An immersive puppet show in Sydney’s Paddington Reservoir Gardens is tackling environmental issues with a playful performance. Best of all, this spellbinding all-ages production is free to see.
Meet Fauna, a four-metre-tall gentle monster who speaks on behalf of the trees. She’ll appear this month in Sydney’s Paddington Reservoir Gardens as part of Soft Forest, an immersive, free puppetry performance exploring the fragility of nature and the urgency of conservation. The show is the latest creation from Erth Visual & Physical Inc , a trailblazing theatre company that has been captivating audiences since 1990 with their artistic approach to puppetry and theatre.
“Puppetry is a very broad spectrum, from very small things to very, very big things," says Erth Visual’s Artistic Director, Scott Wright. Erth Visual has become known for its unique, inventive creatures, which are often super-sized. Their productions embody deeper concepts, communicating complex ideas in a way that appeals not just to children, but parents too. “Children appreciate being spoken to on an equallevel, because children love to learn. I think we live in a world where so much work for children can be quite patronising – we’re not those people," says Wright.
Fauna is the newest invention to come out of Erth Visual, standing four metres tall and requiring multiple puppeteers to bring her to life. For Soft Forest, she’ll wander around amid a moody soundscape while a swarm of fireflies dance in her wake.
It takes multiple puppeteers to bring this immersive performance to life. (Image: Abril Felman)
Meet Fauna, a four-metre-tall puppet who is sharing a message about conservation as part of Soft Forest. (Image: Abril Felman)
“The [concept behind] Fauna is that she is a creature that is born from the trees, so she speaks for the trees," Wright says. “The reason we chose a monster is because monsters are quite ambiguous. We have good monsters like the Cookie Monster or Totoro from Studio Ghibli. Children can relate to them on a very differentlevel because they’re not a human…they come with this sort of other world, which is magical and mysterious and compelling."
Ultimately, Soft Forest uses storytelling and performance to communicate that nature is not something that is separate from humans. The production will run through the month of September in Sydney’s historic Paddington Reservoir Garden, a whimsical setting for this spellbinding show.
“This is only the beginning," Wright says. “This [performance] in Paddington Reservoir Gardensis just one part of Fauna’s bigger story. She’ll come with more stories and more messages; she’ll appear not just in Australia, but all over the world."
Find out more about Soft Forest on the City of Sydney website . The performance is free and all-ages, but best suited for kids aged four to 12 years old.
Session dates:
4, 5 & 6 September
11, 12 & 13 September
18, 19 & 20 September
Session times:
5:30pm, 6:30pm & 7:30pm
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Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.
You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.
All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.
1. Stockton Sand Dunes
Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.
Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.
Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)
2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk
A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.
History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.
Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)
3. Watch out for whales
You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.
And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.
Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)
4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.
Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.
See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)
5. Diving Port Stephens
Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.
Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.
At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.
Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)
6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters
Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.
Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.
Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)
7. Fish the estuaries
Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.
If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.
Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)
8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours
With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.
Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.
Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.
Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)
