Plan your next weekend escape AND find out why Sydney's alive in winter.

Winter has arrived! No Images? [Click here]( Why not get away for a weekend this winter? Head to Maitland, a thriving cultural hub that's rich with history. If it's adventure you're after, Lake Macquarie has joy flights and abseiling in stunning surroundings. Or, tour an old gaol, see African animals and explore caves in Dubbo. If you’re staying in Sydney, there’s plenty to do – drink cocktails in small bars, see the brilliant Chicago or watch the world’s best children’s choirs in a week-long festival. [FIND OUT MORE]( GO ON A WINTER ADVENTURE IN LAKE MACQUARIE Lake Macquarie is an adventure-seeker’s wonderland - only 90 minutes from Sydney. Feel what its like to be apart of Australia's only Red Bull Air Race Team - [Matt Hall Racing](, with an exhilarating joy flight. Kayak out to a sand island and enjoy your own little piece of Lake Macquarie. If walking backwards off a cliff is your thing, you’ll want to [abseil at Gap Creek Falls]( in Watagans National Park; and take in a 45-metre waterfall on your way down. The [Coastal Walking Track]( at Wallarah National Park is a picturesque trail; in Winter you’re likely to spot passing humpback and southern right whales. Ignore the rest of the world and enjoy the quiet solitude of [Onley State Forest]( as you set up camp among towering pine trees for a night. You'll love the lake. [FIND OUT MORE]( MAKE IT MAITLAND THIS WEEKEND Maitland is a charming region with a thriving arts scene - located just two hours drive from Sydney or a mere 40 minutes from Newcastle. [Maitland Regional Art Gallery]( is housed in a stunning building built in the 1900s and shows 25 exhibitions annually. From July 27, see ACMI's Del Kathryn Barton: The Nightingale and the Rose as well as a collection of award winning contemporary artists, including Shaun Gladwell and Fiona Hall. Then, step into [The Levee Art Gallery]( where creative workshops are regularly run from the large studios of the Early Victorian premises. Wandering through the city, you’ll come across vibrant street art – keep an eye out for the whimsical creatures at Turner Rest Park and the russet trees by Patricia Van Lubeck at the Bourke Street Link. You can see more of her work at [Studio Amsterdam](. So if you're planning your next weekend getaway - Make it Maitland. [FIND OUT MORE]( GET BACK TO NATURE IN DUBBO The central hub of the Great Western Plains, Dubbo is all about adventure – from seeing exotic animals to exploring an old gaol at night. Take the family and spend a night at [Taronga Western Plains Zoo]( in a Zoofari Lodge, where you can enjoy a drink on the deck at twilight and watch giraffes, zebras and rhinos roam. Tour the [Old Dubbo Goal]( for a fascinating history lesson, and then explore the [Wellington Caves](, which includes the Phosphate Mine where megafauna fossils were discovered. Visit Terramungamine Reserve, where you can see examples of [Aboriginal grinding grooves]( used by the Tubbagah people. Less than two hours from Dubbo is [Warrumbungle National Park](, the first Dark Sky Park in Australia which makes for incredible stargazing. For more bushwalking, head to the top of [Mount Arthur](for a fantastic view of Wellington. Plan your weekend in Dubbo today. [FIND OUT MORE]( HEAR THE BEST YOUNG VOICES IN THE WORLD Gondwana World Choral Festival brings together over 1,200 of the best choristers from around the globe from 15-21 July. Be inspired by the voices of young people from Estonia, Latvia, France, China, Japan, the US and Canada in 17 concerts across the week-long festival. From the opening Sounds of Australia gala concert at the Sydney Opera House, followed by up to three concerts per day at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and a culminating Sounds of the World closing gala, it will be a cross-cultural experience like no other. [FIND OUT MORE]( SYDNEY'S ALIVE IN WINTER From