The Rocks Walking Tours in The Rocks, Sydney | Landmark & historical place

The Rocks Walking Tours

Locality: The Rocks, Sydney

Phone: +61 2 9247 6678

Address: Shop 5 - Clocktower Square, Cnr Argyle & Harrington Sts 2000 The Rocks, NSW, Australia

Website: http://www.rockswalkingtours.com.au

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25.01.2022 Our guides welcoming back the return of convicts and soldiers to The Rocks!

25.01.2022 Living legend......Brian McDonald.

25.01.2022 Reynolds Cottages - the earliest authentic domestic dwellings in The Rocks. Tune in to hear more from Michael.

25.01.2022 Cadmans Cottage - if only the walls could talk. They cant - so our guide Jill shares a short insight into Elizabeth Cadman.

25.01.2022 Professional Rat Catchers At the turn of the 20th century, an outbreak of bubonic plague hit Sydney. The first victim was Arthur Payne, living in Millers Point. The Payne family were taken to the Quarantine Station at North Head and their premises fumigated. The NSW government then resumed The Rocks and when it was confirmed that it was the flea that lived on the rat that spread the plague, a bounty of 6 pence per rat was offered to the citizens. In the 1900s, 6 pence bought... you a loaf of bread. No wonder it was suspected that some cunning fellows were breeding rats! The whole Rocks area was quarantined and a major cleansing operation program was carried out. One in three houses were demolished and those that remained were cleansed, disinfected, lime washed and fumigated. Photo: NSW State Archives

24.01.2022 Crimes and Punishments Today, the Four Seasons Hotel sits near the site of the first public hanging that occurred in the colony. Upon settling at Sydney Cove, Governor Phillip quickly established rules and laws for all the British subjects now living under his command. Some of those rules were to work hard, to not steal food and to get married.... If broken, the two most common punishments was being flogged with the cat-o-nine tails for lesser crimes, such as, neglecting work or general misconduct. The other was being hanged for the more serious crime of stealing clothing or food. The first hanging to occur was only 4 weeks after they arrived in Sydney Cove and all the convicts were obligd to be present at the hanging. Convict Thomas Barrett and a few others stole butter, pease and pork from the government stores. Of course they were caught and sentenced to death via hanging. As a repeat offender Thomas was hanged but the others were spared. However, fellow offender, James Freeman was forced to become the hangman or be shot!

23.01.2022 Through the foggy mist, Sydneys iconic man-made landmark stands tall.

23.01.2022 Thinking of a last minute Christmas gift for the history lover amongst your family and friends? Purchase a gift voucher for Sydney's best and original Rocks Walking Tours to assist them to become a tourist in their own city. Our gift vouchers are valid for 3 years and are available online ... www.rockswalkingtours.com.au Or call us on 02 9247 6678

23.01.2022 It was a great experience! I’d highly recommend if your in the Rocks book in and do this tour. Our guide Anne was lovely & I learned new things about this area. I really enjoyed it!

23.01.2022 Our tour guide Vickie sharing some thoughts about her job at The Rocks Walking Tours.

22.01.2022 So how did The Rocks get its name? The answer is B. Because the area is plain rocky and the bedrock that Sydney sits on is sandstone. The British were very practical and literal when naming places in Sydney Town and many of the heritage buildings in Sydney are built of the Sydney sandstone. One of the early descriptions of the area by the British in 1788 was of gentle ledges of sandstone going higher and higher up the hill. The early convicts were sent to clear the lan...d along the western side of Sydney Cove and told to start building their first shelters. It was soon said that you lived on the rocks and nobody it seems has ever bothered to call it anything else since. Photo: State Libraryof NSW

22.01.2022 Let our knowledgable guides bring The Rocks to life for you on our walking tours that run daily 10.30am and 1.30pm

21.01.2022 We’ve had 2 schools back this week and more booked over the next few weeks, nothing like usual but it all helps. Great to see the team out working and having fun again. Well done guys and girls.

