Luxury Sydney staycations launch in time for Phantom of the Opera
Borders are back open, but if you’re worried about going abroad, there are plenty of fancy things still happening in Sydney.
Borders are finally open and international travel is kicking off again – but as the world welcomes tourists back, Australia is lifting its game too.
Every state and territory is vying for tourists, with dozens of new hotels and restaurants popping up and events being made bigger than before.
But few events this month come close to the one taking centre stage at Sydney Harbour this month.
Until April 24, a wildly talented cast perform The Phantom Of The Operaon a floating stage at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair – in rain, hail or shine.
With Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and Luna Park as its backdrop, it would be easy for the stage to get lost in its picturesque surroundings, but it’s the magnificent chandelier and glittering recreation of the Paris Opera House and its golden steps that draw your attention the most.
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The show is full of insane production feats that you’d think impossible before seeing the performance, with flames, fireworks and four cranes creating jaw-dropping moments throughout the entire two hours and 40 minutes.
No expense is spared for the annual Handa Opera, with this year’s iteration treating 3000 people a night to its magical show, directed by Simon Phillips and designed by Gabriela Tylesova.
Tourism minister Stuart Ayres said the musical was “unmissable”.
“The return of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is an unmissable event on the NSW annual events calendar and will showcase Sydney’s unique convergence of culture and nature,” he said.
“The NSW Government is committed to investing in world-class productions like The Phantom Of The Opera to deliver on our goal of making NSW the premier visitor economy of the Asia-Pacific.”
Make a staycation of your Phantom visit
But Phantom isn’t the only new and exciting thing to grace Sydneysiders recently.
The Harbour City has welcomed a handful of new hotels and dozens of new restaurants, all keen to get back to what life was like pre-Covid.
If you’re looking to embrace a Sydney staycation and really make a night of your Phantom Of The Opera viewing, there are plenty of places to enjoy.
The trendy art-deco Kimpton Margot, in Sydney’s CBD, is the city’s newest five-star hotel.
Similar to the Phantom production, it’s clear no expense was spared in refurbishing this accommodation, formerly the Primus.
The hotel opened back in February and offers all kinds of extras, including in-room yoga workouts that guests can find on their tablet or TV from local wellness powerhouse Egg of the Universe.
And if it ever stops raining, there’s also a fancy rooftop pool at the hotel to spend your afternoon at – or you can book a free bike from the hotel to ride around the city.
With your stay and your evening of entertainment sorted, there’s only one thing left to think about: Where you’re going to eat before the show.
If you want to keep with the theme of trying new things across Sydney, there are plenty of spots to choose from but few places will treat you to better views than those of Ploos, a new Greek restaurant located in the heritage-listed warehouses of Campbell’s Cove.
Nestled almost underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the name of the restaurant is a translation of “a voyage” with chef Peter Conistis focusing on transporting diners to the Greek Islands, a spot no doubt millions of Aussies have missed over the past two years.
This journalist was a guest of Destination NSW.