Abstract: Questioning the conservation of the City of Sydney’s past is the focus of the paper, with reference to the protection of The Rocks historic area. With its interpretation and protection of elements relating to individual collective pasts and the identity of the city, conservation of its urban heritage has been playing a significant part in the development of Sydney over the past more than three decades. As a most historic city in Australia, it seems to have successfully established its image both as a city of great vitality and of sustainability which celebrates its old and new. The two are well blended that it can be said Sydney has grown far better out of the conditions of Lewis Mumford’s “Babel in Europe”. 1 And this seems to be demonstrated in The Rocks in particular, with the area’s unique location and iconic historic status. Yet by studying the history of The Rocks conservation movement and the current practices, the paper explores the contradictions between the past and present and in the conservation itself ever since the area has been protected.