By the 1970s usage of Woolloomooloo Wharf was on the decline and by the 1980s it had become derelict and empty. The state had planned to demolish it, but when demolition work was set to begin there was such a strong public outcry that it was decided that the wharf would instead be renovated into a boutique hotel. Today the Wharf is a great place for shopping, dining, and people-watching, and many local tours stop here.
Woolloomooloo Wharf looks out over the Sydney Harbour and is easy to reach by car and public transportation alike. It’s about a 10-minute walk from Kings Cross Station on Darlinghurst Road or about 20 minutes on foot from Circular Quay. For those coming by car, the wharf is just off the Eastern Distributor (M1), and there's a Secure Parking lot to the west of the wharf, just off Lincoln Crescent.
The wharf is a great place to visit day or night, but it tends to be at its most energetic in the evening, when people gather for drinks and dinner in local restaurants. Although Sydney rarely gets too hot or too cold, temperatures are at their most pleasant during the spring (September through November) and autumn (March through May) months, though summer is ideal if you want to nab a table outside.
Woolloomooloo Wharf and the surrounding neighborhood offers some of the best dining options in the city, with Sydney institutions such as pan-Asian China Doll and the celebrated seafood joint, Manta Restaurant. Riley Street Garage is another local favorite; it's inspired by New York CIty's meatpacking district and housed in a converted garage.
