Sydney’s hub for entertainment is Darling Harbour, which lies a ten-minute walk from the CBD or a short ferry ride from Circular Quay. It’s home to the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo for up-close animal encounters, as well as great cafes and restaurants overlooking the water. Soak up the comings and goings at its historic wharf area, watch live street performers and musicians or get some retail therapy at its numerous shopping destinations.
Darling Harbour is home to the National Maritime Museum that details the city’s rich maritime history dating all the way back to the first settlers, with full-size ships and a submarine to explore. Or come face-to-face with some of Australia’s most loved sporting heroes and historical figures at Madame Tussauds, including the notorious bushranger Ned Kelly.
It’s also here that one of Australia’s most impressive and largest aquariums is found at SEA LIFE Sydney, with an underwater, walk-through tunnel inhabited by huge sharks. Or you can meet native wildlife while soaking up views across to the Opera House at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo.
At the southern end of Darling Harbour lies the Chinese Garden of Friendship, with tranquil streams meandering around traditional tea houses and stone sculptures, together with ponds inhabited by colorful koi carp. From here it’s just a short walk to the Harbourside Shopping Centre that brings together numerous specialty stores, together with offering a good selection of eateries in its food court. Or you can head over to the nearby Powerhouse Museum that features state-of-the-art exhibitions on science, technology, transport and ecology.