Balmain Waterfront and History Walking Tour - Dirtbags, Dockers and Dawn!
- Duration: 2 Hours (approx.)
- Product code: RTWB
Highlights
- Hear the history of the formerly working-class Balmain
- Learn about the colourful villains from days gone by
- Stunning City and Harbour Views
- Mort Bay dry dock
- Snail’s Bay and beautiful Birchgrove Oval
- Ballast Point - from dirty lubes to sparkling views
- Dawn Fraser Baths
BALMAIN WALKING TOUR
Your effervescent guide will meet you at Balmain Wharf, at the bottom of Thames Street, to begin your guided walk. Hear despicable tales of vicious villains, wharfie workers, dangerous dockers and local legend, Our Dawn.
MORT BAY
Visit Mort Bay Park and get your camera ready for some spectacular views of the city skyline and the Harbour Bridge. This site was Australia’s first large scale dry dock, built in 1854, and many of the remnants of this industrial past can still be seen in the park.
BALLAST POINT
Your expert local guide will take you along the harbourside to Ballast Point. This multi-award winning architecturally designed park is situated on a prominent sandstone peninsula jutting into Sydney Harbour. The site has a rich history with humble beginnings as a ship’s Ballast Quarry, then in the 1850’s as an impressive private residence “Menevia”. In the 1930’s, Caltex owned the site and manufactured lubricating oils here. The site has since been reclaimed and now the unique blending of industrial, residential and natural landscape has combined to make Ballast Point a true urban wonderland.BIRCHGROVE OVAL & DAWN FRASER BATHS
Admire the gorgeous architecture as you stroll down the delightful suburban streets and around to Birchgrove Oval, regarded as the spiritual birthplace of Rugby League in Australia. Follow the coastline and enjoy stunning views of Cockatoo Island, the Balmain Sailing Club and onto the heritage-listed Dawn Fraser Baths. Hear the stories of our Golden Girl and learn why there was such a strong connection with the local communityDARLING STREET
Head back up to the main road of Darling Street where your tour ends, and you can enjoy time for a coffee fix, a craft beer or boutique wine at one of the many excellent pubs in the area, or just do some window shopping before catching a ferry or bus back to the city.
Includes
- Professional Guide
- Expert Commentary
- Food and Drinks
- Tips
Start 1000 Thames St Wharf Balmain
Catch the F8 Ferry from Circular Quay at 0945. Please note: This is the Cockatoo Island service NOT the Balmain East/Barangaroo service! Or there is parking on Mort St and surrounds.
Finish 1200 Darling St
Catch the 442 bus to the city or walk about 20 minutes back along historic Darling St to the Balmain Wharf.
Duration 2 hours
Moderate fitness required as there are a few stairs and climbing
NOTE: A minimum number of people are needed to guarantee booking.