Darling Harbour

A mysterious fog fills the air above Cockle Bay; a crowd gathers to see magic take place. Four massive lightning strikes rend the sky; four enormous thunderbolts shatter the air; and glowing through this introduction a massive avatar, a semi-transparent mystical figure materialises, seemingly made of mist, but perhaps not…

Magicians of the Mist is the result of a passionate collaboration between artists, composers, engineers, fountaineer, pyrotechnicians and other leaders in their field to celebrate the power of creativity and innovation.

This extraordinary work blurs the line between art and technology that now defines the digital era: 12 massive pumps throw 28 tonnes of water into the air every minute; huge projections shine on walls of water 60 metres wide and 40 metres high. Lasers, fountains, jets of flame, music, fireworks, fireballs, LEDs and searchlights are all controlled through a computer interface in the hands of a master fontaneer and laser artist.

Fountains up to 50 metres high swing and sway gently, sometimes furiously displaying more than three times the power of any fountain previously deployed in Darling Harbour. Special nozzles change their shape and that of the fountains, creating the tallest fountains in the world which display this range of movement.

Magicians of the Mist shows are every half hour from 6pm – 11pm every night, with fireworks at 7pm and 8.30pm on Friday and Saturday. 

Projected on the iconic rooftop of the National Maritime Museum, the gigantic wave-form of the museum roof in Darling Harbour is the canvas for Inspired by the Sea. This spectacular projection evokes the sea’s majesty and mystery and its power to influence artists, writers and collections.

A collaboration with UTS animation students, this fantastical maritime work delves into how the sea has shaped us and we and our lives.

Where: Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour