Toddler falls into Sydney Harbour after watching Finding Dory

A toddler who walked out of a screening of Finding Dory after becoming scared had to be rescued by a backpacker after falling into Sydney Harbour.

Jing-Wah Zhao was gathering her bags when her son John lost his balance and fell into the water at Darling Harbour.

Wah Zhao had taken her family to see Finding Dory on Wednesday but took John out of the cinema after he became scared of the fish.

After seeing her son's head go under the water, Wah Zhao instinctively jumped in after him despite not being able to swim.

Tony Driessler, a German backpacker who arrived in the country less than a week ago dived in after the pair and helped pull them to safety.

Wah Zhao said she knew her son was ok after she saw his eyes open and he made some noise.