Alice Ellis

There is a lot happening on Sydney's stages each and every month. But how do you even know where to start? Thankfully, our critics are out road-testing musicals, plays, operas, dance, cabaret and more all year round. Here are their recommendations. Want more culture? Check out the best art exhibitions in Sydney.

Sydney: the city of blue skies, ocean swims, alfresco living and sun-soaked times in the great outdoors, right? Well, hold on a second. That may be the case for a majority of the year thanks to our sunny Aussie climate, but the Harbour City also gets its share of super-rainy (and unbearably sticky) days. Don’t want to spend all of your indoors-time hunkering down at home? We’re here to help. Take shelter in style with our guide to the most fun things to do in Sydney within four walls. Whether you're in search of a crafternoon, a cultural adventure, or a cocktail with a view, there's something for everyone on our list of fun venues and activities where you can stay warm (or cool) and dry, all year round. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.  RECOMMENDED:  On a budget? These are the best things to do in Sydney for $25 or less.And these are the best walks in the city if you're keen to get out there and explore. 

Whoever said “nothing in life is free” clearly hasn’t been to Australia. Our Great Southern Land is full of bucket list experiences that won’t hurt or even touch your bank account. Hiking through some of the world’s most beautiful national parks? Free! Spotting fairy penguins on the beach? Free! Sampling your way through a world-class market? You guessed it – free! Our Travel and News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has backpacked all around the globe, so she knows a thing or two about savvy travel. With the help of her trusted team of Aussie travel writers, she’s curated this list of the best free things to do in Australia’s major cities. Whether you’re into soaking up the sun outdoors with swims, picnics and hikes, or cooling off inside with free exhibitions, chocolate tours and tram rides, there’s a budget-friendly activity to make you feel filthy rich with happiness.  🌊 All the best things to do in Australia🎢 The coolest things to do with kids⭐️ Tourist attractions in Australia that are worth it

Anyone who’s experienced cherry blossom season in Japan knows just how enchanting it is. The sakura trees bloom for only two short weeks in spring – generally between March and April – making the pretty in pink floral display all the more special.  Luckily, you don’t have to fly to Japan during their busiest season to witness the magic of cherry blossoms. Australia’s cool-climate regions put on their own stunning pink showcase in spring, which happens in reverse to Japan, typically from late August to early October. Whether you’re after a romantic getaway or a family-friendly day trip, here are the best places to see cherry blossoms in Australia. 😍 Australia's most beautiful places to explore🌈 Follow the rainbow to Australia's most colourful landmarks🍌 A guide to Australia’s best big things

Whether you're an Irish ex-pat, have Irish blood, or just love a good ol' Gaelic knees-up, St Paddy's Day, on March 17, is a chance to celebrate the rich heritage of the Emerald Isle. In Sydney, there are a bunch of ways to get involved. There's the official St Patrick's Day Parade and Festival on the Sunday before the big day, which transforms the Rocks into a St Patrick's Day-palooza of live music, Irish language sessions, Irish dancing, stilt-walking, face-painting, handicrafts, festival bars and food stalls. If you want to observe the saint's day another way, there's always the option of toasting ol' St Pat is with a well-poured Guinness. You can expect great craic and pints aplenty in Sydney's pubs on the day and through the weekend also. Here's where to cheer "Sláinte!" on the big day in Sydney. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: Looking for the best watering holes in Sydney? Check out our favourite pubs. Want a Guinness in the sunshine? These are the best beer gardens in the city.Kids in tow? These are the best child-friendly pubs in the city.

It’s hard out there in the big smoke. Rents are rising, and apparently putting all of your groceries through self-serve checkouts as ‘potatoes’ is stealing. From filling up on the cheapest fuel day to shopping second-hand and even donating your eggs/sperm, here are some legal and semi-honest ways to survive. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. In a thrifty state of mind? Here are all the best free things you can do in Sydney right now and these are our readers' tips for saving money in the Big Smoke.

