As spring turns to summer, NSW turns on holiday mode. Book a relaxing escape at a restorative retreat, get close to nature on birdwatching tours and wildflower walks, dive deeper into Indigenous culture through food and art, and see a NSW-first accessible hot air-balloon take flight.
ACCOMMODATION
Country Zen
A new place to switch off, let go and totally relax, Zensi Retreat opens this month just outside of Mudgee. Located on 33 acres of farmland, the luxurious accommodation includes a nature-inspired house for up to 10 people, a romantic villa for couples, teepees for glampers and a wellness space with a yoga room with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.
Art Deco apartments
Step back in time to the 1920s at the Riverina’s new boutique apartment hotel, Rooms of Renown. Located within a heritage building (the former Renown Refreshment Rooms of 1920) in the town of Leeton, the apartments combine Art Deco décor with modern and luxurious finishings – think jungle wallpaper, velvet furniture, gilded accessories – as well as deluxe kitchenettes and ensuites.
Soul-restoring retreat
Escape to a nature haven at new Sapphire Coast retreat, The River. Located on 50 acres of land just south of Eden, and surrounded by national park, the secluded property caters for up to eight guests across three lodges. Each self-contained lodge features fully equipped kitchens, flax linen bedding, organic wool mattresses and firepits to enjoy the uninterrupted night sky.
FOOD AND DRINK
Native dining
There’s a new native ingredient haven in Mudgee – Huntington Estate’s dining space has relaunched as The Garden Bar & Kitchen by Indigiearth. The latest collaboration by Ngemba Weilwan woman Sharon Winsor’s native ingredient food company, the menu includes native cheese platters, inspired desserts, green ant G&Ts and more.
EXPERIENCES
Bird’s-eye views for all
A first of its kind in NSW, Balloon Aloft is taking wheelchair users to the sky. Its new accessible hot-air balloon flies over the Hunter Valley on a one-hour tour. It features an easy-access door and customised seating and harnesses for anyone with limited mobility. The tour also includes transfers from the meeting location at Peterson House to the launch site aboard a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
New tours for twitchers
Spot some of the Sapphire Coast’s 200 bird species on one of Tiny Zoo’s new birdwatching tours in Tathra. Find beginner bird-watching workshops, private half- or full-day tours, and a Birdwatching and Beers tour that includes morning tea and lunch at a local brewery. Tours include local ecologist guides and return transfers to your accommodation or cruise ship.
Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley Credit: Chris Elfes
Balloon Aloft, wheelchair accessible hot air balloon over the Hunter Valley
#feelnsw
Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley Credit: Chris Elfes
Balloon Aloft, wheelchair accessible hot air balloon over the Hunter Valley
Mimosa Rocks National Park, Tanja Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a morning walk along the Aragunnu Walking Track in Mimosa Rocks National Park.
#feelnsw #newsouthwales
Mimosa Rocks National Park, Tanja Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a morning walk along the Aragunnu Walking Track in Mimosa Rocks National Park.
Indigenous art in the Blue Mountains
Celebrating the beauty, richness and depth of Australia's Indigenous culture, Bilingarra is a new art gallery and cultural space in Lithgow by Wiradjuri artist Brett Groves. The space holds art workshops, displays original paintings by Groves, and sells native foods, Indigenous Nations maps and gifts.
Flower season in the Snowies
As the snow melts, the Snowy Mountains become carpeted in colour; wildflower season officially kicks off in Kosciuszko National Park in December. Head out on one of the park’s many summer hiking trails to see anemone buttercups, billy buttons, alpine sunrays and more in bloom, from the easy downhill Merritts Nature walk to the 19km guided Alpine Lakes Hike.
NSW Tourism Awards 2023
The NSW Tourism Awards for 2023 were announced this month, with some of the most outstanding winners in the state taking home an award. Contained In Nimbin won gold in the New Tourism Business category; Husk Farm Distillery won gold in the Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries category; and Crank It Up Festival, Batemans Bay was the recipient of the Judges’ Tourism Star Award, a special prize to reward resilience and innovation. The awards are managed by the NSW Tourism Industry Council powered by Business NSW, the state’s peak business organisation, and supported by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
The Diggings, Kosciuszko National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a scenic bushwalk by Thredbo River near The Diggings Campground in Kosciuszko National Park.
