Things to do in The Rocks & Circular Quay: where to eat, drink, play and stay

A globally famous stretch of sand and glittering water featuring great surf, ocean pools, coastal walks and nearby bars, restaurants, shops and markets, this is your guide to Sydney’s most famous beach.

All around the world, Bondi Beach is one of the top landmarks people associate with Sydney. It’s more than just a beach, though. Its golden shoreline, surf culture and endless cafés and bars all give the city’s most famous stretch of sand a magnetic pull that visitors and locals alike struggle to resist.

Spend the day walking the coastal paths, shopping in local markets or learning to ride the waves, then settle in for sundowners overlooking the Pacific. Whether you’re here for a morning swim or a week-long stay, Bondi delivers the ultimate Sydney beach experience.

Top things to do in The Rocks & Circular Quay

1. See the iconic Sydney Opera House on a tour

You’ve seen its iconic sails stretched across a dozen postcards before. This is it. The Sydney Opera House is Sydney’s most emblematic building: a constant source of awe, even for locals who have been to see concerts, shows, musicals, plays and more since the Jorn Utzon-designed building was completed in 1973.

From above, it appears to be an abstract dish rack, its pointed sails papered in matte cream and glossy white ceramic tiles. Discover how it all comes together behind the scenes on the 2.5-hour Backstage Tour, departing daily at 7:00 a.m. and priced at $199 per person. Wrapping up with breakfast in the Green Room, the tour takes you behind closed doors to experience the House and soak in the passion and drama that have lifted the world’s best performers for decades.

2. Get lost in the Royal Botanic Gardens

Split into various horticultural collections, from the Palace Rose Garden to event space The Calyx, the Royal Botanic Gardens triples down on Sydney’s unmatched beauty. You’ve got the Sydney Opera House at one end, with incredible views all over Sydney Harbour from elevated lawns that are just begging for a picnic. This is where Sydneysiders go to decompress and remind themselves that they live in such an incredible city.

To see it through an entirely different lens, take an Aboriginal Harbour Heritage Tour, which will teach you about Gadigal culture and show you some of the garden’s more obscured secrets so you can understand how the surrounding land and sea play a role in the world’s oldest continuous culture. The best travel experiences always ground you in the culture of a destination, helping you form a more intimate connection to where you are. That’s the biggest value of this tour; you’ll leave with a distinct appreciation for Sydney and its evolution.

3. Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge

BridgeClimb always sits at the top of any Sydney bucket list, and with good reason. You’ll join a small group tour, led by an experienced guide, and scale one of the most iconic bridges in the world. The iconic structure, which bridges the edge of the CBD with Milsons Point, offers the most inspiring views of Sydney Harbour. So imagine what it’s going to be like climbing to the top? You’ll get to learn about the history while climbing to a windy viewing platform, scaling stairs and ladders, as you ascend to the top of Sydney.

There are also accessible options for those who need assistance and still want to scale our beloved coathanger. Or, if you don’t want to climb the actual bridge, you can also head up to the top of one of the Pylons for an equally stunning vista.

4. See a show in the Concert Hall

It’s every artist and performer’s dream to stand on one of the world’s most iconic stages and entertain a crowd at the Concert Hall. After a 10-year renewal program was completed in 2022, the biggest of Sydney Opera House’s several stages features exceptional acoustics and top-tier programming that has seen everyone from Max Richter and Tori Amos to Crowded House and Ice Cube play over the years. It’s always a special occasion here, with one of the most varied schedules of any performing arts institution in the world. Whether that’s the Festival of Dangerous Ideas in November, or a Sydney Comedy Festival Gala night.

You can also see everything from cabaret to disco nights in the bowels of Sydney Opera House in The Studio, which comes alive each May and June during Vivid LIVE. Then you’ve got the Joan Sutherland Theatre, the building’s second biggest stage, and spaces like the Drama Theatre, Playhouse and the Utzon Room. During summer, the Sydney Opera House hosts a Forecourt series where artists play on a pop-up stage opposite the iconic Sydney Opera House stairs. With a lineup curated by taste master Ben Marshall, the series has included everyone from Massive Attack and The National to Thom Yorke, PJ Harvey and Crowded House.

5. Check what’s on at the Museum of Contemporary Art

Regular world-class exhibitions and multiple floors of gallery spaces make the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) one of the foremost institutions in Australia. Everyone from Yayoi Kusama to Andy Warhol has staged big, beautiful and provocative exhibitions in this building. The museum is housed over five floors, most taken up by the extensive and dynamic MCA Collection, which highlights contemporary art across all media. Exhibitions have lately been asking questions about the future and tackling art through the lens of modern technology. But there’s so much diversity here that you’ll find something to love every time.

6. Take a ghost tour of The Rocks

The Rocks is beautiful any time of day, but you really want to explore Sydney’s Old Town after nightfall. That’s when the ghosts come out to play. These cobblestone streets are pockmarked with tales of grisly murders and soaked in convict history. You won’t see the blood that was once spilled in some of these historic buildings and streets, but you will learn about the city’s not-so-pretty side. The macabre history that comes with being a land for unruly convicts forms the backbone of The Rocks Ghost Tours.