Located on a sparkling harbour and fringed by idyllic beaches, Sydney is a true seafood city. We’re home to many cracking waterfront restaurants, and our fish and chips are top-notch. So, where are the best spots for enjoying the ocean’s gifts? Whether it’s a perfect piece of fish with a squeeze of lemon and olive oil at Margaret, Josh Niland’s legendary tuna cheeseburger at Saint Peter’s bar, or a waterfront feast that’s nearly as good as a trip to Italy at Ormeggio at the Spit, I’ve rounded up the best seafood restaurants in Sydney. The only catch? The seafood has got to be fresh-as, bro. Cast your net and dig in. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want more? Check out our guide to the best Sydney restaurants.

For decades Newtown has been an evolving creature, where creativity abounds and self-expression is paramount. And yes, while we still want to #keepnewtownweird and vegans are still well catered for, there's plenty on the dining scene to keep even the most straight-laced pearl clutchers happy, too.  There's high-end dining to be had in this rainbow neck of the woods, but also a bunch of hyper-focussed regional diners dishing up everything from Egyptian street food to killer pizza and fiery Chinese hot pots. Time Out Sydney's local food writers, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have eaten their way around King Street and beyond to bring you this guide to Newtown's best restaurants. And if you're thirsty, check out our guide to Newtown's best bars here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: The best Sydney restaurants for your dining hit list

Hello parents, babysitters and tech-savvy toddlers. Are you looking for a super fun weekend activity or planning an adventurous activity for your next family holiday in Australia? You’ve come to the right place. Australia is one of the best places in the world to be a kid, with a virtually endless stream of cool things to do – from parks and waterparks to free museums, theatre shows and zoos galore. We reached out to our network of talented writers, who are also parents, for their top recommendations of the best things to do with kids in each Australian capital city. No matter the age, budget and weather, there’s an activity to make the whole family happy. 🏝️ The best holiday destinations for families in Australia🦘 Where to see kangaroos and koalas🎡 All the best theme parks in Australia

The Greek Islands are heaven on earth, and Athens is one of the world’s greatest cities. But if a holiday in the Mediterranean isn’t on the horizon, Sydney’s top Greek restaurants will help fill the dolmade-shaped hole in your heart. Time Out Sydney’s food writers and editors, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure (who has a Big Fat Crush on Milos), have rounded up the best Greek restaurants in town. So, how did we narrow down the list? Well, below you’ll find everything from Sydney stalwart The Apollo (and its much-loved saganaki and slow-roasted lamb shoulder) to an old-school gyros joint where you can smash grilled Greek pita bread jammed with crisp, fatty pork bits. But they all had two things in common: they’re delicious and sing the flavours of Greece. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. If you're working on a budget try one of the best cheap eats in Sydney.  After Italian? Here's our guide to the tastiest Italian restaurants in Sydney. Keep eating at the absolute best restaurants in Sydney.

Autumn 2025 update: Life in Sydney is fun and fabulous, but it can also be expensive. The good news is you can dine out affordably if you know where to look. Keep this guide handy next time your friends suggest a catch-up. As for me, I’ll be hitting up old-school Italian spot Bill & Toni's, Emma’s Snack Bar (found in my new ’hood, Enmore), and for banging tacos, I’m heading to Mami’s in Bondi. Going out for a meal is sometimes a big occasion, worth the splurge. But it doesn't have to be that way. From banh mi to tonkotsu ramen, biang biang noodles to vegan burgers, and pretty much everything else in between, some of Sydney's greatest culinary hits are the cheapest. Time Out Sydney's local food writers, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have eaten their way around town to bring you this list, and while cheap isn't what it used to be, there are still lots of excellent affordable venues to check out. These are the ones well worth their salt. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want to spend less at the big-ticket players? Check out our cheap fine-dining hacks.

