In 2008 and before, the show was held annually, but in 2009 it was announced that the show will be held bi-annually between Sydney and Melbourne. Previously the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries held separate shows, Melbourne’s being the Melbourne International Motor Show.

Previous to 2004, the AIMS was known as the Sydney Motor Show. The name change came because of the show’s global profile, ranked among the top ten automotive exhibitions in the world.

2010

AIMS first motor show as a joint venture between two cities will be held in Sydney in 2010. The 2010 dates for the Australian International Motor Show at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour are October 14-24, 2010.

Novotel Rockford Darling Harbour is ideal for business trips as it is near the city centre and the Sydney Convention Centre. The Pumphouse bar and restaurant provides guests with exquisite cuisine.

Holiday Inn is sure to entice visitors with its unique charm and central location. It is within walking distance to some of Sydney’s best restaurants, malls and theaters.

Somerset offers premium apartments and penthouses right on the very vibrant Sussex street.This residence has a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna and spa.

For economy accommodation try Hotel Ibis. The attractions are all right at your doorstep at this stunning Darling Harbour location. Enjoy a day at the Sydney Aquarium, experience the fun of visiting the Imax Theater, dine at the gorgeous Cockle Bay Wharf or simply take your time discovering the wonders of the Powerhouse Museum. There is plenty to do.

The Crowne Plaza offers beautiful rooms which are both comfortable and spacious. The rooms have spectacular views of either the cities skyline or Darling Harbour.

Clarion Suites is a modern and stylish residence located between Darling Harbour and Chinatown. There is a choice of luxurious Hotel suites and modern and classy serviced apartments.

Four Points by Sheraton is Australia largest hotel. It boasts comfortable beds, excellent food and one of the best locations in Sydney. Overlooking the stunning Harbour and a brief walk away from the cities attractions, this hotel is a spectacular choice for anyone wanting to explore the city.

Metro Apartments offer spectacular views of the Harbour and is located close to all the local attractions. There are two buildings that provide 40 serviced single bedroom apartments. There are conference rooms and function facilities available for guests use and all apartments are full self contained.

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• Melbourne Accommodation

A must-do Sydney Opera House experience for lovers of ballet! This guided evening tour of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Opera House also includes a 3-course dinner at either the Guillaume or Aria Restaurant (two of Sydney’s best!) and choose from an Australian Ballet performance such as The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Concord, or Firebird and Other Legends!

You will begin the evening with a guided tour of Sydney Opera House followed by a three course pre-theatre dinner in either Guillaume at Bennelong or Aria Restaurants. A performance by the Australian Ballet will complete your Red Carpet experience. You will receive an exclusive Sydney Opera House gift to take away as a souvenir.

The Australian Ballet has a diverse and exciting repertoire of full-length classic ballets and contemporary works from leading international and Australian choreographers. This internationally acclaimed company is hailed for its vibrancy and technical style.

Likely to Sell-out! Sydney Opera House and Australian Ballet Dinner Package regularly sells out weeks in advance. Book now to avoid disappointment

Duration

6 hours

Departs from

Sydney, Australia

Price

Starting from $325.00 per person

Dinner, guided tour and an Opera Australia performance – experience the very best of Sydney on this all encompassing Sydney Opera House experience. Enjoy a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Opera House, a three-course dinner at one of Sydney’s best restaurants and a ticket to an Opera Australia performance.

PLEASE NOTE: The 2009 Opera Season has concluded.  Schedules and performance details of the 2010 opera season will be available from December 2009.

Opera Australia is the union of Australia’s two major opera companies – The Australian Opera and the Victoria State Opera. The companies merged in early 1997, creating the third busiest opera company in the world and building on the traditions of excellence and innovative excitement. In 2009 Opera Australia presents five new productions including two Australian premieres plus eight revivals and three concerts at the Sydney Opera House, featuring music ranging from Handel to the present day.

