THE ULTIMATE ARTSY GUIDE WHEN IN SYDNEY

Sydney is as happy welcoming the thousands of travelers who pass through annually, as it is the world’s top celebrities and visiting holiday makers. Not all though, are heading for the tourist spots in NSW. The city is attracting an increasing number of visitors arriving to enjoy the many art and cultural events Sydney is becoming increasingly famous for. If you’ve arrived for the culture rather than the beach, here is a small selection of artsy things to do in Sydney, to help stimulate those creative juices.

Sydney Opera House
You can’t write a piece on the cultural events Sydney without putting the Opera House at the top of the list. With its distinctive productions and so many performances, over 1,600 annually, there is something to be enjoyed by everyone. The diverse range of opera and ballet, classical music, modern dance and stage plays, aboriginal dance, cultural productions and contemporary art makes the Opera House one of the favorite places to see in Sydney. You can also add a two-hour backstage tour and fine dining at the Opera House’s Bennelong Restaurant to your list of things to do in NSW.

Golden Age Cinema and Bar
If you’re looking for cinematic attractions in NSW, underline the Golden Age Cinema. Once Paramount Pictures Sydney headquarters, the old screening room has been converted to an intimate cinema showing films from the more obscure gems, to the old classics. With its welcoming bar and comfortable café it makes a great venue for those looking for romantic evening things to do in NSW.

Art Gallery New South Wales
The city’s galleries and museums are among the favorite destinations for those seeking artsy things to do in Sydney. Situated close to the Royal Botanic Garden, NSW Art Gallery holds large collections of Australian, Asian and European works, as well as Aboriginal paintings and photographs. The gallery also hosts exhibitions and cultural events on a regular basis.

Museum of Sydney

Sitting at the junction of Philip Street and Bridge Street, Sydney Museum is built on the site of Australia’s first Government House. Today, with its regularly changing exhibitions, it charts the history of Sydney from the British colonialists first meetings with the indigenous Gadigal aboriginals, to the present day. On a similar theme, the Hyde Park Barracks Museum, on Queens Square, is a UNESCO world heritage site. Sitting on an original convict site, its many exhibitions portray the harsh reality of daily life as a convict.

Belvoir St Theatre
Another one of those hidden-away attractions in NSW, the Belvoir Theatre sits in Sydney’s newly risen, trendy, bustling area of Surry Hills. It’s an apt place to be for one of the city’s young, but highly respected theatre companies. With its two small stages, it provides an intimate introduction into Australian theatre. Make a day or evening of it. For those in the know, Surry Hills is the must-visit district for some casual retail therapy, or the best of local cuisine.

On your next visit to Australia, take a break from the usual tourist spots in NSW. Instead, spend a little more time checking out the multitude of art and cultural places to see in Sydney. It's a move you'll be glad you made.

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