Perth International Arts Festival 2015

As part of the line-up for the $22.4 million festival, World War I themes feature prominently, with giant puppets set to roam the streets and the stories of Indigenous soldiers presented on stage.

In total, more than 1,000 artists will feature in the festival's 63rd year.

"We're very fortunate this year that almost everyone we wanted to come to the festival has said yes, so actually the scale of it and the intensity of it is increased by the fact that people around the world, artists around the world really want to come and play in Perth," festival director Jonathan Holloway told the ABC.

"It's by far the largest festival Perth has had."

This is the fourth and last year Mr Holloway will sit as director of the festival, before handing over the reins to a yet to be announced successor.

His first festival included the grand spectacle of Place Des Anges, which saw high-wire performers dump nearly two tonnes of feathers on ecstatic crowds above St George's Terrace on a hot summer night in 2012.

He said while Perth audiences have always been "incredible", there was a courage and willingness to engage with performances that had emerged during his four years at the helm.

"We've seen them really engage in unusual and unexpected ways of connecting with arts," he said.

"Whether that be through iPads, or under feathers or on the beach at dawn, whether that be rolling about with death in wheat, or breaking bread with deaf-blind Israeli performers, it's been an audience all along that's really taking creative risk

A Word from the Director:

My four Festivals as Artistic Director in Perth have been about two things – stories and experiences

The stories have spanned millennia and have explored who we are, where we have come from, our current situation and where we might be going.

They are stories about this land, between the desert and the sea, defined by and beholden to both. Stories of our relationships with each other and with the rest of the world. The truth of our digitally complex, environmentally conscious, culturally diverse world and how we reconcile with it.

While the stories are intellectually complex, it is the visceral experiences that have the power to transform and define us.

Curating experiences is less straightforward than telling stories. No two people approach a Festival moment in the same way, and no four people will agree on the meaning – or indeed value – of the experience they just shared.

No two Festival journeys will be the same, and our hope is that your travels through this Festival will include experiences both intimate and epic. Experiences that whet the appetite and stimulate all five senses. Moments that allow us to remember something we all knew as children – that the map is not the territory, that the best discoveries are made by straying from the path or committing to a fantastic voyage.

Stories and experiences in perfect collision can propel us around the world in one Festival. In our constant search for and celebration of the extraordinary, we have looked far and near, seeking out ever new ways to harness the greatest talent from around the world and nurture the best artists from Western Australia.

Perth International Arts Festival is a beautiful and much loved thing, and I have been honoured to spend half a decade getting to know its character and its desires, and to have guided it to new places.

And so we come to another crossroads, and the beginning of our next great adventure …

Bon voyage.

EVENT DATES - 13 Feb–7 March 2015

Find out what is on at the Perth International Arts Festival 2015 at the official site

What Are The Things You Love About Summer in WA?

IT’S hot, dry and ... heaven. If there’s one thing that characterises Western Australia it’s summer.

Three months of sun, sand, salt water and how we’ve moulded our lives to make the most of it. Whether that be a stunning swim at a beach Down South or waiting for the Fremantle Doctor to come sweeping through the front door. Maybe it’s a Simmo’s ice cream (two scoops), or crabbing at that secret spot in the Swan.

For some it’s backyard cricket with the boys next door, an outdoor movie under a still sky or an ice cold beer from one of our boutique breweries.

To remind us how lucky we are, today The Sunday Times and PerthNow lists 50 reasons why we really do love these three long, lingering months of magic.

Listed in any order we hope they trigger memories from the past and tempt you to try something new in this sunburnt state of ours. And if you think we missed anything that makes your summer great, let us know below.

Jaylen Henke (6), Kynan Wells (8), and Jai Henke (8) enjoying a game of cricket at home in the garden. Photo: Marie Nirme

1. Backyard cricket. All we need is a bat, a ball and an esky for wickets (or a wheelie bin). No tip-and-run for us though – that’s for amateurs.

