Yeah, Yeah, Yeah - The Beatles are back in Australia!

50 years after their first visit to Australia, Sydney welcomes George, John, Paul and Ringo again. Celebrating their arrival, The Beatles ‘walked’ in line across a pedestrian crossing in front of Sydney’s Opera House to re-enact the iconic Abbey Road album cover. 

Back on tour, just like they were in 1964, the fab four have just landed from Tokyo and will be part of an interactive exhibit at Madame Tussauds in Darling Harbour. The visit will be for a limited time only however, as the group will jet off to San Francisco for the last leg of their tour in September. 

The exhibit features the band in their late 1960s-era styling and allows fans to stand in line with the band to create their very own personalised album cover.

Just like their whirlwind tour five decades ago, these four iconic wax figures will only be on show at Madame Tussauds Sydney for a limited time. Not only can guests interact with the famous four, but can also recreate a moment of Beatles history in their very own Abbey Road album cover.
An Iconic Band

Madame Tussauds first held sittings with The Beatles in 1964, and were the first ever rock band to be featured at Madame Tussauds. For the new touring figures, the Madame Tussauds studio team have used a combination of the sitting measurements and additional image research including a number of image references from the 1969 Abbey Road photo shoot. 



The style of the figures is based on their styling around the time, not long before the band's dissolution in 1970.

History of the Capitol Theatre - Saving Sydney's Iconic Theatre

The Capitol Story: Saving Sydney's Iconic Theatre

Early Days
Construction of Belmore Markets begins on the current site of the Capitol Theatre in 1866 as Sydney’s first permanent fruit and vegetable market. Belmore Markets was later dismantled and re-erected as the Hippodrome. All of the features of the original market are retained in the outer shell of the theatre today.
In 1916, Wirth’s Circus and Hippodrome opens – the largest theatre in Australia.

After its conversion from the Wirth Bros Hippodrome, the ‘new’ Capitol Theatre opened in 1928 as Australia’s first ‘atmospheric’ Picture Palace. The 2,999 auditorium was transformed to an open-air Florentine garden, complete with artificial foliage, flocks of birds, statues, swirling clouds & twinkling stars.

Originally the theatre showed movies, with a Wurlitzer organ, stage band & Capitol Ballet dancers. This same organ now resides at the Orion Centre in Campsie where people can still come to hear it play.

Belmore Markets
Nestled in the historic Haymarket district, the building itself began its life in 1892 as the Belmore markets. The market’s motif of fruit and foliage may still be seen in the terra cotta decorative relief of fruit and foliage in the spandrels of the arches.

Circus Days
In 1916 the building was converted to a hippodrome designed specifically for the Wirth Bros circus. Part of the specification was the reinforced concrete water tank 12 metres in diameter and 3.6 metres deep for performances by seals and polar bears. The tank had a hydraulically controlled platform that was raised from the base to form a cover that doubled as a circus ring when the pool was not in use. This tank still exists but is covered by the new floor.

Picture Palace
Within 10 years the circus became financially unviable and Wirth Bros initiated the idea of converting the theatre to a picture palace or movie theatre. In 1927 John Eberson, a renowned American designer of theatrically themed theatres, was commissioned to create the Capitol Theatre for its new tenant, Union Theatres. The classical reproduction statues and architectural props were manufactured in the US, scrupulously numbered for shipment and reassembly – supervised by Sydney theatre designer Henry White.

Opening Night
The Sydney Morning Herald covered the opening in 1928:
“The effect of the new Capitol Theatre on the crowds which entered it on Saturday night was bewildering and a little overwhelming. One seemed to have stepped from under the dull skies of everyday life and passed into an enchanted region where the depth of the blue heavens had something magical about it and something heavily exotic, clouds passed lightly over then stars began to twinkle. Then again all was blue and clear.”

Glory Days
In 1928 people were attracted into the theatre to escape to a different world, they were captivated by the whimsical decor and the lavishness of the surroundings. They went to hear the orchestra and the mighty Wurlitzer, to watch the newsreel and soak up everything Hollywood had to offer. But for the Capitol, the glory days were over before they had started. Greater Union was hit hard by the depression and by 1933 when the theatre was converted for talkies, it was already showing second rate movies.