20.01.2022 First impressions are lasting impressions!

20.01.2022 Congratulations to The Rocks Walking Tours who have just been named #6 out of 664 tours in Sydney according to Tripadvisor!! They’ve always been one of the mo...st popular tours to do when visiting Sydney & such a wonderful accolade is very well-deserved IATG was lucky to go on one of their educational tours this morning conducted by our very own IATG committee member Sofi Lidgren. A thoroughly entertaining & educational tour & the kids absolutely adored it all, thank you Sofie See more

20.01.2022 Sydney Ferries Just as the Cadigal people lived close to the shores of Warrane and Cadi to utilise the harbours bountiful fishing areas, so too, did the British. As early settlement grew around the harbour and stretched up the Parramatta River, the easiest and most realistic way of moving around the area was via the water. The first ferry service was run by an ex-convict by the name of Billy Blue. He was appointed harbour watchman and constable by Governor Macquarie in 1811... and Macquarie himself was a regular user of the ferry service. As Sydney grew and became a thriving city, over 30 million people per year relied on the ferry services within the harbour and along the Parramatta River. Once the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened in March 1932, ferry patronage decreased to 13 million people per year. In 1988, as a Bicentennial Project, nine First Fleet Class medium speed catamarans were delivered and have been the backbone of the harbour service for many years. The ferries are named after nine of the eleven ships of the First Fleet - Sirius, Supply, Alexander, Scarborough, Charlotte, Friendship, Borrowdale, Fishburn and Golden Grove.

19.01.2022 The Evolution of Circular Quay Part 5 Today, all visitors to The Quay whether they be locals, interstate or international can connect and explore the beauty of Sydney Harbour and the many attractions that line her shores. It not only boasts magnificent views of our two world renowned Heritage Listed sites Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House but is the focal point for all of Sydneys main celebrations and festivals, such as VIVID and New Years Eve which ...attract people from far and wide. https://www.facebook.com//a.4045011329274/2165880460122849

18.01.2022 Argyle St looking west at the Argyle Cut. The Cut was started with convict labour in 1843 and then after 3 years council labour and explosives were used to quarry through the sandstone ridge. It took 16 years to complete the short and much needed direct route across the peninsular which was needed between Sydney Cove and Darling Harbour. Towards the end of the 1800s is was described as the most dangerous part of Sydney and locally it was referred to as the Three Ds - Damp,... Dark and Dangerous! Photo: NSW State Archives

18.01.2022 The Evolution of Circular Quay Part 3 By 1879, Circular Quay became too small to accommodate the increase in commercial shipping and was moved away towards Darling Harbour. It then became increasingly used for public transport. In 1861, the first horse drawn tram went from the old Sydney Railway Station todays Redfern Station - to Circular Quay along Pitt St. Steam trams started in 1879. Also, in 1879, the first ferry wharf was built and Circular Quay became a hub for pu...blic transport. By 1954, Circular Quay Railway station was finally complete. Photo: NSW State Archives

18.01.2022 Great working with Destination NSW to help showcase our amazing city! Photos: Destination NSW

18.01.2022 Great vibes in the office today. A behind the scenes look at some of team getting ready for another school group.

17.01.2022 Sydney's Skyscraper Skyline Due to the Height of Buildings Act of 1912, any new buildings constructed in Sydney were limited to a height of 46m (150 feet). This act was passed as politicians of the day feared that fighting fires would be nearly impossible in tall buildings. Due to this act, for almost 50 years as the city grew, Sydney went outwards rather than skywards. However, when the AMP 'Sydney Cove' Building was finally opened on 23 November 1962, it was the first to br...eak that restriction with its twin towers soaring 117m - almost double any other building in Sydney at that time. With its Post-War International style, this office building was very controversial due to its modern design and unlike anything Sydneysiders had ever seen. Today, it is heritage listed as it ushered in the age of the modern skyscraper and is now dwarfed by the many tall buildings that form Sydney's modern skyline. And not only was it the first skyscraper in Sydney, it was also one of the first buildings to use seawater air conditioning which required an onsite 'frogman' to maintain its water-intake pump house. Black and white photo: City of Sydney archives

