Three Grey Nurse Sharks re-homed as SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Completes $10M Overhaul

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium today completed some of the final stages of its $10M overhaul with its most significant animal operation to date; the re-housing of three of its largest inhabitants – 3.2 metre long, 300 kilogram Grey Nurse Sharks.

The Grey Nurse Sharks were some of the final animals to be rehoused following their removal from SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium’s enormous 1.5 millionlitre tank in order to make way for its $5M renovation. It took a team of 20 dedicated aquarists to meticulously move the animals into their spectacular new dwelling – an impressive, fully refurbished Shark Valley oceanarium.

Sebastian Schmid, Life Sciences Manager at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium commented: “We could not be more thrilled about how smoothly the re-homing operation went and the animals are already settling in famously. The team is exceptionally proud to be sharing this world class aquarium experience with our local and international visitors.”

The momentous, nine month refurbishment involved over 300 individual marine animals from up to 30 species, including Smooth Stingrays, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Lemon Sharks, Wobbegong Sharks, Port Jackson Sharks as well as Loggerhead and Green Turtles.

The animals’ spectacular new home has a glass walkway which literally allows guests to walk above a stunning shoal of over 50 sharks as they swim just inches beneath. It is situated in Shark Valley, an impressive 100 metres of ocean-tunnel walkthrough that delves deep into the underwater world, encouraging visitors to come face-to-fin with these awe-inspiring creatures. Shark Valley is dominated by a giant whale skeleton amongst the tumbled-down ruins of an ancient lost city temple and of sharks and rays gliding amongst the rocks.

Located in the heart of Sydney at Darling Harbour, visitors to the new SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium will be taken on a journey of amazing discovery through 14 newly-themed areas, including the new Shark Walk, Tropical Bay of Rays, Discovery Rockpool, Mangrove Swamps, South Coast Shipwreck, Dugong Island and the stunning new ocean tunnel walk-through, Shark Valley.

For more information on the newly relaunched SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, please visit: www.sydneyaquarium.com.au

Extended Day for Koala Breakfasts

Sydney –15 October, 2012 – With day light saving now in place for the warmer months, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo has extended Koala Breakfasts to both Saturday and Sunday. So as the warmer weather starts to set in, enjoy WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo’s truly unique dining experience, Breakfast with the Koalas.

With exclusive access to the attraction before the crowds arrive, Breakfast with the Koalas will take place every Saturday and Sunday at 7:15am, granting breakfast guests an exclusive guided tour through WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo when the animals are at their most active.

The limited capacity Breakfast with the Koalas will commence with an exclusive highlights tour guided by WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo’s experienced keepers. On the tour, guests will gain access to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo’s residents including Rex, our huge Saltwater Crocodile, a range of tropical butterflies, wallabies, and some of Australia’s most unique creepy crawlies.

Following the highlights tour, guests will receive an informative koala talk, a delicious hot buffet breakfast and an interactive experience with WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo’s resident koalas.
Visitors will also be able to take home special memories of their intimate koala encounter in the form of a 6 x 8 photograph, taken by a WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo photographer who will be on-hand to capture the experience as visitors cuddle up to the cute koalas.

About Breakfast with the Koalas:

Where: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour (next door to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium)
When: Every Saturday and Sunday 7:15am for a 7:30am start
Bookings recommended: 02 9333 9288 or www.wildlifesydney.com.au

About WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo:

Opening Hours: 9am to 8pm daily (until 6 April 2013)
Cost: Best price tickets guaranteed online at www.wildlifesydney.com.au
Contact: 02 9333 9288 or www.wildlifesydney.com.au
For more information on WILD LIFE Sydney, please visit: www.wildlifesydney.com.au

Book Hotel Accommodation Early This Christmas to Avoid Disappointment - Metro Hotels

The Christmas holiday season is a popular time for people to stay overnight in Sydney to avoid driving home after festive celebrations, or to accommodate visiting relatives and friends in city accommodation - but many people leave it too late to book, a leading Australian hotel chain has warned.

George Bedwani, COO of Australian hotel chain Metro Hotels, said accommodation in Sydney is already booking fast for the Christmas and New Year period, and people planning celebrations in the city during this period should consider booking now to avoid disappointment.