Changing Times
In 1945 there were 151 million admissions to Australian cinemas, the biggest year in Australian movie history, but by 1958 Australians had been seduced by television and more than 20% of Sydney cinemas had closed. It was a grim time for many theatres and without major investment the Capitol’s future looked bleak. In 1972, Harry M. Miller presented Jesus Christ Superstar which had a successful two-year run but time, lack of funds and vandalism had taken their toll and the Capitol was in ruins.

Saving an Icon
By the end of the 1970’s it seemed the only real value was the land, the Sydney City Council considered demolition to allow a new lyric theatre to be built on the site. But in 1981 Australia’s last remaining atmospheric theatre was snatched from the jaws of the bulldozer by a Heritage Council conservation order and plans were made to restore the building and create a world-class lyric theatre.

Restoration
For the first time in its history the theatre underwent a complete and thorough restoration that took two years and cost over $30m to complete. The orchestra pit was expanded with space for 110 musicians. New dressing rooms and technical areas incorporated part of the old tunnels used by the animals in the theatre's former life as a hippodrome.

The fly-tower was extended to become 30 metres high and 37 metres wide extending nine metres into Hay Street making it one of the largest in Australia. In July 1995 an acclaimed production of Miss Saigon put the Capitol back on the world stage.

Finally the Capitol had the second chance it deserved and Sydney has a theatre to be proud of.

Source: http://capitoltheatre.com.au/index.php/about-us/history-of-the-capitol


Coming to Capitol Theatre for a show?
Want to stay close to the theatre while in Sydney?

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is located directly opposite the Capitol Theatre. It is a smoke-free hotel offering free WiFi and located only minutes away from Sydney attractions such as Darling Harbour, Cockle Bay Wharf, Star City Casino, Sydney Entertainment Centre, Paddy's Markets and the city's dining and cinema districts. Public transport is conveniently close with Sydney’s Central Station and the Coach terminal less than five minutes walk.

To view our rooms or to book, visit our website: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/hotels/new-south-wales/metro-hotel-sydney-central

Metro Hotel Sydney Central hotel room

Bob Dylan Touring Australia & Sydney Opera House

It took a while but at age 73, Bob Dylan is set to play his first-ever concert at the Sydney Opera House as part of his upcoming Australian tour.

Dylan, who is also playing three shows at the State Theatre, ends his Australian tour at the world-famous waterfront venue in the Concert Hall on September 7.

But tickets for the Opera House show - which go on sale at 8am on July 4 - don't come cheap. Standard tickets start at $199 although for a music legend the top tier is a comparatively reasonable $249.

Comparative to say, Barbra Streisand, who is considered to be the most expensive legacy act, with her lowest-priced tickets often priced over $500 and up to $1500.

There is no indication yet that luxury or plantinum-type packages will be available.

Dylan's tour begins in Perth on August 13 and takes in Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Adelaide before reaching Sydney. Tickets went on sale on June 3 and are sold out for Sydney's State Theatre shows and believed to be nearly sold out for Melbourne.

Meanwhile, Dylan's place as one of the most important innovators in contemporary music history is expected to be further underlined at a Sotheby's auction on Tuesday in New York. His handwritten lyrics for the song Like A Rolling Stone are expected to fetch over $US530,000 ($565,000).

A Sotheby's employee shows the handwritten lyrics for Bob Dylan's
 Like a Rolling Stone song that is up for auction. Photo: Reuters

Richard Austin, head of Tuesday's two-part sale at Sotheby's told AFP it was the first time a six-minute single was released, allowing people to go beyond short format, and marked one of the first cases of viral marketing.

Executives opposed its release because of its length, but an employee took it to a nightclub where it played all night, leading to DJs to clamour Columbia records for its eventual release, which came in 1965.

Austin said there was "a lot of interest" in both sets of Dylan lyrics ahead of the auction, calling them a "wonderful thing just to see."

Dylan's final lyrics for the protest anthem A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall also go under the hammer, estimated to be worth $US400,000-$US600,000 by Sotheby's.

The auction celebrates various rock performers who have gripped the world for the past 60 years.

A piano first played by Lennon when he was recording the album Imagine and later played in multiple studios by him, Dylan and Reed, among others, is valued at $US100,000 to $US200,000.

