Parramatta Winterlight 2018

Overview

While Australian winters can get pretty damn nippy (hello slanket, our old friend), unfortunately we're not often blessed with really fun cold weather. We don't get snow, sleet or iced-over lakes which means we don't get snow days, slush fights, skating, tobogganing or a plucky bobsledding team to represent us in the Olympics (okay, we do have that last one).

The Winterlight wonderland in Parramatta's Prince Alfred Square ‚ back for a third year — is aiming to right this grievous wrong. From July 6, you can delve into the kind of winters that the Starks seem to fear so much: a snowy, fun winter. The installation boasts all the icy activities you could ever want. If gliding around a treacherous ice pond with knives attached to your boots is your bag (known as 'ice skating'), you'll be delighted to know there's a large ice rink planned. But if you're more of a demure ice frolicker, the ice toboggan may be more your thing. Or perhaps a trip down a slick ice slide? The world is your cold, wet oyster.

A turn about the rink will set adults (14 years and older) back $23, but after you ease your tired feet back into normal shoes and try to remember how to walk, the real fun begins. Winterlight is decked out with a delicious, delicious village serving up Turkish gozleme, hot chocolates, bratwurst and burgers. And really, aren't bratwurst and mugs of hot chocolate the real spirit of winter?

Winterlight will be open Monday to Thursday from 11am till 10pm and Friday to Sunday 9am till 11pm.

Images: Ali Mousawi.