The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood, was settled shortly after the First Fleet arrived in 1788. Named for its rugged sandstone terrain, The Rocks became home to the colony’s convicts, soldiers, and free settlers. Many of these early inhabitants were from Britain.

GHOST FESTIVAL AT THE ROCKS

In the early years, The Rocks was a rough and often lawless area, filled with makeshift dwellings, taverns, and a bustling port. The settlers, including a significant number of convicts, played a central role in shaping the community. Over time, The Rocks developed into a working-class neighbourhood.

By the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, the area faced waves of redevelopment, including efforts to clear slums and modernise. However, its rich history and unique character were preserved, leading to The Rocks becoming a heritage area, celebrating its roots as a cornerstone of Sydney’s colonial past. Today, The Rocks is a vibrant blend of historic sites, cultural attractions, and modern amenities, with its heritage echoing through its narrow streets and old buildings.

The Rocks is known for its ghost stories. One recent ‘ghost spotting’ was above the Fortune of War, Sydney’s oldest bar.

Five friends were having drinks at the bar last June where they claimed to have snapped a picture with an apparition in an upstairs window. 

As the story went viral online, on radio, and on TV, reaching millions of people, additional ghost sightings in The Rocks were reported, causing the hashtag #ghostintherocks to trend.

The Rocks neighbourhood precinct released a statement saying that it might be the ghost of a sailor who was murdered in the early 18th century. 

They said: “In the heart of The Rocks, above the Fortune of War bar, where the ghost was spotted, was once a sailor’s hostel with a reputation for illicit activities, including a rumoured brothel where a sailor met a tragic end at the hands of a prostitute. Legend has it that the sailor’s spirit lingers, in the buildings.”

GHOSTS OF THE ROCKS

The Russell Hotel – Room 8 is haunted by a sailor murdered by a sex worker. His spirit only appears to women.

Cadman’s Cottage – Haunted cottage where a man tried to dispose of his boss’s dismembered body by the water. 

The Dead House – This former morgue saw many notorious inquests.

The Big Dig – The remains of George Legg were discovered in a shark’s stomach. Later, archaeologists uncovered a shark’s skeleton at the site of his former home.

Reynold’s Cottages – Haunted by William Reynolds’ son, who died after a leg amputation. Reynolds Sr. also met a tragic end here.

The Old Sydney Gaol – The former site of Sydney Gaol, where executions took place on Gallows Hill.

Harbour Rocks Hotel – The spirit of Eric, a seafarer who lost his love Scarlett to tuberculosis, wanders Harrington Street in search of her. 

Pictures: Main: The ghost at the Fortune of War pub. Credit: Facebook/TheRocks. Cover: The Fortune of War, Sydney’s oldest pub. Credit: www.fortuneofwar.com.au/