Among the other items are the infamous contract that Jimi Hendrix signed in 1965, in which he agreed to play exclusively for record label PPX for just one American dollar. It's valued at $US100,000 to $US200,000.

BOB DYLAN TOUR DATES

August 13-14 - Riverside Theatre, PCEC, Perth (All Ages)
ticketek.com.au, 132 849

August 18-20 - Palais Theatre, Melbourne (All Ages)
ticketmaster.com.au, 136100

August 25 - Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (All Ages)
ticketek.com.au, 132 849

August 29 - Royal Theatre, Canberra (All Ages)
ticketek.com.au, 132 849

August 31 - Entertainment Centre, Adelaide (All Ages)
ticketek.com.au, 132 849

September 3-5 - State Theatre, Sydney (All Ages)
ticketmaster.com.au, 136100

September 7 - Sydney Opera House (All Ages)
sydneyoperahouse.com, (02) 9250 7777


Source: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/bob-dylan-to-play-first-sydney-opera-house-gig-20140623-zsikp.html


Need accommodation in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne or Perth for Bob Dylan's Australian tour?

Try Metro Hotels - we have 3 conveniently located hotels and apartment in the centre of Sydney, boutique serviced-apartments in Melbourne and hotels in Brisbane CBD and Perth:

New South Wales (Sydney CBD):

• Metro Hotel Sydney Central
• Metro Hotel on Pitt
• Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour

Victoria (Melbourne CBD):

• Metro Apartments on Bank Place

Queensland (Brisbane CBD):

• Metro Hotel Tower Mill

Western Australia:

• Metro Hotel Perth

So whether you need hotel or apartment accommodation, Metro Hotels has got you covered.

Sir David Attenborough Live in Sydney | The Third Dimension

Sir David Attenborough will appear live on stage in Sydney and Melbourne in November in a brand new show titled Sir David Attenborough – The Third Dimension.

A pioneer of the latest technological advances in program making, Sir David brings the natural world to audiences worldwide in ways not dreamt of just a few years ago.

Focusing on his latest programs, Sir David will share his most recent experiences filming the natural world, using the latest technology such as CGI and time-lapse, and showing audiences some of his programs highlights as they were meant to been watched – in 3D.

“Imagine Sir David, in person, on stage, talking about his latest filming expedition and then watching his work in 3D”, said Lateral Events CEO Simon Baggs. “This maybe the largest 3D viewing in Australia, a testament to Sir David’s continuing quest to use the latest technology to bring us closer to the natural world. It will truly be a unique experience.”

Following the sold-out tours of Australia in 2012 and 2013, the new show will provide a completely fresh look at the natural world and an insight into Sir David’s recent travels and discoveries.

PRICES:

Platinum $245.00

A Reserve $199.00
B Reserve $149.00
C Reserve $99.00
D Reserve $65.00

Payment processing and transaction fees apply

Find Nearby Accommodation at Metro Hotels in Sydney

Pre and Post Show Food and Beverages nearby at Palace Hotel Sydney

Find out more and purchase Tickets

DIRTY DANCING (Just Announced!) - Sydney Lyric in January 2015

JUST ANNOUNCED: The international hit musical DIRTY DANCING will return to Australia a decade after its World Premiere in Sydney, opening at the Sydney Lyric in January 2015! 

Featuring hit songs including “Hungry Eyes”, “Hey! Baby, Do You Love Me?” and the iconic (I’ve Had) “The Time Of My Life”, DIRTY DANCING has become one of the most popular musical productions of all time. 

DIRTY DANCING RETURNS TO WHERE THE MAGIC BEGAN
Leading Australian theatre producer John Frost has announced the international hit musical Dirty Dancing will return to Australia in January 2015, a decade after its World Premiere in Sydney.

“Dirty Dancing has been an amazing worldwide success,” said Frost. “The 1987 film was a massive hit, and the original movie soundtrack contains some of the most loved songs of all time. The stage musical gave audiences the chance to hear these songs performed live and to experience the breathtaking dance routines. People flocked to it, breaking records all around the world. 

The UK Observer called Dirty Dancing ‘The biggest live theatre sensation of all time’. Now, ten years after the World Premiere in Sydney, it returns home to where the magic began, playing at the Sydney Lyric where audiences can again have the Time Of Their Lives.”

