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SydneyCulture & history

Our most recommended Sydney Culture & history

From Sydney: Canberra Day Tour

1. From Sydney: Canberra Day Tour

Explore Australia's capital city from Sydney as you enter a new state, leaving New South Wales for the day. A morning tea stop (not included) en route will allow you to stretch your legs and visit a country town before arriving at the ultra-modern Capital. Join a guided tour of the New Parliament House and feel the might and privilege of Australian democracy through this architectural masterpiece costing $1.1 billion. From the inner halls of power to walking on the roof, this is an amazing building. Break for lunch (not included) before choosing where to spend your free time: The National Museum of Australia is controversial and popular, Australia's most modern museum has won national awards with its interactive mix of exhibits and displays highlighting Australia's diverse history and culture. This tour allows time at Floriade between September to October each year. Australia's biggest and most popular flower festival. Canberra's Commonwealth Park is transformed into a tapestry of colour with more than a million bulbs and annuals in bloom at this month-long festival. Rejoin the group for a time of reflection as you discover the legends of Gallipoli, the ANZACs, the sacrifices and losses suffered by Australians in past wars fought around the world at the Australian War Memorial. Drive past Yarralumla for a close look at the many national embassies, each one unique and designed to reflect aspects of the country's culture. Stop for 360 degree views over the capital city from Mount Ainslie and see how this city was well designed. Return to Sydney and enjoy a dinner stop (not included).

Canberra: City Highlights Day Tour with Entrance Fees

2. Canberra: City Highlights Day Tour with Entrance Fees

Witness the wonderful views of Canberra and the region from the top of Mount Ainslie. Visit National Capital Exhibition Centre. Be guided through the corridors of power at Australia’s Parliament House. Survey the Parliamentary Triangle & its National Institutions. Explore the Australian War Memorial and experience the moving Last Post Ceremony. All fees included. Personally guided throughout. This experience packs as much as possible into a single day, giving you the best possible experience and context of Australia’s Capital in a days’ tour.

Sydney Harbour: Thunder Thrill Ride

3. Sydney Harbour: Thunder Thrill Ride

Tackle one of the best experiences on Sydney Harbour. Experience an exhilarating jet boat ride, reaching speeds of up to 75 kilometers per hour. Take in the iconic sights of Sydney Harbour during the Thunder Trill Ride. Choose a 30 or a 45-minute ride, then buckle up and get ready to get wet. Your skipper will ease you into this thrilling experience by gradually reaching high speeds and performing gentle maneuvers around the harbor. Watch out for the skipper’s signals as the ride is cranked up a gear with high-speed spins and breaks. Select a bundle to enjoy entrance to some of Sydney's top attractions along with your adrenalin-pumping ride.

Sydney Convicts, History & The Rocks 2.5-Hour Walking Tour

4. Sydney Convicts, History & The Rocks 2.5-Hour Walking Tour

Join this tour for an immersive exploration of Sydney’s notorious heritage as you uncover the stories, sights and secrets of its hidden convict origins in The Rocks. As you navigate your way past the forgotten relics and ruins of this historic quarter, your guide will unpack the process of criminal transportation to Australia and its immediate effect on Sydney’s indigenous population at the turn of the 19th century. You'll discover the curious case of the convict architect and the ambitious Governor who wanted to decorate the prison settlement, and you’ll retrace the steps of the teenage girl who rose from chains to riches by conquering Sydney’s economy. Expect unique examples of Georgian and Victorian architecture, hidden corridors, convict cut sandstone, abandoned slums and enormous cellars for spirits and stores. Get lost in charm of The Rocks as its past is brought back to life by your expert history guide, and develop a d great understanding about how early Sydney came to be. Crafted to suit both locals and visitors, this tour will keep your eyes wide open, your ears pricked and your imagination ignited.

Sydney: Madame Tussauds Sydney General Admission

5. Sydney: Madame Tussauds Sydney General Admission

Experience the glittering world of fame on a day out at Madame Tussauds. Interact with the world’s most famous figures – strike a pose for the paparazzi on the red carpet, challenge your favorite sports heroes, and sing along with your favorite music stars. Madame Tussauds opened in Sydney in 2012, giving Australian and international visitors the opportunity to come face-to-face with some of the world’s most famous celebrities. A unique collection of amazingly lifelike wax figures allows you to get up close and personal to your favorite celebrity heroes. Madame Tussauds Sydney combines glitz and glamour with incredible history. With a whole host of constantly changing stars and legends as well as interactive experiences, Madame Tussauds is a place the whole family can enjoy. Interactive Experiences: • Raised catwalk: step onto the catwalk and trigger sensors which light up the runway as you walk down. Megan Gale’s figure is waiting at the end of the runway and Magic Memories can take a snap of you posing alongside her

