Sydney Queer Walking Tour

5.0 (10 reviews) 2 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

10 reviews

5.0

Sydney Queer Walking Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Sydney Queer Walking Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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.

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At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 12 people
People per booking: 1–8
Guide: English, French, Spanish
Operated by: Queer Sydney Walking Tour

Ages: Adults (18–69 years) · Seniors (70–90 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Tea and coffee: Coffee and/or Tea

Itinerary

Archibald Memorial Fountain

30 min

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.
Emden Gun

30 min

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
Green Park

30 min

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.
Stop 4

30 min

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.