And, unlike most ghost tours around the world, The Rocks is a bottomless pit of these stories. You won’t just hear about one or two murders; you’ll get the idea that this was once the most dangerous place to be in the entire country. Nightly ghost tours are $55 and run from 7:45 pm.

7. Take a tour of The Rocks Discovery Museum

One of the few free-entry museums in Sydney, The Rocks Discovery Museum, tells the story of The Rocks from pre-European settlement to the present. That’s thousands of years of history, all displayed with family-friendly exhibitions that help bring this historic neighbourhood to life. Set in a restored 1850s sandstone warehouse, the museum uses modern technology, images, artefacts and archaeological discoveries to bring many different stories together so you leave with a complete understanding of how The Rocks and Sydney came to be.

If you’re worried about authenticity, don’t worry. The museum was developed in close consultation with the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council and values credibility across its four permanent exhibitions: Warrane, Colony, Port, and Transformations.

8. Take a selfie on Nurses Walk

The Rocks has plenty of points of interest, but visitors always seem to love the Nurses Walk the most. This tight corridor was established in 1979 and named for its legacy. Colonial nurses used to take this route to reach Sydney’s first makeshift hospital. It’s one of the most charming strips in the entire city, so make sure you browse the several independent shops and cafes that shoot off from the alleyway. If you’d like to learn more, make sure you look out for the plaque dedicated to Lucy Osburne, an important figure in early nursing history. Take the route at night and you might spot a ghost or two.

9. Shopping in The Rocks

The Rocks hosts some fascinating boutiques that you will not find anywhere else in Sydney. Take Joe Bananas, for example. The quirky, menswear brand sports one-of-a-kind pieces that have individuality dualism written all over them (not literally). This is where men go when they want to take a hard left turn with their signature style and pick up something that feels like it was made for only them. If you want beautiful, elegant garments, then head on down a few doors to Aribella.

Elsewhere, you’ll find some gems at Opal Minded, native Australian goods at Aussie Outback, and plenty of arts and crafts at stores like ATTY Gallery and Argyle Gallery. The best time to go is on the weekend, when the streets are packed with shoppers looking for a bargain at the long-running The Rocks Market. You also might want to look out for Blak Market, which pops up at times throughout the year and is dedicated to showcasing First Nations makers.

10. Dive into history at The Big Dig

They might not have discovered dinosaur fossils in The Rocks, but there’s a hilly archaeological site, The Big Dig, that’s well worth seeing on your walk around The Rocks. Strangely enough, it’s part of the Sydney Harbour YHA, which has what’s easily the best view of any youth hostel in the world from its spectacular rooftop. There’s an education centre that’s mostly used for school excursions, but you can go in and learn about how The Big Dig came to be and what kind of objects and artefacts were found while excavating this unique part of Sydney.

11. Set up a picnic on Observatory Hill

There are many great picnic spots in Sydney. You’ll find them all over the Royal Botanic Gardens. But there’s nothing quite like walking up to the Sydney Observatory and setting up shop on the big, steep hill. You’ve got incredible views of the Sydney Harbour all around, with Barangaroo on one side and Circular Quay on the other. The best time to go is just before sunset, but you may have to contend with the crowds. Every couple has the same idea. You can even pay to have someone set up a picnic for you.

Where to eat in Circular Quay & The Rocks

1. Breakfast and Cafes

Head to The Rocks, where all-day courtyard diner The Garden offers a luxurious breakfast unlike anything else in the area. It’s a romantic atmosphere and a great way to start the day, surrounded by what was once a heaving outdoor dancefloor and historic sandstone walls. This is especially valuable if you’ve just stepped off a cruise at Overseas Passenger Terminal and want to grab something nice to eat straight away.

The Rocks Cafe is another winner with its charming atmosphere and fast, diner-like service. Other than that, eating out in The Rocks favours the later hours of the day.

2. Lunch and casual dining

The Gateway Sydney centre, opposite Circular Quay Station, is the best place to go when you just want quick, simple and affordable. The downstairs food court has all the fast-casual staples, as well as a Betty’s Burgers and Gelato Messina. Head upstairs and you can find an outpost of Sydney’s beloved Chat Thai with regional flavours representing a great spread of traditional Thai cuisine at affordable prices. Over at The Rocks, grab some top-shelf steak for lunch at The Cut Bar & Grill. This dapper dining experience has all the trimmings of a classic steakhouse; it’s rated one of the world’s best after all.

3. Dinner and date night

On one side of Circular Quay, you’ve got Bennelong at the Sydney Opera House and ARIA just a stone’s throw from the global icon. On the other side: Quay, Peter Gilmore’s three-hatted fine dining powerhouse perched atop the Overseas Passenger Terminal. That’s three of Sydney’s signature dining experiences all wrapped around one watery horseshoe; a clodhopper of culinary mastery and date night finesse.