2. AFL footballer Hayden Ballantyne: Boating, skiing, crabbing and fishing with family and friends in Mandurah.

3. Sundays at the Mundaring Weir hotel. Nestled in the Perth Hills’s jarrah forest – there’s not much better than a pint of beer, the bush band and the venue’s famous spit roast.

4. Fish and chips while watching the sun set over the ocean at one of our beautiful beaches.

5. The influx of tourists from all over the world who come to WA to experience one of the world’s best summers. More than 500,000 interstate and overseas visitors will travel from all over the world to enjoy our piece of the world during summer. The majority of tourists are from the UK and Singapore and the US.

Moonlight Cinema is back for 2015.

6. Outdoor films. There are plenty of options to enjoy a great film outside at night, from the Moonlight Cinema at Kings Park to the Somerville Auditorium at the University of WA. A special mention has to go to the funky Rooftop Movies on the top floor of the Roe St car park in the City.

7. 92.9 Breakfast presenter Heidi Anderson: I love being able to cruise down the freeway and within three hours be in paradise (the South-West). A perfect day for me is waking up in Dunsbourough with a breakfast at Sumudra cafe and then heading down to Meelup Beach. I normally finish up with a pint of beer at Eagle Bay Brewery while munching on their delicious ribs and watching the sun go down.

8. Ice coffee, because deep down we’re all a bit bogan.

9. The “interactive sculpture” in Perth’s Forrest Place we call the water labyrinth. It’s like a giant sprinkler fight in the city.

Wendy Lockhart, Zali Eddington and mum Brooke enjoying Perth’s water labyrinth. Photo: Marie Nirme

10. The new free sun lounges at Bathers beach in Fremantle.

11. Fresh fruit. Fresh bread. Fresh honey. Fresh everything from one of the state’s 21 farmers markets. Special mention to the Boyanup Farmers Market (every fourth Sunday of the month from 8am-noon).

12. The summer music festivals and outdoor concerts every year. We may not have the Big Day Out or Soundwave anymore, but mega stars like Drake are still enticed to WA by events like the Future Music Festival.

13. West Coast legend Karl Langdon: Crayfishing off Hillarys, fishing off Rotto and crabbing in Mandurah at this time of the year is the best way to spend quality time with family and friends.

14. Watching our champion cricket team the Perth Scorchers at the WACA as part of the Twenty20 Big Bash League.

15. The sausage sizzle. It doesn’t matter if it’s outside Bunnings, at your kids’ sporting match or on the home barbie – the sizzle is a summer staple.

16. Night markets. The “Twilight Hawkers Market” every Friday in Perth is a taste feast and has spurred a bunch of more local versions, like the new night markets every Monday night in Inglewood.

17. Dragging for prawns in the Swan River on a balmy night. Once a summer institution, this is back on the agenda thanks to restocking efforts.

Rottnest Island is an iconic beacon of summer in WA.

18. Our iconic Rottnest Island. Pinky’s, The Basin, a mock cream bun from the bakery or a sweat-soaked cycle to West End. The list goes on.

19. Crown Austrlian Resorts CEO Barry Felstead: Having an ice old beer while cooking a steak on the barbie.

Jenna Bevan exercising on the DNA tower in Kings Park. Photo: Alf Sorbello

20. Wedding season. Love is in the air during summer as cooing couples walk down the aisles at venues (or beaches) all over the state.

21. The award-winning and world-famous Simmo’s ice cream at Dunsborough, Busselton, Mandurah and Rottnest. Too many flavours to count. Maybe Licorice for dad, Lemon Sorbet for mum and a non-stop selection for the kids including Caramel Malteser, Jaffa, Crunchie Munchie, Bubblegum. Plenty of excuses for a return visit or two or three ...

22. Ditching the confines of the gym and getting fit instead by running along the Swan River at dawn or watching the sun set as you go up and (and up and down again) at Kings Park’s DNA tower.

23. The Golden Valley Tree Park in Balingup. The 60-hectare, heritage-listed site in our South-West has a collection of trees that was started more than 100 years ago and is now the largest arboretum in WA.

