The Rocks

Numerous Sydney sightseeing tours, focusing on history, culture, shopping, food, pubs, photography, or ghosts, will spend time in the Rocks. Walking tours of the Rocks can be combined with other top Sydney attractions and activities, such as the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens, or Bondi Beach, or a Sydney Harbor cruise. Visit on a hop-on hop-off bus or boat to see sites at your leisure.

The Rocks is a great neighborhood to explore on foot. Highlights include historic Cadman Cottage, Susannah Place, and Foundation Park; historic pubs such as the Fortune of War and the Hero of Waterloo; great views from Observatory Hill; and arts and culture at the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Sydney Theatre Company.

• The Rocks is a must-visit for those with an interest in history.

• Don’t forget your camera. Not only are there plenty of photogenic sites within the Rocks, but the neighborhood also offers spectacular views over the harbor.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes; some of the streets are steep or cobblestoned.

• There is a Sydney Visitor Center located in the Rocks.

The Rocks is about a 5-minute walk from Circular Quay. You can take a ferry, train, or taxi to Circular Quay and then walk a few minutes, or take the bus to Bridge Street and walk north. There are a number of car parks in the Rocks area. From Darling Harbor, take Hickson Road via Walsh Bay.

The Rocks is a lively neighborhood and can be visited at any time. Popular markets include the Foodie Market on Fridays and the Rocks Markets on Saturdays and Sundays. The Rocks is a popular destination during holidays and celebrations, such as Australia Day on January 26 and New Year’s Eve.

Open daily, this small museum houses an impressive collection on the history of the area, from before the arrival of the first Europeans. It’s a good first stop in the Rocks, and will offer context for later explorations. The museum also offers activities to occupy younger visitors, as well as a self-guided tour map of the neighborhood.

The Aboriginal name for The Rocks is Tallawoladah, given by the local Gadigal people. The area of Sydney around Circular Quay today is known as Warrane. These names have been used locally for thousands of years, long before the area received the name the Rocks in 1788.

The Rocks in Sydney is famous for being the city's oldest settled area and for having a vibrant dining and nightlife scene. It's also the neighborhood where you can best see the Sydney Harbour Bridge and begin the bridge climb to see the city from its lofty vantage point.

Built in 1816, Cadmans Cottage is now the oldest building in The Rocks. It is one of the few surviving buildings from the colony's early days. The Rocks is home to several historic pubs that are among Sydney's oldest, including the Fortune of War (1828) and Lord Nelson Brewery (1841).

The first convicts to live in the area after the arrival of European settlers named it The Rocks after the rocky landscape full of sandstone outcrops. It's kept the name even though much of that sandstone was used to construct the early buildings that obscured its landscape.

The iconic area of Sydney close to several famous landmarks has been a filming location in movies including Mission: Impossible 2 and Mao's Last Dancer. Many TV shows have filmed at the Rocks including The Amazing Race and Modern Family, thanks to its waterfront views of the Sydney Opera House.

Yes, The Rocks is the oldest part of Sydney’s city and was the first place settled by Europeans arriving at Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788. It is believed that the British flag was planted somewhere on The Rocks’ waterfront by Captain Phillip and the First Fleet on that day.