Top Things to do in The Rocks
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Things to do in Sydney, New South Wales: The Best Museums
Sydney offers plenty of historical and contemporary Australian flavor. The marvelous Sydney Opera House looks like a great origami sailboat, floating peacefully in a harbor. Wander the narrow cobblestone streets of The Rocks and then take in a street performance on the Circular Quay before heading into the Museum of Contemporary Art. The views from the Sydney Tower Eye observatory are epic – use this chance to get to know the layout of the city from high above.
Restaurants in Sydney
1. ATTY Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 217 reviews
Beautiful quirky Art Gallery showcasing the wonderfully detailed animal creations by resident artist ATTY.
Reviewed By Morgs0889
We stumbled across this gallery earlier in the year and fell in love with Graham’s artworks. We found ourselves talking about the artworks weeks after our visit so went back to purchase one. Graham was fantastic to deal with and made the adoption easy, so much so, we accidentally adopted 2! We finally have these beautiful pieces in our home and we have two amazing new family members to come home to. I can’t recommend Atty enough!
2. Jason Ree
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Australia's most awarded jewellery designer located in the heart of The Rocks. Jason Ree carries an exquisite range of rare solid Australian Opals, Sapphires, South Sea Pearls & Pink Diamonds all handmade in our upstairs workshop. Each piece in our gallery is unique & custom-made bespoke orders are welcome with short turn around available for international visitors. Duty Free available
3. Squidinki
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Inspiration788169 - Ottawa, Canada
We found this very cute artisan souvenir shop in The Rock on the Nurses Walk. They offer unique gifts and souvenirs that are a big step up from the kitsch seen in other stores. This includes mugs, placemats, plates and other handy gifts with original cartoon drawings of Australia’s best. We were able to all of our gift shopping in one stop for our Canadian friends. The very pleasant salesperson notes that her husband does all of the drawings for the souvenirs. He has a funny sense of humour.
4. POP on the Rocks
5. Hunting Hue
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
Hunting Hue showcases a striking range of limited edition creations, pocket squares, silk scarves, napkins and children’s swimwear, featuring ever-changing iconic Sydney imagery. All images are captured by founder, Rebecca Collinson-Smith, whose passion for design and photography has been fostered through her extensive travels, experience of living in Sydney and the strong design culture of her own family. Hunting Hue’s concept store in The Rocks is for kids and grownups alike. Swimwear design for this summer is an aerial photograph featuring Sydney's famous Bondi Beach for children ages two through twelve.
Reviewed By Pickytraveller1964 - Canberra, Australia
Every item I have purchased from Hunting Hue has been beautiful and original. Whether buying the perfect gift for others or spoiling myself, I consider myself fortunate to be able to buy such gorgeous creations.
6. Susannah Place
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 339 reviews
The working class did it tough in Sydney in the 19th Century. View the laundry copper, backyard dunny, worn lino, tiny kitchens and crowded living quarters when you visit this rare surviving example of a working class terrace. Then stock up on sweets in the old corner shop. Open daily 2pm-5pm. Museum access is by guided tour only. Tours can be pre-booked by phone or tickets are available for purchase online. Adult $8. Concession $4, Family $17. Sydney Living Museums members free. Closed Christmas Day.
Reviewed By 923joanf - Seattle, United States
This is a nice trip back in time to visit the occupants of this working class building from the early days of Sydney. The docent are very enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
7. The Rocks Discovery Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 504 reviews
The Rocks Discovery Museum is a free, family friendly museum which tells the story of The Rocks area of Sydney from pre-European days to the present. Housed in a restored 1850s sandstone warehouse, The Rocks Discovery Museum is home to a unique collection of images and archaeological artefacts found in The Rocks. The exhibits are filled with interactive fun, using touch screens, audio and visual elements to bring the history of the area alive.Learn about the area's traditional custodians, the establishment of the English colony and the time when sailors, whalers and traders made The Rocks their home; through to the 1970s union-led protests which preserved this unique part of Sydney for future generations to explore and enjoy.
Reviewed By K1153GWnicoled
Had this on my list for my first solo trip to Sydney. Well worth a visit in the stunning Rocks area of Sydney. Gives a good display and information of the history of Sydney from the indigenous culture through to current times, and all for free !
8. Gannon House Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Gannon House Gallery has been exhibiting some of the best contemporary Australian art in an historic house in The Rocks for over 25 years. The gallery is home to one of the largest Aboriginal art collections in Australia, focusing on artists from the Central Desert, Western Desert and Arnhem Land. The Aboriginal art collection is shown alongside contemporary Australian painting, ceramic, glass and sculpture, each capturing unique perspectives of Australia and its landscape. As a signatory of the Indigenous Art Code, we are committed to ethical purchasing of Aboriginal art. All the art in our gallery is sourced directly from the artists and communities we represent.
Reviewed By inDivineOrder
Such a warm place to visit! The owner was welcoming, knowledgeable and a pleasure to talk to. The Gallery is housed in an old historic building with beautiful old floors. Stroll through rooms filled with beautiful and magical works of art! I collect Christmas ornaments from all of my travels, so it was wonderful finding hand painted Aboriginal ornaments. The art work have pictures of the artist on the back (canvas) or on the side of the art on the walls! Plan to spend some quality time immersed in the creative beauty of prints, sculptures, bindi pots, jewelry, and other works of art. Enjoy!
9. Museum of Contemporary Art
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,194 reviews
Welcome to Australia's Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), dedicated to exhibiting, collecting and interpreting the work of today's artists.
Reviewed By Darcydachshund - Ludlow, United Kingdom
The museum is right on the waterfront at the end of Circular Quay. Entrance is free so just wander in and see if there's anything that's to your liking. Then go up to the rooftop cafe on the fourth floor where you can get food at reasonable prices and a fiv star view of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
10. The Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By joelsR585NI - Sydney, Australia
The Sydney harbour Yha is great and includes a great archaeological dig Witch is amazing great history and stories highly recommended when visiting Sydney worth the Stairs from George’ street and located in the amazing rocks area great hostel to Joel Sydney Australia stay at Sydney harbor yha when you visit Sydney Australia it’s great friendly and fun a great stay
