Posts Tagged ‘Sydney’

What to do in Sydney over the June long weekend

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

If you are keen to avoid overcrowded resort golf courses, delayed flights and the inevitable traffic out of Sydney over the June long weekend, why not make the most of the holiday and take a break… in Sydney. The Queen’s birthday weekend is the perfect opportunity to kick back, relax and get to know Australia’s biggest city.

What you can do

Darling Harbour Jazz and Blues Festival, June 10-13

The legendary homegrown jazz festival is returning to Sydney’s waterfront to celebrate some great national and international jazz acts. Often described as Australia’s greatest jazz musician, James Morrison will be joined by angelic Aussie songbird Katie Noonan. They will perform alongside US legends Topsy Chapman and the Ron Carter trio for a huge three-day event. And the best part? It’s free!

Vivid Sydney

Sydney’s creative festival will be in its final days so make sure you don’t miss out on the spectacular events. The Opera House will be lit up in a photo projection display and there will be dancing fires set up every night in the Rocks.

Sydney Film Festival

The festival starts on June 8 and runs until June 19. The schedule is jam packed with new films from all over the world, including short films, Australian films and documentaries. The films are screened in a number of venues across the city including the State Theatre, the Art Gallery of NSW and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Come Together Festival

Held inside the Big Top at Luna Park, Come Together Festival would be an awesome way to spend the Saturday of the long weekend. Australian hip hop act Drapht are headlining the festival and will be joined by fellow Aussies Illy, Urthboy and M-Phazes from Bliss’N’Eso.

Shopping

Why not use the weekend to catch up on that winter shopping you never ended up doing? See if you can handle the new Westfield, located in Pitt St Mall. Or if you prefer al fresco browsing, head to Crown St in Surry Hills for some awesome vintage stores and boutiques. And if it all gets too much, rest your weary feet at the conveniently located Clock Hotel. Paddington is another great shopping hotspot and is a five-minute walk up Oxford St from Surry Hills. Then if the thought of lugging all of your new things home is too much, why not make a weekend of it and get some accomodation? Paddington, Surry Hills and Darlinghurst are full of boutique hotels and reasonably priced option that are sure to tickle your fancy.

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Sydney Taronga Zoo – A Roar and Snore!

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Taronga Zoo

Sydney’s zoo – Taronga Zoo – is situated on Bradley’s Head and enjoys one of the most spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and the city. This prime location forms an unrivalled backdrop for the enclosures and pens of all the animals that call Taronga Zoo home. Taronga Zoo’s giraffes are particularly infamous for their unrivalled harbour view and their outstanding positioning for all Sydney events – most notably the fireworks display on New Year’s Eve.  Taronga Zoo repeatedly makes the list of the world’s top zoos, not only for the incredible diversity of animal species it houses, but for the education, conservation, veterinary and research operations it undertakes. It has to be conceded that the location and view doesn’t hurt either! Further, the cable cars that sail above the zoo offer views of the entire zoo and the breathtaking scenery of Sydney and Sydney Harbour.

A visit to Taronga Zoo is included in many visitors to Sydney’s ‘To-do’ list, particularly those travelling with small children. But did you know that you can do more than just visit the zoo? Visitors can now spend the night at the zoo, at its amazing location and amongst all the animals.

Visitors who decide to take the Taronga Zoo ‘Roar & Snore’ overnight stay will camp amongst the animals in luxury, purpose built tent accommodation and enjoy up-close and personal animal encounters that only overnight campers get to enjoy. Enjoy the sunrise and sunset from the stunning situation of the tents which overlook Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.  You’ll get to go behind the scenes of the zoo and experience all it has to offer before the crowds arrive. Dinner, breakfast and behind the scene tours are all included in the price.

Interesting facts about Taronga Zoo

  • Taronga Zoo was officially opened on October 7th, 1916.
  • The original site of the Zoo was in Moore Park, and when the location changed to Bradley’s Head, many animals – including the elephants – crossed the harbour on board a flat top barge.
  • Taronga Zoo is managed by the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales, the same board that manages Dubbo’s Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
  • Divided into eight zoo-geographic regions, Taronga Zoo is home to over 2,600 animals on 21 hectares, making it one of the largest of its kind.

Heading to Sydney? Don’t forget to check out the latest Accommodation Deals at Cambridge Hotel.

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Love is in the Air – Valentine’s Day Ideas for Sydney for 2010

Monday, January 25th, 2010

Chocolates and flowers are always nice, but for those who are looking for something a little different, Sydney offers some great Valentine’s Day ideas for any enamoured couple. For a great date in Sydney – Valentine’s or any time – consider these ideas.

Open Air Cinema
Take in a flick in the great open air. Sydney has a number of open air cinema venues that run throughout the summer. The St George OpenAir cinema sits at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair with a great view of the Harbour. So picturesque – just grab a blanket, snuggle up and enjoy a night under the stars.

A Beach for Two
Sydney has a number of “secret beaches” tucked away along the harbour that make the perfect private getaway. Consider Milk Beach in Vaucluse or Lady Martins Beach near Point Piper and enjoy a day in the sun and surf with your special someone. If you’re feeling particularly cheeky – why not head out to one of the many nudist beaches – including Obelisk beach near Mosman or Lady Bay Beach near Watson’s Bay.

Picnic in the Park
Take in some sun and enjoy the park by packing a romantic picnic for two. Centennial Parklands offers some great picnic spots with beautiful scenery and adorable wildlife. Find a spot near one of the many ponds and lay out a romantic spread.

