Pubs & Poets: A Literary Stumble through Old Sydney

Culture & history Tours Guided tours Neighborhood tours Private tours Sightseeing Educational activities Literary activities

Discover Sydney's literary history on a guided walking tour. Explore the city through the eyes of famous poets, enjoy harbourside views, with historic pubs as the backdrop.

Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in Sydney's literary history on a guided walking tour
  • Discover the city through the eyes of famous poets and writers
  • Enjoy harbourside views, leafy gardens, and historic pubs along the way
  • Stand in the places that inspired the works of iconic Australian poets

Description

Step into Sydney’s past and present through the eyes of the writers who tried to capture it. Begin at Barangaroo, where the layered stories of Sydney’s shoreline echo through the words of Oodgeroo Noonuccal. Climb to the open lawns of Observatory Hill, a perfect vantage point for Dorothea Mackellar’s sweeping love of the Australian landscape. At Circular Quay, the harbour becomes a stage for Kenneth Slessor’s imaginative world, the very setting that inspired his most haunting lines. The Botanic Gardens offer a quiet shift in mood, framed by Judith Wright’s reflections on nature, country, and history. Crossing into The Domain, pause at Henry Lawson’s memorial, surrounded by the spaces he once walked during his restless, troubled years in Sydney. Further along, the steps of the Art Gallery introduce the city life of Banjo Paterson, whose charm and storytelling shaped how Australia pictured itself. Continue toward the Woolloomooloo Docks, a fitting backdrop for the muscular, working-harbour spirit found in the poetry of Les Murray. End outside the Frisco Hotel, and learn how a surprising chapter in literary history unfolded during Allen Ginsberg’s visit to Sydney in 1970. Across the route, the focus is simple: stand in the places that shaped these writers and hear the words shaped by those places.

Includes

Guided walking tour Poetry readings at various locations Local Knowledge Printed document containing all poems

Important Information

  • The tour involves walking through various terrains including gardens and streets. Participants should be prepared for weather changes. During summer Sydney can get extremely hot. Please be sunsafe.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

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