Art Gallery of New South Wales, SydneyCredit: Destination NSW
Appreciating artworks from all over the world, Art Gallery of NSW. For media use only in Australian markets to promote NSW.
#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney
With its lively arts scene and nature’s artistry on show at every turn, creative energy charges through the harbour city. Now, as a jam-packed calendar of world-class cultural events weaves its magic throughout spring, summer and beyond, you’ll find innovation meets inspiration wherever you venture. Here, the must-do experiences that’ll leave you feeling energised long after the applause fades.
Enjoy a refreshing new perspective
For more than 150 years the Art Gallery of New South Wales has showcased extraordinary creativity, and now its hallowed halls are set to unveil their own transformation as the Sydney Modern Project reveals a brand new building, inspiring outdoor spaces, and dynamic galleries. Feel your mind expand as you explore the works of Adrián Villar Rojas, Brett Whiteley and Laurence Edwards; feast on Matt Moran’s culinary creations, and discover nature’s treasures on an Aboriginal bush tucker tour in the nearby Royal Botanic Garden.
Discover an icon’s secret stories
The Sydney Opera House is the glittering centrepiece of Australia’s arts scene, and as its pearly sails sparkle in the spring sunshine its stages feature everything from lively musicals to classic concertos. Get swept away by powerful storytelling, live music and dance performances; discover the house’s rich, hidden history on a private tour, and afterwards, raise a toast as you drink in the views from the Opera Bar, Quay Quarter Lanes and Bennelong.
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views over Sydney Harbour and the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
#ilovesydney #feelnewsydney
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views over Sydney Harbour and the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
The Phantom of the Opera Australia Credit: Opera Australia
The Phantom of the Opera Australia 2022 - Masquerade
#feelnewsydney
The Phantom of the Opera Australia Credit: Opera Australia
The Phantom of the Opera Australia 2022 - Masquerade
Venture east to feast your senses
With its twinkling city views, cosmopolitan villages, golden beaches and playful spirit, Sydney’s East is a cradle of creativity. Become part of its effervescent rhythm as pop living legends hit the stage at Allianz Stadium; be awed and enthralled by Paddington’s eclectic galleries, and let your inspiration guide you to Bondi, where each year the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition showcases the world’s best creativity and landmark eateries like Sean’s, Icebergs and Totti’s serve inspiration on a platter.
Live in the theatrical moment
From the art deco opulence of the State Theatre to the heritage grace of the Capitol and the modern charms of the Sydney Lyric Theatre, the city’s entertainment venues are themselves inspiring works of art – and host everything from Broadway musicals to Australian comedy greats throughout the year. Afterwards, head to the Darling Quarter for late-night bites, before slipping between the sheets at The Aiden, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, or Crown Towers in buzzing Barangaroo.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical Credit: Destination NSW
Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Showing in Sydney's Capitol Theatre.
#feelnew #feelnewsydney
Moulin Rouge! The Musical Credit: Destination NSW
Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Showing in Sydney's Capitol Theatre.
Le Rivage Pool Bar, Sofitel Darling Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Guest enjoying an evening swim in the Le Rivage Pool bar pool overlooking Darling Harbour.
#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney
Le Rivage Pool Bar, Sofitel Darling Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Guest enjoying an evening swim in the Le Rivage Pool bar pool overlooking Darling Harbour.
Explore unexpected treasure troves
Wander around The Rocks and you’ll find arts, culture and entertainment as vibrant as the harbour itself. With its thought-provoking collection of more than 4000 modern works and a rolling roster of world-class exhibitions and works by some of Australia’s most exciting young artists – the Museum of Contemporary Art always inspires. Nearby, look for treasures hidden in plain sight on an Aboriginal culture or architecture walking tour, before hitting refresh in YCK laneways’ secret bars.
