Adventure, baby!

Sydney

Top Tips For Visiting and Photographing Vivid Sydney 2019

Vivid Sydney 2019

Vivid Sydney is, without a doubt, one of my favourite times of year. 2019 marks the 11th anniversary of Vivid Sydney, the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas. From 24 May to 15 June the event lights up Sydney over 9 precincts, each featuring their own unique light sculptures.

Top Tips For Visiting and Photographing Vivid Sydney

What’s on at all 10 precincts

This year Vivid Sydney is spread across 9 precincts. Each features their own specific light installations.

Barangaroo

Photo by Ken Leanfore

Recognising the spirit and strength of First Nations Women For Vivid Sydney 2019, Exchange Place in Barangaroo will transform into Winter Camp, where visitors will experience layers of light, sound and puppetry reflective of the land and water, and inspired by changing seasons. The magnificent, six-metre tall puppet Marri Dyin (Great Woman) will return this year,
accompanied for the first time by a school of captivating fish puppets. 

This incredible, giant puppet, was made by Erth, the creators of Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo. 

Cristin from artsplorers.com reports as been to Barangaroo and has this to report:

“The main attraction at Barangaroo is the six-metre tall puppet, Marri Dyin. She begins the night at a huge cave-like structure at the Napoleon Plaza part of the Barangarroo walk (next to the lifts that come down from Wynyard Station). Thursday through Sundays, she is manned by several puppeteers, making a slow walk down Barangaroo Avenue (away from Darling Harbour). She’s quite impressive to see, though younger children may find her scary. This is the same puppet that was at Barangaroo last year, so if you saw it then, it won’t be new to you. We also saw a fun roving school of glowing fish, worked by several puppeteers. They don’t have a fixed location, so you just have to catch them as they make their rounds on the Barangaroo walk.”

Read about Vivid Sydney at Barangaroo

Chatswood

Vivid Sydney Chatswood.
Vivid Sydney Chatswood. Photograph Dallas Kilponen

Chatswood is a top pick for taking kids to see Vivid – lights go on at 5:30pm at Chatswood, perfect for taking the kids. Grab some food at around 5pm and you’ve got yourself the perfect early night Vivid experience.

This year my top pick looks like the super-sized trumpet flower garden that allows you to play the trumpet keys and make your own light and sound show.

Vivid Sydney Chatswood.
Vivid Sydney Chatswood. Photograph Dallas Kilponen

Read about Vivid Sydney at Chatswood

Circular Quay

The lightwalk stretches 3km from The Rocks around Circular Quay and to the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Sydney Opera House

Vivid Sydney 2019

The lights on the Sydney Opera House are always a highlight of Vivid. This year the display was created by Los Angeles-based artist-filmmaker Andrew Thomas Huang. Huang collaborated with choreographer Toogie Barcelo, dancer Jenna Moroni and animation design team Bemo to create Austral Flora Ballet, a hypnotic tribute to Australia’s native plant life.

The best view of the Sydney Opera House is from the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

Customs House

Vivid Sydney 2019

The light show on the Customs House is always a favourite of mine. Kids can sit entranced watching the lights play across the giant canvas. This year the display is Under the Harbour, a surreal underwater encounter witan octopus stealing the sun. 

Vivid Sydney 2019
There are lots of interactive light sculptures around Circular Quay this year which are perfect for engaging kids. We loved the The Harp of the City, a series of a giant public instruments that produces sound and an interactive light show. 

Samsung Electric Playground

Vivid Samsung Electric Playground

The Samsung Electric Playground is also a massive hit and extremely popular. I suggest lining up around 5:30 on weekends for this popular experience and being the first ones inside when the lights go on at 6pm.

Vivid Sydney 2019

It’s contained in a fenced in area that you will need to line up to enter and consists of several different zones inside that include an Infinity Slide and light up hula hoops.

Vivid Sydney 2019 Vivid Sydney 2019

Galaxy Studio

The Galaxy Studio is inside the Samsung Electric Playground. The entrance to the queue to get in is near the Infinity Slide. The Studio is basically a big sell for the Galaxy phones, but it’s fun to test out one of the phones and compare it to whatever your device is. Inside the Studio are two “insta-worthy” rooms that you have to borrow a Samsung device to see inside. The process is simple but time-consuming and makes this an experience that takes a while to get inside. 

Vivid Samsung Electric Playground

The two experiences are Field of Hearts, where you share your heartbeat with a friend and Ocular Odyssey, which turns your eyes into kaleidoscope art. Both experiences are entered one group at a time, hence the long wait.

Vivid Samsung Electric Playground

After taking photos on your borrowed device you can save 10 images to your own phone and leave. You can take as many photos and videos on your own device as well but both experiences are on timers and are very short.

Campbell’s Cove
Vivid Sydney 2019

My absolute favourite light installation this year is Ballerina, which dances across Campbell’s Cove to music that sounds like an old music box. Just stunning.

There are also a few interactive and fun installations north of Campbell Cove worth walking up to see, including the excellent Beat-loon interactive balloons, Regal Peacock and sparkly Let It Snow, which is the last installation as you walk around the circuit. Walk back through The Rocks to experience even more installations.

Vivid 2019 Vivid 2019 Vivid 2019

Read about Vivid Sydney at Circular Quay

Darling Harbour

Vivid Sydney Tumbalong Park

This year Darling Harbour will feature plenty of space-themed installations, with many of the sculptures being interactive and especially designed to be inclusive to give people of all ages and abilities an inclusive and accessible experience.

Vivid Sydney Tumbalong Park

Robot SpaceLAND looks incredible – meet electro-automotive super-bots that have been sent to sow the seeds of a brighter, greener tomorrow.

