It's On! In NSW This Winter

A stellar line up of major events is taking place across NSW this winter, reinforcing the State's position as Australia's events capital, declared Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Andrew Stoner.

“NSW continues to present a bumper events calendar to drive visitation to Sydney and Regional NSW,” Mr Stoner said.

“Leading the charge of major events kicking off this winter is a super line-up of sporting highlights which includes the Foxtel A League All Starts taking on Italian football giants Juventus, and the Wallabies challenging the All Blacks for the Bledisloe Cup, both at Sydney's ANZ Stadium,” he said.

“Art enthusiasts will once again be drawn to the annual Archibald Prize Exhibition when it takes centre stage at the Art Gallery of NSW, and at the Lyric Theatre, Strictly Ballroom The Musical continues to dazzle audiences.

“In Regional NSW, Lismore's Opera at the Channon enters its 17th year and promises to bring a feast of food, wine and song. In the State's north, acclaimed chamber music ensembles and international soloists will perform at the Bangalow Music Festival, while in Coffs Harbour, the endless summer rolls on at the Australian Surf Festival,” he said.

Families are also being encouraged to use the winter school holidays as a chance to refresh and reconnect during a short break in Regional NSW, as part of a new tourism campaign.

“With so much on offer in NSW, there's no need for the 'winter blues' these school holidays. Winter is a fantastic time to take an affordable family holiday in Regional NSW, with plenty of kid friendly attractions and adventures waiting to be discovered,” Mr Stoner said.

“Families can search destinations, accommodation and attractions on visitnsw.com/schoolholidays to plan the ultimate winter getaway. The School Holiday pages highlight family favourites across the State including zoos and wildlife, kid friendly attractions and great family drives,” he said.

Destination NSW is also working in partnership with Tourism Snowy Mountains and the region's four alpine resorts, Charlotte's Pass, Perisher, Selwyn and Thredbo, to present the 'Go Snowhere Else' campaign, which makes planning and booking a snow holiday in NSW easier than ever before.

“The campaign delivers attractive two and five day ski hire packages for planning a family or first-time visit to the ski fields, with information on choosing the best resort for your needs, accommodation and après-skiing,” Mr Stoner said.

Listed below are some of the major events NSW will play host to across the winter months:
• Australian Badminton Open, Sydney, 24-29 June
• Opera at the Channon, Lismore, 27 July
• Archibald Prize Exhibition, Sydney, 19 July to 28 September
• Fireside Festival, the Poachers Way, 1-31 August
• Australian Surf Festival, Coffs Harbour, 2-19 August
• Foxtel A League All Stars vs Juventus, Sydney, 10 August
• Bangalow Music Festival, 15-17 August
• Bledisloe Cup, ANZ Stadium, Sydney, 16 August
• Dungog Festival, 28-31 August
• 2014 Sydney Motorsport Park Supercar Race Weekend, 22-24 August
• Bingham Cup Sydney 2014, 24-31 August
• Strictly Ballroom The Musical, Sydney (now playing).

For more information on visiting NSW, please see visitnsw.com and Sydney.com