No Images? Click here
QUEENSLAND'S GOT THE BLUES AS NSW CLEANS UP SECOND SERIES IN A ROW
The State is still buzzing after an electric week of rugby league, with NSW taking out back to back Origin titles, sending Queensland home with a serious case of the blues.
Year in, year out, NSW truly embraces spirit of the State of Origin series with pride, from the sell-out 83,000 strong crowd that packed out ANZ Stadium to see the spectacle first hand, to the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, which was lit blue ahead of the match in a show of support and celebration.
The NSW Government partnered with the NRL to secure this year’s State of Origin Game III to determine which state takes home the coveted shield for 2019.
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said State of Origin is not only one of the most fiercely fought battles in Australian sport, it’s one of the country’s premier events for tourism.
“We estimate that the game generate around $17 million in tourism related expenditure for NSW. Approximately 24,000 attendees were visitors to Sydney, either from interstate, regional NSW or overseas”.
NSW has hosted 47 State of Origin games since the series began with 2.7 million avid fans enjoying the highs and lows of this fierce rivalry and even more importantly, another series win!
WALLAROOS KICK-OFF TWO-TEST SERIES IN NEWCASTLE
Australia’s national female rugby union team, the Buildcorp Wallaroos, are about to mark a historic occasion with a two-Test series against Japan. The series will be the first time they have played standalone Tests on home soil in more than 10 years.
Game One will kick-off at 3pm tomorrow in Newcastle and is expected to be a full-day of family fun. Gates will open at 11am and on top of the high-class entertainment on the field, fans will be able to join in the #GoldBlooded Fan Zone with inflatables for the kids, bars and food outlets for adults, plus Wallaroos merchandise stalls and giveaways for all involved.
The Buildcorp Wallaroos will then head down to Sydney for Game Two against Japan on Friday 19 July. It’s the perfect opportunity to grab your mates after work and enjoy some Friday evening rugby under the floodlights at North Sydney Oval, with gates opening at 5.30pm and kick-off at 7pm.
Tickets for both games are just $20 for adults and free for children under 16, and can be bought online or at the gate.
WORLD'S BEST YOUNG VOICES ARRIVE IN SYDNEY
The greatest gathering of international choirs in Australia this century is about to arrive in Sydney. The Gondwana World Choral Festival will bring together young voices from every corner of the globe, including Australia, Estonia, Latvia, France, China, Japan, Canada and the US, and is proudly supported by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.
Beginning on Monday 15 July, the Festival will open at the Sydney Opera House with a Gala Concert titled ‘Sounds of Australia’. It will include the premiere of two new works commissioned by Gondwana Choirs from noted Australian composer Paul Stanhope and leading American composer Nico Muhly.
Four concerts will take place daily throughout the week at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, before the Festival closes on Sunday 21 July with ‘Sounds of the World’ at the Sydney Opera House.
To find out more about the concerts and to buy tickets, visit Gondwana World Choral Festival.
PORT STEPHENS SET TO SWOON
Locals and visitors alike will be treated to a festival of taste and treble as Port Stephens hosts a free Gin and Jazz Festival throughout the town, with live jazz and rockin’ blues concerts, complemented by a selection of gin themed events.
From the toe-tapping sounds of the New Orleans street marching bands, to the smokey rhythms of some brass injected funk, revellers will enjoy every opportunity to get on their feet, with multiple shows hosted across the weekend.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to taste bespoke gins (and cocktails of course), learn all about brewing and how to taste gin like a pro, with tours running at 2.15pm, each day of the weekend with Murray’s brewers. The tour costs $5 per person, and runs for 30 minutes – a steal for an experience that’s set to warm your soul!
For more information and to book a tour, see here.
ORANGE WELCOMES 14TH WINE FESTIVAL
With over 80 events, the 2019 Orange Wine Festival program is brimming with a huge range of exciting experiences as part of this year’s line-up. Pencil in the date for some behind-the-scenes access to wineries, opportunities to meet award-winning makers, not to mention fantastic culinary experiences paired with some of the region’s best cool climate wines.
The theme for this year's Orange Wine Festival is 'Bud Burst’. October is a month when after months of dormancy through Winter, the vineyard comes to life again and a new season of growth begins.
Highlights of the festival include the 2019 Orange Wine Show Tasting & Masterclass, The Vino Express and the ever-popular Night Markets on Friday, October 25th!
As one of NSW’s showcase food and wine events, explore the delicious extravaganza that’s set to unfold in the Central West here.
ROCKIN' ROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE AT THE ROCKS
In July, the French are returning to Circular Quay and The Rocks to celebrate the 7th Bastille Festival anniversary and this year the party is set to be even bigger and more Frenchy than ever!
So, dig your beret out of the cupboard and get ready to join in for our 4-day French food, wine and art revolution. In case you’re not familiar with the event, Bastille Festival Sydney is a free entry, French cultural celebration of food, wine and art, held annually in Sydney’s Circular Quay and The Rocks, from Thursday, 11 July 2019 – Sunday, 14 July 2019.
The hugely popular Christmas village will be making its grand return to The Rocks and is set to be twice as big as last year – with triple the decorations, snow topped market stalls and some special appearances from Mr. Claus himself.
For more information on the festive line-up, see here.
NEW NSW MAZE REALLY CUTS THE MUSTARD
Just in time for the school holidays, the North Coast’s Bago Winery and Hedge Maze has a new addition to their estate which is set to thrill the whole family, announcing a brand new Mustard Maze design ready to be explored!
Designed for full sensory immersion, surround yourself in the fragrant golden fields and listen for the buzz of the bees to guide your way through. If the maze isn’t quite for you, visitors are invited to get lost in the rolling hills of the winery and sample some of the regions finest fare, including cheese and meat platters – or feel free to bring your own picnic to enjoy in the grounds.
The new maze will be open for the limited time of the Mustard seed bloom and is a must-see on your way through the region. For more information, see here.
51 ACTS FOR KIAMA FOLK FESTIVAL
From 27-29 September, the spectacular NSW South Coast town of Kiama will host the 6th Folk by the Sea Festival. Iconic Australian singer-songwriter Neil Murray has been announced as the lead of an already a stellar line-up of 51 acts, with a mix of international, national and local artists set to impress by the seaside.
Murray’s songs have been recorded by artists ranging from Missy Higgins and Powderfinger to Adam Brand and Jimmy Little, while his best-known song is Christine Anu’s version of his iconic ‘My Island Home’ setting the stage for a performance not to be missed.
The event boasts a mix of ticketed and public events with over 100 artists and 100 concerts, dances and sessions for attendees to enjoy. Details here.
CENTRAL COAST CHEESE A CUT ABOVE THE REST
In a big win for NSW producers, Little Creek Cheese has taken out the top spot for two categories at the 2019 Dairy Industry Association of Australia NSW Product competition.
Little Creek’s Club Cheddar Bacon picked up the Champion Club Cheddar and Little Creek Cheese Goat Fetta Garlic and Dill won the Champion Non-Bovine Product for the second consecutive year.
Boasting an impressive collection of over 160 awards in the past seven years, the champion cheese producer has proven size really doesn’t matter, with the small yet mighty factory taking on big industry players.
Be sure to drop in to taste some of NSW’s latest award winning produce these school holidays – see here to find out more.