Vivid Sydney’s inclusive playground Tumbalong Lights is back. Inspired by the next frontier, playSPACE will bring together super-scale installations that give intrepid explorers an opportunity to walk Under the Milky Sky, play with Spaceballs, and share different perspectives with See What I See. Low-sensory sessions will be catered for too.

Cristin from artsplorers.com has visited Tumbalong Lights and has this to report:

“The sensory-friendly play space at Tumbalong Park has been revamped this year. Rather than one fenced area with a single entry, there are six free-standing installations, all with a space theme. Kids can get a “passport” card to have stamped after doing each activity, which my 6 year old and her friend got pretty invested in completing.

The passport may be turned in at the end of the night for a chance to win Hoyts movie tickets. There is a a wheelchair ride (younger children will need help from an adult), a musical ‘alien’ mushroom, a glowing large scale pinball inspired game, an alien face maker, a short movie, and a star-themed installation. Including queues, it took our kids about an hour to do all of the stations and fill up their passports.”

Read more about Vivid Sydney at Darling Harbour

Harbour Lights

Vivid Sydney: The Highlights via christineknight.me

Harbour Lights turns the waters of Sydney Harbour into a light spectacular, with many vessels moving across the water in a gentle, synchronised lighting display. A cruise is a great way to see Vivid Sydney lights.

Read more about Vivid Sydney Harbour Lights and cruises

Luna Park

Vivid Sydney Luna Park

The entire Amusement Park comes alive with brilliant shapes, patterns and colours that light
the Midway promenade and enhance high-octane rides such as the new family thrill ride –
Volaré. Coney Island celebrates the unique history and magic of Luna Park with a grand projection on its exterior. 

Read more about Vivid Sydney at Luna Park

Taronga Zoo

Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo

We attend Vivid at Taronga Zoo every year. Their “Lights for the Wild” display focuses on animal conservation. Over 100 sculptures are ready to be discovered on a light trail through the zoo.

Read more about Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo

The Rocks

Vivid Sydney 2019

Duck in and out of historic laneways and discover a treasure trove of light sculptures.

Museum of Contemporary Art

Vivid Sydney 2019

Pull up a seat out the front of the MCA to watch Claudia Nicholson’s Let Me Down illuminate the front of the building. It’s mesmerising.

Argyle Cut

Vivid Sydney The Rocks

We loved the Pixar: 30 Years of Art & Animation light show at the Argyle Cut. The characters from Pixar Animation Studios most beloved stories come alive in this beautiful installation that spans Pixar’s history and shares glimpses of the art behind the films.

Vivid Sydney 2019

There are even behind-the-scenes sneak-peek at images from the upcoming Toy Story 4, which hits cinemas June 20, 2019.

Pieces of fake grass are on the cement to lie down on and watch from the floor.

We loved Bug Hunt, which lets viewers “hunt” for bugs projected into a building and Bubble Magician even though it was broken.

Vivid 2019 Vivid 2019

Read more about Vivid Sydney at The Rocks

The Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney

Vivid Sydney The Royal Botanic Gardens

Always a beautiful location to see light sculptures by the ocean, with the Sydney Opera House in the background, the Royal Botanic Gardens are a fave of mine at Vivid Sydney every year. 

Vivid Sydney 2019

While most of the light sculptures this year in the gardens are interactive, making this a hot spot for families, the highlight for us was Beetopia, a giant glowing bee hotel with oversized, colourful native bees crawling all over it. Specifically designed to be inclusive and accessible for people of all abilities. Push the bees’ bottoms to make them buzz!

Vivid Sydney 2019

The mesmerising firefly field is back, and there are several sculptures that respond to sound and movement. 

Vivid Sydney 2019 Vivid Sydney 2019 Vivid Sydney 2019 Vivid Sydney 2019 Vivid Sydney 2019 Vivid Sydney 2019

There is also a pop up food court in the middle of the light walk.

Read more about Vivid Sydney at The Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney

General Vivid Sydney Tips

Vivid Sydney Campbell's Cove

Arrive BEFORE the lights turn on

Find a prime position near the lights that you want to see the most without a hoard of people and wait patiently until the lights get switch on. BAM – lights minus the crowds.

Lights go on at 6pm at all locations other than Taronga Zoo, where the lights go on at 5:30pm.

Hit up the most popular installations first

Vivid Sydney 2019

This has always been a key for me in conjunction with the point above. I circle back to those that it’s easy to see even with a crowd last, such as the Customs House, MCA and Sydney Opera House.

See the lights without the crowd

There are a few spots where you can see Vivid lights that are away from the general crowd. For a good view of the Harbour head to the top of the Cahill Expressway (lift at Circular Quay).

Vivid Sydney 2019

Sydney Tower Eye is the city’s tallest building and offers the best view of VIVID up above – especially to witness the moment the city light’s up at 6pm. There’s also a range of activities taking place on the Observation Deck such as: free glow-in-the-dark face painting for all ages, every night during VIVID (24 May to 16 June) on the Observation Deck from 5 to 7pm and capture the ultimate snap in the mesmerising pop-up light box, Endless Lights which offers a unique illusion of great height and depth.

Lastly, walk over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It’s free to walk the pedestrian and bike path. I would suggest walking in one direction from The Rocks to Milsons Point, and catching the train back again.

Dedicate several nights to see it all

Vivid Sydney 2019

I’m sure it’s possible to see everything in one go, but why do it if you can spread it out? With so many locations, Vivid really needs at least three nights to see everything. Break it down into sections that can be covered together. Taronga and Chatswood or Luna Park, Circular Quay, Martin Place and Botanic Gardens plus Barangaroo and the Rocks, and lastly Darling Harbour, which can be done with another of the options with a bit of commuting in between.

