Forced off the court due to the NBA lockout, Wade spent his first day in Sydney with his actress girlfriend Gabrielle Union today. The couple are in town until Wednesday night.

“It’s gorgeous here, we’re looking forward to having some sunshine over here,” Wade told thetelegraph.com.au.

The couple’s first port of call in Sydney was Hugo’s Manly where they savoured the sunshine over a long lunch.

Wade obliged the dozens of young fans who lined up for autographs and photographs overlooking Manly Wharf before the couple ducked into a waiting limo to take them back into the city ahead of a date at Janet Jackson’s concert at the Opera House tonight.

Wade earned in excess of $15 million last year as the Miami Heat’s guard, playing alongside NBA superstars LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

Earlier he posted on Twitter

“Sydney I’m HERE….after leaving Miami on Friday night it’s now Sunday morning in Australia wow.”

Wade has replaced Michael Jordan as the VIP guest at a Gatorade launch in Sydney on Wednesday. It is an ironic swap. Jordan was forced to remain in the US due to the lockout but because Wade, like all players, is off the court until at least the end of this month he was able to take the spot.

Wade was reluctant to comment on the NBA drama, admitting only that he wants to be back playing with the Miami Heat “hopefully soon.”