VIVID SYDNEY SHINES A LIGHT ON THE NATURAL WORLDThere are wild and exotic times ahead when the lights go on at two of Vivid Sydney’s favourite precincts, Taronga Zoo and The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Taronga Zoo will shine a bold and bright spotlight on conservation and endangered wildlife with a family-friendly, spectacular display of giant animal light sculptures. As the Zoo’s permanent residents retire for the evening, Lights for the Wild will introduce visitors to fierce and friendly creatures, and take them on a colourful journey through fragile habitats — from the
ocean, to the jungle and the Australian bush. Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said, “Come 25 May visitors will be able to walk among the spellbinding display of magnificent creatures and discover the illuminating stories of these endangered species.” Across the harbour at The Royal Botanic Garden, the surf will be up, the parrots will be partying and the blooming marvellous petals of a giant electric flower will be the frame for your next selfie when the Garden lights up into an exotic nocturnal wonderland. The next generation of design minds will make their mark too, with TAFE NSW students giving the turreted façade of Government House Sydney a mesmerising makeover. For more information on Taronga Zoo and The Royal Botanic Garden during Vivid Sydney, visit www.vividsydney.com.
REX COMMUNITY FARE
FOR ORANGERegional Express (Rex) and the City of Orange have teamed up to introduce a special Rex Community Fare as well as five return air services each week between Orange and Sydney for the next five years. The $109 Rex Community Fare is available on 30 per cent of seats between Orange and Sydney for advance bookings at least 30 days prior to departure. All remaining seats one day prior to departure will be at the Community Fare level. Rex General Manager of Network Strategy and Sales Warrick Lodge said, “Orange is only the seventh regional community on Rex’s network of 60 destinations that will now enjoy this unprecedented fare offering.” Orange Mayor Cr Reg
Kidd said the new agreement would encourage growth by making air travel in and out of Orange more attractive to consumers. The Rex Community Fare is available for purchase via www.rex.com.au
AUS-X OPEN RETURNS TO WESTERN SYDNEYAustralia’s largest supercross and freestyle motocross event, the AUS-X Open, will return to Qudos Bank Arena this November. The event has been secured for Western Sydney by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said, “The AUS-X Open is hugely popular and we expect around 11,000 visitors will travel to NSW for this year’s event, injecting approximately $6.7 million into the NSW visitor economy. “With plenty
to see and do in Western Sydney and the surrounding Blue Mountains region, this event promises both heart-stopping action and the opportunity to explore this wonderful region of NSW.” For more information, visit www.ausxopen.com.
FLOOD RECOVERY CAMPAIGN TEMPTS NSW NORTH COAST VISITORSThe NSW North Coast experienced a boost in tourism thanks to a $300,000 NSW Government marketing campaign put in place to help support the area following last year's devastating floods. The campaign was a collaboration between the NSW Government via Destination NSW and the Office of Emergency Management, in partnership with HotelsCombined, National Geographic, Stayz and Webjet. Member for Lismore Thomas George said the initiative drove 56,800 visits to visitnsw.com, resulting in a 44 per cent year-on-year increase in traffic to the Byron Bay,
Lismore and Tweed webpages. “Not only did this campaign succeed in driving people to the visitnsw website, HotelsCombined saw a 49 per cent year-on-year increase in accommodation bookings, a phenomenal result for the region’s local hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions,” Mr George said.
BATTLE RECHARGE BRINGS CYCLISTS TO THE SCENIC TWEED VALLEYThe Battle Recharge will return for its 10th instalment from 27-29 July, offering hundreds of recreational and competitive cyclists a wide range of courses throughout the scenic Tweed Valley. The Battle Recharge format is designed to be compact and exciting, offering challenging racing across three days. The program includes two road race stages, a time trial and the Stan Brims Criterium in the heart of Murwillumbah. The Battle will be highlighted by the National Road Series, Australia’s premier domestic road racing series. Along with a full
National Road Series team profile, the 2018 event will also host graded competition for Elite, Masters, Juniors, and Women riders. The 2018 Battle Recharge is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Click here to register.
