George St

"Maritime Mecca The real sailboat-shaped cultural institution in Sydney is not the Opera House, but the Australian National Maritime Museum, a soaring canvas-covered structure built high enough to house tall masts. The museum, located on Darling Harbour, the city's busiest industrial area for much of the 19th and 20th centuries, was founded to share Australia’s maritime history with the world. Permanent and special exhibits focus on the deep connection of indigenous Australians with the ocean, early exploration, immigration, commerce, defense, adventure, sports, and identity. The museum also boasts one of the largest collections of floating historical vessels, including a replica of Captain Cook’s HMB Endeavour , the former Navy destroyer HMAS Vampire , and the former Navy submarine HMAS Onslow . Visitors are invited to climb aboard and even do occasional coastal trips on the Endeavour , which completed a 13-month circumnavigation of the country in 2012."

"The cobblestone walkways and sandstone walls of Australia ’s oldest district are full of stories: of the lives of convicts, publicans, sailors, and wharf laborers as well as members of the 19 Aboriginal clans that called this land home centuries before the First Fleet of British ships arrived in 1788. Wander the narrow laneways on your own, or consider taking a walking tour to deepen your knowledge of colonial or Aboriginal history. If you’re in town on the weekend, don’t miss the Rocks Markets for clothing, jewelry, textiles, homewares, art, and street food. And if you never want to leave this area, standout accommodations, from the boutique Harbour Rocks Hotel to the five-star Park Hyatt, are at your service."