Sydney Convict History Walking Tour with Historians

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 Point

Customs House

31 Alfred St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

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.

What's included:

• 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

Not included:

• Food is not included on this tour, but your tour guide will have fantastic local recommendations

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Journey Walks

Sydney Customs House 31 Alfred St, Sydney, 2000, New South Wales

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

Sydney Customs House 31 Alfred St, Circular Quay, Sydney, 2000, New South Wales

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 • Admission Ticket Included

Macquarie Place Park

Bridge Street, Sydney, 2000, New South Wales

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 • Admission Ticket Included

Tank Stream Fountain

5010 Herald Square, Sydney, 2000, New South Wales

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

, , Sydney, 2000, New South Wales

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

18 Argyle Street, The Rocks, Sydney, 2000, New South Wales

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 • Admission Ticket Included