Australia's A-listers Celebrate One Year in Wax

After a momentous first year, leading attraction Madame Tussauds Sydney today celebrated its first birthday with the help of an array of A-list wax figures at an exclusive celebration by the Harbour.

Surrounded by the beautiful iconic views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, Australian stars including Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Dannii Minogue, Miranda Kerr, Eric Bana and Lleyton Hewitt, were all in attendance at Mrs Macquarie's Chair to help celebrate Madame Tussauds Sydney's first birthday. Down on the harbour and merry in spirit, the A-listers, among other guests, all sang happy birthday and helped to cut the spectacular five-tiered birthday cake.

Now one year old, thousands of people through the door and already a gold Australian tourism award for 'Best New Tourism Development' under its belt, Madame Tussauds Sydney reveals:

- The most requested figures are the pop-sensation boy band, One Direction
- The most photographed figure is Barrack Obama, sharing the title with Brad and Angelina
- The most kissed figure is the forever gorgeous Johnny Depp

However keeping these figures looking their best for the thousands of visitors is no easy feat. Since the opening last April, over 40 tubes of oil paint, 120 sets of eyelashes and over 1,500 hours have been spent on keeping the figures looking picture-perfect. But it doesn't stop there, over 90 trips to the dry cleaners were taken and 150 boxes of laundry powder used to keep their outfits in top condition.

As the thirteenth Madame Tussauds to open around the world and the fifth in the Asia pacific region, the popular attraction has become a major part of Sydney's entertainment scene. New figures to arrive on Australia's shores since opening last year include limited-time-only appearances by Beyonce, Britney Spears, Robert Pattison and a travelling Bollywood exhibit, with permanent arrivals including Justin Bieber, Andy Lau, Ian Thorpe and E.T..

"We are absolutely delighted to have reached this milestone of Madame Tussauds Sydney's first birthday. The Australian public has welcomed the attraction to their shores with open arms and for that we are truly grateful. We have some exciting plans for the year ahead and can only hope that the public will like all the new faces that will grace the exhibition in the coming months," commented Kristy Enright, Spokesperson, Madame Tussauds Sydney.

As an attraction of the people, Madame Tussauds Sydney will continue to bring the enchanting world of fame and fortune to Sydney and looks forward to another exciting year in Darling Harbour.

To find out more about Madame Tussauds Sydney and the great Australian and international figures it is already home to, visit: www.madametussauds.com/sydney

Where: Madame Tussauds Sydney, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour (right next door to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo)

Opening hours: 9am - 8pm daily

Cost: Prices from $16 when you book online. Walk-up price - Adults: $38, Children (4-15yrs): $22. Combination tickets are available with SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Sydney Tower Eye and Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary.