SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Platypuses Reunited

This video captures the moment two of our female platypuses - Nada and Zoe - were reunited, after having spent over 6 months apart.

We have 3 platypuses here at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium - all females - and visitors can see them as soon as they enter the aquarium in the newly refurbished Freshwater area.

Save up to 30% on tickets on the official SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium website: http://www.sydneyaquarium.com.au

Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour: Chirstmas Carols - Sydney CBD Choir Programme

On Thursday 22 November from noon-2pm and again from 7pm-9pm, carols will fill the air in Pitt Street Mall and Hyde Park.

This will continue every Thursday evening from 7-9pm, right up until 20 December, along Pitt Street Mall, Castlereagh Street and around the Queen Victoria Building.

The Cleftomaniacs, Alchemy a cappella, Soulfood a cappella, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, Circular Keys Chorus, Leichhardt Espresso Choir, The Bernoulli Effect and Tuxedo will be joined by roving entertainment.

So add an extra beat to your step this Christmas and head to the City Centre for the most Christmasy sounds around.

Date: Thursday 22nd of November 2012
Where: Hyde Park and Pitt Street Mall

Martin Place Children's Concert & Tree-Lighting

Join us at Martin Place to see the City of Sydney's beautiful Christmas tree lit for the first time this year, Thursday 29th November, 6pm - 8:30pm.

Before we flick the switch, an amazing line-up of music and entertainment, hosted by the X Factor's Luke Jacobz, will have you and the kids jumping, dancing and singing.

Fabulous songstress Paulini will be joined by Lah Lah's BIG Live Band, Teddy Rock, Sydney Children's Choir and Play School favourites Big Ted, Little Ted, Jemima and Humpty.

For a $2 donation the kids will get a fabulous showbag, which includes a cool flashing wand – perfect for waving at Santa! All proceeds go to our charity partner, Australian Children's Music Foundation.

One lucky boy or girl will even get the chance to ride through the city with Santa and help him light the tree with the Lord Mayor. Click here to enter the colouring-in competition

There will be fun, fireworks and plenty more surprises on the night, so make sure you stop by Martin Place and experience the city in all its glory this Christmas.

Date: Thursday 29th of November 2012
Time: 6pm - 8:30pm

New Kangaroo Walk-About at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Darling Harbour

WILDLIFE Sydney Zoo has welcomed the arrival of some gorgeous residents to the new Kangaroo Walk-About area. Walk amongst kangaroos and wallabies, see adorable baby emu chicks and you might just see wallaby joeys poking their heads out of the pouch!

You can even pat the kangaroos during feeding times. The babies will grow quickly, so make sure you visit before they grow up before your very eyes! Aquarium Wharf – Darling Harbour 9am-8pm (last entry 7pm) Book now!

Date: Friday 02 November 2012 - Thursday 31 January 2013
Location: 1-5 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour
For more information: http://www.wildlifesydney.com.au or (02) 9333 9288

Meet the Scientist at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

We had a fabulous night with aquarist Marty Garwood talking SEX, LIES & SQUID - the sexual deception of cephalopods. Thanks to all who attended. The next ‘Meet the Scientist’ event promises to be a cracker!

Bull sharks in the harbour – what are they up to? Dr Amy Smoothey, 14 Nov

 

Dr Amy Smoothey has been leading NSW DPI’s bull shark tagging program in Sydney Harbour and was featured in ABC’s ‘Shark Harbour’ in recent months, along with fellow shark scientist Dr Vic Peddemors.

Come and hear Amy’s experiences of tracking one of the most poorly understood sharks in the world.
As this is our final talk for the year we’ll be celebrating the beginning of the silly season by supplying a beer/wine or bubbly and some nibblies for those who’d like to celebrate with us!

When: Wednesday 14 November
Time: Doors open at 6pm. Talk from 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Where: Reef Theatre, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Cost: $15 including entry to the aquarium and refreshments. All proceeds go to conservation projects.

E.T. Has Landed at Madame Tussauds Sydney

To celebrate the Blu-ray release and the 30th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s beloved classic film, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Sydney’s Madame Tussauds today unveiled their astonishing wax figure of the iconic hero.

Whilst Sydney was the first to unveil E.T., The Extra Terrestrial star will also be appearing in Berlin, Amsterdam, London and Hollywood today as part of the global launch.