“It is important to remember that if you book early you will save on hotel rates as leaving it until the last minute, occupancy will rise and premium rates will apply.

“Our experience is that the current depressed economy has not impacted bookings for this period at all and accommodation in Sydney will be heavily booked for December and January. If people already know the date of their office Christmas party or want to spend New Year’s Eve in Sydney, now is the time to book accommodation.”

Mr Bedwani said New Year’s Eve in Sydney continues to be an international highlight, with Sydney City Council ensuring each year is uniquely themed to ensure crowds continued to congregate around the harbour to enjoy the spectacular fireworks and other festivities on offer.

He said some rooms were still available for New Year’s Eve for people keen to make the most of the celebrations, or to show visitors one of the best celebrations anywhere in the world.



Metro Hotels has five hotels and apartments in Sydney CBD. All its Sydney properties are heavily booked so people seeking accommodation for the December or January period should visit the Metro Hotels website at www.metrohotels.com.au

or call the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 004 321.

Book Hotel Accommodation early This Christmas to Avoid Disappointment - Metro Hotels

Russian National Ballet Theatre at Sydney State Theatre

Beautiful full length performances of two of the most cherished classical ballets of all time

The Russian National Ballet Theatre commences a tour of full-length classical performances of Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty in over 25 cities across Australia from September.

With more than 50 ballet dancers, the Russian National Ballet Theatre has toured the USA, China, Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Guatemala, Poland, South Korea and Japan transforming Russian Ballet.

Tchaikovsky's instantly recognisable music set against the wonderfully dark story of good against evil; Swan Lake is one of the most famous and loved of all ballets. This production by Evgeny Amosov, Artistic Director of The Russian National Ballet Theatre, is heralded around the world.

Swan Lake's glamorous set is evocative of the Russian Imperial world in which the ballet was created, while the haunting moonlit lakeside is perfect for the tragic conflict of the human and spirit worlds and allows the audience to be swept away in the vulnerability of Odette/ Odile.

One of the most lavish theatrical events of all time, the original St Petersburg staging of Sleeping Beauty in 1890 was a spectacular illustration of the Russian Imperial style at its zenith. Today it remains the cornerstone of the Russian National Ballet Theatre's repertory. The current staging is also directed by Evgeny Amosov accompanied by a huge cast in a fairytale setting and glorious Tchaikovsky score. This version has all the elements of an enduring fairy tale: romance, poetry, fate, goodness versus evil, and of course, love!

The Russian National Ballet Theatre was founded with support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. The basis for the creation of the theatre was necessity of promising young theatre with high creative potential, both the classical and contemporary. The theatre's repertoire includes not only classical performances such as The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Scotland Suite, Don Quixote and Gala Concert, but also modern ballets set to the music of Mozart, Bach, Ravel and others.

In 1976 Artistic Director Evgeny Amosov, graduated from the Perm Academy of choreography and then joined the Ekaterinburg Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet as a principal dancer. He is also a prize-winner of Russian and International choreography contests of ballet-masters and ballet dancers. In 1988 was Amosov was awarded the title Honored artist of Russia and in 1990 was the leading solo dancer of the state theatre Russian ballet. From 1993 till 1998 he studied at the Russian Academy of theatrical arts. In 2001 Amosov co-founded the company Russian National Ballet Theatre.

The Russian National Ballet Theatre is a cut above many of its rivals.
Washington Post

State Theatre Sydney
Dates: Sun 14 - Tue 16 Oct
Tickets: A Reserve $97.90 B Reserve $87.90
Bookings: www.statetheatre.com.au 1300 139 588

Magique Halloween Circus 2012 – Sydney Events

Magique Halloween Circus is the biggest fancy dress mixed performance dance party event.

Showcasing Australias best: Magicians + Grand illusion shows, Hypnotists, Pole Dancers, Burlesque & Boylesque Shows, Aerialists & Trapeze Acts, Fire Twirlers & Jugglers, Stilt Walkers, Unicyclists & death defying stunts, Contempory & Acrobatic Dance Showcases, Contortionists, Sword Swallowers and much more..

All Matched over a huge Arena in Sydney Luna Parks Big Top with seperate rooms playing Funky House, Electro, Hardstyle & Hard Trance(silent disco), Rnb, Hip Hop and various Live Retro -rock Bands.

