The Rocks

The Rocks are the oldest neighbourhood of Sidney and are famously the
location where the first European settlers arrived. Originally the area was a
penitentiary colony when the first fleet of prisoners came from England more
than 200 years ago. Today it is a vibrant area with a bustling nightlife, plenty
of bars and an array of delicious restaurants.

How to get there
The Rocks are located on the southern shore of the Sydney harbour between
The Opera House and the bridge. The area is easy to get to on foot and a
whole day can be spent exploring here The Rocks can be accessed from the
central station by train in under 20 minutes. From the Opera House or
Circular Quay, it’s just a ten-minute walk away from 40 minutes from Bondi
Beach by bus.

Looking for culture and entertainment
At the Rocks, you will find plenty of bars, pubs, restaurants, street art, live
music, and hotels with the most amazing views over Sydney Harbor Bridge.
If you’re in town on New Years Ever, or Australia Day on January 26th the
Rocks is the place to be as there’s an annual firework display. The area is
also full of history, and great architecture and the colonial buildings offer a
culture filled morning for all.

Strolls of yesteryear
Its cobbled streets will take you through the interesting history as most of
today’s local shops, boutiques and markets were once hospitals, jails and
whorehouses. If you prefer a more organized visit, it is possible to take a
walking tour with a local guide.

This colourful neighbourhood attracts many tourists looking for the best
pubs, restaurants and most interesting museums. There are many things to
do here at too as you can go shopping at some of the stores along the
streets, enjoy a coffee at a local emporium or just people watch on the
streets.

Nightlife
When the evening falls the dazzling lights of the Rocks attract the night life
lovers from afar. Dance, drink and chat the evening away in the company of
new or old friends as classic Australian anthems play over the stereos.

Scary walks

For those after a little evening adrenaline, why not take an evening ghost
tour of The Rocks to learn the scary history of the area. Head down narrow
alleyways and round haunted corners with only a flashlight to guide you. To
make your visit more exciting, why not visit the Justice and Police Museum
where criminals were processed and imprisoned. You can even get into the
old prison cells and the interrogation room to try to imagine how it felt to be
behind bars at that time.

To keep in mind
To make your trip more comfortable it’s recommended to look for
information about the tour prices and accommodation in advance.