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The Rocks is where the city of Sydney started, so exploring this neighborhood is a must while you’re here! That’s why we consider this guided walking tour of The Rocks to be the best walking tour that the city has to offer.
We loved learning about the long (and sometimes dark) history of The Rocks, and we got to see some of the area’s oldest and most interesting hotspots. I’m from Australia, and Bailey has also spent time living in Sydney, so we’ve done a lot of walking tours together. If you want to find out what makes this one of the best, and whether or not it’s suitable for you, keep on reading!
What walking tour did I do in Sydney?
Bailey and I did this 90-minute walking tour of The Rocks. We were initially drawn to it because it has over 1,000 5-star reviews, so we were pretty confident that it was going to be a quality tour.
The Rocks is a super interesting area and we already knew the basics of its history. It was the first permanent European settlement in Australia, and it was built by convict labor. Then, it became a super overcrowded area that was ruled by gangs. So we were keen to see the sights and hear some grisly stories!
We also thought that the tour was pretty well-priced at $40 AUD, and we were excited to see many of Australia’s oldest buildings. The Rocks also looks onto the iconic Sydney Harbour, so we were eager to visit the area’s most scenic viewpoints on the tour, too.
What I loved about this tour
Informative and fun guides
Anne was a fantastic guide! She knew everything about The Rocks, and kept us entertained throughout. She paced the tour very well and also made us laugh, so we were really happy that we got her as our guide.
Small group
Groups for this walking tour are capped at 20 people, which is a lot smaller than some other options out there. This meant that we had a chance to ask questions, and it was easy for everyone to keep up. We find that big group walking tours often get overwhelming, so we liked being in a smaller group.
Short and sweet
90 minutes was a perfect amount of time for a walking tour of The Rocks! It was long enough to dive deep into the area’s history and character, but it didn’t drag on. Some walking tours last for 3-4 hours, which can be quite a long time to be on your feet, but at 1.5 hours long, this tour was just right.
The price
At $40 AUD, this is one of the cheapest walking tours in Sydney. We think it offers fantastic value for money, since despite the low price it has tons of glowing reviews and is a small group tour. Sydney is an expensive city, so it’s great to find such an affordable tour!
Fantastic reviews
This tour has well over 1,000 5-star reviews, which you can check here. As far as I’m concerned, those kinds of numbers are hard to argue with, so you can book with confidence. In fact, this is one of the reasons that we chose the tour ourselves.
The Rocks specific
This tour is absolutely perfect for anyone looking to get to know The Rocks better. It’s a fascinating neighborhood, and personally, I loved that it focused on just one area. It allowed us to cover a lot of history and discover some hidden gems that a more general Sydney walking tour might have skipped. If you do want to spend more time here, check out our full guide to The Rocks for more info!
Free cancellation options
Another reason that we booked this tour was because it offered free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. There’s also the option to reserve your spot in advance and pay nothing up until two days before the tour, which is a great way to secure a place on the tour without having to pay out right now. This tour is really popular, so it’s great to be able to grab a place in advance without worrying about losing your money.
Ready to book? Grab a spot on this popular Sydney walking tour here!
What top sights did I see on this tour?
I should mention that this isn’t an exhaustive list of everything we got to see! There were tons more cool spots along the way, but these were the big-ticket stops that people come to The Rocks to see.
Sydney Cove
This walking tour took us along the shore of Sydney Cove, which is the bay between the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge – talk about some epic views! Walking through the cove is a must while you’re in Sydney, so it was great to do it with a guide who pointed out key landmarks and taught us about the area’s history as we went.
Cadman’s Cottage
Cadman’s Cottage is the oldest surviving home in The Rocks and, therefore, Australia! It was built in 1816 and has a pretty interesting history, having served as both a transport headquarters and a police station at different points in time.
Campbell’s Cove
Campbell’s Cove is a super scenic point with an epic view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We consider this to be one of Sydney’s very best viewpoints, so we love the fact that this tour stops here.
Church of Holy Trinity
Also known as “the Garrison Church”, this church was built in the 1840s. Its nickname comes from the fact that it was built for British military troops, and soldiers were also housed and fed here during WWII.
Rocks Square
The Rocks Square is a bustling plaza with lots of takeaway food options and an outdoor dining area to sit and eat in. The Square is surrounded by quaint terraced houses from the 1880s, and we actually came back here to grab a bite to eat after our tour on our guide’s recommendation.
Playfair Street
With food trucks, outdoor seating, and tons of Victorian houses that have been transformed into cute cafes and cool eateries, I think it’s safe to say that Playfair Street is one of the coolest parts of The Rocks! On weekends, you’ll also find tons of market stalls here selling locally-made jewelry, and even more yummy food than usual.
Foundation Park
We liked visiting Foundation Park because a lot of tourists actually miss this spot. Here, we got to visit the ruins of eight houses from the late 1800s and learn about what life was like for the residents (spoiler alert: not very pleasant).
Related Read: For more ideas on what to do here, see our guide on how to spend 3 days in Sydney!
