Sydney Comedy Festival and Comedy Gigs

We turn our belly laughs now to Sydney comedy events in hearty preparation for the Sydney Comedy Festival.

The Festival begins next week (27 April - 17 May) and it couldn't have come at a better time. Amid the usual doom and gloom projected by the media, Sydney's ripe for a good giggle and the Sydney Comedy Festival along with the following comedy gigs are chomping at the bit to deliver!

The Sydney Comedy Festival showcases our brightest comic heroes from across Australia coupled with the best international gems on offer, plying its trade on Australia's most famous stages including the landmark Sydney Opera House and the iconic Enmore Theatre. Forget your cares and come and listen to the cares and demented musings of Australia' and the globe's funniest people.

All The Thoughts I've Had Since I Was Born

Perrier Award nominee and if.comedy award winner, Mark Watson in "All The Thoughts I've Had Since I Was Born". The comedian, author, sports pundit and husband will be delivering his latest show in May at the Enmore Theatre.

April Comedy at Randwick Rugby Club

April 30 - Catch Brett Nichols, Justin Jamieson and Tom Oakley for a night of April foolin'! Lots of laughs for only $10 with a free house drink at the Randwick Rugby Club.

Canned Laughter Comedy Night

On Friday 3 July the Hordern Pavilion will play host to the fourth annual Canned Laughter comedy night. The hottest talent in Australian comedy are on the bill, live on one stage, for one night, for one cause - CanTeen. Be part of the audience Read more..

Carlingford Bowling Club Comedy

May 29 - Carlingford Bowling Club hosts deadpan delight Bruce Griffiths, man about town Clint Paddison and comedy darling Dave Williams join forces for a giant night of laughs - all for only $5. Read more..

Comedy at Marble Bar

Every Tuesday! This historic heritage listed room is venturing into the comedy world and raising the Bar for the comedy scene by presenting a weekly Tuesday early evening show, 6.30 onward. Entry $15. Show meals available.

Comedy at the Gaelic

The last Tuesday of every month! A-List and The Gaelic combine to bring you Comedy at The Gaelic. You'll be mad and sad to miss this night filled with tear-inducing laughter.

Comedy on the Rox

Every Wednesday night, 8:00pm, at the Roxbury Hotel. Tickets: $15, or $12 with student card. Hit the link for more information.

Comicide - Death By Funny

"Outstanding sketch comedy... Highly recommended" - The Age. Sydney's longest running sketch show has returned from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to sell-out crowds. With new sketches performed every show, the mix is fresh and fast.

Danny Bhoy

Scotland's Danny Bhoy returns to Sydney with a new show after a phenomenal year, which has seen him become one of the biggest acts on the international scene. Since last performing in Australia in 2007, Danny has completed a sold out tour of New Z Read more..

Full Body Contact No Love Tennis

Full Body Contact No Love Tennis is the best in improvised comedy theatre in Sydney. Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, pairs of Sydney's funniest improvising actors make up short plays and musicals based on audience suggestion. Past and c Read more..

Laughs in Liverpool

April 30 - Full on laughs with Subby Valentine, Gary Bradbury and Oliver for a tiny zero dollars at the Liverpool Hotel.

Monday Night Comedy

17 years and still going! The World Famous Monday Night Comedy @ the Fringe is bigger and better than ever. See some of Australia's best comedians and international stars. Livin' loud!! Every Monday Night @ The Fringe Bar.

Scared Scriptless Theatresports Comedy

Every Friday night teams of improvisers battle it out to win the love and laughs of a jovial audience in a plush, smoke-free venue, Bailey's Bar, The Clarence Hotel. Scared Scriptless - often exciting, often hilarious, always improvised!

The Wharf Revue

Riverside Theatres presents a brand new offering of sharp satire and edgy humour with the tenth annual season of the Sydney Theatre Company's THE WHARF REVUE from Tuesday 8 September for six performances only!

Visit our What's On Sydney Events Calendar for more information and events by date!

Sydney Women’s Clothing Stores and Fashion Palette

With the fashion event of the year approaching (the inaugural Fashion Palette), this weeks focus clearly has to fall on Sydney Womens Clothing Stores. But first, a bit about Fashion Palette itself.

Occurring in May 2009, the Australian fashion community will be the first to experience Fashion Palette, a new interactive fashion event. Twelve leading fashion designers will each share their personal career journeys and offer support and advice to the next generation in a World Wide Fashion Industry First!