Rug up!

It gets cold at night, especially near the water. Dress warm including a coat and a beanie and gloves.

Take the kids to Taronga

Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo

This is my pick for kids because it’s ticketed, so less people, and the lights go on earlier than the other locations.

Read about what to expect from Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo here.

Don’t bypass the smaller Vivid locations, especially with kids

With kids in tow, the locations such as Darling Harbour and Chatswood are also an excellent idea as these spots don’t get as large crowds as the CBD does.

Chatswood is excellent as it is right next to the station and lots of restaurants for a pre-Vivid dinner and easy getaway – and lights go on at 5:50pm.

 Darling Harbour has lots of interactive and accessible installations.

Pick a quiet day to go

Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo

We always go the first weekend or Monday to Thursday. The first few days are always the quietist, before photos start appearing in the news and reminding people that it’s on. The second weekend, from Friday onwards, is when it starts to get really busy. If there is a big event on elsewhere while Vivid is on, that is also a great night to go!

Take public transport to the city or pre-book parking

Pre-book a car spot if you ca’t take public transport as parking is an absolute nightmare. When taking public transport, be aware that Circular Quay train station might be busy and be prepared to walk to another station if needed.

This year we packed near the Langham Hotel in a four-hour parking zone on a Saturday so it was pretty reasonably priced.

Find the best places to park for Vivid here.

Bring carriers or strollers for kids

This is for two reasons – one, because it’s night time and little people get tired, but also to keep them out of the way of being stepped on by adults.

Eat food first

We always arrive early in the city and eat before the lights even turn on. My pick is Gateway Sydney for casual, great food. There is a pop up food court at the bottom of the Overseas passenger Terminal which is great to hit up early in the evening but is a nightmare to try to buy anything from later in the evening. 

Vivid Food

We also ate at the food trucks for the first time this year and found the quality to be excellent. I highly enjoyed the vegan gnocci for $16, feta, spinach and sweet potato gozleme for $15 and a mango green tea bubble tea in a light up bulb for $13. It was great to see several vegan and vegetarian options.

Vivid Food Vivid bubble tea

Tips for seeing Vivid with kids

Vivid Sydney 2019
Take them to Taronga or Chatswood, where lights go on at 5:30pm instead of 6pm and the crowds aren’t as bad. Darling Harbour, with its interactive light playground, is an excellent choice for families as well.

Take a stroller or baby carrier for little ones.

Feed them first or bring plenty of food for on the go.

Pick up free Lost Child Wristbands for the kids at info booths located on near the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Customs House and Darling Harbour.

Dress kids in high visibility clothing and keep them in sightline at all times.

Pick one area to see at a time and return another night to see more.

Photography Tips

Take a good camera

Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo

Take the best one you have. If you have an SLR, bring it. If the best you have is a point and shoot or your phone, then that will do. One of my old photography teachers once said “the best camera is the one you’ve got” and I’ve always remembered it!

A better camera will however produce better results, so when you’re in a tricky lighting situation such as an event after dark, I find it’s always worth bringing the best camera you’ve got.

Turn off the flash

Please, please, please turn off your flash! A good flash on an SLR camera only has a range of about a metre, so a flash on a phone is even more ineffectual. Use light from the installations to illuminate your subject matter rather than the flash.

Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo

Caveat: If your subjects are standing in front of an extremely large light sculpture and you want them facing the camera with the object BEHIND them, then this is the one time when I would suggest using the flash. There is a photography op at Taronga with gorillas that is exactly this circumstance.

Use the sculptures to light faces

Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo

Instead of using the flash, position people near the sculptures with the light directing onto them faces. Move yourself into a position where you can see the faces illuminated. Then take the photo.

Take a tripod 

Obviously this is a “if you have one” scenario. In any lowlight situation a tripod is your best friend to providing camera stability and resulting in sharper images without needing to over compensate for the low light by adjusting other camera settings as much.

Lean on fences or props

If you don’t have a tripod or, like me, don’t take one because they’re quite hard to manage with a crowd or you’ve got kids in tow, wedge your camera on solid, immovable objects to get sharper shots. I use fences, the backs of chairs, you get the picture.

Bump up the ISO

Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo

If you have manual settings on your camera, bump up the ISO A LOT. I bump mine way up to ensure that the photos are in focus. The photos are grainier as a result, but at least they’re in focus.

Give kids an old camera or phone

Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo

I gave Cheese my iPhone to shoot with this year and I loved the photos she came up with. Kids have a different perspective to adults so the angles and perspectives she shot were completely different to mine.

Get more info on Vivid Sydney here.

Vivid Sydney Vivid Sydney

Additional images thanks to Destination NSW.

InterContinental Sydney Double Bay High Tea, Sydney

InterContinental Double Bay High Tea, Sydney, Australia

InterContinental Sydney Double Bay High Tea

Indulge in a luxe high tea at the Intercontinental Sydney Double Bay. Choose from the Signature High Tea, Oriental High Tea or Kids’ High Tea.

Intercontinental Double Bay High Tea, Sydney, Australia

High tea at the Intercontinental Sydney Double Bay is an elegant affair. Located upstairs in the Stillery, high tea is served daily between 11am and 4pm. 

Intercontinental Double Bay High Tea, Sydney, Australia

Adults can choose between the Signature High Tea and Oriental High Tea, while children have a special Kids High Tea on offer to them.

Intercontinental Double Bay High Tea, Sydney, Australia

We chose the Signature High Tea with the option to add a glass of chilled Champagne. 

Intercontinental Double Bay High Tea, Sydney, Australia

The High Tea arrives on a very traditional three tiers, with sweets on top, sandwiches on the middle and hot savouries on the bottom.

