Introduction
Darling Point is bounded by Sydney Harbour to the north, Double Bay to the east, Edgecliff to the south and Rushcutters Bay to the west. Darling Point is predominantly residential and is one of the most densely populated areas in Sydney.
Lifestyle
Darling Point Road follows the ridge of the headland that is Darling Point. Mona Road and Greenoaks Avenue act as two other main access roads to the suburb. New Beach Road runs between the western boundary of the suburb and Rushcutters Bay Park.
Darling Point ferry wharf provides access to Eastern Suburbs ferry services.
McKell Park was originally the site of the now-demolished Canonbury House, but is now a public park. Situated at the northern end of Darling Point Road, it has panoramic views of Sydney Harbour and is a popular location for picnics and weddings. It also provides access to Darling Point's ferry stop.
'The Drill Hall' forms part of the Sir David Martin Reserve and was previously part of the Royal Australian Navy base, HMAS Rushcutters. The Drill Hall is one of the oldest surviving Australian military buildings and was originally located on Bennelong Point, now the location of the Sydney Opera House.
During the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Darling Point hosted the sailing events.
Landmark Buildings in Darling Point
Designed by Edmund Blacket in 1852, St Marks Anglican Church has become a popular wedding venue hosting such famous weddings as Elton John's first marriage and the fictional wedding in the film Muriel's Wedding.
Craigend - Situated close to McKell Park, Craigend is a mansion constructed in the Moorish and Art Deco styles in 1935 including a pair of doors from an ancient mosque in Zanzibar and a traditional Japanese garden. In 1948, the property was acquired by the United StatesGovernment as the official residence of the Consul General. It has since returned to the private sector. In 1975 it served as the villain's lair in the Hong Kong/Australian co-produced movie The Man from Hong Kong.
Carthona - Built in 1841 for the Surveyor-General Sir Thomas Mitchell, Carthona is a magnificent harbourside sandstone mansion located at the end of Carthona Avenue. With its panoramic water views across Double Bay, to Point Piper, and north toward Manly, it is considered one of Sydney's most valuable properties. It is currently held by descendents of Philip Bushell, the famed tea merchant who died at the home in 1954.
History
This area was originally known as Yaranabe, The name Darling Point was intended to recognise the wife of Governor Darling rather than the Governor himself; the land is noted as Mrs Darling's Point in an 1831 field book of Surveyor Larmer. Eventually the title "Mrs" was dropped from the name in common usage.
Darling Point was sub divided for residential development in 1841, and became from that time a preferred place of residence for the most successful and wealthy members of Sydney's emerging society. Its reputation as a wealthy suburb and haven for members of the successful remains unchanged today. Aggressive re-development and re-subdivision, an inevitable consequence of the prevailing high land values, has ensured that the original 19th century estates have been broken up, and many of the original fine houses demolished. However some examples of these remain, such as Lindesay, Bishopscourt and Swifts.Today Darling Point is one of the most densely settled suburbs in Woollahra. Darling Point Road, which runs down the spine of the Point is the suburb's transport hub: starting at New South Head Road, it passes many examples of high rise apartments, early 20th century houses and the few remaining examples of the Victorian grand mansions, and St Mark's Church (built in 1852). Eventually it ends at the Harbour near the gates of beautiful Mckell Park.