Sydney's Secrets and Scandals Walking Tour
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Group size
- Up to 25 people
- Guide
- English
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Our take
This is one of the themed city walks on our Sydney walking tours page, suited to a second walk or someone who has already seen the harbour. It starts on George Street between St Andrew's Cathedral and Town Hall, beside a round red seat, and works north past the QVB, the GPO, Macquarie Place, the State Library, Parliament House, Hyde Park Barracks and St Mary's, ending at the Archibald Fountain. Stories run from Aboriginal leaders and convict scandals to murders, warring bell towers and the city's tunnels.
It runs 2 hours with up to 25 people, rates close to 5, and is one of two walks on our page listed as wheelchair accessible. Entry to Town Hall, the GPO, Parliament and the Barracks is not included, so you hear the stories outside. Our page said the listing contradicted itself on lunch and entry; it now lists both as excluded. Town Hall station is directly underneath the start.
Good for
- A second walk with stories the harbour tours skip
- Wheelchair users
Think twice if
- You want The Rocks and the harbour. Take a Rocks walk
- You want to go inside the buildings
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
Sydney's history isn't just convicts and colonial buildings. It's unknown secrets, scandals, hidden tunnels, outrageous characters and stories hiding in plain sight. On this tour, we'll uncover the Sydney most visitors walk straight past.
Meet your guide and set off on a journey through Sydney’s CBD, a place brimming with secret history. From stories of Aboriginal leaders and convict scandals to warring bell towers, gruesome murders, and the forgotten construction stories of historic landmarks, this tour covers it all.
Uncover the city’s formation and explore the lives of its vibrant past residents. Visit the oldest European buildings in the country, delve into Sydney’s subterranean secrets, share the lives of some of the most significant people in Australian history, and discuss the city’s most elaborate architecture.
Along the way, hear incredible tales of corruption, fortune, and despair - all of which are largely unknown!
From the listing by Real History Walking Tours on Viator.
The tour, stop by stop
- A stunning twin-towered Sandstone building with beautiful carvings and detail. About 10 min.
- Sydney's premier stately governmental building, the town hall boasts a massive clock tower, sandstone carved decoration and a stunning white marble staircase - a great photo backdrop! About 5 min.
- This is Sydney's biggest historic building. It features copper domes, stained glass windows, two mezzanines and incredible views. About 10 min.
- Once Australia's largest building the GPO is an incredibly lavish structure complete with amazing 19th-century carvings of Sydney scenes and people. About 10 min.
- This quaint park showcases the anchor of an extremely important ship in Sydney's history and is also the cartographic centre of the city. About 10 min.
- A stately building that houses the biggest collection of artefacts relating to a single region in the world. About 5 min.
- A significant colonial building, this is the oldest public building in Australia and features Greek-inspired architecture. About 5 min.
- A convict stronghold, this colonial fortress is possibly Sydney's most interesting building and features stunning Georgian architecture. About 5 min.
- As the largest church in the country, St Mary's is a terrific sandstone behemoth, that is covered in amazing architectural detail. About 10 min.
What's included
- Bathrooms
Not included
- Lunch
- Admission into Sydney Town Hall, The General Post Office, NSW Parliament and Hyde Park Barracks.
Meeting point
We meet between St. Andrews Cathedral and Town Hall, next to the round red seat.
Where it ends
The tour ends at the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park.
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
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Admission into Sydney Town Hall is not included as tour timings do not allow for it
- Admission into the Former General Post Office is not included as tour timings do not allow for it
- Admission into NSW Parliament is not included as this is a functioning governmental building
- Admission into Hyde Park Barracks is not included as tour timings do not allow for it
- Not recommended for travelers who have difficulty walking long distances
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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