Darling Harbour – Quick Guide

Darling Harbour is extensive area almost completely dedicated to
entertainment and tourism. For
many decades the core of the working port of Sydney, Darling Harbour
was developed for the Australian
Bicentenary in 1988. It has a large
exhibition space, a convention
centre, the National Maritime
Museum and aquarium.
Darling Harbour is a small inlet,
ringed by attractions and pedestrian boardwalks facing the water. The Pyrmont Bridge is a
wide pedestrian-only swing bridge that crosses the inlet, linking the two sides and forming
a loop walk around the area. The area has fantastic
water views, ice-cream, playgrounds, parks, fountains
and often free attractions on weekends.
There is nowhere to swim, but if it is hot, feel free to
run child-like under a fountain.
During the day, the area attracts visitors, city workers,
and exhibition and convention attendees, getting busy
on summer weekends and school holidays. On
weeknights it has a particular vibe, with popular restaurants by the water, and people just
out strolling around. On Friday and Saturday nights, the place is populated by club goers
and can be quite crowded.
The Pyrmont Bridge forms a historic centrepiece
to the area, but don't expect any other history to
discover - outside of the museums that is. The
redevelopment of the area has swept away all
that used to be. However, the neighbouring
suburbs of Pyrmont and Ultimo, just 200 metres
or so from the waters edge have many of the
original pubs and terraces that were previously
inhabited by the dockers and warehouse workers
during previous life of the area.
While You Stay
At the Apartments:
Our reception is open during the hours of 7am to 10pm, 7
days. A security guard is on the front desk from 10pm to
7am on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
In the case of an emergency, please dial “9” from your
room to contact reception. Outside of reception opening
hours (10pm-7am), call the manager on “1201” from your
room.
Keys
The front entrance leading into the apartment building,
this door is always locked. It is necessary for you to always
take your Room Key with you when leaving the building.
Your Room key will also open the front door upon your return. Your Room Key is needed to
access the floor of your apartment. Inside the lift you need to put your Room Key, with the
arrow facing the card reader in, and then pull it out and press the floor of your apartment.
The Room Key also opens the door of the apartment.
Departure
Check out time is 10am, should you require a later check out please contact reception before your departure date. There may be an extra charge for this. If you intend on checking
out prior to reception opening it will be necessary for you to settle your account the previous evening and leave your Room Key in the room. You are welcome to leave your luggage
at reception until your departure from Sydney.
Housekeeping
A mini-service is completed daily. This includes the making of beds, towels changed and rubbish taken out. A full
service is completed after 3 nights, which includes
changing of the bed linen. Mopping and vacuuming of
the floors will be done according to the need. There are
two signs located on the inside the apartment door. If
you do not wish to be disturbed place the red “Do Not
Disturb” sign on the front door handle. To have your
room serviced place the blue “Please Make Up my Room” sign out.
Electrical Appliances
Your unit has 240 volt AC 50 cycles power. Power converters can be hired from reception.
While You Stay
Hot Water
Please understand that the hot water tank in your apartment only has an 80 litre capacity.
As a result you may need to wait 10 minutes in between each shower/bath to allow the
water to reheat. If the hot water tap is running cold, it is likely that the circuit breaker for
the apartment may have tripped. To fix this you need to open the cupboard where the circuit breaker is in the kitchen; it is located in the top kitchen
cupboard next to the fridge. Need to make sure all of the
switches are in the on position, pointing up.
Kitchen
In the apartments there is a brand new fully equipped
kitchen, with tea, coffee and milk provided. The induction
stove works only with the pots and pans provided. As it is
very fast please be careful when using the highest setting.
If you see a red LO in the centre of the cooktop, the key
lock is activated, you have to press and hold the key button
for 5 seconds until it beeps to release the security lock, and
then choose the plate you wish to use.
Bathroom/Laundry
In the bathroom shampoo, conditioner, body/hand soap, shaving crème and body lotion is
provided. A hair dryer can be found the bathroom vanity cupboard.
The washing machine operates with cold water only. To use the washing machine, you