International Women's Day takes place this year on Saturday, March 8, and the 2025 theme is For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment – it's all about celebrating women's achievements, raising awareness about discrimination, and taking action to drive gender parity, as we move towards a gender-equal world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination.  The annual day of solidarity and activism has become a rallying point for people around the world to unite, celebrate and brainstorm solutions to the ever-mutating challenges we face. Feminism takes many forms, and each female-identifying person should feel like they can celebrate IWD in a way that truly explores their experience. To that end, we’ve selected a range of different ways to experience International Women's Day in Sydney this year. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.

Whether you've got Gaelic heritage or are just in it for a good time, St Patrick's Day is a perfect excuse to celebrate – and this year the Rocks is once again set to be the epicentre of the Irish-inspired merrimaking in honour of the March 17 holiday. On Sunday, March 16, 2025 (the day before the official St Paddy’s Day), Irish pride will take over the historic precinct in the form of free family-friendly activities, markets, toe-tapping live music and world-class Irish dance performances.  Kicking off at 11am, the annual St Patrick’s Day Festival Parade will begin at Martin Place, then make its way down Pitt St to the festival site at First Fleet Park. The festival itself will also kick off at 11am – you'll get the chance to participate in Irish language lessons, watch live music and performances from Irish dancers and stilt walkers. The kids will be entertained by face painting, characters from Frozen and interactive craft stalls. Food stalls will be serving up Irish fare, and, of course, the pubs and restaurants that have been serving visitors to the Rocks for years will be pouring out pint upon pint of Guinness.Put on your favourite green accessory, and visit the Rocks for a high-spirited St Patrick's Day celebration.Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: Looking for somewhere to sink a pint? Check out the best beer gardens in Sydney. Want more activities

✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here.  The Sydney suburb of Haberfield famously has no pubs. When a man named Des Middleton tried to open one here in 1948, more than half of the suburb’s population (that was 4,238 residents, at the time) voted against it. Over the years, some Haberfield restaurateurs have even struggled to secure liquor licenses for their eateries. So, to this day, this little Inner Western suburb full of heritage homes is still without a pub. Despite the area’s Italian-ness, it doesn’t even have a wine bar. We’d say it doesn’t need a pub when it has UTS Haberfield Rowers The club house – located on the popular Bay Run, over the water at Iron Cove – has housed various restaurants over the years, but in May 2024, it was taken over by hospitality pro Con Dedes (of Flying Fish and Sala), who has rebranded the venue as Regatta Club. In a nod to what seems like Haberfield’s pub-free policy, the staff have the words ‘REGATTA PUB CLUB’ written on the back of their T-shirts. Cute. This new venue has an easy, breezy, always-summery vibe, and it’s the perfect place for an afternoon or balmy-evening drink (and yes, the only place in this ’hood where you can have a drink without eating).  As you walk up the stairs, there’s a big hand-painted mural on the wall – drawings of rowing-club motifs

✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here. As you take the elevator up to the 26th floor above the modern Skye Suites apartment tower from the corporate-leaning Macquarie Street, Parramatta, it’s hard to imagine you’re about to enter a glamorous, Art Deco-style cocktail and Champagne bar. But as you step out, you launch into another world – it’s the world of Nick and Nora, the murder-solving, soirée-throwing New York duo from the novel (and films), The Thin Man. Nick & Nora’s is made up of a big, indoor area, sandwiched between two outdoor terraces. From the terraces you look out onto the contemporary Parramatta cityscape and far beyond, yet each piece of furniture and design detail – including the Art Deco-style light shades dotted around the room – screams old-world glamour.  Every little detail has been considered, not a corner cut The bar itself is the centrepiece of the room – there are rows and rows and rows of bottles of spirits, all lit from behind so they glow with a warm golden light. You can sit along the green, marble bar on dark wooden stools, at one of the many tables or booths inside, or you can look out at the view from a rattan stool or lounge on the terrace. The service also comes with vintage charm – the bartenders are dressed smartly in crisp, white shirts and forest-green cross-ba

✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here. Ateş (pronounced “a-tesh”) means 'fire' in Turkish and, considering it’s one of the coldest Blackheath days on record on the day we visit, a cosy neighbourhood wine bar and restaurant featuring food cooked over flames seems like the right place to be. This little Blue Mountains dining room is warm in more ways than one – the terracotta-coloured walls give off welcoming vibes. There are house plants scattered around the dining room, like it's someone's home. The (mostly locally-sourced) produce is cooked in a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven. The service is also warm and friendly. It's the sort of place you want to settle into for the afternoon to share good food, and that’s what we’re here to do. I’m not normally a big fan of polenta, but something draws me to order it, and it’s a delicious choice. It’s soft polenta, cooked in butter, almost like a creamy risotto, and it’s topped with a mound of different types of wood-roasted mushrooms and chestnuts, sliced and tossed in a vinegary dressing that cuts through the creaminess of the polenta base. Speaking of risotto, we order that, too, jumping at the chance to sample the Kanimbla Valley truffles it’s served with. The risotto is spiked with small shavings of the truffle, but it’s also topped with the most gen

The Australia vs England Ashes contest is one of the biggest rivalries in sport, and the sense of competition isn’t any less fierce when it comes to the Women’s Ashes, which started way back in 1934-35. Ninety years on, Australia is hosting England for the 2025 multi-format Women’s Ashes series – with a range of seven different games held across the country, starting with a one-dayer in Sydney on Sunday, January 12 at North Sydney Oval (tickets $5 – bargain!). That will be followed by games in Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Canberra. The other Sydney game is on at the SCG – a T20 match on January 20.  Help make history by showing up to one of the games (or tuning in on TV) to break some records. You did it for the Matildas, now do it for our Southern Stars! They’re ranked number one in the world, after all. We've put together a handy guide to everything you need to know about the Women's Ashes 2025, including Sydney games, over here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want more things to do? These are the biggest events on in Sydney in 2025. These are the ultimate Sydney things to do before you die. These are the best ways to keep kids occupied in Sydney this school holidays.

✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here. Grenier means ‘attic’ in French, and that’s exactly where you’ll find Bistro Grenier – you enter Newtown bar Odd Culture (created by the same team) and take the stairs up into a low-lit area above, where hefty old trusses support a cathedral ceiling. There are lithographic prints of sad clowns on the dark, sloped walls – a motif that’s continued in the cute coasters on each table. As well as wall lamps and sky lights, the room is lit by a tall, skinny candle on each table dressed with a snow-white tablecloth. C'est très romantique. My dining mate orders a Martini (here they do it with butter vodka for a French spin), but I’m inspired by the setting to order a classic French apéro, a Ricard pastis. I’ve actually never had pastis before, but I’m excitedly in training for a trip to Marseille later this year. The waiter brings out the licorice-flavoured pastis in a little wine glass, accompanied by a small yellow jug of water and a glass of ice. I pour the water in the pastis as I’m instructed to do, and the whisky-coloured liquid turns milky. It tastes delicious (as long as you like aniseed) and powers up my appetite.  The front of the menu says ‘Les cingles sont les bienvenus’, which Google tells me translates to ‘Weirdos are welcome’ – but the menu itself is l

Let’s just start by saying I’m not a D&D player. I’ve played a couple of times with my family, led by my teenage son as Dungeon Master, but that was just to show interest in something he loves. So I do understand the basics – that said, you don’t need any prior knowledge of D&D to get swept up in the magic that is Dungeons and Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern. If anything, this show is probably the best way I’ve found so far to get a better grasp on the complex game that is D&D. This is an interactive show that began in New York as an Off-Broadway production – the same director, Michael Fell, also rehearsed with the Australian cast. In what ways is it interactive? The story lies in the audience’s hands, as well as with the roll of the 20-sided dice.  As you enter The Studio at the Sydney Opera House, you pick a coloured sticker from a basket. Depending on what colour you choose, you get aligned with one of the three classes: Warrior, Mage (Wizard) or Assassin/Entertainer. Throughout the show, you make decisions for the character in your assigned class, mostly by choosing options via your mobile phone (after scanning a QR code) – and sometimes just by yelling out. (Top tip:Make sure you turn up with a fully-charged phone.) You answer polls and take part in little games to choose what character the actors play, then make decisions or see the outcomes of characters’ actions. Dice rolls are directed by the Dungeon Master, played by the charismatic Cody Simpson-lookalike William Ka

