Harry Potter The Exhibition

With the huge success of Harry Potter: The Exhibition, Sydney's Powerhouse Museum has extended its run till the 9th of April 2012. This means that fans of the books and more importantly, the movies, can still experience the authentic costumes and props from the Harry Potter films before it leaves for Singapore.

From the very first moments that you step into the exhibition, it's like you are indoctrinated into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in this interactive display. This exhibition was also made possible thanks to Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Global Experience Specialists and the Powerhouse Museum which created the 1,400 square-metre exhibition.

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As you walk into the Powerhouse Museum, you are first treated to the flying Ford Anglia from the Harry Potter films that is carefully attached to the ceiling of the museum which gives the illusion of flight. However before you experience the props from the films, the first room of the exhibition features an actor dressed in Hogwarts regalia who gives a few lucky people the chance to wear the Sorting Hat of Hogwarts.

This hat determines which house of Hogwarts you will be allotted that include Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. Following this, you walk into another room that contains eight large screens, showcasing certain parts of the films before you are formally invited into the exhibition. From here you walk past the magical train that takes students and teachers to Hogwarts as the famed music by John Williams plays in the background.

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In order to add to your experience, it is recommended to hire an audio guide which goes into more detail about the artefacts and best of all, it features someone involved in the creation of these fantastic items. As mentioned, the exhibition is quite interactive and visitors can toss a Quaffle in a Quidditch inspired area or my favourite, the Mandrakes which allows you and just like the movies to pull them from their pots as they make this high pitched squeal.

In terms of props, there are some outstanding artefacts from the movies such as Buckbeak the Hippogriff, a life-size statue from the film that was actually made from individually painted feathers. Visitors can even visit Haggrid's cottage, see the Centaurs from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone or experience the vicious looking head of the Hungarian Horntail Dragon.

The attention to detail on this these props is outstanding and even the items in the backgrounds that were seen in the movies are quite detailed from the books to the posters. There is definitely an eye for detail here. The exhibition also goes into some detail into the various designs of the costumes such as how the Death Eaters evolved through the films.

Fans of the series will be pleased to see the Horcruxes of Voldermort or the legendary sword of Gryffindor which is housed in the replica of the Great Hall of Hogwarts. Another interesting aspect of the exhibition is seeing the clothes from the various movies worn by the three heroes, Harry (Daniel Radclife), Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint). It does put these actors and their characters into perspective as they age through the films.

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Top 20 Must-See Artefacts

• Time-Turner™ used by Hermione Granger™ and Harry Potter to travel back in time and save Sirius Black™ and Buckbeak™ in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™.

• Harry Potter’s School Uniform worn by Harry Potter as seen in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix™. Harry Potter is known as ‘the boy who lived’ after Voldemort™ attempted to kill him as a baby.

• Harry Potter’s Glasses worn by Harry Potter, which were fixed more than once by Hermione Granger, as seen in the Harry Potter films.

• Harry Potter’s Wand made of holly with a phoenix-feather core from Fawkes’ tail. Harry’s wand is linked to Lord Voldemort’s wand by virtue of the fact that Fawkes provided the tail feather core for both wands.

• Marauder’s Map given to Harry by Fred and George Weasley™ in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

• Harry Potter’s Nimbus 2000™ broomstick as seen in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone™.

• The Golden Snitch™ used in the Quidditch™ matches at Hogwarts™ throughout the Harry Potter films.

• Buckbeak™ the Hippogriff, as seen in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

• The Philosopher’s Stone™ that Harry saved from Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone™.

• Giant Pawn chess piece used in the giant game of wizard chess played by Harry, Ron and Hermione in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

• Hermione Granger’s Gown worn by Hermione Granger to the Yule Ball in Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire™.

• Lord Voldemort’s Robes worn by Lord Voldemort ™ during his confrontation with Harry in the graveyard in Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire.

• Lord Voldemort’s Wand made of yew with phoenix tail feather core. It is linked to Harry’s wand by virtue of the fact that the same phoenix (Fawkes) provided the feather for the core of both wands.

• Death Eater Robes and Masks as seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

• Dementor™ as seen in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

• Goblet of Fire™ Casket used to carry the Goblet of Fire as seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

• The Triwizard Cup as seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

• Headmaster Dumbledore’s Robes worn by Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore™ at the end-of-the-year feast in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™.

• Dobby™ the house-elf, a study model used in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

• Fawkes™, Albus Dumbledore’s phoenix, Fawkes as seen throughout the Harry Potter films.

• Headmaster Dumbledore’s Wand as seen throughout the Harry Potter films.

Final Thoughts?

With Harry Potter: The Exhibition ending on the 9th of April 2012, I strongly suggest that those Harry Potter fans who have not seen this exhibition yet, make the magical track to Hogwarts at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.

It's definitely one of the best movie exhibitions in the world and once you have finished the colourful tour of these artefacts, the gift shop allows you to purchase some great memorabilia from authentic clothing with the logos of the various houses of Hogwarts to detailed wands from Dumbledore to Snape and Harry Potter. It's truly a magical experience!

On view: Harry Potter: The Exhibition

Dates: 19 November 2011 – 9 April 2012

Address: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street Ultimo, Sydney

Telephone: (02) 9217 0111 or infoline (02) 9217 0444

Website: www.powerhousemuseum.com

Hours: 9.30am to 5pm (open at 9am on weekends and during school holidays only for Harry Potter: The Exhibition)

Admission: Peak sessions (weekends: Fri 5pm-9pm, Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 9am-5pm; and school holidays 9am-5pm). Families $95, Adults $32, Children (4 - 15 yrs.) $22, Student card holders, pensioner and concession $32, Groups $32, Schools $22 per person.

Powerhouse members peak sessions: Families $71, Adult $24, Child $16.50

Off-peak sessions (Mon-Fri 9.30am – 5pm). Families $79.50, Adults $28, Children (4 - 15 yrs) $19, Student card holders, pensioner and concession $25, Groups $23.50, Schools $19 per person  Powerhouse members off-peak sessions: Families $60, Adult $21, Child $14.25

Audio guides: Be guided through the exhibition by the films’ creators.  Available in English at $7.50 per guide. Pre-book at ticketek.com.au.