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Darling Harbour#Redevelopment

{{Short description|Harbour adjacent to the city centre of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}

{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}

File:2019-04-10 Sydney CBD view from Pyrmont at sunset.jpg

Darling Harbour is a harbour and neighborhood adjacent to the city centre of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, that is made up of a large recreational and pedestrian precinct that is situated on western outskirts of the Sydney central business district.

Originally named Long Cove, the locality extends northwards from Chinatown, along both sides of Cockle Bay to King Street Wharf on the east, and to the suburb of Pyrmont on the west. Cockle Bay is just one of the waterways that makes up Darling Harbour, which opens north into the much larger Port Jackson.

The precinct and its immediate surroundings are administered independently of the local government area of the City of Sydney, by Property NSW.

History

File:Darling Harbour, 1900.jpg

The original name of the land now known as Darling Harbour is Tambalong, in Dharag language.

Darling Harbour is named after Lieutenant-General Ralph Darling, who was Governor of New South Wales from 1825 to 1831. The area was originally known as Long Cove, but was generally referred to as Cockle Bay until 1826 when Governor Darling renamed it after himself. The name Cockle Bay has recently been restored in reference to the headwaters of the harbour.{{Cite book|title = A history of Sydney's Darling Harbour|last = Johnson|first = Wayne|publisher = Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority|year = 2008|isbn = 9780980545326|location = Sydney|pages = 7}} It was originally part of the commercial port of Sydney, including the Darling Harbour Railway Goods Yard. During the Great Depression, the eastern part of Darling Harbour (Barangaroo) became known as The Hungry Mile, a reference to the waterside workers searching for jobs along the wharves.{{cite news

|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/hungry-mile-gets-minor-role/2006/09/11/1157826874231.html

|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald

|title=Hungry Mile gets minor role

|date=12 September 2006

|access-date=30 December 2008

|archive-date=24 September 2015

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924201911/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/hungry-mile-gets-minor-role/2006/09/11/1157826874231.html

|url-status=live

}}

File:Pyrmont-darling-harbour-western-distributor-construction-early-eighties.jpg

Much of the land had been the site of the NSW Railways central marshalling yards and freight consolidation centre. The Enquiry into the NSW industry, including rail/road competition (1978–80), under Commissioner Gavan McDonell,{{cite web|url=http://opac.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/opacs/BasicSearch?status=2&pageno=1&phrasecode=0&fieldcode=4&searchwords=NSW%20(NEW%20SOUTH%20WALES)%20%20DEPT.%20OF%20TRANSPORT%20%20COMMISSION%20ON%20ENQUIRY%20INTO%20THE%20NSW%20ROAD%20FREIGHT%20INDUSTRY&collection=all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706121750/http://opac.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/opacs/BasicSearch?status=2&pageno=1&phrasecode=0&fieldcode=4&searchwords=NSW%20(NEW%20SOUTH%20WALES)%20%20DEPT.%20OF%20TRANSPORT%20%20COMMISSION%20ON%20ENQUIRY%20INTO%20THE%20NSW%20ROAD%20FREIGHT%20INDUSTRY&collection=all |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 July 2011 |title=Commission of Enquiry into the NSW transport industry, 6 vols, Sydney 1980 |publisher=Opac.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au |access-date=9 February 2013 }} found that this centre was inefficient, should be moved, and the land used for other public purposes. These recommendations were acted upon and by the mid-to-late 1980s, when the area had become largely derelict it was redeveloped as a pedestrian and tourist precinct as an initiative of then New South Wales Minister for Public Works, Laurie Brereton. The Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour was a venue of the 2000 Summer Olympic Games and a key meeting venue of APEC Australia 2007.

File:CeBIT Signage and Flags-1460.jpg spans the width of the harbour]]

File:2021-04-30 Darling Harbour panorama.jpg (demolished in 2023) at right, and under-construction The Ribbon at left.]]

