The Rocks

The Rocks district, in Sydney

The Rocks is the oldest district of Sydney, cradle of the town at the foot of the Harbour Bridge. The Sydney audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this historic district full of charm, where the first colonists settled, with its cobbled alleys, its old houses and its markets.

The historic cradle of the town

The Rocks is the oldest district of Sydney: it is here that at the end of the eighteenth and in the nineteenth century, the first European colonists settled, a stone's throw from the bay where they had landed. The district takes its name from the rocky outcrops on which it was built. Long a working-class district of sailors, dockers and warehouses, with a sometimes rough reputation, it has been preserved and magnificently restored to become one of the most picturesque and most prized places of the town. There you wander in narrow cobbled alleys, lined with old sandstone houses, historic cottages, pubs among the oldest of Australia, galleries and shops. The district also hosts lively markets at the weekend, where you find crafts, local products and souvenirs. Nestled at the foot of the Harbour Bridge, The Rocks offers a striking contrast between its historic atmosphere and the neighbouring skyscrapers. Cradle of Sydney and a district full of charm, The Rocks is a must-see stop of the discovery of the town.

What to see

Here you wander in the oldest district of Sydney, cradle of the town where the first colonists settled at the foot of the Harbour Bridge, which takes its name from its rocky outcrops, with its cobbled alleys, its old sandstone houses, its pubs among the oldest of Australia, its galleries and its weekend markets, contrasting with the neighbouring skyscrapers. The Rocks is the cradle of Sydney. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Rocks district lies at the foot of the Harbour Bridge, by the harbour of Sydney, reachable on foot and by public transport. It is a public district freely accessible; the shops, pubs and restaurants have their own hours, and the markets are generally held at the weekend. You discover it by strolling in its alleys.

What is The Rocks district in Sydney?

The oldest district of Sydney, cradle of the town where the first colonists settled at the foot of the Harbour Bridge; it takes its name from its rocky outcrops and has kept its cobbled alleys, its old sandstone houses, its old pubs and its weekend markets.

Where is The Rocks district in Sydney?

At the foot of the Harbour Bridge, by the harbour of Sydney, in Australia.