Darling Harbour

Sydney's lively harbour precinct with an aquarium, museums, restaurants, and shopping — all right on the water in the heart of the city.

Darling Harbour sits on the western edge of Sydney's CBD and is one of Australia's most vibrant leisure precincts. Once an industrial goods harbor, the area was extensively redeveloped in the 1980s ahead of the 1988 World Expo. Today it brings together the Sea Life Aquarium, the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Powerhouse Museum, and dozens of waterfront restaurants, bars, and shopping centers within easy walking distance of each other. Large sections are pedestrianized, giving the area a relaxed feel. Evenings and weekends draw both locals and visitors, making it one of Sydney's most reliably busy destinations year-round.