VIVID IDEAS EVENTS SELLING FASTWith just one week to go until the lights turn on for Vivid Sydney, tickets to Australia’s most thought provoking conversations for Vivid Ideas are selling fast. Vivid Ideas has lined up the who’s who of technology, creativity and science to explore the future-shaping scenarios that will define our lives. Vivid Ideas provides a forum to workshop, collaborate and cultivate fresh thinking, driving the creative agenda across tech, design, entertainment and culture. Curator of Ideas for Vivid Sydney Tory Loudon said, “We don’t want any thinking
minds, young or old, to miss out on these great stimulating sessions. Get in quick to give your mind a workout with Vivid Ideas and secure your seat.” For more information and to buy tickets to Vivid Ideas sessions, visit www.vividsydney.com/ideas.
ICC NAMED AUSTRALIA'S BEST PUBLIC BUILDINGInternational Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) has been awarded Best Public Building and Best Tourism and Leisure Development at the Property Council of Australia (PCA) and the Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards. ICC Sydney received recognition and praise at the awards for its innovative design and placement at the epicentre of the $3.4 billion redevelopment of the Darling Harbour precinct. ICC Sydney CEO Geoff Donaghy said the PCA awards added to the array of accolades the venue and its team had already acquired. “Our core focus is to deliver extraordinary experiences for each of the 1.6 million delegates, visitors and attendees that have walked through our doors, and ensure the success of the clients that have held more than 950 events with us,” Mr Donaghy said.
NEW SUITES OPEN
IN PENRITH A new apartment hotel will open its doors in Western Sydney next month. The one and two bedroom Value Suites in Penrith are close to the action, with Westfield Penrith Plaza just a five-minute drive away and Emu Plains Station an easy walk. Explore the historical Arms of Australia Inn Museum, head to the Nepean River for a cruise on a Paddlewheeler or spend a day in The Blue Mountains, just an hour away. For booking information, click here.
SHERATON ON THE PARK'S $40 MILLION MAKEOVER Ahead of its 25th anniversary in 2019, Sheraton On The Park has elevated their luxury offering with the completion of a $40 million overhaul of its 558 guestrooms and Sheraton Club Lounge. This latest renovation is part of an overall commitment by Sheraton on the Park to innovate and transform and follows a $3m renovation of The Gallery, The Conservatory Bar, fitness centre, spa and rooftop terrace late last year. For more information on Sheraton on the Park, click here.
NEW VIP EXPERIENCES AND KIDS ZONE FOR ANNANROMA For the first time, VIP experiences for adults and a dedicated kids’ entertainment area will be added to AnnanRoma, the popular food and wine festival in Macarthur taking place on Sunday 27 May, at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan. Featuring the best food from local restaurants, multi-cultural cuisine and local craft beer and wine, guests are invited to bring a picnic rug and enjoy live music on the lakeside lawn. Find out more here.
2018 GOOD DESIGN AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED The winners of Australia’s industry design innovation awards were announced this week at the Sydney Opera House at the 60th Good Design Awards Ceremony. The awards date back to 1958 and celebrate excellence in product design, architectural design, digital and communications design, engineering design, fashion design and emerging design areas such as social impact. Click here for the full list of winners.
MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEKEND EDITION RETURNSSit front row and see Australia’s brightest designers on the runway exclusively at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Weekend Edition (MBFWE). The MBFWE opening showcase tonight will feature Australian designer Camilla. Over the weekend there will be a series of seminars about the fashion industry with content curated by industry leaders as well as exclusive shopping offers, complimentary hair and makeup sessions and refreshments. Click here to purchase tickets.
CENTENNIAL PARKLANDS WINS TWO STATE AWARDS Centennial Parklands has won two State awards at the Parks and Leisure Australia’s 2018 NSW & ACT Regional Awards of Excellence. At the ceremony held in Tamworth, the Parklands received the Best Strategic Planning Award for Moore Park Master Plan 2040 and the Best Playspace Award (>$0.5M) for Centennial Park’s new Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden, which has received over 150,000 visits since opening in October 2017.
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