Bennelong is one of the world’s most beautiful dining rooms, spectacularly set in one of the Sydney Opera House sails, with theatrical set menus that always end with the most Instagrammable desserts. Quay, on the other hand, is classic fine-dining with an iconic view to match. Peter Gilmore’s signature dishes have changed over the years, so it’s best to grab a signature tasting menu and trust the kitchen knows what they’re doing (they do). ARIA is a bit more approachable, looking over to the Sydney Opera House with a brilliant a la carte menu and one of the finest wine lists in Sydney.

One of Sydney’s finest omakase restaurants, Besuto, is hidden above the Quay Quarter precinct and is perfect if you love pairing sushi with whisky (and/or sake). If you want to trail your own food crawl without leaving, enter the Hinchcliff House – four floors of bars and restaurants, from a basement cocktail lounge to the award-winning Lana. Walk up and you’ll find the deliciously dark Clam Bar with its old-school New York vibes and signature cheeseburger. Below that is Neptune’s Grotto, an equally atmospheric Italian powerhouse with beautiful handmade pasta.

Flutter on over to The Rocks, where The Collective transforms the historic sandstone bones of the old Argyle nightclub into a multifactor showstopper. If you’re feeling like modern Japanese flavours, go for Sake Bar & Restaurant. Go deeper inside the building and you’ll find The Dining Room, replacing what was once a pair of upstairs dancefloors with an all-class grill restaurant that teases out rich flavours from well-sourced Australian produce.

4. Bars and pubs

The Rocks thrives on its affable old pubs, while Circular Quay is about its slick waterside bars. Taken together, a bar and pub crawl around these twin areas brings plenty of diversity. You might want to start in the shadow of the Sydney Opera House with Opera Bar. Now under the guidance of Applejack Hospitality, the open-air bar sure is a stunner when the sun is shining, hung along the razor’s edge of Sydney Harbour with a heaving crowd and live music all day.

Shimmy your way over to Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour and make your way up top for Hacienda, a Latin American-themed cocktail lounge that gets most of its allure from stunning views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Keep running around the horseshoe and make your way over to the new-look Cruise Bar, which stands almost directly opposite Opera Bar with gorgeous views of the Sydney Opera House across the water. Squire’s Landing should come next, pitched in a circular side-building that adjoins the Overseas Passenger Terminal. The 24/7 brewpub is the only place in the world where you can get such direct views of The House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge with a cold pint of James Squire in one hand and a burger in the other.

Head up to The Collective and go straight to petite cocktail lounge The Tailor Room. Glowing with a Mad Men-era vibe, it’s a great place to grab a stiff, perfectly textured martini while toasting to a night in The Rocks.

The Rocks, however, would be nothing without its legendary pubs. Fortune of War is one of the oldest pubs in Sydney and has a boatload of stories to tell. If views are more important to you, however, head to the rooftop at The Glenmore Hotel. This is one of the only spots with such an iconic view of Circular Quay, and the light, refreshing approach to traditional pub food pairs well with the breeze.

End your night at the raucous Maybe Sammy. Considered one of the best bars in the world, the wildly theatrical cocktail den gets by with its slick service and playful atmosphere. The bartenders will be dancing all night long with bubble machines and party hats, while you sip some of the most unexpected flavour profiles in Sydney. We’re always keen to see what the Maybe Sammy team come up with, so it’ll be different every time you go back.

5. Sweet treats

With an international pedigree, the award-winning La Renaissance Patisserie serves up the most beautiful French desserts and pastries with exacting technique. This long-standing dessert cafe has always been a reliable training ground for some of Australia’s best bakers, and so this is where your sugar cravings should take you first. The Belgian Chocolate Cafe is another great option on the corner of George Street, taking a purely indulgent touch to classic chocolate desserts.

Where to stay in The Rocks & Circular Quay

The Rocks and Circular Quay both hold some of the most revered luxury hotels in Sydney. The big, grand lobby of the InterContinental Sydney is impressive enough, but plush rooms with iconic views and a rooftop bar that squawks over Sydney are the real reasons to stay here. Walk up further from Overseas Passenger Terminal and you’ll find the legendary Park Hyatt Sydney, styled with classic rooms and some of the most awesome views of The House that you could ask for.

The YHA Sydney Harbour might not inspire any claims of luxury, but the youth hostel has something not even some of Sydney’s most popular luxury hotels have. The rooftop bar up here is big and spacious, looking over Circular Quay for a dramatic view that takes in both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.

There are a few hidden gems. The Pullman Quay Grand is a five-star stunner with direct views looking over Circular Quay, best taken with a balcony room. On the other side, the Harbour Rocks Hotel is one of the area’s most impressive and sensitive restorations, maintaining plenty of original detail so that you truly feel immersed in The Rocks and the area’s complicated history.

How to get to The Rocks and Circular Quay

Generally, you’ll either walk all the way up George Street until you pass the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. That’s the start of The Rocks.

From Sydney Airport: Catch the T1 City Circle line from either the Domestic or International terminal. It’ll stop at Circular Quay station and only take around 10 minutes to get there.

From Sydney CBD: Again, your best bet is to just walk down George Street. You can either go straight to The Rocks or veer right for Circular Quay.