Fashion Palette is aimed at providing an opportunity for Australia's next generation of fashion designers to learn from some of the worlds most inspirational fashionpreneurs in a two-day event. In addition to the two-days of presentations from leading fashion figures, Fashion Palette will host a design competition, catwalk show and after party, all designed to offer networking opportunities and to celebrate newly discovered talent.

Event Times:

• Day One - 1st May: 8.30am - 6.30pm

• Day Two - 2nd May: 10am - 6.30pm

Sydney Womens Clothing Stores

Sydney Womens Clothing Stores make Sydney the fashion state of Australia and Sydney women some of the most stylishly dressed women in the world. Sydney is Australia's Paris, and here's where to find some of this season's most stylish clothes, and dress to impress!

From Dotti to Barkins, read on to get your fashion chic kicks!

Akira Womens Clothing

Akira Isogawa has achieved international recognition for his exquisite contemporary designs, which are sought after in every major fashion capital throughout the world.

Since 1998, Akira has show his collections in Paris, where he presents Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter collection to international buyers each year.

Akira continues to maintain a strong presence in Sydney, where he has shown collections at Mercedes Australian Fashion Week every year since 1996.

His work has been warmly received by fashion critics, drawing favourable reviews from leading figures such as Anna Piaggi and media including The New York Times and US Vogue.

Visit the profile page for Sydney Akira store locations.

Dotti Womens Clothing

Dotti gives you the very best wardrobe options and ideas so that you can mix it up and make a style all your own. Whether it's chic daywear or glamour for a night on the town, Dotti has something to inspire you.

Dotti is street smart and savvy, giving you the latest looks, fast. We know how to keep up with the demands of your wardrobe, with up to the minute styles and accessories. If you like your fashion hot, you'll find everything you're looking for at Dotti.

With 18 Sydney Dotti store locations and growing to choose from, there's bound to be one near you! Visit the link above for details.

Barkins Womens Clothing

For the best of the best in Ladies' Wear, visit the Barkins womens clothing website and download their seasonal catalogue.

For the finest in Womens' clothing, including shoes, printed tops, shrugs, jeans, tunic dresses, cardis, zipper leggings, boots, waistcoat, pants, heels, jackets, shirts, blouse dresses, pea coats, jewelery, knit tops, skirts, belts and other accessories.

Visit the Sydney Barkins womens clothing profile for store locations, or visit OnlySydney's Sydney Women's Clothing Stores for more stores throughout Sydney and NSW.

Sydney Charity Events | Balls | Auctions

Today's topic of choice is Sydney Charity Events. Once again, this subject arises as a followup (perhaps afterthought or to add emphasis) to yesterday's blog, Sydney Fairtrade Fortnight.

I guess in essence I wanted to draw attention to the importance of raising awareness of charity events and organisations in these financially trying times. It's understandable we're all trying to spend less and save what we can, though it's easy to forget that while we may be facing a relatively tough period, there are always those who have less than us, and they are consequentially doing it rougher.

As more and more people lose their financial well being, they are forced to rely on charitable organisations, placing more demand on those organisations who in turn rely on our contribution.

Get involved in one of these charity events or organisations this year, and contribute to a strenghtened society.

Sydney Charity events

'Yes 4 Kids' Electric Blue Colour Ball for Redkite
The Y4K Colour Ball raises funds for Redkite, which provides essential emotional, financial and educational support to children, young people and their families facing the long and difficult journey of childhood cancer.

2MAX FM Convoy for Kids
2MAX FM Convoy for Kids is a Truck, Vintage car and Hot Rod convoy along the highway through Narrabri to our 2Max FM studios. All proceeds from the day go to the kids wards at our local hospitals. Plenty of entertainment, Talent Quest, Auction, and more.

Convoy For Kids Goulburn
Day includes: Trucks convoy, stalls, entertainment, a monster auction and judging of the trucks. 8am - Trucks assemble at Gateway Service Station. 10am - Trucks convoy through Auburn Street and arrive for a family day at Belmore Park.

Diabetes Buzz Day
Diabetes Buzz Day - the annual fundraising event for Diabetes Australia-NSW will be held on Friday, 18 September and in the next few weeks more than 200,000 flashing pens, torch keyrings, magnetic badges and buzz bees will sent out to selected retail stores.

Field of Women
Breast Cancer Network Australia is calling on 13,000 people - representing the number of Australians diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 - to stand together and create the first ever Sydney Field of Women LIVE before the Sydney Swans v St Kilda match.

