Sydney’s history as the site of colonial settlement of Australia makes for some of the most interesting and informative tours you’ll find across the country. Self-guided is always an option, but to learn something you wouldn’t otherwise know about the city, a tour guide will offer the best experience.
There are tours that begin in Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood and explore its history as the beginning of colonial settlement. The Rocks Walking Tours take you from the shoreline of Sydney Harbour down alleyways and hidden lanes in a ninety-minute tour that tells the story of colonial Sydney, but there are more niche tours of this area if you’re looking for something specific. The Rocks Ghost Tours are led by lantern light, where local history meets paranormal encounters, and Journey Walks runs a history and crime tour through The Rocks focusing on the convict colony aspect of the area. Continuing down the crime route is easy, as the Justice and Police Museum is located conveniently within The Rocks.
To learn more about the Indigenous perspective in Sydney, there are a number of cultural tours on offer, ran by the local Indigenous communities. The one running from Barangaroo is a great use of time, as you experience the beauty of Barangaroo Reserve (a new waterfront park) while learning from Aboriginal tour guides about the area’s history and cultural significance. Learning about Sydney’s native plants from this tour is particularly interesting, as the entire park is comprised of just native plants, a move unique to this reserve in Sydney parks.
Sydney’s culinary scene is incredibly vibrant as a result of its cultural melting pot. We recommend a tour as the best way to experience the best spots without having to do loads of research. Local Sauce Tours run small group walking tours that have won awards, and aren’t just limited to food and drinks, with art and history tours making up their catalogue also. Although they have a wide variety of tours, the secret bar crawl is bound to introduce you to a new favourite spot, and probably some new friends too, given the maximum group size is 12. Three and a half hours are spent at top-rated spots as well as some hidden ones, with the first drink included. Different nights of the week have a different itinerary, so make sure to check out which one sounds the best to you.