The Rocks, Sydney – an alternative walking tour
An alternative walking tour of Sydney’s historic Rocks neighbourhood.
The Rocks, Sydney – an alternative walking tour
The Rocks, Sydney – an alternative walking tour
A private alternative history walking tour of The Rocks – Tallawoladah district – Sydney’s oldest colonial neighbourhood.
With the intimacy and access of a private tour, we’ll see the spectacular location where the harsh convict settlement of New South Wales was established in 1788. The Rocks was known to Australia’s First People as Tallawoladah and this is where Australia’s long history of invasion and dispossession began. Some of the best preserved remnants of colonial Sydney are found here, right by the harbour and in the shadow of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. This is where some of the fiercest battles to preserve Sydney’s built heritage have occurred.
The Rocks – an alternative walking tour – highlights
We’ll discover –
* Where Sydney’s prison without walls was founded in 1788, and the hungry brutal years of the early colony. Who were the convicts?
* Early contact between the invaders and First Nations clans of the area.
* The whalers, gold-seekers and waterside workers who settled here as the settler economy boomed.
* Australia’s first Chinatown “Little Canton” developed here during the 1850s Gold Rush.
* Sydney’s contested architectural heritage. Since the 1970s, The Rocks has been at the centre of skirmishes between developers, locals and heritage advocates. A working class area of wharfies, whalers and public housing, has gentrified, and is now home to some of Sydney’s most expensive real estate.
Check out our other downtown Sydney history walk; Sydney – tales of the city
Our independent travel guide to Sydney at Rusty Compass here.
AUSTRALIAN HISTORY IN 2025 – WHY AN ALTERNATIVE TOUR?
Australia’s understanding of history is changing. Stories that weren’t told just two or three decades ago are now central to the narrative of our cities and our country. History is always contentious and its perspectives are always evolving. It’s supposed to be that way.
In Australia, the most important shift is in addressing the long silence around the dispossession of our First Peoples. Our walks focus on Sydney during and after colonisation. We hope to convey some of the complexity of a fresh alternative look at our history that acknowledges and is respectful of the Australia’s First Peoples.
For more on Australia’s First Peoples and their colonial dispossession, we recommend these TV documentaries –
Australia’s First Peoples
The Australian Wars
OUR TOUR LEADERS
Old Compass Travel tour leaders are experts in the places they work. They bring depth to our walks well beyond the talking points of the itinerary. They’ll have an interest in history and contemporary affairs, architecture and economics – big stories. They’ll also be able to help you make the most of your Sydney and Australia travels.
WHO YOU ARE
You’re a curious, active traveller (over 12 years of age) interested in exploring the stories of Sydney on foot. You’ll have an interest in history and getting a better understanding of the city, its past and present. You’ll need to be mobile – but we move at a casual speed. Expect to be on your feet for 90 minutes with breaks. Sydney can be hot in summer and cold in winter. Most of the tour is conducted along shaded paths. We operate in most weather conditions – there are plenty of nice spots to take shelter if we need to. The tour is an excellent introduction to all things Sydney – even for locals.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, water bottle and warmth in winter, umbrella and raincoat when conditions require.
PRIVATE TOURS AND TOURS FOR HIGH SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES
You can put your own tour group together. We can also tailor a walk to your interests. Special discounts apply to private tours of more than 5. We also run specialised walks for High Schools and Universities.
For special bookings, contact us at
GADIGAL COUNTRY
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the Country on which we walk on this tour, the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
CONDITIONS
The tour is available to anyone over 12 years of age with average fitness and mobility (ask us about family walks and walks for the less mobile). We walk around 4000 steps over 1.5 hours. There are some hills and stairs.
We operate in most weather conditions. If we cancel due to weather or another externality, we will provide an alternate tour date or a full refund. One date change can be made up to 24 hours prior to the tour without penalty. There are no refunds for cancellations within 48 hours of travel.
Tour Brief
A private alternative walking tour of the lanes and harbour views from The Rocks, Sydney – where dispossession and convict history began and a colonial outpost was transformed into a trading powerhouse. Stunning Sydney scenes, extraordinary stories.
- Private walk – $560AUD per group incl. GST (1 – 6 travellers).
- Expert led – Sydney and Australia insights – history, architecture, politics and culture.
- Active walking tour – 2.5 – 3hrs hour approx – around 600o steps.
- Operates on request mornings and afternoons. Recommended times Mornings: 9AM to 11AM Afternoon: 3PM to 5PM (winter) 4PM – 6PM (summer). We recommend walking in optimal light and temperature conditions.
- Includes: Expert Sydney guide, presentation, coffee stop (coffee or soft drink).
- Ask about customised Sydney walks of the Rocks, history, heritage, architecture, historic houses, harbour parks and more
- Text or WhatsApp on +61426638642 or email [email protected]
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