Investment in Sydney's tourism infrastructure spans the city's finest hotels, cruise facilities, Sydney Airport and new convention facilities. 

New Sydney Harbour facilities

Sydney Harbour is Australia's premier cruise ship destination - and the only port in Australia with two dedicated cruise-passenger terminals.  The Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) is located at Circular Quay and the Wharf 5 Cruise Passenger Terminal (CPT) is currently located at Barangaroo and will move to White Bay by March 2013. Additionally larger ships occasionally berth at the Royal Australia Navy's Garden Island base. 

The 2011/12 Sydney cruise season has been the busiest on record - with 214 cruise ship visits scheduled into Sydney Harbour, up from 150 cruise visits in 2010/11. The planned addition of new berthing space close to the city should add significantly to Sydney's appeal as a cruise destination.  

Sydney Ports recently launched a planned AUD $87 million infrastructure development program to support the cruise industry including:

• A new AUD $57 million terminal at White Bay

White Bay, on Sydney Harbour, is located near the suburbs of Balmain and Rozelle and has operated as a transport and industrial port, since the 19th century. Along with nearby Glebe Island, it has served as a port, owned and controlled by the Government of New South Wales, since 1901. The White Bay Cruise Passenger terminal will cater mainly for the domestic segment of the cruise industry. The Sydney Ports Corporation expects White Bay will also occasionally handle international ships operating seasonal or around-the-world itineraries.

• A new master plan for the Overseas Passenger Terminal, with AUD $25 million to be invested in its redevelopment;
• The investment of AUD $5 million in mooring improvements at the Overseas Passenger terminal.

From the commencement of the 2012/13 cruise season, Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal will be a regular berthing point for significantly larger cruise ships. To accommodate these, infrastructure developments such as additional mooring points are planned. 

Hotels invest and build

The former Star City entertainment complex re-launched last October as The Star. The AUD$1 billion redevelopment project involved a new boutique hotel, The Darling, premium dining with international chefs, shopping, and entertainment that will reinforce Sydney's role as a true global city and important destination for visitors. A new international nightclub, Marquee - The Star Sydney, occupies the entire top tier of The Star's new Pirrama Road harbourside entrance, commanding expansive views of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline. The venue, housing three distinct spaces to cater for different tastes and moods, is attracting top international talent. By 2013, plans include a 3000-seat events centre to host top international music acts. 

The Darling is The Star's 171-room hotel designed to bring personality, charm, slick service and glossy accommodation and day spa to the prime waterfront location. 

Park Hyatt Sydney has just reopened following the largest renovation in its 21-year history, including the addition of three luxury rooftop suites. 

Rydges Hotel has begun construction at the International Terminal at Sydney Airport on a new AUD $68 million, 317-room four-star hotel.

The Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney, Bondi (part of the Toga Hospitality group) is due for completion in June 2013, offering 113 one, two and three-bedroom and studio apartment hotel accommodation.

Adina Apartment Hotel, Royal Randwick Racecourse, construction is due to commence by the end of this year on a 170 room, 4 star property. To be fitted out with a restaurant, bar, pool, gym and conference facilities and views over the racecourse, Centennial Park and the City skyline. The property is due to open in 2014.

Baillies Sydney. The creators of Lord Howe Island's luxurious Cappella Lodge, James and Hayley Baillie, have confirmed plans for a high-end property in Sydney's CBD. They have acquired four historic buildings at 43-47 George Street on a 35-year lease from the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority. The AUD $10 million project, to be called Baillies Sydney, is set to open in late 2013. Rates are expected to range from $1200 to $3000 per night. 

The Eclectic QT Sydney will hit the market in Sydney in late August 2012. This stylish, yet quirky hotel will have 196 rooms. The development will see the tradition of The State Theatre and former Gowings site it occupies restored to its former glory, with more than a touch of contemporary glamour.

The Hydro Majestic, in the Blue Mountains, a classic Edwardian-era property, is currently undergoing a major redevelopment, and is due to reopen in 2014.

New arts, exhibitions, attractions

Following an AUD$53 million redevelopment, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA), Sydney reopened at the end of March 2012 as a bold, new and significantly expanded Museum, new collections and a major cultural centre for contemporary art and education. 

The new John Kaldor Family Gallery at the Art Gallery of NSW is the largest single donation to an Australian public gallery. Its 200 pieces of contemporary art are valued in excess of AUD$35million. 

Merlin Entertainments Group has announced a AUD$10 million refurbishment plan for Sydney's famous harbour attraction, Sydney Aquarium. The attraction will reopen as Sea Life Sydney Aquarium in September 2012, with 14 newly-themed zones including a new Shark Walk, Tropical Bay of Rays habitat, interactive Touch Pool, Shipwreck area and a themed ocean walk-through.

Madame Tussauds Sydney has opened its doors in Sydney's Darling Harbour with over 70 wax figures including A-list celebrities, sports heroes, rock legends, world leaders and an array of home-grown Australian legends. 

Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo is developing a new overnight Australian bush camping experience. It will consist of 20 tents near a billabong in the Zoo's Australian Wildlife section, catering for up to 80 people a night. Guests will be able to enjoy close encounters with native Australian wildlife and gain hands-on experience with reptiles. 

