Creative IndustriesCredit: Destination NSW
Jackson Head – Beauty and the Beast, Edward Smith – WICKED, Isabella Manfredi – Great Southern Nights, The Hon. John Graham, Minister for Jobs and Tourism, ARIA Award nominee – Emma Watkins aka Emma Memma, Adam Spencer – SXSW Sydney and the Ikettes, Rebecca Selley, Jayme-Lee Hanekom and Tigist Strode – Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
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Sydney set for a sizzling summer of arts and culture events
Creative Industries Credit: Destination NSW
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Sydney is poised to become a global epicentre of creativity in the coming months, kicking off with South by South West (SXSW) Sydney taking the stage in the Harbour City (15 – 22 October), the first time the festival has been held outside of Austin, Texas since it began in 1987.
After more than three decades, SXSW has become a launchpad for what's next. The annual week-long festival of festivals is a hotbed for creativity and innovation - it’s a city-wide music festival, futurist think tank, a showcase of the latest games, alongside film and TV world premieres, a next-gen technology expo and a line-up of world changing speakers. Uber and Billie Eilish both emerged there, and Everything Everywhere All At Once premiered.
As Australia’s only truly global city and gateway for international arrivals, Sydney’s cultural diversity makes it the perfect incubator for creative ingenuity. Sydney also continues to lead the way in tech-innovation, boasting an eclectic creative footprint, ranking second in Asia for fin-tech development, and sixth globally.
Melbourne artist JACOTÉNE performing at SXSW Sydney launch party Credit: Jess Gleeson
Melbourne artist JACOTÉNE performing at SXSW Sydney launch party. @sxswsydney, @jessgleeson, @jacotene
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Melbourne artist JACOTÉNE performing at SXSW Sydney launch party Credit: Jess Gleeson
Melbourne artist JACOTÉNE performing at SXSW Sydney launch party. @sxswsydney, @jessgleeson, @jacotene
“Straight from Austin, Texas to Sydney, our city will be the centre of the music, screen, gaming and tech world this week as we welcome locals and visitors to enjoy the inaugural SXSW Sydney. I’m very pleased that people attending SXSW will have the chance to see Sydney at its best after dark, soaking up music, ideas, and culture. It’s the first time this event is being held outside of its Texas origins," said Minister for Jobs and Tourism, the Arts, Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham.
“SXSW Sydney will be a game-changing event for NSW. It comes as the Government is about to land the state’s first Creative Industries policy.
"It is just the beginning of an unrivalled cultural events calendar over the coming months showcasing Sydney’s local talent, creativity, culture and natural beauty that draws people in from across the country and around the world.”
TINA TURNER THE MUSICAL Credit: Manuel Harlan
Aisha Jawando (Tina Turner) on stage
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TINA TURNER THE MUSICAL Credit: Manuel Harlan
Aisha Jawando (Tina Turner) on stage
Wicked the musical Credit: Joan Marcus
Glinda, Morrible, Fiyero and the Cast of the Broadway Production of WICKED!
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Wicked the musical Credit: Joan Marcus
Glinda, Morrible, Fiyero and the Cast of the Broadway Production of WICKED!
Gavin Lee as Lumiere and Courtney Stapleton as Belle lead the company in Disney's Beauty and the Beast Credit: Beauty and the Beast c-o-p-y-r-i-g-h-t Disney
Gavin Lee as Lumiere and Courtney Stapleton as Belle lead the company in Disney's Beauty and the Beast
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Gavin Lee as Lumiere and Courtney Stapleton as Belle lead the company in Disney's Beauty and the Beast Credit: Beauty and the Beast c-o-p-y-r-i-g-h-t Disney
Gavin Lee as Lumiere and Courtney Stapleton as Belle lead the company in Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Beyond SXSW Sydney, Sydney is set to pulsate with eclectic art exhibitions at our renowned galleries, world class musicals including WICKED, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical and Beauty and The Beast, and top culture and music events like Great Southern Nights and the ARIA Awards, Sydney Festival and the Biennale of Sydney.
Blockbuster musicals have been playing to sell out audiences in Sydney with the production of Beauty and the Beast expected to draw more than 107,000 musical lovers to the Harbour City during its Australian premiere season. In addition, WICKED is expected to draw 50,000 visitors during its Sydney run, generating more than $33 million in visitor expenditure for NSW, while creating hundreds of jobs in our arts and hospitality industries.
Great Southern Nights 2024 is set to deliver more than 300 live gigs in venues across Western Sydney and Sydney’s inner city as well as shows in Wollongong, Wagga, Newcastle, the Northern Rivers and Tamworth. But first, a special ‘taster’ event is hitting venues in November that will feature ten nights of live performances in Western Sydney and the Inner West including Isabella Manfredi, Thelma Plum, Alex The Astronaut, Dami Im, Jet and The Temper Trap.
