Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia Revisited

 Harbour is a great location for any tourist visiting Sydney.Darling

We stopped off in Sydney, on our way back to Abu Dhabi from the Upper Hunter Valley, and decided to go for a walk around Darling Harbour. It really is an interesting area; Darling Harbour is constantly renewing itself, there is always something new to see, or experience.

(If you are interested in the history of this area, here is a link to my previous article: http://geriatricgapper.blogspot.com/2016/04/darling-harbour-sydney-australia.html

One thing we noticed immediately on arrival, was the Ferris Wheel. This is a new attraction on Darling Harbour, and definitely wasn’t there the last time we visited.

Although much of the harbour is surrounded by high-rise buildings,

there are lots of trees, and cool fountains to calm the atmosphere.

The Chinese Garden of Friendship is close by, with its Guardian Lion at the entrance.

You could easily spend a whole day in Darling Harbour, with all the activities and sights to see. Here are just a few:

• 1 Australian National Maritime Museum
• 2 WILDLIFE Sydney Zoo. ...
• 3 SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. ...
• 4 Madame Tussaud's. ...
• 5 Flight Experience Flight Simulator. ...
• 6 Chinese Garden of Friendship. ...
• 7 LG IMAX Theatre and 9D Action Cinema. ...
• 8 A multitude of Shops and Restaurants.

Reflections in the glass front of the International Conference Centre, Sydney, in Darling Harbour

Although buildings are sprouting up all over Darling Harbour, innovative architecture has ensured the area isn’t overwhelmed by them. The International Conference Centre (above) is Australia’s largest convention, exhibition, and entertainment centre. It has over 70 meeting rooms, three theatres and two formal ballrooms. Large spaces in front of the building, and the glass front reflecting the sky gives a feeling of light and air.

Darling Harbour’s relaxed and laid-back atmosphere,

makes it an ideal place to stroll around

Tourists, and locals, enjoying the open spaces.

I particularly enjoyed this angle of the ICC,

Where the building seems to vanish into the sky.

We plan to be back in Sydney in November. I can’t wait to see any new developments. I am sure there will be some.

Elizabeth Coughlan

Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia

Once, a poor relation to Sydney Harbour with its bridge, Circular Quay, and the Opera House, 

Darling Harbour has become Sydney’s new entertainment centre

Darling Harbour is such fun! There is always something of interest to see and do.  A large pedestrian-friendly area, Darling Harbour is a fantastic spot for a night out. But it isn’t just about the nightlife, it’s just as busy during the day.

Until 1984, this was just a harbour, with ships and warehouses like any other.  It was Neville Wran, the New South Wales Premiere at the time, who announced the Government's decision to redevelop Darling Harbour and "return it to the people of Sydney" in time for Australia’s 1988 bicentennial celebrations. It was formally opened by HRH Queen Elizabeth II on 4 May 1988, and has continued to grow from then.

Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse, Darling Harbour

The lighthouse no longer serves its original purpose. It is now a museum piece alongside the National Maritime Museum in Sydney. This is not even its original position. When it was decommissioned, it was moved here from the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland, and replaced by a modern tower.

New buildings are popping up everywhere in Darling Harbour…

…but the locals seem unperturbed!

…even this wanted bushman was seen strolling freely around!

People walking over the Pyrmont Bridge that spans the harbour

The first Pyrmont Bridge began operating in 1857, and the current swingspan bridge opened in 1902, which makes it one of the world's oldest surviving electrically operated swingspan bridges. We were thrilled to be on the bridge and see the operation ourselves, as the bridge swung open to allow a ship through.

There are often exhibitions on show in Darling Harbour, and we weren’t disappointed. We were amused to see a collection of road signs from around the world. Here are some we enjoyed:-

Hmm!

I thought Oregon City would be quite interesting!

How exactly?

Not secret now!

Does this mean no swearing?

Ouch!

I guess they are!

Perhaps if you run fast enough, you can stay on the surface

Is this a license to mug the visitors?

Darling Harbour is definitely worth a visit next time you are in Sydney!

Elizabeth Coughlan

Sydney, Australia

Sydney from the water

In Sydney we didn’t notice anyone waving and there were no flies (is this a co-incidence?) Darling Harbour is full of restaurants and has the Sydney Aquarium, the Sydney Wildlife World, the Maritime Museum and various exhibitions. If one wanted to do just the touristy things then this place has everything! On this our first evening, we contented ourselves with walking around the harbour and seeing all the things that were on offer.

The next day we took a bus to Circular Quay and from there took a ferry to Manly Beach where we had breakfast. David was able to enjoy a full Aussie breakfast, while I, virtuously, had the fresh fruit platter with yoghurt. The fruit was delicious and really fresh, so I didn’t feel in the least deprived! The weather was glorious and we walked along the promenade before catching the return ferry and then a train to Queen Victoria Building – a rather quaint shopping mall – from where we walked back to our hotel.

That evening, we caught the monorail from Paddy’s Market to Pyrman and browsed the restaurant menus on display around Darling Harbour before finally choosing, and dining royally at, the ‘Ice-Cube’.

On our last day in Sydney we walked all the way from our hotel to ‘The Rocks’. This was the
original settlement where 750 convicts and 400 settlers were first landed on Australia’s shores on January 26 1788; the old houses look strange nestled among the very modern buildings of Sydney today. It gave us a fascinating insight into how Australia came into being, and made us wish that our forebears had been rather more adventurous ,or rather less law-abiding!!! It is interesting to note that for some years the convicts outnumbered the settlers!

Next stop New Zealand.