Great Australian Bite
Share a bite to help fight Diabetes This April, people from across NSW will be sharing food, having fun and enjoying friendships as they get together for the 'Great Australian Bite' to help raise money for those living with diabetes in Australia.

Kids In Need Dragon Boat Festival
This is a fun annual charity event that attracts teams from both side of the border to compete in boat races and other activities. Dragon Boat Racing started in China around 2000 years ago and is a great team sport.

Lifestart Kayak for Kids
A 17.5km paddling event raising funds and awareness for Lifestart, a charity helping kids with disabilities. Broken down in 4 legs of 4-5km each, this event can be completed by solo paddlers on their own craft or by corporate relay teams.

Michael's Ride For Cancer
Michael is a 16 year old and is doing a solo bike ride from Melbourne to Sydney to raise money for the Cancer Council. He leaves Essendon, Melbourne on the 12th May and arrives at the Relay for Life at Castle Hill Showground, Sydney on 17th May.

Pink Ribbon Breakfast
Pink Ribbon breakfasts are a fun, early morning get-together of friends, family or workmates to celebrate the achievements of breast cancer research and raise funds for further research.

Royal North Shore Hospital Cancer Services Ball
On Friday the 16th of October, 2009 the second annual Cancer Services Ball will be held at Dockside Darling Harbour. A cancer diagnosis is a devastating blow, and 100% of a patient's energy needs to be dedicated to recovery.

Starlight Day
Starlight Day is the annual national fundraising event for the Starlight Children's Foundation Australia, to be held on 1st May in 2009, and raises vital funds for children and families who live with serious illness and hospitalisation.

Three Bridges Walk for Kids With Cancer
Join us starting at Kirrabilli, across the Harbour Bridge, over the Darling Harbour overpass, over the Anzac Bridge, up Victoria Road and all the way across the Iron Cove Bridge, ending on the grass on the Birkinhead side of the bridge.

Triple Climb 09
Triple Climb 09 supports The Smith Family to help disadvantaged Aussie kids to create a brighter future through education. The Smith Family Challenge is an annual event that tests the stamina and fitness of individuals against the elements.

Walk for AIDS
ACON, Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF) and Positive Life NSW are once again hosting the Walk for AIDS on Sunday 22 November 2009. Now in its fourth year, the Walk for AIDS raises much needed funds for services for HIV positive people.

Amateur Ashes Charity Event
On Australia Day come down and watch the Amateur Ashes (the Aussies vs the English) and enjoy a BBQ, raffles, live music and lots of entertainment for the kids. All money raised will be donated to Red Kite, a Children's Cancer Charity.

Bandaged Bear Day
The Bandaged Bear Day Appeal is a wonderful event and chance to support The Children's Hospital at Westmead by purchasing Bandaged Bear Day merchandise throughout the month of March.

Sydney Charity Organisations

CanTeen
CanTeen - The Australian Organisation for Young People Living with Cancer, is the national support organisation for young people (aged 12-24) living with cancer.

Caritas Australia
The Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development. Caritas Australia helps people help themselves - regardless of race, religion or political beliefs.

Charity Greeting Cards
Charity Greeting Cards is a wholesale publisher of Greetings Cards specifically to Australian Charities. We assist our Charity clients by marketing and promoting the Christmas Cards that we have manufactured for them through this website.

Legacy
Legacy is a uniquely Australian organisation, established in 1923 by ex-servicemen dedicated to the task of caring for the widows and dependants of their comrades.

Lifeline Sydney
Lifeline Sydney provides a 24 hour crisis telephone counselling service. The service is delivered by volunteers who are skilled and equipped to assist those who call by providing counselling support and referral options.

Make-A-Wish Australia
Make-A-Wish Australia has been granting wishes to children and young people since 1985. Wishes bring magic, joy and hope to these children and their families, as well as unforgettable experiences.

Oxfam Australia
Oxfam Australia is an Australian, independent, not-for-profit, secular, community-based aid and development organisation. Our vision is of a fair world in which people control their own lives, their basic rights are achieved and the environment is sustained.

OzHarvest - Rescuing Food for Sydney's Charities
OzHarvest is a Sydney-based charity that collects excess food and delivers it, free of charge, to organizations that feed disadvantaged men, women and children in our community.

Redkite
Redkite is an Australian charity that supports children, young people and their families through cancer by providing emotional guidance, financial assistance and educational services.

Save the Children
Save the Children Australia remains focused on programs that directly benefit the lives of children and their communities. Save the Children Australia's program breadth can be demonstrated by the number of programs we design and directly implement.

