Come line the Darlinghurst streets and cheer on the ‘Dykes on Bikes’, Asian marching boys, gay and lesbian police officers, student pride groups and lifesavers from Bondi Beach, all decked out in exotic costumes.

If you’re looking for the ultimate Mardi Gras parade experience then head to the GLAMSTAND. Grabbing a ticket gets you into a setting complete with fine food, glamorous bars, and all the amenities you could need for a fun and comfortable parade experience.

This year’s parade is on March 3rd starting at 7:45pm, however once the parade is over the fun doesn’t end! There will be tens of thousands of partygoers dancing until dawn at the official Mardi Gras party, held at the Entertainment Quarter, in Moore Park. For more information on all things Mardi Gras 2012 check out: http://www.mardigras.org.au/

Did you miss last year’s Mardi Gras but wanted to check out the festivities this year? We were there and did a blog post about it last year if you want to know what to expect: http://bestcityintheworld.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/mardi-gras-dazzles-sydney-again/

If you’re someone who’s filled with curiosity and likes to know more of the background story then you’ll like this article all about the history of Mardi Gras: http://www.dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/gay_and_lesbian_mardi_gras

Photo Credit: Hamilton Lund; Destination NSW

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More than any other cultural event, the Sydney Festival defines Sydney’s personality. This year’s festival celebrates Sydney’s unique history and strong creative spirit with a wealth of Australian innovators, as well as new and old global artists. With just over a week left of this amazing Festival, make sure you check out some of our following favourites:

• A History of Everything – January 13-29 (Wharf 1 & 2, Sydney Theatre Company)
A History of Everything spins backwards to the first fiery bang before leaping to our possible hereafters. It’s a profound rollercoasting journey; this production will make you treasure your place in the history of everything.
West Side Story – January 27-28 (Sydney Opera House)
West Side Story is brought alive in this 50th anniversary presentation with the Sydney Symphony playing Leonard Bernstein’s electrifying orchestral score live to the newly remastered film.

• Ferrython – January 26 (Sydney Harbour) FREE
Come to Sydney Harbour on Australia Day and cheer on your favourite decorated ferry as they race across the harbour towards the Harbour Bridge.

• youtopia – January 12-26 (Tin Sheds Gallery) FREE
youtopia is an exhibition of the models, prototypes and digital designs from the University of Sydney’s Master of Architecture students, capturing 30 outrageously theatrical visions.

• Picasso – Until March 25 (Art Gallery of NSW)
In the most significant exhibition of his work ever held in Australia, the Art Gallery of NSW hosts over 150 of Pablo Picasso’s most important paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings from the artist’s personal collection

• Beautiful Burnout – January 18-29 (Seymour Centre)
With the audience seated around a boxing ring, Beautiful Burnout unfolds to the electronic beats of Underworld. The choreographed training and fight sequences simply ooze adrenaline, and the climactic scene – a fight played out in both frantic full-speed and incredible slow motion – is simply breathtaking

Don’t Miss Fast Festival Feasts
Throughout the Festival, between noon – 1pm and 6pm – 7pm, visit any of the Fast Festival Feasts restaurants and receive a main course with a glass of McGuigan “The Shortlist” wine or a bottle of Tasmanian Rain water for just $30. You can also opt for a Premium Fast Festival Feast where you will be treated to a two-course dinner with a glass of McGuigan “The Shortlist” wine and a bottle of Tasmanian Rain water for just $55. Visit this link for more information: Fast Festival Feasts

See the Sydney Festival 2012 website for full program details, including all the remaining free and ticketed shows: http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2012/

Photo Credit: http://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/system/event_images/70136/large_Syd_Fest_web_page_header_for_FBi.JPG?1324353273

Running from Jan 20th through to Feb 5th, this festival is going to be chocked full of cultural events like Chinese markets, tours, exhibitions and loads of entertainment. There are over 60 different events to attend, and since that number can be a bit overwhelming we’ve selected a few that you definitely shouldn’t miss.

1. First and foremost are the Chinese New Year Markets running from Jan 20th – 22nd at Belmore Park. Come immerse yourself in the sights, smells and sounds of a traditional Asian market; full of dancing lions, dragons, Asian music, and spicy Sichuan food. The Market times are Friday, Jan 20th: 4-11pm; Sat 21st & Sun 22nd: 11am-10pm. (For more info on the Market’s Itinerary check out: http://www.sydneychinesenewyear.com/event/chinese-new-year-markets/)

2. Next on the agenda is to check out the Festival Launch on Jan 20th. This event is taking place at the Chinese New Year Markets (at Belmore Park) from 6-8pm. This is a free event so come and kick off the celebrations with dragon and lion dancing, firecrackers, food, live entertainment and even a sneak preview of the Parade.