24. Skyworks 2015. Join the throng of patriotic Australians and celebrate what it means to be an Aussie on The Esplanade foreshore and at Kings Park. As ever, the spectacular fireworks will be a highlight of the January 26 celebrations.

Australia Day at the South Perth Foreshore.

25. Sky News presenter Ashleigh Gillon: A long lazy vineyard lunch accompanied by a chilled bottle of Margaret River white. Life with a toddler means opportunities for the indulgence are few and far between. For my family, the discovery of Arimia down south has meant we can still enjoy what has always been a favourite summer’s day treat.

26. Swimming with dolphins at Bunbury thanks to the multi-award winning Dolphin Discovery Centre.

27. Lake Leschenaultia. Pack your bathers and head 45 minutes inland to the Shire of Mundaring where this former railway dam turned recreational lake offers a stunning weekend retreat.

28. WA Cricket coach Justin Langer: Catching blue manna crabs and then eating them with fresh bread, salt, pepper and vinegar. You wouldn’t be dead for quids.

29. Cheering on the table-topping Perth Glory in the soccer A-League.

30. Craft beer, from the staples at Little Creatures in Fremantle to the Feral Brewing Company in Baskerville.

31. Don the mask and snorkel and make a splash at the Busselton Jetty. The longest jetty in the southern hemisphere is a wildlife mecca, with visibility to match.

32. A steak and cheese pie at the Dunsborough bakery.

33. Kayaking on Augusta’s Blackwood River in the rivermouth.

34. Popstar Samantha Jade: WA summers are simply the best. From Cottesloe Beach to Margaret River we have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

The Giants are coming to Perth.

35. The Giants. We haven’t seen them yet, but these towering puppets (one that stands 11m tall) will be something to remember. The $5.4 million public spectacle will kick off the Perth International Arts Festival and be the biggest free public arts event the state has ever had.

36. Dropping the crab nets in the Swan River or Peel Inlet for a feed of fat blue mannas.

37. Watching how bad the weather is everywhere else. As Perth enjoys an amazing summer, there’s always someone on your Facebook newsfeed who is complaining a miserable winter and declaring how jealous they are of your photos.

38. Nine News Perth weather presenter Scherri-Lee Biggs: Fish and chips on at Cottesloe beach on a balmy summer evening.

Scherri-Lee Biggs. Photo: Sean Middleton

39. The Boyup Brook Country Music Festival.

40. Trying your luck under the lights of the Narrows Bridge for the mythical mulloway.

41. An early morning round at Point Walter Golf Course. The giant gum tree in the middle of the fairway on the 7th hole has ruined many promising under-par rounds.

42. The Fringe Festival. Running from January 23-February 22, the annual art event takes over Perth with everything from burlesque to a battle between rappers and comedians. This year’s event comes with the Fringe World UV rating (mild to very hot) so audiences can tell what they’re in for.

43. Every green thumb with a veggie patch loves summer for one reason above all others – it’s the one time of year to grow a bountiful harvest of sweet, juicy tomatoes that eclipse anything you can find in a supermarket. For a true taste of summer, pick one ripe from the bush, wrap it in a basil leaf and devour on the spot.

44. Tourism Council Chief Executive Evan Hall: Summer Sunday in the Perth Hills. I love wandering through Kalamunda markets, having a picnic in the cool at Araluen gardens or a Sunday session with cold ciders at CORE cider house.

45. The summer afternoon sou’wester. Beach-goers might head for home when the sea breeze kicks in but this is the hour our army of kite surfers relish.

46. Summer is crayfish season and few spots are more scenic than diving for crays off Hamelin Bay near Augusta. While you’re in the vicinity, take in the spectacular view from the top of the Augusta lighthouse.

47. Manjimup stone fruit. During summer the peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots are ripe, full of flavour, sweet as honey and about as local as they come.

