Deb's Sydney Cove

Walk & Talk...

Arrive: 9:15 am for 9:30 am start at Wharf 2, Circular Quay
Finish: 12 noon at cafe close to where we started
Duration: Approximately 2½ hours
Group size: 3–10 people
Price: $75 per person

Your $75 includes:

A 2-hour guided walking tour
Deb’s storytelling and commentary
Plenty of opportunities to stop, sit, look, listen and take photos
30 min coffee and pastry at the end of the tour

Comfortable shoes and a hat are recommended.

What we'll uncover...

Hear about the contact, communication and relationship between the First Nations people and the British settlers.
Discover why Sydney Cove was chosen as the site for the new settlement.
Learn how early Sydney was built on rum and oysters.
Walk through The Rocks and meet some of the characters who lived, worked, schemed and survived their times here, as well as those who saved it.
Standing like two bookends at either end of the Cove, hear the stories behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, and some of the remarkable people and moments woven into their history.
Enjoy a drink and snack at the end, and let's have a chat.

Some snippets from the tour...

Learn why Sydney is where it is.

Botany Bay had failed the colonists as a place for good soil and, most importantly, a water source. Further investigation around Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) and the discovery of Sydney Cove revealed the perfect location: deep anchorage and a fresh-water stream! The obvious place to set up camp! Learn how this sculpture fountain marks that discovery.

Sydney built on rum and oysters

Harbour Vantage Points

No currency, no wages as we know them, and a colony to run. So, how were building projects funded, convicts paid and goods traded? And who was pulling the strings?

We'll reveal it all as we wander through The Rocks.

We'll head up for a bird’s-eye view of Sydney Cove to see the harbour, the city and The Rocks from a whole new perspective. It's also one of my favourite photo spots, perched above the usual tourist trail.

I advise popping back here at different times of the day to see the myriad of personalities The Cove has to offer.

Tour Essentials

What to Bring

Meeting Point

Pacing & Accessibility

Weather Policy

Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. A water bottle is recommended. Bring your curiosity; we'll handle the history.

We meet promptly at 9:15am at Wharf 2. Circular Quay. for a 9:30am tour start. Look for Deb Renaud holding a small sign.

Our small-group pace is leisurely, covering approximately 2.5 km. The route includes some uneven surfaces and stairs. Please advise any mobility concerns.

Tours proceed rain or shine, embracing Sydney's atmospheric charm. In extreme weather, tours may be rescheduled or refunded.