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$295 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$295
20 July - 21 July
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! (1,748 reviews)
Classic
"Very nice, classic Basic room but generous proportions."

Reviewed on 11 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$176 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$176
20 July - 21 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! (2,160 reviews)
"Great place and convenient next to places to eat!"

Reviewed on 8 Jul. 2025

YEHS Hotel Sydney Harbour Suites
W Sydney
W Sydney
5 out of 5
31 Wheat Road, Sydney, NSW
The price is NZ$382 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$382
27 July - 28 July
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! (570 reviews)
"I loved that there were two swimming pool, indoor and outdoor, amazing"

Reviewed on 4 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$218 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$218
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! (1,149 reviews)
Great hotel for families
"Such a great hotel. Buffet breakfast was delicious and well worth it. Parking is great for 4wd’s as there is parking with higher height restrictions. Easy walk into the city. Clean and friendly staff. Only downfall would be rooms have double beds, not queens."

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 2025

Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour
PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney
PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney
4.5 out of 5
150 Day St, Sydney, NSW
The price is NZ$261 per night from 14 July to 15 July
NZ$261
14 July - 15 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! (1,570 reviews)
Perfect for a family stay
"Absolutely outstanding hotel for our family stay in Sydney for 3 days. We had an executive club room and had access to the club lounge for breakfast which had a good range including some GF items. Room was very clean and towels nice and thick as well as robes which many hotels no longer provide. ..."

Reviewed on 9 Jul. 2025

PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney
ibis Sydney Darling Harbour
ibis Sydney Darling Harbour
3.5 out of 5
70 Murray Street, Sydney, NSW
The price is NZ$152 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$152
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! (1,015 reviews)
"The room was small but the price was right especially for the location. Furnitue was well worn but reasonable."

Reviewed on 11 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

Sydney Fish Market and Sydney Lyric Theatre 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
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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 featuring 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 which includes street scenes, heritage architecture and a city

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
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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

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