07 Jun 2021
Cultural Attractions of Australia is an industry-led collective of iconic Australian cultural venues. Each attraction has curated pre-bookable, premium experiences, ensuring unrivalled access for their guests.
CAOA celebrates the diverse ethnic, cultural, and sporting influences that have defined Australia as a nation and a world-renowned travel destination. From UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites to the heart of our democracy, and from boundary-pushing art galleries, museums and performance spaces, to hallowed sporting grounds, these are the places, people and stories that have shaped Australia.
Cultural Attractions of Australia is part of Tourism Australia's Signature Experiences program. They provide an opportunity for Australians to explore the historic, cultural and sporting gems right here on our doorstep.
Exciting Cultural Attractions are offered across Australia. Below, are some of the exclusive experiences offered for NSW.
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
Sydney Opera House Architectural Tour
A fascinating historical tour where you will learn how in the mid-1950s in Australia, a man from Denmark, Jørn Utzon, created a sculpture on Sydney Harbour that changed the course of twentieth-century architecture. To quote US architect Frank Gehry, “(it) changed the image of an entire country.”
This tour experience highlights the collaborative efforts of visionaries, idealists, architects, engineers, pragmatists and artists who together realised this architectural and engineering masterpiece that was at the cutting edge of what was possible at the time.
You may see their work up close on this special tour around the Opera House each Saturday and Sunday at 10am.
PRICE
$43 per adult I $23 per child I $109 Family.
The family price includes 2 adults and 2 children (15 years and under)
https://culturalattractionsofaustralia.com/experiences/architectural-tour/
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM
Sailing Through Australia's Maritime History
This private VIP tour takes visitors on a journey through Australia's early history from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and their first encounters with Asia's Macassan fishers, through to the European era of Dutch, French and British explorers and Australia's colonisation. The tour begins with a 45-minute cruise on Sydney Harbour on board John Louis, a pearling lugger from the 1950s. As you sail through the harbour, one of the museum's expert guides will share Indigenous stories of the Gadigal people who lived in Sydney before European settlement. On return to the museum, you will enjoy a private VIP tour of the museum where you will experience its rich collection of objects from Australia's First Peoples and early explorers.
INCLUSIONS
A 45-minute cruise on Sydney Harbour, followed by a private VIP tour of the museum. Entry to the museum and museum vessels including a submarine, tall ship and navy warship to explore at your own leisure after the tour.
PRICE GROUP SIZE
$150 per person Minimum 4/ Maximum 12
https://culturalattractionsofaustralia.com/experiences/sail-through-australias-maritime-history/
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM
Hidden Gems and Ancient Artefacts
This private behind-the-scenes VIP tour is designed to showcase some of the museum's 140,000 collection items. You will be given exclusive access to the museum's collection stores and discover hidden gems not on display to the public.
Some of the items you will have the opportunity to view include: the 1602 Blaeu celestial globe, Indigenous bark paintings and shell works, items from the legendary Batavia shipwreck, Shackleton-related polar exploration artefacts, delicate works of embroidery, books and journals, vintage swimwear, boats and ships not on public display and so much more.
You will see up-close the fascinating conservation and restoration work that goes into preparing items for exhibitions, the intricate work involved in caring for our collections and peek into the hidden world of a museum conservation lab.
INCLUSIONS
Privately curated behind-the-scenes tour of the museum collections, stores and conservation laboratory. Entry to the museum and museum vessels including a submarine, tall ship and navy warship to explore at your own leisure after the tour.
PRICE GROUP SIZE
$80 per person Minimum 4/ Maximum 10
https://culturalattractionsofaustralia.com/experiences/hidden-gems-and-ancient-artefacts/
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIA
In, Above and Behind the Scenes
Experience the best scenery that Canberra has to offer from a privately flown hot air balloon, accompanied by a Museum expert who will provide an aerial tour of the Museum and the surrounding region. This
tour will explore the unique building, its architecture, the hidden stories of the design and its place in the landscape.
Touchdown to explore the National Museum of Australia before it opens to the public on an exclusive bespoke curator-led tour highlighting Australia's social history, followed by a leisurely champagne breakfast overlooking the beautiful Lake Burley Griffin in the Museum's café..
INCLUSIONS
Hot air balloon flight. Museum expert hosted aerial tour. Curator-led tour of Museum. Exclusive Museum access. Champagne breakfast. Souvenir of experience.
PRICE GROUP SIZE
$2,135 per person Minimum 2/ Maximum 8
https://culturalattractionsofaustralia.com/experiences/sail-through-australias-maritime-history/
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIA
Out To The Shed
Exclusive access to the Museum's “off display” collection, on a guided behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum's purpose built storage facilities. The size and variety of the National Historic Collection has to be experienced to be fully understood. All transfers, back of house access and a few untold stories of the collection are included. Following, you return to the Museum for a lakeside lunch.
INCLUSIONS
Curator-led tour. Transfers to offsite facility and return. Souvenir. Lunch and beverage.
PRICE GROUP SIZE
$349 per person Minimum 2/ Maximum 8
https://culturalattractionsofaustralia.com/experiences/out-to-the-shed/
AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT HOUSE
More than Politics
A once-in-a-lifetime, below-decks and behind-the-scenes walk-through of Australian Parliament House, along with a dining experience usually reserved for visiting dignitaries.
Visitors will enjoy an enhanced understanding of architect Romaldo Giurgola's unique vision—from its European origins to its Australian materials and interpretation that caps Walter Burley-Griffin's Canberra plan.
Guests on this tour will be invited to don their hard hats for an exclusive visit to the Parliamentary Art and Furniture Collections and other off-limits spaces. In-house chefs will prepare a spectacular High Tea with seasonal offerings, and you will also enjoy a gin tasting.
This provides an exclusive look at one of the country's lesser-known but most significant art and furniture collections, and as well, you will receive a gift tote bag including the book Interwoven by Pamille Berg on the commissioned art and craft of Australian Parliament House and a bottle of 'Parliamentary Librarian's Gin' produced exclusively for us by McHenry's Distillery, Port Arthur.
INCLUSIONS
Privately-hosted talks and tours; Exclusive access to the Art & Furniture Collections; High Tea. Day concludes with gin tasting and presentation of gift tote bag with publication Interwoven and McHenry's APH gin.
PRICE
$250 per person GROUP SIZE
Minimum 2/ No Maximum
https://culturalattractionsofaustralia.com/experiences/more-than-politics/
* All Cultural Attractions of Australia experiences are subject to availability at the time of enquiry and booking.
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
The Brandman Agency, Sydney E: susie@brandmanagency.com T: +61 2 9299 6448
+61 (0)416 109 160
EMMA BUTLER
Senior Account Manager
E: emma@brandmanagency.com T: +61 (0)409 086 876