Earlier this year, I was asked about my top Australian bucket-list destination – if I could go anywhere in the country, where would I pick? I nominated Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain. So it’s a pinch-myself moment as my husband and I wind our way up through the mountains in the car towards Cradle Mountain Lodge, spotting wombats, echidnas and pademelons throughout the countryside. Before we’ve even arrived at our destination, we start feeling the magic of this wild part of the world. Cradle Mountain Lodge – part of the Peppers family – sits on the edge of the World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park (a scenic two-hour drive from Launceston). It’s the perfect place from which to set off on any number of hikes through the national park, a landscape that looks like it’s been thought up by the mind of JRR Tolkien: bright green grassy knolls that appear to be kept perfectly mowed by happy wombats; crystalline lakes with mountains reflected in them; patches of rainforest encasing secret waterfalls; and rocky inclines just begging to be climbed for an even better view.  You only have to walk for about five minutes from the lodge to arrive at a shuttle bus stop – and the bus takes you to the start of multiple trails. There are also a range of boardwalks and smaller tracks that start directly from the lodge. Back at the lodge, the scenery is enchanting, too – also full of wombats, pademelons and even a little family of Tassie devils hiding under the main building

One look around this restaurant and its lush surrounds, and you can see why it’s called Lucky Duck – you can definitely call yourself lucky to spend time here. Although the rest of the Hunter Valley is pastures, grape vines and gumtrees, Leaves & Fishes in Lovedale – the property where Lucky Duck is – is more like Byron Bay. Or even Bali. There are tropical plants around the path leading into the restored timber house featuring colourful and ornate stained-glass windows, lanterns hanging from the ceiling, and a deck that sits above a dam full of silver perch. The verdant landscaping isn’t all that sets this newish restaurant apart from other Hunter Valley venues. While the region is full of eateries with menus that are Modern Australian (with some European thrown in for good measure), Lucky Duck features fun, bold and super-tasty Asian food. The dishes are share-style. On the small plates menu, there are fresh and tangy offerings such as the hiramasa kingfish with yellow curry and kaffir oil; a pineapple and cashew salad; and half-shell scallops with seaweed butter. Then some more indulgent picks, like a drop-dead-delicious prawn toast; Szechuan-spiced chicken wings with a pepper caramel and roasted peanuts; and – of course – duck bao. The large plates include barramundi over coals with burnt cos lettuce, kombu dashi and edamame; and local mushrooms with a yuzu ‘bernaise’. Lucky Duck began as a pop-up. It was a concept introduced into the space until the restaurant group – th

Some 25 years ago, The Wharf Revue began as a post-show, cabaret-esque satire act in the Sydney Theatre Company’s Theatre Bar at the End of the Wharf. It soon became obvious that it deserved a place on the main stage, and it quickly became one of STC’s most sold-out shows for the Sydney Theatre Company. I first attended this annual comedic roasting of (mostly) Australian politicians back when I was 21. Cut to 20 years on (yikes) and I’m here at the Seymour Centre (it eventually moved here and into the hands of indie producers, Soft Tread) for their last ever show. It’s the end of an era for the revue’s long-term writers and performers – Phil Scott, Jonathan Biggins and Drew Forsythe; all now in their 60s and 70s – and the end of an era for staunch audience members like me. I start to wonder if, perhaps, this is also the end of an era for satire like this. For a quarter-century no one in the public eye has been safe from mimicry. The End of the Wharf as We Know It opens with Paul Keating (portrayed by Biggins) expressing his relief at the extinguishment of this “satirical blowtorch”, which he compares to being “thrashed with overcooked broccolini”. The musicality of the revue has always been one of its most charming aspects. Scott is a talented composer, pianist and lyricist, having written and composed musicals and cabarets over the years. The others jump on guitar, bass and drums now and then as support, and everyone sings LOL-inducing lyrics, including new lyrics set to wel

