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The Rocks - Sydney, Australia
Birthplace of Australia

By Larry Rivera, About.com Guide

Restaurant row at The Rocks

Restaurant row and promenade area at The Rocks by the water

Copyright Tourism New South Wales

The Rocks, a 19th century village hemmed in by Sydney Cove, Campbells Cove and Walsh Bay, lies in the shadow of the southern end of the Harbour Bridge.

This is the birthplace of modern-day Australia, Captain Arthur Phillip having settled here in 1788. From this, today’s Sydney has grown.

A must for visitors

Just across Sydney Cove from the Opera House, The Rocks district is a must for visitors to Australia.

Here, buildings exuding the country’s historic past combine with today’s amenities to provide a unique precinct that caters almost completely to the visitors’ needs. There are restaurants, bistros, pubs, souvenir shops, weekend markets, music and entertainment along its main streets and squares.

Next page: The Rocks: A Blend of Past and Present

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