In this edition - Become 'housemates' at the Sydney Opera House, Vivid Sydney 2011 launches program of events, QantasLink ready for Victoria's Mt Hotham ski season, new arrivals at Sea World and the Atlantic opens at Crown Casino in Melbourne.
The Sydney Opera House illuminated as part of Vivid Sydney 2010
Become ‘housemates’ at the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House has extended an invitation to people all over the world to share Sydney’s most exclusive waterfront address. Recently, work began on the largest construction project at Sydney Opera House since it opened in 1973 and hoardings have been erected around the site to allow construction to proceed. ‘Housemates’ invites people everywhere to share the hoardings with their portraits and testimonials. Apply at
www.sydneyoperahouse.com/housemates and upload a photo of yourself or explain why you think Sydney Opera House is so special to you. Photos and tributes will be revealed to the world in May and remain on display until the end of the 2011.
Vivid Sydney 2011 launches program of events
From giant light sculptures of floating jellyfish and erupting fire installations in Sydney Harbour, to exclusive international music performances and the stunning 3D illumination of the Sydney Opera House sails,
Vivid Sydney will once again light up the city each night from 27 May – 13 June 2011.
QantasLink ready for Victoria’s Mt Hotham ski season
QantasLink has announced its 2011 ski season services between Sydney and
Victoria’s Mt Hotham ski resort. The airline will provide 114 flights from 24 June to 11 September, as well as an additional 300 seats, linking Sydney directly with one of Australia's most popular Alpine regions. The flights will operate on selected Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays during the ski season.
New arrivals on the Gold Coast at Sea World
Sea World has welcomed 12 additional King and Gentoo penguins to its newest animal exhibit 'Penguin Encounter'. The $12m Penguin Encounter exhibit is already home to six of the world's second largest penguin species, the King Penguin as well as six Gentoo penguins. Penguin Encounter is a slice of Antarctica at Sea World, with up to five tonnes of snow created daily, icy rock formations and a crystal clear pool for the penguins to explore.
The Atlantic opens at Crown casino in Melbourne
The Atlantic, with focus on seafood, is the newest restaurant to open in Melbourne’s Crown Casino complex. Chef Donovan Cooke learnt his trade at Michelin starred London restaurants and built his Melbourne reputation at Mietta’s Fitzroy, Ondine and Est Est Est. The 300 seat restaurant creates dining pockets that feel intimate and exclusive with all black wood-panelled walls and hints of a nautical theme. Visit the oyster bar for bubbly and a changing selection of fresh oysters.
New developments at Kimberley Wild Expeditions
Western Australia’s
Kimberley Wild Expeditions has announced the acquisition of new vehicles, an improved online reservation system and a new retail location. Kimberley Wild Expeditions offers experiential adventure tours out of Broome. The new fleet features a luxury 20-seat Isuzu 4WD and one 24 seat Hino 2WD. The new, improved online reservations system has more versatility, product and information for agents and travellers to access. The new retail outlet has opened in Johnny Chi Lane, Broome.
International stage performance STOMP set to arrive on the Gold Coast
Performing live at
Jupiters Theatre on the Gold Coast from 12 May to 14 August, STOMP is a crackling carnival of leaping, spinning, skidding and pounding as performers vent their inexhaustible energies on an unsuspecting orchestra of metal dustbins, bin lids, tubs and water butts. The show has toured the globe almost continuously for 20 years and has been seen by over 20 million people in over 50 countries across five continents.
Sealink introduces new Mandarin guided tours for South Australia
SeaLink Travel Group has introduced new tours to the Barossa Valley and Kangaroo Island featuring Mandarin-speaking tour guides. The Kangaroo Island Nature and Wildlife Tour takes visitors through the Adelaide Hills, Hahndorf and Victor Harbor before heading to Kangaroo Island on a SeaLink ferry where they spend a night at American River. The Barossa Wine Day Tour includes a short tour of the South Australian capital city of Adelaide before heading to the Barossa where guests enjoy lunch and a glass of wine at the Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre before visiting the world-famous Penfolds Winery to taste its signature wines.
Tickets for 2011 Garma Festival now onsale
Tickets are now onsale for the annual
Garma Festival, one of Australia's leading Indigenous cultural events taking place 5 – 8 August. It is held annually onsite at remote Gulkula, a traditional meeting ground in Arnhem land, Northern Territory. The Garma Festival is a nationally significant, intimate, spectacular celebration of cultural traditions and practices – dance, song, music, and art – as well as the major annual forum for Indigenous issues.