Darling Harbour is one of the world’s best natural harbour located in Sydney, Australia, labelled as a perfect destination for adventure backpackers due to its vibrant atmosphere and variety of travel recreational activities. As a traveler, definitely Darling Harbour could be heaven for both solo and family visitors especially for those who looking to choose variety of experiences in Australia.
Darling Harbour itself is stunning and vibrant with its picturesque waterfront and dazzling city skyline as the backdrop. Perfect place for leisurely strolls along the promenade, enjoying the refreshing sea breeze and admiring the beautiful views. Kids can enjoy more water activities and recreational activities.
Often recognised as the Entertainment hub, Darling Harbour includes multiple things and activities such as SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, home to thousands of fascinating marine creatures, Australian National Maritime Museum and theatre making it great backpackers point.
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Things to Do in the Darling Harbour
There are multiple things which every traveler going to love irrespective type, age and backgrounds of an visitors.
1. Visit SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is located in the heart of the Darling harbour, popularly known underwater marine lives with amazing discovery even with 9 unique theme zones. Well known for Australia’s most popular attractions offering an immersive experience with a vast range of marine creatures. Moreover this aquarium considered the world’s largest aquarium, it contains approximately 700 different species and 13,000 sea animals.
Never miss exploring the Great Barrier Reef exhibit, where you can see and spot most elegant and colorful coral formations and try to swim amongst tropical fish. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is home to a good number of sharks and rays, Australia’s most famous marine animals like dugong and tropical reef fish. Take leisure walk through the impressive Shark Walk, and a glass tunnel surrounded by sharks and other awe-inspiring sea animals and species.
2. Explore the Australian National Maritime Museum
Located on the western side of Darling Harbour, the Australian National Maritime Museum presents the collections, exhibitions, and research and archaeologies of Australia’s maritime history and cultural heritage. Must recommended family travelers landmark, Maritime museum one of the largest and diverse in water fleets in the world includes HMAS Onslow cold water submarine, HMAS Vampire naval destroyer, Captain Cook stall.
Opened in 1988, designed by the famous Australian architect, Philip Cox, witnessing a good number of permanent gallery hosting, temporary exhibition programs and indoor and outdoor exhibits. Museums including historic ships, interactive displays, and crazy galleries that tell us about tales of naval exploration and oceanic adventures. Moreover the museum is even too friendly for disabled persons offering Deaf community and programs such as descriptive touch tours for vision impairment individuals.
3. Enjoy the Views from Sydney Tower Eye
Sydney Tower Eye rising 250 meters above street level, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Considered as a peak point in the entire Sydney city with a high-speed elevator to the observation deck where travelers could enjoy 360-degree views. You can explore some of Sydney’s iconic landmarks, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, and the Blue Mountains. Gazing across the beautiful harbour city capitative by the stunning views of Sydney city.
During winter, Crystal clear skies make even much clearer viewing distances in the whole year. Same like sky point observation deck in Gold Coast, travelers can soak up the city’s laid back summer vibe from an air conditioned desk to enjoy laid back atmospheres in order to reduce stress. All season friendly tower which makes one of the most photographer destinations in Sydney.
4. Discover Wildlife at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Great place to find some of the famous Australian Wild Life’s, even great place to find some of the homes for Aussie big fives. Meet some of the Australian species like Koalas in Gum tree volley or Koala encounters located so close to Australia’s incredible wildlife at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo. There are a good number of animals like kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, and other native animals in natural habitats. You can also learn about the zoo’s conservation efforts and participate in animal feeding experiences and interactive shows here. Saltwater crocodiles and Platypus pools are more common and interesting things to explore.
Zoo also contains feature interactive displays, entertaining keepers talk, and enhanced walk through habitants, such as Koala encounters, Kangaroo walk about and butterfly tropics. Everyday zoo opens at 10:00 am at Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour.
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5. Immerse Yourself in History at Madame Tussauds
After opening its door in 1835, Madame Tussauds Sydney is an interactive wax museum where you can rub shoulders with lifelike wax figures of famous celebrities, historical figures, and sports stars. A list of celebrities featured in the wax museum and firm favorite with tourists that contains prime attracting point here. Take a leisure walk with Benedict Cumberbatch, meet the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, take golden globes with Priyanka Chopra and make tea with Queen Elizabeth II. You can meet your favorite superheroes in Marvel Universe 4D or try a spaceship in Aliens too.
Museum is also a great place to spot some of the great photos with Taylor Swift, Albert Einstein, and other iconic personalities while enjoying the museum’s engaging displays and interactive experiences. Opens Monday to Sunday 10 am to 3 pm, where world famous young Marie’s first sculpture was made here by Francois Voltaire in Madame Tussauds.
