Top New South Wales Historical & Heritage Tours

Head to The Rocks to learn about Sydney’s colorful past. Your historian guide will regale you with stories of the first convicts to arrive in Sydney, their early experiences in Australia, and how they ultimately transformed a shanty camp to an enduring settlement. Listen to tales of street gangs, see the city’s oldest cottage, visit the Customs House, and check out maps and murals of old and new Sydney.

Delve into the history of Sydney and British Australia on a leisurely 90-minute walking tour in The Rocks district with an expert guide. Along with famous spots like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, you’ll see historic buildings and colonial-era sites such as Cadman's Cottage and Garrison Church. Weave through old hidden alleyways, lanes and courtyards where the past comes alive as you hear fascinating stories of Sydney’s beginnings from your guide.

This comprehensive tour of Sydney is perfect for first-time visitors or those short on time. Spend a half-day immersed in the history and culture of Sydney, learning through stops at landmarks such as Chinatown, Darling Harbour, and Australia’s largest urban development, Barangaroo. Your guide will follow a curated itinerary centered on the history of Sydney from 1788 to modern day, adding commentary to illuminate the details.

Be touched by the most ancient human culture on earth in a 90-minute leisurely walkabout with an Aboriginal guide in The Rocks Sydney, and journey into DreamTime, the culture of Aboriginal People. illi-Langi The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour is 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned and was developed by Aboriginal Elder, Margret Campbell, a Dunghutti – Jerrinjah woman. It is led by Aboriginal guides who have her permission to share her cultural knowledge. The tour gives you the opportunity to discover how the ancient Aboriginal DreamTime is still alive within the modern Sydney landscape and how the billion-year-old harbour, marine environment, sandstone strata, waterways, flora and fauna continue to influence how Aboriginal people live today.

Discover how the Cadigal people used local plant life to thrive on a tour of the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney. Lead by an Aboriginal guide, you receive insider information on the history, culture, and practices of the first people of present day Sydney. Depending on the season, you may get to try traditional Bush foods along the way.

Enjoy an insider’s perspective on the iconic Sydney Opera House during a 1-hour walking tour. Learn about the performances, history, and architecture of the World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House as your expert guide takes you behind the scenes of the venue. Get photos ops from vantage points that are normally off-limits, and have the option to include a tasting Plate at Opera Kitchen or dine at the famous Opera Bar. Tours are offered throughout the day, making it easy to schedule into your sightseeing when your cruise ship docks in Sydney.

Explore the LGBT history of Sydney during an entertaining and informative 2-hour walking tour. Follow your informative local guide through Hyde Park, the Royal Botanic Garden and over to rainbow-bedecked Oxford Street to hear about Sydney’s history and modern-day status as one of the world’s most gay-friendly cities, and home to the famous Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Wrap up with a complimentary drink at a gay bar on Oxford Street.

Sail around Sydney on the impeccably restored ‘James Craig’ — an authentic square-rigged ship that offers sailing adventures only twice per month. Morning tea, picnic lunch and afternoon tea are all included during your 6-hour cruise (afternoon tea and coffee included for the 5-hour adventure), which details fascinating stories from your ship's history and Sydney's maritime past. Embark on a lovely route around Sydney Harbour that goes past Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House before venturing into the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. Choose to sail for five or six hours on this must-do Sydney experience.

Discover Sydney’s most infamous crime scenes and learn about its chilling past on this leisurely walking tour. The saying “Truth is stranger than fiction” plays out as you hear Sydney’s most terrifying tales, walk through its neighborhoods, and visit the sites of its true crimes. Your guide provides fascinating facts about the city’s dark history.

Cram all of Sydney’s most memorable landmarks into one tour! Enjoy a 4-hour sightseeing tour, jam-packed with photo opportunities and iconic sights, and pick up insider tips from your knowledgeable local guide. Take in the views from Mrs Macquarie's Chair and The Gap; marvel over Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera house; and visit bustling Chinatown. After strolling neighborhoods like The Rocks, Paddington and Woolloomooloo, head to the coast to discover Bondi Beach, Rose Bay and Shark Beach.

Leave the bustle of Sydney behind during a full-day tour of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Enjoy a picturesque morning tea picnic at Calmsley Hill before seeing the highlights of Blue Mountains National Park including the Three Sisters rock formation and Govetts Leap. Have the option to include a 2-course lunch at the elegant Hydro Majestic Hotel. This is a small-group tour, with numbers limited to 17 people, for a more intimate experience.