Revel in the buzz of diversity
Sydney’s community spirit comes to life in its lively culture. At the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre on the banks of the Georges River you’ll find a busy schedule of events, from film series to comedy clubs. Just 15 minutes’ drive away in Campbelltown, The National 4 tells the story of Australia's vibrant contemporary art landscape; meanwhile in Cabramatta, the local Vietnamese community shares its delicious culinary heritage at a delectable range of eateries all year round.
Find joy in the eclectic and eccentric
With its street-art filled lanes, breweries, and live soundtrack featuring everything from rock to rap, the Inner West is buzzing with creativity. Embrace its care-free spirit at the Enmore Theatre, or The Vanguard. Out and about, you can soak up the creativity at the White Rabbit Gallery, the Imperial and Factory Theatre, and spend a night or three basking in the inspiration at the atmospheric Old Clare Hotel.
Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Casula Credit: Destination NSW
Visitors enjoying the art exhibition on display at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Casula.
#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney
Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Casula Credit: Destination NSW
Visitors enjoying the art exhibition on display at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Casula.
The Vanguard, Newtown Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying drinks and live music at The Vanguard, Newtown in Sydney's inner west.
#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney
The Vanguard, Newtown Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying drinks and live music at The Vanguard, Newtown in Sydney's inner west.
More Inspirational Stories
The Fall Guy Credit: Universal & UPI Media
The Fall Guy in Sydney with a spectacular Glebe Island Silo Stunt
#feelnewsydney
Action-comedy film The Fall Guy explodes onto Australian screens on 24 April, and along with Hollywood superstars Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, Sydney also plays a starring role. But the city isn’t just a backdrop to many of the action-packed scenes in the film, it also offers real-life action experiences to get your heart pumping. Here’s our guide to high-octane experiences in Sydney.
On-the-water adrenaline
Just like Ryan Gosling blasting around Sydney Harbour in a high-speed boat chase, you too can feel the wind in your hair, the sea spray on your face and your heart in your mouth on an Oz Jet Boating experience. These bright red, shark-faced jetboats fish-tail, spin and slide under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, past Dawes Point Park (where we meet Jean Claude the kelpie in the film) and the iconic Sydney Opera House, leaving you breathless and somewhat damp. Turn it down a notch with a two-, three- or five-day course from EastSail, with classes on the calm shores of Rushcutters Bay, or go five-star by hiring your very own superyacht from the fleet at Sydney Harbour Luxe Charters – Ghost II was featured in the film.
Get locked in an escape room
A bolted door, a countdown clock and a series of fiendish puzzles – outsmart the bad guys and challenge your friends in one of Sydney’s best escape rooms. Award-winning The Cipher Room, with locations in Newtown and St Peters, offers immersive, expertly designed rooms. Choose from a film noir-style hotel, a mysterious abandoned toy shop or a dystopian French bunker. Entermission Sydney has virtual-reality rooms, with themes like Alice in Wonderland, a pirate ship or space station. While not strictly an escape room, the one-of-a-kind Hijinx Hotel is a fun escape-like challenge set inside a quirky 15-room hotel.
Hickson Road Reserve, Dawes Point Credit: Destination NSW
Friends walking along Sydney Harbour in the morning.
#feelnewsydney
Hickson Road Reserve, Dawes Point Credit: Destination NSW
Friends walking along Sydney Harbour in the morning.
Oz Jet Boating, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Experience the incredible speed of the red shark boats as they blast across Sydney harbour at high speed with Oz Jet Boating.
#feelnewsydney
Oz Jet Boating, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Experience the incredible speed of the red shark boats as they blast across Sydney harbour at high speed with Oz Jet Boating.
Find your need for speed
It’s not an action movie without a car chase, and while you can’t speed through the CBD streets like Ryan Gosling and Jean Claude, you can still challenge your friends to race via go kart at Hyper Karting Moore Park. At the 410-metre indoor track, the electric cars offer plenty of exhilarating straights and corners, with a high-speed function to help you overtake your mates. True petrol heads should make a pitstop at Luddenham Raceway in southwest Sydney, where the go karts are fuelled and the 600m outdoor pro circuit offers 12 high-speed corners and even nighttime drives. Want to do the real thing? Trackschool has half-day passenger or driving experiences in a Porsche 911 Carrera also at the raceway.
