Santa Delivers Festive Spirit to Ipswich

Santa has a chat on Saturday with excited youngsters Blaise and Corey Wyatt.

SANTA Claus made a spectacular arrival in Ipswich aboard his sleigh, pulled by real-life reindeer Vixen and Cupid. 

Hundreds of shoppers turned out to welcome Santa and Mrs Claus as they weaved their way through the Riverlink shopping centre on Saturday. 

Their arrival was celebrated with a magical parade featuring fairies, angels on roller-skates, a gingerbread man, elves and carollers. 

Families lined the aisles as the procession made its way around the centre before concluding at the Gasometer area outside Cold Rock, where children were able to pet Vixen and Cupid and the other baby reindeer. 

The parade was complemented by a Christmas elves song and dance stage show, face painting, craft demonstrations and Christmas carols. 

HO, HO, HO: Santa with his helpers and reindeer tour Riverlink Shopping Centre on Saturday

Riverlink marketing manager Robyn Bannister-Tyrrell said Santa's arrival was well received by customers.

"We wanted to get shoppers into the Christmas spirit and enjoying themselves while doing their Christmas shopping," Mrs Bannister-Tyrrell said 

She said Santa's arrival would be followed by a series of family fun and entertainment events, including carollers and visits from the man in red in the lead-up to Christmas. 


Children will be able to have their photo taken with Santa daily in the East Mall, near Medicare, until December 24.

Adrenaline Packed Holiday on Offer for SUNfest Participants

Cameron Smith, 13, Corey Stenzel, 12, Nathan Davis, 15 and Tallis Threadingham, 12.

AN ADRENALINE packed holiday adventure awaits those participating in SUNfest 2014.

The popular holiday program for youth aged 10 to 17, which is sponsored by Gladstone Regional Council,will be back with a bang in January, offering more than 50 activities to choose from.

There is plenty of action on offer with pistol shooting at Calliope and go-karting in Rockhampton, as well as the opportunity to play laser skirmish or paintball (15-17 years only).

Council's community services portfolio spokesperson councillor Maxine Brushe said the action wasn't only land based with the local waters of Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy offering plenty of fun.

"Youth can learn the basics of surfing with local surfing legend Grom, find out what all the fuss is about when it comes to stand-up paddle surfing, or enjoy a spot of kayaking," Cr Brushe said.

"Or for the ultimate adventure, there's the Overnight Escape to Awoonga Dam and Harmony Farm.

"Participants will pitch a tent and camp under the stars at Ubobo as part of this two-day adventure from January 9-10 which also includes canoeing and exploring plus horse riding, games and fun on the flying fox."

SUNfest 2014 runs from January 6-17 and once again includes activities for children aged 10-11 years in a program called Lil' Kids.

Tickets will be available for purchase from the the ticketing website www.gladecc.com.au, by phoning the Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre on 4972 2822 or in person at the Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre Box Office, the Boyne Tannum Community Centre, Miriam Vale Council Office, Calliope Council Office and Mt Larcom and Agnes Water Rural Transaction Centres.

Proof of a participant's age and completion of an indemnity form are part of SUNfest entry requirements.

Lion King Tickets On Sale Now!

Got tickets to the Lion King musical?  Stay close to Capitol Theatre at Metro Hotel on Pitt!

Book this Lion King Package for $260.00* per night including:

• One night's accommodation in a Superior Deluxe Queen Room
• A bottle of wine on arrival
• 2 course Pre-theatre Dinner at Palace Hotel Sydney for 2 adults
• Extended check-out to 12 noon the following day

Book this hotel package: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/254

Don't have tickets to Lion King? Get tickets now from Ticketmaster website: http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/Disney-Presents-The-Lion-King-Australia-tickets/artist/820969

See PDF for full show schedule to pick your date: Capitol Theatre Show Schedule Lion King

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“THERE IS SIMPLY NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT” The New York Times

Seen by over 65 million people, Disney’s landmark musical event The Lion King is a worldwide phenomenon that will redefine your expectations of theatre. Brilliantly re-imagined by acclaimed director Julie Taymor, Disney beloved film is transformed into a spectacular theatrical experience which has won over 70 major international theatre awards.

Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains, this breathtaking production explodes with glorious colours, stunning effects and unforgettable music including Elton John and Tim Rice’s Circle of Life, Hakuna Matata and the academy award winning Can You Feel the Love Tonight?

Wet'n'Wild Sydney CEO Chris Warhurst says Premium Tickets Are 'Good Value'

WET'N'WILD Sydney boss Chris Warhurst has continued to defend ticket prices by claiming his park offers more entertainment than a One Direction concert.

