This week, twenty-three shipping crates containing elements of the highly anticipated Harry Potter: The Exhibition, arrived by ship in Sydney. Each massive shipping container holds the numerous props, costumes and creatures from the Harry Potter film series, as well as vignettes and immersive environments inspired by the actual film sets, such as Hagrid’s hut and the Great Hall.

“We are very excited to take custody of such a unique collection of film objects during the four-month stay in Australia.  We have several teams of museum staff working seven days a week to install the exhibition over the next three weeks, in time for its opening weekend on the 19th and 20th November,” said Dr. Dawn Casey, Director, Powerhouse Museum.

The 1,400-square-metre exhibition will feature objects from the entire Harry Potter film series.  A special selection of costumes and props from the series’ two-part finale, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ – Parts 1 and 2, will be on public display for the first time in Sydney.

The exhibition will be staged in a new 1,800-square-metre temporary exhibition gallery that has been developed as part of the Powerhouse Museum’s current revitalisation program to accommodate major touring and in-house exhibitions.

“This is the largest exhibition that the museum has ever staged. It is fitting that such a spectacular exhibition is the first to be displayed in this fantastic new gallery,” said Dr. Dawn Casey.

This is the first time Harry Potter: The Exhibition has travelled outside North America, following its debut in Chicago in April 2009 and its highly successful runs that followed in Boston, Toronto, Seattle and New York.

The exhibition opens in three weeks at the Powerhouse Museum for its exclusive Australian run from 19 November 2011 to 18 March 2012.

Due to expected high exhibit attendance, the Powerhouse Museum will open its doors earlier for Harry Potter: The Exhibition at 9.30am (opens 9am on weekends and during school holidays) and remain open later until 9pm on Friday and Saturday nights for the duration of the exhibition.

Tickets are available now with pre-allocated session times. Guests are encouraged to book prior to their arrival to avoid sold-out time slots.  Purchase tickets online at www.powerhousemuseum.com or www.ticketek.com.au

On view: Harry Potter: The Exhibition
Dates: 19 November 2011 – 18 March 2012
Address: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street Ultimo, Sydney
Telephone: (02) 9217 0111 or infoline (02) 9217 0444
Website: powerhousemuseum.com
Hours: 9.30am to 5pm (open 9am on weekends and during school holidays for Harry Potter: The Exhibition)
Admission:
Peak sessions
(All days between 19 November to 4 December;
From 5 December: Friday 5pm–9pm and all sessions on
Saturday, Sunday and NSW school holidays)
Families $95, Adults $32, Children (4 – 15 yrs.) $22, Student card holders, pensioner and concession $32, Groups $32, Schools $22 per person.
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
Members off-peak sessions: Families $60, Adult $21, Child $14.25