The Sydney Harbour Bridge is an unmissable landmark of Sydney. It is fondly known as the "Coat Hanger" and is visible from many parts of The Rocks, and elsewhere in the City Centre. It isn't the longest bridge or hold any other records for size. However the sheer scale of the structure right in the centre of Australia's largest city is unrivalled. For example, it takes 10 years and 30,000 litres of paint to paint the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and when they finish they have to start again at the other end.

There are many ways to see or experience the bridge. If you cross from The Rocks to North Sydney have a walk around Luna Park and a go on the Ferris wheel before returning. If you are on a fitness regime, a walk over the bridge and a swim at North Sydney Olympic pool by the harbour is a perfect start to the day.

• There is a harbourfront walk from Circular Quay, skirting The Rocks area and continuing on under the Harbour Bridge. The walk goes in front of the Overseas Passenger Terminal, and will take around 45 minutes. The walk is free. The City of Sydney has an app available for the self-guided tour, and can be joined to walks to Observatory Hill.

• You can walk over the bridge on the pedestrian walkway on the eastern side of the bridge. The views are great and admission is free. On the southern side the entrance to the walkway is hard to find. The entrance on the western side is on Fort St near Observatory Hill. On the eastern side the entrance is on Cumberland St near Argyle St. If coming from the city, Cumberland St is closed at the Wynyard side. Walk along Harrington St and follow the small, hardly noticeable signs past Susannah Place. Alternatively, you can get the lift up to the Cahill Walkway from Circular Quay, and walk around towards the Bridge for about 10 minutes. Don't follow the road signs or any roadway on to the Bridge. You may be intercepted by police before you meet a worse fate with the traffic. The entrance at the northern side is easy to find, about 30 m south of the Milsons Point Station. There is no way to access the bridge by foot without using stairs. There are many flights at Milsons Point and Cumberland St, and two flights from the Cahill Expressway down to the Bradfield Highway. If you aren't good with stairs, take the walk next to the harbour. If you want to drive to the walk, there is extremely limited parking in Cumberland St and around The Rocks. Limited 2-hr meter parking is also available near the northern entrance at Milsons Point. The walk is often busy, but there are no queues or crowds. You can walk one way, and take the train the other way if you wish.
• You can cycle over it. There is a cycle lane on the western side of the bridge, dedicated to cyclists. There are usually multiple share bikes near the Milsons Point entry that you can hire for 30 minutes. However, the cycle will only take you five minutes before returning you to the city roads. The distance is more suited to walking.

• Southeast Bridge Pylon, ☏ +61 2 9240 1100. The pylon is open 10AM-5PM every day except Christmas Day. Climb up to the Pylon Lookout. Entrance is from the pedestrian walkway on Bradfield Highway approach to the bridge. (There is no entrance at the base of the Pylon in Dawes Point.) As you climb the 200 steps within the pylon, you pass 3 levels of exhibits describing pictorially the history of the bridge. The view at the Pylon Lookout is as good as from the Sydney tower, maybe better, as you are out in the open air and next to the harbour. It may be the cheapest way to take aerial photos of the harbour, including the Opera House. (You cannot take a camera with you on the bridge climb.) Admission is $13 adults, $6.50 children under 13, and free for children under 7. 

• -33.858056151.2069441 Bridge Climb, ☏ +61 2 8274 7777, fax: +61 2 9240 1122, admin@bridgeclimb.com. You can climb to the top of the arch of the bridge. For those who are good with heights and enjoy a spectacular view of the harbour, there are organised climbs to the top of the bridge. This climb is more demanding than climbing a set of stairs, although it is not so demanding as the name implies. You will be fitted with special climbing suits and secured by safety tethers, you must be 10 years old or over to take the climb. The climb takes 3½ hours and a group leaves every 10 minutes. You can ascend during the day, at twilight and at night. Book your climb as early as possible as the climb is very popular. Loose items including cameras are prohibited on the climb; Bridge Climb staff will take a photo of you, but you may not take photographs yourself. Standard rates are around $360 adults and $160 children, with extra cost for special times. (updated Feb 2024)
• You can have a picnic under it. There are nice parks at both ends of the bridge where you can appreciate the massive scale of the pylons and the height of the bridge. They are all weather parks, sheltered high above by the bridge platform.
• Natural Wanders, ☏ +61 2 427 225 072. The Bridge Paddle tour takes you kayak paddling under the bridge on a tour exploring the northern shore. They do this as a private tour - just you and the guide. $150 for one person or $120/person if two or more. 

• You can sail under it on a ferry or a cruise ship.