Wet'n'Wild Sydney CEO Chris Warhurst believes the $124.99 gold season pass is good value

The wave of discontent over the Prospect water park’s prices has swelled with the release of single entry ticket prices online today.

People over 110cm tall will pay $69.99 per visit and children under that height will cost $54.99 each.
While children aged three and under are free, there is currently no family pass available and tickets do not include the cost of parking, locker hire or the two pay-per-ride attractions.

Wet n Wild Sydney SkyCoaster

Last week the Blacktown Advocate’s Facebook page was inundated with hundreds of complaints about the $124.99 price tag on a premium season pass to the water park, which will open in December.

The single entry prices received an even larger reaction when posted on Facebook by the Advocate earlier today.

“That's ridiculous. To get my family in it will cost us $340 – not going to happen,” Yvonne Cole said, echoing the thoughts of many who responded.

Wet'n'Wild Sydney CEO Chris Warhurst, who earlier this week was forced to defend the cost of the gold season pass, said the single entry pricing was reflective of the quality of the entertainment on offer.

Wet n Wild Sydney is still under construction in Sydney West. Its a huge construction site with workers and large machinery assembling the rides, it can be seen from M4 motorway.

“If you go to a One Direction concert or a Taylor Swift concert you pay more than $100 a ticket and you only get 90 minutes of entertainment,” he said.

“Here at Wet’n’Wild we are offering world-class entertainment and you can stay all day.

“Our pricing is in line with the world-class water park we are building, the likes of which has never been seen before.”

Mr Warhurst also indicated the single entry pricing mirrored that of the theme parks on the Gold Coast.
On social media many people continued to respond it would be more affordable to head to Queensland, with unlimited access to Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast priced at $100.

Others said they would be taking their families to Jamberoo Action Park where a season pass costs just $90.

Grand Final Week Schedule - NRL Footy Finals

The Telstra Premiership Grand Final Lunch replaces the traditional Grand Final Breakfast for the first time. The lunch will be broadcast live on FOX Sports and is attended by the Telstra Premiership Grand Final teams, club officials, NRL guests, sponsor and commercial partners and media.

Thursday, October 3: NRL Grand Final Fan Day and Teams Presentation, Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour (10am-2pm family activities; 3-5.30pm team presentation and activities on stage);

NRL Grand Final Members Party, Sydney Entertainment Centre, Haymarket (5-7pm); and 
Channel Nine Grand Final Footy Show, Sydney Entertainment Centre, Haymarket (7.30-9.30pm)

Prior to and following the official NRL Grand Final Teams Lunch, the day is devoted to Rugby League fans and members with three exciting events.

Skills clinics, family-friendly activities, will be part of the FREE NRL Grand Final Fan Day at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour. The teams will be presented on stage between 3.15-4pm.
The NRL Grand Final Members Party at the Sydney Entertainment Centre is an invite-only event for NRL Club members.

Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.com.au for Channel Nine’s Grand Final Footy Show at the Sydney Entertainment Centre from 7.30-9.30pm which will feature members of the Grand Final teams in their final appearance before Sunday’s Telstra Premiership Grand Final.

Friday, October 4: Grand Final Fun Day (MUST REGISER), Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney Olympic Park (10am-3pm)

Up to 800 young fans will get a taste of an NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final Day when they experience all the excitement and atmosphere of Rugby League’s biggest day of the year.

2013 AAMI Country Rugby League Player of the Year, Doltone House, Hyde Park (7pm for 7.30pm start)

The Country Rugby League celebrates its night of nights with the announcement of the AAMI Country Rugby League Player of the Year.

Saturday, October 5: Kangaroos Reunion Lunch, SCG (12-4pm)

Reunion of past and present Kangaroos players attending along with Kiwi Internationals in Australia.

Grand Final Fan Site, Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour (3-7pm)

Autograph signing and FREE special live performance by Jessica Mauboy and guests (3-4.30pm – autograph signing; 4.30-7pm – live performances).

Sunday, October 6: 2013 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final Day, ANZ Stadium (from 11am)

Grand Final Day is the culmination of an exciting week of events and a season of amazing Rugby League with over 80,000 fans attending ANZ Stadium to be part of the biggest game of the year.
The Grand Final Precinct will feature Rugby League skills clinics, entertainment, competitions, prizes, giveaways and One Community Ambassadors.

International artist Ricky Martin will headline the Grand Final Entertainment which will also feature a tribute to retiring players and Jessica Mauboy performing the national anthem.

More than 3million viewers across metropolitan and regional Australia are expected to tune into the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final on Channel Nine.

