Darling Harbour is a popular spot for both Australian ‘locals’ and tourists. Millions of people come to Darling Harbour each year to see what Australia has in the way of entertainment. If anyone is up for a little Darling Harbour tourism, they should check out the following locations.
The Australian National Maritime Museum is located in the north part of Darling Harbour and acts as an entertaining tourist attraction for all ages. Visitors can see the HMB Endeavor, which was famously used by Captain Cook on discovery expeditions.
The Spirit of Australia, which has been deemed the world’s fastest boat can also be found at the museum. There is an educational side to the museum, as patrons will be able to board a submarine, learn about Naval life and the dangers that came with it, and even see destroyers. Six galleries are permanently located in the museum, while others are added temporarily.
On the opposite end of the Harbour in the south is the Chinese Garden of Friendship. This Chinatown adjacent garden is one of the most tranquil tourist attractions in Australia, showcasing the beauty of nature along with Chinese architecture and sculptures. Visitors can simply go there and relax while doing some light reading, or marvel at the fish swimming through the lagoons and running water and examine the beauty of the large trees. Birds even make an appearance in the garden.
There’s even more wildlife to be found at the Wild Life Sydney Zoo. The zoo features a mix of different habitats and the creatures that are unique to these areas. The Daintree Rainforest of the zoo is home to Cassowary, that is known to many as the most dangerous bird in the world. Cute koalas can be found roaming around in the space of Gum Tree valley, and people can see kangaroos hopping around in the Kangaroo Walk-About. Expert keepers are on hand to give any information about the habitats and animals.
Anyone looking to find celebrities at the Harbour may have a hard time, but they can have the next best thing at Madame Tussauds in Sydney. Tussauds is a wax museum that has wax duplicates of famous people from around the world. Anyone can take a picture with Yao Ming in one room and pose with Barack Obama in the next. The duplicates are so life like that it’s easy to mistake them for the real thing.
Right in the middle of the Harbour is the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. The aquarium has 12 distinct zones that will take visitors through different levels of underwater exploration. The aquarium is home to 13,000 animals, spanning over 700 unique species. Impressively sized rays and sharks swim through the waters, and at Dugong Island, lively dugongs play around. A penguin exhibit also exists that is based on Macquarie Island that will feature Gentoo and King penguins. Visitors will actually have the chance to get pretty close to the penguins and see how they live.
Bowling has been taken to a new level at the Kingpin Bowling Lounge at the Harbour. There are 20 lanes for the guests to use, a section for playing laser tag, pool tables, a full bar and great food to eat. The prices are affordable and the Lounge is open to kids and adults alike.
Whether it’s observing marine life, walking through nature, or seeing wax figures, there is a Darling Harbour tourism attraction for everyone. One day probably won’t be enough to experience all of the great things.
