Darling Harbour is a large recreational precinct just south of the Sydney CBD which includes Chinatown, Paddy's Market and several large conference and entertainment facilities.
It is administered independently of the local government area of the City of Sydney, by a New South Wales state government statutory authority, the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.

It is named after Lieutenant-General Ralph Darling, who was Governor of New South Wales from 1825 to 1831.
Originally part of the port of Sydney, it had become derelict and was re-developed as a pedestrian and tourist precinct as an initiative of then New South Wales Minister for Public Works, Laurie Brereton.
Full re-development is not expected to be completed until 2020.

Attractions around Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour has a number of major public facilities and attractions including:

• Australian National Maritime Museum
  
• Chinatown
  
• Chinese Gardens
  
• Powerhouse Museum
  
• Harbourside Shopping Centre
• Kingpin Bowling Alley
  
• IMAX theatre - the largest in the world
  
• Paddy's Market
  
• Star City Casino
  
• Sydney Aquarium
  
• Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre
  
• Sydney Entertainment Centre
  
• Sydney Wildlife World
  
• Tumbalong Park
  
  Darling Harbour is linked to the CBD by the Sydney Monorail by several stations.