Sydney's Secrets and Scandals Walking Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 69 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Sydney's Secrets and Scandals Walking Tour worth booking?
Sydney's Secrets and Scandals Walking Tour is a 2-hour experience in Sydney, Australia, from $23 per person. It scores 82 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 69 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 82 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (69)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $23 per person
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 w
What you get
About this experience
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!
What's included
Included
- Bathrooms
Not included
- Lunch
- Admission into Sydney Town Hall, The General Post Office, NSW Parliament and Hyde Park Barracks.
What you'll see and do
St. Andrew's Cathedral
A stunning twin-towered Sandstone building with beautiful carvings and detail.
10 minutes here
Sydney Town Hall
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!
5 minutes here · Admission not included
Queen Victoria Building (QVB)
This is Sydney's biggest historic building. It features copper domes, stained glass windows, two mezzanines and incredible views.
10 minutes here
General Post Office (GPO) Sydney
Once Australia's largest building the GPO is an incredibly lavish structure complete with amazing 19th-century carvings of Sydney scenes and people.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Macquarie Place Park
This quaint park showcases the anchor of an extremely important ship in Sydney's history and is also the cartographic centre of the city.
10 minutes here
State Library of New South Wales
A stately building that houses the biggest collection of artefacts relating to a single region in the world.
5 minutes here
Parliament of New South Wales
A significant colonial building, this is the oldest public building in Australia and features Greek-inspired architecture.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
Hyde Park Barracks
A convict stronghold, this colonial fortress is possibly Sydney's most interesting building and features stunning Georgian architecture.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
St. Mary's Cathedral
As the largest church in the country, St Mary's is a terrific sandstone behemoth, that is covered in amazing architectural detail.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Sydney
We meet between St. Andrews Cathedral and Town Hall, next to the round red seat.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour ends at the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Wed, Thu, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Real History Walking Tours
Know before you go
- 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
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 68 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
10 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
68 verified traveler reviews for Sydney's Secrets and Scandals Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Must do Sydney history walking tour
I really enjoyed the history tour of Sydney, it was a great way to learn more about Sydney and its past. The guide Ned knew so much about Sydney, he was friendly and made the tour very interesting. I learnt a lot and would definitely recommend the tour to others.
via Tripadvisor
Highly recommend - Sydney secrets and scandals walking tour
Amazing walking tour! The guide was extremely knowledgeable, engaging and clearly passionate about Sydney’s history. The stories he told made the tour really interesting and enjoyable from start to finish. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a different way to explore Sydney.
via Tripadvisor
Interesting and informative
It was such an interesting tour. The pace was great and Ned was so knowledgeable and engaging. We found the tour immensely informative and interesting will definitely be doing the other tours too. Thanks Ned
via Tripadvisor
Found something new in Sydney
Really happy with my tour with Ned. Very informative and happy to answer questions.
via Tripadvisor
Already know Sydney, think again!
Think you know Sydney? Think again! This tour is a must do, even for a born and bred Sydney local like me. It captures Sydney as it is, and as it was up to 60000 years ago, with stories, tales, conflict and shenanigans that could only be Australian! Ned was a sensational guide who really knew his stuff.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Wed, Thu, Sat
- Price range
- $23 to $40
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 24
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 82
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Sydney's Secrets and Scandals Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sydney.
How much does Sydney's Secrets and Scandals Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $23 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Sydney usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Sydney's Secrets and Scandals Walking Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Sydney is not rushed.
Is Sydney's Secrets and Scandals Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 82 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 69 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Sydney, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Sydney's Secrets and Scandals Walking Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Sydney's Secrets and Scandals Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Sydney's Secrets and Scandals Walking Tour?
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Around 24 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Sydney can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Sydney and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Sydney's Secrets and Scandals Walking Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Sydney within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Sydney?
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On Outty we rank every Sydney experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include WILD Wombat and Kangaroo Day Tour, All Inclusive, Depart Syd: Blue Mountains Best All Inclusive with Local Guide, Blue Mountain Small Group Tour All Inclusive. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Sydney?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Sydney?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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