Overview
The city's oldest green space is set to be transformed into a lit-up wonderland when the sun goes down and Vivid Sydney kicks off its 2019 edition this Friday, May 24.
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney will this year play host to an immersive and mesmerising Vivid set-up, featuring 15 captivating installations. Peppered throughout the site will be a colourful assortment of characters, from giant bees and a field of fireflies to exotic birds.
And you can expect plenty of food and drink options to fuel your after-dark adventures, including glowing gin cocktails and mulled wine served up from the old school fisherman's wharf- inspired bar.
Here's a peek at some of what you can expect to encounter on a Botanic Gardens jaunt during this year's festival.
First up, take a stroll through the gardens to the multicoloured satellite, KA3323, which interacts with sounds from outer space. In the background here, you'll cop a glimpse of the Sydney Opera House, which will be lit up with hypnotic images of Australian flora from LA artist and video maker Andrew Thomas Huang (who has previously created music videos for Björk).
Then wander through these giant glowing green blades of grass in the Dancing Grass installation.
Or visit the magical shimmering Firefly Field, made up of 500 individual lights, that will transport you to the Australian forests and mangroves in which they live.
Equally impressive is the sprawling River of Light, which you can cruise along between installations.
Next stop is the bee hotel at Beetopia. Here, you can pat a buzzing — giant — bee, without fear of it stinging you. You'll find it located under trees decked out with colour-changing lights.
Finally, stop by the garden's audiovisual installation. I Hear You (But Do You Hear Me?) features a field of interactive LED light poles that react to voices, changing colour and playing sounds to make a colourful, layered 'conversation'.
Vivid Sydney will run from Friday, May 24 until Saturday, June 15. The Royal Botanic Garden and HMAS Royal Archie will be open and lit-up every night of the festival until 11pm.