Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour is an exciting and vibrant part of Sydney and is home to many major attractions

Looking east across Darling Harbour towards the Central Business District
Looking east across Darling Harbour towards the Central Business District cc licensed photo by mikecogh

Darling Harbour is a great place for a stroll along the Sydney waterfront, but be prepared to be distracted by its many activities including tourist attractions, dining, shopping, nightlife, festivals and more. There is almost no end of things to see and do in and around this exciting and vibrant part of Sydney where there are lots of things are happening both day and night.

Located at the western periphery of the Central Business District and the northern edge of Chinatown, Darling Harbour is very central and very easy to access by public transport. A Cinderella story, Darling Harbour was transformed from a decommissioned and run down NSW Railway's marshalling and freight yard, into a beautiful pedestrian friendly part of Sydney that is now very popular with tourists and locals alike. You can catch a Ferry at the Pyrmont Bay or King Street Wharf and enjoy a view of the harbour from the perspective of the water. You will often see a large cruise ship berthed on the east side of the harbour, an area now known as Barangaroo.

The harbour extends along both sides of Cockle Bay and beyond and offers a pleasant place to stroll and access to many of Sydney's major attractions. At the south end of Cockle Bay you will find the Sydney Visitor Centre and a little beyond that on the other side of Tumbalong Park you can enjoy a visit to the beautiful Chinese Garden of Friendship.

During the month of December there are fireworks every Saturday beginning about 9pm. For more information about events happening in and around Darling Harbour you may want to check out their official website: Darling Harbour.

Nearby attractions: Chinese Gardens, Imax Theatre, Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney, Madame Tussauds, Australian National Maritime Museum, Star Casino and Lyric Theatre, Sydney Town Hall and St Andrew's Cathedral.



Facts For Your Visit

Fee:

Address: Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Official Website: Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour Reviews

Rated 4.6 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating Great place to visit whether in the day time or night time. We were fortunate to watch the drone show on 20th September and it was beautiful and perfect. There were good restaurants where you can enjoy a meal with the sea breeze.
Buddhika Arsecularatne - a week ago

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5 Star Rating Wonderful place to wander for lunch, dinner or site seeing. The boardwalk is in excellent shape with places for seating all over. There are escalators up and out of the harbor if the stairs won’t work for you.
Ryan Anderson - 2 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating This a great place to walk, run, have fun and food. You can catch ferry or 10 minutes beautiful walk from central station. A lot of good restaurants are available to have food. You can visit ICC, Sydney here. A good place to capture the Sydney horizon.
Dhritiman Nandi - 2 weeks ago

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4 Star Rating It's a very lively and vibrant place, beautifully located along the seashore. You'll find numerous eateries all around, offering a variety of cuisines. Luna Park looks stunning, especially at night—the captivating lights draw your attention again and again. The view of the Harbour Bridge from Darling Harbour is truly picturesque. At times, you can catch a perfect frame with road traffic on the bridge, a sea ferry below, and even a helicopter flying above—all in one shot! Ferries operate from Darling Harbour to various parts of Sydney until around 10 PM, depending on the tides. The cruises anchored nearby add to the scenic charm. The sheer number of food joints reflects how much Australians enjoy dining out here. Though many of them are on the pricier side, the fact that they’re often busy shows they are thriving and popular. Overall, it’s a beautiful harbour, though often quite crowded. There’s room for improvement to enhance the tourist experience—perhaps by creating some quieter family zones, more shaded seating areas, or a coordinated light show on surrounding buildings, including the Opera House. I used to think Sydney lacked a nightlife, but this late-night visit completely changed my mind.
Gulshan Madan - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating Darling Harbour is one of the most beautiful spots in Sydney—a vibrant waterfront precinct that feels alive day and night. By day, the area is filled with energy from families, tourists, and locals enjoying the restaurants, attractions, and the relaxing harbour views. But at night, especially during the fireworks displays, the entire harbour transforms into something truly magical. The reflections of the fireworks over the water, combined with the glittering Sydney skyline, create a breathtaking and unforgettable scene. It’s one of those moments where you can’t help but pause and soak in the beauty of the city. Whether you’re strolling along the boardwalk, dining by the water, or just sitting back to watch the show, Darling Harbour always delivers a mesmerising experience.
Min Min - a month ago

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Directions

Train Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Light Rail - L1Harbourside or Pyrmont Bay0 minutes
L2, T1, T2, T3 or T4Town Hall7 minutes
T1, T2, T3 or T8Wynward7 minutes

How to get to Darling Harbour by Train

By Light Rail: Two Light Rail Stations on Line 1 serve the Pyrmont (west) side of Darling Harbour and access to the harbourside is evident as soon as you exit.

By Train or Light Rail L2: From Town Hall Station, walk north to Druitt Street and proceed west watching for the pedestrian ramp off to your right. Follow the ramp to the harbourside. From Wynward Station go right (south) on York Street then right again on Erskine Street and continue to the Wharfs (either is about a 7 minute walk).

You can also get access to Darling Harbour via pedestrian ramps from Market Street or King Street.

Map & Instant Route Finder

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