Russell Hotel

Circular Quay & The Rocks


Old-world charm meets gentle contemporary styling at this longtime Rocks favourite, which has a collection of differing rooms ranging from compact and cute to larger, more modern chambers. The rooftop garden, downstairs wine bar and Circular Quay location are major draws. Next door to the historic Fortune of War pub: front rooms can be noisy on weekends.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Circular Quay & The Rocks attractions

1. Museum of Contemporary Art

0.04 MILES

The MCA is a showcase for Australian and international contemporary art, with a rotating permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. Aboriginal art…

2. Susannah Place Museum

0.06 MILES

Dating from 1844, this diminutive terrace of four houses and a shop is a fascinating time capsule of life in the Rocks. A personable guide takes you…

3. Suez Canal

0.07 MILES

One of few remaining such lanes, the Suez Canal tapers downhill until less than a metre wide (hence the name, also a pun on the word 'sewers')…

4. Tank Stream Fountain

0.08 MILES

Designed by Stephen Walker, this four-part bronze fountain (1981) near Circular Quay incorporates dozens of sculptures of native Australian animals; play…

5. The Big Dig

0.09 MILES

Before the outbreak of bubonic plague in the early 20th century and the subsequent slum clearances, this section of the Rocks was a warren of houses…

6. Rocks Discovery Museum

0.12 MILES

Divided into four displays – Warrane (pre-1788), Colony (1788–1820), Port (1820–1900) and Transformations (1900 to the present) – this small, excellent…

7. Cadman’s Cottage

0.12 MILES

Built in 1816 for Superintendent of Government Boats John Cadman (a former convict with a commuted death sentence for horse theft), this is the inner city…

8. Argyle Cut

0.14 MILES

Convict labourers excavated this canyon-like section of road clear through the sandstone ridge that gave the Rocks its name. The work began in 1843 with…