To the Other Side of Sydney Harbour Bridge

Who doesn't associate Australia with the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House?

Both are located at Circular Quay, a harbour on the northern edge of Sydney CBD on Sydney Cove, the place of initial landing of 26th January 1788. Circular Quay itself was constructed years later from 1837 to 1844 by reconstructing the shoreline of Sydney Cove. It was called semi-circular quay for its actual shape and later it was shortened for convenience.

The shipping activities developed in Circular Quay over the years until it could not cope. In 1870s, the shipping activities moved to Darling Harbour and Circular Quay was mainly used for passenger activities. Until today, Circular Quay is the ferry hub of Sydney.

Walking towards Circular Quay

The cozy pedestrian walkway and many benches along the way

Circular Quay overlooking Sydney Opera House

At the southern side of this harbour, there lies The Rocks. It is the historic precinct of Sydney CBD which adopted its name from the original sandstone buildings. The area started to develop shortly after 1788 but was mainly known as a slum full of convicts, visiting sailors and prostitutes. 

In 1900, bubonic plaque broke down and the government intended to demolish and rebuild this area as well as Darling Harbour. However, it was halted by the World War II. Only a few hundred buildings were demolished during the construction of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Upon the recession, the plan was supposed to resume but people protested for the retention of the buildings. It was a long winded process and the result could be seen now. All the remaining buildings are still there, currently functioning as restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, hotels, etc.

Painting on the wall, what was supposed to be The Rocks long long time ago

The Rocks area

Commercial area

Other than the shops, The Rocks Market is held every weekend here from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are many things being showcased here, from normal souvenirs, dresses, handmade accessories, Aussie-made chocolates, beef jerky, foods, and many more. I love being here strolling from one stall to another!

The Rocks Market

One of the stall

Another area, this is sure a big market

'The Settlers' at one of the squares in The Rocks

Gozleme, my lunch for the day

Nearby The Rocks is of course, the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. This massive steel arch bridge is connecting Millers Point in The Rocks to Milsons Point in the north shore area. It is spanning 504m with the height of 134m above the mean sea level. At each end of the span, stand a pair of 89m concrete pylons.

The idea of building the bridge was as early as 1815. However, the construction only begun more than a century afterwards in 1923. Afew hundred buildings at The Rocks and the north shore were demolished for the construction. The bridge was completed and started operation on 19th March 1932. Until today.

Sydney Harbour Bridge carries the railway, cars, cyclists, as well as pedestrians. And it has become the icon of Sydney and Australia.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Bridge Stairs leading to the access of Harbour Bridge

View of The Rocks from the Bridge Stairs

The first pair of pylons at The Rocks end

You can climb the pylon! For a price of course

Despite the strong wind and the even stronger sun, I felt so happy

The magnificent view of Sydney Opera House from the bridge

The view of Milsons Point and the north shore

Densely populated Lavender Bay

Descending the Bridge Stairs at the other side of the bridge

Green space by the abutment of Harbour Bridge to commemorate the demolition of buildings during the construction

There my journey at North Sydney started.

Love is in the air,
Little Feet