You will begin the evening with a guided tour of Australia’s most famous icon, the Sydney Opera House, followed by a three-course pre-theatre dinner in either Guillaume at Bennelong or Aria Restaurants. A performance by Opera Australia will complete your Red Carpet experience. You will receive an exclusive Sydney Opera House gift to take away as a souvenir.

Choose from the following seating and dining options:

• A Reserve tickets with dinner at either Aria or Guillaume
• B Reserve tickets with dinner at either Aria or Guillaume

Likely to Sell-out! Sydney Opera House and Opera Australia Dinner Package regularly sells out weeks in advance. Book ahead of time to avoid disappointment.

Duration

6 hours

Departs from

Sydney, Australia

Price

Starting from $325.00 per person

Likely to sell-out! The Sydney Opera House Guided Backstage Tour regularly sells out weeks in advance, so book now to avoid disappointment. You’ll gain “exclusive access” to areas of the Sydney Opera House normally reserved for staff and performers on a two-hour backstage tour of one of the world’s “must-see” attractions. Sit in the orchestra pit, stand where legends have performed, go inside the stars’ dressing rooms and hear about the real-life dramas that go on behind the curtain.

Your two-hour backstage tour of the Opera House begins at 7:00am to ensure you can access the “inner sanctum areas”, normally reserved for performers and crew and restricted later in the day. After gaining exclusive insights into the inner workings of the famous Opera House, you will head back to the Green Room (closed on Sundays and Public Holidays), the private domain of stars, performers and staff, for a full Australian breakfast with your guide. After breakfast you then have the rest of the day free to enjoy in Sydney.

As a would-be performer on this backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House, you can let your imagination run wild. Imagine:

• Standing on-stage in the world-famous Concert Hall or Opera Theatre, emulating superstars such as Bryn Terfel, Dame Joan Sutherland and Rudolph Nureyev
• Striding through the orchestra pit like a maestro, and stepping up onto the conductor’s podium, baton in hand
• Relaxing in the stars’ dressing room complete with Steinway grand piano, of course!
• Exploring the working areas of the Opera House, the domain of stagehands and crew

Duration

2 hours

Departs from

Sydney, Australia

Price

Starting from $150.00 per person

Go behind the scenes at the World Heritage listed Sydney Opera House, one of the world’s “must-see” attractions. On your one-hour guided walking tour of the Sydney Opera House, you’ll see what goes on behind the world’s most recognizable sails. You’ll hear the controversial story of the building’s construction, as dramatic as any opera plot and brought alive by the tour’s new interactive audio-visual presentation.

Likely to sell-out! The Sydney Opera House Guided Tour regularly sells out weeks in advance, so book now to avoid disappointment.

The Sydney Opera House was destined for greatness ever since it opened in 1973, and today it is one of Australia’s most recognizable icons. Your guide will bring to life the amazing stories behind this miracle of architecture and engineering on your one-hour tour. You’ll visit one of the major concert halls in the opera house, where over 1,500 performances are staged each year, and immerse yourself in the dramatic world of Australia’s premier performing arts center. The short one-hour tour leaves you with plenty of time in the day free to enjoy in Sydney.

Duration

60 minutes

Departs from

Sydney, Australia

Price

Starting from $35.00 per person

Go behind the scenes at the World Heritage listed Sydney Opera House, one of the world’s “must-see” attractions. On your one-hour guided walking tour of the Sydney Opera House, you’ll see what goes on behind the world’s most recognizable sails. You’ll hear the controversial story of the building’s construction, as dramatic as any opera plot and brought alive by the tour’s new interactive audio-visual presentation. More »

Sydney Opera House Guided Backstage Tour »

Likely to sell-out! The Sydney Opera House Guided Backstage Tour regularly sells out weeks in advance, so book now to avoid disappointment. You’ll gain “exclusive access” to areas of the Sydney Opera House normally reserved for staff and performers on a two-hour backstage tour of one of the world’s “must-see” attractions. Sit in the orchestra pit, stand where legends have performed, go inside the stars’ dressing rooms and hear about the real-life dramas that go on behind the curtain. More »