At Scenic World in the Blue Mountains, a new AUD$20 million Scenic Railway is set to open in December 2012. The world's steepest railway has provided fun and surprise for 25 million visitors over its 67-year history. It will keep its 52-degree incline and a few new surprises will be added. 

Walsh Bay Arts Precinct

Sydney's historic Pier 2/3 at Walsh Bay is the newest addition to the Arts NSW property portfolio. The Pier is the last remaining undeveloped wharf within the Walsh Bay precinct. In 2010, Arts NSW secured a long-term lease for Pier 2/3 from NSW Maritime, which will allow the Pier to be used for arts, cultural and creative purposes into the future. Walsh Bay is set to become a distinct and unique arts hub; an integral part of Sydney's cultural landscape as well as a vibrant tourist, commercial, residential and business centre.

New Sydney Airport vision

Sydney Airport has completed an upgrade of its departures level and is upgrading the International Terminal. It has spent AUD$90 million upgrading the baggage systems at Terminals 1 and 2 to meet the Australian Government's requirements for 100 per cent checked bag screening. It has also opened an AUD$65 million eight-storey car park at the International Terminal.

Sydney Airport will see major changes by 2019. Alliance partner airlines will be placed together, with Qantas Group carriers and their alliance partners located in the T2 and T3 domestic terminals. Tourism and passenger advocates have hailed the new plan, saying it has potential to deliver a significantly better passenger experience. 

On the horizon

Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct

Around AUS$1 billion will be invested in creating Australia's first fully integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct at Darling Harbour. The new state-of-the-art, 20-hectare Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP) has been confirmed for Sydney and is due to open in late 2016. The precinct will combine world-class entertainment, convention and exhibition facilities, enhancing Darling Harbour's position as a central entertainment and meeting place. The project will deliver improved, unified convention, exhibition and entertainment space that befits Australia's global city.

The Precinct is scheduled to open in 2016. The existing Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre will close during the development period from late 2013 to fast-track the development and minimise disruption. During the construction phase, other venues in Sydney will share catering for the demand for major conferences and conventions.

The new SICEEP facilities will include:

• The largest exhibition space in Australia at 40,000sqm
• The biggest meeting room space in Australia at 6,000sqm, linked to both convention and exhibition areas
• The biggest Australian convention hall capacity able to accommodate more than 10,000 people over four areas
• Dedicated banqueting facilities for 2,000 people - almost double the current capacity
• A VIP premium entertainment facility with a capacity of at least 8,000 people, suitable for both international entertainment events and 'mega' conferences
• Latest technology throughout, such as wireless connectivity across all facilities

Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush is upgrading its stadium to accommodate future Rugby World Cups and a new home of AFL for Sydney. The upgrade will see seating capacity increase from 13,000 to 25,000, with improved corporate hospitality, bars and function space, as well as new media facilities and improved audio and sound systems. The main arena surface will also be reconfigured. The upgrade is set for completion mid-2012.

Royal Randwick Racecourse is being redeveloped to boost capacity. A new grandstand and amphitheatre are being added along with new spectator facilities, function space, restaurants and corporate boxes. All should be complete next year.

Barangaroo Stage 1 - 2015  The Barangaroo project is a major new development in central Sydney. A vacant 22-hectare former container wharf on the western harbour foreshore of the Sydney CBD, Barangaroo is destined to be the financial and business hub of Sydney. It is being transformed into a thriving public, residential and commercial precinct, complete with waterfront promenade running the length of the site. Incorporating a major new Headland Park, it is one of the most ambitious and significant waterfront redevelopments anywhere in the world. Over time, 23,000 people will live and work in the precinct, with 33,000 people expected to visit Barangaroo each day by 2020. 

Barangaroo is divided into three areas:
1. Barangaroo South will be a major new business, tourism, residential and retail precinct opening onto a public waterfront promenade. The first building is targeted for completion in 2015.
2. Barangaroo Central will be a cultural and civic focal point for recreation, relaxation, events, festivals, entertainment and leisure activities. It is currently home to a temporary cruise passenger terminal which will relocate to White Bay.
3. Headland Park will be a grand harbour park for Sydney, about six hectares in size. It is scheduled to open in 2015.

Sydney is constantly evolving and developing something new and exciting for Sydneysiders and visitors alike.

For more information go to sydney.com or www.visitnsw.com
To access the image library and download images go to www.images.destinationnsw.com.au

Who's at ATE 2012?

Destination NSW.  Booth 35.  Eastern and Western.  www.dnsw.com.au
Art Gallery of New South Wales.  Booth 10. Eastern and Western.  www.ag.nsw.gov.au
Hyatt Hotels and Resort.  Booth 201. Eastern and Western.  www.hyatt.com
Merlin Entertainments Group.  Booth 29. Eastern and Western. www.merlinentertainments.com.au
Rydges Hotels and Resorts. Booth 253. Eastern and Western. www.rydges.com
Scenic World Blue Mountains.  Booth 4.  Eastern.  www.scenicworld.com.au
Taronga Zoo. Booth 33. Eastern and Western.  www.taronga.org.au
The Star. Booth 42. Eastern and Western.  www.echoent.com.au
Toga Hospitality. Booth 200. Eastern and Western.  www.toga.com.au