Darling Harbour derelict past and buzzing present
February 18, 2011 by Celebration
Filed under Web News
If you asked a Sydney local what their best Sydney attraction was, they would most likely say it was Darling Harbour. There’s such a large diversity of things to see and do there, it is not just an attraction for tourists – it is an attraction for everybody. Between great shopping, world renowned entertainment venues and a marvelous position, there is nothing that Darling Harbour doesn’t have to offer.
Darling Harbour wasn’t always what it is today. In fact, before 1988, it was a dismal, neglected industrial park with a haunted feeling to it. Back in the 19th century until well into the 20th century, Darling Harbour and neighbouring Pyrmont hummed with activity during a good period of manufacturing. Then, when the manufacturing industries moved away from the city, the factories and warehouses closed one by one until the massive brick buildings were finally left deserted.
Australia celebrated its Bicentennial in 1988, but planning for the massive event began a few years before. As a part of the Bicentennial arrangements, then Premier of NSW Neville Wran initiated an ambitious Darling Harbour development plan. The project was completed on time and Darling Harbour was back on the map. It got an additional, even bigger boost in development when private and public funding spent another one and a half billion dollars on it in preparation for the 2000 Olympics.
There are innumerable reasons to go to Darling Harbour or you can go there for no reason at all. Just take a walk across the historic Pyrmont Bridge from Sydney’s CBD and you arrive in another world. Take a slow stroll across the Cockle Bay foreshore or take the kids for a ride on the slow moving tram and take in the sights. Stop off for an ice cream or enjoy a delicious meal at an alfresco cafe or restaurant. If you want to give the family a real treat, take them to the IMAX Theatre, the world renowned Sydney Aquarium, the National Maritime Museum or the Powerhouse Museum.
These are only a few of the things you can do in Darling Harbour and even these cannot be done in a single day. Just when you think you’ve seen everything, you hear about Sydney Wildlife World’s six thousand examples of Australian animals. Then you can get a babysitter for the kids and enjoy a night of entertainment at Star Theatre or the Lyric Theatre at Star City Casino.
Back outside, you can enjoy a ride on the Sydney monorail and get a bird’s eye view of Sydney or it is possible to see the city from a dolphin’s perspective aboard a Sydney Harbour cruise. Then again, if you feel you would like a bit of peace and tranquillity, a visit to the beautiful Chinese Garden of Friendship, with its wonderful gardens, lakes and waterfalls is bound to put your mind and spirit at ease.
Now can you see why Sydneysiders call Darling Harbour their best Sydney attraction? An excellent way to spend your vacation in Sydney is to make a Darling Harbour accommodation your base. Just try and find at least a bit of time to tear yourself away from Darling Harbour and explore the rest of the city!
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