If you're staying in Darling Harbour and have visited all the major tourist attractions, here are the top 5 lesser known quirky, fascinating landmarks nearby.
1. Chinese Garden of Friendship
The Chinese Garden of Friendship was designed by Sydney's Chinese sister city, Guangzhou in China. Chinatown, Sydney complements the area's already rich Chinese heritage and culture. The gardens were officially opened in 1988 as part of Sydney's bicentennial celebrations and they were named the Garden of Friendship symbolizing the bond established between China and Australia.
Location: Southern end of Darling Harbour, near Sydney Entertainment Centre and China Town.
☎ +61 2 9240 8888 Email:
chinesegarden@shfa.nsw.gov.au
Website:
http://www.darlingharbour.com/sydney-Things_To_Do-Chinese_Garden.htm
Open: 9:30am – 5pm. Modelled on the typical private gardens of the Ming Dynasty, the
garden offers an insight into Chinese heritage and culture. Adults $6 children $3.
2. The Pyrmont Bridge
Pyrmont Bridge in Darling Harbour is one of the world's oldest surviving electrically operated swingspan bridges. The current swingspan bridge opened in 1902 and replaced the first Pyrmont Bridge which began operating in 1857. The swingspan allows access for vessels that are too tall to travel under the bridge. In 1902, Darling Harbour was Sydney's industrial heart and served as the gateway to a bustling hub of warehouses, railway yards and international shipping.
☎ +61 2 9299-7541
Website:
http://www.darlingharbour.com/sydney-Education-Heritage_and_History-Pyrmont_Bridge.htm
Opens weekends and public holidays at 10:30am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm (weather
permitting). The Pyrmont Bridge is an old swing bridge that historically was a main
thoroughfare into Sydney. Now it only carries pedestrians across the harbour and the
monorail. See the centre span swing and a tall ship leave the bay. Tours of the control cab by
appointment.
3. Darling Harbour (Harbourside) Fireworks
Darling Harbour will light up almost every Saturday from now until Christmas. The harbourside is lined with a large number of restaurants, cafés and bars that offer almost any food or drink you name. So you can feast on your favourite food while you watch the night sky go red and blue and golden and green as the fireworks begin to shoot up high in the sky. The beautiful fireworks that form attractive patterns of light come with cheerful music having a rhythm that syncs with the fire shots.
Website:
http://www.darlingharbour.com/sydney-Things_To_Do-Harbourside_fireworks.htm
Enjoy the fireworks from Cockle Bay, on from 9pm every Saturday on Cockle Bay Harbour.
They last for only 15 minutes but are fun to watch especially if you have a family. A good trick
is to get a balcony seat around some of the restaurants and you can see the fireworks whilst
having dinner or drinks.
4. Harbour Cruises
On any day, the harbour is a vibrant blue and dotted with hundreds of sailing boats, cruise boats and ferries.
The only way to fully enjoy the harbour and visit its many sights is to take a cruise. Cruises are many and varied and include, cocktail cruises, lunch time cruises, dinner cruises, night cruises, sightseeing cruises and specialised cruises for Christmas, New Year's Eve, Mother's Day among others.
Depart from the King St Wharf on the eastern side of Darling Harbour, or from Circular Quay
in the City There all types to choose from:
Website:
http://www.boatcruises.com/
• All Occasion Cruises (AO Cruises) operates private bookings on Sydney Harbour, dinner
with food and beverage packages to suite all budgets.
• Magistic Cruises has Sydney Harbour dinner cruise,wine cruises, lunch cruise and
sightseeing cruises.
• Sydney Show Boats Cruise has dinner with live cabaret show performances and comic
magician.
• Captain Cook Cruises. The Sydney Harbour Explorer Cruise allows hopping on and off at a
number of attractions, or a 1 1/2 hour cruise of the harbour. Coffee cruise departs at
10am and 3pm Website:
http://www.captaincook.com.au/sydney-harbour-cruises/
• Matilda Cruises, (Wharf is next to the aquarium entrance). Departs 12:15pm daily.
Seafood lunch cruise. Website:
http://www.matilda.com.au/
5. Events Tumbalong Park
Tumbalong Park, controlled by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, consists of 5 hectares of public open space located within the Darling Harbour Precinct. The park contains an extensive network of ornate water features, native and exotic shrub beds and a central grassed amphitheatre which hosts a wide variety of community events throughout the year.
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| Photo Credit: Jim Eliason |
Website:
http://www.eventfinder.com.au/venue/tumbalong-park-sydney
At first look, appears a bit like an oval, but is actually a large open space with a stage for
outdoor performances. Something going on here most weekends, and a good place to lay out
a picnic blanket free.
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Right at the heart of Darling Harbour, close to the list of attractions above, within walking distance to public transport and taxis, close to shops, restaurants and cafes, plus the rooms have spectacular views of Sydney Harbour!
Website:
Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour
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