#feelnsw #newsouthwales
The Diggings, Kosciuszko National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a scenic bushwalk by Thredbo River near The Diggings Campground in Kosciuszko National Park.
Husk Distillers, North Tumbulgum Credit: Destination NSW
Couple touring the Husk Farm Distillers property in North Tumbulgum and meeting the resident cattle.
#feelnsw #newsouthwales
Husk Distillers, North Tumbulgum Credit: Destination NSW
Couple touring the Husk Farm Distillers property in North Tumbulgum and meeting the resident cattle.
More News
Vivid Sydney 2024Credit: Destination NSW
The 'Nest' installation at the Stargazer Lawn, Barangaroo during Vivid 2024. Artist: Leila Jeffreys & Melvin J. Montalban. An expansive circular structure welcomes you to bear witness to the ritualistic mating dance of the Brolga, one of only two species of crane native to Australia. Projected onto a transparent surface, the huge bird apparitions appear to float in the air and are visible from both out and inside the Nest.
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Calling All Dreamers: Vivid Sydney Wants You
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest multi-artform festival, is calling on the best creative minds to submit ideas for next year’s event.
Vivid Sydney 2025 will take place from Friday 23 May to Saturday 14 June 2025, with a program centred around the theme of Vivid Sydney, Dream.
Artists, musicians, thought leaders and food creatives are encouraged to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the opportunity to be part of Australia’s largest event and showcase their work to a mass audience across the festival pillars of Light, Music, Ideas and Food.
Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox said: “Since 2009, Vivid Sydney has grown to become Sydney’s vibrant cultural showpiece, driving significant visitation to Sydney and regional NSW and positioning our state as the arts and creative industries capital of the Asia Pacific.
“Vivid Sydney is more than a light show, it is Sydney’s living legacy that captures imaginations and shares with visitors and locals alike the very best talent from our creative, entertainment and hospitality industries.
“I encourage the brightest talents to join Destination NSW in creating an event that elevates the Harbour City as the Asia Pacific’s leader in world-class cultural experiences.”
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying a night out at Machine Hall during Vivid 2024
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying a night out at Machine Hall during Vivid 2024
Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini said: “Vivid Sydney 2025 is pushing the creative boundaries across our theme of “Dream” to deliver another unforgettable global celebration.
“Dreaming is something we all do. It’s as old as time and as universal as life itself. Dreams don’t discriminate – they are borderless, ageless and endless. They can be personal or public. When shared, our dreams can become a movement. They can inspire, motivate, spark excitement and connection.
“The whole world dreams, it is something we have in common, something that unites us. Our human story is embedded in dreams, they help explain our existence and our past.
“We want the very best in homegrown talent to be part of our vibrant Vivid Sydney event program, with a unique opportunity to foster community connection, spark imagination and showcase the multitude of ways creativity can enrich our lives.
“Each year Vivid Sydney aims to deliver unparalleled artistic brilliance and we look forward to welcoming the inspirations within our community that will help shape Vivid Sydney 2025 into a show-stopping cultural phenomenon.”
The Vivid Sydney EOI outlines opportunities for artists, designers, creative industry professionals, equipment suppliers, architects, engineers, promoters, restaurants, event companies, chefs, producers and educational institutions to present their ideas, designs, concepts and interest for inclusion in the annual event.
Light and Cross Art Form EOIs will close on Monday 2 September 2024 with Ideas, Music and Food closing on Friday 27 September 2024.
This year’s Vivid Sydney attracted 2.42 million attendees, making it the third largest on record. Highlights included a record-breaking opening night and the busiest single night in the festival’s history on Sunday 9 June.
While Vivid Sydney 2024 attracted millions of people from across Australia and the globe, it also had a profound impact on the creative minds who helped bring the event to life, including Sydney’s retail, hospitality and accommodation sectors.
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Shifting Perspectives at Walsh Bay Arts Precinct for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Shifting Perspectives at Walsh Bay Arts Precinct for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024
Leila Jeffreys the artist behind popular Vivid Light 2024 installation Nest said: “Thank you to Festival Director Gill Minervini and all at Vivid Sydney for giving me and my artistic collaborator Melvin J. Montalban the opportunity to create art on a scale that we could not have achieved on our own.
“I visited Nest many times throughout the festival and was always moved to see people from all walks of life and ages stand together to witness the courtship dance of the Brolga, a moment where we all felt the link between the natural world and the human journey.”