16.01.2022 Awesome backdrop for the new Lexus photo shoot/ commercial!

15.01.2022 Exciting news!!! The Sydney Theatre Company has released more tickets to Kate Mulvany's adaptation of Ruth Park's timeless classic 'Playing Beatie Bow'. Here at The Rocks Walking Tours, we are excited to announce that for the duration of the play, we will be offering our 'Beatie Bow's Sydney' tour every fortnight from Saturday 27 February at 1.30pm until Saturday 8 May.... Explore Abigail and Beatie Bow's Sydney with one of our guides to learn how The Rocks and events during the 1970s inspired Ruth Park to write this story. Click on the link below to book now! https://www.rockswalkingtours.com.au/

12.01.2022 The Evolution of Circular Quay Part 2 Did you know it was called Semi-Circular Quay until the 1850s? Sydney Cove become a working harbour and an important port for trade. The Quay was constructed in phases from 1837 until the 1860s. Customs House dominated the waterfront at Circular Quay as a symbol of British power over sea and trade and was the only supervisor of shipping in a colony dependent on maritime trade.... This painting by George Peacock from 1845, shows a view of Customs House, Semi-Circular Quay and The Rocks in the background. Photo: Dixson Galleries, State Library of NSW

12.01.2022 Where our office is today on the corner of Argyle and Harrington Street was the site of the Harrington St Ragged School from 1875 to 1910 . The Ragged Schools were set up in the inner-city areas of Sydney to provide basic education and religious or moral instruction to the destitute children and were supported by voluntary contributions. The children were taught reading, writing and arithmetic as well as plaiting, sewing and technical skills. By 1927, all the Ragged Schools in Sydney had closed down due to changes in attitude towards all children having equal educational opportunities. Photo: NSW State Archives

11.01.2022 The Evolution of Circular Quay Part 4 Due to the growth of Post-War immigration and tourism, the demand to accommodate the larger passenger ships entering Sydney became an infrastructural necessity. Between 1945 and 1965, two million immigrants arrived in Australia. The Overseas Passenger Terminal was completed in 1960 and 10 days after the official opening it hosted its first passenger ship, the SS Oriana carrying over 2000 passengers.... As the increasing popularity and affordability to travel via air became the norm, the OPT lay virtually empty and became derelict by 1983. In 1988, subsequent renovations and improvements included restaurants and cafes allowed for increased public access. Late 20th Century and early 21st Century saw further renovations to accommodate the explosion of cruising as a popular and affordable holiday for many. During 2018/2019, 323 cruise ships entered Sydney Harbour. Photo: Australian Maritime Museum

11.01.2022 Take care and stay safe everyone!

11.01.2022 The deadliest maritime disaster to occur on Sydney Harbour

11.01.2022 Julie about to head off on our 10:30 tour enjoying a beautiful Sydney morning

11.01.2022 Sharing Sydney’s history

11.01.2022 A beautiful afternoon for a walk around The Rocks markets and then enjoy a cool beer at the Endeavour Tap Rooms

10.01.2022 Be a tourist for a day in your own backyard! With Dine and Discover NSW soon to start, join one of our daily tours to learn how colonial Sydney started and grew into the modern city it is today!

09.01.2022 Lunar New Year The Ox in the Rocks has arrived! Join one of our daily tours to learn about the Australian Chinese history that is part of colonial times.

09.01.2022 Flashback......1919 Spanish Flu Pandemic. Medical staff and workers of Riley Street depot Surry Hills. Click on the link below. https://thepulse.org.au//lessons-from-1919-when-the-spani/... Photo: NSW State Archives and Records

08.01.2022 The Evolution of Circular Quay Part 1 Warrane has been home to the Cadigal people of the Eora nation for over 30 000 years. It was a bountiful saltwater environment with a landscape of bush, sandstone cliffs and mangrove swamps. When the British arrived in 1788, they named it Sydney Cove and slowly started to change the the area by clearing the land and erecting shelter for themselves.... This painting by William Bradley, a Royal Naval Officer on board the First Fleet, shows Sydney Cove a few months after their arrival. Photo: State Library of NSW

06.01.2022 Super Spring Special - 25% off our daily tours Our guides are eager and waiting to take you exploring Sydneys oldest neighbourhood. They will share stories of the rogues and characters that called The Rocks home while walking through hidden laneways and courtyards you may not find on your own. Click on the link below to book from our website and enter the code Spring25... https://www.rockswalkingtours.com.au/ See more

06.01.2022 The long arm of the law!!

06.01.2022 Sydney......it doesn't get better than this! The things you discover walking around exploring your own backyard!