48. Summer means it’s finally warm enough to ditch the wetsuit and indulge in a surf or stand-up paddle board session at Iso’s reef off Cottesloe wearing only boardshorts or a bikini.

49. Being lazy. Summer in WA is hot, so there’s no better excuse to just lounge around. Whether its under the shade in a park, on the couch at home or down the beach – summer makes being lazy socially acceptable.

50. WA Premier Colin Barnett: Tennis season. I play early on Thursday mornings and on the weekends when I can. For tennis lovers this is a great time of year with the Hopman Cup in Perth and the Australian Open (on TV).

See original Perth Now Post

- See more at: http://perthcbdhotels.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/what-are-things-you-love-about-summer.html#sthash.AgljqByx.dpuf

Asian Cup 2015: From Keisuke Honda, Nasser Al-Shamrani and Shinji Kagawa, 10 stars to watch

With the Asian Cup just days away, we’ve heard plenty about Socceroos stars Tim Cahill, Robbie Kruse and Mile Jedinak in Melbourne, but what of their rivals?

The region’s best players have touched down in Australia, ready to aide their nations’ push for Asian supremacy when the tournament kicks off on January 9, 2015.

Here are 10 stars set to shine at the Asian Cup.

Keisuke Honda — Japan

Honda isn’t just Japan’s main man, he’s probably the best player in Asia. At 28, the midfielder is at the peak of his powers and has flourished since moving to Italian giants Serie A. The playmaker’s pedigree is impressive, having played in two World Cups and as a key part of Japan’s 2011-Asian Cup winning team, named the player of the tournament four years ago.

His speed, close control, vision, finishing (he has 28 goals in 65 national team appearances) and passing ability makes him a nightmare for defences, while the blonde-haired wizard is also a dead-ball wizard. An excitement machine, expect Honda to purr for the tournament favourites.

Japan’s classy midfield double act of Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa. Source: Getty Images

Shinji Kagawa — Japan

Such is the class of the Japan squad, we felt it pertinent to include two members of the Samurai Blue, Shinji Kagawa just edging out Bundesliga rival and Japan’s all-time leading goalscorer Shinji Okazaki of FSV Mainz 05. Kawaga’s club form at present reflects that of struggling Borussia Dortmund, but the Asian Cup gives the 25-year-old the perfect stage to display his immense talents. 

He’s yet to find the back of the net under Japan coach Javier Aguirre, but having been moved back to his ideal central role after a fruitless spell on the left, you’d expect that to change when Japan’s defence kicks off against minnows Palestine on January 12 in Newcastle.

Nasser Al-Shamrani — Saudi Arabia

An attempted headbutt and spit at Matthew Spiranovic in the Asian Champions League final in November followed by last week’s altercation with a fan in Geelong have ensured Al-Shamrani will be the Asian Cup’s pantomime villain. His fiery nature means he’s never far from the action, but the Saudi Arabia striker is quite the player, his 10 ACL goals for Al Hilal helping him win the AFC’s player of the year award. It will be interesting to see and hear the welcome fans give him in Brisbane for the Saudis’ opener against China.

Son Heung-min — Korea Republic

A teammate of Robbie Kruse at Bayer Leverkusen, South Korean winger Son Heung-min is a genuine star and has flourished since moving from Hamburger SV. His five goals and two assists in 16 Bundesliga games this season have attracted interest from England, with Manchester United and Tottenham among his admirers. At just 22, Heung-min has a long career ahead of him, and if the South Koreans are going to upset Australia in Group A and go deep into the tournament, the winger will have to be at his best.

Ashkan Dejagah — Iran

Dejagah during the World Cup. Source: Getty Images

Iran attacker Dejagh played for Germany at youth level, was part of Wolfsburg’s 2008-09 Bundesliga-winning team and played in the Premier League with Fulham. In 2011 he pledged his allegiance to Iran, scoring twice on debut against Qatar in a World Cup qualifier. 

