Sydney The Rocks

Sydney The Rocks

This restored historical district of offers everything from boutique shops to fine art galleries.
There are also a great collection of restaurants, street entertainment, historical buildings and artefacts from a much earlier Sydney.


The Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is but a short walk to the other side of Circular Quay at Bennelong Point. Over 3000 performances a year take place there and not just Opera, but Jazz, plays, dance, orchestras, movies and a lot more.

Rocks History
As the landing place of 1400 men, women and children in 1788 (over half being convicts) the restored district provides the visitor a fascinating insight into Australian history. The area is located a short walk west from the Sydney Opera House.
Just over 200 years ago, Captain Arthur Phillip brought his fleet of 10 square-rigged sailing ships to anchor in the peaceful little bay that was to become known as Sydney Cove. More on Sydney History.
With his ships, his crews, farm stock, a handful of settlers, an array of marines and the prisoners in their charge, Phillip established the farthest flung outpost of the British Empire.
One of Phillip’s first acts on arrival was to send ashore working parties of convicts to clear the land for the tents and bark shelters which would house the settlers.
The Name
Much of the settlement was established on the Western shore of Sydney Cove, a hillside with prominent outcrops of sandstone.Named after the sandstone found in the area, the stone also was used in many of the original buildings. These have been restored and along with the cobbled lanes and stairs, the whole district of The Rocks has an old world ambience.The district is the foundation place of Sydney (Australian history) and colonial Australia’s most significant historical site.
Attractions
Above all, it is one of Sydney’s foremost attractions - a centre of history and entertainment. Many of the buildings are near original - from the oldest building, Cadman’s Cottage, to Susannah Place, Campbells Storehouse and the Merchants House. See The Rocks Attractions.

Dining
The area has been witness to much of Australia’s turbulent history since Phillip’s arrival. Now, it offers much more than haunting reminders of the past, including some the best of Sydney’s restaurants, hopping and hotels.It sits on the shoreline of the world’s Sydney Harbour. A sensitive conservation program has preserved the area’s character and heritage.

Sydney Tower, Skywalk

Sydney Tower (also known as the Sydney Tower Eye, AMP Tower, Westfield Centrepoint Tower, Centrepoint Tower or just Centrepoint) is Sydney's tallest free-standing structure, and the second tallest in Australia (with the Q1 building on the Gold Coast being the tallest). It is also the second tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere (after Auckland's Sky Tower, though Sydney Tower Eye's main observation deck is almost 50 m (164 ft) higher than that of Auckland's Sky Tower). The Sydney Tower is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers.

The tower stands 309 m (1,014 ft) above the Sydney CBD, located on Market Street, between Pitt and Castlereagh Streets.[1] It is accessible from the Pitt Street Mall, and sits upon the newly refurbished Westfield Sydney (formerly centrepoint arcade). The tower is open to the public, and is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the city, being visible from a number of vantage points throughout town and from adjoining suburbs.

Whilst the Shopping centre at the base of the tower is run by the Westfield Group the tower itself is occupied by Trippas White Group (who own and operate Sydney Tower Dining) and Merlin Entertainments (who own and operate the Sydney Tower Eye and Oztrek).[2]

Sydney Centra Bussiness District (CBD)

Sydney CBD

From Chinatown to Circular Quay, Sydney City Central Business District (CBD) is filled with things to do, places to visit and see.

The city’s underground railway makes it easy to get around, with shopping, restaurants, cafe’s, lots of attractions and sightseeing. You may also wish to check the weather for today and forecasts for the city Sydney CBD Weather.

Sydney Shopping

Sydney is noted for its great shopping, particularly in the Central Business District - More about Sydney Shopping.

Amongst the many major attractions worth visiting in Sydney city is the AMP Tower Centrepoint, with excellent 360 degree views of the City. Below, you will find major fun shopping opportunities at Pitt Street.Find hotels near these shopping places Sydney Hotels.

Sydney City Centre Museums and Attractions

Places to go in the City: Museums include Hyde Park Barracks, The Art Gallery of NSW, Museum of Sydney, the Justice and Police Museum, Customs and the Australian Museum, documenting our history, culture, and the natural development of this continent.

Use our Sydney CBD Attractions page to find more about our many attractions, museums and art galleries, or find them by map Sydney CBD Map.

Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens

Visit The Royal Botanical Gardens for a serene and enjoyable walk with great harbour views - found alongside the Sydney Opera House at Circular Quay. See Map to Sydney Opera House.

The Rocks

Sydney The Rocks The Rocks, by Circular Quay at the foot of the city, is Australia’s finest restored historical district. Visit the Sydney Information Centre there for a good look at our history and walk the cobbled streets. You will also find excellent restaurants and eateries of all kinds, pubs dating back to the early days, a lively market on weekends and plenty of entertainment.

Sydney City Map

Sydney city map with attractions, touristic places to see and visit, museums and art galleries Sydney CBD Map

South Sydney Center Map.

Map showing the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, The Rocks and Sydney Cove Map of Sydney CBD.

Sydney Events and Festivals

There are events and festivals in Sydney City the year round see more about Sydney Events and Festivals.

Every January, the city celebrates with the Sydney Festival. At indoor and outdoor venues all over the city, there are artwork, music and dance exhibitions. Australian and International theatre during the month is also featured, from Aboriginal to Opera and Contemporary. Many of these events are free.

Hunter Valley, Winery Tours

Hunter Valley tourist information NSW Australia
The Hunter is known for its great wines, but is quickly developing its name as a gourmet paradise.
Al Fresco Cafe’s and fine dining restaurants dot the valley. A number of the wineries themselves have award winning restaurants offering delicious fare and fine dining.

