Prepare to Be Spellbound by Wicked | Capitol Theatre Sydney

Sydneysiders and visitors to Sydney wanting to see the biggest theatre hit of the decade Wicked, The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz, opening in Sydney’s Capitol Theatre on September 25, can now book great value accommodation Hot Deals at Metro Hotel Sydney Central.

Located directly opposite the Capitol Theatre, Metro Hotel Central Sydney is the ideal accommodation choice to see this highly acclaimed production. Awe-inspiring and spectacular, Wicked is the untold story of the witches of OZ.

Long before Dorothy dropped in, two other girls meet in the land of OZ. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood.

The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular and the story tells how these unlikely friends grow.

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is the perfect accommodation choice for visitors to Sydney, situated right in the heart of Sydney in Pitt Street, five minutes’ walk from Central Station (for visitors arriving from the country), with an eclectic mix of restaurants nearby including Chinatown and Thaitown.

With popular local attractions such as Paddy’s Markets, Queen Victoria Building and Darling Harbour close by, the use of a car would not be necessary. Light rail passes are available from the Hotel Reception and numerous bus routes provide an excellent service to explore other parts of Sydney like Manly, Bondi Beach, Luna Park and North Sydney.

This Wicked Family Hot Deal is available to be booked between September and November are $225.00 for two adults and two children in a deluxe double/double room including daily hot breakfast buffet and chocolates on arrival.

A perfect early Christmas gift, packages during December start from $205 and has the same inclusions. The package does not include theatre tickets but these can be purchased on-line or directly from the Capitol Theatre.

Book this Wicked package at Metro Hotel Sydney Central: http://www.metro-hotel-central-sydney.bookings.metrohotels.com.au/index.site.packages.package.7142.html

AFC Asian Cup Coming To Australia 2015

The AFC Asian Cup, Asia’s biggest football tournament, is coming to Australia in January 2015.

Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane will host 32 world class football matches over 23 days, culminating with a Final played in Sydney on 31 January 2015.

It will never have been easier for families to go to the football than when the biggest tournament in Asia rolls into town in 2015.

The AFC Asian Cup organising committee has announced “family friendly” ticket packages for the tournament next summer, with kids tickets starting at $5 and families (four) from $40.

The tournament, which kicks off on January 9, will take place in five host cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Newcastle. Supporters even have the option of buying “venue packs” - tickets for all the matches at each stadium.

Tickets go on sale on May 7 for the football family, starting with the venue packs, before going on sale to the general public on  June 3.

Tickets for the tournament will go on sale in two phases, the first on May 7 and the second on June 3.

The most expensive Category One tickets are $149 for the final in Sydney on January 31 and $149 for the opening match between the Socceroos and Kuwait in Melbourne on January 9. Those prices also include the opening and closing ceremonies.

“This will be a festival of football never seen before in Australia, featuring our own Socceroos battling the best 16 teams in Asia, including Asia’s three other World Cup finalists in Japan, South Korea and Iran.

“We have deliberately kept prices affordable for families and those in multicultural communities who will be keen to attend multiple matches.”

VENUE PACK TICKETS:  This is the ultimate ticket for the passionate football fan wanting the best seat in the house. The Venue Pack is your chance to secure a place at every AFC Asian Cup fixture in your city, with savings of up to 20%. Witness seven matches live in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Canberra and four games in Newcastle with your very own seat at each game: http://tickets.afcasiancup.com/venue-pricing/

INDIVIDUAL MATCH TICKETS:  Group Match tickets start from just $15.29 (Adult) and $5.10 (Children). Or secure a ticket to a Socceroos match from only $49.96 (Adult) and $24.98 (Children): http://tickets.afcasiancup.com/individual-prices/

Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/asian-cup/afc-asian-cup-ticket-packages-announced-for-2015-tournament-in-australia/story-e6frf4fu-1226872359128?nk=0b37bee270a89676325370d660377fa0


Need accommodation close to the Asian Cup tournaments? 
Metro Hotels have hotels and serviced apartments in most major cities throughout Australia:

Sydney Hotels & Apartments (NSW):

• Metro Hotel Sydney Central
• Metro Hotel on Pitt
• Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour
• Aspire Hotel Sydney

Melbourne Apartments (VIC):

• Metro Apartments on Bank Place

Brisbane Hotels (QLD):

• Metro Hotel Tower Mill

Family Fun Found All Over Ipswich

TIME flies when you're having fun and it goes even quicker when the kids are too.

