The Sydney Series: Beyond the Icons - Unveiling Sydney's Hidden Gems
When people talk about Sydney, it conjures images of the iconic Sydney Opera House, the historic Harbour Bridge, surfer hangs, and pristine beaches stretching along the New South Wales coastline. But beyond these icons lies a plethora of hidden gems yet to be explored.
“The Sydney Series: Beyond the Icons” is a new initiative from Business Events Sydney (BESydney). The video series introduces you to some of Sydney’s leading experience providers who share their local knowledge on Sydney and how you can add value to your next incentive event.
Sydney is a playground of ideas and has a multitude of activities to choose from across its 650 suburbs and further into the rural parts of Sydney. The city is the perfect collision of urban and natural landscapes, a unique background for memorable incentive experiences.
Join our local incentive experts as they share the hidden gems and favourite experiences in Sydney.
The Culinary Mastery of Rakesh Pillai
Chef Pillai, Executive Chef at International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) is a celebrated culinary expert in Sydney and understands how to blend home cooking with native ingredients, weaving storytelling into his dishes. He says that ICC Sydney understand the importance of using locally sourced ingredients to create these unforgettable dining experiences.
“The team and I are also focused on sourcing Australian native ingredients from Australian producers, adding a little bit of cultural background to the stories we tell through our iconic dishes,” Chef Pillai explains. His approach goes beyond mere food preparation; it is about curating an experience that captures the true spirit of Sydney and celebrates its rich multicultural identity.
Festival Season with Gill Minervini
“Sydney’s vibe [is] dynamic, as there’s always something happening,” shares Gill Minervini, Festival Director at Vivid Sydney. “I love to get beyond the icons and go into what I call the ‘real Sydney’…So suburbs like Newtown and Surry Hills, where you really see Sydneysiders enjoying the city’s authentic experiences: great food, great entertainment, and a great way to spend a day in the city.”
Vivid Sydney is an annual celebration of creativity, innovation, and technology, awarded Best Cultural, Arts or Music Event at the Australian Event Awards 2024. As the seasons change and the city moves into the cooler months, Sydney will be illuminated at night with light shows, entertainment, food markets and dining experiences.
On Top of the World with Kyle Ivey
Kyle Ivey, Climb Leader at BridgeClimb Sydney, is one of the few people in Sydney who gets to truly appreciate the entire city’s beauty each day. A proud Bundjalung man, Kyle leads the Indigenous Buwarra Climb providing stories of Australia’s First Peoples, culture, language, and history as you enjoy breathtaking views of Sydney. “I don't think you can find many cities in the world that have such a beautiful harbour and such a plentiful amount of beaches to choose from,” said Kyle. “For me, the most unforgettable thing I've ever done in Sydney was catching that ferry to Manly.”
The Sydney Harbour Bridge sits as an iconic landmark along the cityscape but to take on the challenge to scale the impressive structure offers a unique perspective and birds-eye-view of the Australian metropolis.
Sheridan Beaumont’s History with Oyster Farming
Founder of Sydney Oyster Farm Tours, Sheridan Beaumont, is an innovator in the space of agritourism. Less than an hour from Sydney’s CBD, this luxury experience offers delegates an opportunity to sample fresh seafood with the backdrop of the spectacular Australian bush and Hawkesbury River. Sheridan explains, “Within one hour of Sydney you can be standing knee-deep in the Hawkesbury River and having the freshest seafood of your life…You'll harvest it, open it and get to eat it right there…To be surrounded by nature, standing in the river with friends; an experience like this will stand out in your mind forever.”
This enriching dining event will change the way you experience seafood.
The Future Vision
“The Sydney Series: Beyond the Icons” redefines the visitor experience of Sydney, showcasing the diverse offerings of the city. Incentive travellers are promised an inspiring and innovative trip, seeing this prolific destination in a new lens.
Inspired to plan an unforgettable incentive event in Sydney? Contact our team now.
