The NSW Branch is hosting a Regional Festival in Sydney in October 2010, with visitors attending from other branches in the Asia Pacific Zone, as well as from the Americas, Europe and Africa. The main festival in Sydney takes place October 22 to 26 2010. There will also be a pre and post tour - an outback adventure prior to the main festival and a tour to Launceston and King Island in Tasmania from 27 to 30 October 2010. If you are interested in attending, download the full brochure below for further details.

Sydney is beautiful in spring and it is the intention of the host society, IWFS New South Wales Branch, to showcase the city, its magnificent Harbour, its fabulous fresh foods and produce, and the Hunter Valley wine region during the Festival.

In addition to the main tour here are some ideas on what can be done in during your visit to Sydney.

You may wish to do a tour:
• The Sydney Opera House.
• A Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb.
• The Sydney Cricket Ground and Football Stadium with its Sporting Museums.

You may wish to visit:
• The Museum of Sydney.
• The Police Museum.
• The Museum of Contemporary Art.
• The Sydney Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour.
• The Sydney Aquarium at Darling Harbour.
• Visit the Art Gallery of NSW with its award winning “The Restaurant at the Art Gallery of NSW.”

You may wish to:
• Walk around the Sydney Rocks Historical area.
• Catch a cab to visit Darling Harbour with its shops, bars and restaurants.
• Visit the Botanical Gardens.

You may wish to shop:
• Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall and Queen Victoria Building. Have a look at the historical Strand Arcade.
• Catch a cab to shop at the high end and fashionable Double Bay.
• Shop at the new designer section of Oxford Street.
• Visit the Gallery’s of Paddington and Woollahra.

ITINERARY FOR MAIN FESTIVAL

To veiw pictures from this festival, please follow the link here.

Day One Friday 22nd October

12.00pm - 5.00pm: Festival Registration - Hotel Lobby
6.30pm: Bus or Boat from Hotel to Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.
7.00pm: Champagne Reception Black Tie (Medals can be worn)
8.00pm: Opening Dinner Black Tie (Medals can be worn)
10.30pm: Buses return to hotel.

Day Two Saturday 23rd October

9.30am - 3.00pm: Harbour cruise, with strategic photographic stops. We will drop anchor for a wine event at a picturesque place on the Harbour and then later move to another section of the Harbour for a very special Australian BBQ lunch on board.
3.00pm – 6.00pm: At Leisure.
6.00pm: Buses depart for a smart casual dinner at the Royal Motor Yacht Club Point Piper. This event will showcase the very best of Australian Produce with matching wines. Expect the unexpected.
7.00pm - 10.00pm: Dinner (early close – early start tomorrow).
10.00pm – 10.30pm: Bus returns to hotel.

Day Three Sunday 24th October

8.00am - 10.30am: Coach to Hunter Valley – NSW's premium wine region.
10.30am - 12.30pm: Wine tastings at Tyrell's Vineyard the maker of Tyrell's, Semillon regarded by many as the best of the variety in the world and McWilliams Hunter Valley Vineyard, the maker of Maurice O'Shea, Shiraz (in 2005 James Halliday rated it ahead of Grange) with tastings at each.
12.30pm - 3.00pm: Lunch at the Margan Family Vineyard, at Broke. This is a fabulous venue surrounded by the stunning Brokenback Ranges with a wine event. This vineyard will give you insight into one of the newer Hunter winemakers, while recognising the vineyard is made up from the former Lindeman's and Saxonvale vineyards. Andrew Margan, the winemaker grew up in the Hunter on the DeBeyers Vineyard bordering Tyrell's at Pokolbin. Andrew was the apprentice to the late Murray Tyrell who taught him the relationship between the vineyard and the finished wine. Andrew made 20 vintages with Tyrells and has made vintages in Bordeaux.
3.00pm: Bus returns to hotel. Arrive 5.30pm - 6.00pm.
7.30pm – 10.30pm: Dinner - Your choice. Have the night off or visit one of Sydney's world renowned restaurants such as Quay, Aria, Claude's, Pier, Marque, Tetsuya's or Becasse. (This optional dinner is not included in the festival cost)

Day Four Monday 25th October

5.00am – 7.30am: For those early risers, and those who are just mad, an optional tour of Sydney’s world class Fish Markets when the action is in full swing. Learn about the fish auctions (an event worth witnessing) at the markets with a guide.
8.00am – 8.30am: Transport to Pilu Restaurant at Freshwater Beach (2 hats) for a breakfast/brunch with a difference where Giovanni Pilu will cook a specially selected menu for the IWFS showcasing the best produce New South Wales can offer. Giovanni is a Sardinian Australian so you can look forward to a great morning with a Mediterranean ambiance.
10.30am: A bus will return to the Hotel arriving about 11.00am for those who seek a free afternoon. A Second bus will, subject to numbers tour the northern beaches and West Head, refreshments to be at your own expense returning to the hotel at about 3.00pm.
11.00am – 6.00pm: Free Time
6.15pm: Buses depart for Black Tie dinner at “Guillaume at Bennelong – Sydney Opera House”. (Medals can be worn)

Day Five Tuesday 26th October

10.30am - 12.30pm Farewell Champagne Brunch.

Cost of Festival Estimated at AU$1950.00 (Excluding airfares to Sydney and Hotel Accommodation)

For more information and booking forms you can download the full brochure in a PDF format (right-click and Save Target As). The pre-/post-tour brochure is here.