It's a date: Australia

TRAVEL DIARY / AUSTRALIA

It’s a date!

Australia is your year-round go-to for a good time. Check out what’s in-store for late 2018 and the New Year.

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour West Side Story Sydney, the stage is yours.

22 March-21 April 2019

SYDNEY’S SPARKLING HARBOUR, in all its iconic glory, is lusted-over by the world’s most avid travellers, all hankering to tick this beauty off their bucket-list. And yet for Kiwis, it’s just a three-hour flight from Auckland. The city so many yearn to visit is on our doorstep, and every year we have the opportunity to experience Sydney in her finest light.

Introducing West Side Story, the muchloved Broadway export, which come March 2019, will explode onto the Sydney Harbour in the form of Handa Opera. The very epitome of an extravaganza, Handa is a sensory overload that will take both your ears and eyes on a journey of infectious song and electric choreography.

As the sun sets, spectators descend on Mrs Macquaries Point, at the tip of the Royal Botanic Gardens and settle in for a modernday Romeo and Juliet love story — with the added punch of New York sass. The stage will float above the Sydney Harbour, with music and light projecting across the water.

It is quite possibly the only time of year when the Opera House and bridge take a backseat, while still making the perfect backdrop to this very special event.

Make it a night to remember by starting with dinner and drinks at Sydney’s latest dazzler, Barangaroo. Having opened in the summer of 2018, it’s just four minutes from Wynyard Station and impresses with dining venues and cocktail bars. Or for those commuting from afar, rev up the glam-factor and arrive by water taxi. Then get ready for an all-singing, all-dancing spectacle in the autumnal air, culminating in a firework display - because no one does a skyline finale better than Sydney.

Taking centre-stage between 22 March and 21 April 2019 and with multiple shows throughout the month, don’t miss your chance to see one of the world’s most iconic stage shows in one of the world’s most iconic cities. West Side Story will catapult your Sydney experience from a quick hop across the Tasman to a sensational good time.

Field of Light Avenue of Honour Art Installation.

For more than 41,000 New Zealand and Australian soldiers, Mt Clarence, in Western Australia’s city of Albany, was the last sight of home before they left for the Great War. Thousands of them would never return.

11 November 2018 marks 100 years since the end of World War 1 and to commemorate, international artist Bruce Munro has installed 16,000 shining light bulbs to grace Albany Heritage Park. Come nightfall, the glass spheres will glow in memory of the Anzacs who departed from here. An absolute must-see.

Sydney Desert Festival

23 August-20 Sept 2018

The Outback is quite the experience, more so when the desert festival is in full swing. A rare opportunity to observe traditional Aboriginal communities alongside modern music and dance.

Invictus Games

20-27 Oct 2018

Show your support for wounded veterans. Sydney are hosting this powerful event of sport and rehabilitation, with both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, AKA Harry and Meghan, in attendance.

Margaret River Gourmet Escape

15-18 Nov 2018

Four extraordinary cuisinefuelled days and 45 food events across the Margaret River Region. From vineyard lunches to an impressive line-up of celebrities, including Nigella Lawson who’s hosting a tea party.

Woodford Folk Festival, Queensland

27 Dec-1 Jan 2019

Undecided what to do for NYE? Do this. It’s so family friendly, there’s even a children’s festival within the main festival. Discover eclectic music, TED style talks, craft workshops and cheap eats.

Australian Open

14-27 Jan 2019

January is the perfect time to visit Melbourne. The annual tennis tournament pulls in all the big players, while the city — in full summer swing — is buzzing with excitement.

Adelaide Fringe

15 Feb-17 March 2019

Referred to by locals as ‘Mad March’, this 31-day event is officially known as the Fringe Festival. The diversity ranges from comedy and cabaret, to theatre, magic and circus acts.

Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show

27-31 March 2019

Green fingered types should make a beeline for the Southern Hemisphere’s largest garden show. Five days of home improvement, DIY and emerging designers will leave budding gardeners inspired.

Byron Bay Bluesfest

18-23 April 2019

Next year marks the festival’s 30th birthday. Celebrate with 100,000 other music-fiends for five days of international (and Aussie-grown) blues’ performances. It’s suitable for families so bring the gang.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia

All the glamour, colour and next season’s pieces you’ll want to be seen in. Held in Sydney, it’s as much about the celebrities as the designers.

Dark Mofo

7-9 & 14-23 June 2019

Stemming from Mona, Tasmania’s mid-winter festival is a provocative multi-day event. Infamous for headline grabbing art, there’s also music, light instillations, exhibitions and nude winter solstice swims.

Yulefest

30 June-4 August 2019

A month of cheer in the Blue Mountains. Yulefest is midwinter Christmas hosted by all the hotels. Enjoy roaring fires, roast dinners and mulled wine. If you’re lucky, it’ll even snow.

Melbourne International Film Festival

2019 dates TBD

Visit Melbourne and combine all the city’s cultural merits with its annual film festival. Falling over three weeks, dine at award-winning restaurants and then catch a movie.

Pop in-store, call us on 0800 713 715 or visit houseoftravel.co.nz and let us create a custom event package just for you.