Tekno Train creator and composer Paul Mac said: “When I set out to create Tekno Train I wanted to make an experience that fused my love of techno and trains with lights and to share this joy with as many people as possible. The positive reactions I have received from people on the train, as well as the drivers, guards, and random folks on social media has absolutely blown me away.
“Vivid Sydney 2024 has been an unexpected career highlight, and I am forever grateful to everyone who helped bring this together.”
Club Broadway MC & Music Producer DJ Dan Murphy said: “Bringing our Club Broadway show to a Vivid Sydney audience has been an absolute joy. We loved making our show accessible to a whole new audience who love the world of musical theatre.
“Vivid Sydney is such an amazing and important festival for our city, and we were thrilled to be on the program. From old to young, we had them all on the dancefloor for Club Broadway at Tumbalong Park. The night was absolutely magical and a great way to celebrate our community.”
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Sex Work; A Social History Walking Tour at Elizabeth Bay for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024. This fascinating walking tour is an invitation to see the area and profession in a new light. Led by writer, performer and Kings Cross local Vashti Hughes and the Inner City Legal Centre's Managing Solicitor Katie Green, you will be immersed in the sights, history and contemporary challenges of sex work in Australia's most famous redlight district.
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Sex Work; A Social History Walking Tour at Elizabeth Bay for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024. This fascinating walking tour is an invitation to see the area and profession in a new light. Led by writer, performer and Kings Cross local Vashti Hughes and the Inner City Legal Centre's Managing Solicitor Katie Green, you will be immersed in the sights, history and contemporary challenges of sex work in Australia's most famous redlight district.
Service and Creative Skills Australia (the Jobs and Skills Council for Arts, Personal Services, Retail, Tourism and Hospitality) CEO Natalie Turmine said: “Vivid Sydney showcases brilliantly our talented and vibrant creative arts, tourism and hospitality workforce, demonstrating the wealth of exciting career opportunities available in this sector.
“Thank you to all the creative artists, technicians, performers, hospitality staff and event organisers for delivering another successful Vivid Sydney.”
Plate it Forward CEO and restaurateur Shaun Christie-David said: “Vivid Sydney shows the diversity of Sydney, shining a positive light on our city, culture and produce. As a social enterprise hospitality group, it was a privilege to partner with Vivid Sydney to bring the 2024 festival theme humanity to life through food. Food is all about sharing, love, respect and community.
“There is so much pride, joy and power that can be found in food, it is a platform to celebrate culture, make meaningful connections and create jobs. Through working with Vivid Food and selling more than 1000 tacos, more than 1500 meals will be donated to community kitchens for people in need.”
Tourism & Transport Forum CEO Margy Osmond said: “Between the lights, the music, the ideas, the food and the incredible vibe…Vivid Sydney has once again delivered a spectacular event for visitors and locals of all ages, with the big winners being local tourism and hospitality operators.”
“The bright lights of Vivid Sydney have showcased first-class hospitality, creativity and our beloved Sydney CBD and Harbour icons to audiences across the globe, demonstrating the value and huge potential of this event and the need to continue investing in world class events.”
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying the Fire Kitchen at The Goods Line during Vivid 2024. It's back and blazing brighter than ever. Vivid Fire Kitchen returns, igniting its new home at The Goods Line with flame-seared street food from around the globe. Come and enjoy the universal language of BBQ, the best NSW produce and the diversity of Sydney's food scene as we gather round the fire once again.
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying the Fire Kitchen at The Goods Line during Vivid 2024. It's back and blazing brighter than ever. Vivid Fire Kitchen returns, igniting its new home at The Goods Line with flame-seared street food from around the globe. Come and enjoy the universal language of BBQ, the best NSW produce and the diversity of Sydney's food scene as we gather round the fire once again.
Accommodation Australia’s Michael Johnson said: “Once again, the juggernaut that is Vivid Sydney illuminated the city, shining a light on the beauty and culture of the city.
“Over the course of the event, hotels in the CBD enjoyed 75 per cent occupancy with bookings reaching as high as 90 per cent on weekends. There is no denying major events such as Vivid Sydney, that have the capacity to draw a high level of overnight visitation in the middle of winter, create an incredible boost for the city’s visitor economy.”
Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency.
For more information and to submit an Expression of Interest for Vivid Sydney 2025, go to www.vividsydney.com