As one of Australia’s most popular cultural festivals, the Sydney Festival is a must see if you are visiting the city in January. The festival was first held in 1977, and has since grown to include performances in music, theatre and dance, and also showcases the visual arts. Over the course of the three week festival, over one million people will attend shows and performances. In addition to such celebrities as Philip Glass and Ian McKellen, the festival showcases native Australian talent and provides an excellent forum for the arts in such a vibrant city.
The Sydney Festival’s opening night is a huge outdoor party with a wide range of activities occurring in many different venues. Families are important to the festival, and opening night includes a family friendly event just for kids. Family theatre is also showcased throughout the festival with innovative water shows occurring on Darling Harbour. Arrive early to get a good seat. The outdoor movie screenings are also a popular attraction for families.
A vast array of musical styles are represented in performances, and the festival often attracts artists known throughout the world as well as traditional Australian artists. For those who enjoy dance, shows ranging from the traditional to the contemporary are available for very reasonable ticket prices. Innovation is the key to this festival, and this is no more evident than in the visual arts presentations, where technology is fused with old time storytelling to create a wondrous experience for visitors. If you enjoy meeting the artists and discussing what you’ve seen with others, then you’ll want to join in on the free conversations offered at the Mint.
If you plan on visiting the festival, tickets can be purchased online, by phone, or in person. Every box office will release a small number of $25 tickets on the day of the event, however be aware that restrictions are in place of only two tickets per person, and the tickets must be purchased in person at the Tix for Nix box office.
This restored heritage district is absolutely a must see for all visitors to Sydney. In 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip established an outpost here on the western side of Sydney Cove. Captain Phillip had over 1400 men, women and children with him, with over half this number convicts. His outpost became the farthest in the British Empire. Today, the Rocks district has been exquisitely restored and offers visitors an experience they aren’t soon to forget. With old buildings and cobbled streets combined with excellent tourist amenities such as shopping, dining, hotels and attractions, this area is sure to please everyone.
The Rocks is home to one of the oldest buildings in Australia, Cadman’s Cottage. Built in roughly 1816 as barracks, the building is now run by the Parks Service and is a great place to get more information on local parks. Garrison Church was built in 1840 to provide a place for soldiers to attend religious services. The area also boasts many of Australia’s oldest pubs, including the Lord Nelson and the Hero of Waterloo, both built in the 1840s. Susannah Place Museum is located in terracehouses also built in the 1840s, and showcases a 19th century corner store.
For those with a taste towards things more modern, how about a walking tour of the Sydney Harbour Bridge? BridgeClimb takes visitors on a walking tour along the steel supports of the bridge. Be sure to book early as this is a popular attraction! The Museum of Contemporary Art and the Sydney Observatory are also located in the Rocks, and the Sydney Opera House is but a short walk from the area. If you visit the Rocks on the weekend, plan to spend some time at the Rocks Market, a fabulous outdoor market. Try taking the train or the ferry to the area, as parking is difficult on busy days.
Located halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, this spectacular park gives visitors an excellent glimpse into life in Australian rainforests. Once used primarily for logging, the land was set aside in 1927 as a wildlife and flora reserve, and was later rolled into Australia’s chain of Rainforest Parks in 1986. It became a true tourist attraction in 1991 with the opening of the Rainforest Center.
One of the park’s best features is its accessibility. There are several easy trails taken over boardwalks that allow visitors to explore the subtropical rainforest, and most of these are also wheelchair accessible. Walk with the Birds is an elevated boardwalk that brings visitors up into the trees to experience the forest as the birds do, and the Skywalk leads to a platform with fantastic views. Other walks showcase the floor of the rainforest. More challenging hikes are also available to visitors who are so inclined. If a car tour is more your speed, consider taking the ten kilometer scenic drive and end with a picnic in the Never Never day use area. Picnics can also be enjoyed at The Glade, where brush turkeys are frequent visitors, and also at the Rainforest Center. The Rainforest Center is a destination in itself with its interactive displays and simulated rainforest environments. There is also a shop onsite where you can take home rainforest related souvenirs.
There are no accommodations inside the park, but the nearby town of Dorrigo contains many nice hotels and bed and breakfasts, and is worthy of a visit in its own right. Sitting right in the heart of rainforest country, Dorrigo is a great home base when exploring the region’s scenic drives and national parks. The best time to visit the park is in the spring when the climate is mild and dry. Be prepared for higher periods of rainfall in the summer months, and cooler temperatures in the winter.
