Harry Potter formed a huge part of so many people’s lives in the 2000s and the 2010s, with the books sparking one wave of fervour before the movies introduced the work to a new generation of fans. 

Now, fans can see many of the costumes and props that were part of the films in the flesh through a new exhibition at Sydney Olympic Park, bringing Harry Potter’s fans closer to the action than ever before.

Immediately, we were welcomed into the set by placing our names on the Marauder’s Map before being brought into the world of the characters. As we walked through Hogwarts, with the pictures on the wall as they were in the films, we saw some special props like many of the wands and costumes that the characters used in the films along with little tidbits and nuggets about the films.

Particularly notable was the intricacies around the costumes as it was clear that no expense was spared when putting the costumes together, especially in the earlier films with Gilderoy Lockhart’s costumes being a particular highlight. The Fantastic Beasts costumes on the other hand, didn’t quite have the same quality as the main films which was interesting in itself. 

There were plenty of interactive exhibits for kids, meaning that this really was a good couple of hours of fun for people of all ages. It’s quite a wonder how many props were available in this exhibit, especially given how many similar exhibits are currently on display all around the world (a testament to just how much material was used for the films!). 

This a very fun day out and highly recommended, especially for fans of the films. One small note, despite the exorbitant prices of merchandise, much of the good stuff was sold out by the second week and while stock may return, I would advise that if you see something you like be sure to grab it!

Harry Potter – The Exhibition is open at Sydney Olympic Park until 11 October. For more information, click here.