Darling Harbour, Sydney (must see)

The Darling Harbour is a recreational area of Sydney with many interesting tourist attractions. It is also the place where visitors take hop-on and off cruises around the harbour.

Named after Lieutenant General Ralph Darling, a former Governor General of New South Wales, it was once a thriving wharf and railway goods yard. Later, the location was declared unfit for its original purpose, and in the mid-1980s it was decided to make it into a recreation facility. It was opened in 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II as part of the city’s bicentennial celebrations. Darling Harbour runs from Chinatown, on both sides of Cockle Bay to Kings Street Wharf and Pyrmont.

Darling Harbour is administered by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority. Major public attractions include the Chinese Gardens, Tombalong Park, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Center, Australian National Maritime Museum, an IMAX theater, and the Sydney Aquarium. Cockle Bay Wharf offers dining options for all tastes and price points. Events that take place here include the Darling Harbour Circus and Street Theatre, a Jazz Festival, the Darling Harbour Waiter’s Race, and the World’s Longest Buffet. It is one of the most popular attractions in Sydney and over a million people visit Darling Harbour every year.

Why You Should Visit:
A fun, buzzing, unique place that is fast becoming the heart of Sydney – when you see the food outlets and amazing shopping you'll understand why.
Morning, noon, or night, there's so much going on and you could sit here for hours taking it all in.

Tip:
Try heading down to the harbour between 4-7 pm, as pretty much every restaurant/bar will have a Happy Hour going with drink & food prices slashed down.
Take a ferry from Darling Harbour into Sydney – you get to see wonderful views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House from the water!