It seemed Ipswich was not short of activities to keep the younger ones busy when we asked for some ideas on places to take the kids on Facebook.

Queens Park and Ipswich Nature Centre were popular choices for parents as was the Ipswich Art Gallery.

"Ipswich has heaps of fantastic parks, a picnic is always a great fun way to spend an afternoon with the kids," said Sharon Ross.

"So much to do in Ipswich, Art Gallery rocks but be prepared for you kids to want to spend hours there," said Janice Freiberg.

Other out of the box suggestions included a trip to the Riverheart Parklands and simply touring the city, looking at its history.

"Take them for a walk to look at heritage houses," said Lois Kilmartin.

"Ipswich has heaps, they are beautiful and all have information out front on plaques."

Other educational activities for the kids included trips to the Ipswich Library and the Workshops Rail Museum.

For those looking for more of a thrill the Tactical Ops Paintball fields in Rosewood were suggested for children aged 15 and over.

Trampoline park and indoor play centre Just Jump was also a popular choice for adventure seekers.

"Just Jump is at the sport complex across from Redbook Plaza. it's fun (we) went there last weekend," said Melissa Small.

Just Jump - trampoline park Ipswich

Source: http://www.qt.com.au/news/family-fun-found-all-over-ipswich/2360459/
By Anna Hartley

What's on at Darling Harbour ~ August 2014

Daily Event:
True Blue Cruises (Sydney Whale Watching)
Two level decks and a 360-degree lower viewing deck bring you as close to Sydney's migrating humpback whales as possible.
Time: 8:45am to 12:35pm and 1:30pm to 4pm
Price: From $60
Where: Departing from Cockle Bay Marina near IMAX Theatre
Website: sydneywhalewatching.com


Daily Event:
Beautiful Whale
American articst Bryant Austin is the only photographer in the world producing life-size photographs of whales. Come eye to eye with his portraits of nature's underwater giants.
Time: 9:30am to 5pm daily
Price: Adults $15, child/concession $10
Where: Australian National Maritime Museum Darling Harbour
Website: anmm.gov.au


Daily Event:
Undersea Art Exhibition Sydney
A 5-metre tall, 15-metre long floating sea turtle has arrived inn Cockle Bay to celebrate the new Undersea Art Exhibition by BJ Price featuring at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium until 11th of September.
Giant turtle: Showing 24 hours (located southern end of Cockle Bay)
Exhibition time: 9:30am to 7pm daily
Where: Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Aquarium Wharf
Website: sydneyaquarium.com.au


Sat 16, 23 and 30 August:
Harbourside Fireworks
why wait until New Year's Eve to see fireworks in Sydney when you can see them every Saturday night at Darling Harbour? It's a great way to celebrate the weekend!
Time: From 8:30pm
Price: FREE!
Where: Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour
Website: harbourside.com.au


Tues - Sun: 
Luminous
Constructed from 557 LED lights, powered by 100% renewable energy and boasting unique interactive capabilities, Luminous is a shimmer canvas through which to explore your curiousity.
Time: From 7:30pm
Price: FREE!
Where: Darling quarter
Website: darlingquarter.com/luminous


Sat 16:
Stella Fella Black Tie Ball
Enjoy a three course dinner and canapes including drinks and live entertainment. All profits from tickets go towards The Salvation Army's Trafficking and Slavery Safe House.
Time: 6:30pm
Price: $190 per person (for table of 10 - $1750 using the promo code stellafella2014)
Where: Dockside Pavillion, Darling Harbour
Website: stellafella.com

For more information on any of these events, visit DarlingHarbour.com


Need accommodation near Darling Harbour?

Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour has Darling Harbour views and is located only 10 minutes from Wynyard station. Located perfectly in the heart of the city, Metro Apartments Darling Harbour is within easy access of all major attractions such as, the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, IMAX Theatre, Cockle Bay Restaurants, Maritime Museum, Chinatown - restaurants and taverns, Sydney Entertainment Centre, Powerhouse Museum and the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

We are offering this online discount: Book an accommodation package at Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour to receive 15% off. Promotion code: DarlingHarbour.
http://www.darlingharbour.com/stay/metro-apartments/receive-15-off.aspx
Select specials from here: www.metrohotels.com.au/hotels/new-south-wales/metro-apartments-on-darling-harbour/hot-deals/

Website: www.metrohotels.com.au/hotels/new-south-wales/metro-apartments-on-darling-harbour
Tel: (02) 9290 9200
Address: 132-136 Sussex Street, NSW 2000

Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour

It's all about the views. Imagine standing on your own private balcony with a relaxing drink and watching the sun set over Darling Harbour. Well that's exactly how you could enjoy the end to another day when you next stay with us in one of our executive apartments located on levels 4-7.

The fully serviced one bedroom loft-style apartments provide you with many of the creature comforts of home. The brand new well equipped kitchen and bathroom with laundry facillities in your room are ideal for longer stays and provide you with plenty of room to relax and enjoy your stay.

Each of the well appointed rooms also has a LCD television with free Foxtel , telephone, free WiFi and small balcony.

More info: www.darlingharbour.com/stay/metro-apartments.aspx

Sydney Lyric Theatre Show Schedule Update for Mid August 2014

Sydney Lyric Theatre Show Schedule update for mid August 2014

Rocky Horror Returns To Sydney - Lyric Theatre April 2015

CRAIG McLachlan is “just a sweet transvestite” and he’s strutting his demented stuff on stage.

Cult musical The Rocky Horror Show will return to Sydney for a strictly limited season at the Lyric Theatre in April 2015.

First performed at London’s Royal Court theatre in 1973, Rocky Horror soon gained a cult following and was adapted for the screen in 1975, starring Tim Curry in the iconic role of Dr Frank n Furter.

The film went on to have the longest running cinema release in history and Rocky Horror continues to hold a special place in the hearts of theatre lovers and film buffs.

The new Sydney production mounted by producers Howard Panter and John Frost, will see TV and theatre star Craig McLachlan returning to reprise the role of Frank n Furter, a role for which he has been nominated for a Helpmann award.

“We are thrilled to be able to share this sexy new production of The Rocky Horror Show with Sydney audiences,” said John Frost.

“Fans in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne were so enthusiastic and just about every performance was sold out. Audiences obviously can’t wait to do the 'Time Warp' again with Craig McLachlan, and now that we’ve been able to confirm theatre availability, Sydney theatregoers can give themselves over to absolute pleasure before madness takes its toll.”

Official website: www.rockyhorror.com.au

Watch McLachlan perform 'Sweet Transvestite'



Source: http://gaynewsnetwork.com.au/entertainment/theatre/rocky-horror-returns-to-sydney-14838.html


Need accommodation in Sydney for the Rocky Horror Show?

Stay at Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour for a convenient location and get spectacular views of Darling Harbour when you upgrade to an Executive Apartment: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/hotels/new-south-wales/metro-apartments-on-darling-harbour/hot-deals/

Fireworks in August 2014 - Darling Harbour Sydney

You don’t have to wait for big occasions like New Year’s Eve to see fireworks in Sydney. Head to Harbourside in Darling Harbour and you’ll see fireworks most Saturday nights. Why? Because it’s the weekend and it’s time to party!

With more than 24 bars and restaurants, state-of-the-art entertainment venues and magnificent waterfront views, Harbourside is a great spot for a romantic meal, entertaining the family and partying with friends. Relax, have fun and feast on your favourite food while the spectacular fireworks turn the night sky red, green, blue and all the other colours of the rainbow.

Upcoming fireworks dates:  8.30pm Saturday 16, 23 and 30 August

For more info, visit: http://darlingharbour.com/whats-on/fireworks-in-august.aspx?mobile=1&alttemplate=MobileEvent

2 Night Stay Package @ Apartments G60 Gladstone - Managed by Metro Hotels

Book your stay at Apartments G60 Gladstone - offering stylish and comfortable two bedroom apartments conveniently located in the heart of Gladstone. For a limited time, stay two nights or more and you'll save up to $20 per night!

