Taking a self-guided walking tour from The Rocks to Walsh Bay will take you through some of the most iconic buildings in Sydney, as well as some hidden gems and some of the cities most iconic views.
Sydney is a city known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant urban life, and it has a hidden treasure trove of stories waiting to be discovered by those willing to venture beyond the well-trodden tourist paths. The Rocks to Walsh Bay Walking Tour is a captivating odyssey that invites you to step off the beaten track and delve deep into the rich tapestry of Sydney’s history, architecture, and artistic spirit.
In this article, we’ll take you on a virtual journey through this captivating walking tour, introducing you to the historical landmarks, cultural hotspots, and breathtaking views that await as you traverse the enchanting landscape from the historic Rocks district to the artistic enclave of Walsh Bay.
The Rocks to Walsh Bay Self Guided Walking Tour
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Customs House
At the heart of the Customs House atrium, an immense scale replica of Sydney rests beneath a glass enclosure. See that, then grab a meal at Café Sydney on the building’s highest floor to indulge in a lunch with harbour views.
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Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA)
Catering to contemporary art enthusiasts, this sanctuary presents an array of special exhibits as well as the ever-present MCA Collection. Art cravings fulfilled, proceed down George Street and get ready to discover traces of Sydney’s past…
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The Rocks Discovery Museum
Take a left onto Argyle Street at the Orient Hotel, then take your first right onto Kendall Lane. Here, within the walls of an 1850s sandstone building, The Rocks Discovery Museum tells the tale of The Rocks from pre-European arrival until today.
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Sydney Observatory
Head back to Argyle Street and continue west until you reach the Lower Fort Street corner. Look left and you’ll see a set of stairs taking you towards the heritage-listed Sydney Observatory, the oldest in Australia. Located in Observatory Park, with spectacular views of the harbour and bridge, Sydney Observatory offers tours, exhibitions, and of course, a chance to observe the galaxy through its telescopes.
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Barangaroo Reserve
From Observatory Park it’s a short walk to Barangaroo Reserve, Sydney’s newest harbour-front parkland precinct. Here, partake in an Aboriginal Cultural Tour to learn fascinating First Nations history, visit the artistic displays of The Cutaway, or just wander the paths amid over 75,000 native trees and shrubs as you take in the views towards Balmain and beyond.
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Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Wander up Hickson Road and you’ll soon enjoy the piers of Walsh Bay Arts Precinct. Here, you can catch performances, classes and workshops at any number of creative spaces from the Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Dance Company to Bell Shakespeare and Bangarra Dance Theatre.
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Tar-Ra (Dawes Point Park)
Continue north along Hickson Road until you reach Dawes Point (Tar-Ra) Park in the shadow of the mighty Sydney Harbour Bridge. Take a photo with the historic cannons, positioned to defend Sydney from naval attack in the 18th century.
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Pylon Lookout
Climb the bridge stairs on Cumberland Street and then follow the path to the Pylon Lookout, situated in the south-east pylon of the Bridge, for one of the best panoramic views in Sydney – not to mention three levels of exhibits that teach you more about the history of the iconic bridge.