Now plying his trade for Al-Arabi in the Qatar Stars League (who paid Fulham a reported $12m to sign him), the lightning-fast attacker has the talent to wreak havoc on Group C rivals Japan, Iraq and Palestine if they give him too much space and time on the ball.

Khalfan Ibrahim — Qatar

Dubbed the ‘Maradona of Qatar’, and for good reason, Khalfan Ibrahim has a penchant for the spectacular. The Al Sadd winger was named Asian Player of the Year in 2006, aged just 18, and while his career ascent has somewhat levelled, the 26-year-old is still a deadly proposition. Ibrahim scored goals for fun (15 in 21 games) in the 2008-09 Qatar Stars League and won the Asian Champions League in 2011.

Reza Ghoochannejhad — Iran

Ghoochannejhad, nicknamed Gucci, scored Iran’s sole goal at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and will lead the line for his country at the Asian Cup. The Charlton striker boasts a great strike rate for country (11 goals in 19 matches). Ghoochannejhad was a talented violinist as a child and will be hoping to strike a chord at the Asian Cup.

Omar Abdulrahman — United Arab Emirates

Another of Asia’s genuine superstars, the only doubt over Abdulrahman is his fitness, because if he is on song during the Asian Cup, look out. The 23-year-old Al Ain attacker trialled with Manchester City in 2012, with only work permit issues scuppering his move to England. There are question marks over his condition, having not played since the semi-finals of the Gulf Cup in November, but the big-haired attacker is a big game player and the UAE will be looking to him to help get them through a wide open Group C against Iran, Qatar and Bahrain.

Ali Al Habsi — Oman

Oman goalkeeper and skipper Al Habsi only arrived in Australia on Sunday, meaning he won’t have much time with the team before their Asian Cup kicks off against Korea Republic in Canberra, the city the Red Warriors have based themselves in. There’s plenty of experience in Oman’s squad, and Al Habsi is no different, having played 92 times of the national team, been to three Asian Cups and representing Wigan in the Premier League. The Socceroos attackers will have to be on their game when they face Al Habsi on January 13 at Stadium Australia, the 33-year-old has showed before he’s tough to get past.

Server Djeparov (Uzbekistan)

A two-time Asian player of the year (2008 and 2011) Uzbekistan forward Djeparov has been skipper of the side since 2011 and scored twice at the White Wolves’ semi-final finish at the last Asian Cup. Now at Korean side Seongnam FC, Djeparov’s country will look to their skipper to provide the goals in another wide open group featuring the Uzbeks, Saudi Arabia, Korea DPR and China.

View Source Article for Video Clips of these Star Players

Hopman Cup | Perth 2015

Serena Williams, the 18-time singles Grand slam champion believes she can play level tennis against top ranked players in 2015 season, where she will begin season at the Hopman Cup tournament 2015 in January. 

Serena Williams, who will skip from the WTA Brisbane International, she will join along with Wimbledon doubles champion Jack Sock in the United States team to compete in a star-studded Hopman Cup ahead of the Australian Open 2015.

Serena Williams is considered as hot favorite to clinch the 2015 Australian Open, as she finishes this season with aggressive mode by winning WTA Championship Finals in Singapore. 

Currently, Serena is playing in the inaugural International Tennis Premier League and she wants to well prepare for the upcoming season begins next month. Serena hopes it will be the best preparation for the season’s opening Grand slam tournament Australian Open.

Defending champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is likely to pair-up with Alize Cornet in a French team playing in Group B with Australia, Great Britain and Poland. Great Britain top ranked Andy Murray will play for Britain alongside Heather Watson. 

Canadian beauty Eugenie Bouchard, Australian star Nick Kyrgios and world No.6 Agnieszka Radwanska also confirmed to play in the tournament begins from January 4 to 10 on outdoor hard courts.