11.00am  -   Gates Open – Telstra Grand Final Precinct
1.30pm  -   Gates Open – ANZ Stadium
1.50pm  -   Kick-off - VB NSW Cup Grand Final 
3.55pm  -   Kick-off - Holden Cup Grand Final
6.53pm  -   Pre-match Entertainment   

• Presentation to Retiring Players
• Ricky Martin Performs
• National Anthem – Jessica Mauboy

7.18pm  - Kick-off - NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final

Grand Final Fan Site/ Live Site, Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour (3.30-9.30pm)

The Grand Final Day fun continues from mid-afternoon as Tumbalong Park becomes a live site where a big screen will broadcast all of the action live from ANZ Stadium with the screening of the 2013 Telstra Premiership Grand Final. The live broadcast will start at 3.55pm with the Holden Cup Grand Final.

Theatre and Shows in Sydney

There's always a lively calendar of theatre, musicals and other performances to experience on stages scattered around Sydney. Outstanding venues include the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Theatre and the Wharf Theatre at Walsh Bay, Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney Lyric at The Star and the Riverside Theatres at Parramatta.

In 2013 the Sydney Theatre Company offers a stunning program that includes new productions of Romeo and Juliet, Waiting for Godot and The Maids by Jean Genet while Opera Australia features classical favourites including Puccini's Tosca and Verdi's La traviata. Also performing at The Playhouse in the Sydney Opera House is the Bell Shakespeare Company, bringing to life the timeless works of Shakespeare and other prolific writers throughout the year.

Major venues that host West End and Broadway shows year-round include the Theatre Royal, The Capitol Theatre in the Haymarket and The State Theatre. The Griffin Theatre Company performs new writing theatre at The Stables in Kings Cross while King Street Theatre in Newtown has cabaret, drama, pocket opera, chamber music and more.

The Seymour Theatre Centre also in Newtown, has a wide range of performing arts - drama, music theatre for young people - and is a venue for January's Sydney Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival, Sydney Children's Festival and Sydney Fringe Festival. Riverside Theatres at Parramatta has more than 700 performances a year including opera, drama, ballet, contemporary dance and musicals.

Aspire Hotel Sydney – The Perfect Base for Aspiring Scientists

Science enthusiasts from all over NSW are preparing to converge on Ultimo in the inner city for the 11 day Ultimo Science Festival, September 12 - 22, with Aspire Hotel Sydney the perfect accommodation choice for visitors.

There will be talks to challenge your perceptions of the world, hands-on activities to puzzle over, startling exhibitions, inspiring science shows and even the chance to share ideas with real research scientists.

The Ultimo Science Festival is a joint initiative of the Powerhouse Museum, Australian Broadcasting Centre, Ultimo TAFE and the University of Technology – all of which are located a short stroll from Aspire Hotel Sydney.

Tucked away in a quiet, tree-lined street in Ultimo, Aspire Hotel Sydney offers 96 spacious standard and deluxe guest rooms, each with its own ensuite with full bath, while some rooms have excellent city views and private open-air balconies looking onto green parkland or the city beyond. Modern conveniences are standard in all rooms, with Internet data ports and ‘smart bars’ which charge any incidentals directly to your hotel account.

Each room is furnished to accommodate a minimum of three people, making the hotel attractive to families seeking a peaceful respite and park-like surrounds within walking distance to all science festival venues and to the city. It is also a short stroll to nearby Wentworth Park where active families or health-conscious couples can run, cycle or enjoy a range of sporting activities at the local sports centre add to the convenience of Aspire Hotel Sydney.

The hotel is also easily accessible to the rest of the city through a myriad of transport options including light rail and city buses. Access to the airport, Blue Mountains and other attractions is from nearby Central Station. 

Not only can families enjoy the Science Festival, they can also visit IMAX Theatre, the Sydney Aquarium, the newly-opened Wildlife World, the Maritime Museum and Chinatown - all just a short stroll from the hotel, while Cockle Bay Wharf and King Street Wharf provide vibrant eating options by day and by night, as well as the place from which to explore the harbour by boat.  

Aspire Hotel Sydney is part of the Metro Hospitality Group, and is located at 383-389 Bulwara Road, Ultimo, at the north western end of Sydney’s Darling Harbour precinct.

Guests can book at Aspire Hotel Sydney and Metro Hotels properties by calling the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 00 4321. Alternatively bookings can be made online at the new look website, www.metrohotels.com.au. 

Book the Powerhouse Museum Accommodation Package at Aspire Hotel Sydney

See all Metro Hotels Press Releases at Metro Hotels News