Is it time for a long weekend that nourishes your soul?
Why not visit Sydney for something out of the ordinary. Forget simply sightseeing, it’s time to become part of the audience for the unforgettable.
Lose yourself in the magnificent Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour production of The Phantom of the Opera, where world-class performance meets fireworks under the stars.
Feel alive as you immerse your senses at Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest festival, which brings together mesmerising light art displays, 3D light projections, exhilarating live music performances, deep-dive discussions and activations from some of the world’s brightest minds plus multi-sensory food events.
Theatrical magic comes to life onstage with the stunning return of Disney’s THE LION KING, providing a spectacle far beyond your imagination. Alternatively, time your visit to witness the heart-stopping roar of the crowd at the NRL Grand Final, or feel the ground shake at the legendary Bathurst 1000 motorsport race.
Sydney isn’t waiting for you. It’s performing for you. This is your moment to feel new, stop planning a simple getaway and start curating a collection of legendary, bucket-list moments. Book your long weekend now and take your place at the center of the action.
Annual Events
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour – The Phantom of the Opera
Each year Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour offers an iconic outdoor experience. In 2026, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global phenomenon returns on its 40th anniversary to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour in a critically acclaimed spectacular. Forty years ago, The Phantom of the Opera burst onto London’s West End, becoming a sensation unlike anything the world had ever seen. Celebrate its milestone anniversary in grand style, with the hotly anticipated return of a larger than-life staging on Sydney Harbour.
With themed pop-up bars and dining, fireworks every night, and a live orchestra hidden beneath the stage, this is an evening you’ll never forget.
You can also drink and dine at the HSBC Platinum Club at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: an undercover restaurant and bar with spectacular views overlooking Sydney Harbour. This is pop-up dining at its finest, featuring exclusive gourmet menus, five-star table service, superior NSW wines, and dedicated restrooms.
opera.org.au/productions/the-phantom-of-the-opera-on-sydney-harbour
City Stays
Capella Sydney
The Department of Education building in central Sydney was built in 1912, its golden sandstone façade forming an unassuming backdrop to the city. Reawakening as Capella Sydney, the heritage-listed icon sets a global benchmark for cuisine, accommodation and cultural immersion. The Living Room provides a sophisticated gathering place where guests can participate in daily Capella Rituals and immerse themselves in local culture amid a thoughtful collection of artefacts, while wellness-seeking guests will find world-class health and spa facilities on level 6.
capellahotels.com
The Old Clare by Ode Hotels
The Old Clare by Ode Hotels in Chippendale, Sydney is a clever conversion of the iconic Clare Hotel and former Carlton and United Breweries administration building. It has 69 accommodation offerings across a colourful palette of room types. Travellers can expect exceptional hospitality and personalised service in an unpretentious setting – plus a gym, rooftop pool, day spa and two bars/eateries. In this funky inner-Sydney suburb, check out local street art, visit White Rabbit Gallery and try one of the nearby award-winning restaurants.
odehotels.com/the-old-clare-hotel
Beach Stays
InterContinental Coogee Beach
Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach has gone through a transformation and is now opening as the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach. In a dual-phase opening, there will be 198 guest rooms, suites, Shutters Restaurant & Bar on offer from December 2025. From March 2026 all facilities will be available including a leisure deck featuring the ocean-facing infinity edge swimming pool, poolside bar, outdoor event terrace, and Eliva Spa and Club InterContinental.
coogeebeach.intercontinental.com
Rick Stein at Coogee Beach
Opened in December 2025, world-renowned chef Rick Stein is bringing his signature seafood experience to Coogee Beach. The beachfront 224-seat restaurant at the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach includes a signature restaurant, bar dining, and courtyard terrace. Inspired by Rick’s love of the ocean and the unfussy elegance of his kitchens, Rick Stein at Coogee Beach will offer refined beachside dining that showcases the best Australian regional and local produce.
ricksteinatcoogeebeach.com.au
Don’t Miss
Sydney Fish Market
The much buzzed-about Sydney Fish Market is now open. The largest market of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere is located on Sydney Harbour in Blackwattle Bay, Pyrmont. The new building brings everything under one roof in a world-class piece of architecture, with a distinctive wave-shaped, scale-patterned roof that pays homage to the fishing industry. Within the revitalised market, visitors can experience seafood retailers, restaurants, take a Behind the Scenes Tour to witness the excitement of a live wholesale auction or get hands-on at the Sydney Seafood School.
sydneyfishmarket.com.au
Soak Bathhouse
Located in Alexandria and Bondi Junction, Soak Bathhouse is where self-care meets social life. Swap silent self-care practices for social wellness rituals and move between magnesium-rich hot and warm mineral pools, invigorating cold plunge, steam rooms, and dry cedar saunas. Want to take your wellness to the next level? Enjoy massage, infrared sauna, and LED red light therapy – all designed to help you feel good, effortlessly. Surrounded by lush greenery and blooming plant life, this is the urban oasis you’ve been searching for, the perfect escape from busy modern life, all without having to leave the city.
soakbathhouse.com.au/visiting-us/alexandria
To book your exciting long weekend in Sydney, contact a YOU Travel & Cruise specialist today on 0800 968 872 or visit youtravel.co.nz
