Finally the day had come, for some of us the major highlight in our end of year holiday – the Harry Potter exhibition.

We booked tickets within days of it being announced to be in Sydney and had all been looking forward to it.  The venue for the exhibition was the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, itself a fantastic place to visit.

Arriving well ahead of our scheduled 11 am time slot we were able to enjoy the various other exhibits at the museum.  Particular highlights, for the kids, included the interactive exhibits where they were able to make a firework , chocolate (which they got to eat) or interact with robots.  For mum and dad the exhibits on space and the solar system were a highlight as was the special installation relating to the 2010 Engineers Australia Design awards.

But back to the main purpose for being there.  The Harry Potter exhibition is in a word fantastic, spectacular, immerses and informative – ok so four words...but it is really that good.  Blending live interactive components with museum style exhibitions designed to complement one another, really gets you into the spirit of the world of Harry Potter. 

Beginning with the sorting hat into a montage of scenes from the film you then enter the exhibit proper.

The exhibit is broken into several main areas – Hogwarts Castle, Quidditch World cup, Hagrid’s cottage, Forbidden Forest and Hogwarts main dining hall.  Each installation consists of props – wands, books, beds, desks even Dolores Umbridge's collection of kitten plates!!!!! – costumes and set pieces.  Each space includes a description of the item including the movie it was seen in and the accompanying audio tour provides background information from the producer providing additional insight into some of the problems and reasons for inclusion of some items.

While most of the exhibits cannot be touched a couple were interactive allowing you to throw Quidditch Quaffles through the goals and lifting Mandrakes from their pots.  The thing that came through to me is just how much attention goes into making a movie like any of the Harry Potters – the detail and thought behind even the most minor of props is incredible.  It is also amusing to look at the costumes with many people commenting that they thought this character was bigger or smaller.  It was also interesting to see the growing up of Harry, Ron and Hermione through the costumes on display from the first movie through to the last movie.

The exhibition was well organised with groups assigned a particular time and thus limiting the number of persons in the exhibition at any one time.  There are plenty of exhibits and room so there is no chance you will miss out seeing any of the displays. Once you are in however you can spend as long as you like so no stressing.  Photography and recording is not allowed in the exhibit – we were informed that both Dementors and Cornish pixies were on the lookout for such items and I for one wasn’t willing to risk a trip to Askazban or being strung up on a chandelier somewhere!!!!!

The only downside from our point of view was the merchandise. –  Like all exhibitions, theme parks and the like the exit is via a shop so there is no avoiding the pleading from kids, and parents my wife may add, to buy something. I felt all of it was overpriced for what it was and I guess part of me was left asking the question.– How much more money do people want to make out of Harry Potter?

The exhibition guide is well worth purchasing and the themed photo is a good memento of your visit to the exhibit.

All in all one of the best themed exhibits I have seen in a long time and a must if you or anyone you know are fans of Harry Potter.