Location: 55 Central Lane, Gladstone QLD 4680 Australia
Phone: 07 4972 4711
Details & to book:  http://www.gladstone-apartmentsg60.bookings.metrohotels.com.au/index.site.packages.package.784.html



About the hotel:
Apartments G60 Gladstone is located in Gladstone’s city centre, and just minutes away from local bars, restaurants, shops and the central business district.

Ideal for company relocation and long stay accommodation, these new contemporary and spacious apartments offer all the conveniences you need while away from home, including fully equipped kitchen and laundry, WIFI, large balconies and air-conditioning and a BBQ area.

Complimentary undercover car parking is also available.

Reception for the G60 Apartments is located at Metro Hotel & Apartments and 200m away at 22-24 Roseberry Street, Gladstone. Guests are also welcome to use all of the facilities at the Metro Hotel & Apartments Gladstone including swimming pool and Rocksalt restaurant.

Only two minutes away from Heron Island departure point and railway/bus depots, this hotel is your gateway to exploring Capricorn Coast’s Great Barrier Reef and numerous National Parks.

Visit our website for more information: www.metrohotels.com.au/hotels/queensland/apartments-g60-gladstone

Hotel facilities:
• Brand new two bedroom apartments
• Complimentary undercover off-street car parking
• BBQ Area
• Lift

Bonus WiFi Hotel Deal @ Metro Hotel & Apartments Gladstone

Metro Hotel and Apartments Gladstone is offering this fantastic hotel special: from $131.00 per night when you book your accommodation with us. This great price includes complimentary WiFi and car parking*.

Location: 22-24 Roseberry Street, Gladstone QLD 4680 Australia
Phone: 07 4972 4711
Details & to book:  www.metro-hotel-apartments-gladstone.bookings.metrohotels.com.au/index.site.packages.package.815.html

About the hotel:
Metro Hotel and Apartments Gladstone is located in the heart of Gladstone. This smoke-free hotel is perfect for a short or long stays as it offers fully serviced apartments with laundry services.

Property facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, BBQ and licensed restaurant Rocksalt on site.

The one bedroom family apartment can cater up to five guests and the one bedroom apartment a maximum of four guests.

Room facilities include a separate lounge, fully equipped kitchen, private balcony, washing machine & dryer, WIFI and secure on-site parking.

Only two minutes away from Heron Island departure point and railway/bus depots, this Hotel is your gateway to exploring Capricorn Coast’s Great Barrier Reef and numerous National Parks.

Visit our website for more information: www.metrohotels.com.au/hotels/queensland/metro-hotel-apartments-gladstone

Hotel facilities:
• 50 Newly refurbished one bedroom apartments
• RockSalt – Licensed a-la-carte Restaurant and Bar
• Restaurant for hire for small functions or weddings
• Room service
• Laundry/dry-cleaning services
• BBQ facilities and Outdoor swimming pool

Celebrate National Science Week at Darling Harbour, Sydney

Celebrate National Science Week at Darling Harbour

The extent of human scientific discovery is both awe-inspiring and humbling; wondrous yet simple. Scientific method is democratic and honest, and the darkness yet to be lit up by science – the discoveries yet to be discovered – are indescribably exciting. Prepare to open your eyes and mind, and let your curiosity and imagination run wild as you experience National Science Week at Darling Harbour!

Sea Life Sydney Aquarium

Explore Australia’s unique and varied marine environments as you snake through the exhibits at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. 

From the platypus and broad-shelled turtles in Streams and Billabongs and the barramundi and lungfish in the Mangrove Swamps, to the clown fish and weedy sea dragons of Sydney Harbour, you’ll find illumination and wonder in our nation’s previously mysterious waters. Swim with the sharks or check out their daily feed as part of SEA LIFE’s conservation program. 

