DARLING HARBOUR IS AN EXTENSIVE AREA ALMOST COMPLETELY DEDICATED TO ENTERTAINMENT AND TOURISM
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DARLING HARBOUR IS AN 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 dock workers and warehouse workers during the previous life of the area.
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.
METRO APARTMENTS – WHILE YOU STAY
AT THE APARTMENTS:
Our reception is open from 7:00am to 10:00pm every day of the week.
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 be-fore 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.
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.
METRO APARTMENTS – WHILE YOU STAY
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 cy-cle 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 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 ta-ble. 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.
DARLING HARBOUR – GETTING AROUND
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 se-lection 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)
WALKING - Darling Harbour is within walking distance of most points in the Sydney CBD
From 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 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 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.
DARLING HARBOUR – GETTING AROUND 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. There is level access at all light rail stations. 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 FERRY Sydney Ferries depart Circular Quay wharf 5. They ac-cept 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 tick-ets. 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 un-til 5PM. 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. Week-ly, 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 - ATTRACTIONS 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 explore the ships and submarines. Free entry to core galleries; charges for the large ships and special events. Sydney Aquarium 1-5 Wheat Rd (eastern side of Darling Harbour, north of Pyrmont Bridge walkover) ☎ +61 2 9262 2300. 9am-8pm (last entrance at 7pm) daily. A massive aquarium with various display tanks (penguins, seals, platypus & fish), three underwater walks, where visitors walk in glass corridors underneath the dugongs, sharks, rays and tropical fish. Consider going on a week-day, 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 tickets: $35 Madame Tussauds Aquarium Pier ☎ +61 2 9333 9240 Open 9am – 8pm daily (last ticket sales at 7pm). It features a variety of personalities, mostly Australian such as Hugh Jackman. Adult tickets: $35 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.
DARLING HARBOUR - ATTRACTIONS Chinese Garden of Friendship Southern end of Darling Harbour, near Sydney Entertainment Centre and China Town ☎ +61 2 9240 8888 Email: chinesegarden@shfa.nsw.gov.au Open: 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. 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. Darling Harbour (Harbourside) Fireworks Enjoy the fireworks from Cockle Bay, 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. 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.
DARLING HARBOUR – RESTAURANTS AND BARS
There are lots of places to eat at Darling Harbour. It is literally lined with restaurants, al-fresco cafes and bars, and is a great
place to go in an 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. 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.
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 large Buddha at the
entrance. Mains from $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
9279-2570). Large serves of spicy Malay food. Try the salt and pepper prawns Mains $25-
$35.
Harbourside
On the western side of Darling Harbour, over the Pyrmont Pedestrian Bridge from the city and
Cockle Bay.
Food Court, (In the centre, 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 southern-most 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.
DARLING HARBOUR – RESTAURANTS AND BARS DRINK FOR A MODERN STYLED BAR FACING 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 after-work 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. 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 faux-rustic in style, attracts a young after work crowd. Generally busy, but even more be-fore events at the Entertainment centre and after work on a Friday evening. Balcony restaurant upstairs. Pizza served in the bar area. 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 in-fo@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.
DARLING HARBOUR – MISCELLANEOUS
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
week-night 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.
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 AND ABOUT
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 Harbour-side, 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.You can also read
