The Rocks: Sydney's Outdoor Museum

The Rocks is Sydney's oldest area and is steepedand open air washing facilities of those days. The
in history and character. One reason is the strictblock also contains a recreated corner store
control on development has limited thestocked with goods from that period.
construction of brash modern buildings. This is oneYou can get more insights into the Rocks past at
of the reasons they call The Rocks 'Sydney'sCadman's Cottage, Sydney's oldest building.
Oldest Museum'. Add to this a vibrant cafe, pubLocated on George Street, it was built in 1816 as
and dining culture, some wonderful shopping, andbarracks for the coxswain and crew of the
what is arguably the city's best view of theGovernor of New South Wales. It's named after
Opera House, and you've got the recipe for athe last government coxswain, John Cadman.
great Sydney day out. So where's the best placeCadmans Cottage houses a museum and the
to start?Sydney Harbour National Park Information Centre.
That's an easy one; the place to go is the SydneyAlso here in the oldest part of Sydney you'll find
Visitor Centre at 106 George Street. It offers athe Museum of Contemporary Art. Officially
mass of free information and literature aboutopened in 1991, the museum’s four floors
everything to do with The Rocks.display artworks from both local an international
The Rocks may be Sydney's Outdoor Museumartists. The displays are continually changing. The
but it's home to many indoor museums, too, andmuseum offers stunning views over Sydney
these are great places to explore the area's past.Cove.
One of the most fascinating is the DiscoveryTo see one of Sydney’s first churches, head
Museum located in a restored 1850's sandstonefor Miller's Point on the southern shore of Sydney
warehouse. The three floors of the museumHarbour, beside Darling Harbour. Garrison Church
narrate the story of The Rocks from itswas built in 1840. Originally named the Church of
Aboriginal days up to the present. The displaysthe Holy Trinity, it became better known as the
comprise extensive artifacts unearthed over theGarrison Church due to its proximity to the
centuries.Commonwealth arsenal. Next to the church,
For a glimpse into how life was in The Rocks longyou’ll find the volunteer-run Garrison Gallery
ago, visit Susannah Place a group of four terracedMuseum. The nearby St Brigid's Millers Point is the
houses dating from 1844. They illustrate the rawoldest existing place of Catholic worship in
community of l9th century working class life inAustralia.
the city. Susannah Place retains the brick toilets