• -33.85889151.209171 Cadman's Cottage, 110 George Street North (harborside, below street level), ☏ +61 2 9253 0888. M-F 9:30AM-4:30PM, Sa Su 10AM-4:30PM, closed Christmas and Good Friday. The last relic of the small, relatively plain buildings that once ringed Sydney Cove in the early colonial period, this small sandstone cottage was built in 1815-1816. The building has survived largely because of constant government or institutional ownership. Restoration began in 1972 and the building is now used as an information centre by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The Cottage was originally built by the water side - with reclamation over the years, the shoreline of Sydney Cove is now 100 meters distant. Free admission. (updated Jun 2016)
• -33.8588151.20662 Argyle Cut, Argyle St. Follow Argyle St through this historic sandstone road cutting made between 1843 and 1867, made with the effort of both convict and paid labour. The sights and sounds of the convict labour, still bound in chains and working only with crude tools, horrified the locals and the cutting was abandoned after just three years. A long interlude lasted before the city council eventually linked Millers Point and The Rocks together with the use of paid labour and explosives.  
• -33.8584151.2063 Garrison Church, 60 Lower Fort St, ☏ +61 2 9247 1071. The colony's first military church, it is still an active Anglican church.  

• -33.86002151.2094 Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, 140 George Street (between Circular Quay and First Fleet Park), ☏ +61 2 9245 2400, reception@mca.com.au. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM. Art museum focusing on work by contemporary Australian artists. Housed in a fabulous 1930s art deco building, former location of the Maritime Services Board and facing onto the western side of Circular Quay and Sydney Cove, the MCA has been dedicated since its opening in 1991 to showcasing great works of modern and contemporary art in all media. One wing is newer, contemporary architecture; the other is a historic building used for port administration until the 1930s. The museum runs some arts education programs for children and disabled people. (updated Oct 2021)
• -33.85958151.20465 Sydney Observatory, Watson Road, Observatory Hill, ☏ +61 2 9217 0111. Daily 10AM–5PM. Closed Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.. Australia's oldest observatory. It has a variety of exhibitions, a “beanbag planetarium” and of course, telescopes. The parks and views of the harbour from the Observatory Hill are exceptional. It's worth a visit even if you have no interest in astronomy and are not even going into the building. You can book a night tour guided by an astronomer, where you're allowed to use the telescope and see what is visible during night time. The old telescopes here aren't the most powerful around; the portable telescopes set up are just as powerful as the large ones in the domes. It makes for a fun, informative night out. Children are catered for in both the daytime and evening sessions. Daytime admission is free. For night tours adults $20-22 and children $14-15. (updated Jun 2016)
• -33.86009151.207386 Susannah Place, 58–64 Gloucester Street, ☏ +61 2 9241 1893, fax: +61 2 9241 2608. Daily 2-5PM (closed Christmas Day and Good Friday) - guided tours only. Owned by Sydney Living Museums. Built in 1844, Susannah Place Museum preserves a row of four terrace houses that incorporate a re-created 1915 corner store, providing a rare opportunity to construct patterns of domestic working class life from the mid 1840s to the late 20th century. It is evidence of the rich community that once existed in The Rocks. The modest interiors and rear yards illustrate the restrictions of 19th century inner city life. Adult $15, child/concession $12, family $38. (updated Apr 2020)
• -33.8613151.20467 National Trust Centre, Observatory Hill, Upper Fort Street, Millers Point. M-F 9AM-5PM. The headquarters of National Trust NSW, it was once a military hospital and state school. The SH Erwin Gallery is located within and hosts exhibitions every now and then. Free entry, prices apply for special exhibitions. (updated Apr 2020)

The Sydney Theatre Company (STC) is based in the Rocks. They have a season of shows at both the Wharf Theatre and the Sydney Theatre, which are across the road from each other. The company has a mix of local and international dramatic productions.

Between times, there are often some other shows on at the theatres. You never quite know what you are going to get at an STC production. A story that falls flat, or a production to remember. The production values are high, but you certainly won't be seeing the latest production of Wicked, or the Lion King there. Try the theatres in the City Centre or at Star City for that.

• -33.855144151.2035253 The Wharf Theatre, 4/5 Hickson Rd. Pier Walsh Bay, on an old, renovated finger wharf. There is a bar and restaurant open during the show and at intermission. Booking for the restaurant is a good idea. (updated Feb 2024)
• Sydney Theatre. A larger, more modern theatre across the road from the water, and around 300 m further up Hickson Road. It has a bar open before shows and at intermission. It is a larger theatre than the wharf theatres, seating nearly 1000. 

• Bonza Bike Tours, ☏ +61 2 9247 8800, service@BonzaBikeTours.com. Offers a range of guided bicycle tours that start in The Rocks and take in various precincts throughout Sydney. Bicycle hire and bike rentals are also available. 
• Sydney Bike Tours, ☏ +61 2 8005 5724, info@sydneybiketours.com.au. Hire a bike and explore one of three self-guided bicycle tours. Bike the Sydney Harbour Bridge, explore the city's parklands, and ride to the Sydney Fish Markets for lunch. 
• The Rocks Ghost Tours, ☏ 1300 731 971 (local rate). Tours depart daily Apr-Oct 6:45PM or Nov-Mar 7:45PM. It is wise to book ahead. $34. 

There aren't many cheap or takeaway options to choose from. If you are there during the markets, there are usually a few reasonable cheap options from the market stalls. Otherwise, there is a Subway, and little fast food cluster in Playfair St, if you need to feed the kids quickly and cheaply.

• Pancakes on the Rocks, 10 Hickson Road, ☏ +61 2 9247 6371. A Rocks institution since 1975, serving mouth-watering pancakes stacked high. This restaurant can still draw queues that go right along the stairs, and have waiters that hand out menus to the people in the queue. The popularity likely as much due to the scene, as to the food, and certainly popular with the teenage crowd. 
• Löwenbräu Keller. Corner Playfair and Argyle Streets, +61 2 9247 7785. An authentic Bavarian German restaurant located in a convict-built cellar. Has a good vibe, usually with a combination of a visitor and local crowd, and usually a few noisy groups. Serves steins of a variety of beers in the German genre. If you want a sensible credit card bill at the end of the night, be careful not to get carried away with how many steins you have. They may taste good, and go down easily, but you'll be left with one serious bill to add to your headaches the next morning. 
• La Renaissance Patisserie Francaise, 47 Argyle St, ☏ +61 2 9241 4878. A sweet little cake shop serving the finest handmade cakes, pastries, savouries and chocolates in The Rocks. Also does Teas and Coffees. 
• Sailors Thai, 106 George St, The Rocks. M-Sa noon-10PM. One of the Thai restaurants owned by David Thompson, probably one of the best Thai chefs in the world. Sydney Thai is unique, combining Thai flavours and spices with the quality ingredients available in Australia. The canteen upstairs is casual with a long shared table, but there is a more formal restaurant downstairs. Also has a branch in Potts Point (71a Macleay St). Main dishes under $30. 

• Rockpool, 107 George Street, ☏ +61 2 9252 1888, fax: +61 2 9252 2421. Neil Perry operated restaurant. Fine dining in the Rocks since 1989, sophisticated seafood with an Asian fusion influence, winner of the prestigious mains $54-70. 
• Pier (at the Overseas Passenger Terminal). 
• Quay, Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, ☏ +61 2 9251-5600. Quay has won the Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year several times and has truly spectacular food, service and views (of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House). The cuisine is Modern Australian and the produce used is top quality. 4/6/8-course set menus only. Lunch from $205, dinner from $355. 

• Old Sydney Holiday Inn, 55 George Street, ☏ +61 2 92520524, fax: +61 2 92512093, bdm@oldsydneyholidayinn.com.au. Rooms from $184. 
• -33.8604151.20831 The Russell Hotel, ☏ +61 2 9241 3543, info@therussell.com.au. 143a George Street. Boutique Bed and Breakfast in the heart of the Rocks. Rooms from $250 per night twin share.  
• -33.85975151.2080282 Harbour Rocks Hotel, 34-52 Harrington Street, ☏ +61 2 8220 9999, reservations@hrh.mirvac.com.au. 4-star, boutique hotel housed in a 150-year-old hertitage listed building which is on the site of Sydney's first hospital. Rooms from $179.  
• The Australian Heritage Hotel, 100 Cumberland Street, ☏ +61 2 9247 2229, toll-free: +61 2 9241 3262, info@australianheritagehotel.com. Pub-style accommodation. (updated Mar 2016)

Hotels on Circular Quay are listed under City Centre.

• Observatory Hotel, 89-113 Kent Street, ☏ +61 2 9256 2222. The Observatory Hotel in Sydney has a European feel to it. Located on a quiet part of Kent St, a couple of min to walk to the Rocks, across from the Observatory park. 

• -33.8559151.20933 Park Hyatt Sydney, 7 Hickson Road, The Rocks (under the Sydney Harbour Bridge), ☏ +61 2 9241 1234, sydney.park@hyatt.com. Quite possibly Sydney's best hotel, the Park Hyatt has a superb setting, positioned on the harbour shore at Dawes Point next to the Harbour Bridge and directly opposite the Opera House situated across Sydney Cove. If you get a harbour view room, the view probably doesn't get any better. Rooms start from about $800/night and are rarely if ever discounted. 
• Sebel Pier One Sydney Hotel, 11 Hickson Road, ☏ +61 2 8298 9999. Low rise, absolute waterfront hotel, just to the west of the Harbour Bridge. Has panoramic Sydney Harbour views a contemporary chic hotel based on a heritage wharf. Rooms cost $300-400 a night. 
• -33.86134151.206554 Shangri-La Hotel, 176 Cumberland Street, ☏ +61 2 9250 6000, fax: +61 2 9250 6250, slsn@shangri-la.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. A high-rise, modern hotel if you want to splash out. Beautiful views over the harbour, fantastic service, located at the Quay.The corner suites are spectacular, ideal for honeymoon accommodation. Double rooms approximately $300 per night.. (updated Jun 2016)
• Quay Grand Suites Sydney, 61 Macquarie Street, ☏ +61 2 9256 4000. Luxury accommodation with harbour view rooms and spa baths. 
• Quay West Suites Sydney, 98 Gloucester St, ☏ +61 2 9240 6000, H8764@accor.com. Views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.