The Cockles of Sydney’s Heart — Cockle Bay

Darling Harbour in Cockle Bay

Sydney is one of the great walking cities of the world, in my view.  I absolutely love strolling around every bit of it.  One of nooks and crannies not to be missed is Cockle Bay, site of Darling Harbour and the Australian National Maritime Museum.

Darling Harbour ferry terminal

A short walk west from Sydney’s central business district will take you to Cockle Bay, and you can then walk across the bay using the Pyrmont Bridge — a pedestrian swing bridge that was closed off to vehicular traffic in 1981.  Unfortunately the monorail system that traversed the bridge along elevated tracks to connect the central business district with Darling Harbour was decommissioned June of last year and subsequently removed.

Pyrmont Bridge

Once you cross the Pyrmont Bridge you’ll arrive at Darling Harbor.

Beneath Pyrmont Bridge on the Darling Harbour side of Cockle Bay

Take a few moments to visit the sights and perhaps even take a tour of the Harbourside Shopping Centre for some interesting shops and fun-looking restaurants.

Harbourside Shopping Centre

But when you decide to go back, forgo a return trip on the Pyrmont Bridge and instead hoof it around the bay.  It’s not that long a walk, and you’ll see other interesting shops, clubs, bars, and restuarants along the way.

Looking across Cockle Bay from Darling Harbour

Strolling along Cockle Bay’s eastern shore back toward the business center