The Powerhouse Discovery Centre Public Open Day, Castle Hill
This centre is the Powerhouse Museum's publicly-accessible museum storage and collection care facility that houses objects from its collections of science, technology, design, decorative arts and social history. It opens to the public monthly or for prebooked visits on Tuesdays - Fridays. Today's theme explores the different modes of transport in the Museum’s collection.
There are two Make-and-Do Activities for kids and families. In How We Get Around: Transport Fun, choose from a range of transport-related activities for kids, including the gypsy caravan colouring-in page or the Wacky Wheels and Clancy Skybaby make-and-do activities (free with general admission). In Make Your Own Model Train: Locomotive No. 1 with Tender and Carriage, punch-out and paste a 3D model card that is a 1:50 scale replica of Locomotive No. 1 on display in the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo ($12 per model). Both activities run from 10.30am—2.30pm and are suitable for 4+ years.
The Object Short Talks are Harry’s Café de Wheels at 11am and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and the Mystery of the Lady Southern Cross at 12pm (free with Open Day admission).
There is a Behind the Scenes tour: By Hoof or By Foot: Animal and Human-Powered Transport in the Collection at 12.30pm ($16 adult, $10 concession, includes admission). This tour is for ages 12 and over and space is limited so pre-booking is essential: 9762 1300.
The Museum Storage Glimpse tour of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Furniture and Music Collections is at 1.30pm (included in admission but pre-booking is essential: 9762 1300).
There are also two Highlights tours of the Transport Collection at 10.30pm and 1pm (free with Open Day admission).
Demonstrations are Model Ship Building with Richard Keyes from 10am—2pm and Lego Robots and the FIRST LEGO League from 10.30am—2.30pm. The FIRST LEGO League teams have been busy designing and building LEGO robots that can move people, places, goods and services in the safest, most efficient way possible. Join members of a FIRST LEGO League team as they demonstrate their winning robot design as it attempts a series of challenges on its obstacle course (both free with Open Day admission).
Young visitors can also create their own personalised storybook of their visit with stories, drawings and stickers as a souvenir to share with friends and family. There are three Discovery Trails for 4 - 10 year olds: Critters Discovery Trail, Wheels Discovery Trail and Wings Discovery Trail (all included in admission).
The Hills Kellyville Rotary Club will host a fundraising barbeque food stall from 10am—1.30pm.
Open Day hours are 10am - 4pm and admission costs $8 adult, $5 concession/child and $25 family (2a, 2c). Free entry to Powerhouse members, NSW Senior Card holders and Australian pensioners. On-site parking available (vehicle entry via TAFE driveway on Green Road) at 172 Showground Road. For more information, ph 9762 1300 or visit www.castlehill.powerhousemuseum.com.
Sydney Model Boat Show and Hot Rod Twilight Show, Luddenham
The show is presented by the Hubertus Model Boat Club Inc and runs today from 10am - 5pm and tomorrow from 10am - 4pm at the Hubertus Country Club. Entry costs $3 per person and $5 per family with the proceeds to charity. The Hot Rod Twilight Show is on this evening from 5pm and entry costs $2 per person. For more information, ph 9607 4061.

Platform 3 Hip Hop Festival, Carriageworks, Eveleigh
The festival begins with free hip hop dance classes on today from 11am - 12pm. The classes are for everyone - kids and adults and beginners to veterans. Today's theme is breaking.
Also today there is also a 1 day graffiti and street art tour with Graffiti Artist, Mistery. The tour is an introduction to different forms of street art – graffiti, stencils, paste-ups; and will visit some of Sydney’s most iconic street art sites in the Inner West, including the Skipping Girls along Wilson St Eveleigh and the May’s Lane Project in St Peters. It starts at Newtown Station and ends at CarriageWorks running from 11am - 1pm (approx).
The Festival begins on Friday 19 with the Opening Night Party with DJs in the foyer featuring Flexing Skillz Freestyle Comp. Doors open at 7pm and it costs $18. There is a pre-show hip hop theatre performance ‘A Maze in Grace’ with Sista Native.
On Sat 20 from 2pm there are free activites including
-Graffiti and Tagging demos and comps with renowned Australian Hip Hop and Graffiti Artist Mistery. Includes pro writers creating pieces live.
-Hip Hop film exhibition & artist talk
-Chalk it Up – chalking activities for kids and adults. Everyone can have a go.
-Kids Breaking Battle – anyone can turn up and battle it out!
-Next Generation - Up & Comers Dance Battle, including popping, locking and breaking
-Next Generation - Up & Comers MC Battle
-Freestyle MC and Beatbox battles and demonstrations
-Freak the Technique Heats – breaking battle
-Plus watch the ticketed events for free on the big screen.
The Freak the Technique Braking Comp Finals are on from 7.30 – 11pm costing $18.
For more information and tickets, visit: www.carriageworks.com.au.
Mini Olympic Games, Rouse Hill
Get active with an hour of fun games including relay races and ping pong soccer. Suitable for 5-10 year olds. It's on at the Vinegar Hill Memorial Library from 1pm - 2pm. Tickets cost $5, ph 9761 4510 to book.

Country Music Night, Wirrimbirra Sanctuary, Bargo
Try some dinkum Aussie boot-scootin’ fun with the Wollondilly Country Music Club. The music starts at 7pm and you should arrive early to ensure you don’t miss out on a seat. There will be hot and cold food available. Entry is by donation, which will be shared between Wirrimbirra and the WCMC, both non-profit organisations run by volunteers. For more information, ph 4684 1112 or visit www.wirrimbirra.com.au.

