Sydney Odyssey: An Off-Beat Sydney Harbour WALKing tour
Be guided by a qualified historian and archaeologist on a walking tour along the shoreline of Sydney Harbour, one of the world’s most iconic and recognisable places. See the city from a local’s perspective, learn history that the textbooks forbid and hear the strangest stories behind our world-famous landmarks.
About the Sydney Harbour walking tour
3 Hours
Venture off the tourist Trail
The ultimate historical walking tour of Sydney Harbour for those who want to avoid the tourist traps. Instead, explore the back streets, lanes and alleys, skirt hidden bays and coves and discover secret parks and gardens. See the real Sydney from a local perspective that most visitors never get to experience.
Hear Strange and Unusual Stories
As you follow your guide (a qualified historian and archaeologist), you will hear stories of 20ft sharks, convict gangs, sailor’s riots, unsolved murders, indigenous heroes, pioneer women, opium and rum smugglers, the great Garden Palace fire, the Battle for Fort Denison hoax, how Sydney Harbour looked 10,000 years ago and that is before you even leave Circular Quay. You will also see hidden burials, forgotten convict carvings, secret statues, stunning Victorian architecture, where Sydney’s “Peaky Blinders” used to battle with police, where a war was declared on a giant stingray, a serial killer’s crime scene and many more strange things.
Not your typical walking tour
Enjoy a gentle walk from Circular Quay to Kings Cross. See the best of Sydney Harbour from a different angle while hearing bizarre and peculiar stories that will change how you see our most iconic landmarks. Be guided through parts of Sydney that most visitors never get to experience and finish knowing you discovered the real and authentic historical and picturesque Sydney.
Now and Then
See the modern landmarks and cityscapes in real life and compare them to photos dating back to the 1850s and illustrations dating back to 1800.
Finish in the iconic Kings Cross at the Potts Point Hotel, explore old Sin City, or sit back with a drink and meal and watch the interesting people pass by.
Why choose this Sydney Harbour Walking Tour?
Some of the Unique Sydney Harbour locations you will explore
Bennalong Point
Better known as the location of the iconic Sydney Opera House, was once the location of a colonial military fort.
Royal Botanic Gardens
Part of the Sydney Domain, the gardens are full of beautiful plants, unique animals, cool history and strange mysteries.
Woolloomooloo
Famous for its long tongue-twisting name, it is one of Sydney’s oldest and mysterious hidden neighbourhoods.
Frequently asked questions
Sydney Harbour Walking Tour Gallery
More of our Sydney Walking Tours
Gangs of Old Sydney Walking Adventure
On this tour, you will discover and explore the old inner-city suburb of Surry Hills (next to Central Station). A maze of charming old laneways lined with cottages from the 1800s. It was here that street gangs battled one another and tough cops ruled with an iron fist.
Walking. 3 hours.
For those who love exploring secret old laneways.
Gangs of old Sydney Express Tour
Explore the old laneways of Surry Hills and hear the stories of the gangsters and tough cops who battled for control of what was once Sydney’s most infamous neighbourhood. See the home of Australia’s prohibition-era crime queen, explore trendy Crown Street and finish at a classic Aussie pub that has operated since 1879.
Walking. 2 hours.
An exciting adventure before lunch.
east Sydney Historical Walking Tour
Starting in Hyde Park, you will explore the winding narrow laneways of historic East Sydney. Today this area is very trendy and pretty. However, it was once the centre of Sydney’s red-light district; the battleground of the female crime lords that ruled Sydney’s prohibition era; and a battleground for US Servicemen during WW2.
Walking. 2 hours.
You won’t find this in Lonely Planet.
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Darlinghurst, the forgotten jacaranda suburb,
Walking Tours in Sydney
Walk the back streets, secret coves and hidden gardens for an authentic Sydney experience.