The Gidley burger has got a lot of attention this year – it was named the world’s ninth best burger by the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants – so it’s no wonder it’s something that’s attracted people to The Rover, since they started serving it up, too. But that’s not all that draws people to this neighbourhoody cocktail bar. The Rover has a lot going for it. The fisherman’s pie, for one (more on that later). The Rover is a dimly lit cocktail bar in Surry Hills’ Hollywood Quarter (the section of Sydney named the coolest in 2024 by Time Out). If you go to this little intersection of Cambell and Foster Streets, you know you’ll have a good time – perhaps dinner at Pellegrino 2000 across the street, then drinks at The Rover. Or just skip Pellegrino altogether and eat your way through The Rover’s delicious menu, with a couple of cocktails or some wine. My friend and I start with the burger, of course. It’s double-beef patties made from Riverine sirloin chain meat; Coppertree farms retired dairy cow chuck and brisket, dry-aged at the in-house butchery at one of Liquid & Larder’s other steak venues, Alfie's. Basically, these guys know their meat (as well as Alfie’s and 24th best steak restaurant in the world, The Gidley, they also run Bistecca). The milk bun is perfectly round on top like in the photos; it looks polished, almost shiny, and we don’t really want to have to cut it in half. They’re thin, smash-style patties – crowd-pleasing because they’re not served rare like they are

I'm not a daredevil. I love adventure and trying new things, but I'm also not prepared to jump out a plane. So the idea of indoor skydiving has long appealed to me, and I finally gave it a go, with my husband and 13-year-old son. When you arrive, you sit and watch others for a while, "flying" with their instructor in the big transparent wind tunnel that's in the middle of the room. Everyone gets a couple of goes – on the first go, they stay low, just to get an idea of how it feels to float in the air; the instructor stays standing with feet planted on the net below as air (a mix of oxygen and nitrogen) gushes up fast against the skydiver's body. He holds their body so they don't fly up to the top of the tunnel. On their second turn, if they want to, their instructor takes his feet off the net and together you zoom together into the upper part of the tunnel. Then "drop" back down towards the net.  Next, it's our turn to get the suits on and have some basic tutorials. When we say basic, we mean it – kids as young as three can do indoor skydiving, so it's not rocket science. Regardless, I'm a bit nervous and so are some of the other participants in our group.  The thing that surprises me most when I have my first turn is that, while you are suspended in the air "flying", the wind that rushes up against your body is so fast and powerful that it feels hard, like something solid instead of airy. So it almost feels like you're lying on something as opposed to floating. Regardless, i

As we've been hearing, Formula 1 is leaving other sports in the dust with a boost in popularity. A Nielsen Sports study from December 2024 reported that F1's global fanbase has reached 750 million – a 5.7 per cent increase in just three years. And the 2025 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne set a new attendance record, with 465,498 spectators turning up over the four-day event. Why? Part of the growth is attributed to Netflix’s popular Drive to Survive series, which has given the world an intimate look into the sport and its drivers, helping attract a younger and more diverse audience. Notably, women (that’s me!) now make up 41 per cent of the fanbase. ​ I was lucky enough to head from Sydney to Melbourne for the recent F1, and I saw this all first-hand. The other thing I noticed? Lego bags everywhere – kids carrying them, adults carrying them. I followed the trail to the Lego Fan Zone, where people were getting their hands on the brand-new Lego F1 collection.  It’s a partnership that makes a lot of sense. As noted, F1 is a brand that people are hugely passionate about – and so is Lego. The tiny bricks fill our childhood memories and our homes, are the subject of one of Australia’s top TV shows, and of course, the toy has its own global movie franchise.  At the Lego Fan Zone, I chat with Lego Australia & New Zealand boss Troy Taylor. “If you think about Lego as a brand, it's all about engineering and innovation, right? Just like the F1,” he says. “So the partnership's really