Intercontinental Double Bay High Tea, Sydney, Australia

I love sweets but as I’ve gotten older I’ve found that I enjoy the savoury and scones in larger quantities and my ability to eat sweets has lessened, so this type of high tea with its food ratio is my idea of perfection. 

Each high tea is also served with your choice of tea of coffee, served in a pot that gives about 1.5 cups.

Signature High Tea

Something Savoury
Sage lemon chicken, watercress on multigrain*
Wild Mushroom Bruschetta, grilled leek, pecorino
Cold smoked trout, ricotta, black caviar, blini*
Meredith quiche, goat cheese, caramelised onion

* Vegetarian options: avocado and cucumber sandwich and a vegetable wrap.

Intercontinental Double Bay High Tea, Sydney, Australia
Something Sweet
Lemon myrtle cheesecake, wattleseed crumble, meyer lemon curd
Strawberry & basil, white chocolate, macadamia crunch
Lemon lime bitter macaron, Angostura bitters, chocolate fizz
Mascarpone mousse, crab apple jelly, Anzac biscuit
Homemade cranberry & sultana scone served with cream & jam

Intercontinental Double Bay High Tea, Sydney, Australia

Signature High Tea $59
High Tea with a a glass of Perrier-Jouët Champagne $69
High Tea with three mini martinis $79

Children’s High Tea

Intercontinental Double Bay High Tea, Sydney, Australia

Sandwiches
Fairy Bread, Pepe Saya butter, 100’s & 1000’s
Chicken & cheese toastie, multigrain bread, cheddar cheese*

* Vegetarian alternative: avocado and cucumber sandwich 

Something Sweet
Chocolate fudge brownie, chantilly, Weiss dark chocolate, walnuts
Watermelon lollypop, compressed watermelon, desiccated coconut
Banana & chocolate cupcake, Nutella, Smarties
Smiley macaron, French salted caramel
Strawberry fondue, milk chocolate, fresh strawberries

Children’s High Tea is $25. 

We adored this high tea. The sandwiches were delicious and fresh, the scones warm, the jam absolutely divine. Hubby wanted to take the jam home. 

The sweets were excellent. A great variety and unusual flavours. My fave was the lemon myrtle cheesecake with wattleseed crumble and meyer lemon curd. It was slightly tart, fresh and sweet. I could have eaten more!

The kids’ high tea was a very happy addition to the menu. Cheese often finds the food on the regular high team menu to be too fancy, so she likes to have her own high tea where the food caters to simpler taste palates. Her fave was the chocolate fondue with strawberries. She loved it so much we had to ask for more strawberries. 

Intercontinental Double Bay High Tea, Sydney, Australia

The service at the InterContinental was just as you would expect. Efficient and friendly, making for an extremely pleasant dining experience. Highly recommend the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay High Tea! 

InterContinental Sydney Double Bay
33 Cross Street, Double Bay, Sydney NSW
Bookings recommended (you can book online)
Website

More things to do in Sydney

Find the best high teas in Sydney here.

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids here.

Find things to do in Sydney for free here.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney here.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney here.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney here.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day here.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney here.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney here.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Fika by Cuppa Flower: Sydney’s Prettiest Cafes

Fika by Cuppa Flower, Sydney Cafes, Australia

Fika by Cuppa Flower

Fika by Cuppa Flower is a cafe and florist located at Duo Central Park, Chippendale. Go for the pretty flowers and stay for the delicious food.

Fika by Cuppa Flower, Sydney Cafes, Australia

It’s no secret I love pretty cafes and Fika is extremely pretty, just like its sister cafe Cuppa Flower. “Fika” is a Swedish word meaning “state of mind”. The concept is a lifestyle choice: To “fika” is to make time to take a break and enjoy the moment; by yourself or with friends. 

Fika by Cuppa Flower, Sydney Cafes, Australia

Fika by Cuppa Flower is the perfect place to enjoy a “fika”. It’s a quiet little spot with pretty flowers and details, with absolutely delicious food that we will be going back for again.

The all-day breakfast choices were a massive hit with us, and we tried the Red Velvet Latte $5, Hot Choco $4.70, Smashed Avocado Open Sandwich With Grilled Haloumi Cheese $16.80, Acai Bowl $13.80, Japanese Souffle Pancakes $20.80 and Matcha Swiss Roll.

Fika by Cuppa Flower, Sydney Cafes, Australia
 
The soufflé pancakes are a work of art and take a bit longer to cook, so be prepared for a short wait if you order them. They were the hit dish of our lunch. Fat and fluffy and divine they just melted in our mouths. Eat them fast before they deflate! 
Fika by Cuppa Flower, Sydney Cafes, Australia
 
I have a thing for red velvet lattes which are effectively a white hot chocolate. Sweet and pretty I want to drink them all day.
 
Fika by Cuppa Flower, Sydney Cafes, Australia
My open sandwich was more like a smashed avocado dish with poached egg and I thought it was not just perfectly cooked and pretty as anything, but also a generous size for the price.
Fika by Cuppa Flower, Sydney Cafes, Australia
 
Hubby ordered the acai bowl and declared it not just healthy but tasty, and then ate the rest of the pancakes, so I guess that was a good mix to go with.
 
Fika by Cuppa Flower, Sydney Cafes, Australia
 
Cheese’s hot chocolate came with a little bowl of mini marshmallows which was a nice touch. 
 
