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Heritage & History
Darling Harbour is one of the world's leading waterfront leisure and entertainment destinations. Its journey from 'derelict docklands to sparkling international playground' has been described as 'a miracle of inner urban rebirth'. Over the past 10 years, the precinct has won numerous construction industry and tourism awards. A history of Sydney and the development of NSW would be incomplete without knowledge of Darling Harbour and its fascinating background. Below is an overview of its history and development. For a more detailed history of the area visit: Pre-1788; The Convict Town to Port City 1788-1900; and The Development of Darling Harbour.
The Name
Until the arrival of Europeans, the Cadigal people, the original inhabitants of the area around Sydney Cove, called Darling Harbour Tumbalong (place where seafood is found).
When Sydney was founded in 1788, the bay was called Long Cove because of its unusual length. The large shell middens left by generations of Cadigal people in the area soon saw the name Cockle Bay come into everyday use.
In 1826 the bay was again renamed-this time becoming Darling Harbour in honour of Governor Ralph Darling-Sydney's Governor at the time.
Development
Commissioned by Governor Macquarie in 1812, Darling Harbour developed from a bustling market wharf to what became a 
major industrial and goods-handling precinct. An immigration scheme saw many of Australia's post-war refugees and immigrants set foot on Australian soil at Darling Harbour.
By the mid 1970s Darling Harbour was a series of empty warehouses and rarely used train tracks, with only the odd vessel using its wharfs. Its magnificent waterfront address, adjacent to the city, was ripe for redevelopment.In 1984, the NSW State Government under Labor premier Neville Wran, announced the redevelopment of the area and a decision to "return it to the people of Sydney after 150 years of industrial use".
Darling Harbour re-opened in 1988, during Australia's Bicentennial Celebrations. The precinct won numerous construction and tourism industry awards following its redevelopment.
More than $1.5 billion worth of private and public investment funds combined to prepare Darling Harbour for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, which ensured it remains a premium waterfront destination today.
21st anniversary celebrations
In 2009, Darling Harbour celebrated 21 years since its redevelopment.
A year old program of celebrations included Transformation, free outdoor pictorial exhibition looking at the area's industrial past, regeneration and key recent events and achievements; a birthday festival celebrating the precincts connection with Sydney's multicultural communities, the publication of a commemorative book A History of Sydney's Darling Harbour and a children's photographic competition.
Transformation Exhibition
Darling Harbour today
Darling Harbour stretches from Paddy's Markets and Sydney Entertainment Centre in the south to King Street Wharf and the 
Maritime Museum in the north. Home to the Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney Aquarium, IMAX Theatre, Sydney Wildlife World and Powerhouse Museum, it offers some of the finest museums and attractions in Australia.
Darling Harbour hosts a year long calendar of outdoor events including New Year's Eve, Australia Day celebrations in January, the Hoopla Acrobatics and Street Theatre Festival in April, the Darling Harbour Jazz & Blues Festival in June and Fiesta in October.
The precinct offers a diverse selection of Australian and international cuisine from fine dining to cheap eats and positioned along the spectacular waterfront promenades of Harbourside, Cockle Bay Wharf and King Street Wharf.
Cockle Bay Marina has facilities for up to 52 vessels, with a maximum length of 15 metres per berth available. Visitors can moor at Cockle Bay for up to three days at a time.
Darling Harbour offers accommodation to suit every taste, from spacious self-contained apartments to luxury hotel suites, most with wonderful views of the water and city skyline.
Darling Harbour is home to the Chinese Garden of Friendship - a haven of peace and tranquillity in the heart of Sydney
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