Hanging out in this really neat area in The Rocks
So I spent today at The Rocks in Sydney. I was totally and completely enamoured by it. I spent hours wondering up and down the streets and laneways exploring the history this area exudes. I couldn’t get enough. It makes me realize how much history is my passion. They say if you do something you are passionate about, you will be successful. Now I just have to find how to do something involving history.
What's left of old houses in Foundation Park in The Rocks - it was soo cooool.
Anyway, this is the oldest European settlement of Australia where the convicts were first brought in from Britain and dumped off expected to make their own way. This is a very rocky (as the name implies) steep area. Historical homes and other building were built into the cliff sides and laneways of stairs helped move people from one level to another.
An historical building that is now a museum where about 100 families have lived since 1844.
On January 26, 1788 Sydney’s first white residents hobbled ashore Sydney Cove. A mixture of convicts and their keepers, this was a different place than Britain. The Rocks was Sydney;’s first community. There were rich people living in The Rocks, but not many. The locals were generally working class: carters, packers, coal lumpers, publicans, prostitutes, pimps, boarding houses and Chinese laundaries.
Argyle stairs, leading from one level to another - obviously.
In 1900 the government bought The Rocks saying it was necessary because the killer bubonic plague. However the deeper reason was that it was to be modernised and hundreds of building were demolished as the harbour bridge and the expressways were built. If it wasn’t for the locals who fought to keep what remained, this area would not exist.
On the left the stairs are extremely worn and not in use, the rights side has been given some modern day help for their continued use.
It has been my first couch host who suggested I come here but it had rained the one day I had an opportunity. So I made sure I saw it before I left. And I am glad I did. It is fascinating. One of the few areas I have seen where Australia has really worked to maintain and protect a historical community. Unfortunately, it did eat up the majority of my last day in Australia.
I barely made a dent in Sydney as there is so much to see and do. I really do like this city. It just gives me reason to need to get back. Putting even the city elements to the side, there are the Blue Mountains that I didn’t even get to. Oh well, next time, which I am sure there will be. So hats off to Australia. Although you were terribly expensive, I really liked you and likely will be back. G’Day Mates!
Sara being Sara at a really cool mural in The Rocks.
Loved all the information and the history – would love to be there!!!
Yes – you would have loved it. Trying to figure out now how I might return!!
Hey, Sara.
Have you ever considered being a travel writer? I mean, you like history, you write well, you take great pictures and you obviously love to travel. Just a thought…
Yes – travel writing has crossed my mind but it is a tough field to get into and make a living. Any sort of travel job would be awesome. I still have not abandoned the thought.
Hey Sara,
Life…. it’s all about passion. Find your passion and you’ll find happiness. Nice photos!
Well history is my passion, it’s how to apply it in a living.
Let the how take care of itself. Follow your passion and Trust.
No that doesn’t always work you have to figure out direction, feasibility, and realism. I could be a wildlife rehaqbilitator because I love animals but that work is largely volunteer or $10/hour. Can’t live on fantasies.
Well … I guess we differ on this point!