Sydney Queer Walking Tour

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Recommended by 100% of reviewers

| Sydney, Australia

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2 hours (approx.)

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Overview

You'll learn about the city's rich and varied queer histories and hear the stories of prominent queer citizens of the city, as well as important parts of the cultural scene, including the internationally renowned Mardi Gras parade.

Given the often hidden nature of queer history, this tour will provide a picture of what we know about indigenous Australia's view on diverse sexual orientation and gender, as well as the circumstances and stories of our queer forebears during the colonial period and into the early 20th century.

We will then bring into focus the period of social upheaval reforms that burst into the mainstream from the 1970's onwards, including the significance of the first Mardi Gras in 1978 and the following decades of protest, partying, and dealing with the HIV epidemic.

What's Included

Tea and coffee Coffee and/or Tea

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Phillip Street
Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Taylor Square
Oxford Street (at intersection with Bourke Street), Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia

At the heart of gay Sydney :)

What To Expect

Archibald Memorial Fountain

You’ll see hidden histories from colonial times into the 1970sWe’ll start at the Archibald fountain, a location which symbolises the hidden queer histories of the city. We’ll cast our minds back to what we know about Indigenous Australia’s attitude to queerness, prior to the arrival of British colonisation.We’ll then look at how colonial Australia from 1788 treated LGBT people, and how despite the often hostile environment, queer people lived and loved.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Emden Gun

At Whitlam Square, we’ll explore how the period of 1970s was the beginning of the gay rights era making claims for fairness and equality. We’ll discuss the role the media played, as well as how the different parts of Australia responded to these claims

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Green Park

We’ll wind our way through the backstreets of Darlinghurst with a coffee/tea stop along the way at a cute local café to Green Park. Here we’ll have the opportunity to consider how Sydney handled the HIV epidemic in the early 1980s, including many successes along with ongoing challenges in the face of homophobia and transphobia into the 1990s and 2000s.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kinselas Hotel

We’ll reach Taylors Square, the last stop, and discuss what happened in June 1978 at the first Mardi Gras at that very spot and why it is still a powerful calling to Queer Sydney today.We’ll discuss how it’s changed over the years, from the general public initially being very wary of it to today, where there is a strong community embracing it in the identity of the city.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Sydney Queer Walking Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (AEST). Read more Apr 2025