The best tours in Sydney

Who’s it for? Fans of The Wire – you won’t believe the political skulduggery
Hours on your feet: 3
What to bring: Hat and sunscreen
Time Out tip: You can get a coffee and a toilet break halfway through in the Opera House foyer

Perhaps the only thing more gobsmacking than the Sydney Opera House itself is the story of how it came to be. For instance, did you know Jørn Utzon’s design wasn’t even shortlisted from among the 233 entries, until the late arrival of the fourth judge, Eero Saarinen, who plucked it from the maybe pile? That the project’s purported cheapness (!) was what got it over the line? That Utzon solved an engineering problem that the world’s best engineers could not solve? That Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe hated the design? The ironies pile up in this excellent walk, led by Eoghan Lewis, who in addition to being a professional architect and Opera House expert is an inspired storyteller. Lewis leads the walk from the Museum of Sydney to various views of the iconic structure, while explaining the philosophy behind Utzon’s design (inspirations included Mayan ruins, the Acropolis, birds, fish and walnuts). We go under and into the building to learn how the Danish architect tackled problems like drainage and expansion; hear how the media first fawned over, then later castigated him; and discover how badly off the rails things went after Utzon was fired – you’ll never look at certain dodgy non-Utzon add-ons the same way again. Lewis paints a picture of an eccentric man with a singular artistic vision; blinkered, self-interested politicians; and a project that saw the light of day through what can only be described as a series of miraculous misfortunes. Nick Dent

Who’s it for: Visitors of all ages; little kids ride in carts attached to parents’ bikes
Hours on your pedals: 3.5
What to bring: Camera/phone, comfortable clothing and footwear, hat, water and snacks. Bonza Bike Tours supply sunscreen
Time Out tip: Take photos during the stops and during the walking parts of the journey

Getting to know Sydney via pushbike can be a sweaty affair, but it’s worth the workout. We took to the saddle and played tourist for a 17km ride around Sydney with jovial tour guide, Brady. You’ll ride from the Rocks up Observatory Hill, onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge, through Barangaroo Park and Darling Harbour, then past Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and all the way to the Sydney Opera House. The pace is pretty easy going even for kids and older folks, and our gang of ten riders managed the ride with ease. The true-blue Aussie guides liven up local history with some fun facts. Did you know Sydneysiders originally thought they’d have to drive over the arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge? Madness. Or that Darling Harbour is named after a 19th-century governor who banned convicts from creating theatrical or dramatic performances? Very entertaining, Sir Ralph Darling.At the halfway point, you stop at Sydney’s oldest continually licensed hotel, the Lord Nelson Brewery. There isn’t time for a feed, but there is time for beer, so pack snacks or grab nibbles from the convenience store next door if you need more than booze for fuel. There are some less than idyllic sections along the route – construction at Barangaroo makes navigating harangued pedestrians that little bit harder and one cyclist did topple off their bike (nothing broken) between the stop-and-start traffic lights of Liverpool Street. But on a city tour, these kind of metropolitan perils are part of the package. Olivia Gee

Who’s it for? Solo travellers, couples, small groups and families – and Sydneysiders who want to become a better local
Hours on your feet: 2.5
What to bring: Comfy shoes and water. Come hungry!
Time Out tip: Local Sauce Tours offer a range of experiences and tours – we reckon the secret bar crawls sounds fun

Founder of Sydney-based Local Sauce Tours Justin Steele reckons Aussies are the best in the world at going on tours when we travel – just not when we're in our own country. And he’s on a mission to change that. In 2018, Steele founded his small-group experiences to bring together locals as well as tourists to discover Sydney from different perspectives. As he says: “It’s not about being a better tourist in your city, but about being a better local.” Local Sauce Tours run tours of Chinatown, Pyrmont, Glebe, Newtown and more. They'll take groups of up to 12 guests on a foodie’s tour of the suburb, and mix in stories about the area’s history, culture, nightlife and street art. We checked out their Chinatown – Street Food and Stories tour, and can attest that it’s a wonderful (and delicious) way to learn more about an important and significant Sydney area. On this tour we visited newcomers to Chinatown, as well as hole-in-the-wall eateries that have been there for decades. We saw dumplings being made, delved into the story behind the street art, and learnt about the rich and layered history of Chinatown. And of course, we ate. One to add to your list. 

Who’s it for? Wine drinkers and lovers of fine drinks
Hours on your feet: 3.5 hours
What to bring: Closed-toe shoes
Time Out tip: Eat something before you go if you're prone to being tipsy after a few tipples. 

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Sydney's finest drink producers. You'll visit a distillery, brewery, and winery, all in the comfort of one tour and with the help of a super-knowledgable guide. Learn about the expert craft, production processes, and of course the fun part, tasting the incredible offerings. Try from a diverse selection of spirits such as gin, vodka, rum, and whiskey. Bottoms up!

