Sydney, June 2024 - Australia's calendar of annual events have us visiting (and revisiting) our cities and inspiring us creatively and culturally. Cultural Attractions of Australia offer the perfect add-on to accompany any of these highlight events. We have shared a few of our favourites below, to complete your local travel plans for the second half of the year. 

New South Wales

Vivid Sydney, 24 May – 15 June 2024 is the largest festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and the country's largest celebration of creativity, innovation and technology. Enhance this mesmerising visual art experience with a Cultural Attractions of Australia 'Tour & Dine' experience at Sydney Opera House.

Sydney Opera House – Tour and Dine – Sydney Opera House

A passionate guide will take you on a backstage tour of Sydney's Opera House, offering the chance to view areas that are not generally accessible. You learn of the architectural heritage, some of the extraordinary secrets and of some of the unforgettable performances that are part of fifty years of stories at this iconic building. You will also be among the first to venture into its new purpose-built space to take in incredible highlights from past Concert Hall performances, brought to life by a 270 degree immersive digital experience. This is followed by a delightful lunch complemented by a glass of red, white or sparkling wine, local Australian beer, or a soft drink, at Opera Bar or Canteen House overlooking the harbour

Cost: $85 per adult, $45 per child
When: Daily. The meal and beverage component of the tour is available before or after your tour from 11.30am to 6pm. 
To book click here
Link to images here

Similar behind-the-scenes experiences are also available at Australian National Maritime Musuem, Art Gallery of New South Wales and Bangarra Dance Theatre. 

Queensland

Brisbane Festival, 30 August – 21 September 2024, is one of Australia's leading international arts festivals. Complete this celebration of colour and art with a cultural and culinary experience of a lifetime with Cultural Attractions of Australia and  Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art's 'First Artists: Exceptional Indigenous Art and Dining' booking.

Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art – First Artists: Exceptional Indigenous Art and Dining 

Held at QAGOMA, this an exclusive evening designed to showcase Queensland's unique Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, music, native food, dance, culture and storytelling. You are firstly welcomed with a moving Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony and Didgeridoo performance and this is followed by a private tour of magnificent artworks led by an Australian First Nations storyteller, artist and curator. You then enjoy a superb private dinner – designed First Nations Chef, Chris Jordan in collaboration with QAGOMA's Executive Chef which again reflects Australia's rich Indigenous heritage. His is accompanied by lively conversation on art and culture, live music and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance performances. This experience is co-designed by 100% Indigenous owned Blaklash Creative.

Cost: $4,550 per person
When: 6 – 10pm, by prior arrangement. Private experiences can be arranged for groups of 10 – 25 people. Block out dates may apply over Queensland holidays, and festive season holidays.
To book click here
High res images here

Tasmania

This winter's edition of Dark Mofo 13-23 June 2024, celebrates the community aspects of the 11-day event. A trip to Hobart would not be complete without a visit to MONA and we recommend Cultural Attractions of Australia's fun and memorable, 'Mona Like A Rockstar' experience to complete this trip.

Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) – Mona Like a Rockstar

Mona Like a Rockstar is a truly unique experience that begins with a mid-morning transfer aboard the Mona Roma ferry from Hobart with a late breakfast of delicious light bites and drinks in the luxurious Post Pit. You will then enjoy a VIP arrival at the museum with a cocktail in the Void Bar and following time to peruse the galleries surrounding. After taking-in the impressive collections you will enjoy a superb lunch at Faro Bar and Restaurant created by celebrated chef Vinnie. This includes matched wines from Mona's own neighbouring wine growing estate, Moorilla Winery. Following, you have special access to stunning light artworks by American artist James Turrell. The experience includes your return ferry transfer early evening back to Hobart. 

Cost: $520 per person
When: Thursday – Monday, 10.15am – 4.45pm (6.5 hours) for 2 – 8 people
To book click here
High res images here

Victoria

Melbourne has exciting sporting events taking place in the months ahead including:

State of Origin, Game 2, 26 June 2024, an annual event comprising the best of three rugby league games between two Australian state representative sides, the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons.  

