Five Ways to Get Your Cultural Kicks in The Rocks This Summer

in partnership with

Although the holidays are over, the sun is still shining and Sydney's favourite season is now in full swing. But, summertime doesn't need to be all about sand and surf. When you're not hanging by the beach, why not head to the CBD to get your cultural kicks? This summer, The Rocks Goes Pop — a series of pop-up events — has your artsy side sorted, with the precinct's cobblestone laneways jam-packed with art tours, themed high teas, outdoor sweat sessions and weekend markets peddling locally crafted goods. We've partnered with The Rocks to help you plan an activity-filled day out in the area, so all you have to do is pencil in a day in your diary.

Lindy Lee, 'Secret World of a Starlight Ember' (2020), installation view, 'Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop', Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2020, stainless steel, image courtesy of the artist and Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney. Photograph: Anna Kucera

THE ROCKS ART TRAIL

If you really want to get to know these cobblestone streets from a cultural perspective, spend the day following The Rocks Art Trail. Curated by Sydney artist Squidinki, the tour will guide you through the area's latest galleries, artisanal shops and creative spaces. To help you on your way, Squidinki has created a custom map of The Rocks highlighting 22 art retailers, which include everything from Indigenous art at Argyle Gallery to steampunk jewellery at AHW Studio, and surrealist art at Billich Gallery, plus local makers, boutique shops aplenty and, of course, the MCA. To download the map, head to the website, or keep an eye out for the QR codes in participating store windows.

Anna Kucera

GIN AND TONING

In the latest line of booze-fuelled exercise classes, The Rocks is hosting a weekly Gin and Toning event over summer. Running each Wednesday from January 13 through February 24, it kicks off at 5.30pm with a free one-hour pilates class at First Fleet Park. Following your sweat session, you'll receive a free gin cocktail voucher (in the form of a Mahjong tile) for post-pilates bevvies at Sergeant Lok that evening. The cocktail in question is called Never Say Never and the deal is only available to those who attend the class, of course. No bookings are required, but the maximum pilates class size is capped at 30 — so first in, best dressed. For more information, head here.

Lindy Lee 'No Up, No Down, I Am the Ten Thousand Things' , Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop, MCA. Image credit: Anna Kucera

LINDY LEE: MOON IN A DEW DROP AT MCA

Any cultural trip to The Rocks should include a stop at the Museum of Contemporary Art — especially this summer, when the blockbuster retrospective of Australian Chinese artist Lindy Lee is on. Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop has taken over the Museum until February 28 and features over 70 works from the artist's illustrious career. Expect Lee's early photocopy works, newly commissioned sculptures and even whole-room installations. And, we've even picked out six must-see works, should you be short on time. Best of all, the exhibition is free to attend.

Anna Kucera

THE ROCKS MARKETS

A mainstay in the precinct, The Rocks Markets is particularly worth a visit over the warmer months. Running every Friday through Sunday, the markets is your go-to spot for picking up goodies such as jewellery, cosmetics, textiles, candles, leather goods, quirky homewares, hand-crafted chocolates and more. You can expect the usual makers to be there, with stalls selling the likes of vibrant prints from Emilio Frank Designs, fashionable threads from Ederbyanna, fun picnic blankets from Glorious Difference and adorable children's clothes from Applecart Co. There's also heaps of gourmet street food to keep you fuelled and harbourside views to enjoy while you're at it. For more stall details, head here.

AUSSIE HIGH TEA AT THE TEA COSY

Once you've taken in all of the art and culture you can handle — and shopped till you've (almost) dropped — it's time to enjoy a relaxing bite to eat. Go for something beyond the usual pub feed and sit down to an Australian-themed high tea at The Tea Cosy instead. The elegant affair is offered from 10am–3pm every day between January 20–26 and will see you feasting on an array of sweet and savoury delights. Think scones, fancy pies, prawn sangas and the Tea Cosy's signature fairy bread. The entire sitting will be served with Australian sparkling wine and Billy Tea, with a Dame Edna impersonator hanging around from 11am–2pm on January 26, too.

Check out more pop-up events happening in The Rocks this summer over here. 

Top image: Destination NSW