William Balmain was a sea-faring surgeon who pioneered medicine and traded in rum. While he fought duals, saved lives and fell in love with a convict; Sydney mostly remembers his name because he was given an amazing piece of land fronting the harbour. Two centuries later, we invite you to wander through the rich history of Balmain on a guided walking tour with Sydney Crime Historian Max Burns-McRuvie.

With a focus on the harbour-side heritage of this unique stretch of Sydney, this tour will examine its early architecture and recall its colourful characters. From the maritime merchants of the Fenwick Stores, to the thirsty ferryman of the Shipwright’s Arms; and from the surviving colonial mansions of its earliest years, to the long-lost tramline that once ran right to the wharf — this is a chance to explore the many faces of this important and historic neighbourhood.