With its Georgian sandstone buildings, narrow alleyways, historic pubs, and regenerated warehouses, The Rocks is one of Sydney’s oldest and most popular precincts. Set back from Circular Quay, it was one of the earliest parts of Sydney to be settled. Formerly a raffish area, today this city-center quarter has been gentrified and given a good polish.
You’ll find Sydney’s oldest pubs here, a vibrant weekend street market specializing in handicrafts, historic Cadmans Cottage, the Sydney Observatory, Museum of Contemporary Art, and a swag of shops and boutiques. Some of Sydney’s best restaurants are also here, including Sailors Thai, Altitude, Neil Perry’s Rockpool, and Doyles at the Quay.
The best way to get a feel for The Rocks is to just follow your nose down 200-year-old cobbled laneways like Playfair St, Mill Lane, and Nurses Walk.
The Rocks precinct extends behind the Museum of Contemporary Art and George St, best reached from the Circular Quay ferry, bus and train transport hub.
If you’re walking from Darling Harbour, access is from Hickson Rd. Streets include Kent St, Grosvenor St, Cumberland St and Argyle St, while to the north Dawes Point leads to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