Helping E.T. into his new home was a troupe of local riders from Sydney BMX Club. Lachlan Stewart (11 years old, from Manly), led the group by taking the place of Elliott (Henry Thomas) in the film, bringing the classic bike scene to life.

From today, guests who visit the exhibit will also have the chance to take Elliott’s place in the scene that saw E.T. and Elliott soaring on a BMX against the stunning backdrop of a full moon. The figure was first perfectly sculpted in clay and then moulded in wax, with a team of expert colourists then using oil paints to perfectly recreate E.T.’s unique complexion. The entire process took around two months and cost £50,000 (over $75,000) to produce.

E.T. fans will also be able to relive many others classic scenes with the first ever release of the film on Blu-ray, featuring never-before-seen footage from the film set including an interview with director Steven Spielberg.

“We are delighted to be welcoming one of the greatest movie characters of all time to the attraction. We’re also absolutely certain that our guests are going to love the unique opportunity to ‘star’ in one of the most famous films ever made,” said Nicky Marsh, Madame Tussauds Global Marketing Director.

In 1982, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial became the biggest blockbuster of the year, debuting at number one around the world. A testament to its enduring appeal, it remains one of the most successful, well-loved films for the past three decades and will continue to inspire generations to come.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial will be out for first time on Blu-ray on October 31, 2012.
About Universal Pictures International Entertainment

Universal Pictures International Entertainment (UPIE) is the international home entertainment division of Universal Pictures, headquartered in London and headed by President, Eddie Cunningham. UPIE markets and distributes all Universal new releases, catalogue, special interest and local content titles, as well as some third party product, via direct operations in the UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, New Zealand and Japan. UPIE also has distribution partnerships in Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Spain and Russia, and sells and distributes home entertainment product via licensees covering another 55 territories.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

When: From October 22, 2012
Where: Madame Tussauds Sydney, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour (right next door to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo)

Hours: 9am to 8pm Daily

What: E.T. The Extra Terrestrial – Madame Tussauds and Universal Pictures presents E.T. The Extra Terrestrial Wax Exhibit

Box office: For more info and to purchase tickets please visit:

www.madametussauds.com/sydney

www.facebook.com/madametussaudssydney

UPIE is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

Three Grey Nurse Sharks re-homed as SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Completes $10M Overhaul

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium today completed some of the final stages of its $10M overhaul with its most significant animal operation to date; the re-housing of three of its largest inhabitants – 3.2 metre long, 300 kilogram Grey Nurse Sharks.

The Grey Nurse Sharks were some of the final animals to be rehoused following their removal from SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium’s enormous 1.5 millionlitre tank in order to make way for its $5M renovation. It took a team of 20 dedicated aquarists to meticulously move the animals into their spectacular new dwelling – an impressive, fully refurbished Shark Valley oceanarium.

Sebastian Schmid, Life Sciences Manager at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium commented: “We could not be more thrilled about how smoothly the re-homing operation went and the animals are already settling in famously. The team is exceptionally proud to be sharing this world class aquarium experience with our local and international visitors.”

The momentous, nine month refurbishment involved over 300 individual marine animals from up to 30 species, including Smooth Stingrays, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Lemon Sharks, Wobbegong Sharks, Port Jackson Sharks as well as Loggerhead and Green Turtles.

The animals’ spectacular new home has a glass walkway which literally allows guests to walk above a stunning shoal of over 50 sharks as they swim just inches beneath. It is situated in Shark Valley, an impressive 100 metres of ocean-tunnel walkthrough that delves deep into the underwater world, encouraging visitors to come face-to-fin with these awe-inspiring creatures. Shark Valley is dominated by a giant whale skeleton amongst the tumbled-down ruins of an ancient lost city temple and of sharks and rays gliding amongst the rocks.

Located in the heart of Sydney at Darling Harbour, visitors to the new SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium will be taken on a journey of amazing discovery through 14 newly-themed areas, including the new Shark Walk, Tropical Bay of Rays, Discovery Rockpool, Mangrove Swamps, South Coast Shipwreck, Dugong Island and the stunning new ocean tunnel walk-through, Shark Valley.

For more information on the newly relaunched SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, please visit: www.sydneyaquarium.com.au