The Rocks and Sydney Observatory

Today we head downtown to The Rocks historical district of Sydney.  The Eora Aboriginal people inhabited this shoreline for thousands of years until the British arrived in 1788 with their convicts.  Two hundred-plus years later this area is made up of preserved historical buildings, museums, upscale boutiques, quaint cafes, hotels (the Four Seasons Hotel stands where a jailhouse used to be), twisting turning narrow cobblestone streets and alleyways, and some of Australia's oldest pubs, which they seem quite proud of (like the World's Best Coffee signs in New York, many pubs in passing seemed to make the claim they were the oldest running pub...).

The Rocks Discovery Museum -- a small, kid-oriented museum that educated you about the area.  Did not have the most compelling exhibits, except, as always, the computer displays and games were a big hit.

 A lollipop break - lollies from the appropriately named Sticky, where you can watch the candy being made.

Sydney Observatory

 There were spectacular views up here.  Wish I'd had a better camera with me!

 

Phillip's Foote

We'd read about this place in a guide book, it was a pitched as a convivial place where you cook your own meat on a communal grill.  It was fun, relaxed and the steaks were good.  (Finally got the kids to try steak & they liked it; not the healthiest food of course, but I view any expansion of their palette as a triumph!)  Did not realize til later it was fake old, established in the historically significant era of 1975.