Explore all the city’s icons. From ancient Aboriginal rock art to the Sydney Opera House. From the Rocks, to the glamour of the Queen Victoria Building, mansions in harbour-side suburbs and quaint cosy terraces in leafy Paddington. See all this and more in a day!

Language Notes

French or German tour on Sunday includes Sydney Opera House tour in English NOT accompanied by your Southern Secrets’ Guide.

Lunch Options*

• Lunch at the Opera Bar (FDSYDD)— standard option offering three meal choices

• Gourmet tasting plate at Opera Kitchen (FDSYDT)— premium quality option

Departure Point

Meet outside Queen Victoria Building (Town Hall end) next to the statue of Queen Victoria (corner Druitt St/ George St).

Overview

Sydney, like many port cities, has a wild and exciting past, and the inner-city areas bear the marks of that heritage. This full day touring experience of Sydney combines the half-day walking tour (see the description of that tour under reference AMW/PMW) with the Sydney: Beach, Harbour & City Sights that is conducted by your driver-guide (see the description of that tour under reference AMSS/PMSS).

Colonial Sydney

We’ll start by exploring grand colonial buildings in the city centre, reminding us of the wealth of the colony in Victorian times. We will then contrast this with Sydney's oldest and most infamous, The Rocks. Here the stones have stories to tell, for life was hard, filled with poverty, disease and crime.

* Drinks not included

The Rocks

The Rocks holds a unique place in Sydney’s colonial history as the birthplace of European Australia. Walk along narrow alleyways and cobbled lanes and learn about its history including the arrival of the First Fleet of 1788 and the horrors of the plague in 1900.

Sydney Opera House

From The Rocks, you will tour the Sydney Opera House, one of the most photographed buildings in the world. Designed by Danish architect, Jorn Utzon, and opened in 1973, the Opera House is an architectural triumph of the twentieth century. While here, pause for lunch to enjoy an expansive harbour view. There are two venue options to choose from.

Bondi Beach

After lunch, meet your driver for a tour through the wealthy eastern beachside suburbs of Vaucluse and Watsons Bay. This is a chance for you to check out the homes of the rich and famous. You will then head towards Bondi, the surfing mecca deeply imbedded in Australian culture. Here, take a moment to step back in time and learn about the importance of the Bondi area to the Traditional Owners, the Bidjigal and Gadigal clans of the Eora Nation. Take a short walk and see some significant Aboriginal rock art.

Paddington

We now head to Paddington, an old suburb of Sydney, for a drive through its narrow leafy streets. ‘Paddo’, as it’s known to the locals, is famous for its stunning Victorian terraces, elaborately decorated with cast iron lacework. Soak up the charm of this quaint heritage neighbourhood. A perfect way to end your day.

* Opera House tour in English (without Southern Secrets’ guide)