The back story
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Neighbourhood guide
The Rocks and Circular Quay
Where Sydney began: the ferries of the Quay, the Opera House, the sandstone lanes of The Rocks and the Bridge above.
Neighbourhood guide · Sydney
The Rocks and Circular Quay, where Sydney began
The ferries of the Quay, the Opera House, the sandstone lanes of The Rocks and the Bridge above.
What's onThis week in Sydney
What to see and do
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UNESCO World Heritage
Sydney Opera House
Utzon’s sails on Bennelong Point: guided tours in seven languages, backstage and architectural tours.
Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000Explore View on map
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Opened 1932
Sydney Harbour Bridge and BridgeClimb
The great steel arch over the harbour, opened on 19 March 1932; climb it with BridgeClimb.
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Where Sydney began
Circular Quay and The Rocks
The ferry wharves of Sydney Cove and the sandstone lanes of The Rocks.
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UNESCO convict site
Cockatoo Island (Wareamah)
A former convict gaol and shipyard in the harbour, reached by ferry; camping and heritage stays.
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Since 1858
Sydney Observatory
The 1858 observatory on Observatory Hill, part of the Powerhouse; open Thursday–Sunday.
1003 Upper Fort Street, Millers Point NSW 2000Explore View on map
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On Circular Quay
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Contemporary art in an art deco building on the western side of Circular Quay.
140 George Street, The Rocks NSW 2000Explore View on map
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The Wharf and the Roslyn Packer
Sydney Theatre Company
The city’s theatre company, at the Wharf in Walsh Bay, the Drama Theatre and the Roslyn Packer Theatre.
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The harbour foreshore
Barangaroo to the Opera House
Along the water from Barangaroo Reserve past Walsh Bay, under the Bridge, to Bennelong Point.
Where to eat
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Beneath the sails
Bennelong
Contemporary Australian cooking inside the Sydney Opera House, from the Fink group.
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On the Quay
Aria
Matt Moran’s restaurant at 1 Macquarie Street, looking across Circular Quay to the Harbour Bridge.
1 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000Explore View on map
Bars and pubs
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At the foot of the sails
Opera Bar
Drinks on the lower concourse of the Opera House, facing the Bridge.
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Level 36
Blu Bar on 36
Cocktails on level 36 of the Shangri-La, with the harbour below.
Level 36, 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks NSW 2000Explore View on map
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Cocktails in The Rocks
Maybe Sammy
A cocktail bar in The Rocks inspired by the Las Vegas of the 1960s.
Where to stay
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Beneath the Bridge
Park Hyatt Sydney
The hotel at the water’s edge on Campbells Cove, between the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.
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Above the Quay
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
34 storeys and 531 rooms and suites above Circular Quay, with views of the Harbour Bridge.
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Blu Bar on 36
Shangri-La Sydney
High on the hill of The Rocks, with Altitude and Blu Bar on level 36.
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The Day Spa by Chuan
The Langham, Sydney
A quiet hotel in The Rocks with an underground day spa and an indoor pool.
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Over the water
Pier One Sydney Harbour
A hotel built on and over the water at Walsh Bay, part of the Autograph Collection.
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Henry Deane on top
Hotel Palisade
A small hotel at Millers Point with Henry Deane, the cocktail lounge, on levels 4 and 5.
Health and wellness
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At The Langham
The Day Spa by Chuan
An underground spa at The Langham, open daily 7am–9pm, beside the indoor pool.
Share your The Rocks & Circular Quay tips
Spent an evening at the Quay? Tell the next visitor where you watched the sun go down.
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