Fika by Cuppa Flower, Sydney Cafes, Australia
 
We all tried the matcha Swiss roll because Cheese is going through a matcha phase. The cakes are all super fresh and pretty and It’s a great spot to try a pastry that’s a bit different to what you might usually find at cafes.
Fika by Cuppa Flower, Sydney Cafes, Australia
 
Parking in the area is extremely painful. There is no car park in the area – the closest ones are a paid station across Broadway, but you can also park in the Broadway Shopping Centre for two hours for free and walk up. We found a spot on a side street after much circling but it was only one hour so we had to eat fast. 
 
If you’re visiting with kids: the cafe is easy to access with a stroller as it’s flat and on the ground level right off the sidewalk. There are highchairs available. No kids’ menu but there are eggs any way on the menu. 
 
Fika by Cuppa Flower, Sydney Cafes, Australia Fika by Cuppa Flower, Sydney Cafes, Australia Fika by Cuppa Flower, Sydney Cafes, Australia Fika by Cuppa Flower, Sydney Cafes, Australia Fika by Cuppa Flower, Sydney Cafes, Australia

Fika by Cuppa Flower
Central Park Ave,
Chippendale

Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm (2:30pm kitchen closes), Sat & Sun 8:30am-6pm.
Prices:$$
Get Directions

Fika by Cuppa Flower, Sydney Cafes, Australia

“The Tale of Mr Rabbit” Easter Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney

"The Tale of Mr Rabbit" Easter Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney

Hop into Easter with “The Tale of Mr Rabbit” Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney

These April school holidays, treat kids with a delightful Easter-themed afternoon tea at The Langham, Sydney. “The Tale of Mr Rabbit” Afternoon Tea is an enchanting experience involving decadent treats, a stunning chocolate Easter egg display and a visit from Mr Rabbit himself.

"The Tale of Mr Rabbit" Easter Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney

“The Tale of Mr Rabbit” Afternoon Tea is on offer over three consecutive weekends only, from Saturdays and Sundays from 13th April to the 28th April, excluding Easter Sunday. Seating times are 12pm-2:30pm or 3pm-5:30pm.

"The Tale of Mr Rabbit" Easter Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney

Executive Chef Dave Whitting has prepared a fantastic afternoon tea that tastes as good as it looks. The tea is available for adults and kids – it is the same menu for both, with a reduced price for kids. 

"The Tale of Mr Rabbit" Easter Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney

When we arrived we were delighted to see the beautiful Easter table set up in the middle of the room, overflowing with treats. About 30 minutes into our dining session the staff poured liquid nitrogen into the centre of the table which made the kids (and adults!) squeal with delight. What an extravagant table!

"The Tale of Mr Rabbit" Easter Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney

Mr Rabbit himself arrived just after and proved to be a dab hand at entertaining the kids. He handed out little pouches with two tiny Easter eggs in them to each child and happily posed for photos. I was delighted to see Mr Rabbit hung around for the next hour or so and happily entertained the kids. Thank you Mr Rabbit!

"The Tale of Mr Rabbit" Easter Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney

Also on hand to entertain squiggly little ones are colouring in sheets and plenty of coloured pencils. 

"The Tale of Mr Rabbit" Easter Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney

Savoury

Beef and potato pie *
Mushroom and gruyere cheese puff
Tuna, creme fraiche and caviar tartlet*
Kingfish tartare, lime, coriander, charcoal cone*
Chicken tarragon and spinach finger sandwich*
Curried egg and rocket finger sandwich *

(As a vegetarian I received vegan substitutes for these items.)

Homemade pastries and tea cakes

Mr Rabbit tartlet
Mandarin and white chocolate egg
Carrot and ginger garden bed
Golden egg bon bon
Hot cross bun macaron
Carrot cake and vanilla scones with homemade jam and cream

"The Tale of Mr Rabbit" Easter Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney

The tea also includes a selection of tea or barista coffee including an optional hot chocolate with marshmallows for children.

As always, the food at The Langham, Sydney was of exceptional quality. The fresh bread on the sandwiches and perfect, fluffy scones made me extremely happy, as these are often hard to get right.

I particularly enjoyed the curried egg sandwich and my cauliflower tartlet which was a substitute for the tuna one.

"The Tale of Mr Rabbit" Easter Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney

I ordered the peach iced tea for my beverage and I really could drink these all day, they are so sweet and refreshing.

"The Tale of Mr Rabbit" Easter Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney

Our junior diners couldn’t get enough of the scones, with both the plain and carrot proving extremely popular. While they were offered a hot chocolate, all three chose chamomile tea.

"The Tale of Mr Rabbit" Easter Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney

My favourite pastry was the golden egg bon bon, which has a crisp chocolate coating with a lemon centre. A little bite of heaven. 

We attended on opening day and it felt like some of the kinks were still being ironed out with the tea, such as the advertised complimentary glass of sparkling on arrival which we didn’t receive, but this may have been because we attended on the first day when staff were getting the hang of the new menu and package.

"The Tale of Mr Rabbit" Easter Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney

The servers as always were kindness and courtesy personified. They were efficient and helpful and as always, a credit to The Langham.

"The Tale of Mr Rabbit" Easter Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney "The Tale of Mr Rabbit" Easter Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney "The Tale of Mr Rabbit" Easter Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney "The Tale of Mr Rabbit" Easter Afternoon Tea at the Langham, Sydney

All Bookings can be made by contacting tlsyd.rsvn@langhamhotels.com or by calling
directly on 02 9256 2222.

Easter at The Langham Hotel
89-113 Kent St, Millers Point,
Sydney NSW 2000
Prices: $$$ (Children aged 4 -12 $45 and adults $95)
Hours: Seating is from 12pm-2:30pm or 3pm-5:30pm.
Bookings are available on all Saturdays and Sundays from 13th April to the 28th April, excluding Easter Sunday. 
Phone: 02 9256 2222
Get Directions

We were guests of The Langham, Sydney. All opinions are my own.