The Australian Charities Fund
The Australian Charities Fund is an Australian founded and led organisation established to facilitate the development of Workplace Giving programs, and associated community involvement programs, within large employer organisations.

The Benevolent Society
The Benevolent Society is an independent, secular, not-for-profit organisation with a long history of working with communities to create positive change. The Benevolent Society works with individuals and communities in metropolitan, regional and rural New South Wales and in South East Queensland.

The Leukaemia Foundation
We are dedicated to the care and cure of patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders.

The Shepherd Centre
The Shepherd Centre works with children who are deaf and hearing impaired to teach them to speak and communicate in the hearing world. The approach focuses on listening as the foundation for developing spoken language, through the use of hearing devices...

The Starlight Children's Foundation
Since being formed as an Australian children's charity in 1988, the Starlight Children's Foundation has brightened the lives of seriously ill and hospitalised children, and their families, by delivering innovative programs that restore fun, laughter and joy that a life-threatening illness takes away.

The Sydney Cancer Centre
The Sydney Cancer Centre is at the forefront of cancer treatment and research in Australia. Cancer Information and Support.

The Sydney Kids Committee
The Sydney Kids Committee is a volunteer group dedicated to supporting the Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick.

UNICEF
UNICEF is the United Nations Children's Fund, the world's leading advocate for children. UNICEF is non-political and works in over 150 countries to make a lasting difference to the lives of women and children around the world, and advocates for the health of Indigenous children in Central Australia.

Wesley Mission
Wesley Mission has a real mission - to minister to a community with real needs. Our community includes the vulnerable and marginalised. It includes the lonely, hurt and fragile, the homeless, mentally ill, aged, disabled, unemployed.

World Vision
World Vision is Australia's largest overseas aid and humanitarian organisation. As well as providing relief in emergency situations, we work on long-term development projects with local communities to address the causes of poverty and help them become self-sufficient.

WWF-Australia
WWF-Australia is part of the WWF International Network, the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organisation. It has close to five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries.

Youth Off The Streets
Youth Off The Streets is a community organisation supporting homeless and drug addicted young Australians as they work to turn their lives around. It is our goal that these young people will leave our care drug free, with a high school education.

Contributing to any of the above organisations is a great way to make a difference to individuals, families and society at large.

If you know of or are involved with a charitable organisation, or are organising an upcoming charitable event, you can advertise it with OnlySydney via the link free of charge.

Sydney Fairtrade Fortnight

Every year throughout May, the focus across Australia and New Zealand turns to equality for workers throughout the world during Fairtrade Fortnight.

What is fair trade, you may ask? Fair Trade is a means for consumers to purchase produce and products from overseas with an assurance the producers and workers are receiving a fair income and percentage of the profits.

The Fair Trade Association describes it as such: "Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South. Fair Trade organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade."

Fairtrade coffee is a practical, everyday way to help eradicate poverty. Most of the world's coffee is produced by small scale farmers in developing countries. The additional price - or Fairtrade premium - they receive when we buy Fairtrade coffee can mean the difference between having three meals a day or just one, being able to send kids to school, or being able to access health and other social services.

Oxfam Australia and the Fair Trade Association encourage you to hold a "Coffee Break" during Fairtrade Fortnight (2 - 17 May). It's as simple as organising a Fairtrade morning or afternoon tea in your workplace, community, school or home.

Visit the website via the link above to register and they'll provide you with lots of resources including a short DVD about Fairtrade coffee, posters, fliers, postcards and tea and coffee samples. They will also be selling Fairtrade t-shirts at half price ($15) when you register your Coffee Break. All you need to do is invite your colleagues and friends.

Main events in Sydney, Australia include:

• Fairtrade Coffee Break (2 - 17 May)
  
• Fair Trade Fiesta, Paddington (7 May)
  

In a time where economic divides are widening, it's more important than ever to buy with a conscience to ensure workers abroad earning a minimum wage aren't disadvantaged while Western corporations sell their wares for a 1000% markup. Fairtrade Fortnight is the perfect opportunity to support those businesses supporting global communities.

Keep checking OnlySydney for our increasing list of Fair Trade Sydney Coffee shops & Cafes.

Sydney Museum and Science - International Year of Astronomy

As a followup to the previous blog about Sydney's International Year of Astronomy, I thought I'd go a step further and list more of the upcoming IYA events, along with some of the very important venues, those Sydney observatories hosting them.