Check out the amazing BJ Price underwater art exhibition and learn about Great Barrier Reef conservation. Take a behind the scenes tour, or, to really get into the Science Week spirit, become a marine biologist for a day!www.sydneyaquarium.com.au

Wild Life Sydney Zoo

Just as you can float through the country’s watery environs at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo you can wander over this wide brown land’s sweeping plains, rugged mountain ranges, stark white ring-barked forests, and everything in between. 

Visit the Top End in the Butterfly Tropics, home to all kinds of butterflies, as well as turtles, ducks, frogs, even pythons! Get close to Tassie devils in the Devils’ Den, see the cute koalas and chuckling kookaburras in the Gum Tree Valley, see the crocodiles of Kakadu, or check out the intimidating cassowary and adorable pademelon in the Daintree Rainforest! You may even meet an echidna, a sugar glider or even a wombat going for a traipse between exhibits! 

You can even take a night time tour through the landscapes, a behind the scenes tour with friends, or have breakfast with the koalas! www.wildlifesydney.com.au

Australian National Maritime Museum

Experience Australia’s maritime history and the science behind it at the Australian National Maritime Museum. The museum’s dedicated National Science Week program includes a variety of events, from Designing Our Composite Futures, a fascinating blend of science and design, with the help of Sydney Design; and Then and Now: The History of Bush Food, an education on the science behind native foods, led by an elder; to Endeavoring Science, which returns again this year to provide a look into botany past and present, the science of cannons, how diseases spread on board, astronomy, air pressure and sailing. You can even go on a science treasure hunt, or explore the HMAS Vampire with the mobile app Tag Town.

Kids can learn about Amazing Aquatic Adventures, and those under five can enjoy Science Week fun at the August 19 edition of Mini Mariners. Check out all the dates, details and ticketing info at the Australian National Maritime Museum’s National Science Week page. Elsewhere in the museum, be awed by the gentle giants of the sea and American artist Bryant Austin’s life-size whale photography in theBeautiful Whale exhibition. Gets hands-on and pilot an airship or ride a hovercraft at Going Places, an interactive exhibit looking the technologies humans have invented for travel!

At Voyage to the Deep, you can find out about the genuine technologies and actual scientific possibilities behind author Jules Verne’s submarine Nautilis in his novel 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. Follow the stars at Navigators, which explores the various ‘discoveries’ of the land we now call Australia, and the astronomical help those seafarers received. www.anmm.gov.au

IMAX

Experience amazing documentaries on the biggest screen in the world! Go to the ice and snow and get amongst the penguins in Antarctica, enter the hidden world of insects in Bugs! 3D, be moved by volcanoes, earthquakes and tornadoes in Forces of Nature.

Swim in the deep blue with Great White Shark 3D, journey through deep space in Hidden Universe 3D, and get to know the wonders of our own biology in The Human Body. www.imax.com.au So come celebrate National Science Week with us. Discover yourself at Darling Harbour to make your own discoveries!

#nationalscienceweek #darlingharbour

View original Source Article

Robbie Williams | The Swing Tour Live

Rumours of a return tour have been running hot since the release of his latest studio offering late last year, and now Chugg Entertainment can proudly confirm that the rumours are true. Few artists can boast that they’ve sold 55 million albums globally, but Robbie can.

One of Britain’s premier pop superstars, known for his cheeky wit as much as his hit-studded albums, the one and only Robbie Williams will be making his long overdue return to Australia for a national run of dates this September, bringing his incredible swing album, Swings Both Ways.

It’s been nearly eight years since the British superstar treated Australian audiences to his myriad talents on the live stage. In December 2006 Williams undertook a stadium tour of monumental proportion across Australia.

Williams' love for Australia has been well documented over the years, with a slew of tours and special performances (including the 2009 ARIA awards), he can also boast his most well known collaborations being with Australians; Kids, a duet with pop star Kylie Minogue and a cover of Frank & Nancy Sinatra's Somethin' Stupid with Nicole Kidman. Add to this that 2.6 million Robbie Williams albums have been sold in Australia to date – making that 1 in 10 Australians who own a Robbie album – it’s a certainty that the love affair continues.

