Where to Drink: the 7 Best Historic Pub Tours in Australia

1.The Rocks Pub Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 447 reviews · from $82Our pick

Walk The Rocks with a lively local guide, stopping at four old pubs for a craft beer, cider, wine, or soft drink at each. Hear stories of convicts, larrikin gangs, the 6 o’clock swill, plague, ghosts, and Sydney’s first European settlement. Groups are capped at 15.

“Excellent tour of the Rocks and four fabulous pubs that date back more than 100 years. The beers were all excellent and there were plenty to choose from. Our guide Tanya was very entertaining and her knowledge of the British discovery of what is today Australia was excellent. Highly recommend!”

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2.Sydney The Rocks Historical Pub Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 251 reviews · from $82

Start at Harts Pub in The Rocks and walk between four historic drinking spots with guides such as Dave, Nick, Simon, Doug, or Colin. Expect local stories, Australian beer, cider or wine, four included drinks, and a small group capped at 15 people. Food is self-guided before or after the tour.

“Doug was an outstanding guide. He blended in the local history with pub stories. The tour was both enriching and refreshing. A must do item when in Sydney!”

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3.Old Hobart Pub Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 91 reviews · from $27

Spend 90 minutes walking from the Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre to Salamanca Place with guides such as Maggie, Sebastian, or Matthew. Hear dark tales of convicts, smugglers, brothels, and old taverns, then buy a drink at selected pubs. Expect a small group of up to 12 and plenty of outdoor walking.

“Maggie had great knowledge and enthusiasm. Very interesting tour. Thought was taken into account on which pubs to visit. Lots of suggestions on good places to eat. Walk was suitable for all ages and pretty flat. Some stairs inside pub theRead more”

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4.The Rocks Pub Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 60 reviews

Spend 2.5 hours walking The Rocks with an English-speaking guide such as Doug, Greg, or Craig. Visit four heritage-listed pubs, enjoy a beer, wine, or soft drink at each, and hear colorful stories about convicts, gangs, and Sydney’s oldest pub.

“We really enjoyed the tour, what a fun way to spend an evening in Sydney. Greg did a great job as our tour guide and provided excellent commentary. I was impressed with the drink sizes and choices too!”

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5.Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 8 reviews · 1h 30m · from $27

Join Lantern Ghost Tours for a 90-minute, English-language walk through Melbourne’s haunted pubs, arcades, and laneways. Guide Julie has led highly praised outings, linking an unsolved murder, a tragic love affair, the Chloe painting, and three historic pubs. Drinks cost extra and the tour is for ages 18 and over.

“Was a great night we enjoyed learning some of the stories and history of Melbourne (pubs and areas around the CBD). Julie did a great job. =)”

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6.Old Hobart Pub Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 4 reviews · 1h 30m · from $26Best value

Walk through Hobart’s old drinking districts with a guide such as Christine, hearing stories of pubs, brothels, smugglers, convicts, and local characters. The 90-minute tour visits some of the city’s oldest pubs, with time to buy a drink if you wish. Groups are limited to 10 people.

“Public Tour. Not enough pubs too much standing on corners in traffic talking. Good knowledge of history prefer to be sitting in a pub.”

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7.Private Helicopter Outback Pub Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $451

Fly with Barossa Helicopters from Lyndoch over Jacob’s Creek, Tanunda, and Nuriootpa to the Wheatsheaf Hotel at Allendale. Pilot Nick has guided birthday flights here, with lunch, one arrival drink, local horseman Tom Willoughby, and a return route over Kapunda’s big miner.

“With our friendly and knowledgeable pilot Nick we took off from #barossahelicopters and headed to the Wheatsheaf Hotel at Allendale for lunch. We passed over a few wineries and Kapunda where we saw the big miner dressed up as FatRead more”

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