The Sydney Traveler

Remember to slow down and buckle up if you’re traveling around New South Wales roads over the holiday period. Double demerits for all speeding and seatbelt offences will be in force from midnight tonight.
The dual penalties apply until January 4 in an effort to curb the state’s Christmas road toll. Road deaths have dropped 28% since the initiative was introduced in 1997, so it looks like it’s working!
“Double demerits help deter motorists from breaking the law during what is an exceptionally busy time on the state’s roads,” said the state’s roads minister Michael Daley.
“Motorists be warned: watch your speed, wear …read more

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Is it really less than a week until Christmas? Sure enough, there’s just six sleeps to go! So for this edition of Sydney Photo Friday, I figured I’d show you one of my favourite Christmas trees in the city. There are so many beautiful ones around Sydney, but I love this one inside The Galleries Victoria. Just look at those big gold bows, beautiful crystal ornaments, and that dazzling star on top! It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Image source: Sebastian Bergmann @ Flickr

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The classic Christmas ballet The Nutcracker gets a modern twist at CarraigeWorks this week.
The contemporary reworking combines the color and fun of the traditional Tchaikovsky production with some of the darkness and quirky appeal of the original fairytale. The classical music has been reinterepreted by local singer/songwriter Jess Maynard. Her breezy acoustic guitar soundtrack provides the backdrop to Luke Butler’s shadow puppet performance.
The Nutcracker is playing at a family-friendly price on Friday and Saturday. What better way to get the kids into the Christmas spirit before Santa arrives!
Dates: Friday 19 and Saturday 20 December
Times: 7 pm both days and 2 …read more

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Have you seen the Christmas tree in Taylor Square yet? It’s very modern looking, with metallic coils replacing the traditional green foliage!
The 10-metre tree is adorned with red holographic stars representing the Southern Cross, eco-friendly LED baubles, and a gold star on top.
“Taylor Square’s new Christmas tree reflects the contemporary, creative and cultural life of the area,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said.
“We wanted something a little different for Taylor Square, a Christmas tree that represented the community – a tree with artistic flair.”
It’s certainly that! The tree complements the Christmas lights along Oxford Street and Darlinghurst Roads, and Star …read more

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Iconic Sydney buildings will be bathed in colorful light displays to celebrate the Christmas season.
“The projections provide a free, spectacular slide show transforming Sydney Town Hall into a magical Christmas centrepiece for the thousands of children and families who come into the city during the festive season,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said.
The nightly light projections will also be shown at Hyde Park Barracks Museum, St James Church, and The Conservatorium of Music. The displays will feature Sydney’s new Christmas mascot, the ringtail possum, vibrant baubles, Australian fauna, and last year’s mascot, the sulphur-crested cockatoo.
There will be 10 projections shown …read more

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The iconic Christmas tree in Martin Place has delighted Sydneysiders for the last 72 years. On Thursday it will light up once again.
The 20-metre high tree features 58, 000 LEDS lights, but don’t worry eco-friendly readers. The city will purchase GreenPower to offset the electricity used. The lights will also be turned off from 2 am to 6 am for the first time, saving around two tones of greenhouse gas emissions. That’s like taking a car off the road for ten months!
The stunning tree also features seven holographic stars, symbolising the Southern Cross, which will twinkle day or night. The …read more

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Families can enjoy some free Christmas carols at Darling Harbour every night until Christmas.
The nightly carols will be led by some of Sydney’s leading a capella harmony groups. But you don’t need to sing as well as these artists to join in the fun.
The line up until Christmas is:
Thursday December 20 – Sorelle
Friday December 21 – Blues Point
Saturday December 22 – Ninety Nine & a Half
Sunday December 23 – Blindman’s Holiday
Monday December 24 – Blues Point
Dates: December 20 to 24
Time: 7 pm to 9 pm
Location: Convention Centre Forecourt
Address: Darling Harbour
Public transport: Catch the monorail or light rail to Convention Centre …read more

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Westfield Hornsby has caught the Christmas bug with a free night of festive family entertainment scheduled tonight.
The Christmas Spectacular will include leaping elves, magic shows, and of course, Christmas carols. The night will feature performances by the Northern Beaches Choir, Sydney Siders Men’s Chorus, local primary schools, and legendary Aussie entertainer, Barry Crocker.
The entertainment will conclude with the official lighting of the shopping centre’s Christmas tree by Mayor Nick Berman, and a spectacular fireworks display.
Date: Friday December 7
Time: 5 pm to 9 pm
Location: Westfield Hornsby
Address: 236 Pacific Highway, Hornsby
Public transport: The Hornsby train station is a two-minute walk from Westfield …read more

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With its heritage listed sandstone buildings and old world charm, The Rocks is always a beautiful place to visit. But it’s just become a lot prettier.
From now until Christmas, The Rocks will be transformed with a stunning light display every night. Christies, The Orient, and the Westpac buildings have never looked so good.
The Rocks’ Christmas tree and the surrounding streets are also adorned with lights, making the area quite spectacular.
Dates: To December 25
Location: The Rocks
Public transport: Catch the train to Circular Quay, and it’s just a short walk away
Parking: There are secure parking stations at the Clocktower, Harrington Street, and …read more

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Is it really only five weeks until Christmas? Don’t panic: that’s still plenty of time to buy those presents, decorate your house, and start the cooking. This week, rather than getting stressed, I recommend sitting back and enjoying the wonder of the festive season.
There’s no better way than the annual lighting of the Martin Place Christmas Tree. It’s the largest tree in the city, standing at a whopping 20 metres tall. The magical evening will also include a Christmas concert, starring Christine Anu, Troy Casser-Daley, children’s favourite Dorothy the Dinosaur, and of course, Santa Claus.
Make sure you stay until the …read more

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