Robbie’s latest album Swings Both Ways is the follow up to his original 2001 swing release, Swing When You’re Winning, which spent six consecutive weeks at the top of the UK charts, and likewise garnered unprecedented success in Australia, going four times platinum and remaining his best selling album of all time. Swings Both Ways sees the reunion of Robbie’s collaboration with songwriter and producer Guy Chambers; the creative pairing responsible for some of Robbie’s biggest hits (Rock DJ, Feel, Millenium, Let Me Entertain You, Angels, Supreme).

The album debuted at #1 in the UK and #5 on the ARIA charts, and within the first 4 weeks of release, the album was certified Gold in Australia. This is his eleventh chart-topping album in the UK, which now means that he draws level with Elvis Presley as the male solo artist with the most number one albums.

Armed with an arsenal packed with ballads, pop songs and massive sing-along hits, Robbie returns to the swing genre for his tenth studio album and current world tour.

Tour Dates:

Ticketek is selling for the following venues only:

Thursday 11 September - Perth Arena
Tuesday 16 & Wednesday 17 September - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 September - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 September - Allphones Arena, Sydney

Alyangula Golf Club | Nearby Attractions | Dugong Beach Resort, Groote Eylandt

The Alyangula Golf Club is nestled amid a superb tropical island setting on the foreshore of Milner Bay within the Groote Eylandt archipeligo.

The course and clubhouse are situated on Alebuwa Road, centrally located within the township of Alyangula on the northwest side of Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The island was named by explorer Abel Tasman in 1644 and is Dutch for ‘Large Island” and is the homeland of the Anindilyakwa people.

Groote Eylandt is easily accessible from Cairns, Darwin and Gove (Nhulunbuy) with a variety of daily flights.

The Course

Alyangula Golf Club – The Course

The 9 hole golf course has 18 different tee blocks and a par of 65 (ACR 62). The course is kept in excellent condition all year round thanks to dedicated greenkeepers and volunteers.

The beachfront journey commences after the first hole where local golfers are treated to marine activity in Milner Bay including dolphins, stingrays, numerous schools of large pelagic fish sizing up their prey and even the odd saltwater crocodile.

The par 3 third ‘signature hole’ has one of the largest natural sandtraps in the world and a typical Alyangula green which is surrounded by tropical coconut palms.

After the elevated tee shot over a water hazard (which flows through the entire course) on the par 3 fourth hole the course meanders through well established savannah woodlands playing host to a wide variety of bird-life, including wallabies and a few friendly frill-necked lizards.

The narrow tree-lined fairways, strategically placed bunkers, water hazards, elevated tee-blocks and naturally landscaped greens combined with a wonderful display of local marine life, flora and fauna make golfing at Alyangula a wonderful and unique golfing experience.

Golf at Alyangula Golf Club

Clubhouse Facilities

• Keno, Pokies, Austar, Pool table
• Bar, Bistro & Dining room
• Outdoor seating & BBQ, Playground
• Toilets & Showers
• Proshop for golf apparel & accessories
• Practice Nets & Green

Events at Alyangula Golf Club

News at Alyangula Golf Club

View the Offical Alyangula Golf ClubWebsite

See the original post at www.metrohotels.com.au

How To Have a Stress-Free Family Day Out For Less Than $100

The weather’s warming up, and the kids are keen to get out and explore. But sometimes fun for the kids can mean stress for mums and dads, and a strain for their wallets.

So we’ve taken the stress and the expense out of the family day out. Here’s how to do Darling Harbour – stress-free, without breaking the budget.

Play

The Children’s Playground at Darling Quarter is completely free, and it’s a great place for the kids to spend some time. And the more time the better, as the huge playground has 16 separate features, including the Balance Ropes, an 18.7m rope course and the first of its kind in Australia; the Big Slide, the largest in the whole playground at over 3m high and 8m long; the 21m Flying Fox; the Giant Ring, a 3D swing experience that lets kids go up, down, side to side and around in circles; the Octanet, a climbing course that rises 10m into the air and uses 83m of rope; and the Pump Station, a cool water play feature with 26 water jets! Or just hang out in the sandpit, or chill out under the Shade Zone.