Sydney is a spread-out city – so for some of us, transport costs can feel like a constant uphill battle. From fuel and tolls to car rego, insurance and public transport charges, the costs just keep piling up. So do you want the good news or the bad news first? Here’s the good news: after almost two years of rising transport costs, the figures finally dropped in the last quarter of 2024. But now, buckle up for the bad news – Sydney came out as the most expensive Australian capital city when it came to total transport costs (that's everything from public transport to fuel prices and tolls, etc).  New data from the Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) quarterly Affordability Index reveals that the average Aussie household spent a hefty 16.1 per cent of its income on transport in the last quarter of 2024. It turns out, Sydney households spend an average of $29,337 per year(!) on all transport costs. That's a fair bit higher than the national capital city average of $24,486. Sydney was followed by Melbourne, where households spend an average of $27,369 per year on the same stuff.  Households in Hobart spend the least on public transport, but they're still looking at a hefty $21,742 per year average spend. Not great news for Sydneysiders, considering the cost of things like real estate and going out are also high. That said, the AAA report also measured a different factor, 'transport affordability', in each capital city, by ranking each city’s cost-to-income ratio – and Sydne

Time Out’s local food writers and editors eat out – a lot – so they can bring you recommendations on tried-and-tested restaurants and bars that are worthy of your precious money and time. We've been running awards that celebrate Australia's hospitality industry for more than 15 years, and now we’ve gone live with our 2025 nominees for the Time Out Food & Drink Awards (in partnership with Tyro), for both Melbourne and Sydney.  The pace of openings hasn’t slowed down since our last Melbourne and Sydney Food & Drink Awards, so we’ve been checking new spots out, as well as revisiting long-standing restaurants and bars to make sure they’re still delivering excellent experiences. Despite the fact that it’s been a challenging time in hospitality, the field was strong – there are so many amazing business owners, chefs, bartenders, sommeliers, front-of-house and back-of-house professionals working hard to deliver exceptional experiences to diners, and we love being able to celebrate those who are serving up something truly special. It was difficult to narrow the nominees down (we have covered so many incredible venues this year!), but we have worked hard to bring you a selection of nominees that is diverse – diverse when it comes to price point, cuisines, locations and vibes. Time Out Melbourne and Sydney has announced nominees in the following editors’ choice categories: Best Fine Dining Restaurant (Melbourne) Best Special Occasion Restaurant (Sydney) Best Relaxed Dining Best Cheap

Time Out has released the annual 50 Best Cities in the World list, and Sydney has moved up significantly in rankings, placing 15th best city on Earth for 2025 – a big jump from 31st place in 2024. Time Out’s annual global list is based predominantly on locals’ own views on where they live. To rank cities, Time Out surveyed more than 18,500 local city dwellers on everything from their city’s food scene and nightlife to culture, walkability, public transport, affordability and city vibe. The global team then combined that data with insights from Time Out city experts from around the world. Photograph: Mauro Risch Photography Australia had four cities make the top-50 list – the most Australian cities ever. Melbourne made the top five cities on Earth (fourth place), scoring particularly well for ‘restaurants and eating out’ and ‘culture’. Perth landed in spot 33 and Brisbane 37, both making their debuts on the list. Of course Sydney has its downsides (hi, lack of affordability and a housing crisis, and nightlife that's still in a rebuild phase), but the city also has plenty going for it, especially relative to other parts of the world. It won't come as a surprise that Sydney’s high position was based partly on the city’s beauty and our natural environment that allows us to enjoy outdoorsy lifestyles. Sydney was rated as the world’s third most beautiful city, and placed second in the ‘green spaces and access to nature’ category.  RECOMMENDED: These are the absolute best things t