Cuppa Flower Waterloo: Sydney’s Prettiest Cafes

Cuppa Flower: Sydney's Prettiest Cafes

Cuppa Flower: Sydney’s Prettiest Cafes

Cuppa Flower is a delightful spot in the Sydney suburb of Waterloo that is a combination of cafe and florist. Good coffee, great food and fresh flowers are on offer.

Cuppa Flower: Sydney's Prettiest Cafes

The cafe is extremely popular due to their highly Instagrammable food and drinks, including vibrant cakes, smoothies and pancakes. 

Cuppa Flower: Sydney's Prettiest Cafes

There is an all day breakfast menu plus a dedicated lunch menu. Popular choices include the red velvet, taro, and matcha green lattes, flower teas, fizzy lemonade drinks, acai bowls, pancakes, pastries, sandwiches and wraps.

Cuppa Flower: Sydney's Prettiest Cafes

Everything is beautifully presented, and thankfully tastes as good as it looks.

Cuppa Flower is a busy cafe thanks to its Instagram fame. There is a wait of 20 minutes when we arrive on a Sunday lunch, with a large crowd outside the front steps. 

Cuppa Flower: Sydney's Prettiest Cafes

The staff are friendly and extremely efficient. No time for small talk and chit chat, but everything is said and served with a genuine smile.

Tip: Order at the counter, don’t wait for a server to come to your table!

We ordered the Kids Fish and Chips ($12.50), Ricotta Pancake (served with seasonal fruit, cuppaflower homemade mixed berries jam, ricotta cheese, honeycomb, mascarpone cheese and maple syrup, $20.80), Eggs on Toast Your Way (2 free range eggs, poached scrambled or fried, and a choice of toast, $9.50) with a side of Hash Brown ($4) and the Grilled Atlantic Salmon Steak (quinoa, edamame bean, cheery tomato, roasted pumpkins, asparagus, lemon wedges and mayonnaise, $25.80) and the lavender-flavoured Iced Fizzy ($7.50).

Cuppa Flower: Sydney's Prettiest Cafes

Usually when we order pretty dishes they don’t taste that great, so it was a wonderful surprise that the fancy pancakes tasted amazing. I would order them again in a heartbeat. 

Cuppa Flower: Sydney's Prettiest Cafes

The kids’ fish and chips were a massive serve and was served nice and hot and fresh. 

Cuppa Flower: Sydney's Prettiest Cafes

The scrambled eggs were creamy with a generous side of toast and tomato relish. Two hash browns were served as the side.

Cuppa Flower: Sydney's Prettiest Cafes

Hubby enjoyed his salmon and declared that he would be more than happy to eat here again as the food was delicious, not just pretty.

Cuppa Flower: Sydney's Prettiest Cafes

My fizzy drink was a mix of lemonade and lavender and I found it extremely refreshing.

The kids menu has plenty of options for junior diners, and there was a high chair available for babies.

Disabled access is through a ramp in the rear.

The cafe is even dog-friendly, with two tables outside where canines can enjoy brunch with their humans.

 

Cuppa Flower
1/15 Allen St, Waterloo NSW 2017
Monday to Friday 7am-3pm
Saturday to Sunday 8am-3pm
https://www.facebook.com/CuppaflowerWaterloo/

Anna Polyviou’s Enchanted Easter Garden High Tea Picnic at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

Anna Polyviou's Enchanted Easter Garden High Tea Picnic at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

Anna Polyviou’s Enchanted Easter Garden High Tea Picnic at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

Fall down the rabbit hole with Anna Polyviou at her enchanted Easter Garden with a delightful High Tea Picnic at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, from 30 March to 29 April, 2019.

Anna Polyviou's Enchanted Easter Garden High Tea Picnic at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

The pop-up garden is a fantastical world of colour with delightful treats to match, created by our fave pastry chef, the Punk Princess of Pastry, Anna Polyviou.

Follow the bunny feet in the lobby and hop on down to the Easter garden to enjoy the immersive experience. There’s a mini maze with flamingoes straight out of Alice in Wonderland, giant mushrooms, towering and tiny bunny rabbits, mad hatter clocks and white tables and chairs set up for “al fresco” dining.

Anna Polyviou's Enchanted Easter Garden High Tea Picnic at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

Tiny details are set amongst the garden for those who look carefully. A little sheep, a fox, Easter eggs in abundance. It’s an absolute delight to dine in such a whimsical setting, with amazing attention to detail.

Anna Polyviou's Enchanted Easter Garden High Tea Picnic at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

The Easter High Tea Picnic is something special. It comes in a hamper and includes a decadent menu which features:

“Club Cake”
Matcha sponge, vanilla chantilly, strawberry gel

“Lemon Meringue Pie Macaron”
Lemon zest, meringue pie, macaron

“Cracked Egg”
Mandarin POP, mascarpone creme, mango compote

“Chocolate Pot” 
Roasted milk chocolate, hot cross bun crumbs, banana jam

“Quiche”
Flaky pastry, bacon, onion, egg mixture (our vegetarian version contained only onion)

“Roast Chicken Roll”
Roast chicken, mixed herb stuffing, milk bun, coleslaw (our vegetarian version contained only coleslaw)

“Rice Paper”
Vegetable, tofu, rice noodles

“Cheese & Crackers”
Blackall Woombye cheese, quince paste, flat bread

“Hot Cross Buns”
Hazelnut spread, salted butter

“Mrs Whippy”
Milk whippy, waffle cone

Anna Polyviou's Enchanted Easter Garden High Tea Picnic at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

The menu is the same for adults and kids, with a discounted price for ages 0-11. I would say it’s an adventures menu for little kids so would recommend it for those willing to try new things or older kids. I did really enjoy the unusual additions to a traditional high tea, such as the inclusion of cheese and crackers, the matcha Club Cake, hot cross buns and milk whippy.