Hunter Winery Tours
There are cellar doors at all the notable wineries for sampling some great wines, including in particular, the Semillon, Shiraz and Chardonnay varietals. Visit one or a number of the wineries to discuss, learn more and see how these wines are made.
You can tour a number of these working wineries, including Rothbury Estate, McWilliams Mt Pleasant Estate and Tyrrels. Phone the Wine Country Visitors Information Centre for more info about these tours, places to visit, things to do and see in the Valley: Phone +061 2 4990 0900.

Things to Do in the Hunter
Other than food and wine? Yes, there are plenty of things to do in the Hunter. Try a champagne breakfast with a sunrise balloon flight or take a romantic horse and carriage ride through the vineyards.
There are bicycles for hire for exploring at your own pace, or visit the Hunter Valley Gardens, 25 hectares of living colour. There is horse riding - view the sunset, enjoy wonderful scenery and see Australian wildlife in their habitat.
Take a joy flight or a helicopter flight, learn about wines at the Hunter Resort, go for a trike ride, sample cheeses and chocolates. Want more?
Go canoeing down the Hunter River, play golf or take the historic Maitland Gaol tour and even stay for a sleepover. Will they let you out?
You can visit beautiful Tomago House, a National Trust Home. At Richmond Vale, you can take a steam train ride.
There are lots of things to see and do in the Hunter Region, with something for everyone.
Places to Visit
Newcastle is a good place to base yourself for exploring the Hunter Region as well as the Coast. See more about Newcastle Tourist Information.
Maitland has a wonderful collection of buidings built in Australia’s early Colonial Period, but also from the Georgian, Victorian and Federation days.
Cessnock is also a great place to begin exploring the Hunter Region. The Cessnock Information Centre has plenty of information on what to do, where to go, best wineries to visit, great restaurants, Hunter Valley tours and plenty of choices for activities.

Singleton NSW
Singleton, in the center of the Hunter region and on the river, is home to Wyndham Estate Winery, Australia’s oldest surviving winery. Other notable nearby wineries include Mount Pleasant Wine and Food Estate, run by McWilliams, Fairview Wines, Bellona Estate, McGuigan Cellars and Hungeford Hill.Singleton also has a Historical Museum as well as an Infantry Museum worth visiting, and the different wine tours are available take you to some very select wineries in the area.
Wine Tasting Tours
See the winery tour page Sydney Wine Tasting Tours Hunter Valley.

Accommodation in the Hunter
For Hunter Valley Hotels and NSW Travel Deals see NSW Tourist Guide - Hunter Valley Hotel Accommodation.

How To get to the Hunter Valley
North over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, take the F3 Freeway to the Sydney - Newcastle Highway. At the end, take the the New England Freeway. Trains are available from Sydney Central, Strathfield and Hornsby via Countrylink (Phone 13 22 32) - in NSW.

Sydney Blue Mountains

Sydney Blue Mountains, NSW

An hour’s drive or train ride from Sydney Central, offer spectacular views and great walks in the bush. As well as a lot more, with cosmopolitan restaurants, accommodation to suit any budget, Australian history and outdoor adventure.

The name derives from the ever present bluish haze evaporating from the millions of eucalyptus trees dominating the Sydney Blue Mountains. Wildlife and especially birdlife is abundant here, yet only a short trip from Sydney.
The region has dramatic scenery of mountains, spectacular cliffs and escarpments of sandstone, limestone and lava rock. Covered by millions of gumtrees, these mountains harbour abundant native wildlife including colourful birdlife.

The region is now classed as a World Heritage Area.
Blue Mountains History
When the colony was first founded, it took some 25 years before a route across the Blue Mountains was discovered by the Europeans in 1813.
Needless to say, the local Aboriginals, the Gundungarra, Wiradjuri and Dharug tribes, had been traversing the mountains for thousands of years.
Three explorers, Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson got advice from the Aboriginals to stick to the ridges. They found their way to the rich fertile hinterlands and into a permanent place in Australian history.
William Cox built the first road across in 1814 and since then, the mountains have been a popular Sydney destination. There are three towns named after the early explorers, named appropriately, uh, Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson.
You can find among the many villages and towns dotting the Blue Mountains art galleries filled with works from local artists, historic houses and hotels, marvellous gardens with comfy coffee houses and eateries offering winter warmth in winter. The Mountains offer a cool Sydney escape in the warm summer months. Try the Devonshire Teas with the homemade scones with cream and homemade jams - Yumm.

Activities, Tours and Things to Do
Blue Mountains Walkabout tours offer a chance for you to experience the local aboriginal culture, education and adventure for yourself. There are numerous bus tours available in the city, particularly at Circular Quay, between the Opera House and The Rocks.

Blue Mountains Accommodation
Since the opening of the pioneer trail by William Cox in 1815, exploring has been a lot easier. There are many historic inns and pubs, grand hotels and resorts dating from the 1800’s.
There are also caravan parks to modern luxury resort accommodation available at Leura and Katoomba. They offer a variety of experiences and budgets for those wishing to stay longer than a day visit. Bed and Breakfasts, B&B’s are another popular way to enjoy a stay in the Blue Mountains.
Blue Mountains Accommodation and Hotels Blue Mountains Hotels.

Restaurants in the Blue Mountains
The fresh mountain air and views can make food taste better! There are plenty of eateries and restaurants dotting the mountains to accomodate even the most discerning palate, with sumpteous traditional fare, as well as almost every cuisine from Australian, Italian and French, to Thai.