Of Experiences, Adventures And Travels: House Of Wax

I have always wanted to go to Madame Tussaud's. Unfortunately, I did not have a chance to go there when I was in the United Kingdom a few years back, as we were only stopping over in London, hence did not get the chance to go places. Then my parents and brother made a trip to New York and they visited Madame Tussaud's in New York, but I just started my new job then and could not go along.

So when I found out that there is a Madame Tussaud's newly opened in Sydney, I knew I wanted to go there. Madame Tussaud's Sydney is at the same stretch of Darling Harbour next to the Sydney Aquarium and the Sydney Wildlife Centre. Plus if you buy a combination ticket, it is much cheaper than buying individual tickets. Hence I bought a two-in-one ticket for Madame Tussaud's and Sydney Aquarium.

Before I went to Madame Tussaud's Sydney, I checked out the figurines on display, and was excited about a few. When I went in there, the wax figures really looked like the real people! This Madame Tussaud's is categorised into a few sections - Entertainment, History, World Leaders, Sports Personalities, Medical and Science. Obviously most of the wax figures are prominent people of Australia. My favourite is the Entertainment section as quite a number of my favourite stars are included!

All in all, I was not disappointed. My first Madame Tussaud's experience is nice! My only gripe is that this one is a bit small. I could go in, see all the figurines in all the sections and out of the place in one hour maximum! I believe the one in London and New York is much bigger.

In any case, these are the figurines I came across :

1. First Section - Historical Great

This was an Aboriginal who fought for the rights of the Aborigines. Did not catch the name as it was too long to remember!

Captain Cook himself!

Ned Kelly, a famous Australian outlaw

Aviator Kingsford Smith, for whom Sydney Airport is named

Sister Mary MacKillop, who was conferred St Mary of the Cross, for whom St Mary's Cathedral is named

Not sure who this guy was but he was rather prominent in old Australian politics

2. Second Section - World Leaders

I am sure everyone can recognise these people, so there is no need for an introduction.

3. Third Section - Sports Stars

Most of these are local Australian sports personalities who are unknown to me, since I do not normally watch sports shows. I can only recognise two, incidentally the two best looking ones! :-P

First good-looker - Mark Webber

Second good-looker - Ian Thorpe

4. Fourth Section - Music / Pop Stars

This section consists of famous singers, many of them Australians but there are some famous ones that are not.

Recognise her? Olivia Newton-John in her Grease attire!

Rihanna

Kylie Minogue

The famous King of Pop himself!

After this section, there is an entire room honouring Madame Tussaud herself, and the process of making the wax figures. Examples shown is how to make the bust of Beyonce Knowles and Will Smith.

Madame Tussaud herself

Making of a wax figure

Recognise the face of Beyonce Knowles?

And that of Will Smith?

5. Fifth Section - Cultural Personalities

These were the people who had contributed someway to the culture of arts, science and heritage.

An Aboriginal who wrote and promoted Aborigine culture

Banjo Paterson, writer and poet who wrote about the Australian outback

Henry Lawson, colonial writer and poet

Albert Einstein (duh!)

Dr Victor Chang, leading Australian heart surgeon

6. Sixth Section - TV Personalities

Besides Oprah Winfrey, I am not familiar with the rest as they are mostly the stars and hosts of local Australian shows.

7. Seventh Section - Film Stars

Included are some notable Australian film stars, or those who originated from Australia, like my favourite Hugh Jackman and the late Heath Ledger. There is also a Bollywood section.

One of my favourite actresses from one of my favourite movies

Alfred Hitchcock and his horror films

Recognise her? Toni Collette

Recognise him? He was Incredible Hulk, the Trojan prince, King Henry VIII and the Time Traveller all in one

No introduction to him!

One of the few Bollywood stars

Recognise him? Amitabh Bachchan

E.T., phone home

Iron Man

Mel Gibson, in one of his earlier shows in his younger days

My favourite Wolverine!

Crocodile Dundee himself

The late Heath Ledger

I am surprised why the next one is included. Technically she is not really a film star, but I guess she was included as one of the more famous Australians around.