Cumberland State Forest at Night, West Pennant Hills
Explore the Forest and discover its nocturnal life from 7.30pm - 9.30pm. This includes a presentation and supper. It costs $11 each ($35 family rate), minimum age 6 years. Bring a torch for every person. To book, ph 1300 655 687.

Shakespeare by the River, Emu Plains
Bring a blanket and a picnic and settle in to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream, presented by the Acting Factory. This performance is live at Regatta Park, River Road on Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7.30pm until March 14. No bookings are required, entry is by donation ($10 recommended). For more information, visit www.actingfactory.com.

Sons and Dads Astronomy Night, University of Western Sydney Observatory, Werrington North
Tonight's topic is 'Life in the Universe'. Astronomy is an excellent way of getting sons and dads to share an exciting evening. The program will include a multimedia presentation, question time and stargazing through the University’s computerised telescopes (weather permitting). It runs from 8pm to 10pm and costs adult $12, children and concession $8 and a family $35 (2a, 2c). To book, ph 4736 0135 or email r.mccourt@uws.edu.au. For more information, visit www.uws.edu.au/observatory.

Feast and Fireworks, Daling Harbour
Enjoy a meal at one of Harbourside's restaurants while fireworks light up the sky over Cockle Bay at 8.30pm. It's on tonight and Sat 27 March. For more infomation on where to dine, visit www.harbourside.com.au or www.darlingharbour.com.

Open-Air Cinema, West Hoxton
This event is part of Liverpool’s Bicentenary celebrations. It is a free event and live entertainment will ‘kick off’ the evening, with food and drink vendors available and a variety of stalls (this event is alcohol free) or BYO picnic. Seating from 6pm (BYO banket) with screenings commencing at sundown. Tonight's movie is Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (M) screening in Greenway Park. For more information, visit www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au.

Boost Mobile SurfSho, Bondi Beach see Fri 12
Kids Activities, Centennial Parklands Dining see Fri 12

Puppet Shows at Puppeteria, Castle Cove see Tues 9

CraftExpo, Sydney Olympic Park see Thur 11
15th Annual Bundeena-Maianbar Art of Living Festival see Fri 12

Sun 14

Well Being in the Forest, Cumberland State Forest, West Pennant Hills
Revitalise your body, relax your mind and improve your wellbeing as you are introduced to a combination of movement, meditation and laughter yoga in the beautiful surrounds of Cumberland State Forest. It's on from 10am - 11am and costs $5.50 per person or $18 per family (2a, 2c). To book, ph 1300 655 687.

Galston Valley Railway
This miniature railway is open to the public on the second Sunday of the month from 9.30am - 4pm (rides start at 10am). The track is over 1 km long and winds up the hillside through bushland. There are bridges, a tunnel and scale model signals. Access to the station and picnic areas is over bridges with steps, which is difficult for strollers. There is a kiosk, sausage sizzle and a wood (provided) BBQ, but BYO paper. Enclosed shoes must be worn to ride behind the trains (no sandals or thongs). Admission costs adults $5, children free and train rides are $2 per person. The railway is located at 29 Mid Dural Rd, Galston. The trains will probably still run during showery weather, to check phone 9653 1630 after 9:30 am. For more information, visit
www.sdr.com.au/hmecl.

Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum
At the Museum in Springwood there is a roundhouse and turntable just like the one in Thomas the Tank Engine. The museum is usually open on the second and fourth Sunday of the month from 10am - 4pm with steam tram rides (subject to weather conditions and crew availability), locos to scramble onto and a model railway to see. Admission costs adults $13, Seniors & Pensioner Concessions $11, school students $9 (4 and under free) and a family $35 and includes unlimited rides. For more information, ph 4751 4638 or visit www.infobluemountains.net.au/locodepot.
River Rhythms, Newington Armory Wharf
Enjoy the free sounds of jazz, rhythm or roots every Sunday afternoon from 12pm - 3pm in March and April. Artisit include The Delroys, African Gospel a capella group Pambazuka and Jason Walker. For more information, including all performers, ph 9714 7888, email info@sydneyolympicpark.com.au or visit www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au.

Twilight Jazz at Eryldene, Gordon
Enjoy George Washingmachine’s music at the end of a late summer’s day. Bring a rug or folding chair and picnic basket. Coffee, tea and home made cakes will be available at the Garden Cafe on the lawn court. Picnic hampers are also available, bookings essential. It's on at Eryldene House and Garden from 5pm - 8pm and costs adults $25 and children $10. To book, ph 9498 2271. For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.com.au.

Disney Outdoor Movies at Penrith Panthers
This season of outdoor free movies runs fortnightly on Sundays from 6.30pm until March 28. The movies will start after dark. They will be screened in the Backyard area so BYO picnic rugs, cushions or folding chairs. Snacks and refreshments will be available for purchase. Tonight's movie is Dumbo and Mulan screens on March 28. All kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. There is also a season of movies on Friday nights suited to families with teens. For more information, ph 1800 061 991 or visit http://penrith.panthers.com.au/Entertainment/Disney_Outdoor_Movies.

Boost Mobile SurfSho, Bondi Beach see Fri 12
Kids Activities, Centennial Parklands Dining see Fri 12

Sydney Model Boat Show, Luddenham see Sat 13

Shakespeare by the River, Emu Plains see Sat 13

CraftExpo, Sydney Olympic Park see Thur 11
15th Annual Bundeena-Maianbar Art of Living Festival see Fri 12