Why Darling Harbour's not just for tourists

IF you’ve had loved ones visit from interstate, chances are your Sydney itinerary featured at least one day of sightseeing at Darling Harbour.

IF you’ve had loved ones visit from interstate, chances are your Sydney itinerary featured at least one day of sightseeing at Darling Harbour.

After all, where else in the CBD can you walk under a Great White Shark or pet a koala? While Darling Harbour’s great for tourists, it also boasts fun activities for the fam, flavoursome dishes for foodies, fancy-schmance hotels for lovers and Friday drinks for those in need (which is everyone on a Friday, right?) While seeking out spots in your own city, here’s how to do so without the hustle and bustle.

GO GREEN

Nestled at the south end of Darling Harbour, local workers and residents escape the city rush with the Chinese Garden of Friendship. The lush sanctuary offers a peaceful slice of the CBD, recreating the philosophy and harmony of a traditional Chinese garden. With waterfalls, lakes and hidden pathways, creating a place of solitude, grab a book and a Chinese tea at the teahouse, for a secret garden you’ll never want to leave.

MINGLE WITH A-LISTERS

What do Chris and Liam Hemsworth, Kate Middleton and Tim Cahill have in common? You can rub shoulders with all of them at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Sydney. Get up close and personal with your favourite celebrities, as you accept your MTV music award (presented by Adele), start your superhero training at the all-new Marvel zone or pad up with cricket great Glenn McGrath. New Tinseltowners make their way to the Wax Museum weekly, so be sure to check out the latest Superman, Batman and The Flash in Justice League: A Call For Heroes, that has launched this month.

HUNGRY IN THE HARBOUR

After a long day of zoning out in the garden or geeking out at the Australian National Maritime Museum, there’s no doubt you’ve worked up an appetite, right? While Darling Harbour is jam-packed with spots that are jam-packed, Planar Restaurant & Bar boasts spectacular views away from the buzz. With a delectable Modern Australian menu and an extensive array of drinks to choose from, kick back, relax and enjoy your lengthy lunch, after-work drinks or delicious dinner, cosied up near the flamed outdoor heaters, on the Harbour’s edge.

THINKING CAPS ON

The relaunched International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) is a place to innovate, learn and entertain. It’s also the place that former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, wrapped her “An Evening with Hillary Rodham Clinton” tour at, so it’s gotta be good. With everything from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert to Integrate 2018 there, ICC Sydney is the perfect place to celebrate invention, art, business and politics.

SEE THE SEA

While you might think harbour cruises are tourist magnets, you’d be sorely mistaken. Also, we can’t remember the last time someone was underwhelmed by the Sydney Harbour Bridge, so it’s time to actually get under it with one of its many cruise options. Fantasea Cruising offers a wide range of options, including a once-in-a-lifetime experience with whale watching and waterfront dining for the ultimate date night.

SLEEP IN THE CITY

Heading out of Sydney might be fun, but you know what’s even better - not having to pay for flights. So, pick a luxe hotel, such as Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel or The Darling in Pyrmont, order room service, snuggle up in your robe and relax with in-house movies and a very high thread count.

Originally published as Why Darling Harbour's not just for tourists