Darling Harbour & Attractions
Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is intended to be one of Sydney’s “buzz” places. To Reach Darling Harbour you can take a train to Town Hall station, after leaving the station, turn right into Druit Street, walk down two blocks and turn right into Sussex Street. Then, walk a further block to Market Street, turn left and walk across the pedestrian bridge. Alternatively, you can catch the monorail service from near the corners of Pitt and Market Streets.
Darling Harbour is one of Sydney’s most popular recreation spots with over 1.3 million people visiting the sunny foreshore precinct each year. The area has a colourful history playing an integral role in Sydney’s early market days when it was used for receiving fresh produce and timber from Parramatta and the north coast. Darling Harbour plays a lead role in Sydney’s day and night life. Tourists and locals alike are thrilled daily with the abundance of things to see, do and experience in Darling Harbour.
Shopping in Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour offers some fabulous shopping. From bargains to luxury items, this beautiful waterfront centre is teeming with things for you and your whole family.
You will find over 120 retail outlets at Harbourside, many of which are exclusive Harbourside retailers, selling everything from opals, flowers, leather goods, aboriginal art, handcrafted glass pieces and souvenires.
Take five minutes to walk to Paddy’s Markets – grab some bargains and some delicious fresh food in the heart of Chinatown
Take the light rail to Sydney Fish Market for a taste of Sydeny’s freshest and finest seafood
Eating & Drinking at Darling Harbour
There are over 55 restaurants and cafes in the Harbourside complex and across the water at Cockle Bay. You will find this place a great spot for dining if you are with you family or spouse specially.
This place is the best for Burgers, seafood, gourmet wood fired pizzas and traditional aussie pies. There are many other edible delights available at Darling Harbour. If you prefer a liquid refreshment then there’s freshly squeezed juices, local and imported beers and some excellent views from the bars situated on the waterfront at Harbourside and Cockle Bay.
ATTRACTIONS AT DARLING HARBOUR
Cockle Bay
Cockle Bay is Darling Harbour’s newest addition, home to some of Sydney’s most highly awarded restaurants. The modern nautical design imbues a peaceful and open ambience conducive to outdoor and alfresco dining. Cockle Bay is also hoast to the Winter Concert Series. The series features a number of prestigous concert performances presented on a floating stage just off the shore in Cockle Bay.
Chinese Garden of Friendship
The gardens is a green and peaceful sanctuary in the midst of a major bustling city and an ideal escape from the concrete surrounds of Darling Harbour. Chinese Garden of Friendship was designed in China to celebrate the Australian Bicentenary. The garden was a gift to Sydney from its Chinese sister city of Guangdong. It is one of the largest of its type outside Asia, with pavilions, lakes, waterfalls and a Chinese teahouse. The gardens were designed by landscape architects and embody principles dating back to the 5th century. If you want an hour or two of solitude, this is the place to be. Running water, towering willow trees, cool lagoons with lotus plants and large colorful fish all make this an idyllic spot to read a book or recharge your batteries. It really is something special.
The Chinese Gardens are open from 9.30am-5pm daily. They close at 6.30pm during the summer (daylight savings) months.
Imax Theatre
This theater has a giant movie screen, nearly more than eight stories high, with films shot in the ultra high-definition 75mm format. Watching films is almost like being there. Sound and the Clarity plays a big part. High Quality Speakers are placed in different parts of the theatre and behind the screen to create a sense of realism. An IMAX theatre presents the ultimate cinema experience and is something that should not to be missed.
Sydney Aquarium
Sydney Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world. It has more than 5500 different Australian fish displayed in their natural habitats. You can “walk on the ocean floor” through 145 metres (480 ft) of acrylic underwater tunnels.
Australian National Maritime Museum
This Museum is a museum devoted to Australia’s maritime history.
Sydney Convention And Exhibition Centre
It is Sydney’s major venue for exhibitions and conferences.
