Just keep putting, just keep putting… for 18 holes at least! In the heart of Darling Harbour, a pop-up mini golf course awaits like none other than you’ve seen before. Inspired by the movies created by Disney Pixar, discover what happens when the likes of Toy Story, Brave, Wall-E and The Incredibles are translated from screen to sporting venture.

Each hole of the Pixar Putt course has taken an element of its Pixar title and set up a fun, sometimes tricky, sometimes surprising quest for kids and adults alike to take their best shot at. With a scorecard and pen assigned to each group (max 4 players per card) you can keep note of the number of putts it takes each golfer to send their ball where it needs to go.

My husband took great pleasure in assisting the kids with each new putt, helping them and showing them how to drive their club in the right way and with the right amount of force to push their ball along each station. Meanwhile, I surprised myself by getting a hole in one at one of the stations which totally made my day!

Wearing my Mickey Mouse leggings for the occasion!

There is something unique for every hole, from the piano keys that trigger the gofers to pop up as you try to throw the active golfer off his or her game at hole 2, to the giant guitar whose strings are an integral part of the golf ball’s journey to success at the Coco inspired hole 9.

All three of my littles had so much fun opening and closing the doors inspired by the portals in Monsters Inc, particularly the youngest who was exactly the right height to fit through them all.

It was so exciting to see the movies we’ve all fallen in love with come to life in a brand new way under the Sydney sunshine against the stunning backdrop of the harbour. So cleverly constructed to engage with both imagination and skill, each hole challenged my 7 and 4 year old to apply coordination, patience and strength to become as small as Ratatouille the rat and dodge a giant chef’s hat here and a block of cheese there to make it out, or be able to loop the loop like Lightening McQueen from Cars or make a house fly Up into the sky solely powered by balloons.

With golf clubs tailored to each member of the family and a variety of brightly coloured balls, upon completing the ninth hole, if you are continuing on to the next nine you hand in your red clubs for purple and choose a new set of coloured balls. This proved just an additional element of excitement for the kids who eagerly completed each hole, proudly calling out how many tries it had taken to get their balls in the hole.

I honestly can’t say enough good things about our experience at Pixar Putt, with the minor exception of not being able to take the pram round with us. Due to how many people were going around the course at the time we teed off, we were understandably instructed to park our pram. Though I will say restraining a toddler between us while helping the other two and taking our own turns (and trying to capture as many Kodak moments as possible too) not to mention holding clubs, balls and the scorecard was a little tricky to say the least. However, with that being said, it really didn’t deter from our or the kids’ enjoyment!

Pixar Putt is on until 12 May in Darling Harbour and I urge you to book tickets if you haven’t already experienced it and go have a simply Incredible time!

What you need to know

What: Pixar Putt

Where: Darling Harbour, ICC Forecourt near the Harbourside Mall

When: Now until 12 May

Cost: For 9 holes an adult ticket is $24.90 and a child ticket* is $19.90, a family ticket is $79.60. For 18 holes an adult ticket is $39.90, a child ticket is $29.90 and a family ticket is $119.60. (Family equates to 1 Adult and 3 children or 2 Adults and 2 children). *Child tickets are for children aged 14 and under. Children aged 2 and under don’t require a ticket.

Time: Tee off sessions run from 10am to 6.30pm for families with kids at 15 minute intervals. Evening adult-only sessions run from 7-8.45pm.

MONDAY to THURSDAY
10am – 8pm (last entry 6.45pm)

FRIDAY
10am – 10pm (last entry 8.45pm)
7pm onwards is ‘After Dark’ for Adults Only

SATURDAY
10am – 10pm (last entry 8.45pm)
7pm onwards is ‘After Dark’ for Adults Only
SUNDAY
10am – 8pm (last entry 6.45pm)

Duration: You’re looking at anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour and a half which is all dependent on whether you’re completing the 9 hole course or the 18 holes, how many people are in your party, how busy it is at the time you’re teeing off/putting and how long it takes each member of your group to complete each hole.

Getting there: BY CAR: There are secure car parks located in and around Darling Harbour, including ICC Sydney (2 car park facilities), Wilson Harbourside Car Park and Wilson Darling Quarter Car Park.

BY TAXI OR UBER: The best Pixar Putt drop off and pick up location is the new Iron Wharf Place next to Sofitel and Harbourside Shopping Centre accessed via Darling Drive.

BY LIGHT RAIL: The Light Rail travels right through a number of Darling Harbour stations including ICC Sydney’s Convention Centre stop, closest to Pixar Putt.

BY FERRY: Cruise into Darling Harbour on a ferry with direct services from Circular Quay, King Street Wharf or Pyrmont Bay Wharf.

BY TRAIN: A short walk from Central or Town Hall will take you directly to Pixar Putt at the ICC Sydney Forecourt.

BUS: ICC Sydney has its own bus stop. Bus routes 389 and 501 stop at Harris Street near Allen Street, a 10-minute walk from Pixar Putt.

Tips: Wear comfy shoes and bring hats, water and sunscreen as it’s all outdoors. Also have your cameras ready for a photo op with Buzz Lightyear and Sheriff Woody, who make up part of an awesome Toy Story set at the entrance.