Sydney’s Convict Colony – A Walking History Tour of The Rocks
READY TO STEP BACK IN TIME?
Choose a date and join us for a Sydney’s Convict Colony Tour.
JOIN SYDNEY’S DEFINITIVE CONVICT HISTORY TOUR OF THE ROCKS AND TRULY ENGAGE WITH THE ORIGINS OF THIS CITY
EXPECT
Fascinating history, delivered with energy and insight as we uncover the scallywag stories behind Sydney’s colonial beginnings.
Together we’ll unpack the journey, arrival and establishment of Australia’s first European settlement and its immediate impact on Sydney’s ancient Indigenous peoples. Expect colourful tales of convicts, craftsmen, soldiers, sailors, larrikins, legends, rum and rascals.
TOUR TASTER
Once upon a time (not so long ago), a bizarre colonial experiment took place on the rocky shores of Sydney’s ancient Indigenous harbour. Thousands of miles from home, England’s banished thieves were locked in a prison with ocean walls; forced to find food and cut through stone.
Defying the odds, their shanty camp survived and grew—clutching to life on the banks of a freshwater stream. Gardens were grown, goods were traded and rum soon ranked as both currency and cure.
As centuries changed, The Rocks was carved into cottages and corridors. Scallywags sailed into shore. Larrikins lurked in the laneways and many a clever convict swapped their chains for riches.
Journey Walks invites you to share a part in this remarkable story. This tour will keep your ears pricked, your eyes open and your passion for the past brought to life.
ON THE JOURNEY
The types of tales your tour will cover:
- Indigenous Sydney: The harbour and its ancient clans
- Why were the convicts sent here? A clear context to transportation
- The voyage, landing and mishaps of the First Fleet
- Early Interaction and conflict with local Aboriginal people
- Sydney’s hidden stream: its tanks, tunnel and bridge
- The birth of ‘The Rocks’ as a convict settlement
- Starvation, sickness and struggles at the first hospital
- The notorious rum trade and early taverns
- Sydney’s oldest cottage & surviving Georgian architecture
- The rise & fall of the infamous convict-architect
- Street gangs: their schemes and hide outs in The Rocks
- The black plague in The Rocks
- The Argyle cut and convict quarries
- Larrikins who lurked in the laneways
- Historic Pubs & underground Doss Houses
- Any question you have answered on the spot
TOUR DETAILS
AT A GLANCE
- Multiple tours scheduled per week
- Tours generally starting at 10:30am
- Approx walking time 2.5 hrs
- Covering approx 20 historic sites
- Small groups of max. 15 people
- $54 per adult / $50 concession
- Guided by a Sydney Historian
- Easy walking pace, some stairs and inclines involved
- Private tours and tailor made themes / itineraries available on request
The tour explores The Rocks and around old Sydney Cove, uncovering historic relics and remains hidden throughout Australia’s original convict settlement.
Along the way:
- We’ll explore a model of Sydney inside Customs House.
- Discover Sydney’s oldest relics at Macquarie Place
- Navigate the historic laneways of Quay Quarter
- Then venture into The Rocks and parts of Millers Point.
- Wander through hidden laneways, cobblestone courtyards.
- Pass sandstone ruins, historic pubs and heritage buildings
YOUR GUIDE:
This tour is led by one of our expert team of local historians. Our guides possess unique skillsets that fuse academic research with engaging storytelling. They bring passion, professionalism and years of experience to their important role hosting groups on behalf of Journey Walks.
Expect history with a sense of humour and the kind of juicy details that really brings the past back to life. Learn more about our expert team of Tour Guides.
GOOD TO KNOW
Sydney’s Convict Colony tour starts outside Customs House at Circular Quay, 31 Alfred Street, Sydney. Your guide will be waiting on the right-hand side of the building. Circular Quay Station is just across the road, making the meeting point easy to reach by train, light rail, ferry or bus.
The tour takes approximately 2.5 hours and covers around 2.5 km (1.5 miles). We visit approximately 20 historic stops along the way, moving at an easy-going pace with plenty of time to stop, look around and hear the stories behind the places we visit.
The tour finishes in the heart of The Rocks, near the Argyle Cut. The finishing point is less than a 10-minute walk from our original meeting point at Customs House and within easy walking distance of Circular Quay.
Please call or text Journey Walks on +61 421 755 152 as soon as possible if you are running late. As we need to start on time for the rest of the group, the tour may depart without you if you are more than 5–10 minutes late. Once the tour is underway, your guide may not be able to answer their phone.
If you miss the tour, we’ll do our best to reschedule your booking where possible, but refunds cannot be provided for late arrivals or missed tours.
The tour moves at an easy-going pace and is mostly on relatively flat ground. However, due to the historic layout of The Rocks, the route includes several staircases and uneven surfaces. Unfortunately, this means the tour is not suitable for wheelchairs, prams or walking frames. If you have limited mobility or are unsure whether the tour will be suitable for you, please contact us before booking and we’ll be happy to discuss the route with you.
The tour is generally recommended for guests aged 12 and over. It includes approximately 2.5 hours of walking and historical storytelling, as well as some mature themes from Sydney’s colonial past that may not be suitable for younger children. Parents and guardians are welcome to use their discretion, and please contact us before booking if you’re unsure whether the tour will be suitable for your child.
As places on our small-group tours are limited, every child attending must be included in your booking, regardless of age. Please let us know in advance if you are bringing any children.
Concession tickets are available for high school students, university students and pensioners. Please bring relevant identification or proof of concession with you on the day of your tour.
Your guide will be waiting at the meeting point wearing a navy Journey Walks shirt and carrying a clearly branded Journey Walks tour folder.
They will be at the meeting point around 5-10 minutes before the tour begins. Please arrive at least 5 minutes early to check in so we can start on time.
We recommend comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of water. Sydney weather can change quickly, so check the forecast before you set out and bring an umbrella, rain jacket, hat or sunscreen as appropriate.
Tours generally go ahead in light rain, so we recommend checking the forecast and dressing for the conditions. If severe weather makes it unsafe or impractical to run the tour, we’ll contact booked guests as early as possible with alternative arrangements.
Yes. Public toilets, seating and some shelter are available close to the meeting point at Circular Quay. As the tour runs for approximately 2.5 hours, we recommend using the facilities before the tour begins.
Yes. Sydney’s Convict History Tour is available as a private tour for families, friends, community groups and corporate groups. Private tours can be arranged on alternative dates and times, subject to guide availability. Contact us to discuss your group and preferred date.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guests are advised that the tour may include the names and historical images of people who have died. The tour also discusses aspects of Sydney’s early colonial history and the impact of European settlement.
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