Fancy Heading to a Picnic Market?

Yes, you heard us right…NSW is taking markets and picnics to a dually combined new level.  Sydney’s Picnic Markets is simply an outdoor event so you can buy, sell, get fresh air and hob nob with locals. It’s pretty much a case of “if it’s on your blanket…it’s for sale!”

 

Maybe you’re a tourist, traveling through the city and looking to buy. Or heading to the area and possibly want to offload a bunch of items so you have more room in your luggage case for your next journey. How about the family spring cleaning soiree, where you can bundle up all those toys that are jammed in the cupboard under the stairs. Yes, this is the event for you if any or all the above brings an ‘aha’ to mind.

The concept behind the event is a logical solution to recycling and combat waste in the area. This is especially for the inner city folk who don’t have a garage to host a sale.  It’s also perfect for budding artists and entrepreneurs to showcase their creativity and innovation with a friendly community.

The event takes place every third Sunday so the next one’s set for 19^th April from 11am to 4pm at Prince Alfred Park. Book your stall, for $25 AUD, at this link and you’re good to go. You can start setting up your picnic stall after 1030am which is great since you don’t need to be schlepping items to display hours beforehand, and can have a bit of a sleep in. You can rent a picnic blanket for just $5 but tables and chairs are discouraged as the height proportions lose the essence of being able to view all the stalls. Anyone attending: the event is free but account that there are no food stalls so buyers and sellers, bring your own snacks.

We love the idea of the Picnic Market as it’s such an innovative way to mingle with locals, and for tourists – you can see how the other world live. Maybe there are old world Aussie stories they’ll tell you about how the selling artifact has been passed through generations, or collector’s items that are native to the country.  The only items you won’t find are the commercially manufactured ones, adding to the Market’s unique approach for all things authentic. 

With the Park located just 22 minutes drive or 35 minutes by train/ferry to a Sydney boutique hotel, what better way to unwind after a sociable day than at Cremorne Point Manor.  As a visitor, not only will you have yapped with the locals, maybe learning new tips and cultures along the way, but you can also take in the stunning scenery. The Manor overlooks the incredible Harbour Bridge, downtown city skyline and Opera House.  Tripadvisor’s awarded the Manor a Certificate of Excellence, for the 4^th consecutive year, which is no walk in the park…unless you’re heading to a picnic.

Fashion Week Sydney, dahlings!

If you’re an all-things-wearable fan, then you need to be in NSW between 12 – 19 April for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia The who’s who of fashion designers, models and celebrities will be strutting their stuff at Carriageworks on Wilson Street. They’ll be showing you what you’ll be wearing over the next few seasons so whatever you show up in, it’ll be SO last year. 
 

Celebrating the 20^th anniversary, this year will be a huge extravaganza yet if you can’t grab a front row seat, you can check the highlights broadcast at Pitt Street Mall. Also make a note in your diary for the 18 – 19 April weekend signature public event that features global designers from Berlin, New York, Miami and Istanbul. 

Kicking off with models over 5’10” on the 12^th is the Runway opener followed the next day by the official welcome. The opening show will include Strateas.Carlucci, Swarovski and Watson X Watson, to name but a few brands. On the 14^th, you can check out the industry seminars and runways by Ginger & Smart, Han and Zhivago. With industry seminars most days and a flurry of showcases back to back, you really do need to ensure you have a change of clothing for each runway – or at least turn your jacket inside out as a double up makeshift Plan B attempt.

There’s a who’s who line up of sponsors including MAC, Ciroc and Redken. We’re not sure if there are goodie bags for attendees at the public event but we expect there will be product placement giveaways and retail therapy opportunities for ticket holders.

After a few long days of weighing up what’s hot, what’s not and how maxed out your credit card is, you’ll need to tone down on the spending spree. This is where Sydney’s boutique hotel comes into play. One of the most affordable 4 star hotels in Cremorne Point, in a glamorous residential area, you can create your own runway during a short walk to the ferry. Just a few minutes ride to and from the Harbour and overlooking the stunning Sydney skyline, Opera House and Bridge, the views are priceless.  If you think stardom glitz is just for catwalk viewing…think again. Check our home page video showing sensational aerial views from the Manor.  Kick off those heels and enjoy the video show!

A Family Affair in April

For all families visiting NSW in April, you’re arriving at the perfect time. From the 2^nd - 12^th of the month, the Dodo Sydney Family Show is the magical place where kids, and parental guidance, can meet the Lightening McQueen, all the friends from the Disney’s Cars and say hello to Dusty. Not only can they get up close, and personally drive Lightening McQueen scatty, but there’s also an incredible Live Looney Show. This is where your rugrats can check out the Looney Tunes gang at the Dodo Stage.

If you think it doesn’t get any happier…it does. A multitude of rides for kids to play on include Dodgem Cars, a classic carousel and jumping castles with unlimited rider wrist bands. This literally means they get to ride all the rides! If your kids are a bit anxious about the mayhem and want to pace it, they can enjoy each ride at only $5 a pop. 

For the less adventurous who are simply looking for childhood calm in their day, the Animal Nursery will be right up your alley. This is part feature show and part petting zoo. Enjoy a chat with piglets, ducks, fawn, puppies, goats, lambs and all their parents. Yep, say hello to a kid…and their father goat. Taking the Nursery a step further, you can watch the racing pigs and squeal at the winning piglet. Sponsor a race and name your pig, these trotters are up for a good time also. If the more furry type are to your liking, the rabbit competition returns on Good Friday so cheer them along to see who wins Best In Show. Obviously it’d not be a real nursery if you can’t pet them so encourage your kids to have a hug with a bunny.