Halloween Event Details:
Date: Saturday 27th October 2012
Time: 6pm – 12:30am
First Release Tickets $50 – Sold Out
Second Release Tickets $60 – Available now – limited numbers.
Final Release Tickets: $70 .
Location: The Big Top, Luna Park Sydney, 1 Olympic Drive Milsons Point Sydney.

BUY TICKETS TO MAGIQUE HALLOWEEN CIRCUS 2012

Find out More

Legally Blonde The Musical opens at The Star, Sydney

Based on the hit movie of the same name starring Reese Witherspoon, LEGALLY BLONDE is the award-winning London and Broadway sensation created by a top-of-their-class creative team, led by Tony Award-winning director and Olivier Award-nominated choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray). LEGALLY BLONDE ran for three triumphant years in the West End, over two years on Broadway and is currently on a major UK Tour playing to packed houses.

Winner of seven major awards including the coveted Best New Musical 2011 (Olivier Awards®) this all singing, all dancing romantic comedy is about knowing who you are and showing what you’ve got!

The Australian Premiere of this award-winning Broadway and West End sensation was secured for Sydney with the assistance of the NSW Government through Destination NSW and the City of Sydney.

The Sydney Lyric Theatre is going to be host to the famous musical 'Legally Blonde'.

Legally Blonde The Musical is the hilarious story of college sweetheart and homecoming queen, Elle Woods - a girl who doesn't take no for an answer. When her boyfriend dumps her for someone "serious", Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books and heads for Harvard Law School! Along the way, she proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.

Legally Blonde The Musical - Winner of Best Musical 2011 Olivier Awards and a smash hit running into its third year on the West End was created by a world-class creative team led by Tony Award-winning director Jerry Mitchell.

Based on the movie starring Reese Witherspoon and remaining true to the script, Legally Blonde the Musical is a feel-good number with a '90s feel.

College sweetheart Elle heads off to law school to win back her boyfriend Warner after he dumps her for someone more serious, only to graduate top of her class and find a far better love interest.
Warner, too, finds the courage to dump family expectations of a career in law and politics and pursue his true calling as a model.

"I've seen it on Broadway and the West End and it's great. It really does do the movie justice," leading actress Lucy Durack says.

"I love the role of Elle. As much as she looks like she hasn't a care in the world, people are unkind to her and judge her and she struggles with that.

"But she takes a positive path and rises above it. She doesn't take the low road, ever. The whole show is a celebration - be who you are, the best version of yourself, and be proud."

Darling Harbour Fiesta - Friday 5 October to Friday 26 October 2012

The sounds, tastes and sexy fun of Latin America will be heating up Darling Harbour this October at Fiesta!

Kick off your weekends at Fiesta Nights every Friday in October. Featuring free live music at Cockle Bay and Darling Quarter, and open-air street tango at Harbourside Amphitheatre where you can sit back and check out all the action or join in the Fiesta fever fun.

The party continues with a flamboyant weekend of dance, live bands, food and fun at the Fiesta Festival at Tumbalong Park, Harbourside and Palm Grove on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 October.

Darling Harbour
Sydney, NSW 2000

Get directions

The Script Live at Sydney Entertainment Centre

The Script are confirmed to return to Australia in 2013 with their biggest national tour to date!

With a sell-out performance at The Metro Theatre in Sydney, the show gave their fans a taste of all their new songs including the current hit; the appropriately titled ‘Hall Of Fame’ featuring will.i.am. The Metro show sold out in a matter of minutes so anticipation is high for the Script’s forthcoming arena shows, with these epic venues giving the band ample opportunity to perform the grand, sweeping anthems that have become so synonymous with their name.

Band mates Danny O’Donoghue, Mark Sheehan and Glen Power are known for thrilling their audiences with performances that echo with both the upbeat, groove laden numbers as well their stunning ballads, inviting you on the genre defying journey that has left audiences all over the world on their feet cheering for more.

With 128 million YouTube views, 1.5 million Twitter followers, 3.7 million fans on Facebook and two BRIT nominations, The Script have become an unstoppable force. After two sold out Australian tours and two platinum selling albums about to become “#3”, these concert tickets will be gone in literally minutes.

Call in sick, skip class, do whatever you have to do, just don’t miss this chance...