It is the Pride event of Australia. Attracting hundreds of thousands of people from across the nation, it’s the only GLBTI event in Australia that gets live televised coverage and widely publicised news coverage.
More importantly it has created integration among the rest of Australian society that is prided on a world stage.
Whether you’re a Mardi Gras veteran or virgin go equipped; take or meet friends – this is no time to fly solo, book well in advance, be prepared to flash a lot of the pink cash, know your way around and pack sunscreen and disposable raincoats.
Next year’s Mardi Gras has a new format. It will last two weeks, from February 20 to March 6, and be punctuated by major events held on three successive weekends – Launch at Fair Day, Parade and Party.
The 2010 theme will be ‘Mardi Gras’ History of the World’, which will commemorate and examine people and events from the past and use them as a prism through which to explore contemporary issues.
Although the full calendar of events has yet to be announced in December, Launch/Fair Day will be held on February 21, Parade and post-Parade Event on February 27, Harbour ’10 on February 28 and Party on March 6.
Some theatre shows may be previewed before the opening of the festival or extended past the two weeks.
If you’re not participating in the parade then you’ll be battling to see from the street, or if you’re lucky a balcony -depending on who you know and where you’re staying- or by paying through the teeth you can secure limited BGF Glamstand tickets, with private VIP entertainment and access.
Harbour ’10 is a huge community party held over a day at Victoria Park, which usually include sports, a dance tent, main stage, Doggywood, Kidzone and stalls.
This year the Party, known for its huge shows that run throughout the night, will close the Mardi Gras and is likely to attract up to 20,000 people to huge multi-venue sites in Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter.
Where to stay:
City Crown Motel, Morgans Apartments, Bayview Boulevard Hotel, Lotel, Addisons Hotel, The Arts Hotel, Quality Hotel Cambridge, Hyde Park Inn, Travelodge Sydney, The Kirketon Hotel, Parkridge Budget Accommodation, Macleay Apartments, Sebel Surry Hills Sydney, Vibe Goulburn Street, Oaks Hyde Park Plaza, Central Regent Hotel, Diamant Hotel and Great Southern Hotel.
Travel Packages:
Flight Centre Rainbow Travel offers specialized packages for the Mardi Gras, including VIP Mardi Gras 2010 – the “Hautes Vacances Sydney Mardi Gras Experience”.
The VIP package includes accommodation at the Diamant boutique hotel, VIP access to the Mardi Gras parties and recovery events and offers a private parade viewing on Oxford Street or the option to participate on a float.
Flight Centre also offers tours of the city and its nightlife, the Harbour, Bondi and Manly Beach and the Blue Mountains.
For those not just satisfied with Sydney packages can include a two-day trip to Melbourne or trips to the Whitsunday Islands or Ayers Rock.
Visit www.mardigras.org.au, under the travel section.
The Village:
Sydney boasts more than one gay village, with plenty of room for a lesbian-orientated suburb or two.
The traditional gaybourhood of Oxford Street in Darlinghurst has spread out to Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay. They have become the home to the smart party set, which enjoys a stunning harbour setting and Kings Cross nightlife. Then further up Oxford Street is Paddington, a source of a lot of chi-chi metrogays.
For the beach bums, North Bondi is the current hotspot while Tamarama or ‘Glamarama’, as it is known, is home to some very well-to-do gay Sydneysiders.
Further inland the suburb of Newtown, which for many years has been a big dyke suburb, is growing in gay numbers while next door, Erskinville, is being gentrified by an army of gay nesters.
Leichhardt or ‘Dykeheart’ is a mix of lattes and chics, having been established as Sydney’s Italian community as well as its lesbian one.
Lastly Redfern is slowly adding its name to the mantle, having just got its first gay pub despite being a less salubrious part of Sydney.
Nightlife & Restaurants:
Slide, an all-in-one experience, with a bar, nightclub, restaurant and occasional cabaret show. 41 Oxford St, Darlinghurst.
The Colombian, the ‘anchor’ of the gay scene on Oxford Street, it offers beers with a side of queer catwalk. Cnr Crown and Oxford streets, Darlinghurst.
The Midnight Shift,take your pick – an upstairs nightclub with drag shows or a downstairs video bar with pool tables and disco beats. 85 Oxford St, Darlinghurst.
Stonewall, filled with the Barbie set it is ‘the screaming queen of gay bars’. 175 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst.
Palms, a place to relax when promenading on the strip grows wearisome. 124 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst.
Arq, is home of disco, half-naked bods and glow sticks – ‘Leave your shirt at the door’. 16 Flinders Street, Taylor Square.
Green Park Hotel, a leafy getaway that offers fine meals. Victoria Street, Darlinghurst.
Bank Hotel, often has ladies nights and is the place to watch the street from the multi-tiered beer garden with a Thai restaurant attached. King Street, Newtown.
The Sly Fox, a known hangout for the ladies and dykes, it offers Kings and Queens drag shows and is a stone’s throw from Newtown. 199 Enmore Road, Enmore.
Bitch, ladies nights and events are frequently held around Sydney’s Entertainment Precinct, for updates visit www.bitchnews.com.au.
The Imperial, is undergoing renovation to improve its facilities, which focus on delivering the city’s best drag shows.35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville.
Jimmy Liks, get friendly on one long shared table while dinning on delectable contemporary Thai food and cocktails. 186-188 Victoria Street, Potts Point.
The Bourbon, is more about pub meals and its handy location than the usual fanfare of dinning experiences available in Sydney. 24 Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross.
Wildfire Restaurant, bookings are a must and be prepared to pay top dollar but this sophisticated waterside dinning experience is worth every penny. Circular Key West, Sydney.
Sushi E, the Japanese experience in Sydney, with limited seating and the off-chance of celebrity spotting. Located in The Establishment, you can enjoy every facet of this beautiful hotel. 5 Bridge Lane, Sydney.
Things to do:
Markets – Paddy’s Markets in Haymarket specialise in fresh produce, Paddington Market in Oxford Street for dried goods and accessories and Glebe Markets in the city for vintage and retro clothes.
Museums – Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo, Museum of Modern Art at Circular Quay and the Australian Museum in the city are worth a trip.
Iconic Visits – Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, Darling Harbour, Luna Park, Taronga Zoo accessed by ferry from Circular Quay and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Beaches – Bondi Beach, Bronte Beach, Lady Jane Beach, Palm Beach and Redleaf Pool are the most gay-friendly beaches but do not discount the 33 other beaches just a bus or train ride away. For those opposed to sand the Andrew (Boy) Carlton Pool is a hugely gay hangout and the stunning North Sydney Olympic Pool is all about the views.
*Photos courtesy of www.mardigras.com.au
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