3. If there has to be one event that you do-not-miss during the Chinese New Year celebrations then this is it – the spectacular Twilight Parade. On Jan 29th, the Sydney streets will be lit up with 12 giant zodiac lanterns, illuminated floats, and over 2,500 acrobats, dancers, martial artists and other performers. The Parade will wind its way from Town Hall to Chinatown starting at 8pm, for a map and parade program visit: http://www.sydneychinesenewyear.com/event/chinese-new-year-twilight-parade/

4. Finally, this list wouldn’t be complete without including the Dragon Boat Races at Darling Harbour. And what better way to celebrate the Year of the Dragon than watching Dragon Boat Racing so make sure you’re here to check out this last event of the Festival on Feb 4th & 5th from 8am-5pm.

For more info about everything going on during the Chinese New Year 2012 festivities visit: http://www.sydneychinesenewyear.com/

To learn more about the history and back-story of Chinese New Year visit: http://www.dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/chinese_new_year

Photo Credit: Hamilton Lund; Destination NSW

We asked our Facebook Community what they were doing for Australia Day and the general consensus seemed to be to celebrate with some drinks, a good BBQ, and catching the fireworks. For those looking to wander around the city and check out a variety of events going on we decided to add in a few of our favourite event ideas.

To start off your morning, don’t miss the magical Woggan-ma-gule indigenous morning ceremony at Farm Cove in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens.

If you’re near Hyde Park, there are plenty of events for the kids like the “Big Squeeze’ obstacle course.  Also make sure to check out The Big Telly events and cooking demonstrations every half hour with sampling of Hereford Prime beef.

Sydney Harbour will also be having its fair share of events throughout the day. A few events include the well-known Ferrython at 11am, the 176 Australia Day Regatta, and then starting at 3pm, you can chill out with your friends to the sounds of the Sydney Ports Jazz on the Water concert.

And finally you can’t forget about Darling Harbour when talking about Australia Day festivities! With a kid’s stage, all day world music, and wrapped up by the Australia Day Spectacular and Fireworks this will be an Australia Day to remember!

To view the Australia Day website with all the times & locations of various events just head to: http://australiaday.com.au/

Interested in finding out a little more information? Check out this article of when Australia Day was once called Anniversary Day!

Photo Credit: Destination NSW

Milk Beach

Milk Beach is a picturesque small stretch of white sand in Sydney’s East. Situated at the base of Hermit Bay in Vaucluse, this beach is at the end of the track behind Strickland House on Vaucluse Road.

Here you’ll be able to enjoy city views and complete serenity. Sometimes Milk Beach does get a little busy (in the middle of Summer) but most of the time there will hardly be anyone around. Not bad considering it’s just 7 kms and 15 minutes from the city.  Plus it’s just a short, scenic bushwalk from Milk Beach to Nielsen Park. Milk Beach is also an excellent vantage point for New Year’s Eve fireworks with a clear view of the Harbour Bridge. Milk beach is free to the public on New Years Eve.

Photo Credit: Wendy Wilson (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dita2711/2046520117/)

Shelly Beach

Shelly Beach is probably one of the more commonly known “secret beaches” in Sydney…and therefore not exactly a secret – however it’s still a beautiful beach to visit, plus it’s a relatively easy walk from Manly. Simply take a short stroll south along the promenade from Manlyand you’ll find Shelly Beach. This sheltered north-facing cove is ideal for  diving, paddling and snorkeling.

It’s a beautiful and safe little beach, with calm waters, great for kids or those who shy away from the huge ocean  waves of nearby Pacific Beach in the centre of Manly. The area around the beach is a protected marine reserve and is full of a variety of different fish. This makes it a popular spot for scuba divers and snorkelers, and many scuba diving schools actually operate from Shelly Beach.

It makes a perfect day out and there are free gas BBQs at the beach so you can even pack your own picnic!

Do you have a secret beach of your own?  Share your favourite beach spots with us.

Photo Credit: “2minutes” (http://www.flickr.com/photos/2minutes/4142104587/)

 Friday December 2nd to Friday December 30th

If you love Shakespeare, or love catching a great production, then don’t  miss the third annual Sydney Hills Shakespeare in the Park! This year, they are returning to Bella Vista Farm in north-west Sydney, with a pairing of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew.

