With the world pausing for some time at home, Australia’s cultural institutions and tourism and events industries are finding new ways to share a little slice of Down Under with the world. Here’s our pick of the best initiatives to stay in touch with Australia during lockdown.
Explore an Icon
From ‘our house to yours’, the Sydney Opera House has launched a new digital season of weekly broadcasts and premieres alongside podcasts and other features. From Wednesday to Sunday each week, you can tune in to see performances, interviews, behind-the-scenes tours and never-before-seen footage from the harbourside landmark. There are also insights from Opera House staff who share the memorable moments from the backstage life of the House. Aside from providing a variety of entertainment and food for thought, the digital season is the perfect opportunity to see the Opera House at work and glimpse the beauty and flexibility of what the venue’s event spaces can offer.
Our pick: A 360 degree tour of the Sydney Opera House between acts: starting the day, in rehearsal and at rest.
Stay in Touch with Furry Friends
Taronga Zoo in Sydney, home to many native Australian animals and plenty of event opportunities, including at the recently opened Wildlife Retreat at Taronga, has launched Taronga TV. There are live animal cams and chats with zoo keepers to give you a stay-at-home boost and provide inspiration for future incentive experiences, such as koala encounters or overnight stays for groups to sleep at the zoo and wake to some of the best Sydney Harbour views.
The 24/7 koala cams at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane are also an excellent cure for low spirits and a great way to tide you over until you can pay a visit in person.
Meet Australian Minds
One of Australia’s major speaker bureaus, Saxton Speakers, has launched a series of Virtual Fireside Chats with some of Australia’s greatest minds. The chats run every Monday and Wenesday at 8 pm (EST)/ 7 pm (CT) on Zoom with the upcoming schedule ranging from an entrepreneur, to a workplace performance and wellbeing strategist and an ultra-marathon runner.
Our pick: Australian ultra-marathon runner and social impact champion Samantha Gash will stop by the virtual fireside for a chat about resilience on May 28. Having covered thousands of miles across some of the most unforgiving terrain in the world as a runner, she’s sure to have some tips on keeping it together in times of challenge.
Be Inspired by South Australia
The folk at South Australia Tourism Commission are inviting event planners to sign up for SATV to explore South Australia, which boasts some of Australia’s most famous wine regions, from home. The online TV channel sends inspiration and ideas straight to wherever you are, highlighting the incredible food, wine, landscapes and experiences on offer in Adelaide and South Australia. You can learn to make happy hour cocktails with local gin and native Australian ingredients, go koala spotting on Kangaroo Island and you can even purchase wine and donate to a virtual tip jar to show support for the region’s tourism and events industries.
Our pick: Learn to make hot cross buns in a stunning vineyard setting at event venue The Current Shed in the McLaren Vale wine district.
Virtually Visit Australian Art Spaces
Two of Australia’s largest art galleries, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne and the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, have launched digital initiatives, exploring their collections, celebrating creativity and providing a peek at many of their striking event spaces along the way.
Between NGV’s digital channel and the Art Gallery of NSW’s Together in Art Program, you can explore virtual tours of installed exhibitions, watch performances within gallery spaces, take art classes with some of Australia’s most famous artists and even visit a secret art storage facility.
Add a Little Australia to Wherever You Are
Tourism Australia has released a selection of Zoom backgrounds of iconic Aussie destinations. Download them here and add sunshine and breath-taking scenery from Down Under to your next client meeting.
For more information and inspiration for future business events in Australia, click here.