The city's rose-filled Flemington Race Course is also the setting for Australia's most glamorous racing carnival, Melbourne Cup Carnival 2 – 9 November 2024. The centrepiece is the Melbourne Cup, an annual Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race held at Flemington Racecourse. This 3,200 meter race is for three-year olds and older, is conducted by the Victoria Racing Club.

These events offer a perfect opportunity to tie-in a Cultural Attractions of Australia experience at the MCG, Melbourne Cricket Ground such as the 'MCG Keepers' Collection Tour', below.

You could also enjoy a comfortable and scenic one-and-a-half hour drive to the elegant regional city of Ballarat to visit its galleries, restaurants, wineries, botanic gardens and to learn more about the gold rush era of the 1850's by joining Cultural Attractions of Australia's  'A Taste of Gold' at Sovereign Hill. Sovereign Hill's Winter Wonderlights Festival is on from 28 June – 1 July 2024! 

Melbourne Cricket Ground, MCG – MCG Keepers' Collection Tour

Go behind-the-scenes of the Australian Sports Museum Collections led by a knowledgeable member of the museum team and view the vast variety of objects from trophies and uniforms to artwork and sporting equipment. This is a journey through Australia's sporting history and reflects the influence of sport on our culture.

Cost: $175 per person
When: Private small group experience -  maximum six people to one booking 
To book enquiries here
High res images here

Sovereign Hill – A Taste of Gold

After the discovery of gold in 1851, explorers all rushed to Australia's goldfields in search of fortune and the excitement of this period is brought-to-life at Sovereign Hill.

This experience is ideal for families and offers a full day to enjoy activities such as a horse drawn carriage ride with the chance to view local characters in historic costumes, a gold panning lesson, a mine tour.

It also includes a delicious Devonshire Tea in the New York Bakery.

Cost: $75 per person
When: Tuesdays to Sundays, for groups of a minimum of 6
To book click here
High res images here

Australian Capital Territory

Floriade, 14 September – 13 October 2024 is Australia's biggest celebration of Spring. This flower and entertainment festival held annually in Canberra's Commonwealth Park on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. After a day of perusing blooms we recommend a Cultural Attractions of Australia experience such as one of the below.

National Museum of Australia – Big Histories

Discover the rich histories featured at the National Museum of Australia with an exclusive private walking tour guided by a museum curator. Explore the museum's Australian Indigenous collections including Great Southern Land and special exhibitions such as Pormpuraaw artists and Belonging stories from Far North Queensland showcasing First Nations artworks.

Following, enjoy a delicious seasonal meal at the waterfront café overlooking Lake Burley Griffin and Canberra, matched with a local beer or wines.

Cost: $150 per person
When: Mondays to Fridays
To book click here
High res images here

Similar behind-the-scenes experiences are also available at Australian War Memorial, Australian Parliament House and National Gallery of Australia. 

CAOA members: 

Adelaide Oval
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Australian National Maritime Museum
Australian Parliament House
Australian War Memorial
Bangarra Dance Theatre
Fremantle Prison
Melbourne Cricket Ground
MONA - Museum of Old and New Art
National Gallery of Australia
National Gallery of Victoria 
National Museum of Australia
Opera Australia
Port Arthur Historic Site
Queensland Art Gallery I Gallery of Modern Art
Sovereign Hill
Sydney Opera House

Cultural Attractions of Australia is part of Tourism Australia's Signature Experiences of Australia programme, including:

Australian Wildlife Journeys
Cultural Attractions of Australia
Discover Aboriginal Experiences
Great Fishing Adventures of Australia
Great Golf Courses of Australia
Great Walks of Australia
Luxury Lodges of Australia
Ultimate Wineries of Australia

For more information, contact:
Annabel Sullivan
Executive Officer
Cultural Attractions of Australia
E: asullivan@culturalattractionsofaustralia.com
T: +61 (0)433 912 215

The Brandman Agency,  Sydney
Susie Westwood
Managing Director
E: susie@brandmanagency.com
M: +61 (0)416 109 160
Emma Butler
Account Director
E: emma@brandmanagency.com
M: +61 (0)409 086 876