go big & bold
23 February - 6 March 2023
12 Day Sydney WorldPride, Mardi Gras & More
A full rainbow-scale itinerary; 12 days filled with colourful events and time to explore. Experience the Sydney WorldPride and Mardi Gras highlights from start to finish, enjoy exclusive hosted events and access to otherwise ‘sold-out’ events* and still have plenty of time to soak up the party atmosphere in Sydney or take the opportunity to explore a little further.
*Ask our Travel Design team about access to the otherwise sold-out official Mardi Gras party – tickets are strictly limited, issued on a first-come basis and sold only in conjunction with a Southern Crossings Sydney WorldPride package.
Itinerary
A Southern Crossings representative will greet you on arrival in Sydney and transfer you to your accommodation.
In the trendy inner-city suburb of Surry Hills, the ACE Hotel Sydney is your home away from home for the next 11 nights. Surrounded by cool cafes and locals’ favourite restaurants, bars and galleries, this buzzy and inviting boutique hotel is also only a short walk from the Sydney WorldPride highlight events.
This evening, enjoy a Welcome Party exclusive to Southern Crossings’ clients hosted in a spectacular private penthouse that was the setting for Kylie Minogue’s “Especially for You” music video and that is home to this evening’s host: actress, art collector and legendary Sydney socialite, Christa Billich. Enjoy champagne and cocktails in her engaging company as you get to know fellow travellers.
Accommodation: ACE Hotel Sydney, Surry Hills (11 nights in a ‘Medium Plus’ room).
Enjoy the day at leisure (you may wish to explore the Pride Villages festival event along Oxford Street and surrounds) ahead of the Live and Proud Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert presented by American Express, and headlined by the one-and-only Kylie Minogue with a collection of fabulous Australian entertainers to get the party started.
Accommodation: ACE Hotel Sydney, Surry Hills
Enjoy the day at leisure (Ask us about optional touring experiences or you may wish to check out the Pride Amplified events: 24 Feb – 5 Mar) ahead of this evening’s highlight event: the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade.
Enjoy an exclusive cocktail reception (with premium beverages and canapes) in a private area at a glitzy and glamorous venue perfectly positioned on Oxford Street to catch all the action of the passing Mardi Gras parade.
*For those who are keen to kick on, ask our Travel Design team about tickets to the otherwise sold-out official Mardi Gras Party (at additional cost, strictly limited availability and on a first-come basis).
Accommodation: ACE Hotel Sydney, Surry Hills
Enjoy the day at leisure (you may wish to visit the First Nations Gathering Space at Carriageworks with a collection of creative exhibits, theatre, dining and drag: 24 Feb – 28 Feb) ahead of the Sydney WorldPride Domain Dance Party event.
The Domain Dance Party event brings together a collection of local and international artists and DJs who will present a feast for the eyes and ears as you dance the night away in the Domain.
Accommodation: ACE Hotel Sydney, Surry Hills
Enjoy a day at leisure in Sydney or ask our Travel Design team to curate tailored touring options to suit your interests: learn to surf on Bondi Beach or sail on Sydney’s sparkling Harbour. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge or hike in the spectacular Blue Mountains wilderness. Options limited only by your imagination.
Accommodation: ACE Hotel Sydney, Surry Hills
Enjoy a day at leisure in Sydney or ask our Travel Design team to curate tailored touring options to suit your interests: surf, sail, dine and discover .. or you may wish to book tickets to the ‘Briefs – Dirty Laundry’ cabaret (28 Feb – 4 Mar).
Accommodation: ACE Hotel Sydney, Surry Hills
Enjoy a day at leisure in Sydney or ask our Travel Design team to curate tailored touring options to suit your interests: a seaplane to lunch, hike the Blue Mountains, wine tasting in the Hunter Valley and more.
Alternatively, you may wish to book tickets to the Mardi Gras Kaftana Pool Party.
Accommodation: ACE Hotel Sydney, Surry Hills
Enjoy a day at leisure in Sydney or ask our Travel Design team to curate tailored touring options to suit your interests: cruise the harbour, climb the bridge, hike in the national parks or picnic by the beach.
Alternatively, you may wish to book tickets to the Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference (1 – 3 March).
Accommodation: ACE Hotel Sydney, Surry Hills
Enjoy a day at leisure in Sydney or ask our Travel Design team to curate tailored touring options to suit your interests.
Alternatively, you may wish to book tickets to the Ultra Violet party for LGBTIA+ women at the Sydney Town Hall or the Laugh out Proud comedy gala performance at the Enmore Theatre.
Accommodation: ACE Hotel Sydney, Surry Hills
Enjoy a day at leisure in Sydney or ask our Travel Design team to curate tailored touring options to suit your interests, ahead of the Bondi Beach Party event.
For one night only, Bondi will become the city’s hottest club for fabulous beach side partying with 12,000 of your nearest and dearest.
Accommodation: ACE Hotel Sydney, Surry Hills
Early-risers may wish to join the Pride March across the Sydney Harbour Bridge (free entry via ballot) ahead of this evening’s Rainbow Republic event in the Domain.
Rainbow Republic Presented by Optus presents a megamix of live performances and DJ entertainment to bring Sydney WorldPride to a spectacular close.
Accommodation: ACE Hotel Sydney, Surry Hills
Transfer to Sydney airport for your onward travel arrangements or ask us about options to extend your Australian adventures. If its the outback that calls or the Great Barrier Reef you’d like to explore, our Travel Design team can curate your ideal Australian finale.
Important Information
Price – From AUD $7,995 for two people on a double/twin share basis.
(AUD$ 4,665 single supplement)
Itinerary operates with a minimum of 6 people.
Inclusions:
- 11 nights' accommodation ACE Hotel Sydney, in a Medium Plus room
- Meet & Greet on arrival and return airport-hotel transfers
- Exclusive hosted Welcome Party with return transfers
- Ticket to the Live & Proud Opening Concert presented by American Express
- Exclusive hosted cocktail reception to watch the Mardi Gras Parade on Oxford Street
- Ticket to the Domain Dance Party
- Ticket to Bondi Beach Party presented by Optus
- Ticket to Rainbow Republic presented by Optus
- Australian Goods & Services Tax (GST) at 10%
Exclusions:
- Flights to/from Sydney
- Meals and Beverages not specified in the itinerary
- Suggested additional events and optional touring
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Expenses
- Excess baggage charges
- Tips and Gratuities
Alternatively
Read on for details of our Short and Sweet 5 day Sydney WorldPride and Mardi Gras Parade itinerary.
many many many thanks!!!!!!
We have been blown away by everything - hotels, food, people, golf, wine - the list is endless. You did an amazing job
Planning a 7 week trip is daunting enough without the complications of COVID cancellations, rebookings, and closures. Yet every connection, every transportation detail, every accommodation, every meal, everything was flawless.
From our arrival in Sydney .. to our last stop in Queenstown .. we will carry with us the best memories of our trip and all of your efforts. The incredible private boat tours .. the bespoke wine tours with the best guides .. our accommodations .. and the excellent itinerary and pacing, made for a perfect trip.
We can't thank Southern Crossings enough for making this trip all, and more, than we had imagined. You allowed us to see the best of your countries: the people, the beauty, the culture. Five stars, a blue ribbon, and a gold medal to everyone at Southern Crossings!
Your country, its people and your team could not have made us feel more welcome.
Thank you for all the special moments you enabled us to experience.