need to turn the dial to the preferred washing cycle and the preferred water level put your clothes
in and washing powder, close the lid and either
pull or push the start button. Laundry powder can
be purchased from reception. The cost is $1.00 per
packet which is sufficient for one load of washing.
Heating/Cooling in the apartment
In all of the apartments there is an air conditioner.
The remote is located on mezzanine level near the
air conditioner. It can be set to cool or heat the apartment to your desired temperature. If
the A/C isn’t working, it is likely the circuit breaker has tripped. To fix this you need to open
the cupboard where the circuit breaker is in the kitchen; it is located in the top kitchen
cupboard next to the fridge. Need to make sure all of the switches are in the on position,
pointing up.
Television
To operate the TV and the Foxtel; you will need to use the grey remote to turn the TV on
While You Stay
Television
To operate the TV and the Foxtel; you will need to use the grey
remote to turn the TV on using the red button at the top of the
remote. The grey remote is only to be used to turn the TV set
on and off and for the volume. The black foxtel remote controls
the channels, using the black remote press the light green
button that says TV Guide. This will give you different options to
choose from, press select – then press the arrow down to the
channel you want and press select again to view the channel chosen. If the TV screen is
blue and does not show anything. You will need to turn both the TV and the Foxtel box off
using both of the remotes, then turn them both back on. Using the grey remote, press the
A/V button, a box will come up on the TV screen and you need to select the 1 then press
OK, this will bring up the screen with the channels to choose from. The channels available
are ABC (2), 7, 9, 10, SBS and Foxtel. A list of Foxtel channels is located on your coffee table. No movies can be bought or extra channels can be viewed.
Internet
Free wireless internet is available in all apartments. Please see reception for a username
and password voucher. If you are having trouble connecting to the wifi, contact reception
for a Wifi Troubleshooting.
Around the Apartments
If you need basic food requirements like milk, bread etc. There is a convenience store conveniently located next to the apartments. It is the first shop on King Street. For a bigger selection of products there is a Coles Supermarket located only a short walk from the apartments. At 388 George Street, corner of King and George Street.
Post Office
The nearest Post Office is located at No. 1 Martin Place.
Banking
The major banks are located within a few minutes’ walk
from the apartments. The nearest Bank and ATM is at the
Commonwealth Bank only two blocks up King Street.
All banks are open Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 4.30pm.
Overseas Currency and Travellers Cheques may be exchanged at the American Express Bureau located at 275 George Street (inside the Westpac Bank)
Darling Harbour—Getting around
Walk
Darling Harbour is within walking distance of most points in the Sydney CBD.
 From the Pitt St Mall: From the northern side, walk west down King St until you come to
King St Wharf and the Darling Harbour footway. From the southern side, walk west
down Market St (following the monorail track
overhead) to the Pyrmont Bridge.
 From Town Hall walk downhill (west). Follow the
signs from Town Hall Station and the Kent St
Arcade.
 From Chinatown and central station walk west
(downhill) past Paddy's Markets and the
Entertainment Centre into south Darling
Harbour.
 From Pyrmont or Star City just keep the water on
your left past the Maritime Museum.
By train
Catch Cityrail to Central or Town Hall stations. From
Town Hall follow the Darling Harbour signs out of the
station. Walk downhill (west) for two blocks to the
eastern edge of Darling Harbour. From Central walk
up into Haymarket (Chinatown) and then walk west
to the south end of the Darling Harbour district.
By light rail
The light rail is ideal to access the Exhibition Centre, Convention Centre, Star City Casino
or the Fish Markets.
You can catch it from its starting point at Central station. or catch in on route at Capitol
Square or Paddy's Markets in Haymarket.
If you are going to Cockle Bay, the aquarium, or King St Wharf on the eastern side of
Darling Harbour from the
City, the light rail will take you
further away from where you
want to be. It will drop you
the other (western) side of
Harbourside, and you will
have to walk back. Walk, or
take the monorail instead.
There is level access at all
light rail stations.
Darling Harbour—Getting around
By car
Darling Harbour is accessible by car:

From the north cross the Harbour Bridge and head west onto the Western Distributor
and then take the exit to Darling Harbour.