Anna Polyviou's Enchanted Easter Garden High Tea Picnic at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

Cheese’s favourite items were the matcha cake (she ate both pieces), mandarin pop on the “Cracked Egg” and the “Mrs Whippy” which I thought tasted a bit like Japanese milk soft serve, but with the consistency of ice cream. Really delicious!

Anna Polyviou's Enchanted Easter Garden High Tea Picnic at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

As always with the Shangri-La Hotel, everything in the basket was just delicious. Fresh, light, perfectly cooked. The hot cross buns were some of the best I’ve ever tasted and the macaron was not only adorable with cute bunny ears, served in a garden pot along with hidden Easter eggs, it was absolutely was heavenly and melted in my mouth. 

Anna Polyviou's Enchanted Easter Garden High Tea Picnic at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

I thought the serving size was generous and left absolutely stuffed even though I didn’t eat everything that came in the basket. 

Anna Polyviou's Enchanted Easter Garden High Tea Picnic at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

Also included is your choice of tea or coffee. We chose the chamomile flowers, which comes in a pop big enough for 2.5 cups of tea, and a hot chocolate for the little lady (two marshmallows! Score!).

Anna Polyviou's Enchanted Easter Garden High Tea Picnic at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

Add a Belvedere Spritz for $14, Chandon Rose for $14/glass or Chandon Spritz for $12/glass. You can also try the Popcorn Caramel Martini. 

Anna Polyviou's Enchanted Easter Garden High Tea Picnic at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

At night the garden caters to grown-ups with a cocktail picnic basket for two, and food including cured meats, Australian cheese, olives, fluffy quiche, and the fresh fruit (pictured below).

Anna Polyviou's Enchanted Easter Garden High Tea Picnic at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

Anna’s Easter Garden is open at the Lobby Lounge, Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, from 30 March to 29 April 2019.

Anna Polyviou's Enchanted Easter Garden High Tea Picnic at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

The Easter High Tea Picnic is available daily from 11am-12.45pm, 1pm-3pm, and 3.15pm-5pm, and is priced from $75 per person, and $55 per child (0-11 years).

The Cocktail Picnic Basket is available from 6pm-9pm, and is priced from $55 for two.

Sweet devotees can also enjoy an Easter Escape stay package including High Tea from $420 per night. 

Easter Garden High Tea at the Lobby Lounge, Shangri-La Hotel
176 Cumberland Street,
The Rocks, Sydney, NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9250 6000
Prices: $$$
Bookings are essential. Please call (61 2) 9250 6000 or email dine.slsn@shangri-la.com
Online: shangri-la.com/sydney/shangrila/offer-detail/dining/easter-garden-high-tea/
Get Directions

We were hosted for this magical high tea. All opinions are my own. Additional images courtesy of the Shangri-La Hotel.

Pixar Putt Comes To Sydney

Pixar Putt Sydney Australia

Tee off with Woody and friends at the pop-up mini golf experience, Pixar Putt in Darling Harbour, Sydney.

After making its successful worldwide debut in Melbourne in January 2019, with over 25,000 enjoying a round of Pixar Putt, now Sydneysiders can have a try at Pixar Putt in Darling Harbour from Saturday, 6 April to Sunday, 12 May, 2019.

Pixar Putt Sydney

Tickets are now on sale for the attraction. Due to Pixar Putt’s popularity, it’s highly advisable to book a session in advance.

Pixar Putt Sydney

Pixar Putt was inspired by beloved stories, characters and icons from some of Disney-Pixar’s most iconic films including Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Wall-E, Inside Out and Coco.

Pixar Putt Sydney

It is located at the ICC Forecourt next to Harbourside, Darling Harbour, where guests can choose between playing 9-holes or the full 18-hole course. We chose 18 holes and it took us almost 2 hours to complete the course on a busy day. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water as the weather has been hot as hades.

Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt Sydney

 

There are also adults only “After Dark” sessions on Friday and Saturday nights from 7pm-10pm.Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt Sydney Pixar Putt
Dates: Saturday, 6 April 2019-Friday, 12 May 2019

ICC Forecourt, Darling Harbour (near Harbourside) NSW 2000
Hours: Sun-Thurs 10am-8pm, Fri & Sat 10am-10pm (Adults Only from 7pm-10pm)
Prices: 18 holes $39.90 Adult, $29.90 Child, $119.60 Family (2A/2C or 1A/3C), 9 holes $24.90 Adult, $19.90 Child, $79.50 Family (2A/2C or 1A/3C)
pixarputt.com.au

Sydney’s First LEGO® Certified Store in Westfield Bondi Junction

LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia

Sydney’s first LEGO® certified store has opened in Westfield Bondi Junction.

The LEGO® store has been designed to inspire creativity, with incredible brick creations and interactive experiences on offer throughout the 302sqm space, spread over two floors.

LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia

Unique Sydney icons have been created from LEGO®, including a wall mounted LEGO® Opera House and Harbour Bridge mosaic and a tribute to Bondi Beach.

LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia

The store has several hands-on interactive brick experiences which will make it a popular spot to visit with the kids as well as to shop.

LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia

These include Build-Your-Own MinifigureTM stations with thousands of combinations (including heads, legs, torsos, hairs, hats and accessories), a LEGO® Pick a Brick Wall featuring countless combinations of bricks to choose from and several LEGO® Play tables.

LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia

The store also features “The Brick Cave”, a dedicated area designed specifically for children’s parties, and custom LEGO® brick engraving service for personalisation.

LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia

There is a dedicated elevator providing stroller / wheelchair access between the floors as well as a set of stairs. 

LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia

I loved the wide variety of LEGO® on offer, catering for all ages with sets for adults, teens, tweens, kids and preschoolers. The Women of NASA will be on my list!

LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia LEGO® Store Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia

LEGO® Store
Level 3, Oxford Street entrance,
Westfield Bondi Junction

Social Hideout Waterloo: Sydney Cafe Reviews

Social Hideout Sydney Australia

Could this be Sydney’s most Instagrammable cafe? Social Hideout, located in Waterloo and Parramatta, delights the eyes and senses with its floral decor and beautifully designed dishes.

Social Hideout Sydney Australia

We visited the Waterloo cafe on a busy weekend around 11am. The cafe is a decent size with jam-packed indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor seating is where you want to be to take the pretty shots of yourself and your food (if that’s your thing!). 

Social Hideout Sydney Australia

Outside the cafe is a set up with a pretty wall and bike in front of it for taking photos, as well as plenty of table where you can sit with your dog if you want to bring it along. There is even a pet menu for Fido.

Social Hideout Sydney Australia

Inside is where the real magic happens, however. The cafes is decked out with 17,000 flowers, neon lights and a gorgeous Audrey Hepburn wall. 

Social Hideout Sydney Australia

The menu is small but designed to bring the “wow” factor. We ordered the Avocado Smash (poached eggs, cherry truss tomatoes, danish feta, dukkah, basil, sourdough, $16.90), the Mafia Hot Chocolate and Red Velvet Eggs Benedict.

Social Hideout Sydney Australia Social Hideout Sydney Australia Social Hideout Sydney Australia

If you order The Green Frenchy, staff come to your table with a blow torch and caramelize the banana at your table. 

Social Hideout Sydney Australia

The colourful lattes are stunning, and the milkshake that comes in a bathtub is so cute.

My only negative about the cafe is how unfriendly it is for families. There’s no kids’ menu and while there are some ides they can order from on the breakfast menu, there is nothing on the lunch menu that kids can eat – the lunch menu is served from 11:30am onwards at Waterloo, while Parramatta has all-day breakfast.

We asked for a piece of toast and a side of avocado for Cheese fifteen minutes before the changeover of menu and had the staff come back to us a minute after changeover to say they couldn’t do it as it was now the lunch menu being served. When I explained that we had ordered it before the changeover time and there was nothing else my daughter could eat on the lunch menu, the staff member shrugged and said, “Yes it’s a real problem, we have nothing to serve kids, parents are always asking for a kids’ menu”, and that was it. 

Since there is a dog menu, I’m not sure why there can’t be a kids’ menu too, particularly when there is a demand from their customers for it?

Social Hideout Waterloo
Shop 4/5/25-33 Allen St, Waterloo
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-3:30pm, Sat & Sun 8am-3:30pm.

Social Hideout Parramatta
2a/20 Victoria Rd, Parramatta
Hours: Mon-Fri 6am-3pm, Sat & Sun 7:30am-3pm
socialhideout.com.au

Two Sis & Co. Pyrmont: Sydney Cafe Reviews

Two Sis & Co. Pyrmont is a bright cafe on busy Harris Street serving up all-day breakfast, delicious lunch and colorful creations.

Two Sis Cafe Pyrmont, Sydney, Australia

We visited on a rainy Sunday and were surprised to see that even on a day when the rain was coming down like cats and dogs that the cafe was packed and there was a wait for tables. 

The cafe is quite small, with not many tables and only three tiny outdoor tables. Dining here with little or multiple kids would be a challenge due to the size of the cafe which would not be able to accommodate strollers, plus there is only one high chair on offer to patrons. 

The staff are extremely friendly and the service is fast and faultless. Considering how busy the cafe is and how small the kitchen, we were amazed with how fast the food arrived.

Two Sis Cafe Pyrmont, Sydney, Australia

We ordered their signature Mermaid pancakes (mermaid tail, whipped mascarpone, chocolate rocks, fresh raspberries, dragon fruit balls & peanut butter sauce, $23.50), Our Pick Smashed Avocado (medley tomatoes, Danish feta, dukkah with sourdough $15.50, plus poached egg $2.50), Free Range Eggs Any Style On Toast ($9.50) plus Side of Avocado ($3.50), Dukkah Eggs (smashed avocado, poached eggs, lemon dukkah, balsamic glaze $18, with roasted mushroom, crispy bacon or cured salmon, $18.90), Iced Rose Latte ($7.90).  

The Mermaid Pancakes were quite a surprise. The actual pancakes themselves were not sweet in the slightest – Cheese thought they tasted like blueberry. The whipped mascarpone added a bit of sweetness but not overwhelmingly so, which was great because there was a lot of fairy floss and chocolate rocks to go with them. The only element we didn’t love was the peanut butter jelly / syrup. Even though I love peanut butter I wasn’t a fan. I would have preferred Nutella!

Two Sis Cafe Pyrmont, Sydney, Australia

The Ice Rose Latte was divine – not only theatrical and gorgeous, it tasted like the most amazing rose in a glass. Delicious and beautiful.

Two Sis Cafe Pyrmont, Sydney, Australia Two Sis Cafe Pyrmont, Sydney, Australia Two Sis Cafe Pyrmont, Sydney, Australia

The food was not just well presented, it also tasted amazing. Really good serving sizes and beautifully presented.

A gem of a cafe in Pyrmont that is highly instagrammable but just as delicious.

Two Sis Co. Pyrmont
306 Harris St, Pyrmont
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat & Sun 7:30am-4pm
Phone: 0451 594 665