need ideas for a walk thru the Rocks
Sep 27th, 2006, 01:28 PM
#1
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need ideas for a walk thru the Rocks
I've been looking for ideas for a sort of quick (maybe one hour) walk through the Rocks in Sydney--one that would be enough to get a feeling for the area.
I've noticed in several posts that apparently Alan had posted a suggested Rocks walk--but I've searched and had no luck finding it.
Can anyone make suggestions for a pleasant walk through the Rocks? Thanks!!
I've noticed in several posts that apparently Alan had posted a suggested Rocks walk--but I've searched and had no luck finding it.
Can anyone make suggestions for a pleasant walk through the Rocks? Thanks!!
Sep 27th, 2006, 02:20 PM
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caligirl,
I have all the info you need. There is a great 90 minute guided Rocks walking tour every day. Weekdays at 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM. Weekends at 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM. the tours start from the office at 23 Playfair St. in the Rocks. Phone # is 61-2-9247-6678. e-mail is [email protected]
I am not sure what the exact cost is but I do know it is fairly reasonable. I have several friends who have taken this tour and have said "don't miss it."
We will be there in less than 2 weeks and it is one of the first things we do. We are staying in the Rocks for 5 nights so will see and do a lot in Sydney. If you need more info on what to see or do...ask. I have spent the better part of a year planning this trip and have lots of info.
I have all the info you need. There is a great 90 minute guided Rocks walking tour every day. Weekdays at 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM. Weekends at 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM. the tours start from the office at 23 Playfair St. in the Rocks. Phone # is 61-2-9247-6678. e-mail is [email protected]
I am not sure what the exact cost is but I do know it is fairly reasonable. I have several friends who have taken this tour and have said "don't miss it."
We will be there in less than 2 weeks and it is one of the first things we do. We are staying in the Rocks for 5 nights so will see and do a lot in Sydney. If you need more info on what to see or do...ask. I have spent the better part of a year planning this trip and have lots of info.
Sep 27th, 2006, 05:00 PM
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If you prefer a self-guided walk, Alan's was wonderful, but I also can't find it. Maybe it's too old or something. I can give you the outline, but not the picturesque detail.
His walk was primarily around the back side of The Rocks, not the busier, touristier harbour side. You want to go in the late afternoon, as the setting sun hitting the back side of the bridge and bridge approaches will take your breath away.
To get to the back side from someplace central, like the Quay, just work your way up the hill. There are many pedestrian-only ways up through this side of The Rocks; get a good map and pick your way. Nurses' Walk, Playfair Street, and Gloucester Walk stick in my mind.
If you come out on Gloucester Street, find the stairs that go up next to Susannah Place Museum (well worth a visit). You will see an archaeological dig in front of you, which is an interesting pile of early colonial streets and houses that have been preserved under a parking lot for a century. Next to it is the Australian Hotel, which is a fantastic place for a kangaroo pizza and a pint of Little Creatures.
Across from the Australian Hotel is an opening in the sandstone wall of the bridge approach. Go through it, and you come out on the other side, where Alan's walk starts. You'll be in Upper Fort Street, at the entrance to Observatory Park, which commands excellent views over Darling Harbour and points west. The Moreton Bay figs are tremendous.
I don't recall exactly where Alan sent you after this, but the idea is to get down to Lower Fort Street. We went down the Argyle Steps at the far end of the park, down to Kent Street, and walked back north to Argyle Street. There you will find the Lord Nelson, which is a great brewpub. Back up Argyle Place towards the bridge, where Lower Fort hits Waterloo Street is the Hero of Waterloo, another even older pub hewn out of sandstone blocks. Unmissable.
Somewhere here, and I'm sorry to say I've forgotten exactly where, is a row of three beautifully preserved old houses. I think it's where Trinity Street runs into Lower Fort, but I'm probably off. The entire neighborhood, though, has many fine examples of working-class houses with classic cast-iron verandahs.
All along the bridge approach you can see how the neighborhood was literally carved out of the sandstone ridge. There is one place, along Trinity Avenue I think, where you can even see where they've cut overhangs into the sandstone and shored them up with bricks and timbers.
From here you can continue up Lower Fort Street, or take more steps down Ferry Lane to Downshire, Pottinger, and Hickson Streets and the (former) wharves (now fancy condos, theaters, restaurants). If you continue on to the end, you'll have no choice but to curl back around under the bridge right at the point, and if you've timed it right, the sun hitting it will be amazing, as will the water views.
