Darling Harbour Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Darling Harbour featuring night scenes, city views and a bay or harbour
Darling Harbour showing a city, central business district and modern architecture
Darling Harbour which includes a bay or harbour
Darling Harbour which includes a marina, a city and skyline
Darling Harbour featuring a city, signage and cbd

The best place to get acquainted with Sidney's nautical passions – sailing, pleasure-boating, whale watching – or the Maritime Museum if you prefer dry land.

Sydney loves the sea – it is after all shot through with the deep blue inlet of Sydney Harbour – and it indulges its visitors with a plethora of harbours, coves, marinas and bays. But one of the best places to get nautical is Darling Harbour, with its cluster of quays, museums, restaurants and markets. The next bay around from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour was once the city's commercial port and a massive railway shunting yard. You'd hardly guess that today. The whole area has been reworked into a shiny pedestrianized waterfront. The attraction that first draws the eye is the Australian National Maritime Museum. Or rather the 122-metre naval destroyer, HMAS Vampire, parked outside the museum. It is over 60 years old, and was the last serving gun-destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy. It can be boarded and explored, along with the navy submarine parked alongside. And you can step right back to the start of Australia's naval heritage when you board the sailing ship behind – the HM Bark Endeavour, which is an exact replica of Captain James Cook's famous vessel that 'discovered' Australia for the Europeans. Of course, the Aborigines got here a little while before him, and their relationship with the sea is explored at the Museum too. You can see the artistic side of Australia's first inhabitants at the Gavala Aborigine Art Centre, which sells original Aborigine art. Darling Harbour is also a launching point for messing about in the water – jet-boating, sailing trips and cruises can all be booked here. Some of the most exciting are the whale-spotting cruises, which almost guarantee you a humpback, and even a sighting of a blue whale, during 3 hours out on the waves. And if your sea-legs won't go that far, you can always take in the marine wildlife at the Sydney Aquarium – or do some retail-therapy (piscine-style) at the Sydney Fish Market. More likely the Harbourside Shopping Centre will appeal for that, though, which has a great haul of the best in modern Oz shops, restaurants and waterfront cafés.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Darling Harbour Hotel Deals

Hyatt Regency Sydney

Hyatt Regency Sydney

5 out of 5
161 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW
The price is NZ$294 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
NZ$294
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Sydney. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,768 reviews)
"Had a great time.. looking at coming back soon!!"

Reviewed on 24 Jul. 2025

Hyatt Regency Sydney
YEHS Hotel Sydney Harbour Suites

YEHS Hotel Sydney Harbour Suites

4 out of 5
252 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW
The price is NZ$175 per night from 28 July to 29 July
NZ$175
28 July - 29 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Sydney. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,186 reviews)
Business stay in Sydney !
"Overall OK. Need some improvement especially on the lighting aspects of the room. Get more professional looking and brighter light bulbs."

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

YEHS Hotel Sydney Harbour Suites
PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney

PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney

4.5 out of 5
150 Day St, Sydney, NSW
The price is NZ$269 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$269
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Sydney. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,588 reviews)
"Great staff & facilities."

Reviewed on 21 Jul. 2025

PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney
W Sydney

W Sydney

5 out of 5
31 Wheat Road, Sydney, NSW
The price is NZ$359 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
NZ$359
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Sydney. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (590 reviews)
"Great location, friendly staff, plus really quiet for being so close to the overpass."

Reviewed on 21 Jul. 2025

W Sydney
Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour

Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour

4.5 out of 5
100 Murray Street, Sydney, NSW
The price is NZ$228 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$228
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Sydney. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,164 reviews)
"Nicely presented room, well appointed bathroom. It is a bit of a hike from the lightrail and metro / train services though."

Reviewed on 21 Jul. 2025

Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour
ibis Sydney Darling Harbour

ibis Sydney Darling Harbour

3.5 out of 5
70 Murray Street, Sydney, NSW
The price is NZ$163 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$163
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Sydney. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,009 reviews)
"great location, good price, close to darling harbour and light rail & theres also a supermart nearby staff are friendly and helpful room was quite comfortable, but not really sound proof due to connecting room door"

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

ibis Sydney Darling Harbour
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Darling Harbour

Star Casino featuring modern architecture

Pyrmont

Star Casino and Sydney Fish Market are top sights in Pyrmont, and you should be sure to explore the captivating waterfront views. Hop aboard the metro at Wentworth Park Light Rail Station or Fish Market Light Rail Station to see more sights in the area.

Pyrmont
Default Image

Sydney Central Business District

4.5/5(8,551 area reviews)

Known for its captivating waterfront views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Sydney Central Business District. Check out top attractions like Circular Quay and Sydney Opera House, and jump on the metro at Martin Place Station or St. James Station to see more of the city.

Sydney Central Business District
Capitol Theatre showing street scenes as well as an individual female

Haymarket

Known for its captivating waterfront views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Haymarket. Check out top attractions like Market City and Paddy's Market, and jump on the metro at Paddy's Markets Light Rail Station or Capitol Square Light Rail Station to see more of the city.

Haymarket
Circular Quay - The Rocks showing street scenes, a city and heritage architecture

The Rocks

A noteworthy feature of The Rocks is its captivating waterfront views. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Circular Quay and Museum of Contemporary Art.

The Rocks
Surry Hills

Surry Hills

Travellers come to Surry Hills for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Crown Street and Belvoir Street Theatre while you're in town.

Surry Hills
Default Image

Darlinghurst

Darlinghurst is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Sydney Jewish Museum and William Street while you're in town.

Darlinghurst


Darling Harbour Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: