DARLING HARBOUR

About Darling Harbour :

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. Sydney’s early settlers knew Darling Harbour as Cockle Bay, due to the abundance of shellfish, long before this previously tranquil inlet became the city’s main industrial region, with docks, a railway yard and an international shipping terminal.

History :

In 1984 the Wran Government announced plans to redevlop the old wharves into an area for leisure, culture and business for the people of Sydney. Over the next three years, massive redevelopment works transformed the area into a beautiful public space that was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1988 as part of Sydney's Bicentennial Celebrations.

Attractions :

There is something for everyone here – from museums, major attractions and parks to shopping, dining at modern complexes such as Cockle Bay Wharf, cruises and a great range of entertainment.

Leisure Parks & Open Spaces Tumbalong Park: This beautifully landscaped park features fountains, a lake, a children’s playground, picnic areas and an outdoor amphitheatre. Web: www.darlingharbour.com

Walking Darling Harbour to Circular Quay: Discover something of Sydney's heritage as you walk from the Sydney Aquarium and along Sussex Street to Walsh Bay. Then follow the waterfront under the Harbour Bridge and make your way to Circular Quay. Historcal Walking Tour The City’s self-guided historical walking tour – Port – commences at Pyrmont Bridge and will introduce you to neighbouring Pyrmont and Ultimo, including key sites in Sydney’s industrial and maritime history.

Swimming Pools: The closest City of Sydney pools are: Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre Phone: 1800 192 191 Email: admin.itac@ymca.org.au Web: www.itac.org.au 438 - 484 Harris Street, Cnr of William Henry Street Ultimo NSW 2007 Monday to Friday: 6am to 9pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 6am to 8pm More Info: Victoria Park Pool, Camperdown Tel: 02 9298 3090 Fax: 02 9298 3092City Road, Corner of Parramatta Road Camperdown NSW 2050 (Limited free 2 hour parking is available, located off City Road).

Tennis: The closest tennis courts are: Prince Alfred Park Tennis Courts, Surry Hills Jensen’s Tennis Centre Tel: 02 9698 9451 Chalmers Street Surry Hills NSW 2010.

Entertainment Museums, Galleries & Attractions: Australian National Maritime Museum, Chinese Garden of Friendship, Maritime Heritage Centre, Sydney Aquarium.

Movies: George Street Cinemas, Imax Theatre, Reading Cinemas, Theatres & Performance, Venues Lyric Theatre at Star City Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Shopping: Darling Harbour’s main shopping complex is Harbourside, which caters for Pyrmont and Ultimo locals as well as tourists. There are some great fashion, accessory, gift and homewares outlets here, plus a newsagency, pharmacy, bottle shop, bookshop, hairdresser and other essential services.I f you are looking for quality gifts, ‘Australiana’ and unusual books, try the Maritime Museum, Sydney Aquarium and Darling Walk’s Outback Centre, which specialises in Aboriginal products. Web: www.sydney-shopping.com.au

Dining with over 100 restaurants, cafes and takeaway outlets, Darling Harbour offers something for all tastes and budgets. The area’s main ‘Eat Streets’ are the architecturally splendid Cockle Bay Wharf, with eleven restaurants and cafes; King Street Wharf, where fourteen establishments with a view are set beside a waterfront marina; and the beautifully renovated Harbourside centre. The cuisines here vary from seafood to Italian, Indian and Malaysian and many restaurants are open until late.

How to reach to Darling Harbour :

From the International Airport: Depart from the International Departure Terminal. Turn right onto Qantas Drive. This road connects into Joyce Drive and then into General Holmes Drive. Follow General Holmes Drive until reach Southern Cross Drive. Turn left onto Southern Cross Drive. Southern Cross Drive connects into South Dowling Street. Follow South Dowling Street until reach Cleveland Street. Turn left at Cleveland Street. Follow Cleveland Street until reach Abercrombie Street. Turn right at Abercrombie Street. Abercrombie Street connects into Wattle Street. Follow Wattle Street until reach Pyrmont Bridge Road. Turn right at Pyrmont Bridge Road. Pyrmont Bridge Road connects into Darling Drive. The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre is located on left hand side after the first roundabout. Carparking is available underneath the Exhibition Centre on Darling Drive.

From the Harbour Bridge: Cross the Harbour Bridge via the Bradfield Highway until reach the toll. After the toll, take the Western Distributor Fwy. Stay on the right. This road connects into Harbour Street. Follow Harbour Street until reach Pier Street. The Novotel Century Sydney is located on this corner. Turn right into Pier Street. Veer left onto Darling Drive. Take the second exit at the roundabout. Follow along Darling Drive. The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre is located on right hand side.

Other ways : Darling Harbour is an easy walk from the city or a short ride on the Monorail (see route in blue on map). Alternatively one may come by ferry from Circular Quay, light rail from Central Railway or via the red Sydney Explorer bus from anywhere around the city.