From the city, head down Market St (west), and follow the signs and exit at Darling
Harbour.

From the east or south of the City, consider the Cross City Tunnel (toll applies), and
follow the signs.

Like the City, parking in Darling Harbour is expensive but a number of parking stations
are available.
By ferry
Sydney Ferries depart Circular Quay wharf 5. They accept Multi tickets, or a single ticket will cost $5.30. They
stop at Darling Harbour King St Wharf 3 on the eastern
side, and at Pyrmont Bay Wharf at the very northern
tip on the western side, past the Maritime Museum.
Ferries depart approximately every twenty minutes,
and run from 6:45AM to 10PM M-F, and 8AM to
10:15PM on weekends and public holidays.
Matilda Rocket departs from the Harbour Master's Steps on the west (left) of Circular
Quay. They arrive just by the Aquarium very close to the Pyrmont Bridge, at a different
wharf to the Sydney Ferries. They charge $5.70 for a single ticket and issue their own tickets. They don't accept the Multi (but do issue their own day passes, just for their ferries).
The frequency varies, depending on demand. They run at least every hour from 10AM until 5PM.
By bus
If you have a Sydney Explorer pass, the red Sydney Explorer buses have several stops
around Darling Harbour, stopping on the roadside of the Maritime Museum, and at the
transport interchange between Harbourside and the Convention Centre, and by the side of
IMAX.
MyMulti Tickets
If you regularly travel on buses, ferries, light rail as well as trains, a MyMulti1, 2 or 3 could
be just the ticket. Just choose your MyMulti zone to get unlimited train travel within that
zone - plus unlimited bus and State Transit ferry travel throughout Greater Sydney. Weekly, monthly (28 day), quarterly (90 day) and yearly (365 day) tickets are available.
If you are travelling for just 1 day there is a DayTripper ticket which includes unlimited
train, bus and ferry for around $20.
Darling Harbour—Getting around
The area is designed for walking. It is
generally flat, car-free in most parts, with
footways connecting to the Casino and to
the Powerhouse Museum. There are
directional signs to the major sights
scattered around and maps available at
the tourist information.
There is a little motorised train that does a
loop around precinct, useful for tired little
(or big) legs. At $4.50 for adults and $3.50 for children one-way, this makes it one of the
most expensive one-way trips for children anywhere in Sydney, so it's best to think of it as
a ride rather than a form of
transport. It does go all the way
from the far side of Tumbalong Park
to the Aquarium, so it can save
some walking, but is slow and won't
save much time compared to
walking, if any.
If you are right at the southern end of Darling Harbour by the Entertainment Centre or the
Powerhouse Museum, then it might be worthwhile getting the light rail if you are going
right to the Northern end at the casino.
Around the water's edge and the surrounding parkland, the terrain is flat and accessible to
wheelchairs and prams. There are lifts to access Harbourside, King St Wharf, and Cockle
Bay Wharf. Darling Harbour is a newer area and accessibility has been considered in its
design.
There are lots of fountains at the southern end of Darling
Harbour, and you will not have to walk around them. In
the summer many people can be seen splashing around
and having a ball in the many different fountains and
water features.
If you notice people taking an apparently long route, and can see a quicker way to cut
across Tumbalong Park, you will find that you have to join the main pathway to go around
the fountains. If time is of the essence, then following signs and people who look like they
know where they are going, will usually be quicker than meandering around the landscape
Darling Harbour—Attractions
Darling Harbour is home to many attractions for all ages.
Australian National Maritime
Museum, 2 Murray Street (just by
the western side of the Pyrmont
Bridge), ☎ +61 2 9298 3777 (fax: 02
9298 3780) . Two floors of internal
exhibits, outlining the maritime
role in Australia's history. Outside
there are ships and submarines to
explore. Free entry to core galleries; charges for the large ships and
special events.
Sydney Aquarium, 1-5 Wheat Rd (eastern side of Darling Harbour just to the north of the
Pyrmont Bridge walkover), ☎ +61 2 9262 2300. 9AM-8PM (last entrance at 7pm) daily. A
massive aquarium. In addition to various display tanks (penguins, seals, platypus, various
fish species), it has three underwater walks where visitors walk in glass corridors underneath and between the dugongs, sharks, rays and tropical
fish. Consider going on a weekday , to avoid some of the
crowds. Adults $35, child $20,
various concessions and family
tickets available.
Sydney Wildlife World, Aquarium Pier, ☎ +61 2 9333 9288. 9AM-6PM daily (last ticket
sales at 5PM). If you don't have time to get out to the zoo, then this offers the chance to
see Australian wildlife close
to the city. adult $35.
Madame Tussuads,
Aquarium Pier, ☎ +61 2 9333
9240. 9AM-8PM daily (last
ticket sales at 7PM). It
features a variety of
personalities, mostly
Australian such as Hugh
Jackman. adult $35.
Darling Harbour—Attractions
Chinese Garden of Friendship,
(southern end of Darling Harbour,
near the Sydney Entertainment
Centre and adjacent to Chinatown), ☎ +61 2 9240 8888
(chinesegarden@shfa.nsw.gov.au).
9:30AM-5PM. Modelled on the
typical private gardens of the Ming Dynasty, the garden offers an insight into Chinese heritage and culture. Adults $6 children $3.
IMAX, 31 Wheat Road (On the water at the tip of the bay), ☎ +61 2
9281 3300. Largest rectangular IMAX screen in the world. Plays a selection of new release IMAX movies in 3D and big screen. Check the
details when you arrive so you can see the movie of your choice.
The Pyrmont Bridge, ☎ +61 2 9299-7541. Opens weekends and
public holidays at 10:30AM, 12PM, 1PM, 2PM and 3PM
(weather permitting). The Pyrmont Bridge is an old swing
bridge that historically was a main thoroughfare into Sydney.
Now it only carries pedestrians across the harbour and the
monorail. See the centre span swing and a tall ship leave the
bay. Tours of the control cab by appointment.
The city skyline at night. Darling Harbour is a great place to view the city lights at night
time.
Darling Harbour (Harbourside) Fireworks, Cockle Bay, are on from 9pm every Saturday on
Cockle Bay Harbour. They last for only 15 minutes but are fun to watch especially if you
have a family. A good trick is to get a balcony seat around some of the restaurants and you
can see the fireworks whilst having dinner or drinks.
Darling Harbour—Attractions
Harbour cruises
Depart from the King St Wharf on the eastern side of Darling Harbour, or from Circular
Quay in the City There all types to choose from.





