Darling Harbour
If you feel like some fun in Sydney, Darling Harbour is the place to go. Sitting inside Sydney Harbour, west of Sydney Harbour Bridge, it’s a one-of-a-kind destination packed with restaurants, bars, museums, boat cruises and more. It’s the only place where you can learn about Sydney’s rich maritime history, cruise through a penguin enclosure, eat fresh seafood and dance ‘til dawn at a multi-level nightclub.
Darling Harbour
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
Families can talk to the animals at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, with its resident dugong, sharks, rays and penguins, and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, home to koalas, wombats, kangaroos and crocodiles. Meet the celebrities at Madame Tussauds wax figures museum and learn about all things nautical at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Refuel at one of the more than 160 places to eat and drink around Darling Harbour, from casual cafes to fine dining restaurants and everything in between. You can spend a whole day and night here, and never run out of things to do.
Darling Harbour is also one of Sydney’s best places to stay. The waterfront is lined with hotels ranging from ultra-luxe high rises to family friendly digs and historic boutique properties. That means it’s just a short stroll home once the lights of Vivid Sydney go out.
During Vivid Sydney, the water and the buildings around it are brought to life with a kaleidoscope of coloured lights. It’s creativity, innovation and technology writ large, with a backdrop of laughter and excitement.
How to get there: Sitting just on the edge of the city, there are lots of ways to get to Darling Harbour. The light rail has four stops here: Paddy’s Market, Convention, Exhibition and Pyrmont Bay. Catch a bus to Market, Park, Druitt, Bathurst or Liverpool streets and walk down towards the water. It’s just a short stroll from both Town Hall and Wynyard stations and ferries run regularly from Circular Quay.
Light Events
BARANI
Step back in time to Warrane, a.k.a Sydney Cove, 500 years ago. A time long before the present-day climate crisis. A time when humans and nature lived...
Kia Kaleidoscope
Step up to Kia Kaleidoscope, a stunning, textural projection map which lights up the all new Kia EV5. The body of the car transforms into a literal kaleidoscope...
Omnivisu
A building that looks back at you. The otherwise faceless silhouette of our city is given a human touch with this playful, interactive art installation...
Hika Rakuyo
Reflective dark water, brilliant lasers and projections, Japanese philosophy – see Cockle Bay in a new light. This spectacular artwork is a celebration...
Neuron
Peek inside the most mysterious, powerful, and wonderous structure in the world – your very own brain.Neuron is a motion-triggered light installation...
Sennheiser Mirrorbox
Step inside the Sennheiser Mirrorbox to Hear More.This immersive audio journey creates a space for visitors to reflect on the sounds that surround them...
Neolithic
A blaze of lights above. A reverberating beat. A structure both ancient and modern. Welcome to Neolithic. It’s time to dance to the music from nearby...
Poem Booth
Poetry plays with language. Illuminates. It speaks to being human in a way nothing else can, but do you need to be human to write it?Prepare to engage...
Music Events
Bare Necessities | Tumbalong Nights
It’s time for a global street party like no other with Bare Necessities, the radio show and Sydney party scene fixture. Tumbalong Park will be transformed...
3% presents 'Kill the Dead' Album Launch | Tumbalong Nights
6.15pm: Issac Compton7.00pm: Marlon Motlop7.45pm: Becca Hatch8.30pm: Moss9.30pm: 3%Join us for an extraordinary celebration of First Nations stories and...
Club Broadway + The Carpenters from Kempsey | Tumbalong Nights
5.00pm: The Beanies6.00pm: The Carpenters from Kempsey7.00pm: Club BroadwayGet ready for an unforgettable night of theatrics, singalongs, and laughter...
Budjerah + Jem Cassar-Daley | Tumbalong Nights
5.00pm: The Quokkas6.00pm: DJ Mason Browne6.30pm: Jem Cassar-Daley7.30pm: DJ Mason Browne8.00pm: Budjerah9.10pm: Love Is In The Air Drone Show broadcast9.20pm...
Sneaky Sound System + Tiffi | Tumbalong Nights
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances Mallrat will no longer be performing on 24 May.6.00pm: FBi DJs6.30pm: The Toothpicks7.00pm: FBi DJs7.30pm...
K-Indie Music Fest feat. Silica Gel + sunwoojunga | Tumbalong Nights
6.00pm: SBS Pop Asia DJ7.30pm: Silica Gel8.30pm: SBS Pop Asia DJ9.00pm: sunwoojungaImmerse yourself in the captivating sounds of Korea's most exciting...
WILDFIRE MANWURRK + Battlesnake | Tumbalong Nights
6.00pm: DJ Steve Griffiths7.30pm: Battlesnake8.30pm: DJ Steve Griffiths9.00pm: WILDFIRE MANWURRKDo not miss this powerful night of rock with Arnhem Land's...
Vivid Kids at Tumbalong Park
Get silly, bust a move, and feel the music – it’s all about little people and big fun at Vivid Kids at Tumbalong Park.Round up the kids and start your...
Teenage Joans + Lola Scott | Tumbalong Nights
6.00pm: FBi DJs7.30pm: Lola Scott8.30pm: FBi DJs9.00pm: Teenage JoansA riotous night of all-female punk and pop energy awaits with energetic Adelaide two-piece...
grentperez + FRIDAY* | Tumbalong Nights
5.00pm: Formidable Vegetable6.00pm: Fbi DJs6.30pm: Friday*7.30pm: Fbi DJs8.00pm: grentperez9.10pm: Love Is In The Air Drone Show broadcast9.20pm: Fbi DJsA...
Ideas Events
REMIX Summit Sydney 2024
Explore the scope and limits of human creativity at Australia's biggest creative industries summit, REMIX Summit Sydney 2024.Across two days of inspirational...
Food Events
Atelier by Sofitel – A Culinary Connection
The best seat in the house is yours. Delight in the spectacle of the Vivid Sydney Light Walk glittering across Darling Harbour and a special four-course...