What To See – Darling Harbour Area
About Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is a “must-see” when visiting Sydney, Australia. Despite not being quite as well-known as Sydney Habour, Darling Harbour offers many different activities for a wide range of interests. While museums, zoo, aquarium, and gardens have entry fees, there are plenty of things to do in the Harbour at little to no cost. One of my favorite activities in Sydney was walking around Darling Harbour at night. It was a magical feeling photographing the bright and colorful lights reflecting off the water.
The easiest way to get to Darling Harbour is to take the Sydney Ferry Network to the Pyrmont Bay Ferry Terminal. To learn more about public transportation in Sydney, including how to use the ferry network, click HERE.
What To See: Darling Harbour - Table of Contents
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Chinese Garden of Friendship
Located on the outskirts of Darling Harbour, the Chinese Garden of Friendship provides a wonderful place to relax, escape, and enjoy nature. The garden was built in 1988 by designers from Sydney’s sister city of Guangzhou, featuring a mixture of traditional Chinese plants, flowers, grasses, and trees.
According to their official website, the garden follows the Taoist principals of “Yin-Yang,” meaning that the design shows a balance of opposing yet complementary forces. In addition to “Yin-Yang,” the garden also follows the principle of ‘Wu-Xing.” Wu-Xing is the harmonious interaction of the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
The Chinese Garden of Friendship is open from 9:30 to 5:00 pm. In the summer months, the garden stays open until 5:30 pm. Admission to the Friendship Garden is A$12 for adults and A$8 for children under 12 years old.
Upon entering the garden, guests follow a path and walk by numerous types of Chinese vegetation. Some examples are bonsai trees, bamboo stalks, and colorful flowers. In addition to the beautiful plants, there were also some animals on display, including a koi pond and various lizards that roam freely.
Pyrmont Bridge
The Pyrmont Bridge is a pedestrian walkway that spans across Darling Harbour. Since 1858, there has been a bridge connecting either side of the harbour. The original bridge functioned as a draw bridge that swung open to allow ships to pass through. Today’s Pyrmont Bridge was built in 1902 and was open to motorized traffic until 1981. Since 1981, only pedestrians and cyclists are allowed on the bridge. The bridge marks the dividing point of Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay.
I highly recommend crossing the Pyrmont Bridge at least once to take in the spectacular views of the Harbour. The views are particularly stunning at night as the entire harbour area is illuminated with bright, colorful lights.
Cockle Bay Wharf
Cockle Bay Wharf is a multistory complex featuring many different restaurants. Most of the restaurants offer outdoor seating providing stunning views of Darling Harbour. Dining options include Mediterranean, Italian, seafood, steakhouses, pub/bar food, and more.
Australian National Maritime Museum
The Australian National Maritime Museum is one of six museums run by the Australian Federal Government. In addition to a variety of inside exhibits, the maritime museum features numerous vessels that are docked in Darling Harbour.
Visitors to the museum have the option of going onboard the following vessels:
- Patrol Boat: HMAS Advance
- Tall Ship: James Craig 1874
- Steam Yacht
- Replica of the HMB Endeavour
- Destroyer: HMAS Vampire
- Submarine: HMAS Onslow
- Pearling: John Louis
- Refugee: Tu Do
- Fishing: Krait
- Lifeboat: Harding
Admission to all exhibitions, activities, and vessels is
A$25 for adults
A$15 for children (4-15)
A$70 for a family pass. A family pass includes 3 adults and 2 children.
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
I did not visit the WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo. According to their website, the zoo has exhibits featuring many of Australia’s famous animals. These animals include: koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, crocodiles, Tasmanian Devils and more.
Additional information can be found by visiting the zoos website.
The cost of tickets vary depending on what individual attractions the guest wants to experience. General Admission starts at A$48 for adults and A$36 for children.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
I also did not visit the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. According to their website the aquarium features six different zones.
The zones include: the Great Barrier Reef, Penguins, Shark Walk, Dugong Island, and South Coast Shipwrecks.
More information can be found by visiting the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium’s website. Admission prices vary with the average price being around A$51 for adults and A$38 for children.
Darling Harbour Tours and Packages
Below are some packages that combined the aquarium, zoo, and other attractions. You can save money if you visit multiple attractions on a single ticket.
I am an affiliate partner of Viator. If you book a package using one of the links below, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider booking using one of my links.
Prices are accurate as of June 2023.
 Darling Harbour Explorer - Sea Kayaking Tour - $59.67 Go kayaking in beautiful high-end sea kayaks out on Darling Harbour. Get up close to the wonderful ships and vessels of the Australian National Maritime Museum. |
 Sydney Shore Excursion: Skip-the-Line SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Entrance Ticket - $33.05 Don’t miss Australia’s most popular attraction, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, when your cruise ship docks in Sydney Port. The marine-watching opportunities abound at the aquarium: take a walk as the sea’s biggest predators swim below, see tropical fish in the Great Barrier Reef exhibit and watch dugongs play in their Mermaid Lagoon. Enjoy skip-the-line entry and avoid waiting in queues at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, located within a 10-minute walk of the cruise port at Darling Harbour. |
 Sydney Attraction Pass Including Taronga Zoo, Sydney Opera House, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium - $84.77 Want to see Sydney Opera House, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Taronga Zoo, Sydney Harbour and more? A Sydney attraction pass is the smart travel companion for every visitor to Sydney. With various options to choose from, your Sydney pass makes sightseeing a breeze with the Sydney Explorer Hop On Hop-Off 24-hour Bus, and up to 40% savings! Choose from six different passes to create your own sampling of Sydney's top attractions. Gain unlimited access to 35 top attractions and enjoy free attraction guides to help you choose. |
 Sydney Attractions Pass: SEA LIFE Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye, WILD LIFE Zoo and Madame Tussauds - $44.15 Visit your choice of two, three or four of Sydney’s most popular attractions at your own pace with this Sydney combo pass. Select from SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo or Madame Tussauds Sydney. You can meet native Australian animals from both land and water; take in panoramic views of the city and harbor from the Sydney Tower Eye observation deck; or snap a selfie with wax figures of your favorite celebrities. Pass is valid for one month from date of first use. |
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