Eyesore central. This area is home to some of Sydney's most lethal tourist traps. You'll see them caught, like a deer in the headlights; their doe-eyed expression-less faces saying more than they realise; their cameras slung around their necks, faces twisted in grimaces of dis-enjoyment, as they receive the astronomical bill for their mediocre experience.
The majority of shops/places are barren, despite heavy local traffic, with the odd exception being the unaware tourist wandering into the traps.
Nightlife does tend to pick up somewhat but there are more interesting venues in close proximity along King St Wharf, or even in the CBD with which to spend one's time AND money.
Harbourside is the home, of the average shops whose purpose is to fleece non-aussie visitors of their hard earned by offering them junk. $2 internet for 20 minutes, is indicative of a backwards, redundancy-rich culture and fleeceology 101, in an advanced age where free WiFi is the norm not the exception. The shops are largely a mish mash of chains, over-priced restaurants, with the odd clever installment (e.g. Cohi Bar) thrown in.
Amid the froth and bubble of the expensive eateries and souvenir shops there is the odd gem, but like the proverbial diamond in the rough, they take some digging to find.
Top floor closest to Pyrmont Bridge cops a fair whack of the traffic, as tourists and locals alike emerge from the bridge into the sanctuary of the air-con eateries. Boost Juice commingles with Mad Mex, the British Lolly Shop and Grill'd.
Overall, there's just too little here to be impressed, and that's saying a lot given the prime location. The sum of the parts is not greater than the whole; and the whole ain't worth a whole lot. read more