On The Rocks ...

For those of you who are into history, you probably know about The Rocks in Sydney. The Rocks is the earliest place of settlement, where when the first convicts arrived, they docked at The Rocks, and most of the buildings there were built using convict labour. Hence, the Rocks has the oldest buildings in Sydney, and some are still in good condition.

 

I remember on my last trip to Sydney, my cousin's wedding reception is at one of the hotels on The Rocks. It is a quaint looking place, and the function room overlooks the harbour. Maybe that is why that particular wedding is so memorable to me, because it is a reception at a beautiful place, and yet the wedding ceremony itself is simple yet classy. If I am ever to get married, I would want a ceremony that is simple yet classy, at such a perfect place too!

 

The Rocks stretches from one side of Circular Quay (beginning point is the Museum of Contemporary Art), past the row of old buildings to Campbell's Cove and waterfront serviced apartments at the end. That is the waterfront stretch.

 Museum of Contemporary Art

 

The Toaster as seen from The Rocks

 



 The stretch of The Rocks

 

 Cadman's Cottage on the Rocks, probably the oldest house in Sydney

 

 Some of the old buildings

 

 Waterfront serviced apartments beside Campbell's Cove

 

 These old buildings are now converted to restaurants

 

 Campbell's Cove

 

The older stretch is behind the waterfront, where there are little shops selling crafts, artifacts and restaurants. That is the stretch that is more quaint, with cobblestone streets and will lead all the way to the Harbour Bridge.

 

 Clock Tower at the back of The Rocks

 

 The old-fashioned telephone booth I like so much!

 

 These stairs will lead to more old buildings at the top, and all the way to the Harbour Bridge

 

 Top of the Arglye Stairs

 

 Bridge Stairs leading to the Harbour Bridge

 

The beginning of the Harbour Bridge at the end of The Rocks

 

The Rocks itself is not a very big area. In fact, walking from the front to the back to the old side takes just slightly more than an hour at the most. Of course if you stop to eat, shop and explore the shops, then it will take longer. But I love walking and exploring around The Rocks as it brings you back to the time when Sydney was still being discovered, and the earliest people (the convicts) actually made a settlement out of the new place they would call home. Hence this place is of great historical significance for someone who loves history, like me!