Hit all the highlights of Australia's Blue Mountains on this day tour from Sydney. View native Australian animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park, see the famous Three Sisters at Echo Park, then head for Scenic World (all three rides included). Wind up on a river cruise on the Parramatta back to Sydney for drop-off at Circular Quay or Darling Harbour. National Park fees and round-trip transportation from select hotels included.

Spend some time like a classic Aussie on a historical pub tour of The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest neighborhood. Join a fun-loving and informative guide, and visit some of the quarter’s oldest drinking holes to experience authentic Aussie pub life. Enjoy five drinks and dinner; discover pubs' behind-the-scenes secrets; and uncover the The Rocks' history, discovering how its drink spots have shaped local culture. Includes souvenir gift, photos, and discount vouchers for local shops and restaurants.

When in Sydney, a full-day tour to Canberra provides a fascinating overview of Australia’s national capital, one of the few planned cities in the world. Designed by visionary architects, Canberra is home to renowned institutions including the Australian War Memorial, the National Museum of Australia, Parliament House, and the Lodge (the Prime Minister’s official residence). Stop for morning tea, lunch and dinner (own expense), and enjoy guided tours of key sites. Admire the town of Berrima, the Goulburn region and views from Mt Ainslie en route to Canberra.

Ditch the guidebook and explore Australia’s most populous city with a local host. Craft an itinerary that suits your interests and hit the streets with a local, visiting landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, as well as amazing hidden spots and vibrant neighborhoods. Enjoy an insider’s view on this beautiful, diverse metropolis.

Sydney is famous for its nightlife, but with new bars and restaurants springing up all the time, it’s impossible to keep up. This 3-hour small-group walking tour will help you escape the tourist trail and discover Sydney’s burgeoning small bar scene, including drinks, tapas, and snacks at three different bars.

Marvel over the monuments and memorials of Canberra on this full-day tour from Sydney. Look out over the Australian capital from Mount Ainslie; walk through the historic halls of Parliament House and visit the poignant Australian War Memorial. Then, enjoy an independent visit of either the National Museum of Australia or the National Gallery; learn more about Canberra’s fasincating history at Yarralumla; and admire the city’s beautiful parks and lakes.

Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge for unrivaled views from a height of 440 feet (134 meters) on this Australian landmark. Choose a half-day BridgeClimb with a guide in the morning or afternoon, or climb at dawn, twilight, or night. Choose from several other options, including a Sampler Climb that takes you halfway up, or a BridgeClimb Summit Express for a rigorous ascent at a faster pace. Climbs to the summit are limited to 14 participants to ensure personalized attention in a small group. 

Explore Sydney on a 5-hour tour that includes a comprehensive city tour, lunch at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Rushcutters Bay, and a visit to Bondi Beach. In Sydney, see highlights including the historic Rocks district, Royal Botanical Gardens, Parliament House, Hyde Park Barracks, St Mary’s Cathedral, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. You'll also drive through Woolloomooloo, Kings Cross, Oxford Street and the suburbs of Paddington, Double Bay, Rose Bay, Vaucluse and Watsons Bay, enjoying informative commentary along the way.

Discover the history of Sydney on a 2.5-hour walking tour and pub crawl in The Rocks. Your knowledgeable and entertaining guide takes you to four of Sydney's oldest pubs where you try a different glass of craft beer, cider, or wine in each venue. Learn about the early days of the British colony in Australia and hear the stories of these old-time pubs as you enjoy their rich atmosphere and tasty drinks.

The Commandant's Dinner is a fun evening which explores Norfolk's rich and colourful history. It includes a 3 course dinner and entertainment.

Cycling around Sydney is the perfect way to sightsee in this gorgeous harborside city. Join your expert guide for a fun and fascinating look at up to 30 top sights, including the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, along with many others. As you pedal around the city, learn about the history, culture and favorite local spots on your choice of four cycling routes. Choose from various tour durations depending on your schedule.

this tour is guided by a local Sydney born guide and this tour takes you through hidden sydney and explores the harbour and historic rocks area and it’s hidden lane ways and hidden gems where we started in 1788

Explore Sydney with a local guide on a private full-day tour that efficiently covers the highlights. See top destinations including the historic Rocks district, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Sydney Opera House, and learn about the Aboriginal heritage and colonial history of Australia. You’ll also take in attractions such as the Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, stop at Bondi Beach for a walk and lunch, and more.