05.01.2022 Now is the time to be a tourist in our own backyard by using your Dine & Discover NSW to explore Sydney. Let our guides bring The Rocks to life for you as you learn how the city of Sydney has evolved from a penal settlement to the modern city it is today.

05.01.2022 Bringing The Rocks to life with fascinating stories on a glorious spring day

04.01.2022 If you have enjoyed what you have seen on our newsfeed, would you please take part in the survey below. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M79BWYX

04.01.2022 Christmas 2020 After a challenging year for everyone, The Rocks Walking Tours team came together to enjoy a well deserved day out on our beautiful harbour. So blessed to be a part of such an awesome group of people that share so much in common - a passion for history, The Rocks and Sydney. Merry Christmas to all!

03.01.2022 Flu fashions of Yesteryear! 100 years on and the Spanish Flu pandemic novelty mask fashions returns to haunt us!

03.01.2022 The Rocks Walking Tours is now ranked #6 of 664 Tours in Sydney. A big shout out and thank you to all the guests on our tours that supported us by writing a review on TripAdvisor and giving us a 5 star rating

02.01.2022 Prior to the decimal currency that came about on 14 February 1966, Australia was using the English currency of pounds, shillings and pence. In 1910, the Australian Note Act was passed which meant we could mint and print the Commonwealth of Australia money. The first Australian banknotes were printed at the western end of Flinders St in Melbourne and was of the ten shillings denomination ($1.00 in decimal currency) ready for numbering on 1 May 1913. The first lot of notes ...were issued to the politicians of the day. Fun fact when the ten shilling note was produced, the upper crust of Australian society were very upset because it was such a low denomination and it would be handled by the poorer class and transmit disease! The notes in the video portray King George VI from 1939 to 1952 replaced by Queen Elizabeth II from 1953 to 1966. The coins are from 1910 and 1911 with King Edward VII and were the first minted coins in Australia. For more information visit the Reserve Bank of Australia website https://banknotes.rba.gov.au/australias-banknotes/history/

02.01.2022 Today, as you have learnt, The Rocks bares no resemblance to what it looked like when the British arrived 232 years ago. Many people far and wide love to visit and explore this area, however, do any of you know how The Rocks got its name? So, how did The Rocks get its name? a) In colonial times, they made a lot of rock candy in this area b) Due to the exposed sandstone that the convicts were told to go up onto and start setting up shelter... c) The convicts favourite dance was rock n roll d) The buildings were made of sandstone Photo: Destination NSW

02.01.2022 Our guide Vickie delighted to be out and about again on our 10.30am tour exploring The Rocks with our guests.

02.01.2022 The rocks walking tour have asked me to tell people about the tour I went on with myself James Condren and Monique Oliver it starts off at their office and goes... to the cobblestone lane then nurses walk and argale st then onto Sydney international shipping terminal then to the clock we saw photos of the one bedroom homes and an old convict house where the convict lived staff lived upstairs parts of the rocks now is pedestrians only I enjoyed the rocks walking tour and the history I had also watched Sydney history on you tube I urge more people to book on the rocks walking tour and they do except companion cards we need to keep the business going support the rocks walking tpur See more

02.01.2022 Which bank? The English, Scottish and Australian Chartered Bank sits on the site that was first occupied by Europeans in 1788 as the location of the first hospital in Australia.

01.01.2022 What a view through the Moon in a Dew Drop!

01.01.2022 Here at The Rocks Walking Tours, we dont regard what we do as a job and there is no job more enjoyable than ours as tour guides. We get to walk around and talk about this amazing historical precinct, that sits within one of the most beautiful cities in the world, sharing its rich and diverse history and bringing the area to life for the guests that willingly share a fraction of their time with us. How lucky are we!! Our guides are ready and waiting to go exploring Sydneys oldest neighbourhood with you on our daily tours at 10.30am and 1.30pm Monday through to Sunday.