Darling Habour - Rediscover Darling Harbour for Australia Day

This year Darling Harbour is turning 21 and is doing it in style. If you have not been down to Darling Harbour for a while I would recommend it is worth a visit ... especially if you are taking the little people along. Within the last few weeks I have been to a few outings within and around it's domain and have had a great time. We also have plans to go down on Australia Day but I put more on that below

What have I been up to?

New Years Eve
We spent NYEs at Darling Harbour . As like most families our plans were only for the afternoon and evening entertainment climaxing with the 9pm fireworks. This was the first time that I had gone to Darling Harbour for New Years Eve. When I was younger, if I was brave enough to compete with the crowds, I would go to Mrs Macquaries Chair that promises and usually delivers on the best view of the Harbour Bridge fireworks. However now being a Mum (Little Man was too little really to go anywhere last year) Mrs Macquaries Chair is not really a very practical option. I know families do do it ... but it is hard to get to and from ... and it has a lot of young people drinking and getting into trouble.

Darling Harbour was the perfect option. Lots of options for food (including bringing your own picnics), alcohol free, away from intense crowds and bustling with good solid entertainment right up to the fireworks. It was a great night with good entertainment, nice food and great fireworks. A great time for the whole family

Powerhouse Museum
As I have written about before I love the Powerhouse and have got a family membership and plan on visiting often. A great place for inqusitive minds ... that has plenty of stuff to do both indoors and out (great when the weather is either too hot or too wet to be outdoors)

Acquarium
In the last few weeks we have also been to the Acquarium. I think on the whole my son (and his cousin that was also out with us that day) were too young to relaly appreciate the Acquarium. However there were parts I know that they really enjoyed. I personally really enjoyed the Dugongs. I would recomend it more to people with kids that are over 3 ... but I would also recommend to buy your tickets online (in the morning before you go) online if you plan to go through the school holidays. That way you save 10% and save alot of time in the queues. If you also plan on visiting the Sydney Wildife World you can buy tickets together and save money.

What do I have planned to do?

Australia Day
Australia Day at Darling Harbour looks like it is going to be even better than NYE. From 11:30am to 6pm in Tumbalong Park there will be children's activities, roving entertainers, ABC for Kids shows, popular Australian children's bands plus an international food fair! From 7pm the Twilight Ceremony will commence . This will include Chinese New Year Celebrations (Chinese New Year falls on Australia Day for the first time in nearly 100 years - making Australia Day a very special day for the Chinese Australian community.), Big Ships Parade and climaxing with fireworks at 8:50pm. I am really looking forward to Australia Day. I am sure it is going to be a fabulous day for the whole family.

However where you will be on Australia Day ... and Chinese New Year I hope that you have a good time!!!