The best things in life are free so you’d be pleased to know (especially parents on a budget), that this is Australia’s largest free entry family show. All you need to do is check out the Dodo Sydney Family Show ticket page. The unlimited rider bands are $35 for 4 hours and for $110, this is the price for a family ticket (4 people), alongside multi tier price packages.

As a great, personal touch, your kids can walk away with a show bag. The prices vary and the range is vast from the Milky Bar to Lotza Dolls, Nerds and Bertie Beetle. Kids can stock up on all their favourite kids show items and spend the next 24 hours wowing over their treasures or pulling them apart.

Just 15 minutes drive or 43 minutes by bus/ferry, you can be heading north to one of Sydney’s oldest hotels. When you reach Cremorne Point Manor, if the kids aren’t already snoring, you can check out MacCallum Seawater Pool. Once the rugrats are tucked up in bed, we highly recommend you relax with a cocktail and watch the sun set, overlooking the Sydney Opera House and Harbour skyline.  If you need a preview of magic, check out our home page video. Goofy has nothing on the Manor views!

Where Art Thou in Sydney?

From the 6^th – 29^th March, New South Wales turns into a mecca of creativity for Sydney Art Month.  With over a hundred showcasing galleries, the city is throwing their doors open for you to be inspired by masterpieces, and learn how the artists created them. 

 

This annual shin dig is dedicated to supporting local artists and encouraging budding artists to pursue their talents. This month’s theme is ‘Where Art Happens,’ under the guidance of Artistic Director Glenn Barkley. The theme accentuates the relationship between artists, their creative path and the supporting galleries, showing their work. You can also take artist-led tours and hear directly from the horse’s mouth, about ideas that accelerated them to create their finale canvas or installation. 

This festival is ideal for tourists looking for unique art or for business travellers who are interested in taking clients for a breather from meetings. Maybe consider taking a City Art Tour in Circular Quay and the Botanic Gardens on 11^th March, before a business lunch. Or possibly a Go West Bus Tour on the 14^th with friends, to visit major galleries such as the Parrametta Artists Studios?  For anyone feeling more active on the 15^th, you can take the Leichhardt Open Studio Trail by bike to peruse art studios in the Leichhardt LGA. Looking for an evening tour? Then the Waterloo Sunset on the 28^th includes a leisurely walk and wine tasting, reviewing three art spaces in the area and sampling Lisa McGuigan’s award winning vinos.

Most of the events are free yet others include a charge. Don’t worry, the rates aren’t extortionate i.e. Wine & Walk tour is $40 p/p and remember, it does include liquid dinner!

Talking about evenings, there are a flurry of events called Art At Night during the festival, at Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Wellington St Projects, Archibald Fountain and Firstdraft Gallery. The events finish either 8pm or 10pm and include drinks, music and performances so you’re fully covered in the entertainment category.

For visitors and locals with kids, there’s a family section on the website including jewellery and papermaking workshops to drawing, animation, puppetry and ‘make your own print’ classes.

Just a short ferry ride from the Harbour, you’ll be at Cremorne Point, where you can marvel over a 19^th century heritage building, now a stunning boutique hotel. At Cremorne Point Manor, one of the oldest hotels in Sydney, dig deep into your own artistic talent while you view the downtown skyline at night. It’s a work of art but since seeing is believing, check our home page video, an inspiration in itself.

Comic-Con Hits Sydney in September

If you’re heading to Sydney later this year or considering a trip to NSW and pondering dates, then make sure you consider the 26-27 September. On this weekend, the famous Sydney Comic-Con will be taking place at the Exhibition Center. 

Bringing you within eye level of the biggest names in comics, sci-fi, TV, movies, digital technology and all things truly creative, Comic-Con 2015 will not disappoint! It’s not only a destination for pop culture fans in Australia but with so many exhibitors, events and celebrity appearances, you’ll be out of your animated mind to miss this. 

Take into account that the event will be touring the country this year so for all budding fans, if you want to max out on the fun before Sydney, Comic-Con will be in Brisbane on the 19–20 September.

There are nine publishing guests at the event from Paul Mason (The Soldier Legacy) to Jason Palmer (Firefly) and Kylie Chan (Dark Heavens). More guests are scheduled so keep checking the website. Just in case you need an additional adrenaline rush, last year’s line-up included Orlando Bloom, Chris Wahl and William Shatner. 

For all families planning their trip to Sydney, Comic-Con is the epitome of fun for kids in the Family Activity Room. There are programming classes for the little ones including workshops, arts, crafts and interactive, so you can chill out and enjoy the event while your little monsters knock themselves out with creativity. 

The coolest part about Comic-Con is the price as you’ll not be breaking the bank during the weekend. Online advanced tickets are only $30 (AUD) each day or buy a weekend ticket at $50. If your rugrats are in tow, you receive one free kid’s ticket (aged 4-12) with every adult purchase. Additional children’s tickets are $15 each day or $25 for the weekend. 

During the weekend, create your own magical experience, buy some capes and fly (not literally) over the Famous Harbour by ferry to a Sydney boutique hotel.  Within a few minutes, you’ll be at Cremorne Point Manor, overlooking the stunning city skyline. If you’re lucky, you may see the Bat-signal. Hey, you never know when the force may be with you!