6. Relax in Darling Quarter Playground
Crazy place where kids will go down the giant 8 meter wide slide, cool off with water pumps, streams and jets. Ideal place for families with children, Darling Quarter Playground is a perfect outdoor space where kids can have hours of fun and spend time with its water slides. Place is mixed with art and functions, irrespective of age of kids children’s can slide down, climb up, scramble over, swing and run around. Alongside its playground features water play areas, climbing ropes, slides, swings, and plenty of open green spaces for picnics.
Playing options for kids with waterworks, exploring motion, balance, and simple machines are more attractive and enough activities to tire out even almost energetic kids. Playground includes balance ropes, a giant slide with a tunnel, water fountains, and spider web climbing frames, water scoopers, supernova roundabout and sand digger.
7. Catch a Movie at the IMAX Theatre
Nestled in the heart of Sydney, The IMAX Theatre in Darling Harbour is well known for its colossal screen and immersive sound system. Offering impressive state of the art IMAX with Laser technology with EVENTs entertaining experiences. Its screen approximately covers 692 square meters, considered the largest screen in the world and its 1.43 aspect ratio provides up to 40% of picture of unrivalled cinema experiences. Not only that, they are using laser technologies, high quality cameras, crystal clear laser projections, and Dolby sound systems that make each scene marvelous. Give some time to watch blockbuster films, documentaries, or educational adventures on the world’s largest cinema screen.
IMAX theatre is considered as and renowned for couple’s seats, full recliners, and for the first time in the history private box cinema experiences. If you are a movie lover or a family visitors looking for a fantastic outing or group of friends seeking adventure IMAX is a perfect place.
8. Dine at one of the Waterfront Restaurants
There is no amount of scarcity of food and cuisines in Darling Harbour, where numbers of restaurants catering guest from its mouthwatering cuisine options. Offering a great range of dining experiences, ranging from casual cafes to upscale waterfront restaurants. Waterfront restaurants normally include king street wharf, cockle bay, harbour side are full of dinners and long lunches. Enjoy international cuisine, seafood specialties, or a hearty Australian meal while taking in the stunning views of the harbour.
Seafood like Nick’s, French fare at Atelier by Sofitel and Café de Mar are some of the restaurants and cafes which offer delicious cuisine options to travelers. Sip tea and nibble on dumplings, steamed buns, holy basil, tan viet and pastries in the teahouse are next food level experience and never miss it.
9. Take a Leisurely Stroll along Cockle Bay Wharf
Cockle Bay Wharf is a picturesque promenade located in the heart of Darling Harbour. Considered as heaven for fun and for dining, the most exciting venue includes 11 cafes, bars and restaurants. More importantly, taking leisurely stroll along the waterfront exhibits the admire of beautifully lit boats, and help to soak in the lively atmosphere. Restaurants commonly include sea foods, Italian and modern Australian cuisines like Pasta.
Cockle Bay Wharf is well known for its nightlife too. Offering great night clubs, cocktails, and bars to spend your time dancing and having fun. try to explore boutique shops, grab a refreshing drink at a waterfront bar, or indulge in some delicious gelato. Perfect place for making new friends, enjoying business lunch, and weekend adventures.
10. Hop on a Harbour Cruise
The easiest and efficient way to discover the beauty of Sydney Harbour by embarking on a captivating Harbour Cruise. You can take Sydney Harbour tall ships and Sydney heritage fleet cruises during the day time, while Sydney showboat cruise at night. You can select a range of options including sightseeing cruises, dining experiences, or even thrilling adventure rides like jet boats. Cruise in Darling harbour is started from a long period of time and really on aboriginal peoples and their traditions.
One of the most iconic landmarks while enjoying commentary on Sydney’s history and impressive architecture. You can directly jump to the ferry or take the ferry from the circular quay to other harbour islands like Garden Island for naval museum Cockatoo Island for UNESCO Heritage convict site. Never miss to drink the variety of tea options available during sunset behind Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Best Time to Visit Darling Harbour
After detailed discussions visitors need to give some time to read when they should visit? Visiting this harbour as equal to doing above things, since each things corelating to different season and times. Moreover, deciding to visit during spring season (starts from September to November) and Autumn season (starts from March to May) is great idea to enjoy this breathtaking Australian landmark.
Since above season offers less travel traffic and ideal weather conditions, making it great time to spend time with family members and attend events like weekly fireworks. Spring season help visitors enjoy things like Vivid Sydney festivals, where as Autumn exhibits pleasant weather to enjoy activities like cruise, zoo, aquarium and wildlife watching.
After learning something from the above article, we came to know that Darling Harbour offers a wide range of travel activities that includes diverse range of travel experiences irrespective of age or backgrounds that cater to different interests and preferences. So, we advise you to spend quality time with family or kids under these tourist destinations and prove one of the perfect destinations for family travelers.
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