Who’s it for? Visitors who want to get a snapshot of Australian Indigenous history
Hours on your feet: 1.5
What to bring: Hat, camera and picnic blanket
Time Out tip: Allow a bit of time to relax in the gardens beforehand (to give you enough time to locate the shop from which the tour departs) and afterwards (to explore the Calyx)

Stingless bee colonies, climbing Moreton Bay fig trees and juicy Davidson plums are just a few of the natural wonders you’ll see (and taste) on this tour of Sydney’s harbourside horticultural oasis. You’ll walk by some of Sydney’s most famous landmarks as you trail around the fringe of the city looking back out to the Opera House, Mrs Macquarie's Chair and the Harbour Bridge. This walk, however, focuses on the Indigenous history of the land, outlining the origins of Sydney from the perspective of the world’s oldest living culture. You’ll wander through Farm Cove and learn about how the Gadigal people lived and worked with the seasons before the area was colonised. Time Out visits on a sunny Thursday morning and our guide Henrietta Baird cheerfully imparts her knowledge of every plant, tree, flower and nut on the 1.5-hour tour. While this is a tour of beauty, you’ll also gain insight to the practical uses the flora is put to by Gadigal people. Soft yellow banksias can be used for maintaining embers and as a painting tool; candlenuts can be soaked and eaten or used for their multi-purpose oil; paperbark is used for everything from wrapping food to swaddling babies; and those tall, thick Gymea lily stems were used to practice spearing, while the bases can be roasted and eaten. Seeing this ingenuity in action is impressive. You’ll also learn about the deep connection to seasonality – when wattles are in bloom you’ll know that whales are migrating, while stingless bee colonies a colonies act as natural barometer (when it’s below 14 degrees, they won’t be out). In a busy city, it’s a special reminder to slow down, observe nature and acknowledge our history. Jordan Kretchmer

Who’s it for? Food enthusiasts, locals and hungry beachgoers
Hours on your feet: 3
What to bring: Camera, pen, weather appropriate shoes and windbreaker
Time Out tip: Check out Diego’s Mushroom Foraging Tours and Oliver Brown’s Instagram feed for more delicacies from the wild

Wild food expert Oliver Brown says, “Experiencing the beach isn’t just swimming between the flags and eating a Calippo on the way home.” Brown is one half of the duo behind the Seaside Foraging Tour in Clovelly, facilitated largely by the very entertaining Diego Bonetto – a professional forager and edible weeds activist. The tour shows you that buying a Calippo from a beachside kiosk is a waste of cash as seaside snacks are growing in the surf fringes, lawns and rock platforms right where you swim. The workshop’s aim is to gift you with the knowledge to identify medicinal and edible plants growing all around us. You’ve been sitting on a patch of Warrigal greens this whole time! You can eat dandelions! You just need to know where to look. We’re led around Gordons Bay to the Shark Point rock platform on the northern end of Clovelly. Diego and Oliver collect as we go and at regular intervals give comprehensive information about the goods they’ve picked up along the way. The group is a comfortable size so questions don’t feel overwhelming or distracting, and everyone joins in on the trading of information, people scribble wildly to retain as much as possible. We taste everything as we go, from tangy rock samphire to lemony dock leaves and freshly plucked urchin gonads – with an invigorating side of rockpool-fresh sea lettuce and garlic-preserved turban snail. Delicious! Claire Finneran

Who’s it for? Food adventurers looking for new flavours
Hours on your feet: 3.5 including dining time
What to bring: A water bottle and extra spending cash
Time Out tip: Don’t even think about eating breakfast before you arrive

You’ll want to set out on this food-focused exploration ravenously hungry. The team at Taste Cultural Food Tours have done their research, eating their way around Western Sydney to find you the best of every cuisine, highlighting independent local businesses and their authentic offerings. On the Taste of the World experience, you get to traverse the edible globe in a three-and-a-half hour walking tour around Liverpool. The area’s diverse cultural history means you’re in for a treat. You start with a traditional herb-heavy Lebanese breakfast pizza, manakeesh, before trotting over to Vietnam for a refreshing iced coffee sweetened with condensed milk, or a hot version made traditionally with a whole egg. Next, you’ll find a perfectly spice-balanced falafel, then head to India for a generously rolled dosa – similar to a crêpe with a Masala filling of richly spiced potatoes – followed by some unusual Indian sweets. In between courses, your friendly guide will show you around local grocery stores and butchers selling intriguing produce that you won’t find at Woolies. The Udaya Indian Supermarket on Macquarie Street is like a spicy bazaar version of Costco. You’re sure to acquire additional expert knowledge as you go, as all the tour guides are locals who’ve recently migrated to the country or arrived in Australia as refugees. Working as a social enterprise and charity, Taste Culture Food Tours trains new community members as guides so they can share the history of the region while also sharing their cultures. Olivia Gee

Who’s it for? The Oudoorsey types who love wildlife. Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible or stroller-friendly. 
Hours on your feet: 10 hours - so bring comfortable shoes 
What to bring: Insect repellent, SPF, a cap, water and raincoat. 
Time Out tip: If you prefer to eat out, you can buy lunch at Leura Village. For Vegan-friendly fast food, head to Wayzgoose.  

Want to discover the Blue Mountains in all of their natural wonder? Just an hour out, this day tour is the perfect way to immerse in views of Jamison Valley, Echo Point and Three Sisters while exploring your surroundings at a leisurely pace. You'll also get the chance to visit Featherdale Wildlife Park where you can feed the roos, and meet the koalas, wombats, birds and other Australian wildlife. You'll also hop on a ferry along Parramatta River into Circular Quay.