All Occasion Cruises (AO Cruises) operates Private bookings on Sydney Harbour dinner with food and beverage packages to suite all budgets.
Magistic Cruises has Sydney
Harbour dinner cruise,wine cruises,
lunch cruise and sightseeing
cruises.
Sydney Show Boats Cruise has
dinner with live cabaret show
performances and comic magician.
Captain Cook Cruises. The Sydney Harbour Explorer Cruise allows hopping on and off
at a number of attractions, or a 1 1/2 hour cruise of the harbour. Coffee cruise departs at 10AM and 3PM
Matilda Cruises, (Wharf is next to the aquarium entrance). Departs 12:15PM daily.
Seafood lunch cruise.
Events
Tumbalong Park, at first look, appears a bit like an oval, but is actually a large open space
with a stage for outdoor performances. Something going on here most weekends, and a
good place to lay out a picnic blanket free.
Sydney Entertainment Centre, 35 Harbour Street, Darling Harbour (south of Tumbalong
park and the fountains), ☎ +61 2 9320 4200 (fax: 02 9281 2682), The Entertainment Centre
is one of Australia's largest indoor entertainment venues and events frequently include
shows by major Australian and international acts.
Do
The Darling Quarter Kids Playground is one of
the most spectacular ever built in Australia,
featuring an array of fun activities that promote learning and imagination for all ages.
Water games, climbing ropes, swings, slides,
and a flying fox will keep the kids entertained
for hours. And best of all, it’s free!
Strike Bowling Bar, King St Wharf,. Bowling, Karaoke, music, drinks
Gamble (Star City), 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont, ☎ 1800 700 700 (within Australia) or +61
2 9777 9000,. Gambling, a choice of bars.
Darling Harbour—Restaurants and Bars
Eat
There are lots of places to eat at Darling Harbour. It is literally lined with restaurants, alfresco cafes, bars, and take-aways, and is a great place to go in a evening for dinner overlooking the water and the city skyline. On popular days there are concession stalls selling
ice-creams, drinks etc. all over the place, again, at higher prices than you would expect to
pay elsewhere.
Generally no need to book a restaurant on a weeknight, as it
is always possible to get a table somewhere by just strolling
around the harbour, picking something that appeals. Those
with an aversion to second hand cigarette smoke should
note that smoking is generally permitted at many of the
outdoor alfresco bars and eating areas overlooking the
water. Sitting inside means that you won't get bothered by
cigarette smoke, but you also miss the best locations.