Before I do though I just wanted to add a bit more information about 2009 IYA, and why it has been deemed the International Year of Astronomy. In essence, 2009 marks 400 years since Galileo, arguably one of the most important astronomers in the field, turned his telescope to the stars and was bold enough to state the Earth revolved around the Sun, not the other way around.

That being said, 400 years later there are still very few of us who understand or even contemplate Earth's position in the universe. Thus the importance of encouraging a broader curiosity and wonder about the universe we live in.

With ninety percent of Australia's astronomy infrastructure currently housed in New South Wales, it is the perfect place to celebrate the Year of Astronomy and foster this new curiosity in our kids.

Get involved in 2009, the International Year Astronomy, and set your child on a path of intellectual enlightenment, offering them useful tools for an ever-increasing "space-faring" future. Take a look at these events and visit your closest observatory, listed below.

Events

Sydney Observatory April school holiday program

Bring your children to the Sydney Observatory these holidays, and we'll take them on a tour of the universe! Children's planetarium An entertaining 30 minute constellation storytelling session in the beanbag planetarium. Sit back and be amazed as you travel through time and space.

Treasures of Sydney Observatory

Join a fabulous guided stargazing tour featuring stories of the instruments used by past explorers and astronomers to map both skies and land. Explorers and astronomers such as Matthew Flinders, James Cook and Henry Chamberlain Russell. The tour includes the 3D Space Tour through the universe.

Winter Solstice at the Sydney Observatory

Celebrate the International Year of Astronomy at the Sydney Observatory. On 21 June at 3.46pm the Sun is at its most northerly position for the year. This is the day of the winter solstice, about which mythology has developed and superstition has grown.

Sky's The Limit: Astronomy In Antiquity

Many ancient religions and their myths revolve around the planets and the stars as they looked to the stars to make sense of their world. Follow the stars and see how people used them to predict the change of the seasons, track time and create calendars.

South Pacific Star Party

Since 1993 the Astronomical Society of New South Wales has hosted the now famous annual South Pacific Star Party (SPSP). The Star Party provides amateurs with the chance to meet other amateur and professional astronomers, and observe under dark skies with superb seeing conditions the night sky as it's meant to be viewed.

Space exhibition - Powerhouse Museum

Open every day except Christmas Day. (Extended opening times for some public and/or school holidays.) The Powerhouse Museum's exhibition Space looks at the history of the human desire to travel beyond Earth's atmosphere.

Parramatta Park Astronomy Open Night

Come along to the Parramatta Park Astronomy Open Night, a large scale, multi-society public open night to be held at Parramatta Park, Saturday, 2nd May 2009, from 6:30pm on.

Music and the Cosmos

Music and the Cosmos is a special event featuring leading astronomers from the University of Sydney's School of Physics, and an SCM Chamber Music Ensemble. Celebrate the International Year of Astronomy with the Sydney Science Forum and Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Smart light Sydney

Smart Light Sydney is a free, self-guided Light Walk. Take a stroll from Sydney Observatory through and around the iconic harbour front precinct, viewing the beautiful and dynamic light art sculptures using innovative, smart technology.

Astrophotography on a budget

Astrophotography doesn't have to be expensive. Mike Salway (Ice in Space website - Astronomical imaging on a budget) reveals how to get the most out of your equipment and take beautiful pictures on a budget.

Saturn Night Fever

Peer through the Sydney Observatory telescopes and see a naked Saturn without its rings, Alpha and Beta Centauri, the constellations Taurus and Virgo and a universe of other celestial features, and experience space as never before in the 3D Space Theatre.

Observatories in Sydney and NSW

Mudgee Observatory

Mudgee Observatory has been a private observatory for the past ten years though is now open to school groups, organized tours and any member of the general public who wishes to attend.

Dubbo Observatory

The Dubbo Observatory lets you zoom to the moon and through the solar system. Discover the Milky Way and beyond with the most high-tech telescopes in the West.

CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope - 'The Dish'

The famous Parkes observatory, as featured in the Australian movie 'The Dish', is a landmark radio telescope nearly 50 years old, yet still considered to be one of the best single dish radio telescopes in the world.

Darby Falls Observatory

The Darby Falls Observatory is located on Observatory Road (off the road to Mt. McDonald) Darby Falls, Cowra. Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights and every night during school holidays (weather permitting). Winter 7pm to 10pm, summer (daylight savings) 8:30pm to 11pm.

Green Point Observatory

The Green Point Observatory is operated by the Sutherland Astronomical Society (SAS) in Sydney, and houses 41cm and 35cm telescopes. Green Point Observatory is open for meetings every Thursday evening, commencing at 8pm, and visitors are welcome to attend Guest Speaker Talk.

