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The Rocks Sydney Australia

As the first site of European settlement in Australia, “The Rocks” has always occupied a special place in Australia’s modern foundation and remarkably, after over 200 years of European settlement, this vibrant harbour side suburb still allows us many a glimpse into life during the early years of Sydney.

After the American War of Independence in 1775, the British were searching for a new solution to the overcrowding of prisons in the United Kingdom now that the transportation of prisoners to America was no longer possible.  At the time the UK prisons were overflowing and many prisoners were kept in dank, mouldering hulks of old naval ships moored in estuaries and rivers.  Conditions were appalling, life expectancy was low and a solution had to be found.

The hard pressed British administration decided to re-introduce the transportation of prisoners to another land and their thoughts turned to the newly discovered Australia.  Here was a land that needed civilization and was sufficiently far away from Britain that the prisoners were unlikely to escape and find their way home.

This led to the “First Fleet” sailing into Sydney Harbour on the 26th of January 1788, and on board first European convicts with their military gaolers and administrators.  “Port Jackson”, better known as Sydney Harbour had distinct advantages as the base for the new colony due to the availability of fresh water, a fine harbour and more suitable ground for building and the growing of crops.

Prisoners were to do the hard work required such as clearing the land, farming and building, the soldiers to guard them and keep a British military presence to discourage other colonial powers and of course the administrators.  “The First Fleet”, as it is known, consisted of eleven ships, 290 marines, women and children, 717 convicts, supplies of pork and rum, equipment and livestock.  This first arrival of settlers changed Australia for ever.

After the establishment of the settlement early Sydney was not all gaols and wardens but operated largely as a free society with neighbourhoods of shopkeepers, tradespersons, publicans and labourers as well as the administrators and military on either side of the dividing Tank Stream.

Initially the housing, pubs and shops were fairly rude affairs made from timber posts, wattles and mud and were perched precariously on “The Rocks” hillside wherever there was a little flat land or the rock could more easily be levelled.  There were no streets or order, unlike those of the eastern side of the harbour where the Governor had set up camp.  The only unifying factor was that they all faced the harbour and the sea.  From the very first arrivals a sea view was a most desirable thing to have in Sydney.

Soon after settlement “The Rocks” area of Sydney was populated by a wide selection of English and Irish “lower orders” that is the labouring classes in a society that pre-dates the ideas of the more modern divisions of a class society along with a smattering representation of the peoples of the world and derived from free settlers and prisoners on day release or those having served their time that stayed on in the new settlement.

The Rocks today still maintains many of its early buildings and with the aid of a self guided audio tour the history of this earliest time in Sydney’s history will be brought to life for you as you stroll through the narrow streets and laneways of this picturesque part of Sydney. On weekends there is a vibrant street market and every day there are shopping boutiques, restaurants and cafes spilling life on to the streets.  You won’t want to miss a day at “The Rocks” during your visit to Sydney.