Cockle Bay
On the eastern side of Darling Harbour, adjacent to the city,
at the western end of Market St. South of King St Wharf.

Ice-Cube. Eat in cafe, bar, and takeaway. Fish and chips
takeaway for $7.50, just eat them by the water a couple
of metres away.

Blackbird Cafe, Balcony Level, Cockle Bay Wharf, ☎ +61 2
9283-7385 (fax: +61 2 9283-7381). Moderately priced
and popular cafe one level up at Cockle Bay Wharf.

Chinta Ria (Temple of Love), (First floor, Cockle Bay). Indi
an influence. Great food and value for the location.
Casual atmosphere, with kitsch chairs, incense, and a
largeBuddha at the entrance. mains $17.
Nick's Seafood Restaurant, (On the waterfront promenade, Cockle Bay), Seafood focus, as the name suggests. Mains $30-$40.
King St Wharf
King St Wharf is a newer development on the eastern side of Darling Harbour, adjacent to
the city at the western end of King St, north of the aquarium.

I Thai, King Street Wharf, 19 Lime Street, Sydney, ☎ +61 2 9299 8999. Upstairs and
waterside seating. Basic, tasty food and a selection of set menus for around $30-40
per head. Fully licenced and good coffee for a Thai
place. Mains $25.

The Malaya, King Street Wharf, 39 Lime Street,
Sydney, ☎ +61 2 9279-1170 (fax: +61 2 92792570). Large serves of spicy Malay food. Try the
salt and pepper prawns Mains $25-$35.
Darling Harbour—Restaurants and Bars
Harbourside
On the western side of
Darling Harbour, over the
Pyrmont Pedestrian Bridge
from the city and Cockle Bay.

Food Court, (In the c
entre, by the arch).
Good for quick meal,
offers the usual range of fast food, Indian take away, sandwiches, pies, pizza, coffee
and ice-creams. Expect to pay a little more than the food courts in the city

Jordons Seafood Restaurant, 197 Harbourside (Ground level, outside, at the
southernmost tip of Harbourside), ☎ +61 2 9281 3711, Jordons is the mainstay of
premium seafood dining at Darling Harbour. Its been there since opening, and
continues to be popular.

