The Rocks

Grace Karskens

doi:10.5130/sj.v2i1.1195

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5130/sj.v2i1.1195

Keywords:

The Rocks, convicts, working-class, plague, development, waterfront, Sydney Harbour

Grace Karskens

Abstract

The Rocks is the historic neighbourhood on the western side of Sydney Cove. It rises steeply behind George Street and the shores of west Circular Quay to the heights of Observatory Hill. It was named The Rocks by convicts who made homes there from 1788, but has a much older name, Tallawoladah, given by the first owners of this country, the Cadigal people. Tallawoladah, the rocky headland of Warrane (Sydney Cove), had massive outcrops of rugged sandstone, and was covered with dry sclerophyll forest of pink-trunked angophora, blackbutt, red bloodwood and Sydney peppermint. The Cadigal probably burnt the bushland here to keep the country open. Archaeological evidence shows that they lit cooking fires high on the slopes, and shared meals of barbecued fish and shellfish. Perhaps they used the highest places for ceremonies and rituals. Down below, Cadigal women fished the waters of Warrane in bark canoes.

Issue

Vol 2 No 1 (2009)

Section

Sydney's Suburbs

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Author Biography

Grace Karskens

Emma is the full time Editorial Coordinator for the Dictionary of Sydney. She holds a PhD in Cultural Studies from University of Technology, Sydney. She was senior researcher and an editor of Australian Feminism A Companion (OUP, 1998), and has extensive experience in print and online editing and writing.

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Grace Karskens