On 26 January 1994, Charles III then Prince of Wales, was giving a speech during the Australia Day celebrations. David Kang ran at the Prince whilst firing two blanks before falling onto the ground and being promptly held and arrested. The Prince was unhurt and was ushered off the podium.{{cite web | url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9e_GoHngOIE | title=Shots fired at Prince Charles (1994) | RetroFocus | via=YouTube }}

Heritage listings

Darling Harbour has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Attractions

The Darling Harbour precinct is home to a number of major public facilities and attractions, including:{{cite web|url=http://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/darling-harbour|title=Darling Harbour|publisher=Sydney.com|access-date=2 April 2013|archive-date=1 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401023354/http://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/darling-harbour/?|url-status=live}}

File:Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney IMG 5348 - panoramio (cropped).jpg

File:20241231-Q1000230.jpg]]

=Former=

File:Harbourside shopping centre, Sydney.jpg

  • Harbourside Shopping Centre, which included Kingpin Bowling Alley (the only bowling alley in Darling Harbour), M9 Laser Skirmish, as well as Australia's first retail Jet flight simulator; closed for redevelopment since Spring 2022.{{cite web|last=Gorrey|first=Megan|title=Iconic Harbourside shopping centre shuts for demolition after three decades|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/iconic-harbourside-shopping-centre-shuts-for-demolition-after-three-decades-20221209-p5c515.html|date=9 December 2022|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=23 December 2022|url-access=limited|archive-date=14 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214201427/https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/iconic-harbourside-shopping-centre-shuts-for-demolition-after-three-decades-20221209-p5c515.html|url-status=live}}

Transport

File:Sydney (AU), Darling Harbour, King Street Wharf -- 2019 -- 2086.jpg, looking north towards Barangaroo in October 2019.|left]]

Darling Harbour is accessible via various modes of public transport. The precinct is served by the Inner West Light Rail of Sydney's light rail network, with access via Paddy's Markets, Convention, Exhibition and Pyrmont Bay stations.[http://www.transdevsydney.com.au/hop-on-board/the-light-rail-network/ Transdev] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201020209/http://www.transdevsydney.com.au/hop-on-board/the-light-rail-network/ |date=1 December 2013 }}. Retrieved 4 October 2013 Ferry wharves including Barangaroo and Pyrmont Bay provide access to the Pyrmont Bay ferry services to Circular Quay and other suburbs while the Barangaroo wharf also provides access to the Parramatta River ferry services. King Street Wharf is accessible by private boat charters.[https://web.archive.org/web/20200329022748/https://sydneycharterboat.com.au/boats/ Our Boats] Sydney Charter Boat The Goods Line is a park and pedestrian pathway connecting Darling Harbour to Railway Square and Central station. The nearest train station is Town Hall.

=Proposed Metro station=

Darling Harbour will be served by Pyrmont as a future rapid transit station that will be built as part of the Sydney Metro West project.{{cite web|url=https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/new-metro-station-for-pyrmont|title=New Metro Station for Pyrmont|publisher=Transport for NSW|date=11 December 2020|access-date=11 December 2020|archive-date=16 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216083738/https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/new-metro-station-for-pyrmont|url-status=live}}

Redevelopment

File:View over Haymarket and Ultimo from World Tower, Sydney (cropped).jpg

File:ICC Sydney and Sofitel (cropped).jpg and the Sofitel Hotel]]

File:Darling Harbour from the east.jpg had previously stood]]

East Darling Harbour has been part of a large urban renewal development. Plans for the {{convert|18|ha|adj=on}} site include half business and residential developments, while the other half to be reserved for open public space. The state government of NSW declared plans for "Globe Street", a street designed to become Australia's and Asia Pacific's centre for corporate trade (styled on New York's Wall Street district). The urban renewal development was expected to be completed by 2020. East Darling Harbour is now known as a part of the Barangaroo precinct.

File:Darling Square Sydney.jpg

At the south end of Cockle Bay, the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre site was replaced by the new International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), opened in December 2016. The new site includes a {{convert|40000|m2|adj=on}} exhibition facility. Other new facilities within the Darling Harbour region include the recently opened ICC Theatre, an 8,000 seat mixed purpose venue for concerts and intimate shows, replacing the Sydney Entertainment Centre, a gallery, and an upcoming new 25 story multi purpose venue called The Ribbon which will be replacing the IMAX Theatre which was closed and demolished in late 2016, which was reopened on 11 October 2023 with a new, updated theatre.{{cite web|url=https://www.grocon.com/project/the-ribbon/|title=The Ribbon|website=Grocon.com|access-date=7 December 2021|archive-date=6 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206065452/https://www.grocon.com/project/the-ribbon/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/the-ribbon-or-the-snail-the-new-hotel-heading-for-one-of-sydney-s-iconic-sites-20180613-p4zl7o.html|title=The Ribbon or The Snail? The new hotel heading for one of Sydney's iconic sites|first=Carolyn|last=Cummins|date=13 June 2018|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=7 December 2021|archive-date=27 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127090857/https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/the-ribbon-or-the-snail-the-new-hotel-heading-for-one-of-sydney-s-iconic-sites-20180613-p4zl7o.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Maddox|first=Garry|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/after-seven-years-sydney-s-imax-is-reopening-just-in-time-for-taylor-swift-20231009-p5eapf.html|title=After seven years, Sydney's IMAX is reopening, just in time for Taylor Swift|date=10 October 2023|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=10 October 2023|archive-date=10 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010025945/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/after-seven-years-sydney-s-imax-is-reopening-just-in-time-for-taylor-swift-20231009-p5eapf.html|url-status=live}}

