Overview
There's rarely a bad time to wander through a rainforest, especially after a year that's had everyone spending more time at home than usual. But if you're planning a trip to the Blue Mountains to take in its vivid greenery, visiting during April 2021 is particularly recommended. That's when Sculpture at Scenic World will return to the area after a two-year break, after its 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic.
The exhibition is as straightforward as it sounds, and also as striking. Between Thursday, April 1–Sunday, May 2, Scenic World in Katoomba will place dozens of large-scale sculptures and installations throughout its ultra-scenic surroundings, with visitors able to mosey through them and enjoy their oversized sights at their own pace. You'll walk past trees, peer at giant artworks and find yourself in an openair gallery — and, you'll be checking out pieces from both emerging and established artists in the process.
Exactly which artworks be popping up around the leafy spot is yet to be revealed, but everything on display will compete for the Scenic World Major Award, as judged this year by National Art School's Head of Sculpture Hany Armanious, Sydney-based sculptor Margarita Sampson and The Lock-Up Artistic Director Courtney Novak.
Jono Gooley
The 2021 event will feature sculptures not only in the rainforest, but, as part of a free outdoor exhibition called Twist & Shout, it'll extend to sites such as the Carrington Hotel, Mountain Heritage Hotel, and the Fairmont Resort and Spa. The aim: to get folks heading to the area to not only explore Sculpture at Scenic World, but to take in everything that the Blue Mountains region has to offer.
"It has been a whirlwind year for the tourism industry, but it is encouraging to see such strong demand for authentic
tourism experiences in our backyard," said Scenic World Chief Experience Officer Amanda Byrne.
In 2020, Scenic World's Dinosaur Valley experience was extended for four weeks, into 2021, due to popular demand.
Entry into Sculpture at Scenic World comes with a regular Scenic World ticket, which means that attendees can also enjoy the venue's skyway, railway and cableway while they're there.
Sculpture at Scenic World runs from Thursday, April 1–Sunday, May 2, 2021. For further details or to buy tickets, head to the event website.
Top images: Nick Warfield, Georgina Galea, Mark Surtees and Hannah Surtees, David Jensz, Jono Gooley.