Great Southern Nights Credit: Great Southern Nights_Dami Im Isabella Manfredi The Hon John Graham Alex The Astronaut, Annabelle Herd_Waywards Newtown
Great Southern Nights - Taster Media Call 2023. Dami Im, Isabella Manfredi, The Hon John Graham, Alex The Astronaut, Annabelle Herd at Waywards Newtown
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Great Southern Nights Credit: Great Southern Nights_Dami Im Isabella Manfredi The Hon John Graham Alex The Astronaut, Annabelle Herd_Waywards Newtown
Great Southern Nights - Taster Media Call 2023. Dami Im, Isabella Manfredi, The Hon John Graham, Alex The Astronaut, Annabelle Herd at Waywards Newtown
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Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
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Destination NSW has teamed up with the popular YouTube channel Yes Theory, with its impressive 9.2 million subscribers, and Qantas, to fulfil 102-year-old San Franciso local, Dorothy Smith’s lifelong dream of visiting Sydney, Australia, completing her remarkable journey to every continent in the world.
Yes Theory producers Ammar Kandil and Staffan Taylor first met Dorothy in October 2024 when they moved into The Redwoods Retirement Village for 48 hours. Moved by Dorothy’s heartfelt regret of not yet reaching her final frontier, Australia, Ammar and Staffan felt compelled to help her complete this remarkable journey.
Reflecting on her motivation to travel and time in Sydney, Dorothy shared, "Travel is important to me because it’s a big world, and each country is different and has something different to offer; I want to see them all and I don’t want to miss anything!
“I loved visiting Sydney; it’s a beautiful city. The people are charming, the food is good, the scenery is just wonderful, and even the weather is nice! We saw the little koala bears, of course the Sydney Opera House, we went to the Botanic Gardens, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, good restaurants, and the lovely Bondi Beach where we got our feet a little wet and the water was really cold! And the people – they are all so nice, and so friendly!”
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn Credit: Ethan Rohloff; Destination NSW
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn featuring Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney CBD and Opera House
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Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn Credit: Ethan Rohloff; Destination NSW
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn featuring Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney CBD and Opera House
Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
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Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
A living link to history, Dorothy is more than twice the age of the Sydney Opera House. In 1922, the year she was born, the NSW Government passed the Sydney Harbour Bridge Act, laying the foundation for the construction of the iconic bridge. Today, the Sydney Harbour Bridge stands as a powerful symbol of Australia’s resilience and connection to the world—a fitting backdrop for Dorothy’s own journey of exploration and discovery.
With Qantas’s support, Dorothy embarked on her adventure to Sydney in comfort, and received an exclusive invite to the cock-pit to meet the pilot, before she was warmly welcomed at Sydney Airport with personalised displays and a crowd of Yes Theory fans eager to celebrate her arrival. Her stay at the luxurious Shangri-La Sydney became a “home away from home,” offering Dorothy the chance to wake up to the breathtaking view of the Sydney Opera House—a landmark she had always dreamed of seeing firsthand.
Ammar Kandil, co-founder of Yes Theory, was driven to support her adventure saying, “Dorothy’s story is a powerful reminder that life is meant to be lived to the fullest, and we’re incredibly happy to help her achieve this lifelong dream to visit Sydney and tick of Australia as her seventh and final continent.
“Our mantra is ‘seek discomfort’ and embrace adventure, and Dorothy’s journey truly embodies the spirit of our channel. Her incredible story is set to inspire millions around the world to pursue their own adventures, no matter the obstacles.”
The Rocks, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family exploring The Rocks in Sydney
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The Rocks, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family exploring The Rocks in Sydney
Sydney Luxury Cruise, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Luxury Cruises operates on Sydney Harbour exploring the harbour beaches, waterfront mansions and icons.
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Sydney Luxury Cruise, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Luxury Cruises operates on Sydney Harbour exploring the harbour beaches, waterfront mansions and icons.
Dorothy’s time in Sydney has been nothing short of iconic, filled with experiences that capture the heart of NSW. Her itinerary included:
- An afternoon cruising on Sydney Harbour, marvelling at the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House
- An up-close encounter with Australian wildlife at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in Darling Harbour, where Dorothy met koalas, and even a kangaroo named Dorothy.
- A tour of the Sydney Opera House adding yet another milestone to her journey.
- A visit to the iconic Bondi Beach, where Dorothy enjoyed splashing her feet in the waves and seeing one of the world’s most famous beaches.
And Dorothy’s secret to a long, healthy life? “You have to exercise, you have to eat lots of fruit and vegetables and stay hydrated. And also, FUN! You have to have fun so you’ll stay healthy, and you can also enjoy 102 years! And if there’s anything else you want to try, go ahead and try it!”
To follow Dorothy’s journey and see Sydney through her remarkable perspective, check out Yes Theory’s latest video at youtube.com/@YesTheory.
For inspiration for your own Sydney adventure, visit sydney.com
Australian Wildlife Tour Credit: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Australian Wildlife Tour at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
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Australian Wildlife Tour Credit: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Australian Wildlife Tour at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Bondi Beach, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic Bondi coastline in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.
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Bondi Beach, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic Bondi coastline in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.