Zaaffran, 345 Harbourside (Upstairs in the centre of Harbourside), open lunch and
dinner. A premium Indian restaurant, upstairs in Harbourside.
All of Darling Harbour provides a lovely and relaxed venue for eating out. There are also some
very good Thai, Malaysian and Indian restaurants
providing very good food at reasonable prices in
Darling Harbour.
Drink
For a modern styled bar, with plenty of space, facing the promenade to the water, try:




Bungalow 8, King Street Wharf
Cargo Bar & Lounge, King Street Wharf. With a waterside location, Cargo has become
one of the most hottest locations in town. Be sure to grab a drink there at sunset for
some impressive views. Caters for a diverse crowd, from younger party-goers to afterwork business types, and tourists. Hard to feel out of place there.
James Squire Brewery, King Street Wharf, A range of James Squire beer on tap, and a
good wine selection. Vibey place, good water views from the front, and a quaint pool
table and pinball machines inside (no gambling machines here). Food available. Busy
most nights, but very busy Fri nights..
mains $20-$30.
Pontoon Bar, Cockle Bay, next to the
bridge, Nice views, good on a summer
afternoon or warm evening. Busy on
Friday and Saturday nights. Basic
Australian barbecue food, not to pricey,
sausages and salad, etc.
Darling Harbour—Restaurants and Bars
For a more traditional pub feel try:



Pyrmont Bridge Hotel, 96 Union Street, Pyrmont (Just continue off the western side
of Pyrmont Bridge and it is right in front of
you), ☎ +61 2 9660 4933. Simple, no fuss
establishment, popular with the locals and
hospitality workers in the area as well.
Slip Inn, (Just up from Darling Harbour on
the edge of the CBD), ☎ +61 2 8295 9999
(slipinn@merivale.com, fax: 02 8295
9949). Very popular pub. Serves food as
well, but worth making a reservation if you
intend to eat there. This is the pub where
Princess Mary of Denmark met her Prince.
Pumphouse Tavern, (Between Tumbalong Park and the Entertainment Centre).
Around 10 beers draught on tap, and around 100 available in total. Modern fauxrustic in style, attracts a young after work crowd. Generally busy, but even more before events at the Entertainment centre and after work on a Friday evening. Balcony
restaurant upstairs. Pizza served in the bar area. View out onto the courtyard, good
for people watching but no water views. Beer from $6 to $30 bottle, pizza around
$15, mains in restaurant around $30.
For nightclubs try:
Home Nightclub, Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Park, +61
2 9266 0600, (fax 02 9266 0611, email info@bigbeat.com.au). Don’t go to drink…go to DANCE.
Purpose-built "international super nightclub". Big and
international with a cover charge of at least $10 to
match.
Stay Safe
There is a police station and first aid station at the tip of the harbour. The area is quite well
patrolled, and generally busy, and it is a comfortable area to walk in the daytime and into
the evening.
Late on a Friday or Saturday night there is drunken behaviour. After 10PM or so on a weeknight the area can get quiet, if there are no events on that night.
There is no fence around the harbour, and the water is deep. Watch young children don't
fall in. Ladders are located at regular intervals, and life rings are scattered around as well.
Darling Harbour—Miscellaneous
Cope
Toilets are located under the Pyrmont Bridge on the eastern side, next to first aid, in
Harbourside and Cockle Bay Wharf, and next to the curtain fountain at the southern end
precinct. They are available at several other locations as well. Baby change facilities are
available there too.
Get out
The Powerhouse Museum is close to the
Entertainment Centre, and is immediately adjacent to
Darling Harbour in Ultimo. There are signs directing
you there from all around the precinct. It isn't quite a
science museum, and not quite a natural history
museum, but it’s not drab or boring. There are
interesting parts of Sydney's modern heritage, as well as lots of buttons to press, and
plenty of how things work displays.
The Sydney Fish Markets are also close by. Again just a
couple of stops further on the light rail, or a 10 minute
walk from Harbourside. It is a good spot for lunch, or to
buy some shrimp (prawns) for the barbecue.
Contact
There are coin operated internet access terminals on the ground floor of Harbourside.
There are public phones distributed about the precinct.
If you are attending a convention, ask you conference organisers about Wi-Fi access in the
convention centre.
There is a McDonalds restaurant in Harbourside, with a free Wi-Fi hotspot that covers a
section of the food hall. Really easy to use
without buying any food there.
Sydney Visitor's Centre is the information
centre that can assist in providing directions
as well as booking tours, accommodation,
attractions and much more. Operated by Best
of New South Wales.