A Trip to Australia and New Zealand
Sydney
- The Rocks
About two hours after we landed in Sydney the first time I was talking to a Sydneysider (that's what they call the folks that live in Sydney) and the subject of beer came up. I explained that the only Australian beer that I had ever tasted was Fosters and I needed an education. He advised me to go to the Australian Hotel. We were on our way to New Zealand at the time and I could not get to the Australian until we returned in two weeks time. In the following two weeks I queried every Australian passenger that I met on our ship on the same subject. I was amazed at how many mentioned this same place - the Australian Hotel.
On our return to Sydney, after we got settled into our hotel in The Rocks we found a store selling the sheepskin coat that we had been looking for unsuccessfully all over New Zealand and I asked the kindly gentlemen minding the store the same question. Again I was advised to go to the Australian Hotel. So we took off looking for it in the direction that they pointed. Although the walk was pleasant and interesting it took us a very long time to find it. The upper part of The Rocks is on several levels and the street structure is confusing. That aside it is indeed a fine public house with a huge selection of excellent tap beers from all over Australia. The bartender was cute as well as knowledgeable. Education is good, but I recommend either taking a taxi or a map when you go looking for this particular institution of higher learning.
Back down on George Street, where our hotel was located, there are a number of interesting remnants of bygone days and lifestyles as well as the superb sheepskin store and numerous other interesting shops, bistros, bars, and even a couple of outstanding art galleries. On the weekend, the place turns into a giant outdoor market with everything from soup to nuts on sale.
