presentation. Read the ‘Fatal Shore’, go on Max’s tour and understand the colonial birthplace of Australia.”

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6.Sydney The Rocks Historical Pub Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 251 reviews · from $82

Walk The Rocks with a local guide, stopping at four historic pubs for four included drinks and stories about Sydney’s oldest European neighborhood. Guides such as Simon, Nick, Doug, and Colin have led the tour, which mixes pub history, local beer and cider options, and backstreet finds. Food is not included, so plan to eat before or after.

“It was a great tour we meet some people on the tour the beer was good overall a great experience the story about each place was very interesting”

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7.City & The Rocks 3.5-Hour Walking Tour with a Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 234 reviews · 3h 30m · from $53

Walk 4 km from Customs House through central Sydney and The Rocks with a local English-speaking guide. Hear about the Cadigal people, British colonisation, architecture and modern Sydney, then finish at The Squire’s Landing with a craft beer or soft drink and harbour views. Groups are capped at 12, and you get a map of local food, art and nightlife tips.

“great guide. lots of interesting information. Great morning out.”

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8.Sydney Convicts, History & The Rocks 2.5-Hour Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 181 reviews · 2h 30m · from $36

Journey Walks’ 2.5-hour tour follows Sydney’s early colonial story from Customs House to Argyle Cut. An English-speaking local history guide connects convict transportation, Indigenous impacts, rum trading and The Rocks’ old buildings. Expect cobbled lanes, sandstone details and some stairs. Guides have included Bec, Max, Alex and Pete.

“Max was very informative, explained the colonial history impartially and didn't rush the detail. Highly recommended.”

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9.Sydney Walking Tour including The Rocks (small group)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 147 reviews · from $32

Start at Hyde Park’s Archibald Fountain at 10:30 am and walk with a guide through Sydney’s historic center to The Rocks and Campbells Cove. Expect 18 stops, from Hyde Park Barracks and Customs House to narrow lanes and harbour views. Groups are capped at 16. Lily is a frequently named guide, though your guide may vary.

“We've visited Sydney quite a number of times and our guide, Lilly, took us to streets and sites we'd never seen; and told us stories and history we'll long remember. Lilly was extremely knowledgeable and very willing to answer questions. Whilst walking she also suggested other places of interest to visit during our four day stay. Thank you Lilly for sharing your knowledge and deepening our understanding of Sydney's history...the places and people.”

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10.illi-Langi The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 90 reviews · from $33

This 90-minute walk starts and ends at Cadman’s Cottage in The Rocks. An Aboriginal guide introduces Dreaming, ochre, native plants, rock art and the Gadigal significance of Sydney Harbour. Stops include Argyle Cut and Dawes Point. Groups are capped at 25; guides associated with the tour include Amanda, Emily, Donia and Nathan.

“So much information we learnt from Amanda...she made us understand more about the Aboriginal Culture in all aspects...food, medicine, marriage and tribal family relationships which gave us more incite. As white Australian women Amanda made us feel welcome and shared so much with her history about First Nations and passion about country. Highly recommended Tour for everyone. Thanks Amanda you were inspiring !!”

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11.The Rocks Pub Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 60 reviews

Walk The Rocks’ cobbled lanes with an English-speaking guide, stopping at four heritage-listed pubs for a complimentary beer, wine or soft drink at each. Hear tales of convicts, gangs and local characters, and learn why several pubs claim to be Sydney’s oldest. Guides have included Doug, Greg and Craig, though your guide may differ.

“Excellent way to experience some of historic Sydney and drink great craft beers.”

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12.Explore The Rocks Sydney In A Series Of Fun Cryptic Clues

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 13 reviews · from $15Best value

Follow a phone-based scavenger hunt through The Rocks, beginning near Customs House and ending near Circular Quay. Solve clues about Sydney’s first settlement, explore lanes and courtyards, walk beneath the Harbour Bridge, and seek the Captains Ship. Your group of up to four sets the pace, with the game taking about 1.5 to 3 hours.

“Sorry bad experience, we never got the link for our phone on time and when we did it was too late. Badly organised. Requesting a full refund.”

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13.The Rocks Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 6 reviews · 2 hours · from $70

Start at Customs House for a private, two-hour walk through Sydney’s colonial past and its connections with First Nations people. Your guide shares local context and practical city tips, then the tour ends at a brewery with harbour, Harbour Bridge, and Opera House views. Drinks are not included. Tours are offered in English, Spanish, and French.

“I knew we were in trouble when our guide introduced himself and said that he came to Australia 3 years ago to learn English. I don’t feel I got anything that was in the description of this tour. Guide was hardly knowledgeable-surface facts. He spent more time talking about the new buildings and their prices then the colonial history of the area. Very, very disappointing and would definitely not recommend this company”

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14.Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 45 min · from $49

At Château Tanunda’s Sydney Cellar Door in The Rocks, a wine ambassador hosts a private 45-minute tasting of five wines, including Old Vine Expressions from vineyards aged 50, 100 and 150 years. You’ll get Riedel glassware, filtered water and light crackers, with the option to build a by-the-glass tasting instead.

“the staff were very informative and knowledgeable about all the wines and made great conversation in the meantime”

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15.Professional photoshoot at The Rocks in Sydney

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 30 - 45 minutes

Meet a local photographer outside Zia Pina Pizza at 93 George St for a private photoshoot through The Rocks. Expect cobbled streets, charming alleyways and help with poses and angles. Your photographer chooses the edited images for your package and sends them through a secure gallery link within 48 hours.

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