Featuring hit songs including Hungry Eyes, Hey! Baby, Do You Love Me? and the iconic (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life, Dirty Dancing has become one of the most popular musical productions of all time.

Waitlist now by adding Dirty Dancing to your favourites.

Club Lyric members will receive priority access to tickets. If you're not already a member, email club@sydneylyric.com.au to sign up.

Tickets from Ticket Master http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/Dirty-Dancing-tickets/artist/1518833

Cool Yule at Darling Harbour Brings the Magic of a Northern Hemisphere Winter to Darling Harbour

IMAGINE walking through a Narnia-like frozen forest with 350 white fir trees standing seven metres tall, a flurry of snow bursts, icicles and ghostly lighting, right in the middle of Darling Harbour.

The enchanted forest installation is one of the corner pieces of the inaugural Cool Yule, a month long winter festival.

Project manager Cathy Levins-Byres, from the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, said she wanted everyone to rug up and “come out and get cold”.

“We wanted to really go a step further and create a winter playground to really get the message out there – winter is only beginning and we will take you through it,” she said.

“There are snow cones and snow pits, a giant inflatable iceberg floating in the middle of Cockle Bay Wharf and a giant snowflake.

“It’s all about cold and celebrating everything that is cold. We want you to get out, have fun and get your adrenalin going.

“A lot of families cannot afford to bring their children to see snow so we are trying to bring the snow to Sydney.”

The foreshore authority is also bringing in a snow-making machine – using a white vapour refrigeration system – to make real snow which will be released in blasts along Cockle Bay Wharf, the Harbourside promenade and the eastern end of Pyrmont Bridge.

Ms Levins-Byres said activities were either free or very affordable, such as a cover charge of $5 for 20 minutes of play in the snow pits.

Cool Yule highlights also include an ice rink, firework displays and the Ice Men of Colorado, who will be chiselling away at huge blocks of ice creating extreme sculptures every evening in a show set to rock music.

“We are encouraging people after work to come out and have some fun,” Ms Levins-Byres said. “You do not just have to go home miserable because it’s winter.”

One of Cool Yule’s big drawcards will be an ice rink at Tumbalong Park featuring an Après Skate bar serving gourmet winter delights.

There will be a 25m Thredbo snow slide and a snow pit at the Australian National Maritime Museum’s forecourt to delight visitors.

Snow pit session times will be divided into age groups for two to six-year-olds, seven to 12-year-olds and everyone over 13 to ensure safe fun for everyone.

If you’ve ever wanted to fit inside a snow globe and let’s face it – who hasn’t? – then why not try out the life-size Air New Zealand Snow Globe which will provide an incredible backdrop for winter selfies.

There is plenty of entertainment for younger children, including the Monkey Baa Story Theatre which runs every Sunday.

As part of the festival, Cockle Bay will feature an inflatable iceberg, Palm Grove will be lit up with a giant snowflake and there will be an incredible frosty firework display featuring blue and silvery lights every Saturday.

Restaurants throughout the Darling Harbour precinct have also got on board and will serve wintry meals and drinks including mulled wine and hot toddies.

Spend $15 in the Lindt Chocolate Cafe or marquee to get a ride in one of the huge Lindt Lindor Zorb Balls at Darling Harbour Marina.

This is the first Cool Yule and is hosted by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority with partners and will be held at various spots in Darling Harbour from June 13 to July 13.

Find ideal Winter Sydney Accommodation at Metro Hotels

'Game Of Thrones: The Exhibition' confirms Sydney dates

Now that the fourth blood-soaked season of HBO’s Game Of Thrones has come to a close, fans are no doubt left wondering what to do with themselves until season five. As previously announced, however, those based in Sydney have an extra helping hand in the form of Game Of Thrones: The Exhibition, which has now confirmed its running dates of July 1 to July 5.

Being hosted at the Museum of Contemporary Art, the joint HBO-Google Play production will be open to the public, free of charge, between 10am and 8pm on its operating days. Launch day – Tuesday, July 1 – will have slightly later hours, running from 11am to 10pm.

The exhibition will feature a range of authentic costumes, props, armour and weapons seen on the show, and an Oculus Rift-powered immersive experience that puts users in the boots of some poor sap guarding the frozen, gargantuan Wall, and give attendees the opportunity to get their face snapped while lounging about on the world’s most uncomfortable-looking chair – the Iron Throne.

