ICONIC SYDNEY Watch the sun set over Sydney Harbour from the deck of a yacht or from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge; take in a show at the world-famous Sydney Opera House, enjoy great food and wine, learn to surf, or enjoy the stunning scenery. Discover Sydney Opera House Take a photo on the steps of the Sydney Opera House before exploring inside on the multimedia Sydney Opera House Tour or the Backstage Tour. Tours are offered in Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, French and German. The ‘Tour and Tasting’ package offers a tour of the Sydney Opera House and a delicious tasting plate at Opera Kitchen home to some of Sydney’s best contemporary dining. The Sydney Opera House offers a range of packages that merge world- class performances with a guided tour and dining options to create the ultimate Sydney Opera House experience. The Red Carpet Package allows guests to indulge in fine dining options; the Starry Nights Package provides a casual dining option; the Showcase Package includes a tour Icons on Sydney Harbour and performance. The Opera Bar is perfect for a pre-show cocktail while Bennelong Restaurant at the Sydney Opera House is now open, with one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs, Peter Gilmore, at the helm. Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay Tel: +61 2 9250 7250 www.sydneyoperahouse.com Opera Australia is Australia’s national opera company, presenting more than 700 performances a year. Opera Australia welcomed over 54,000 international visitors to Sydney in 2015 from 125 countries. In addition to nine months of opera performances in the Sydney Opera House, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour highlights and new products include Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour on the astonishing floating stage, a new Australian outdoor celebration titled Sydney Opera House – The Opera, My Fair Lady directed by Julie Andrews and New Year’s Eve at Sydney Opera House. Tel: + 61 2 9318 8200 www.opera.org.au Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge BridgeClimb Sydney welcomes visitors from around the world to enjoy a unique view of Sydney from the top of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge on a 3.5-hour tour. From dawn until dusk, the view is always different. Climbs are available at dawn (limited departures), during the day, at Sydney Harbour Bridge twilight or in the evening. Dawn on the “Discovery Climb” BridgeClimb has introduced the new BridgeClimb Sampler. In just 90 minutes, groups of 14 will get a taste of BridgeClimb as they follow the express route, peaking at half-way to the summit. It’s ideal for those with limited time. Current as at 1 April 2016 BridgeClimb also offers a Mandarin Climb, departing at 3pm daily with a Mandarin-speaking guide. Throughout the year, BridgeClimb runs bespoke climbs to celebrate major festivals including Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras and Vivid Sydney. Children aged 8 years (and over 1.2 metres) can now climb, with the BridgeClimb Express group size now 14 pax. BridgeClimb Sydney, The Rocks Tel: +61 2 8274 7777 www.bridgeclimb.com Sail on Sydney Harbour Explore Sydney Harbour aboard a luxury yacht, an America’s Cup challenger or an historic tall ship. Whether helping to haul the sails or relaxing on a skippered charter, this is the best way for visitors to enjoy the harbour like a local and get a closer look at the secluded bays and islands that make up the beautiful foreshore and harbour. Options range Sailing on Sydney Harbour from a three-hour sail to an overnight stay on the harbour. Eastsail Explore Sailing Tel: +61 2 9327 1166 Tel: +61 2 9660 9133 www.eastsail.com.au www.exploregroup.com.au Harbour Days Sailing Sydney Harbour Tall Ships Tel: +61 2 9968 1578 Tel: + 61 2 8015 5571 www.harbourdays.com.au www.sydneytallships.com.au Cruise on Sydney Harbour A harbour cruise is the ideal way for visitors to appreciate the beauty of Sydney’s famous waterway, learn some of its history and discover many of its unique landmarks. Scenic cruises, hop-on-hop-off cruises, coffee, lunch and dinner cruises, private charters and cocktail cruises are just some of the options available. The vessels range from catamarans to Matilda Cruises Sydney Harbour luxury powerboats and multi-deck cruisers. Captain Cook Cruises Fantasea Adventure Cruising Tel: +61 2 9206 1111 Tel: +61 2 9556 9200 www.captaincook.com.au www.fantasea.com.au Magistic Cruises Matilda Cruises Tel: +61 2 8296 7222 Tel: +61 2 8270 5188 www.magisticcruises.com.au www.matilda.com.au Sydney Harbour EcoHopper Sensational Sydney Cruises (Australian Attractions) Tel: +61 427 440 571 Tel: +61 2 8251 0078 www.sensationalsydneycruises.com.au www.sydneyharbourecohopper.com.au Sydney Showboats Sydney Princess Cruises Tel: +61 2 8296 7200 Tel: +61 2 9518 7813 www.sydneyshowboats.com.au www.sydneyprincesscruises.com.au Sydney Showboats Current as at 1 April 2016 Visit