Date: 4–10 January 2015 

Venue: Perth Arena (indoor) 

Surface: Plexicushion 

Capacity: 12,489 (when configured for tennis. Perth Arena has a maximum capacity of 15,500)

View the Official Hopman Cup Website

- See more at: http://ozopentennis.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/hopman-cup-perth-2015.html#sthash.0li6Ctvy.dpuf

5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) Australia Show Tour

Hot on the heels of selling out two shows at London's iconic Wembley Arena, the chart-topping Sydney boys are heading out on the road to play their first-ever headline Australian arena shows, touring in support of their recently released self-titled #1 smash hit debut album - not bad for four teenagers from the Western suburbs of Sydney. 

5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) – Luke, Calum, Michael and Ashton, started the month with an incredible five songs in the top 50 of the ARIA single chart: double platinum debut and worldwide iTunes #1 She Looks So Perfect, UK #2 Don't Stop, Amnesia, Kiss Me Kiss Me and Everything I Didn't Say. The lyric video for their upcoming single, Amnesia, has already had more than 5.7 million views.

5SOS are a worldwide success with more than 92 million views on YouTube, more than five million fans on Facebook, a combined 15-million-plus Twitter followers and more than 1.75 million followers on Instagram.

Australia Tour Dates:

Allphones Arena, Sydney NSW  Sat 20 Jun
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, QLD  Tue 23 Jun
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC  Thu 25 Jun
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, SA  Sat 27 Jun
Perth Arena, WA   Mon 29 Jun

Ideal Show Accommodation | Metro Hotels

About 5SOS (5 Seconds of Summer)

Formed in Sydney in 2011, the band consists of Luke Hemmings (lead vocals, guitar), Michael Clifford (guitar, vocals), Calum Hood (bass guitar, vocals) and Ashton Irwin (drums, vocals). The group were originally YouTube celebrities, posting videos of themselves covering songs from various artists in 2011. 

From there, they gained a small following in 2012 after posting a series of cover versions of popular songs ontoYouTube, then rose to international fame when One Direction invited them on their Take Me Home Tour.

Christmas events light up Perth's social calendar

Santa will be the guest of honour at the annual Christmas pageant on Saturday night. Photo: Channel Seven

By Candice Barnes

It's only three weeks until the big day, but Santa is in Perth for a whirlwind trip this weekend.
He'll be joined by a few colourful friends during a Christmas carnival in Forrest Place on Sunday, which will also feature mini golf, a bouncy castle and petting zoo.

Santa was also the guest of honour at the Christmas pageant on Saturday night, which will start at 7.30pm.

The parade will begin at the corner of Saint Georges Terrace and William Street, work its way in an easterly direction through the city before turning toward the river at Plain Street in East Perth.
The finish point is at the corner of Plain Street and Terrace Road, near Langley Park.

More than 2,000 performers will entertain the crowds alongside dancers, marching bands and floats.

For those who can't make it into town, the pageant will be televised on Sunday night and again on Christmas Day.

From 12 noon on Sunday, Father Christmas is tipped to make a special appearance at the Northbridge Piazza and may stick around to catch a 4.00pm screening of Will Ferrell film Elf.

Thousands of people are expected to watch this year's Christmas pageant in the Perth CBD. Photo: Channel Seven

Source: http://www.watoday.com.au/entertainment/about-town/christmas-events-light-up-perths-social-calendar-20141206-121bsq.html

Summer Sporting Extravaganza to Boost Australian Economy

In Australia, summer is all about sport. This season the addition of two major international events to the calendar is a big bonus, not just for sports lovers but for the economy as well.

Australians who don't enjoy sport turn off the television and head for the beach at this time of year.

For everyone else, there's a smorgasbord of Test and one-day cricket, PGA golf, an internationally famous yacht race, a grand slam tennis event, cycling and Formula One races.

The country is set to enjoy an unprecedented quantity of world sport worth an estimated A$320m ($267m; £172m) to the economy thanks to the addition of two major events.

The Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup - being held across five cities in January - and the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup, which will be played in Australia and New Zealand in February and March, eclipse other events in size and dollar value.

The Asian Cup is the biggest sporting event in Asia and the cricket World Cup is the third biggest sporting event in the world after the summer Olympics and the FIFA World Cup.