The announcement comes in conjunction with the release of Game Of Thrones’ fourth season on Google Play today, which includes a slew of exclusive content for Aussie buyers including the featurette A Slave To Grammar: Creating The Valyrian Language, which is a must-watch for anyone who wants to craft insults only other giant nerds will understand. A collected edition of the first three seasons is also available.

Source: http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2014/06/17/game-of-thrones-the-exhibition-confirms-sydney-dates/

Cool Yule: Darling Harbour's 'Icemen' ready to sculpt away

Edward Fraze and Don Harrison Jr, aka the "Icemen", have readied their tools - now all they need is a big ice block. Photo: Brendan Esposito

Darling Harbour has a pair of pocket aces up its sleeve in its attempt to draw families and tourists to the precinct as the mercury dips: two "extreme ice sculptors" from Colorado. 

Armed with chisels and chain saws, "Icemen" Edward Fraze and Don Harrison jnr will give three live sculpting performances from Tuesday night until Friday. 

The pair will have just 30 minutes to transform large slabs of ice, weighing up to 150 kilograms, into winter-theme pieces, and Fraze says audiences can expect a "very high energy, very intense performance".

"As the performance starts, one of us will take one part of the sculpture and the other will take the other part, and we just go to town. We almost race each other," Fraze said. 

The duo "like to improvise along the way", and Fraze hinted that a menagerie of icy polar bears, penguins and other snow-loving creatures would grace the Harbourside Amphitheatre before melting down to a puddle – eventually. 

While Sydney's winter is substantially milder than the Americans are used to, a supply of dry ice and water will slow the melting process. 

The free Extreme Ice Show is part of Darling Harbour's Cool Yule festival, which runs for four weeks until July 13. Other activities include a snow pit, an open-air ice-skating rink, a 25-metre inflatable snow slide, firework displays and a frozen forest installation. 

Cool Yule: Darling Harbour's 'Icemen' ready to sculpt away

Edward Fraze and Don Harrison Jr, aka the "Icemen", have readied their tools - now all they need is a big ice block. Photo: Brendan Esposito

Darling Harbour has a pair of pocket aces up its sleeve in its attempt to draw families and tourists to the precinct as the mercury dips: two "extreme ice sculptors" from Colorado. 

Armed with chisels and chain saws, "Icemen" Edward Fraze and Don Harrison jnr will give three live sculpting performances from Tuesday night until Friday. 

The pair will have just 30 minutes to transform large slabs of ice, weighing up to 150 kilograms, into winter-theme pieces, and Fraze says audiences can expect a "very high energy, very intense performance".

"As the performance starts, one of us will take one part of the sculpture and the other will take the other part, and we just go to town. We almost race each other," Fraze said. 

The duo "like to improvise along the way", and Fraze hinted that a menagerie of icy polar bears, penguins and other snow-loving creatures would grace the Harbourside Amphitheatre before melting down to a puddle – eventually. 

While Sydney's winter is substantially milder than the Americans are used to, a supply of dry ice and water will slow the melting process. 

The free Extreme Ice Show is part of Darling Harbour's Cool Yule festival, which runs for four weeks until July 13. Other activities include a snow pit, an open-air ice-skating rink, a 25-metre inflatable snow slide, firework displays and a frozen forest installation. 

Short Break at Central

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is offering this Short Break package including:

• Accommodation for up to 2 adults in a Superior Queen Room
• Daily internet
• Bottle of wine and chocolates on arrival
• $20 per day in Metro Money to spend on Food and Beverage

Offer is subject to availability and may not be available for special event dates.
Rates are not valid with any other offer.
Bookings are non-refundable
All other terms & conditions will be provided when making your booking

Book now at: http://www.metro-hotel-central-sydney.bookings.metrohotels.com.au/index.site.packages.package.6089.html

NSW Government announces $7.2 million to transform the Australian Museum

The Minister for the Arts, the Hon. Troy Grant MP today announced $7.2 million for the transformation of the Australian Museum.