Koolang Observatory and Space Science Centre

The Koolang Observatory and Space Science Centre is located on the border of the Central Coast and Lower Hunter, no more than two hours from most Sydney and Newcastle suburbs. The Koolang Observatory and Space Science Centre is a public access astronomical observatory.

Macquarie University Observatory

Macquarie University campus at North Ryde is open to the public on Friday nights from March to November inclusive, subject to bookings, unless raining. Please ring for confirmation on 0427 433 388 if the weather is doubtful.

Port Macquarie Observatory

The Port Macquarie Observatory is run by the Port Macquarie Astronomical Association Inc., a non profit voluntary group of people interested in astronomy. Astronomy Open Nights The observatory is open to the public on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

The Australia Telescope Compact Array - Narrabri

The Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), at the Narrabri Observatory, is an array of six 22-m antennas used for radio astronomy. Located about 25 km west of the town of Narrabri in rural NSW (about 500 km north-west of Sydney), it is operated by the Australia Telesco Read more..

University of Western Sydney Observatory

The University of Western Sydney (UWS) Observatory runs public astronomy nights along with school, holiday and group programs during the day or evening. UWS Observatory is located at the University of Western Sydney, Penrith Campus, Great Western Highway, Werrington North.

Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium

The Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium is operated by the University of Wollongong as a public science centre. The centre includes a planetarium (BlueScope Steel Star Theatre), observatory, laser light shows, extensive interactive exhibits, demonstration theatre and more.

Bathurst Observatory

Bathurst Observatory is located at two sites. One site is for research and study, while the other is for public viewing through telescopes, and also has a daytime space show in the new 200 seat theatrette. The public observatory is located at the Bathurst Goldfields site.

Crago Observatory

Crago Observatory is located on Bowen Mountain near North Richmond (NW of Sydney), and is operated by the Astronomical Society of NSW. The observatory houses a 40cm Dobsonian telescope, and is open on Saturday nights (nearest to Last Quarter Moon phase).

Linden Observatory

Visit Linden Observatory in the Blue Mountains and join any of WSAAG's (Western Sydney Amateur Astronomy Group) observing nights, where anyone can drop in and look through their telescopes. Observing nights are usually held on Saturdays closest to the New Moon.

Siding Spring Observatory

Siding Spring Observatory is home to some of the world's major telescopes and Australia's largest optical telescopes. Siding Spring Observatory is located next to the picturesque Warrumbungle National Park near Coonabarabran, N.S.W.

Warrumbungle Observatory

Warrumbungle Observatory, otherwise known as "Tenby Observatory", is located on the Timor Road that leads out to the Warrumbungle National Park, 10 kilometres from Coonabarabran. The Warrumbungle Observatory holds three Computerised telescopes including a 14 inch Telescope.

Introducing yourself and your child or children to the wonders of the universe and really coming to understand our planet's place in it is the greatest way to emphasise how delicate and extraordinary life on Earth really is. Not only will you learn, you'll find your jaw dropping at the marvels and imagery the galaxy and universe present us every day, yet we rarely raise our gaze to.

Visit our OnlySydney Museum and Science category for listings and more information on these 2009 International Year of Astronomy events and Sydney Observatories.

Sydney's International Year of Astronomy

2009 has been deemed the International Year of Astronomy, and Sydney has taken the theme straight to its bosom.

Sydney Observatory has a universe of events planned, aimed at increasing the public's awareness of the beauty and awe-inspiring sights the universe has to offer.

Treasures of Sydney Observatory takes you on a a fabulous guided stargazing tour featuring stories of the instruments used by past explorers and astronomers to map both skies and land.

100 hours of astronomy: The jewel box in the Southern Cross has you relaxing beneath a canopy of stars while music carries you across the universe. View the Jewel Box, a gem-like cluster of stars within the Southern Cross, plus see a rare view of Saturn completely naked, devoid of its famous rings.

The Sydney Observatory April school holiday program is the perfect opportunity for children to introduce themselves to the wonders of the universe. Events include the Children's planetarium, Solar system model activity, Terrific Titan pizza nights, and the Saturn Fever Party Day. This is not only a great opportunity for you child to learn, but also the ideal time for us all to rediscover Earth's place in the universe.

For more International Year of Astronomy events, visit OnlySydney's Museum and Science. More events will be loaded up over the coming weeks, so check back regularly for updates.