Rum, Rebels & Ratbags of Sydney
From A$62 per person
Rum, Rebels & Ratbags of Sydney is a 3-hour history tour through The Rocks — Sydney's oldest neighbourhood — for guests 18 and over. It costs $62 AUD per person, runs in small groups of up to 6, includes an English-speaking guide and stops at three local pubs, and is available by appointment: it meets under the awning of the Fortune of War Hotel, 137 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000, and finishes at the Lord Nelson Hotel, Millers Point NSW 2000, with the start time arranged directly with the operator.
About This Tour
Rum built this city. Come and drink to that.
Discover Sydney's Oldest District — The Rocks Pub Walk
Before Sydney had a skyline, it had a problem. The problem was that the British sent convicts to the end of the earth without enough food, without enough hope, and without nearly enough rum. What happened next shaped an entire city, and the neighbourhood where it all went down is still standing, still serving, and still full of stories that will make your jaw drop between sips.
Welcome to the Rocks. Sydney's oldest district. A waterfront precinct of narrow laneways, convict-hewn sandstone, and pubs that have been pouring drinks since the colony was finding its feet. This is where the currency wasn't pounds sterling, it was rum, and people were willing to start a rebellion to protect their supply. Honestly? Fair enough.
Our Rocks Pub Walk is five stops, five drinks, and two hundred years of history told exactly the way history should be told: standing at a bar with a cold one in hand. Your local guide will take you through the laneways and up the hills of Australia's most historically dense precinct, spinning tales of governors, gangsters, wharfies, and working girls that you absolutely will not find in any museum. The history here is alive, soaked into the walls, and poured fresh every session.
You'll see the Harbour from angles that visitors stuck on the tourist trail never find. You'll drink in venues that have witnessed more of Sydney's story than any history book has managed to capture. And you'll leave knowing this city in a way that most people who live here don't.
Five pubs. Five stories. One extraordinary neighbourhood. Drinks are on you, but the history is absolutely on us.
Exclusions
- Items of a personal nature
- Tips or gratuities for guides (Not compulsory but welcome)
- Meals and drinks
- Bottled Water
What's Included
- Your own local English-speaking guide with serious knowledge and a serious sense of humour
- Five drink stops at historic Sydney pubs (purchase your own drinks at each venue)
- A digital tour record including a 3D map of everywhere you walked and downloadable photos taken by your guide
- A digital copy of the 100% Ridgy-Didge Aussie Slang Survival Guide (Volume 1), essential reading before your first round
What To Expect
Get the genuine insider's guide to the Rocks, Sydney's oldest and most historically layered neighbourhood. Hop between five iconic local pubs, each one carrying its own slice of Sydney's colonial and working-class history. Hear the stories of rum rebellions, convict gangs, and waterfront characters that shaped the city from the ground up. See Sydney Harbour from hidden vantage points that only a local would lead you to. Sink a few well-earned craft beers in venues that have been part of this city's story for generations.
Itinerary Highlights
- Get the genuine insider's guide to the Rocks, Sydney's oldest and most historically layered neighbourhood
- Hop between five iconic local pubs, each one carrying its own slice of Sydney's colonial and working-class history
- Hear the stories of rum rebellions, convict gangs, and waterfront characters that shaped the city from the ground up
- See Sydney Harbour from hidden vantage points that only a local would lead you to
- Sink a few well-earned craft beers in venues that have been part of this city's story for generations
Tour Schedule
| Days | By appointment |
| Starts | Arranged at booking |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Meeting Point | Outside the Fortune of War Hotel, 137 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000 |
| Ending Point | Lord Nelson, Cnr Kent and Argyle Streets, Millers Point NSW 2000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tour 18+?
Yes, restricted to guests 18 and over.
Is this tour bookable online?
It's available by appointment — enquire directly to arrange a time.
Where do we meet?
Under the awning of the Fortune of War Hotel, 137 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000.
Where does the tour end?
The Lord Nelson Hotel, Millers Point NSW 2000.
What's included?
A local English-speaking guide and stops at three pubs. Gratuities and additional food or drinks are not included.