The Australian Museum, the nation’s oldest and one of the most important scientific research, educational and cultural institutions, will receive $4.7 million over two years to complete a Master Plan to develop the current museum site. The New Australian Museum Master Plan will include new spaces dedicated to education and learning, a large temporary exhibition space to host international blockbuster exhibitions as well as a dedicated gallery to display the Museum’s internationally significant Pacific collection.

A further $2.5 million has also been granted to implement Stage 1 of the New Australian Museum which will significantly improve the visitor experience and accessibility. The planned works in Stage 1 include a new entrance on William Street, a new gallery space highlighting biodiversity, as well as a new rooftop brasserie with spectacular views over the city to the harbour.

Mr Grant said, “The NSW State Government recognises the importance of the Australian Museum to the city, the state and the nation and is funding these important works and future planning to ensure the Australian Museum can deliver a world-class visitor experience to the people of NSW and to interstate and international tourists.”

Kim McKay AO, CEO and Director of the Australian Museum said, “We are excited to receive this funding from the NSW Government which will allow us to immediately begin transforming the museum. The visitor experience will be markedly improved by moving the main entrance to William Street. Our permanent gallery space will be added to for the first time in over 30 years with the creation of 632 m2 of exhibition space on biodiversity featuring more than 400 animals.

“This is our first step in a visionary long-term Master Plan for the entire Australian Museum site. The planning funds will allow us to develop detailed plans over the next two years. I’m also delighted we can make immediate changes to transform the visitor experience – with a new gallery, new entrance, improved visitor circulation and new rooftop brasserie,” Ms McKay said.

Source: http://australianmuseum.net.au/media/Museum-transformation

Sorry Australia: Sydney's the only city anyone cares about

Another day, another survey. This time it’s PriceWaterhouseCoopers’ ranking of the world’s most attractive cities – and Sydney managed to come in ninth, despite having worse transport and infrastructure than Mumbai and Rio De Janeiro.

But why isn’t Melbourne in the top 10? And where do the likes of Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide feature? Unfortunately, we’ll never know – the people doing the survey simply didn’t bother to look at any other Australian cities.

This is hardly unusual. If a global study needs a selection of 40 or 50 cities, it’s often the case that Sydney will be the only one from Oz making the cut. It’s the biggest city in Australia, and barring a few quibbles, it acts as a decent proxy for the country as a whole. The other cities? Well, they’re kinda expendable.

Australia is not the only country where this is the case. The good folk of Manchester or Birmingham in England spit feathers when London is used as the sole urban representative of the UK. Lyon and Marseille get overlooked in favour of Paris. And good luck finding surveys of Mexico, Argentina and Thailand that are prepared to go beyond Mexico City, Buenos Aires and Bangkok.

For similar reasons, if there’s a breaking news story in Australia or the Pacific region, international newspapers and TV stations will probably get their correspondent in Sydney to cover it. That the story may be happening thousands of kilometres away from Sydney is irrelevant – they’ve only got budget for one correspondent in the region, and Sydney is the logical base for them.

This is all reflective of a fairly uncomfortable truth – for most foreigners, Sydney is the only Australian city that matters.

This is partly because, by global standards let alone local ones, Sydney is exceptional. Arguably only the likes of Cape Town, Vancouver and Rio De Janeiro can rival it for natural setting. We can argue about relative merits of cultural scenes, dining options and lifestyle until the cows come home, but in the eyes of a visitor prepared to fly half way across the world to visit Australia, looks give Sydney a monstrous head start.
Tourism Australia’s own figures show that people don’t really come to Australia for city life. Even the Chinese market, which is generally associated with preferring urban environments, puts visiting Aussie cities well down the list of priorities. Given a list of 19 aspects of Australia, such as “local culture and art” or “the laidback Australian lifestyle”, “the major Australian cities” was ranked as the 16th most appealing option. Just 25 per cent liked the sound of it.

The same survey for the UK market gave a list of 12 destinations, and asked which ones appealed. Sydney came top, with 43 per cent. The next city was Melbourne, way back in joint fifth with 25 per cent and level with Tasmania. Just 17 per cent liked the sound of Adelaide, and that’s partly because it was phrased as “Adelaide and surrounds”, so it’s fair to assume a fair chunk of that is down to the neighbouring wine regions. Perth and Brisbane? They weren’t even given as options.