The cast includes some of Sydney’s finest emerging and established actors like Danielle King and James Jugton (as the warring lovers in The Taming of the Shrew) as well as Damien Ryan and Amy Mathews (as the Macbeths).

There is limited seating for early arrivals, and please make sure to bring a blanket, or if you are bringing a chair to sit on make sure it’s low, so people around you can still see. Bella Vista is just a 40 minute drive from Sydney city centre. There is on-site parking available but no ATM.

So pack a picnic and come join in for a Christmas under the stars you won’t forget.

Photo Credit (PDF poster from Sensoria Website http://www.sensoria.net.au/)

Tickets on sale now through FoxTix on 1300 111 369 or FoxTix.com.au or at www.sportforjove.com.au

Adults $27,

Concession $22 (Seniors/Students/Under 16 with card)

Group Bookings (10+) $25 (All children under 8 are free)

Available only in advance:

Adult 2 show combined ticket $44

Concession 2 show combined ticket $36

Show Dates:

TAMING OF THE SHREW

December: Sunday 4, Friday 9, Saturday 17, Sunday 18, Tues 20, Friday 23, Tuesday 27, Thursday 29

 MACBETH

December: Friday Dec 2, Saturday Dec 3 (SOLD OUT), Saturday 10, Sunday 11, Friday 16, Wednesday 21, Thursday 22, Wednesday 28, Friday 30

Looking for a free, kid friendly event around Sydney? Make sure you check out the Artists at the Armory event! This behind-the-scenes tour gives you a peek inside the visual arts studios at historic Newington Armory.

If you like history, you’ll love this tour as you get to see the inside of the former Royal Australian Naval Armament Depot. There are over 100 heritage buildings of various ages and types that have been renovated to provide facilities for performing and visual arts as well as participatory workshops.

Newington Armory is now one of Sydney’s most exciting arts precincts so don’t miss this chance to take a peek inside. Your guide will meet you at the Information Booth on the Armory Wharf and lead you into the studios. To make the most out of this tour – don’t forget to bring bottled water and some good walking shoes!

Saturday November 26th & Sunday November 27th
The 22nd Annual Glebe Music Festival is wrapping up on the weekend of the 26th & 27th – Don’t miss this fantastic music event spread out across Glebe!

Concert 8
Date: Saturday 26th November at 3pm
Location: St Scholastica’s (corner Avenue Road and Arcadia Road, Glebe)

Josie and the Emeralds will be performing one of the final performances in the Glebe Music Festival in a concert called “I Call and Cry”. For this performance, Josie and the Emeralds comprises of Josie Ryans (one of Australia’s leading early music sopranos) and The Emerald City Viols (including: Brooke Green, treble viol; Fiona Ziegler, tenor viol; Catherine Upex and Elizabeth Rumsey, bass viols)

This performance promises to be truly stunning; filled with sacred and secular love songs and consorts from the 16th Century composed by William Bryd, John Dowland, Thomas    Tallis, Jacques Arcadelt and Antonio de Cabeçon.

Tickets are $30 at the door or $20 for concessions and the early bird price. To take advantage of the early bird pricing phone 0422-334-054 or book up to and including 25th November.

Concert 9

Date: Sunday 27th November at 3pm
Location: St Scholastica’s (corner Avenue Road and Arcadia Road, Glebe)

For those that love acapella and chamber choir, this final concert of the Glebe Music Festival is not one to be missed. Performed by Coro Innominata, a Sydney-based chamber choir, this concert is called “Magnificat!” conducted by Wayne “Sandy” Glass. For this performance Coro Innominata will consist of sopranos – Josie Ryan and Judith Rough; Alto – Anna Dowsley; Tenor – Andrei Laptev; and Bass – Alex Knight.

Magnificat! will be an explosion of festive Baroque sound featuring Bach’s Magnificat, in its original version, and the fairly recently discovered Gloria by Handel for solo soprano and strings. Rounding out the performance will be Bach’s cantata Der Herr denket an uns and his tenderly beautiful Christmas hymn, O Jesulein süss.

Tickets are $38 for adults or $30 for concessions. Tickets are only available from http://www.innominata.org/tickets.html or at the door. Note: When you go to purchase your tickets there’s a special offer on at the moment where if you purchase two tickets they’ll send you three.

