Tidal Cascades

The Tidal Cascade, in Sydney

The Tidal Cascade is a spectacular fountain in the shape of a spiral, inaugurated in 1988 on the Waterfront Promenade for the bicentenary of Sydney. The Sydney audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this award-winning work of the fountain designer Robert Woodward, considered as a true monument, that adorns the quay in front of the great convention centre of the city.

The spiral fountain of the bicentenary

This quite particular fountain was inaugurated in 1988 on the Waterfront Promenade, a stone's throw from Cockle Bay, on the occasion of the bicentenary of the foundation of Sydney and New South Wales. Designed by Robert Woodward, a famous Australian fountain designer, it was recognised as an exceptional achievement for its era and won several architecture prizes. It must be said that its spiral shape has enough to surprise: the water tumbles there in a cascade along a helical ramp that sinks towards the quay, creating a hypnotic and soothing movement. It adorns the quay just in front of the imposing convention centre of Sydney, the second largest of Australia after that of Melbourne. Aesthetic and elegant, the Tidal Cascade is considered as a true little monument of the city, at once a work of art and a place of freshness. It delights the children, who like to go down its spiral to the bottom, and the walkers in search of a moment of calm in the heart of the animation of Darling Harbour. Its bold architecture, playing with water and light, testifies to the creativity of Woodward, to whom several emblematic fountains of Sydney are owed. A spiral fountain and an urban work of art, the Tidal Cascade is a fine stop of the discovery of Sydney.

What to see

Here you admire a spectacular fountain in the shape of a spiral, inaugurated in 1988 for the bicentenary of Sydney and designed by Robert Woodward, several times awarded; the water tumbles there along a helical ramp, in front of the great convention centre, the second of Australia. The Tidal Cascade is an urban work of art of Sydney. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Tidal Cascade lies on the Waterfront Promenade, near Cockle Bay and the convention centre, in Sydney, reachable on foot. It is a monument in free access in the public space, pleasant to discover during a walk along Darling Harbour.

Why was the Tidal Cascade of Sydney built?

It was inaugurated in 1988 to celebrate the bicentenary of the foundation of Sydney and New South Wales; designed by the fountain designer Robert Woodward, this spiral fountain, where the water tumbles down a helical ramp, won several architecture prizes and is considered as a true monument, in front of the convention centre of the city.

Where is the Tidal Cascade in Sydney?

On the Waterfront Promenade, near Cockle Bay, in Sydney, in Australia.