excellent shopping to coastal walks in the crisp air, there’s so much to love about Sydney in Winter. Pick a sunny Sunday to wander the [Federation Cliff Walk]( and see whales breaching as they make their way up the coast. Feel like a spot of shopping? Start at [The Intersection]( and wander up to [Incu](, [Parlour X]( and more on Oxford Street. The evening calls for an expertly made cocktail at one of the [many bars]( sprinkled across the city. If you’re after wine and snacks - [Love, Tilly Devine]( and [Big Poppa’s]( in Darlinghurst are always buzzing. Afterwards, see [Muriel’s Wedding The Musical]( at Sydney Lyric Theatre – one of the most iconic Australian films transformed into a cheeky, brash musical. Or be transported to Jazz-age [Chicago]( with Natalie Bassingthwaighte as Roxie Hart, Alinta Chidzey as Velma, and Casey Donovan as Matron 'Mama' Morton in the famous musical. Book your tickets now. [FIND OUT MORE]( IDEAS FOR THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS There’s plenty to do this school holidays with the kids. Visit three adorable Sumatran tiger cubs at [Taronga Zoo]( and if your children are aged between 5 and 10, they can go on a Zoo Adventure! A day of activities including riding the Sky Safari, animal encounters and meeting a keeper. Meet more animals at [WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo]( in Darling Harbour such as the Eastern Grey and Kangaroo Island kangaroos, plenty of koalas, a bare-nosed wombat and shy platypus. Then, head next door to see an array of fish and other aquatic animals at the [SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium](. Retro amusement park [Luna Park]( is fun for kids and adults alike who love thrill rides; a ride on the Ferris Wheel gives you beautiful views of Sydney Harbour. The school holidays are your last chance to see [Charlie and the Chocolate Factory](, Roald Dahl’s enduring tale of a little boy touring the fantastical world of candy maker Willy Wonka, which finishes its run on 21 July at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre. [FIND OUT MORE]( WINTER DEALS FOR THE UNSPOILT SOUTH COAST Discover the Unspoilt South Coast with fantastic deals from Booking.com. Dine in beautiful village restaurants, wander through a rainforest, spot for whales along scenic coast walks or take in the view from atop a mountain. If you're after a little more adventure, why not choose from the many golden beaches along Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven and try your hand surfing, kayaking, or stand up paddle-boarding? Getaway to the Unspoilt South Coast this winter and make unforgettable memories. [FIND OUT MORE]( SYDNEY EVENTS NRL STATE OF ORIGIN - GAME III 10 July ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park BUILDCORP WALLAROOS VS JAPAN 19 July North Sydney Oval GONDWANA WORLD CHORAL FESTIVAL 15 - 21 July Sydney CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Until 21 July Capitol Theatre MURIEL'S WEDDING THE MUSICAL From June 28 Sydney Lyric CHICAGO From August 20 Capitol Theatre [VIEW ALL SYDNEY EVENTS]( [Sydney Facebook]( [Sydney Twitter]( [Sydney Instagram]( REGIONAL NSW EVENTS BATHURST WINTER FESTIVAL 6 - 21 July Bathurst HOCKEY AUSTRALIA U21 CHAMPIONSHIPS 10 - 17 July Lismore BUILDCORP WALLAROOS VS JAPAN 13 July Newcastle No.2 Sportsground WESTFIELD NATIONAL YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR GIRLS 15 - 19 July Coffs Harbour LOVE SEA FOOD TASTES PORT STEPHENS 1 August - 1 September Port Stephens AROMA COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL 10 - 11 August Maitland [VIEW ALL REGIONAL NSW EVENTS]( [NSW Facebook]( [NSW Twitter]( [NSW Instagram]( SEARCH ACCOMMODATION IN [SYDNEY]( & [NSW]( | GREAT DEALS IN [SYDNEY]( & [NSW]( | EVENTS IN [SYDNEY]( & [NSW]( You have received this email from Destination NSW, as a registered member of our Escapes e-Newsletter. 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