Glebe: Where Mansions Met the Working Class Walking Tour
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Group size
- Up to 30 people
- Guide
- English
- Ages
- 1 and over
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Our take
The Glebe walk is the suburb walk on our Sydney walking tours page: one hour away from the city crowds, through tree-lined streets of Victorian mansions, Edwardian townhouses and big churches. Stops include St John's Anglican Church, the Glebe Presbyterian Church, St James' Catholic Church, Bidura House, which went from a family home to a children's detention centre, Hartford House and the former Toxteth Park House. It is rated 5.0, from about 20 reviews.
It meets at the Glebe Point Road entrance of Dr H J Foley Rest Park and finishes outside St Scholastica's College. The listing describes an easy, accessible route that is wheelchair friendly and dog-friendly, with places to sit and toilets along the way, which is rare among walks. Coffee is not included. Groups can reach 30. It is short and stays in one area, so it pairs well with an afternoon in Glebe's shops and cafés.
Good for
- A short, easy walk away from the tourist core
- Wheelchair users, slow walkers and dog owners
Think twice if
- Your first day in Sydney. A colonial core walk covers the big sights
- You want a longer walk
Written by SydneySide Tours from the listing, traveller reviews and the videos behind our comparison pages. Checked October 2026. How we review tours.
From the operator
Wander along beautiful tree-lined streets lined with Victorian mansions, elegant Edwardian townhouses and magnificent churches, while uncovering the extraordinary people and surprising stories behind them.
From wealthy eccentrics and ambitious families to workers, reformers and characters who helped shape Sydney, Glebe’s streets reveal a fascinating mix of wealth, industry, religion, scandal and social change. Discover how this once-rural estate became one of Sydney’s most distinctive neighbourhoods and meet some of the remarkable people who left their mark on it.
The tour follows an easy, accessible route and is dog-friendly, with plenty of places to sit and toilets available along the way.
Come for the mansions. Stay for the characters. Leave knowing Glebe in a whole new way.
From the listing by Real History Walking Tours on Viator.
The tour, stop by stop
- St Johns Anglican Church This massive Gothic Revival building dominates the Glebe streetscape. With a towering spire and beautiful grounds it has an extremely interesting history. About 10 min.
- Glebe Presbyterian Church is a dominating sandstone building that has has quite an interesting nomadic life. About 10 min.
- St James' Catholic Church This magnificent church is located in a very rich complex of differing heritage architectural styles. It showcases detailed stained-glass windows and an intriguing back story. About 10 min.
- Bidura House This is a beautiful 1860s gentleman's residence with a chequered past. from life as a prominent mansion to a massive children's detention centre, it is an intriguing building. About 10 min.
- Hartford House is an elaborate mansion and an example of one of Glebe's most prestigious houses. About 10 min.
- The Former Toxteth Park House This is the most impressive house in Glebe. Toxteth Park House is a former mansion of one of the richest families in Sydney. About 10 min.
What's included
- Guided historical tour of one of Sydney's most historically rich suburbs
Not included
- Coffee and/or Tea
Meeting point
For the Glebe tour we meet at the Glebe Point Road entrance of Dr H J Foley Rest Park
Where it ends
For the Glebe tour we finish out the front of St Scholastica's college.
Your Viator voucher confirms the exact spot and time.
Good to know
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Pets are welcome!
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
How refunds and weather cancellations work is on our booking help page.
How it compares
We compare this tour with the other options on our walking tours page, with what each one includes and where it leaves from. How we choose tours.
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