Australian National Maritime Museum: All-Inclusive Ticket

6. Australian National Maritime Museum: All-Inclusive Ticket

Spectacularly located at the waterfront of Darling Harbour and just a short walk from the CBD, the Australian National Maritime Museum is a distinctive indoor/outdoor attraction that’s great entertainment for all ages. The museum has one of the largest and most diverse in-water fleets in the world. Climb aboard the cold war submarine, the naval destroyer, the stunning replica of Captain Cook's tall ship HMB Endeavour, or the beautiful replica of Duyfken, the first European ship to reach Australia. The museum wharves are packed with a stunning fleet of vessels you can't see anywhere else, each with unique and colourful stories to tell of life at sea. Inside the museum, six permanent galleries showcasing the museum's historical artefact collection and an ever-changing program of temporary exhibitions bring alive Australia's deep connection to the sea, past and present. Overlooking Sydney Darling Harbour towards the city, the museum’s café is a perfect waterfront dining location and place to relax during your visit to the museum.

Sydney: Ghost Hunt City Exploration Smartphone Game

7. Sydney: Ghost Hunt City Exploration Smartphone Game

Turn your time in Sydney into a ghost quest with an interactive smartphone game. Stroll through the city as you solve spooky tasks at locations like Angel Place, the Russell Boutique Hotel, the Doss House Coroner’s Court and the Merchant’s House. Download your game app and start your walking adventure at Hyde Park Barracks. Discover the Central Business District at your own pace by pausing and resuming the game at any time. Solve challenges and obtain exact directions on your phone to guide you to the next location. Go beyond visiting the major tourist sights and interact with locations like the Robert Brough Memorial Fountain, Curtin Place, the Parbury Ruins, and the Hero of Waterloo. Unlock facts about Sydney's dark past as you go. Finish your game at the Bridge Stairs.

Balmain Historic Pub Walking Tour with Beer or Wine

8. Balmain Historic Pub Walking Tour with Beer or Wine

If you ask a Sydneysider about Balmain, they think of 3 things: the Balmain Tigers footy team, Olympic swimming champion Dawn Fraser and pubs. Lots of pubs. In fact, Balmain has the highest pub-to-person ratio in Australia. This 3-hour walking tour of this peninsula on Sydney Harbour covers Balmain's sordid history of escaped convicts,dodgy gangsters and corrupt politicians. In between weaving the backstreets, you'll stop for a drink of craft beer, wine or cider in 4 of the area's most iconic and oldest pubs. You can enjoy a choice of craft beer or wine in each pub that you visit!  Tour highlights include:  Balmain's Oldest PubThe Balmain Watch House, and stories of Balmain gangstersThe Balmain Tigers' 'Team of the Penitentiary'Duelling colonistsThe murderous confectionerThe hidden treasure of Australia's most audacious robbery- and many more tales of murder, vice and intrigue

Sydney: City & The Rocks 3.5-Hour Historical Walking Tour

9. Sydney: City & The Rocks 3.5-Hour Historical Walking Tour

Discover the story of Sydney on this expert-led walking tour, while hitting all of the city’s main attractions. Perfect for those who have just arrived, as well as locals and those who want to go deeper in learning about Australian history, culture, society & First Nations people. Starting from Customs House, you’ll hear about Sydney’s colonisation by the British – and how their arrival impacted the original inhabitants, the Cadigal people of the Eora nation. Your guide will provide you with a range of perspectives on Sydney’s development, introducing Aboriginal people, British governors, convicts & entrepreneurs, and other multicultural migrants, as you weave your way through the city centre. You’ll also walk through part of The Rocks and finish at a popular brewery with harbour views of both the Bridge and the Opera House. At the end of the tour, your host will give you a custom-made map with heaps of recommendations to make the most of your time in Sydney: food, nightlife, art and much more – stuff you won’t find in any guidebook! With a maximum of 12 guests, you’ll be able to walk the streets in a small group so you’re not fighting to see, hear your guide or stay on the footpath. Note: This tour is not recommended for children under 12 as it involves 3 hours of stories about Sydney’s history and walking approx 4km.

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What people are saying about Sydney

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 1,696 reviews

The ride was really fun and the guide explained clearly what to expect during the ride, so it was not that scary. The views at the habour were amazing and the guide also stopped a few times at scenic places to explain to us what where the sights around the habour. Do expect to get slightly splashed but it is definitely worth it!

A real must do in Sydney, we didn’t really know what to expect but the boat driver was great fun and made the whole experience! Definitely got a lot wetter than expected!!

It was really worth it! Ronald was a great tour guide. I would recommend this tour for anyone of all ages.

I tried jet boating for the first time. Friendly staff and wonderful experience.

Have a great trip. Speed and excitement. You get a little wet despite the suit.