Coffee on The Rocks*

The Rocks Aroma Festival, Australia’s biggest coffee event, will take over the historic laneways of Sydney’s harbour foreshore from 10am–5pm on July 31.

Entry to the festival, presented by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, is free, with more than 100 stalls offering coffee lovers hot brews for just $2 a cup.

Wander between Aroma’s four global regions and taste coffee, tea, chocolate and spices from around the world.

Try exotic tea blends and chai at the Orient, steaming espresso and European sweets at The Continent, Turkish coffee and baklava at the Middle Eastern Oasis, and all the spiciness you can handle at the Latin Quarter.

And there will be free entertainment around every corner, including live music, belly dancing, capoeira, Brazilian samba dancing, whirling dervishes and can-can dancers.

Toby’s Estate will run specialty coffee masterclasses at 10am and 2pm, for visitors to learn about the flavours and aromas of freshly brewed coffee and discover how to evaluate the body, sweetness, acidity and aftertaste of different brews. Seats are limited so probably best to pre-buy your $20 tickets from www.tobysestate.com.au.

And you needn’t drive to Sydney for the event. The Rocks precinct is an easy walk from Circular Quay and Wynyard stations.

Details: www.therocks.com.

*Based on media release issued by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.