One thing not to miss is the old pissoir, or public toilet (men only, I'm afraid), which is preserved in working order directly under the bridge on Hickson Road. It may not be a highlight in the tourist brochures, but it was interesting to see!
Once you're around the corner, you're looking at Sydney Cove again, and you can just proceed back to the Quay or wherever else you're headed.
This is probably a good bit longer than an hour, especially if you visit all the pubs, but you will not regret it.
A guided tour will probably not cover so much ground, but you will get the informed historical and cultural commentary, which might be worth it for you. I prefer to wander more aimlessly myself. You'll definitely want a good map with ALL the streets marked if you do it my, or should I say Alan's, way.
His walk was primarily around the back side of The Rocks, not the busier, touristier harbour side. You want to go in the late afternoon, as the setting sun hitting the back side of the bridge and bridge approaches will take your breath away.
To get to the back side from someplace central, like the Quay, just work your way up the hill. There are many pedestrian-only ways up through this side of The Rocks; get a good map and pick your way. Nurses' Walk, Playfair Street, and Gloucester Walk stick in my mind.
If you come out on Gloucester Street, find the stairs that go up next to Susannah Place Museum (well worth a visit). You will see an archaeological dig in front of you, which is an interesting pile of early colonial streets and houses that have been preserved under a parking lot for a century. Next to it is the Australian Hotel, which is a fantastic place for a kangaroo pizza and a pint of Little Creatures.
Across from the Australian Hotel is an opening in the sandstone wall of the bridge approach. Go through it, and you come out on the other side, where Alan's walk starts. You'll be in Upper Fort Street, at the entrance to Observatory Park, which commands excellent views over Darling Harbour and points west. The Moreton Bay figs are tremendous.
I don't recall exactly where Alan sent you after this, but the idea is to get down to Lower Fort Street. We went down the Argyle Steps at the far end of the park, down to Kent Street, and walked back north to Argyle Street. There you will find the Lord Nelson, which is a great brewpub. Back up Argyle Place towards the bridge, where Lower Fort hits Waterloo Street is the Hero of Waterloo, another even older pub hewn out of sandstone blocks. Unmissable.
Somewhere here, and I'm sorry to say I've forgotten exactly where, is a row of three beautifully preserved old houses. I think it's where Trinity Street runs into Lower Fort, but I'm probably off. The entire neighborhood, though, has many fine examples of working-class houses with classic cast-iron verandahs.
All along the bridge approach you can see how the neighborhood was literally carved out of the sandstone ridge. There is one place, along Trinity Avenue I think, where you can even see where they've cut overhangs into the sandstone and shored them up with bricks and timbers.
From here you can continue up Lower Fort Street, or take more steps down Ferry Lane to Downshire, Pottinger, and Hickson Streets and the (former) wharves (now fancy condos, theaters, restaurants). If you continue on to the end, you'll have no choice but to curl back around under the bridge right at the point, and if you've timed it right, the sun hitting it will be amazing, as will the water views.
One thing not to miss is the old pissoir, or public toilet (men only, I'm afraid), which is preserved in working order directly under the bridge on Hickson Road. It may not be a highlight in the tourist brochures, but it was interesting to see!
Once you're around the corner, you're looking at Sydney Cove again, and you can just proceed back to the Quay or wherever else you're headed.
This is probably a good bit longer than an hour, especially if you visit all the pubs, but you will not regret it.
A guided tour will probably not cover so much ground, but you will get the informed historical and cultural commentary, which might be worth it for you. I prefer to wander more aimlessly myself. You'll definitely want a good map with ALL the streets marked if you do it my, or should I say Alan's, way.
Sep 28th, 2006, 09:16 AM
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Wow! Thank you both so much. This really helps. I might be tempted to do both the organized tour and the self-guided version. Sounds like they would be very different. There's never enough time though. We will have 4 1/2 days in Sydney--it's becoming obvious that that is not nearly enough time!
Sep 28th, 2006, 03:38 PM
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I recommend as "must sees", The Garrison Church, The Merchant's House which is close to the Mercantile Hotel in George Street(great Irish pub music on a Sunday) and The Argyle Wool Stores which are just behind George Street.
