Attractions in Sydney
Getting around Sydney Australia - Part Two -
Darling Harbour & The Rocks
Welcome back to explore more attractions in Sydney Australia.
Part 2 of my Sydney travel guide introduces you to the
Darling Harbour area and
the Rocks, the oldest part of Sydney.
In the first part I told you that the best way to get around this lively metropolis is to take either the
Sydney Explorer Bus or the
Sydney and Bondi Hop-on Hop-off Bus to explore central Sydney.
Missed part one of the Sydney Travel Guide?
It's here, more Sydney attractions for you!
The Rocks, Sydney Australia
Explore Sydney & save money
The
Sydney Sightseeing Pass offers great value, whether you stay one or several days in Sydney.
With this Smartvisit Card you'll get
FREE entry to a long list of Sydney attractions. Art galleries, museums, tours, wildlife attractions, the Pylon Lookout & many more highlights are covered by the Sydney Sightseeing Pass. The pass comes with a free guidebook full of information about the attractions, opening times and how to get there.
The Sydney Sightseing Pass is available in a 1, 2, 3 and 7 day version. You can purchase a solo pass or the version with public transport. Or you combine the solo pass with your explorer or hop-on hop-off ticket.
Check the sightseeing pass out
Explore attractions in Sydney along the red explorer bus route
Bus stops #18 to #27
Powerhouse Museum - Stop #18
The Powerhouse Museum is Australia's largest museum. It covers exhibitions of various topics like Transport, Steam, Design, Cyberworlds, and many more. See the oldes steam engine in the world and New South Wales' first steam locomotive.
It could take you a day to explore, watch films and demonstrations in this remarkable museum.
Sydney Fish Market - Stop # 19
Established in 1945, the Sydney Fish Market's trading hours are from 7:00am to 4:00pm daily, except Christmas Day. Auctions begin at 5:30am until all products are sold. Interested to see the auction? You can take a behind the scenes tour every Monday and Thursday (except public holidays) at 6:50am.
Star City - Stop # 20
Star City is Sydney's casino, where you can try your luck 24 hours a day. Included in the complex are 2 theatres, a nightclub, restaurants, hotels and apartments.
Top of attractions in Sydney
Stops # 20, 21 and 22 are fairly close to each other. Take your time, and explore Darling Harbour.
National Maritime Museum - Stop #21
The National Maritime Museum has Australia's biggest collection of ships and nautical items on display. Learn how Aborigines trapped fish, explore a repicla of the Endeavour, and much more. There are guided tours for free.
Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre - Stop #22
A comprehensive meeting and exhibition complex, the Convention and Exhibition Centre has hosted large political and social events.
Just next door is the
Harbourside shopping centre. Browse through quality stores, enjoy the flair of this harbourside complex. There are several restaurants, cafes, bars and take-awys.
The views over Darling Harbour to the city are stunning.
IMAX - Stop #23
IMAX Theatre uses the world's largest sreening systems. It is right on the waterfront at Darling Harbour.
Sydney Aquarium - Stop #24
A short walk from IMAX is the
Sydney Aquarium. This one of the best attractions in Sydney. You definitely need a few hours, if not an entire day, to explore this top venue. Experience Australia's wonderful marine life, see crocodiles, sharks, platypus, sting-rays and much more.
Buy your Sydney Aquarium entrance ticket online and avoid standing in the queue for your ticket.
Sydney Aquarium also offers a guided
Behind the Scenes Tour with detailed explanations of the animals, a special look at the Great Barrier Reef Exhibit and much more.
Passenger Terminal - Stop #25
Now you're already back on the edge of the CBD. It's only a short walk to the
King Street Wharf area, another complex of restaurants, bars and hotels on the waterfront of Darling Harbour.
Top of attractions in Sydney
The Rocks - Stop #26
This is Sydney's oldest district, the area where the Australian settlement began.
The first settlers/convicts built wooden shacks along the rocky shore. That's where the name comes from. The first street was named George Street after the British King of that time.
There are quite a few houses left from the mid 19th century. The Rocks are a thriving tourist attraction with old pubs, museums, markets and history.
Sydney Visitor Centre / Argyle Cut - Stop #27
The Argyle Cut is a rock cut through the sandstone to connect Sydney Cove side of the Rocks with Millers Point. The cut was hewn by convicts with hammer and chisel. A huge task, which was finally completed using explosives in 1868, after 20 years of hard labour done by the convicts.
Get a self-guided Rocks walking tour brochure from the
Visitor Information Centre at 106 George Street.
This is Sydney's main visitor centre that assists tourists with all their needs.
Now this is the end of our tour to
attractions in Sydney. At least the part you can do with the tourist buses.
Of course Sydney has many more attractions to offer, check out my other Sydney pages below.