Photo Credits:   Artists at the Armory – Visit NSW;  Glebe Music Festival – Visit NSW

If you want to experience something that is uniquely Sydney, look no further then the Sydney Bridgeclimb. Climbing to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge not only gives an amazing view of the Harbour and the city, but it’s unique to Sydney alone!

There are 3 different types of Climbs and they are all available to do at dawn, during the day, at dusk or by night. Wouldn’t it be amazing to see a sunset or sunrise from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge?

If you really want to do the Bridgeclimb, but have other things planned for your day then try out The Express Climb. This Climb only takes 2 hours and 15 mins and lets you experience everything that the Bridge has to offer without it taking too big of a bite out of your day.

Looking for the ultimate adventure while climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge? Make sure you sign up for The Discovery Climb. In this 3.5-hour climb up the inner arch of the bridge you learn all about the bridge – the facts, the history, and the building itself. This climb finishes at the very top of the bridge so that everyone has the chance to take in the sweeping views of the entire Sydney Harbour.

Want to do the original bridge climb along the outer arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge? Then The Bridge Climb is the one for you. This 3.5-hour climb takes you up the outer arch of the Bridge, along catwalks and ladders all the way to the summit. You have access to the panoramic views of the Sydney Harbour while standing on top of an icon.

Have you had an amazing experience climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge? Enter it here to win a luxury Aussies from Tourism Australia: http://bit.ly/DreamTeamContest

Sydney is home to many different markets – some happen once or twice a month, and some happen every weekend, weather permitting. These markets offer everything you could think of, whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it!

Here’s a list of just a few of the Markets that operate around Sydney:
Paddy’s Markets – Sydney’s biggest market in the city runs every Thursday to Sunday at Haymarket (near Chinatown) and Flemington (near Sydney Olympic Park). This market caters to both locals and tourists, with over 1,000 stalls that sell various products includingclothing and fashion accessories, sporting goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, electrical goods, home wares, arts & crafts, and souvenirs.

Sydney Opera House Market – open every Sunday, weather permitting or unless there’s a special event on at the Opera House. This market literally sits on the doorstep of the Sydney Opera House and is within easy walking distance from Circular Quay rail station, Circular Quay ferry terminal and many bus lines. The 40 stalls feature Australian made products including art and craft works, jewellery, paintings, fragrances, clothing and souvenirs.

Bondi Beach Market – held every Sunday, weather permitting at the North end of Bondi Beach Public School. This market has over 100 stalls selling various goods ranging from jewellery, clothes, footware, and leather goods, to gifts and books.

The Rocks Market – every Saturday and Sunday, at the north end of George Street (in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge) is this unique arts and crafts market. With approximately 150 stalls you will find photography, Australian and Indigenous artwork, jewellery, books and much more.

Pyrmont Growers’ Market – held on the first Saturday of every month (except in January) this market operates in all weather conditions. Located in the Pyrmont Bay Park this market showcases around 80 stalls offering anything from fresh fruit and seasonal vegetables to meat and seafood. Enjoy an outdoor cooked breakfast and the cooking demonstrations.

Have you had a fun experience at one of the many Markets around Sydney? Enter it here to win a luxury Aussies holiday from Tourism Australia: http://bit.ly/DreamTeamContest

If you want to experience beautiful, white sandy beaches and stunning national parks then Jervis Bay is your destination. Just under 3 hours South of Sydney it’s a wonderful weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, plus Shoalhaven is nearby, which is well worth a visit or its own.

The bay itself measures about 15 km from North to South and about 10 km across. It’s ringed with stunning national parks and full of sheltered, quiet beaches. Plus the other nearby forests, bays and beaches are excellent for swimming, bushwalking, and bird watching. The local town, Huskisson, is a great place to hire dolphin-watch cruises, fishing trips and boats to get out and explore the coastline.

Not too far away is Kangaroo Valley full of elusive wild kangaroos. It’s home to Australia’s oldest suspension bridge, and in the winter the popular hairy nosed wombat, the cousin of the koala, can often be spotted.

All in all there are many things to do in the area and a day can easily fly by. Whether you want a quiet, relaxing picnic or a day out on the water fishing and watching dolphins, Jervis Bay will refresh you and give you a perfectly tranquil day.

Have you had an amazing experience at Jervis Bay? Enter it here to win a luxury Aussies hoidayfrom Tourism Australia: http://bit.ly/DreamTeamContest