What I didn’t love about this tour
Not ideal for those with limited mobility
This wasn’t a problem for us specifically, but this tour might prove to be too much for those who struggle with a lot of walking and steps. You don’t need to be super fit and agile for this, but do be aware that it’s about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of walking and lots of steps.
Very history heavy
The tour focuses a lot on the area’s colonial history, which we found interesting but it might prove a bit too dry for some, so kids and teens might get a bit bored!
Can be difficult to hear
We did this tour on a weekend when The Rocks was super busy, and so there were a few moments when it was difficult to hear our guide, especially if she turned away or we were in a busy spot. This can happen on any walking tour, so if you’re worried about being able to hear properly we’d recommend making sure that you’re standing at the front of the group, or booking the tour for a weekday when the area is a bit quieter.
Would I do this tour again?
Yes! It was so much fun and a really cool way to get to know The Rocks better. It’s the best walking tour that I’ve ever done in Sydney and I often recommend it to friends and family. I would definitely do it again!
Book our favorite Sydney walking tour here!
Other Activities to do While You’re in Sydney
Now that you’ve explored Sydney by foot, it’s time to dive into some other activities! Sydney is a city full of exciting things to do and see, so you’re going to want to fill your schedule while visiting this iconic city. Below are a few of our favorite activities that you should consider adding to your Sydney itinerary:
- Helicopter Ride – Sydney is a beautiful city; there is just no doubt about it! But it’s even more stunning from the sky! We did this helicopter ride the last time we were in the city and it was incredible! We got the most amazing views of the bridge and Opera House, not to mention the beautiful coastline. And to top it off, we even saw whales!
- Visit Manly Beach and/or Bondi Beach – There are some pretty amazing beaches right in Sydney, so you should definitely plan for a beach day (or three!). Manly Beach is one of our favorites and you can easily get there via the public ferry. Or, head to the famous Bondi Beach! Once there you can do the walk to Bronte or Coogee Beaches – they are both also stunning!
- Day Trip to the Blue Mountains – The Blue Mountains is a beautiful wilderness area where you can enjoy hiking, waterfalls, mountain views, and charming local towns. It’s about an hour’s drive and makes for a great day trip. This Blue Mountains full-day tour is our top choice as it includes a gourmet lunch, Scenic World, the wildlife park, as well as a cruise! Plus, the 4,600 5-star reviews are pretty reassuring that it’s an excellent tour!
- Take a cruise – With a nickname like “Harbour City” it would be a shame not to get out on the water! There are tons of Sydney Harbour cruises available for a front-row seat to famous sights (looking at you, Opera House!) along with the cliffs and wild bushland nearby. Lunch and dinner cruises are popular and this specific Sydney dinner cruise we did was the highlight of our most recent trip!
- Explore Darling Harbour – One of our favorite areas in Sydney is Darling Harbour. This trendy harbor features more restaurants, bars, and cafes than I can count! Plus, almost everything is waterfront! Here you can also enjoy the Chinese Garden of Friendship, walk across the Pyrmont Bridge, or visit other popular attractions like Madame Tussauds, the SeaLife aquarium, and Wildlife Sydney Zoo.
Where to Stay in Sydney
With so many things to do in and around Sydney, you’re going to need a place to stay. Luckily Sydney has a huge variety of accommodations to fit every budget. If you’re overwhelmed with where to start, check out our top picks for places to stay from luxury rooms to budget-friendly hostels. We’ve got you covered!
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney – $$$
For stunning views of Sydney Harbour and the iconic Opera House, book a room at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. You’ll have unobstructed views of the city from the comfort of your room. The hotel is located in the city center within the historic Rocks neighborhood – nice and close to lots of activities and restaurants.
Rooms here start at $400-$500 AUD per night and can be reserved with Booking.com.
Meriton Suites Kent Street Sydney – $$
Stay right in the heart of Sydney in a modern luxury apartment at Meriton Suites Kent Street. The suites are air-conditioned and have laundry facilities and either a kitchenette or full kitchen to make longer stays more comfortable. You’ll also have access to an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, and hot tub.
These full apartments are $230 AUD nightly when booked in advance with Booking.com.
Sydney Harbour YHA – $
For a hostel with a view, head to the rooftop terrace at the Sydney Harbour YHA. Located in the historic Rocks district, you’ll have amazing views of the harbor and be within walking distance of all the major sights. You can opt for a shared dorm room or a private room here. There’s a communal kitchen, TV lounge, billiards, and a 24/7 reception desk.
Dorm rooms are around $70 AUD nightly and private rooms are more around the $180 AUD mark. You can check for the best rates and book on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.com.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
If you’re looking for a walking tour to get to know Sydney better, hopefully, our review helped! We enjoyed this walking tour of The Rocks and learned so much about Sydney that we didn’t know. Plus our guide had great recommendations for what else to do and see, which helped us find some new places to check out.
If Sydney is your first stop or your final destination, have a look at our other blogs on Australia for lots of travel tips and inspiration. I also put a few specific blogs about Sydney below that I think you might like:
10 Things to Know BEFORE Visiting the Sydney Opera House +Our Honest Review