'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/

Perth’s Kings Park & Botanic Garden named one of the world’s top 10 best parks

There’s no need to head to New York, Paris or Barcelona - one of the world’s top parks is right here in Perth.

Kings Park and Botanic Garden has been ranked the sixth best in the world, according to the latest rankings from TripAdvisor, based on the opinions of travellers on the international review site.

At No.6, the Perth attraction beat other well-known tourist sites including Park Guell in Barcelona (No.7) and Luxembourg Gardens in Paris (No.10).

The world’s top park was Stanley Park in Vancouver, followed by the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs and New York City’s Central Park.

The Perth park’s views and open space have been a consistent hit with TripAdvisor reviewers, being rated a “must-do” for a visit to the WA capital.

“Having travelled widely I have to say that I can’t stay away from Kings Park. Such a beautiful place and the views across the city, particularly at night are simply breathtaking,” wrote SimonHat from Middlesbrough in the UK.

“Perth should be proud of this wonderful place,” wrote PestoKing from Wodonga, Victoria. “You could spend hours here, next time we will.”

WA minister for the environment and heritage Albert Jacob said it was great that tourists were enjoying the garden overlooking inner-city Perth.

“We are thrilled to not only be ranked sixth in the world in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for Attractions, but also to read the amazing reviews posted on TripAdvisor by visitors from all over the world every day,” he said.

“Kings Park is a place of inspiration, relaxation, recreation and wonder; something we proudly share with interstate and overseas visitors.”

Source: http://www.news.com.au/national/perths-kings-park-botanic-garden-named-one-of-the-worlds-top-10-best-parks/story-e6frfkp9-1226957455562

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. 

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

Victoria trials GST refund reforms for tourists departing Australia

Refunding GST to tourists when they leave the country will make Australia more attractive to big spenders, travel agents say.

Victoria has been chosen to trial reforms to the present refund model, which travel agents say is too complicated.

Victorian Treasurer Michael O'Brien said tourists were entitled to a refund on retail purchases over certain thresholds.

"It is frankly a bit embarrassing when you see how difficult it is for tourists to get GST refunds," Mr O'Brien told a leadership forum in Melbourne on Tuesday.

"This is something which I think is not currently working nearly as well as it might."

Australian Federation of Travel Agents chief executive Jayson Westbury said many Australians would be familiar with how the system worked in Britain and other countries.

"From a tourism point of view, it is a no brainer because it puts us in the league of being competitive," Mr Westbury said.

Mr Westbury said private operators ran the system overseas, taking a small fee from the GST refund.
He said tourists shopping in Australia would be more likely to stay around if they knew they were getting money back when they left.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-essentials/travel-news/victoria-trials-gst-refund-reforms-for-tourists-departing-australia-20140604-39hu2.html

Winter In Sydney - Shows, Annual Events and Sport Events

If you are in Sydney over Winter attending any of the great events and attractions such as:

Shows:

Lion King (Capitol Theatre Sydney)

Strictly Ballroom (Sydney Lyric Theatre)

Annual Events:

Vivid Sydney

Sydney Film Festival

Sports Events:

State Of Origin

Bledisloe Cup

Winter in Sydney Accommodation - View Metro Hotels Hot Deals

Metro Hotels has four City accommodation options ideal to keep you out of the cold this winter:

Metro Hotel Sydney Central

Metro Hotel on Pitt

Aspire Hotel Sydney

Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour

Also in Miranda (Sutherland Shire) Metro Hotel Miranda

www.Metrohotels.com.au

2014 Bledisloe Cup Test Match ANZ Stadium - Rugby Union NZ vs Australia International

The last battle between the Qantas Wallabies and All Blacks in 2012 resulted in an arm wrestle that delivered an edge of your seat 18-all draw. While it wasn't a win, the draw saw the Kiwis sixteen-game winning streak brought to an end. 

No doubt the All Blacks will be looking for revenge, while the Qantas Wallabies will once again be out to break the 11-year Bledisloe Cup drought in the ensuing fight for the historic and impressive silverware.

With Australia hosting just one of the three Bledisloe Cup Test matches this year, the Men in Gold will need as much support as they can to ensure the game at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Saturday 17 August is a victory! 

• Date: Saturday 17 August
• Time: 8:00pm
• Location: ANZ Stadium, Sydney


• Tickets on sale Thursday 27 June via ticketek.com.au
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Sydney Accommodation

Metro Hotels has four City accommodation options ideal to keep you out of the cold this winter:

Metro Hotel Sydney Central

Metro Hotel on Pitt

Aspire Hotel Sydney

Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour

Also in Miranda (Sutherland Shire) Metro Hotel Miranda