Dave's Travel & Events The Rocks Pub Tour

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A 2.5 hour walking tour of the great historic pubs of Sydney's The Rocks. Tread in the footsteps of the convicts, larrikin gangs and locals of the past as you share a drink in 4 of Sydney's oldest pubs.

Days

2.5 hours

Age

Adults only

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

The Rocks, Sydney / The Rocks, Sydney

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

On foot, with a local guide

Meals

A drink at each of the 4 pubs; no food

Route

Map of Dave's Travel & Events The Rocks Pub Tour

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Included experiences

Four heritage-listed pubs in The Rocks — a drink in each
Sydney's oldest pub — the story behind the claim
The Rocks — alleys and cobbled streets
Australia's first European settlement — its stories

Dave's Travel & Events The Rocks Pub Tour

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MEET AT HARTS PUB IN THE ROCKS

You meet your guide at Harts Pub, on the corner of Essex and Gloucester Streets, with a choice of a 2:30pm or 6:30pm start. The Rocks is where modern Sydney began. The First Fleet came ashore at Sydney Cove, Warrane to the Gadigal people, in January 1788, and the convicts built their huts on the sandstone ridge above it. Those cobbled lanes and steep stone steps are still here, and you'll walk them between pubs. Bring comfortable shoes, because the streets climb.

FOUR OLD PUBS, ONE DRINK IN EACH

Over two and a half hours you call in at four of Sydney's oldest pubs, all heritage-listed, and at each one you choose a small craft beer, a house wine or a soft drink. This is not a pub crawl: the drink comes with a story. Several pubs here say they are Sydney's oldest, and by the end you'll know which claim really holds up and why. You'll hear about the 6 O'Clock Swill, when New South Wales pubs had to shut at 6pm from 1916 to 1955, and drinkers raced to down as much as they could between knocking off work and closing time.

LARRIKINS, PLAGUE AND THE FIGHT FOR THE ROCKS

Between pubs, the lanes tell the rest. In the late 1800s The Rocks was run by larrikin gangs, the 'pushes', who fought in the streets and terrified visitors. In 1900 bubonic plague broke out near the wharves, and the government bought and pulled down whole streets to clean it out. Then in the early 1970s plans to bulldoze the area for towers were stopped by residents and the builders' labourers' union with its 'green bans'. That's why the old sandstone is still standing. Your guide also points out what's said to be Sydney's oldest haunted spot.

FINISH IN THE ROCKS

The walk ends at a well-known pub in The Rocks. If you've booked the dinner option, you sit down there for a meal and another drink with your tour mates. If not, your guide will happily point you to the best places to eat nearby, and Circular Quay and the Harbour Bridge are only a few minutes' walk away.

Map

Good to know

Departure time: Every day at 2:30pm and 6:30pm.
Fitness: Relaxed and leisurely.
Suits: Adults only — couples, young adults and seniors.
Please note: This is not a pub crawl. No tours run on public holidays, New Year's Eve or St Patrick's Day. Other times and dates can be booked as private tours for a minimum group of 4.

What to bring

Casual clothes
Comfortable shoes

What is included

2.5 hour guided walking tour with a local guide
A craft beer, wine or soft drink (285ml or 10oz) at each of the 4 pubs

Not included

Food — a pre- or post-tour dinner may be added for an additional cost

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 5 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

We did the pub tour in The Rocks with a guide called Dave, though not the Dave. He shared lots of great history and trivia about the pubs, the beer and the neighbourhood. We enjoyed our time and our beer and would highly recommend it.

Jennifer Lutzky Verified· Travelled 7th October 2026

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(5/5)

Dick shared plenty of the history of Sydney, especially The Rocks and its old pubs and hotels. A good experience.

Frank Schröder Verified· Travelled 20th December 2025

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(5/5)

I did The Rocks Pub Tour with Doug, taking a first-time visitor from Hawaii to learn some Sydney history over a drink. Doug clearly loves his job, and even as a Sydney local I learnt things I didn't know. Highly recommended.

Tracy Burchett Verified· Travelled 21st November 2025

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(5/5)

Doug was a great guide and I enjoyed all four pubs. It was informative, I shared a meal with someone from the group afterwards, and it was the perfect way to spend my first night in Sydney.

Jennifer Giles Verified· Travelled 7th April 2025

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(5/5)

A fun way to see The Rocks, learn some of its history and visit four pubs, with wine available at each stop too. Our guide Tom was awesome, and the mix of tourists and locals made it even more fun.

Nicole Smith Woodard Verified· Travelled 2nd June 2023

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