Mums and dads can grab a coffee from one of Darling Quarter’s great cafes, and take a load off on one of the playground’s many benches while the kids play.

Head over from the playground to Kingpin Bowling in the Harbourside Shopping Centre. It’s $40 for a family pass (two adults and two children), which includes one game of bowling per person and two free soft drinks.

On the way, stop off at the Carousel in Palm Grove and take a ride for only $4. Thought to be the second oldest carousel in Australia, and one of only a handful of surviving 19th century carousels, this carousel is a slice of super fun history. It’s driven by a steam engine that was made by Tidmans of Norwich (England) in 1892, and the horses were expertly carved by G & J Lines and Co, London in around 1895. It reached Australia in 1894, and has been enjoyed by roughly six generations of children!

Experience

Located in Australia’s first purpose built theatre dedicated to work for young people, Monkey Baa Theatre Company in Darling Quarter adapts the very best of Australian children’s literature to the stage. With a mission statement to “[create] exceptional theatre experiences for young people by bringing to life uniquely Australian stories”, at Monkey Baa your little monkeys will be entertained and inspired. Tickets are between $20-$25 depending on the show. Keep an eye on their website for new shows.

Enjoy a ride and a movie all at once at Harbourside Shopping Centre’s 9D Action Cinema. Melding 3D animated movies with surround sound, ‘active motion’ seats, and dramatic touch effects like rain, snow, and wind, it’s a cinematic experience like no other. Rides run all day and you don’t even have to book ahead. Just rock up; a family ticket for one ride is only $35.

Families can check out all permanent galleries at the Australian National Maritime Museum for only $17.50, or for an exciting and educational experience to cap off a weekend, check out their Family Fun Sundays. It’s $8.50 per child, $3.50 for the first adult and $7 for each additional adult, plus all day parking for only $13 (have your ticket stamped at the musuem). Every Sunday during the school term, the kids can get up to lots of maritime-themed activities, like making a long ship, or a viking helmet!

Explore the Chinese Garden of Friendship with the Emperor’s Quest smartphone app (available from Google Play and the iTunes App Store), which educates kids about the Chinese zodiac, known as ‘Sheng Xiao’ or ‘birth sign’. Fun clues and the history of each of the animals of the zodiac are hidden throughout the gardens on the way to the 12 hidden animal sculptures, and it’s up to the kids to find them! Once they’re all unlocked, a special surprise will be revealed…

Eat

There are so many great kids menus at Darling Harbour! Blackbird Cafe offers a $14.90 main with a free dessert and free colouring in, and for an extra $3 you can take home a limited edition wobble-bobble ice-cream-head.

Authentic Italian can be found at Vesta ($10), while at Adria, all kids meals are $12.50 including soft drink and dessert. On Saturdays and Sundays at Stacks, kids can get a pizza and unlimited soft drink for $5. Kamikaze offers a selection of Japanese meals for kids for $14.90 each plus a free red lemonade, and desserts for $6.50. Pontoon has a family friendly menu, with ten dishes under $10.

For kids under 12, Passello has a selection of mains for $8.50, and a scoop of free ice cream. Zaaffran has yummy Indian starters and mains for kids, ranging from $7.50 – $15.00. It may seem like a restaurant made entirely for big kids, but Pancakes on the Rocks has a kids menu too, ranging from $2.95 – $7.95.

Plan

Book ahead and you can get discounted all day parking at various Darling Harbour locations with Wilson Parking’s Book A Bay.

All Darling Quarter public amenities have baby change facilities, and Cockle Bay Wharf has a parents’ room and baby change facility.

Enjoy!

Source: http://www.hashtagdarlingharbour.com/stress-free-family-day-less-100/

Need affordable accommodation near Darling Harbour?

Stay at Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour and be conveniently located to all the major attractions in the article above.

Check out Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour's latest accommodation specials: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/hotels/new-south-wales/metro-apartments-on-darling-harbour/hot-deals/

Location: 132-136 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia (walking distance from Wynyard station)

Phone: 02 9199 - 2517

Groote Eylandt - Protected Environment

Groote Eylandt - Roseate Tern breeding site

The whole of Groote Eylandt and its surrounding waters lie within the Anindilyakwa Indigenous Protected Area.