Ploughing through the stats, it’s fairly easy to reach a conclusion that can be reached through a bit of soul searching and common sense. People aren’t going to spend their limited holiday time flying 18 hours to a city that’s quite nice, but is perhaps less interesting than several much closer to home. Sydney stands out because it has the natural wonders that people will fly such distances for – that it’s a city as well is a handy bonus.
So before grumbling about Sydney getting all the limelight, it’s probably worth putting local pride and petty parochiality aside for a second to ask yourself one question: If a friend from overseas had three weeks to spend in Australia, where would you suggest they go?

Personally, I’d check roughly what they’re into, drill the idea of not trying to do too much in, then settle on something fairly predictable. Sydney, a bit of beach and bush, the Great Barrier Reef, and a taste of the Outback – probably in the Top End. If they’re really, really into cities, then I’d suggest Melbourne too. Now it has toned down the insanely pointless “most European city in Australia” nonsense and has the confidence not to resort to comparisons, it’s a strong enough primary destination in its own right.

Darwin, at least, has a distinctive vibe and character not really found anywhere else – although it is still best used as a base. Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Hobart? All places where you can have a perfectly enjoyable few days, but would leave you with a hefty dose of “is that it?” if spending a fortune and a year’s annual leave to go there.

Is this something Australians should be up in arms about or embarrassed by? Not really. Many countries don’t have a single city worth going so far out of the way for. Others have one or two. For a nation of under 24 million people and a considerable geographical disadvantage to have one undisputed urban draw card and another debatable one is pretty good going. Sydney may be the only Australian city foreigners care about – but that still represents a country punching above its weight.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-essentials/travel-news/sorry-australia-sydneys-the-only-city-anyone-cares-about-20140523-38r6s.html

History of the Eagles - Live in concert

Presented by: Frontier Touring
Tickets On Sale: Tuesday 10 June 2014, 10.00am

Frontier Touring is thrilled to announce the return of one of music’s most iconic groups to our shores.  Renowned for their hit laden sell-out concerts, the Eagles are bringing their critically acclaimed ‘History of the Eagles’ World Tour to Australia and New Zealand in February/March 2015.

The legendary ‘Hotel California’ outfit will perform their career-spanning “History Of the Eagles” concerts, which sees members Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B Schmit deliver an incredible three-hour songfest of classic Eagles hits, including tracks the band had never previously performed live.

Including celebrated favourites such as ‘Desperado’, ‘Take It Easy’, ‘New Kid In Town’, ‘Lyin’ Eyes’ and ‘Take It To The Limit’, the “History Of The Eagles” global trek has already elated fans across the USA and Canada since their latest world jaunt kicked off in July 2013. Last in Australia in 2010 and New Zealand in 1995, the “History Of the Eagles” tour is a mammoth production spanning the globe – and a show for fans to remember.

With those unmistakable West Coast harmonies and the song writing gems of Glenn Frey and Don Henley, don’t miss your chance to see the Eagles make history.

Source: http://www.qantascreditunionarena.com.au/Events/Events%20Detail/The_Eagles.aspx

The Wolf of Wall Street - Jordan Belfort Live in Qantas Credit Union, Sydney

Produced a best-selling book and a record-breaking movie, but Jordan Belfort’s most powerful story you need to hear in person.

Jordan Belfort learned the hard way that success at anything in life – from building your career or business, defining entrepreneurial vision, enhancing relationships to creating wealth – has a ‘formula’… a system of ‘rules’.
By developing a unique understanding of those rules he now knows how to ‘fail elegantly’ – because the real lessons are in the failures. And he knows how to succeed wildly!

Jordan can claim to have transformed vast numbers of lives. His testimonials confirm he can take virtually any individual, regardless of background, and empower them to attain goals they never dreamed themselves capable of.

Ticket Inclusions:

Platinum – the best seats in the house
The Wolf of Wall Street book signed by Jordan Belfort
Plus an exclusive cocktail function with Jordan

VIP – VIP seating

The Wolf of Wall Street book signed by Jordan Belfort   

DATES/TIME

Tuesday 24 June 2014

Starts 7.00pm

PRICES

Platinum $795.00
VIP $295.00
General $129.00

Payment processing and transaction fees apply

BOOKINGS

Web:  Ticketek

Telephone: 132 849

Special Needs Bookings