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NSW HOME TO SIX OF AUSTRALIA’S TOP 10 RESTAURANTS
NSW has come out on top in the 2018 Australia’s Top Restaurant Awards this week, boasting the majority of representation in the Top 10 and Top 100 categories as well as Australia’s Top Chef.
Now in its fourth year, the annual Awards presented by The Australian Financial Review were held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales this week and named six of the country’s Top 10 restaurants from NSW including:
#2 – Ester, Sydney, NSW
#3 – Saint Peter, Sydney, NSW
#6 – Momofuku Seiobo, Sydney, NSW
#7 – Sixpenny, Sydney, NSW
#9 – Sepia, Sydney, NSW
#10 – Fleet, Brunswick Heads, NSW.
Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall congratulated the winners and said the recognition was a testament to the calibre of restaurants available to locals and visitors to NSW.
“Visitors come to our State for a unique and memorable experience - the outstanding local food, wine, beer and spirits on offer in NSW and the great service are central to that exceptional experience,” Mr Marshall said.
“We’re extremely lucky in NSW to be home to an amazing variety of fresh produce, quality venues and inspiring chefs.”
For a full list of results, including other NSW winners, visit www.afr.com.
AUSTRALIAN DEAF GAMES TO BE HELD IN THE HUNTER REGION IN 2022
More than a thousand athletes will converge on Lake Macquarie and Newcastle for the 2022 Australian Deaf Games following the success of a joint bid by the two cities to host the prestigious multi-sport event.
Deaf Sports Australia General Manager Garry West-Bail joined the Lord Mayor of Newcastle Cr Nuatali Nelmes and Mayor of Lake Macquarie Cr Kay Fraser yesterday to announce the location of the 2022 Games.
Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said the 2022 Australian Deaf Games is expected to attract 1,250 overnight visitors and inject around $1.7 million into the local economy.
“Driving tourism growth across regional NSW plays an important role in boosting our State’s overnight economy, while ensuring our fantastic regional destinations remain front and centre. We look forward to welcoming visitors to Lake Macquarie and Newcastle for the 2022 Games which will be a fantastic community event experience,” she said.
The 2022 Australian Deaf Games are supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
BABY BOOM AT TARONGA ZOO SYDNEY
The winter school holidays are just around the corner and Taronga Zoo Sydney is buzzing with baby animals of all shapes and sizes, including a François Langur baby, two goat kids and a wombat and koala joey.
Orange is the new black in the François’ Langur exhibit after one of the world’s rarest monkeys, a bright orange male infant was born in April. The infant has been named Didi, meaning little brother in Chinese, which reflects his Southeast Asian heritage.
The female joey, born in October last year, has been named Mila and is the fifth joey from mum Korra and her father Noojee. Mila and her mother Korra can be seen throughout the day by keen-eyed guests in the Wombat dens located in the Backyard to Bush precinct. The koala joey can be seen in the Australian Fauna precinct with another joey soon to join the clan as well.
Families are encouraged to visit the farm show on each day at 2pm, which involves feeding the animals and talks on sustainable farming. The Zoo is open from 9.30am–4.30pm.
Visit taronga.org.au for tickets and information.
BUNDANON SECURES MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FOR ARTS & CULTURE
The Bundanon Trust Riversdale site, which served as inspiration for Australian landscape painter Arthur Boyd, has received $8.5 million from the Regional Cultural Fund (RCF).
The money will be used to build a new gallery and storage facility at the famous property, on the NSW South Coast.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Regional NSW confirmed applications for the second round of the RCF are now open, with a further $47 million in funding set to be allocated to regional arts and culture projects across the State.
Mr Barilaro said as part of round two, up to $5 million would also be dedicated to the revitalisation and creation of public libraries as a priority.
“Our government is right behind regional arts and culture organisations and I encourage them to put their best foot forward to secure funding in this second round,” he said.
Applications for the next round of the RCF close on 21 September 2018. To apply, go to www.nsw.gov.au/regionalculturalfund.
Image: Recipient for Bundanon Trust Riversdale site, Minister for the Arts Don Harwin and Local Member for Kiama Gareth Ward.
BIG THRILLS IN STORE FOR RALLY AUSTRALIA
A major upgrade of the route for the Kennards Hire Rally Australia will deliver big new thrills for spectators and even greater challenges for drivers when the World Rally Championship returns for its 2018 finale on the Coffs Coast in November.
All but eight of the 24 competition stages covering 317 kilometres is new or changed, while a highlight will be a higher, longer jump on the rally-closing Wedding Bells Power Stage before a podium ceremony at the biggest forest spectator point.
Tickets to the event, which will be held from 15 - 18 November, are on sale now. Tickets start from just $29 and a buy-one-get-one-free bonus on a $99 three day pass is available until 31 July.
Comprehensive information for ticket buyers including point-of-view videos, directions, times, facilities, nearby tourist attractions and other details for every spectating location can be viewed on the event website www.rallyaustralia.com.au.
Rally Australia is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
BLUE MOUNTAINS CELEBRATES WINTER WITH YULEFEST FESTIVAL
Winter in the Blue Mountains is the perfect time to visit with many venues offering traditional Christmas-style celebrations.
Escarpment Group Guest Services Manager Meagan Lervasi said, "Yulefest offers the European-style atmosphere people associate with Christmas – a chilly landscape outside and cosiness inside with roaring fires, hot food and drinks, traditional decorations and festive music."
Click here for more information.
ENTRIES NOW OPEN FOR THE AUSTRALIAN EVENT AWARDS
The NSW events industry is encouraged to enter the Australian Event Awards and Symposium, with entries now open.
As the national awards programs for Australia’s events industry, each year the Event Awards acknowledges the best events and achievements by Australians in the global events industry.
Eligible events and achievements must have taken place between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2018. Entries close on 27 August 2018.
To enter, click here.
TICKETS TO INVICTUS GAMES CLOSING CEREMONY SOON TO GO ON SALE
Don’t miss your chance to cheer on the competitors from the 2018 Invictus Games with Closing Ceremony tickets on sale to the general public from 12 July.
The Games are set attract more than 500 competitors to Sydney from 18 nations to compete in 11 adaptive sports and will recognise and thank families and friends for their role and the challenges they share in supporting wounded warriors.
To purchase tickets to the 2018 Invictus Games, click here.
