Cafes, bars, resturants, nightclubs draw in jet-lagged travellers and the 'hip' crowd, but pause to admire some fine examples of colonial and Art Deco architecture. The revamped Wooloomooloo Wharf houses some lovely eating houses.

Darlinghurst

Happening nightlife for the streetwise

Just east of the city centre, Darlinghurst starts near Hyde Park at Oxford Street and extends towards Kings Cross at William Street. Darlinghurst and Paddington, two suburbs with contrasting personalities, share different ends of Oxford Street with the Darlinghurst section (roughly up to Taylor Square) coming alive at the glitzy annual Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. By day alternative fashion, homewares and music stores attract a crowd. Yet night time is when Darlinghurst comes into its own with theatres, gay-friendly bars, live music, clubs and other late night entertainment available all week.

Darlo, as it is known by locals, has a number of popular breakfast and late night dining spots, most of which represent good value. The area's cafes have huge people-watching potential, in particular in Victoria Street where casual dining options abound. For example you can enjoy schnitzel from the lederhosened staff at the ever-busy Una's, or cross the road for the Turkish delights of Fez or noodles from Fu Manchu. Afterwards go for coffee at the achingly trendy Tropicana cafe, which has been attracting the in crowd for decades.

Kings Cross

Vibrant and diverse entertainment all day, every day

Kings Cross, the most densely populated square kilometre in Australia, buzzes with nightclubs, live music, adult entertainment and more than two hundred of the city's finest restaurants, bars and cafes. Australia's best known entertainment district never sleeps and holds appeal for late night revellers, jet-lagged travellers and the energetic in-crowd with bars that attract the stars, and restaurants by signature chefs such as Neil Perry and Luke Mangan. Away from the bright lights, the Cross boasts some fine examples of colonial and art deco architecture such as Elizabeth Bay House and Tusculum House.

Nearby Woolloomooloo offers a multitude of waterfront al fresco dining experiences along the restored Woolloomooloo Wharf providing stunning views of the city skyline and harbour surrounds. Inside is the ultra modern five star hotel, W Sydney and the stylish Water Bar, tended by master cocktail makers. Pamper yourself at Spa Chakra, a premier day spa located inside W Sydney. Woolloomooloo is also home to Harry’s Café de Wheels. Busy til the early hours serving the post-party crowd, Harry’s is more than a pie shop, it’s an institution not to be missed.

Woolloomooloo

Woolloomooloo offers a multitude of waterfront al fresco dining experiences along the restored Finger Wharf providing stunning views of the city skyline and harbour surrounds. Inside is the ultra modern five star hotel, W Sydney and the stylish Water Bar, tended by master cocktail makers. Pamper yourself at Spa Chakra, a premier day spa located inside W Sydney. Woolloomooloo is also home to Harry’s Café de Wheels. Busy til the early hours serving the post-party crowd, Harry’s is more than a pie shop, it’s an institution not to be missed.

Nearby Kings Cross, the most densely populated square kilometre in Australia, buzzes with nightclubs, live music, adult entertainment and more than two hundred of the city's finest restaurants, bars and cafes. Australia's best known entertainment district never sleeps and holds appeal for late night revellers, jet-lagged travellers and the energetic in-crowd with bars that attract the stars, and restaurants by signature chefs such as Neil Perry and Luke Mangan, Away from the bright lights, the Cross boasts some fine examples of colonial and art deco architecture such as Elizabeth Bay House and Tusculum House.

Destination Guides

• Sydney
• Northern Rivers
• North Coast
• The Hunter
• Central Coast
• Hawkesbury Valley
• Blue Mountains
• Central NSW
• South Coast
• Capital Country
• Snowy Mountains
• The Murray
• Riverina
• New England North West
• Outback NSW

Key Experiences

• Stop by El Alamein or “dandelion fountain” in Fitzroy Gardens, a favourite meeting place for locals and travellers alike.
• Take a walking tour of the Australian Navy’s historic Garden Island.
• Pamper yourself with a Korean-style body scrub perfect for relieving stress and improving well-being at the Ginseng Bathhouse located within the Crest Hotel, Kings Cross.
• Dance all night at the popular clubs of the Soho Bar and Sugar Reef, or relax in the hip environs of the Peppermint Lounge, Hugo’ s Lounge, or Lotus.
• Breakfast with the rich and famous at any one of the numerous coffee shops lining Challis Avenue, Macleay and Victoria Streets and Darlinghurst Road.

Darlinghurst Highlights....

• For reasonably priced Italian fare dine at Stanley Street's 'Little Italy' restaurant area.
• Applaud a performance at the Stables or Darlo Theatres.
• Breakfast alongside famous locals in the sandstone surrounds of Dov or communal tables of Bill's.
• Groove at a funky Taylor Square nightclub or check out the local scene at one of the many bars.
• Enjoy a coffee at one of Oxford Street's late night bookshops neighbouring the Verona and Academy Twin cinemas, which specialise in mainstream arthouse.
• Shop at Empire Homewares where luxury and simplicity are the main ingredients for furniture and accessories.
• Visit one of the ten individualist record stores where you can purchase anything from rare records, collectors vinyls down to hip hop and hard trance.