South Pacific
Australia
New South Wales
Sydney
Things to do in Sydney
Historic Walking Areas in Sydney

THE 5 BEST Sydney Historic Walking Areas

Historic Walking Areas in Sydney

All things to do
Category types
Types of Attractions
Sights & Landmarks
Sights & Landmarks
Traveller rating
Neighbourhoods
Good for
9 places sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Clear all filters
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
Learn more about this content
Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.

What travellers are saying

  • SingaporeSusan88
    Singapore, Singapore13 contributions
    Historic area
    This was a nice area. It was best to go when you visit near circular quay. But for me, the shops were a little expensive and take care when choosing a restaurant. Some are just expensive tourist traps.
    Review of: The Rocks
    Written 24 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • markscura
    Sydney, Australia53 contributions
    Back to nature
    Beautiful walk amazing views Have a coffee at Sophie’s place on cremorne wharf. Friendly owner and old fashioned service.
    Review of: Cremorne Point to Mosman Bay Walk
    Written 22 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • JnVSydney
    Greater Sydney, Australia18,330 contributions
    Simply Stunning.....
    This is a long walk and needs plenty of time to do it, we have been doing this in parts, still not complete, however, it is and amazing walk, with stunning scenery the foreshore is very walkable, pedestrian friendly.
    Review of: Sydney Harbour Circle Walk
    Written 8 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • rowanandersonnz
    Hamilton, New Zealand53 contributions
    Spoilt for choices
    The range of restaurants, the openess looking over water and the sculptures along the boardwalk and the closeness to the Modern Museum of Art and the Handa Opera in Farm Cove.
    Review of: Woolloomooloo Wharf
    Written 7 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TAMAN1951
    Liberty Lake, WA6,463 contributions
    Picturesque
    Lovely street to take a leisurely stroll.

    The architecture is very well preserved.

    Lots of historic and government buildings. Parliament, library, Supreme Court to name a few.

    Botanical gardens are also adjacent.

    Great way to spend a morning or afternoon just walking along a Sydney Street.

    Loved it.
    Review of: Macquarie Street
    Written 22 June 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Bartonbears
    Coffs Harbour, Australia1,938 contributions
    An important historic site for all Australians
    This was our first visit and we found it quite moving. It wasn't the monument to Cook that impressed us but the signage describing both Cook's achievement and also the heroic resistance to the invaders by two of the Indigenous inhabitants of the area. The area is still quite beautiful, despite the oil refineries and other development.
    Review of: Captain Cook's Landing Place
    Written 18 December 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • stinkwink
    Sydney, Australia7,389 contributions
    Just a memory from the past.
    Unfortunately, Arthur Payne house isn't existing anymore. It was demolished, together with No 8 of Ferry Lane, as I learned in my researches. No wonder that I didn't find the photo of a long-gone building. Arthur Payne, who became a well-known person only because of his bad and good luck, was the first victim of the year 1900 bubonic plague, which had far-reaching effects for Sydney. His bad luck was to catch it, but his good fortune was to recover from it. Since the authorities tried to stop this epidemic carried by the rats and their fleas, they demolished old houses, where the rats could hide. This was finally an opportunity of the government, to renew the city, where waterfront areas, such as the Rocks and Millers Point, were packed with unregulated, dilapidated hovels, meek buildings that would have to be destroyed a long time ago.
    Of course, at these times, buildings are also sacrificed to the mood of the city, which should have to be saved. Fortunately, some buildings have survived this great revival, so for example, we still can visit Susannah Place today. Arthur Payne's house was not that lucky. The great cleansing of 1900 was gone, but in 1914, when the homes in the middle of the Ferry Lane were demolished, A.P. little cottage at No 10 along with neighboring No 8 was also dismantled. Presumably, the hut is no real loss; it had rather historical than architectural significance.
    Review of: Arthur Payne House
    Written 5 July 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • mrdom
    6,337 contributions
    Literally a car park
    It's not a working wharf unless you count the superyachts moored there but the entire exterior is roads and car parks, and the ground floor interior, and probably the upper level since there's a road to it. There are businesses here that you would have to walk there the car park to get to and some of the restaurants require walking through a hundred metres of car park. This is like a suburban strip mall or business park. And don't expect anything like history, exhibitions or art. The Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf may have a few problems but it's a great comparison to show how a wharf can be converted to something other than a car park.
    Review of: Jones Bay Wharf
    Written 12 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Dan L
    Bunbury, Australia7,271 contributions
    Pathway of history.
    Bethel Steps dates to 1907, constructed as a resulted of land resumptions and realignments of paths and roadways. It is regarded as being historically significant, a basic pathway that was established c. 1788, close to the landing of the First Fleet. This path became Bethel Street during the period 1860/70, the name paying tribute to the maritime associations and the Bethel Union who built the Mariners' Church. There is some remarkable and fascinating history attached to the immediate area. From a personal perspective, it was much easier to descend the steps than to ascend. Interesting information signage near the base and its worth a read.
    Review of: Bethel Steps
    Written 23 December 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sydney