Australia's summer of sport

• December 9 - January 10: Four cricket Test matches, Australia v India.
• December 11-14: Australian PGA golf Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast.
• December 26-30: Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
• January 9 - January 31, 2015: Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup.
• January 16 - February 1: Cricket one-day international tri series, Australia, India and England.
• January 17-25: Tour Down Under cycling classic, Adelaide and South Australia.
• January 19 - February 1: Australian Open grand slam tennis, Melbourne.
• February 14 - March 29: ICC World Cup.
• March 12-15: Australian Grand Prix Formula One, Melbourne.

Every year, between 1 December and 1 April, there are five million tickets on sale for sport and entertainment events across New South Wales, according to state government body Destination NSW. For the same period in 2014-2015, there are eight million tickets on sale.

"That's what happens when you add an Asian Cup and a World Cup to the calendar," says Asian Cup chief executive officer Michael Brown. "There's going to be a lot more people spending a lot more dollars."

Test Cricket

Australia's golden summer begins with the first of four Test cricket matches between Australia and India on 9 December. The fixtures were rescheduled to start later in the month because of the sudden death in late November of 25-year old Australian Test player Phillip Hughes.

Golf

The first Test now clashes with the Australian PGA golf event, while the Sydney to Hobart yacht race - which organisers claim is the largest spectator sporting event in the world - competes with the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

An estimated one million spectators will watch the start of the yacht race - about 300,000 of them from the water and another 700,000 lining Sydney's harbour and coastline, says chief executive officer of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Mark Woolf.

Economic Ipmact

The economic impact, however, is incalculable, says Mr Woolf, because it is a free spectator event.

"The metrics that come out of this race are enormous," he says. "It's not a stadium event. We don't have a captive audience. But there are tentacles everywhere.

"There's the investment of transporting and accommodating 118 boats and crew for the start. The crews bring their friends and families. Then there's provisioning and fuelling and self-catering for spectator picnics.

"Even the NSW town of Eden gets an economic lift. It's the last safe harbour for boats to refuel and restock before crossing Bass Strait. Once they reach Hobart the boats and crews have to get back to Sydney.

"Then there's the impact of those TV pictures of a perfect Sydney harbour beaming into Europe and America in the middle of winter on their Christmas night. It's hard to quantify the publicity and future tourism impact."

Asia Cup Soccer

As the Test cricket ends the Asian Cup kicks off on 9 January, with 16 teams playing 32 matches in Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.

According to Mr Brown, PricewaterhouseCoopers has said the event will pump A$225m into the economy. Asian Cup organisers target ticket sales of 500,000, with 50,000 international visitors expected to attend.

Three of Australia's top ten trading partners - China, Japan and South Korea - have qualified, which means hosting the Asia Cup is a unique tourism, trade and investment opportunity for the country and the region, he says.

"The Asian Cup is Asia's biggest sporting event and football is the biggest team sport and the most popular sport in Asia," Mr Brown says. "In Asia, football outstrips cricket as a sport."

Tourism Tsunami

But the Asian Cup will also have to compete for spectators and TV audiences with the Tour Down Under cycling classic in South Australia and the Australian Open grand slam tennis tournament in Melbourne.

ICC World Cup Cricket

Then, the biggest sporting event of the summer begins on 14 February. More than one million people are expected to attend 49 one-day matches featuring 14 teams playing in the ICC World Cup at venues in Australia and New Zealand.

ICC World Cup chief executive officer John Harnden says 500,000 tickets have already been sold and tens of thousands of international spectators are expected to attend, creating a tourism tsunami between the two countries.

"There will be a lot of travel between Australia and New Zealand, and then India, the UK and the US are the three primary points of origin (for spectators)," says Mr Harnden.

"It is a great opportunity to showcase ourselves to the world and benefit from that great word of mouth from all those tens of thousands of tourists saying what a great time they had. If the Australian and New Zealand teams do well, that will be an even bigger bonus."

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