Filming & Vantage Points
Sydney’s historic waterfront precinct, The Rocks, continues to be one of the most visited places in Australia, offering a range of experiences for local, domestic and international visitors. To protect this valuable asset, heritage conservation in The Rocks remains a top priority.
Situated on Sydney Harbour, adjacent to Circular Quay, The Rocks lies beneath the giant arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and overlooks the famous sails of the Opera House. This historic quarter of Sydney was the site of the first colonial settlement in Australia in 1788. The Rocks is now home to colourful characters, residents and artists.
Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority offers you excellent film and photo vantage points in The Rocks. Take your pick and capture the magnificent harbour views of Sydney Harbour to bring home with you.
Circular Quay
Dawes Point Park
First Fleet Park
Hickson Road Reserve
Campbell's Cove
Observatory Hill
Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon
The hub for ferries, trains and buses connecting suburbs with the city, Circular Quay is an area of extremely high pedestrian traffic. Mainly used for promotional and fundraising activities, filming and photography. Hand-held cameras are best for this area.
Views available:
Cadman’s Cottage
Museum of Contemporary Art
Overseas Passenger Terminal
Opera House and Harbour Bridge
This park at the northern tip of The Rocks offers unparalleled views across Sydney Cove. Dawes Point was the site of Australia’s first fortified position, constructed in 1788 to protect the cove from foreign invaders. Five cannons are all that remain from the former Dawes Point Battery; manned until 1916, the fort was removed during construction of the Harbour Bridge that now passes above the park. An archaeological dig was recently completed at the site.
Views available:
Luna Park
Milson’s Point and North Sydney skyline
Harbour Bridge from below looking up
Harbour
Kirribilli
Opera House
ASN Gallery and top of George Street
First Fleet Park is the open park between the Museum of Contemporary Art and Circular Quay. It is a popular people-watching spot. It is also a good vantage point from which to view the comings and goings of Sydney’s ferries and jetcats.
Views available:
Museum of Contemporary Art
Opera House
Circular Quay
Next to the Park Hyatt, Hickson Road Reserve is the most popular of all the foreshore areas for filming and photography. This is the spot to view wedding belles. Please note that this is a “dead area” in terms of getting a strong signal for telecommunications.
Views available:
Harbour Bridge
Fort Dennison and the Harbour
Opera House
Botanical Gardens
Circular Quay
City skyline
Campbell’s Cove
Campbell's Cove
This is the paved area between the Waterfront Restaurants (Wolfies, Italian Village etc) and the Harbour. The wharf for The Bounty is located here, behind lockable gates.
Views available:
Opera House
Harbour
Harbour Bridge
See the southern sky and magnificent harbour views from Observatory Hill or visit the Sydney Observatory, Australia’s oldest observatory.
Views available:
Miller’s Point
Harbour and Bridge
Darling Harbour
City Skyline
Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon
The Pylon lookout offers unique views of Sydney Harbour, as well as a close look at the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Entry is from the pedestrian walkway on the Harbour Bridge. You can get to the walkway via stairs in Cumberland Street, The Rocks.
Views available:
Spectacular views of the Harbour and City
- The Rocks, Sydney: Overview
- Things to Do
- Shopping
- Places to Eat & Drink
- Where to Stay
- Spaces & Places
- Webcams
- Weather
- Maps
- Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority
- The Rocks
- Darling Harbour
- The Rocks Discovery Museum
- The Rocks Pub Tour
