Page 145 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

ENTER T AINMENT IN SY DNEY  143

Booking Agencies
Sydney has two main ticket
agencies: Ticketek and Ticketek and Ticketek Ticket­
master. Between them, they
represent all the major entertain­
ment and sporting events. The
quickest and easiest way to
check ticket availability and
book is via the agencies web­
sites. Both agencies have outlets
throughout NSW and the ACT.
Opening times vary between
agencies and outlets, but they The Spanish firedancersEls Comediantsat the Sydney Festival
usually follow business hours.
Phone bookings can be made of performance and visual art. other needs or call Ideas Inc,
via the call centres until late Various outdoor venues in the who have a list of Sydney’s most
evening, but it is often hard Rocks, Darling Harbour and in wheelchair­friendly venues. The
to get through when popular front of the Sydney Opera Sydney Opera House has disa­
shows go on sale. For Internet House (see pp88–9) feature bled parking, wheelchair access
bookings, visit their website. numerous events. The most and a loop system in the Concert
Agencies accept cash, Visa, popular free events are Hall for the hearing impaired.
MasterCard and Amex. Some December’s Christmas Carols The website of Easy Access
agencies do not accept Diners and January’s symphony and Australia, is another source of
Club. Booking fees opera concerts, held in the information for seniors and
apply per ticket Domain. Also popular is people with disabilities.
and a service and the Vivid
delivery fee Festival of DIRECTORY
applies per Light, Music
transaction (even and Ideas, which takes Useful Numbers
if tickets are sent place every evening for
electronically). There more than three weeks Easy Access Australia
are no refunds (unless A busker at in May–June at various ∑ easyaccessaustralia.com.au
a show is cancelled) Circular Quay locations around the city.
or exchanges. Ideas Inc
Disabled Visitors Tel 1800 029 904.
Discount Tickets and Many older venues were not ∑ ideas.org.au
Free Entertainment
designed with the disabled
Tuesday is budget­price day at visitor in mind, but this has been Sydney Opera House
most cinemas. Some indepen­ redressed in most newer build­ Information Desk
dent cinemas have special ings, and most venues set aside Tel (02) 9250 7111.
prices on other days. The Sydney accessible seats. It is best to Disabled Parking Information
Symphony Orchestra and Opera phone the box office beforehand
Australia (see p144) offer a special to request special seating and Tel (02) 9250 7185.
Student Rush price to full­time
students under 28 but only if Sydney Visitor Centre
surplus tickets are available. Tel 8273 0000 or 9281 2244.
These can be bought on the ∑ sydney.com
day of the performance, from
the box office at the venue. The Tourism NSW
Belvoir also sets aside tickets
for unemployed and student ∑ visitnsw.com
patrons for various performances,
usually matinees and midweek. Ticket Agencies
Outdoor events are especially
popular in Sydney, and many are Ticketek
free (see pp44–7). Sydney Harbour Tel 13 28 49.
is a splendid, although crowded, ∑ ticketek.com.au
setting for the New Year’s Eve
fireworks, with a 9pm display for Ticketmaster
families, as well as the midnight
display. Arrive early to secure Tel 136 100.
a spot. The Sydney Festival in Publicity shot of the Australian Chamber ∑ ticketmaster.com.au
January is a huge extravaganza Orchestra (see p144)