The Rocks, Sydney's Colonial Time Machine

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Stewie here again! 

If you need a little break from the excitement of modern Sydney, than The Rocks is for you. This incredible slice of history is one of the city's most treasured locales, a hub of amazing sights and experiences that you will not want to miss!

Quick Info

Cost: Free, with varied food and retail opportunities

How: get in from the CBD, getting off at Circular Quay Station or the buses that stop there. Or even walk from Milson's Point via the Harbour Bridge!

What to do: explore the restored colonial streets, observe architectural fusion of old and new, enjoy the many cafes, bars and food markets, diverse shopping, art and culture, nightlife.

Time: a few hours during the day, and possibly all night if you're planning some fun!

There are hotels in The Rocks - budget YHA for the young ones, or The Harbour Rocks Hotel if you want something a bit nicer. 

Location

It is right in the CBD and perfectly located near the Harbour Bridge, so if you're short on vacation time, hit two birds with one stone.

History

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One of the earliest parts of Sydney, The Rocks has over 200 years of history in its sandstone buildings. You will be transported back through the ages and be able to put yourselves in the shoes of the many settlers and slumdogs that called this place home.  Wait, slum? Yep, The Rocks was once a destitute part of the city, beset by plague and poverty, but has since been majorly transformed into the destination it is today. You can walk down the marked cobblestone laneways, read the plaques and observe the before/after photographs, squeeze through Smuggler's Lane, and think what it might have been like here when the larrikins and The Push ruled these streets. If I just confused you, then you'll have to visit the The Rocks Discovery Museum to learn more, or go on a guided tour. Be sure to check out The Big Dig archaeological site - if you stay at the YHA, it is actually under the hostel, which is pretty amazing:

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Markets

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Avoid the tourist trap shopping and stick to the incredible Markets, which are actually really good and not junk like a lot of other Markets! Food is a particular highlight, such as the Foodie's Market on Fridays. Or, come back for the Weekend Market for all sorts of other quality products! Both happen in Jack Mundey Place.

Art and Culture

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Apart from attracting trendy folk for the coolness of the architecture and lifestyle, The Rocks is home to a variety of world-class cultural landmarks. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), above, hosts exhibitions and has quite the collection. The extension of the stone building into the new concrete section was a little bit of a controversy, but hey, what good art isn't?  Festivals, pop-up art, galleries, live music - The Rocks has it all. On the other side of the Harbour Bridge you can pay a visit to the Sydney Theatre Company in Walsh Bay and catch a show. 

Nightlife
You haven't seen The Rocks til you've tried it at night! It's a popular hotspot due to its great bars, dining, and atmosphere! The way that contemporary light works on colonial stone will give a timeless quality to your antics.

The Argyle's a popular spot:

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Lowenbrau Keller Bavarian Bier Cafe (below) is another awesome place to hang and drink some absurdly large beers. See if you can smuggle a glass out past security, they're good (if heavy) keepsakes of what should be an amazing time!

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The Final Word

If you're in Sydney, or heading up to walk/climb the Harbour Bridge, don't forget to take a stroll through the incredible historic Rocks.

- Stewie

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Want to learn more?

• The Rocks - Sydney.com
• The Rocks - official site
• The Rocks - Wiki