Opera House & Dinner Package Combos

Sydney Opera House and Opera Australia Dinner Package »

Dinner, guided tour and an Opera Australia performance – experience the very best of Sydney on this all encompassing Sydney Opera House experience. Enjoy a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Opera House, a three-course dinner at one of Sydney’s best restaurants and a ticket to an Opera Australia performance. More »

Sydney Opera House and Australian Ballet Dinner Package »

A must-do Sydney Opera House experience for lovers of ballet! This guided evening tour of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Opera House also includes a 3-course dinner at either the Guillaume or Aria Restaurant (two of Sydney’s best!) and choose from an Australian Ballet performance such as The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Concord, or Firebird and Other Legends! More »

Opera House & Dinner Cruise Combos

Sydney Opera House, Harbour Dinner Cruise & Opera Package »

Experience Sydney Harbour and the Opera on this eight-hour package. You’ll take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House, cruise Sydney Harbour while dining on a two-course meal, and enjoy a world-class opera performance at the Sydney Opera House. More »

Sydney Opera House, Harbour Dinner Cruise & Australian Ballet Package »

Experience the Sydney Opera House by sea, land and stage on this magical eight-hour package, featuring a performance by the Australian Ballet. You’ll take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House, cruise Sydney Harbour while dining on a two-course meal and see a spectacular Australian Ballet performance at the Sydney Opera House. More »

Sydney Opera House, Harbour Dinner Cruise & Sydney Symphony Orchestra Package »

Enjoy the Sydney Opera House by sea, land and stage, and hear a performance by the marvelous Sydney Symphony Orchestra. This magical eight-hour package includes a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House, a cruise on Sydney Harbour as you dine on a two-course meal, and ends the night on a high as the spectacular Australian Sydney Orchestra performs for you at the Sydney Opera House. More »

Enjoy this comprehensive day tour of Canberra, Australian’s capital city. Travel south by coach from Sydney through the Goulburn region, one of Australia’s premier sheep and wool growing areas, and on to Canberra.

This guided Canberra tour has been carefully designed to ensure you take in all of the main sights of this modern and well planned city of imposing architecture set amongst many beautifully kept gardens and parks to help you gain an insight into the workings of the capital and of Australia

Your tour of Canberra includes the following highlights:

• Stretch your legs during a morning break near quaint Berrima
• Join a guided tour of the National Museum of Australia
• Discover Canberra’s salute to all that is Australian, from our diverse cultural mix to current icons such as the famous Hills Hoist
• Enjoy a private guided tour of Parliament House
• Have the opportunity to view the upper or lower Houses of Parliament (when in session)
• See ‘The Lodge’, the Prime Minister’s residence when he is in Canberra
• Travel the pretty tree lined streets and view diplomatic homes and embassies of many foreign ambassadors
• See Captain Cook Memorial Fountain, the National Library and the High Court
• View Carillon’s beautiful bell tower and the gardens of Commonwealth Park
• Hear the history of the ANZACs as we travel along the boulevard dedicated to the participants of two world wars
• Visit the Australian War Memorial, home to an interesting display of war relics
• Travel to the summit of Mt Ainslie for a terrific view of Canberra and surrounds

Your return journey to Sydney will include a short dinner break (own expense)

Duration

13 hours

Departs from

Sydney, Australia

Price

Starting from $148.00 per person

Visit beautiful Canberra on a day trip from Sydney. The nation’s capital – a purpose built city, ultra modern, with imposing architecture yet a rural charm of lakeside, gardens and open spaces. Come and discover this hi-tech city – home of superb national monuments, museums and galleries. More »

Canberra Explorer: Australia’s Capital City Tour from Sydney »

Enjoy this comprehensive day tour of Canberra, Australian’s capital city. Travel south by coach from Sydney through the Goulburn region, one of Australia’s premier sheep and wool growing areas, and on to Canberra. More »