This area was the site of the Sydney Port Authority and featured an Overseas Passenger Terminal (Wharf 8) which was mainly used by the Pacific Dawn of the P&O Cruises Australia fleet and the Sun Princess, operated by Princess Cruises.{{Citation needed|date=January 2017}} The passenger terminal is now in White Bay and the container terminal has since closed.[http://www.awedwards.com.au/projects/white-bay-5-passenger-terminal.php?filter=clients White Bay Cruise Terminal] AW Edwards[https://web.archive.org/web/20130222062737/http://www.sydneyports.com.au/projects_and_planning/white_bay_cruise_terminal White Bay Cruise Terminal] Port Authority of New South Wales[https://web.archive.org/web/20120317193838/http://www.jpw.com.au/Projects/Commercial/WBCPT/WBCPT.shtml White Bay Cruise Terminal] Johnson Pilton Walker

On the west side of Cockle Bay, the Harbourside Shopping Centre, built in 1988, was demolished in 2023, and a new Harbourside Residences project is under construction in 2024/2025.

In popular culture

File:Darling harbour from national maratime museum.jpg. The area is a major tourist attraction]]

Darling Harbour is the location of the season residence on MTV's reality TV show, The Real World: Sydney, which aired in late 2007. The house has a large "Darling Harbour" sign along its edge, and the World Tower high rise building can be seen behind it.Kaplan, Don. [http://www.nypost.com/seven/01092007/tv/real_world_off_to_sydney_tv_don_kaplan.htm "Real World' Off to Sydney"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415200657/http://www.nypost.com/seven/01092007/tv/real_world_off_to_sydney_tv_don_kaplan.htm |date=15 April 2009 }}, New York Post, 9 January 2007.[http://www.realworldhouses.com/realworld19.html Former OneWorld Sport Building] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222222744/http://www.realworldhouses.com/realworld19.html |date=22 February 2011 }}, Realworldhouses.com, 25 May 2010, accessed 14 February 2011

20th Century Fox's 1995 film Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie was shot in Sydney, and featured some scenes filmed in Darling Harbour.{{Citation needed|date=February 2011}}

Seven's Saturday morning TV Music Show Eclipse Music TV is filmed weekly at the precinct's shopping centre, Harbourside.{{Citation |title=Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1995) – IMDb |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113820/locations |access-date=2023-04-20 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424153313/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113820/locations |url-status=live }}

On 27 August 2010, the soap opera Neighbours filmed scenes in the harbour and on board the cruise ship, Pacific Jewel.{{cite web|url=http://www.etravelblackboard.com/article/109337/neighbours-become-good-friends-with-pacific-jewel|title=Neighbours become good Friends with Pacific Jewel|date=29 September 2010|publisher=Travel Blackboard|access-date=13 March 2011|archive-date=10 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710203715/http://www.etravelblackboard.com/article/109337/neighbours-become-good-friends-with-pacific-jewel|url-status=live}}

Canadian post-hardcore band Silverstein recorded a song entitled "Darling Harbour" on their Transitions EP.

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{Wikivoyage|Sydney/Darling Harbour}}

  • {{Cite book|title = A History of Sydney's Darling Harbour|last = Johnson|first = Wayne|publisher = Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority|year = 2008|isbn = 978-0-98054532-6|location = Sydney}}
  • {{cite web | url = http://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/girards_wharf | title = Girard's wharf | access-date = 7 October 2015 | author = Kirsty Harris – University of Melbourne | date = 2010 | work=Dictionary of Sydney}} [CC-By-SA]

{{Coord|-33.87230|151.19896|format=dms|type:city_region:AU-NSW|display=title}}

{{Sydney City of Sydney suburbs}}

{{Sydney landmarks}}

Category:Geography of Sydney

Category:Redeveloped ports and waterfronts in Australia

Category:Sydney localities

Category:Tourist attractions in Sydney