Customs House Tours and Tickets

Sydney’s modern skyline hides layers of history that can be easy to overlook without local context. This small-group walking tour brings the city’s past to life as you explore the historic waterfront around Customs House and the surrounding streets of The Rocks. Along the way, learn how Aboriginal heritage, British colonization, convict history, and later migration shaped the city's development.

Embark on an immersive walking tour led by expert guides, unraveling Sydney's captivating narrative while exploring its iconic landmarks. Ideal for newcomers, locals, and those eager to delve deeper into Australian history, culture, and society, this experience promises rich insights into the city's past and present, including its profound connection with First Nations people. Starting from Customs House, delve into Sydney's colonial history, delving into the impact of British colonization on the indigenous inhabitants. Your knowledgeable guide will offer diverse perspectives on Sydney's evolution, highlighting the roles of Aboriginal communities, British governors, convicts, entrepreneurs, and multicultural migrants. Conclude your enlightening journey with a refreshing beer at a renowned brewery boasting panoramic views of the Sydney Harbour, Bridge, and Opera House.

The Best Way to Discover Sydney: Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour. Play, learn, and walk! Explore at your own pace with a 100% self-guided activity. Start anytime (24/7) with no guides or schedules. Pause for a photo at St. Andrew’s Cathedral or a stroll through Queen’s Square and resume whenever you're ready—even the next day. This unique team-building activity is perfect for couples, families, and groups. The "Complete City" Package - Everything you need in one app: Interactive Game: Solve puzzles and discover 10+ major attractions, plus hidden gems revealed along the way. Audio & Text: Listen to our audio guide or read the history/legends of each site. Insider Tips: Access hand-picked local restaurant and shop recommendations. What you will visit: Chinese Garden of Friendship, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Town Hall, Queen Victoria Building, St Mary’s Cathedral, Queen’s Square, Museum of Sydney, Customs House, Sydney Opera House, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Discover the rich history of Sydney on this engaging 2.5-hour walking tour that takes you through iconic sites in The Rocks and beyond. Led by experienced guides, this small-group adventure (maximum 16 guests) covers significant landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, Hyde Park Barracks, and the historic Old Police Station. Dive into the stories of the Eora Nation and explore hidden lanes that reveal the city's past. With flexible booking options and no minimum group requirements, this tour offers a unique opportunity to connect with Sydney's cultural heritage. - Duration: 2.5 hours, starting at Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park North. - Small groups ensure an intimate experience with personalised insights. - Learn about convict history, Aboriginal culture, and infamous characters. - Flexible booking and 24-hour cancellation policy for peace of mind.

This self-guided adventure through The Rocks reveals the real Sydney, raw, rebellious, and absolutely fascinating. Walk 3.3km through 18 historic sites where convicts, sailors, and survivors built a city from nothing. But you're not just seeing buildings, you're meeting the people who lived, loved, fought, and died here. 28 Captivating Audio Stories bring colonial Sydney to life. Hear about the families who thrived against impossible odds, the Green Bans, and of course the convicts Discover what they ate, how they survived, and the legacies they left behind. Total Freedom: - Explore at YOUR pace, linger or breeze through - Start anytime, morning, afternoon, or evening - Pause, reread, replay, customize your route - Experience history on your own terms Perfect for: Curious explorers wanting authentic stories, history lovers craving depth, really anyone who believes the best experiences reveal who made history, not just what happened. Download the Guide, press play, and walk!

Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood, The Rocks, is bursting with history, culture, and world-famous sights. On this self-guided walking tour, where iconic landmarks meet unforgettable stories, you’ll experience the city’s lively energy and unique Aussie spirit firsthand. The tour begins at the stately Customs House, a grand building from 1845, where Sydney’s early settlers once arrived. You’ll pass through Herald Square, filled with eye-catching sculptures and fountains, before stopping for a taste of colonial charm at the legendary Fortune of War, Sydney’s oldest pub, where early residents shared a pint and a tale. The tour ends at the Sydney Opera House and Opera Bar with breathtaking views of another of the city’s crown jewels, the Harbour Bridge, the colossal ”Coathanger” that stretches across the harbour.

Sydney’s architecture tells a story of how Australia’s largest city evolved from a colonial outpost into a modern metropolis. On this self-guided architectural walking tour, you’ll hear the stories behind its most significant landmarks and structures, and find out how a series of fascinating characters has shaped this harbour city. The tour starts at Sydney Town Hall, built directly above an old burial ground, where you’ll hear its haunted history. You’ll make your way through the city centre, exploring grand buildings including the ornate Queen Victoria Building with its stunning copper-domed roof, and past the Sydney Tower Eye, the tallest structure in the city. As you walk, you’ll hear about the mysterious disappearance of the QVB’s solid gold key, and discover the fiery past of St. Mary’s Cathedral. The tour ends at Circular Quay, where you can take in spectacular views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and continue exploring Sydney’s most iconic spot.

