The Rocks

The Rocks is the birthplace of modern Sydney. With the arrival of European settlers in 1788, it was here that the convicts first set up house and shop. Discover the area’s rich colonial history as well as its contemporary position as a thriving entertainment precinct right by the spectacular Sydney Harbour.

View of Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Rocks

Things to do

The big-ticket attractions here are the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which you can walk up with BridgeClimb Sydney. If heights aren’t your thing you’ll be happy to hear the Pylon Lookout also offers fantastic views of the harbour and beyond.

The best way to discover The Rocks is on foot as you amble along cobbled streets and follow little laneways that house everything from markets to museums and galleries. Join The Rocks Walking Tours or the I’m Free Tours, which start at 6pm outside Cadman’s Cottage and go for 1.5hrs. You can also hire bicycles and pedal around the harbour foreshore.

Group enjoying a historical tour of The Rocks with The Rocks Walking Tour company in The Rocks, Sydney City

The Rocks Walking Tour, The Rocks

The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour provides insights into the area’s indigenous history while The Rocks Discovery Museum, housed in a restored 1850s colonial sandstone warehouse, has interactive exhibits that range from pre-European settlement to modern times.

The Rocks is a creative hub, home to the Museum of Contemporary Art and its cutting-edge exhibitions. Artisans display their creative wares at The Rocks Markets on the weekend, which boasts more than 200 stalls. There’s lots more happening in this historic quarter, see the events calendar for details.

Friends enjoying rooftop drinks in The Rocks with views of Sydney Harbour, The Rocks

Rooftop drinks, The Rocks

Eat & drink

As the first settled area in Sydney, The Rocks is also where you’ll find the oldest pubs in town – The Fortune of War opened in 1828. Discover the area’s colonial-era pubs with Dave’s Pub Tours, which will let you in on their colourful history from the rum rebellion to the six o’clock swill.

The Rocks has many more delicious food and wine experiences. Quay is the pinnacle of fine dining, Altitude on level 36 of the Shangri-La Sydney has bird’s-eye views of the harbour, Sake does delicious Japanese and The Doss House is an underground whisky bar in a heritage building.