SYDNEY: Australian tour operators are clamoring to feature in US megastar Oprah Winfrey's December tour Down Under and thousands of tickets have been sought, the tourism minister said Monday. Oprah and 300 audience members will spend eight days sampling the best of Australia's beaches, vineyards and shopping, taking in icons including Sydney Harbour and the Great Barrier Reef. Her visit will conclude with a recording session of her hit talk show at the temporarily renamed Sydney “Oprah” House, which will be open to the Australian public via a ticket ballot. Australia paid 2.3 million US dollars to lure the 56-year-old Down Under, and the talkshow diva hasn't ruled out a homestay with a “real Aussie” during her whirlwind tour. Winfrey was ranked the world's most powerful celebrity by Forbes magazine this year, outclassing actress Angelina Jolie and singer Beyonce Knowles. – Agence France