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, visit the Customs House, and check out maps and murals of old and new Sydney.

This isn’t your average stroll through the lights with a laminated map. This is Vivid Sydney with bite. Led by a professional storyteller and trained guide, this tour digs into the wild creativity behind the installations and the secret history beneath your feet — from glowing robot swans to convict tunnels underfoot. You’ll avoid the worst of the crowds, find the best photo angles, and get cheeky commentary that brings both the art and the city to life. If you want more than “ooh, pretty lights,” and you're up for a smart, entertaining, bloody interesting walk — this one’s for you.

Download a vibrantly-narrated mp3 audio guide combined with a map detailing the area of your tour. This magical guided audio tour of the beautiful city of Sydney will take you on a wonderful journey where you will see sights such as its famous Opera House and the breathtaking views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Explore The Rocks district in Sydney with a scavenger hunt-style game that puts a fun twist on traditional sightseeing. Learn about the history and heritage of Australia’s first settlement as you work to solve the clues and find the Captains Ship. The game takes you into alleyways, courtyards, and streets that many visitors miss, with stops at landmarks such as the Customs House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Sydney Observatory.

Enjoy a relaxed 75 minute guided walking tour through Sydney’s Circular Quay and The Rocks, led by a friendly local guide. Perfect for first time visitors, this experience combines iconic harbour views with engaging stories about Sydney’s past and present. Starting at Customs House, take in views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge while learning about the city’s origins, from Aboriginal heritage to the First Fleet. Continue into The Rocks to explore historic laneways like Nurses Walk and Suez Canal, pass Susannah Place, and hear tales of convicts, sailors and early colonial life. As the tour continues, enjoy elevated views across Circular Quay from the Cahill Expressway, offering a unique perspective of the harbour and city. Stroll next to the Royal Botanic Gardens while your guide shares insights into Sydney’s growth, with clear views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Finish at the Sydney Opera House forecourt, a memorable end to a scenic and informative walk.

Discover three of Sydney’s most fascinating inner-city neighborhoods—Pyrmont, Ultimo, and Glebe—on this small-group guided walking tour. You’ll learn about the area’s Aboriginal and colonial history, pick up some Aussie slang, and find out why there are so many pubs in these parts. Stop for coffee at a local café midway through the walk, then finish with a glass of craft beer at one of Sydney’s most unique pubs.

Step into Sydney at street level and let the city reveal itself one story at a time. This self-guided walking tour weaves through grand civic buildings, quiet memorials, historic lanes, lush gardens, and sparkling harbour views. From the Queen Victoria Building and Town Hall to Hyde Park, The Rocks, and the Sydney Opera House, you’ll uncover how Sydney grew from a tough colonial settlement into a confident global city. Along the way, pause at hidden memorials, follow Australia’s first road, stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden, and stand where the nation’s earliest decisions were made. There’s no rush, no group to follow — just you, your phone, and Sydney unfolding at your pace, layered with history, reflection, humour, and unforgettable views.

Discover Australia’s oldest city as you explore Sydney on a walking tour. Join a small group and walk through the old streets to see top landmarks including Sydney’s first suburb—The Rocks—and the iconic Sydney Harbor Bridge. Listen to informative commentary from your tour guide about the city’s history from the late 1700s to today, including its convict past, and end with a drink at one of the city’s oldest pubs.

Explore Sydney's history on a picturesque walking tour from The Opera House to The Harbour Bridge. Be blown away by the stories of the 5 controversial characters and events that shaped the city. Each stop along the way develops a roughly chronological journey through time and focusses on a different controversial character making it much easier to keep up with the history. The overall distance covered is about 2.5km, so the short walks between stops will have you chatting away excitedly about what you’ve just learnt and eager to hear about Australia’s next controversial character. Along the way, your charismatic guide will make sure your camera roll is full of fantastic photos of you in front of Sydney’s famed sights. You will have seen the essential viewpoints of Sydney and learned the stories behind them. But most of all, by the time you’ve heard the stories of the 5 controversial characters you will finally understand every Australian stereotype you’ve heard.

Central Sydney is known for its charming laneways and sidestreets. This travel game lets visitors explore these streets while solving puzzles and riddles with an online app, the perfect activity for families or friends looking for exciting and playful things to do while learning about Sydney’s attractions.