The Rocks, Sydney's Colonial Time Machine

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Sydney_The_Rocks.jpg

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

Jewel in the Crown: Queen Victoria Building

From: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:(1)_Queen_Victoria_Building_4.JPG

Stewie here

On a rainy day like this, you're gonna want to head indoors. What better place to do it than the CBD's most exclusive shopping destination, the Queen Victoria Building - or, the QVB as locals call it!

Quick Info

Victoria herself, out front

Cost: free entry, spend as much as you like!
How: enter at street level from any direction, or enter underground from Town Hall train station/Pitt Street mall. Bus stops line the building.
What to do: Architecture, shopping, cafes, walking
Time: pass through in 10 mins or allow at least 30 mins to explore the many adorned levels and enter the occasional shop

Location

All roads lead to the QVB! It fills a city block, surrounded by George, Market, York and Druitt streets. It is a commuter hub especially in peak hour, people rushing to buses and Town Hall station.

See how central it is:

History

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Built between 1893-1898 on the site of a former marketplace, the continued that function but later   fell into disrepair. Thankfully, it has been restored to its former glory and is a trendy hangout for anyone wanting some retail therapy.

Upstairs, downstairs

The QVB is an amazing multi-storey building, with many functions and opportunities side by side.

Commuting

The bottom level of QVB (well, besides Victoria's Basement, a department store) is where you'll see busy commuters, food and convenience stores. Make sure to pay attention to the tiling, it's very intricate and is one of the highlights of the building's restoration.

Boutique shopping 

Notice the carpet? Yes, we're getting a little more pricey the further up we go, it appears. Art, antiques, jewellery, fashion and fineries abound. Prepare for some serious envy.

To the sky

The spectacular dome and many stained glass windows are a feat of architecture. Bring your camera and come during the day to observe the lighting and colour.


What is that?

Be sure to keep an eye out for the two giant hanging mechanical clocks, the Royal Clock and the Great Australian Clock. They are intricately designed and are tributes to our history.

If you happen to be here in 2085, you will witness the reading aloud of a sealed letter from Queen Elizabeth II, penned in 1986!

The Final Word

There's no excuse not to visit the Queen Victoria Building while in Sydney!
Oh, and one more thing...

High tea at The Tea Room - need I say more?


Laters,

- Stewie

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Want to learn more?

• Wikipedia - QVB
• QVB Official

A Stroll through Martin Place, Sydney's Pedestrian Haven

Martin Place - Sydney's favourite pedestrian space

Stewie here

If you haven't been to Sydney before, you might be wondering "This isn't exactly the Opera House or Harbour Bridge." Don't worry - we'll get to those soon.

But this morning I was in Sydney's CBD and realised that Martin Place tells us a lot about the character of the city.

Every day, diverse crowds of people - commuters, office workers, joggers, tourists - move through the area, living out their lives and enjoying the (hopefully great) weather.

Why not join the fun?

Quick Info

Cost: free entry
How: enter from any direction by walking, catch a train to Martin Place Station, or take the bus
What to do: Architecture, shopping, dining, people watching, walking, events
Time: walk through in 10 minutes, or take a leisurely stroll soaking it up for longer

Train station. On the 'City Circle', frequent trains from other CBD stops

Location

It's a free civic space that connects areas of the city, from the Domain and Botanic Gardens to George Street and beyond. See how central it is:

View Martin Place in a larger map
Banks and major corporations, including Commonwealth Bank, MLC, Reserve Bank, call this prestigious address home. You'll see lots of people meaning business - or maybe politics, with the New South Wales State Parliament located at Martin Place's Eastern end.

History

Once a busy vehicular street, it was converted into a pedestrian strip for the public to enjoy.

Historical image of Martin Place as a street, before conversion. Part of a display on a construction barrier.

Lined with intricate colonial architecture and modern & under-construction skyscrapers, an eclectic mix of Sydney's different time periods and social forces is on display. So look up and marvel at the impressive design on display!

We'll get to that pyramid in a little bit...

A Dynamic Public Space

Every day is different. That green pyramid above is actually composed of ...weeds! It's part of a temporary showing that challenges what we think is beautiful, with the 'pest' species becoming something visually appealing and the centrepiece of this place...if only for a while.

Don't worry if you miss one attraction - something new will be there next time.

Were you listening to me, Neo? Or were you looking at the woman in the red dress?

Charities, protesters, artists and festival organisers make this place alive, each day giving you the opportunity to see another side of the city.

You might just catch a show at the Amphitheatre...

A Solemn Memorial

Martin Place is a gathering place with special meaning.

The Cenotaph is a stone memorial to ANZAC soldiers (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps), with the annual Anzac Day March beginning here with the laying of wreaths at the Dawn Service.

Pay your respects either then on the 25th April, or any other time of year.

"Lest We Forget"

Lights, Camera - You!

Seven Network's television studio gives fans a chance to spy their favourite TV hosts, the Sunrise and Sky News programs shooting daily.

You can even be on TV through the studio window...so get those signs ready!

Catch up on the headlines with the Seven News scrolling banner

Give in to your senses...

For those with a sweet tooth, the Lindt Chocolate Cafe should hit the spot. Let the Master Chocolatiers do their worst!

...and your fantasies!

If you're feeling a little indulgent, than maybe some shopping (or window shopping) at one of the many high-end retail outlets is for you!

Maybe a surprise for that special someone?

The Final Word

Martin Place is definitely somewhere you'll want to check out, you never know what surprises will be in store in this buzzing urban centre!

I'll be back sometime soon, but before that, you'll be meeting the rest of the awesome Sydney Destinations team - is your body ready?

Laters,

- Stewie

Don't ask...

Want to learn more?

• City of Sydney - Martin Place
• Wikipedia - Martin Place
• Dictionary of Sydney - Martin Place