Things To Do over the ANZAC Long Weekend in and out of Sydney

What to do over the ANZAC Long Weekend in Sydney?

ANZAC Day

ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day is the anniversary of the landing of troops from Australia and New Zealand on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey, in World War I on April 25, 1915. The bravery of all military personnel who participated in this campaign and the lives of those who died in all military actions are remembered.

Sydney ANZAC Day Parade

The Sydney ANZAC Day Parade will commence at 9am with marchers moving into Pitt Street, then through Martin Place and along George, Bathurst, Elizabeth and Liverpool Streets, ending at 1pm at the War Memorial in Hyde Park South for a Commemoration Service.

ANAZAC Long weekend in Sydney

The ANZAC Long Weekend extends to Monday 26th April. There was no public Holiday last year. Australia's international reputation as the land of the long weekend was under threat. Consequently the government revised its policy and so we get Monday off no matter how grumpy it makes the boss. If you are the boss, best thing to do is try to laugh it off:

The Bald Archy - 1 April - 25 April

Bald Archy provides artists of all styles and standards with the opportunity to create humorous, dark satire or caricature portrait paintings of the rich and famous. The results range from the hilarious to the bizarrely vulgar. Winning portraits include Kerry Packer, Amanda Vanstone, Edmund Capon, Shane Warne, Dame Edna Everidge, John Howard and Pauline Hanson, Robbie and Gai Waterhouse, Rupert Murdoch, Jeff Kennett, Cardinal George Pell, Tony Abbott, and Ian Thorpe.

The Bald Archy is internationally famous for being the only art competition in the world to be judged by a sulphur-crested cockatoo called Maude. Its satirical irreverence and larrikin comic approach has proved to be a big hit with artists and public alike. Its a lot of fun. The finalists exhibition draws in record crowds wherever the portraits are shown. If you can, get yourself down to Ultimo and enjoy:

ABC Ultimo Centre
700 Harris St, Ultimo
Hours: Daily 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Tel: 02 8333 1500

Sydney Comedy Festival - 19 April to 9 May 2010

You gotta be joking. This is a great event to book into. A cheer up, have a few drinks and laugh yourself into a better frame of mind. Sydney is a wonderful place to live - enjoy it.

Sydney Comedy Festival

Wiggly Circus 21st April - 28th April 2010 [excluding 25th]

Lyric Theatre, $25 / $30

More shows in Campbelltown and Penrith in May

Wiggly Circus

Penrith Regional Gallery Weekend Kids Club - 25 April

Create a fantasy drawing using a variety of drawing media. Kids Club is for 5 – 12 year olds and includes a child centred exhibition tour of our changing exhibition and a hands-on art making workshop in the studios. Kids Club runs one Sunday a month from 10am – 11am, costs $8 per student and is recommended for 5 - 12 year olds.

Parents are welcome to stay with their children, or enjoy the Sunday papers and refreshments at Cafe at Lewers, or head offsite and return at the end of the workshop to see what wonderful new artworks their children have created.

Bookings essential : contact Amanda Palmer 02 4735 1100 apalmer@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

Penrith Regional Gallery

The Gigalees Crazy Circus Show - 24 & 25 April 2010

Comedy, acrobatics, juggling, slapstick and music mayhem for young kids. 12.15pm at The Factory Theatre, Marrickville. Contact Factory Theatre - (02) 9550 3666

The Gigalees Crazy Circus Show

“Ignite the Flame” Festival in St Ives - Monday, 26th April 2010

Ignite the Flame is a free event to be held on Monday 26th April 2009, at the St Ives Village Green, Memorial Avenue between 12.00 noon and 4.00pm

Quiz Worx puppets, The El Shaddai Crew (hip hop), craft, face painting, jumping castle, climbing wall, games, stilt walking, soccer, model railways, kid’s carpentry, dog obedience, cryptic crosswords, knitting/crochet and pony rides are among the many events and activities. For the hungry just follow your nose towards the sausage sizzle, Asian food and soft drink stands.

Wild Australia Expo - 30th April to 2 May

Includes Crocs, dragons and pythons.

Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush

Get out of Sydney before it gets too 'cold'

Whitewater Rafting at Coffs Harbour and Mid North Coast NSW

Nymboida River - one of the world's classic rivers

Splashing fun - White Water Rafting

You can look forward to dramatic granite gorges and rainforest-lined banks of the rugged Nymboida River. The river produces rapids renowned among white water enthusiasts. Before getting wet you get to enjoy a two-hour scenic drive that climbs 700 meters through the forests of the ANZAC Weekend Dorrigo. The main event is a four-hour raft that covers nine kilometres of the upper Nymboida river over rapids up to grade 4-5. Are you up to 'Lucifers Leap', 'Devils 1 & 2' and the 'Decapitator 7 Elkhorn Passage'?

Minimum age is 14 years. You need to bring swimwear, towel,sunscreen & footware such as trainers to wear into the river (they will get wet). All other equipment is supplied as is morning tea, snacks at lunch on the river and a meal at the completion of the tour.

Whitewater Rafting Full Day

Whitewater Rafting Half Day