Barangaroo, in inner-city Sydney, is home to some of Australia’s most expensive residences and most prestigious restaurants. A major redevelopment commissioned by the New South Wales state government has turned these former industrial shipyards and gasworks into a sought-after area.
This formerly run-down part of the East Darling Harbour of Millers Point was renamed in 2006 to honor a Kamaraygal woman, the wife of Woollarawarre Bennelong, an indigenous man who worked with the colonial government.
Start your explorations at the Barangaroo Reserve to delve deeper into its ancient history. The parklands, complete with tidal rock pools and harbor coves, are a recreation of the original headland. Aborigines lived here at least 14,000 years before Europeans settled the area in 1788.
Download the Barangaroo Ngangamaymultimedia experience app, which guides you to special engravings in the sandstone rocks that let you unlock short films on your smartphone or tablet.
Follow the Wulugul Walk on the harborfront to reach Bangaroo Central. This scenic promenade connects Walsh Bay at Millers Point with Cockle Bay, passing by the skyscraper of The Crown Casino.
When you reach the Alexander residential tower look for the shell wall 2015 paneled artwork. It symbolizes the Aboriginal shell middens that were once readily found in the area. The tower sits by the entrance to the Wynyard Walk Tunnel, which leads to the heritage-listed Wynyard Station in the Sydney CBD.
Don’t leave before you have tried out the Barangaroo dining scene though. The eye-catching Barangaroo House has a buzzing beer garden on the first floor and a fine-dining restaurant above it. Head to its rooftop bar, Smoke, to sip on a cocktail and enjoy the views.
Barangaroo South mainly focuses on retail and office spaces. The area is connected to the Sydney Central Business District (CBD) by the Shipwright Walk Bridge. The SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is just to the south.
Barangaroo is within walking distance from the historic The Rocks district and the Sydney CBD. There is a parking garage beneath the headland in the reserve. Alternatively, take a public ferry from Darling Harbour to the Barangaroo wharf or hop on a train to Wynyard Station.
