The CID boundary begins at 11 Hickson Road (Pier One Hotel) and encompasses the majority of Walsh Bay and Dawes Point. One side of the boundary runs north-west alongside Hickson Road, taking in both sides of the road as well as the heritage wharves along the waterfront all the way up to the west-side roundabout on Towns Place. The other side of the boundary line flows south along Lower Fort Street, excluding the east side of the road until reaching Harbour View Hotel on Cumberland Street, where the east side of the road is taken in all the way to Argyle Street. Moving west along Argyle Place, the boundary line includes the Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel and closes the loop of Walsh Bay at the intersection of Dalgety Road, Hickson Road and Argyle Place.

Moving south into Barangaroo, the boundary excludes the east side of Hickson Road until it reaches properties 30–34 and 36 Hickson Road, which are included. The boundary follows Hickson Road south to the junction with Sussex Street, until it reaches the intersection with Exchange Place. On the western edge, the boundary wraps around the Barangaroo Reserve via the foreshore path, encompassing the entire Barangaroo South commercial area, including Waterman's Quay, Barangaroo Avenue, the north side of Shelley Street (400 Barangaroo Avenue and 35 Barangaroo Avenue), and Exchange Place

From Sussex Street, the boundary continues south alongside the Western Distributor to include everything west of the road. The other boundary edge follows the waterfront south along The Promenade and includes 1–5 Wheat Road (Sea Life Aquarium).

Adjacent to 1–5 Wheat Road, one side of the boundary absorbs the east side of Wheat Road to include the Hyatt Regency Hotel, continuing south on Sussex Street to include the west side of the road, taking in the Darling Park Towers and the Park Royal Hotel between Day Street and Sand Street. The other side of the boundary continues south alongside the water's edge to include 7 Wheat Road and the restaurants that sit along the promenade.

Continuing south, the boundary includes all properties on the west side of Harbour Street, incorporating the whole of Darling Quarter. It then turns west at Little Pier Street, follows Nicolle Walk south, and turns west along Steam Mill Lane to reconnect with Darling Drive, heading north. This captures parts of Darling Square, which marks the southernmost point of the CID.

From Darling Drive, the boundary follows Pyrmont Street north, including all properties on its east side, up to the intersection with Murray Street, then follows Murray Street north, connecting with the Pyrmont Bridge. It continues along the waterfront, passing the Australian National Maritime Museum, and wraps around Murray Street to include Darling Island.

From Darling Island, the boundary turns inland via Pirrama Road and Jones Bay Road, including properties on both sides of Pyrmont Street and Union Street. It then follows Pyrmont Bridge Road west, including properties along the north and south sides of the road, and reaching the current and future Sydney Fish Market sites. The final part of the boundary is the four properties along Bank Street that neighbour the Fish Market sites, terminating at 21–29 Bank Street.