the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is only a short stroll from the city centre, boasting some of the most iconic views and stunning photo opportunities of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Take a stroll through the beautiful gardens or join a tour to learn about the area’s rich Aboriginal history. In June 2016, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney will open The Calyx – Sydney’s newest attraction. A world-class horticultural space showcasing ever-changing exhibitions, The Calyx is a fusion of art, theatre and flora. The inaugural exhibition, Sweet Addiction, tells the botanic story of chocolate. Visitors will be able to touch, see, smell, taste and experience chocolate in unexpected ways. Open 10 am to 4 pm daily from 11 June 2016. Botanic Garden Sydney Tel: +61 2 9231 8111 www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au Aboriginal Heritage Tour, Sydney Visit one of Sydney’s museums or galleries Botanic Gardens Adjacent to the Royal Botanic Garden, the Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW), established in 1874, is one of Australia’s foremost cultural institutions showcasing a collection of work by past and present Australian and international artists. Galleries are dedicated to celebrating the arts of Asia, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Permanent collections are complemented by a calendar of world-class exhibitions. Art After Hours is every Wednesday until 10pm. Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney City Tel: + 61 2 9225 1700 www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au The Australian Museum houses extensive collections of natural science and cultural artefacts dedicated to natural history, dinosaurs, indigenous Australians and Australia’s unique wildlife. The newly-refurbished Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney Indigenous Australians exhibition traces Aboriginal culture from its recorded history (dating back 40,000 years) and examines the themes and issues in the lives of indigenous Australians today. Personal tours of this gallery and other exhibitions at the Australian Museum are available on request. A new rooftop café has opened with spectacular views over the city skyline, it’s parks, St Mary’s Cathedral and the harbour. Australian Museum, Sydney City Tel: +61 2 9320 6000 www.australianmuseum.net.au Art After Hours at Art Gallery NSW The Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) is located on the Darling Harbour waterfront and is Australia’s national centre for maritime collections, exhibitions, research and archaeology. The museum has launched Sydney’s newest attraction, Action Stations, a $12-million state- of the-art immersive waterfront attraction where visitors can explore the danger and drama of life in the Navy. Visitors feel what it is like to be on board a warship during operations, get hands-on with maritime archaeology, science and history in the Discovery and Exploration Space, and explore three ex-Navy vessels. The ANMM is represented by Australian Attractions. Australian National Maritime Museum Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour Tel: +61 2 8251 0078 (Australian Attractions) www.anmm.gov.au Current as at 1 April 2016 The world-famous Madame Tussauds in Sydney is the first fully- interactive Madame Tussauds in the world. Experience the world of fame for a day with life-like figures at every turn, from world leaders to sports heroes, musicians and Hollywood’s hottest stars. Madame Tussauds is a member of Merlin Entertainments Group. Madame Tussauds, Darling Harbour Tel: +61 2 9333 9240 www.madametussauds.com/sydney Madame Tussauds City Sightseeing Image courtesy of Merlin Entertainments Group Experience Sydney and iconic Bondi Beach aboard a hop-on, hop-off, open-top, double-decker bus tour. Sydney Explorer’s Sydney and Bondi Explorer tours, including commentary, are included in one ticket. Valid for 24 or 48 hours, the ticket allows travellers to hop on and off, exploring Sydney’s iconic attractions at their own pace. Sydney Explorer Tel: +61 2 9567 8400 www.theaustralianexplorer.com.au Several quality coach tour operators offer full-day and half-day escorted Opera House forecourt and guided sightseeing tours of the city and its icons daily. Options and inclusions such as harbour cruises, aquarium visits and Sydney’s Northern Beaches are also available. AAT Kings Gray Line Australia Tel: +61 2 9028 5182 Tel: +61 3 9565 4901 www.aatkings.com www.grayline.com.au Small group tours offer a range of more personalised sightseeing options on a scheduled or private-charter basis; many have the option of including a foreign-language guide. AEA Luxury Tours All About Australia Tours (3AT) Tel: +61 2 9971 2402 Tel: +61 2 8415 7113 www.aealuxury.com.au www.3at.com.au Australian Luxury Escapes Beautiful Tours Australia Tel: +61 2 9980 8799 Tel: +61 447 250 355 www.australianluxuryescapes.com www.beautifultoursaustralia.com