A Sultry Sydney Cabaret Show
Why not be bold and venture out into the unknown? This is the perfect time to check out our weekly cabaret dinner show where couples can enjoy a delightful meal and have a few laughs. The show takes place at Cafe 212 in the heart of Surry Hills, one of Sydney’s most eclectic suburbs.

Make it a night in
Staying in is the new going out in Sydney. With amateur cooking shows taking over our televisions sets, more and more people are venturing into trying some gourmet cooking at home. Visit a local farmers’ market and get some fresh ingredients to prepare your partner a great restaurant quality meal – and reap the rewards.

oooh la la – what are some of your saucy plans for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day?

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Sydney Hosts the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2010

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Edinburgh Military Precision comes to Sydney

Sydneysiders are in for a treat this year with the return of the internationally regarded Edinburgh Military Tattoo this February. Beating out New York, Melbourne and Auckland, Sydney will be hosting this entertainment sensation for the second time.

Celebrating its 60th year, The Edinburgh Military Tattoo has only performed outside of Edinburgh twice in its entire history – in 2000, it graced the city of Wellington before coming to the Sydney shores in 2005. Now in 2010, this latest performance, “The Edinburgh Military Tattoo – Celebrating 60 Years of Valour, Mateship and Glory” will highlight the long standing relationship between Australian and British defence forces. To be held at Sydney Football Stadium at the Sydney Cricket Ground, this glorious event is guaranteed to wow audiences with its fanfare and display (complete with $1 million spectacular replica castle – still in storage at Redfern!)

Sixty Years of Valour, Mateship and Glory

2010 marks the 60th anniversary since the inception of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Back in 1950, the Tattoo debuted as the Army in Scotland’s contribution to Edinburgh’s International Festivities. Pivotal to the Tattoo’s jaw dropping performance is of course, the bag pipes and drums that have become the quintessential icon of Scottish culture. However, the performance itself is so much more, with dancers, performers and bands from all across the world. The highly anticipated Sydney extravaganza will include over 1500 performers and is set to be the Tattoo’s largest performance yet.

Central to the theme is the coming together of military forces, especially between Great Britain and Australia. Our troops have fought side by side in a number of occasions including both World Wars, The Boer war, the Malayan Emergency and most recently in Iraq.

In 2005, over 22,000 out of town visitors came to Sydney to partake in the event. “The Edinburgh Military Tattoo – Celebrating 60 Years of Valour, Mateship, Glory is a headline international event – which is fantastic news for Sydney and NSW. It will help secure jobs and stimulate direct investment into NSW. I am delighted to welcome it back to Sydney for 2010,” said former NSW Premier, Nathan Rees. The event is estimated to bring about $15 million of tourism dollars into NSW.

Getting Around Town

The Edinburgh Military Tattoo will grace with 4 separate shows from 4 February to 7 February. Tickets are available through Ticketek.

The Tattoo will be hosted at Sydney Football Stadium at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), and for most, public transport will be the way to go. CityRail will be providing shuttle bus service from Central and Circular Quay stations.

If you’re coming from out of town, you’ll be looking for some convenient SCG accommodation. Surry Hills is one of the city’s most popular suburbs in terms of amenities and it’s located at just a 10 minutes walk from the SCG. Book one of our great rooms for the event.

We’ll see you there!

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Things to Do in Paddington

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
Juniper Hall, Paddington

Juniper Hall, Paddington

Maintaining a true “village” vibe, Paddington is a quiet and trendy suburb that is home to some of the most important fashion stores in the city of Sydney. From designer labels like Gorman, Charlie Brown and Alannah Hill, to some of the more eclectic side streets and treasure troves, treat yourself to the perfect pleasures of Paddington.

Established by ex-convict Robert Cooper, the suburb of Paddington has always had a pronounced presence. On the main street stands Paddington Town Hall and Cooper’s original massive estate, Juniper Hall, a physical representation of big things to come. Outside of the historical sites, Paddington is home to some of the most recognised fashion labels in the world. It also has a great sampling of boutiques, cafes and some of the best local artisans showcasing their pieces at the weekly Paddington markets.

Shopping

“Paddo” is Sydney’s fashion capital and the place to head to find some of the city’s trendiest frocks. As you amble down the main strip, you’ll be sure to spot some of the big label flagship stores, including Alannah Hill, Gorman, Ginger and Smart – just to name a few. Meanwhile, younger hipsters can find their favourite pieces at G-Star, Puma and American Apparel or totter along in fashion forward footwear from Peep Toe Shoes. On Saturdays, locals flock to the Paddington markets for some great finds that have been crafted by local artists.

Dining

There are a number of select dining options along the main strip of Paddington, including great Italian at Lucio’s or tasty tapas and samplers from Tapenade. There are, of course, a medley of cute cafes and coffee spots. Meanwhile, the locals tend to burrow themselves away at Ampersand, a delightful second hand bookstore that whips up a mean espresso.

Entertainment

During the day, you’ll want to catch some rays with a leisurely stroll or picnic in nearby Centennial Park. Paddington is home to some of the most unique cinematic experiences in Sydney with both the Verona and the Palace Cinemas showcasing some of the best independent films. For a great night on the town, there’s always something on at the Grand Pacific Blue Room and Ruby Rabbit, or head to The Fringe Bar where the locals are out on the prowl.

Getting There

Paddington’s main strip is located on Oxford Street just past Centennial Park. It’s about a 20 minute walk from Kings Cross station. Buses running from the city towards the Eastern suburbs are a great option when it comes to public transport.

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