An unnamed islet off the north-eastern coast has been classified by BirdLife International as an important bird area because of its global importance as a Roseate Tern breeding site

What is a Roseate Tern?

This is a small-medium tern, 33–36 cm long with a 67–76 cm wingspan, which can be confused with the common tern, Arctic tern, and the larger, but similarly plumaged, Sandwich tern.

Roseate tern's thin sharp bill is black, with a red base which develops through the breeding season, and is more extensive in the tropical and southern hemisphere races. It is shorter-winged and has faster wing beats than common or Arctic tern. 

The upper wings are pale grey and its under parts white, and this tern looks very pale in flight, like a small Sandwich tern, although the outermost primary flight feathers darken during the summer. 

The adults have very long, flexible tail streamers and orange-red legs. In summer, the underparts of adults take on the pinkish tinge which gives this bird its name.

Groote Eylandt Accommodation at Dugong Beach Resort

Juventus Names Star-Studded Squad for A-League All Stars Clash

Juventus has named a full strength squad to travel to Sydney for their clash with the A-League All Stars.

Andrea Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon, Carlos Tevez, Paul Pogba, Patrice Evra and Arturo Vidal have all been confirmed for the match at ANZ Stadium on Sunday 10 August.

The Juventus squad boasts 11 players who took part in the 2014 FIFA World Cup and also includes new signing Patrice Evra, who will make his second appearance in the All Stars match after representing Manchester United in last year’s fixture.

The A-League All Stars side includes one of Juventus’ greatest players of all time, Alessandro Del Piero, who will play his final match in Australia after a two year stint with Sydney FC.

Del Piero played 705 matches for Juventus and holds the record for the most games and goals in the famous black and white strip of the Bianconeri, scoring 289 goals.

He is joined by Thomas Broich, Besart Berisha, Gui Finkler, Youssouf Hersi and Socceroo goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic in the A-League squad.

“We are incredibly excited to be welcoming Juventus to Sydney for the Foxtel A-League All Stars match and fans are in for a real treat now that we have had the Juventus side confirmed,” said Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop.

“Andrea Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon, Carlos Tevez, Paul Pogba and Patrice Evra are global football stars and their presence in Sydney will not only be a thrill for the fans at ANZ Stadium, but signals yet another significant moment in what is a breakthrough period for Australian football.”

“Juventus has confirmed all of its stars will be in Sydney for the match and I have no doubt Australian football fans will be excited to see Alessandro Del Piero line up against some of his former Juventus team mates,” said NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Andrew Stoner.

“The NSW Government, through our tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, secured this match in partnership with FFA exclusive to Sydney, Australia's premier sports and major events city.

“Juventus has a world-wide fan base of 250 million, including 1.4 million Juventus faithful in Australia. By hosting this champion team, Sydney and NSW will again be on show to the world, confirming our position as Australia’s home of major events.”

Dirty Dancing Coming to Sydney - 28 November 2014

Dirty Dancing was first performed at the Theatre Royal, Sydney in November 2004. Following the Sydney World Premiere season, the production toured to Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Auckland, a sell-out season of 18 months throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Featuring hit songs including Hungry Eyes, Hey! Baby, Do You Love Me? and the iconic (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life, Dirty Dancing has become one of the most popular musical productions of all time.

It’s the summer of 1963, and 17 year old Frances “Baby” Houseman is about to learn some major lessons in life as well as a thing or two about dancing.

On holiday in New York’s Catskill Mountains with her older sister and parents, Baby shows little interest in the resort activities, and instead discovers her own entertainment when she stumbles upon the staff quarters when an all-night dance party is in full swing.

Mesmerised by the raunchy dance moves and the pounding rhythms, Baby can’t wait to be part of the scene, especially when she catches sight of Johnny Castle the resort dance instructor. Baby’s life is about to change forever as she is thrown in at the deep end as Johnny’s leading lady both on-stage and off with breathtaking consequences.

Playing from 28 November 2014

Dirty Dancing FREE Upgrade Apartment