Naturally at Darling Quarter

Expect bright lights, free live music and exclusive Vivid-only menus from your favourite venues in this harbourside locale.
Grace MacKenzie
Published on May 26, 2023

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Overview

Naturally at Darling Quarter is bringing a deliciously immersive experience to the harbourside locale just in time for Vivid Sydney. While Sydney shines brightly all over in winter — thanks to the beloved annual creative festival — the Darling Quarter precinct has got all you need: free live concerts, illuminated art pieces and dining venues dishing up strictly limited menus until Saturday, June 17.

Let's start with the food. There's a spectacularly delicious lineup of spots to eat at here throughout the year, but we've got some honourable mentions while Naturally at Darling Quarter is on. There's Doodee Noodle with its slurp-ready bowls of fiery noodles, as well as MuMian and its wok-fried scallops dressed up with dragonfruit. Ichoume is celebrating our oceanic treasures with tender slices of sashimi, and Kürtősh— the purveyors of traditional Hungarian 'chimney cakes' — has a decadent dessert: a feather-light sponge with macadamias and a squeeze of lime. Our top recommendation? Braza Churrascaria's exclusive cocktail (pictured above). The hazy smoked-raspberry sip will warm you up quite nicely, a pre-requisite for all your after-dark explorations.

Onto the standout sounds and bright lights: Tumbalong Nights is the free live music event taking over Tumbalong Park. Cruise down to the area, fuel up on the above and then find a spot to get your groove on. Friday, June 2 brings a celebration of Triple J's Unearthed High, which has been bringing our teen sensations to radio waves for 15 years. There's the ARIA-winning Dan Sultan on Saturday, June 10 and Emma Donnovan and The Putbacks on Friday, June 16 — and plenty more. From Friday, May 26 till Saturday, June 17, two light installations will shine. Night Walkers brings supersized amphibians to the mix, and Spectrum of Happiness will have all-ages swinging on a rainbow-powered swing set, which only gets more brilliant the more you interact with it.

If you're looking for the ideal spot to base your Vivid Sydney trip, or a locale that brings together lights, music and culinary treats, Naturally at Darling Quarter is the destination for you.

Naturally at Darling Quarter runs from Friday, May 26 until Saturday, June 17. To plan your visit, head to the website.

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