In days gone by, the historic Darling Harbour site in Sydney played an important role the industrial generation of the cityscape. Today, as an urban renewal project, it is part of what defines new Sydney, with its collection of intriguing museums, fashionable eateries and chic boutiques attracting local residents and tourists alike.

The Darling Harbour area is perhaps best known for the popular Australian National Maritime Museum, the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and Wild Life Sydney Zoo. This is a real tourist hub thanks to its wealth of exciting attractions all located in one area. Visitors can enlist the help of friendly and helpful guides who are on hand to answer questions, book tickets and plan activities at the modern Visitor Centre.

At the National Maritime Museum you can find out all about Australia’s intrinsic relationship with the sea. From vivid recreations of the historic journeys undertaken by the pioneering explorers that discovered Australia, to the opportunity to explore a decommissioned naval submarine, the National Maritime Museum provides a fascinating and interactive insight into every aspect of life at sea.

Children will love to visit the Wild Life Sydney Zoo, which houses more than 6000 animals native to Australia, and provides a perfect opportunity to get up close to some of the creatures including iconic koala bears and kangaroos. This is great fun and entertainment for families and for animal lovers of all ages.

Darling Harbour also boasts one of the only Chinese gardens erected outside of Asia: the unique Chinese Garden of Friendship. This garden was lovingly constructed by the local Chinese community during Australia’s bicentennial celebrations in 1988.

At night, the Darling Harbour comes alive with a variety of entertainment. Hear one of the world-class musical productions that run all year round at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. If you’re feeling lucky, try your hand at roulette at the Star City Casino. Harbour cruises are another great way to see the sights, or spend a romantic evening over a candlelit dinner in one of the waterfront restaurants, complete with breath-taking views over the ocean.