MEDIA INFORMATION IN WINTER 2014

All ages, all weathers – fabulous family attractions

Whatever the weather, there's an abundance of family fun in Sydney. From thrilling wildlife encounters to arty adventures and free experiences, both indoors and outdoors, Sydney's family attractions will keep all ages thoroughly entertained during winter.

Walk on the wild side 's native wildlife is fascinating, colourful and diverse – and you can glimpse it up close at Sydney's many animal encounter experiences.

Exotic wildlife and 'glamping' combine in Roar and Snore at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo. Guests stay overnight in safari tents and wake to spectacular views of the and the , with the added thrill of the occasional roar of a lion or elephant trumpeting close by.

WILD Life brings the outback to the heart of the city. At this urban wildlife park you'll experience an amazing animal adventure through iconic Aussie habitats housing native critters such as Rex the five-metre-long , koalas and kangaroos.

Featherdale Wildlife Park, west of the city en route to the famous Blue Mountains, is Sydney's ultimate hands-on wildlife experience and allows you to get up close with as many as more than 2,200 animals from 280 species, from kangaroos to rare birds and reptiles.

Located 40 kilometres south of Sydney on the fringe of the Royal Top: LIFE Sydney . Middle: Lemurs at Taronga Zoo. National Park, is home to native Australian Bottom: iFLY Down under. animals and an amazing collection of exotic wildlife from around the world – all in a beautiful bush setting.

Australia is one of the best countries in the flamboyant movie through design world for whale watching. Every year, drawings, photographs, and original thousands of humpback and southern right costumes. The Powerhouse also houses whales migrate from the Antarctic to the humorous Oopsatoreum, a display of warmer northern waters to breed from May fictional failed inventions. to November. Spot them from vantage points including Cape Solander in Botany Art Gallery of NSW, a major cultural Bay National Park, Bondi, Clovelly and institution, is absorbing for all ages. Among North Head Lookout. Or take a whale its world-class collections of Australian and watching tour with Sydney Ocean international art, there are many Adventures or Captain Cook Cruises. experiences for kids including the Gallery Kids free performances on Sundays. The houses live animals as well as artefacts. Creatures that Museum of Contemporary Art Australia call the museum home include frogs, (MCA), Sydney's renowned contemporary lizards, spiders and Sparky the Diamond art museum, boasts an array of all-ages python. attractions amid its collections, from Art Baby tours for under-ones to monthly free In Sydney Aquarium Family Fun Days. lies13,000 marine creatures waiting to be discovered by visitors, and this winter AMAZE Gallery in the State Library of there’s the thrilling new Reef NSW's historic Mitchell Wing is a unique Snorkel, which allows you to swim with the chance to see fascinating curios from the resident three-metre lemon and grey nurse Library’s collections. Encounter items with . intriguing stories, such as a 200-year-old shotgun originally owned by Blue Intriguing indoor experiences Mountains explorer Gregory Blaxland, and Whatever the weather, these under-cover an original Ned Kelly 'wanted' poster. arts and entertainment options will intrigue the entire family. One Direction, Kylie Minogue and Hugh Jackman are among the celebrities The Australian Museum's exhibition: awaiting you at in Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family gives a Darling Harbour. The lifelike replicas don't vivid glimpse of the mighty T-Rex dinosaur mind posing for photographs! with fossils, life-sized skeletons and models plus augmented reality technology. Australia's brand new indoor skydiving facility in Penrith in the city's west, iFly Science and design is the focus at The allows people of all ages to experience the . This winter, to exhilaration of flight in a high-tech wind coincide with the new musical, the tunnel. museum presents Time After Time: The Strictly Ballroom Story. Thirty years after Sydney Theatre Company, the its release, rediscover Baz Lurmann's Australian Museum and Sydney Opera

House all offer fascinating backstage harbourside takes in the nightly Vivid Light tours. show; Sydney Opera House, MCA, Harbour Bridge and other major buildings A family home from home painted with light, and beautiful outdoor light installations along the harbourside. Designer boutique hotel QT Sydney combines contemporary art with luxury The National Maritime Museum at accommodation, and has a two-night Darling Harbour has fascinating displays of package for fabulous families called dugout canoes, jet-powered hydrofoils and BabyQ. With a bottle of champagne, an historic collection of naval vessels. You baby/toddler equipment provided, spa can take the kids for free on select days. treatments for mum and dad and a free designer baby bottle, it's a winner for fun- Taking in the beautiful surrounds, Royal loving, art-appreciating families. Botanic Gardens has daily free guided walks around its 30 harbourside hectares. PARKROYAL Darling Harbour is a family-friendly hotel and offers The Family Daytime admission to Sydney Attractions Package for two adults and two Observatory, Australia's oldest children, including full buffet breakfast, observatory is also free. There's complimentary wireless internet access fascinating information about the cosmos and a Merlin Entertainment family and sweeping views across the harbour. combination ticket with entry to two of the following attractions: Eye, While not free, Family Funday Sunday , Manly SEA tickets are unbelievable value. For just LIFE Sanctuary, Madame Tussauds $2.50, your family can access unlimited Darling Harbour, Zoo. travel on trains, buses, ferries and light rail provided by some of Greater Sydney’s Holiday Inn hotels offer a Kids Stay & Eat best transport operators. Free program, allowing kids 12 years and under to eat free in the hotel restaurant For more information and images: when dining with an adult, under 19’s stay sydney.com, visitnsw.com free when sharing their parents’ room images.destinationnsw.com.au (using existing bedding). Social media: Twitter: #ilovesydney, @sydney_sider Hotels within the Accor group also offer Facebook.com/seesydney families the affordable option of up to two Instagram: #ilovesydney, @sydney children staying in the parents’ hotel room Media contacts: for free. Jasmine Cook, Destination NSW +61(0)2 9931 1426 [email protected] Free fun Corinne Cowlishaw, Destination NSW +61(0)2 9931 1462 The highlight of Sydney’s winter event [email protected] calendar, Vivid Sydney, offers plenty of free spectacles. An evening stroll along the