Have an adventure up high
A high-stakes, sky-high chopper scene is an action flick essential; recreate the experience (minus the stress) on a flight with Sydney HeliTours. The 20- or 30-minute tours take in jaw-dropping views of harbour icons like the Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo, Bondi Beach and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Or live out your Hollywood star dreams onboard the luxury Sydney Seaplanes. If free-falling from the sky like Ryan Gosling does jumping from a multi-story building is the heart race you crave, get the thrills without the spills at iFly Downunder: fully accessible, all-ages indoor skydiving that will make you feel like a superhero. Or take a day trip to the Blue Mountains for a ride on Scenic World’s 270m-high glass-cased Beyond Skyway for that soaring feeling while safely enclosed in a cable car.
Luddenham Raceway, Luddenham Credit: Destination NSW
Track Day at Luddenham Raceway Motorsport Park, Luddenham.
#feelnewsydney
Luddenham Raceway, Luddenham Credit: Destination NSW
Track Day at Luddenham Raceway Motorsport Park, Luddenham.
Sydney Seaplanes, Rose Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Couple ready to enjoy a Sydney Seaplanes flight from Rose Bay, Sydney.
#feelnewsydney
Sydney Seaplanes, Rose Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Couple ready to enjoy a Sydney Seaplanes flight from Rose Bay, Sydney.
Scale walls and cliffs
Action heroes need to be agile and spider-like; flex your skills scaling rock walls at one of Sydney’s top indoor rock-climbing centres. Climb Fit in St Leonards has beginner and high-tech climbs using augmented reality, while Ledge is a smaller centre in Camperdown perfect for beginners, and BlocHaus in Marrickville focuses solely on bouldering. If you prefer to climb surrounded by waterfalls and forests, make the extra leap to the Blue Mountains, and challenge yourself on an abseil or rock-climb under the expert guidance of the Blue Mountains Adventure Company.
Spots to refuel
After all that adventuring, you’re going to need a spot to refuel and cheers to a big day. Make it a meal with a view at Aster Bar on top of the InterContinental Sydney – with uninterrupted views of the harbour. The rooftop bar featured in the film is the Ivy – which is a local favourite for big nights out. Partake in Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt’s love for spicy margaritas at Centro 86, a new underground tequila bar in the CBD, or taste award-winning cocktails at Dean and Nancy on 22. Finish up with a feast at one of the restaurants located around Jones Bay Wharf (you’ll spot this area in the film as Ryan Gosling hides on his boat from the bad guys) or snack in the late-night dining havens in Chinatown: try Japanese izakaya Nakano Darling, xiao long bao from Nanjing Dumpling or Mamak’s legendary roti.
Rest your head
Even heroes need their beauty sleep. Rest up like an A-lister at the Kimpton Margot, a recently opened CBD hotel with Art Deco touches, and featured in the movie (ask Kevin for the fruit plate). Compact yet comfortable, the Little National Hotel is located in the heart of the city near Wynyard (also a major filming locale for The Fall Guy). And for a boutique hotel suitable for everyone from film stars to stunt crew, stay in the Ace Hotel in Surry Hills, with unique in-room features like guitars, record players and locally made custom robes.
Sydney Adventure Tours, Katoomba Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Adventure Tours offers private tours to the Blue Mountains. With an experienced tour guide, take a bushwalk through nature and experience the rainforests.
#feelnsw #newsouthwales
Sydney Adventure Tours, Katoomba Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Adventure Tours offers private tours to the Blue Mountains. With an experienced tour guide, take a bushwalk through nature and experience the rainforests.
Little National Hotel, Sydney Credit: Little National Hotel
The rooftop lounge at the Little National, in Wynyard in Sydney.
#feelnewsydney
Little National Hotel, Sydney Credit: Little National Hotel
The rooftop lounge at the Little National, in Wynyard in Sydney.