Sporting history is being made in our city this summer, with the return of the Women's Ashes. Our Southern Star gals are ranked as the number one team in the world right now, and now they'll take on the poms. It’s one of the biggest rivalries in sport – the Australia vs England Ashes contest – and the rivalry isn’t any less fierce when it comes to the Women’s Ashes. The Women’s Ashes started way back in the summer of 1934-1935 (though there was no trophy until 1998). Ninety years on, Australia is looking forward to hosting England for the 2025 multi-format Women’s Ashes series – with a range of seven different games held across the country, with two held right here in Melbourne. starting in Sydney on January 12, followed by games in Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Canberra, then culminating in a Test match at the MCG from January 30. So if you're keen to support our Aussie ladies and women's sport, read on for everything you need to know.  What’s the format of the Women’s Ashes? Unlike the Men’s Ashes, which is a Test Series, the Women’s Ashes is made up of a series of different game formats. Including one-dayers and T20 games in the mix attracts a range of different audiences to the Women’s Ashes (read: not everyone is interested in Test cricket – the shorter formats open it up to other audiences). The 2025 Women’s Ashes will feature: 3 x ODIs (One Day International games – 50 overs for each team, played in one day) 3 x T20 games (Twenty20 games – 20 overs for each team, pl

It’s one of the biggest rivalries in sport – the Australia vs England Ashes contest – and the rivalry isn’t any less fierce when it comes to the Women’s Ashes. The Women’s Ashes started way back in the summer of 1934-1935 (though there was no trophy until 1998). Ninety years on, Australia is looking forward to hosting England for the 2025 multi-format Women’s Ashes series – with a range of seven different games held across the country, starting in Sydney on January 12, followed by games in Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Canberra, then culminating in a Test match at the MCG from January 30.  Help make history by showing up to one of the games, and tuning in on TV, to break some records. You did it for the Matildas, now do it for our Southern Stars! They’re ranked number one in the world.   What’s the format of the Women’s Ashes? Unlike the Men’s Ashes, which is a Test Series, the Women’s Ashes is made up of a series of different game formats. The 2025 Women’s Ashes will feature: 3 x ODIs (One Day International games – 50 overs for each team, played in one day) 3 x T20 games (Twenty20 games – 20 overs for each team, played over a few hours) 1 x Test match (unlimited overs day/night games, played over four days) Why is the Women’s Ashes multi-format instead of just a Test series? Including one-dayers and T20 games in the mix attracts a range of different audiences to the Women’s Ashes (read: not everyone is interested in Test cricket – the shorter formats open it up to other

For most of us grown-ups, the holidays are over – and we’re all setting about booking our next one. Trying to plan your next twelve months around when the little ones are at school? Here's everything you need to know about the NSW school holidays and school term dates for 2025. When do NSW schools go back? (Start date of Term 1 2025 NSW) For the Eastern Division schools in NSW, the first term of the year starts on Thursday, January 30, 2025. For the Western Division NSW schools, term starts on Thursday, February 6, 2025. What are the dates for NSW school holidays 2025? NSW autumn 2025 school holiday dates: Monday, April 14 to Thursday, April 24, 2025 NSW winter 2025 school holiday dates: Monday, July 7 to Friday, July 18, 2025 NSW spring 2025 school holiday dates: Monday, September 29 to Friday, October 10, 2025 NSW Christmas (summer) 2025 school holiday dates: Eastern Division: Monday, December 22, 2025, to Monday, January 26, 2026 Western Division: Monday, December 22, 2025 to Thursday, February 2, 2026 What's the difference between the eastern and western division NSW school holidays? Historically, the NSW Department of Education has staggered NSW schools located in the eastern and western districts across the NSW summer school holidays. This means that schools located in the eastern section of NSW will return to school in the new year a week earlier than their western region counterparts. What are the NSW school term dates for 2025? NSW School Term 1 2025 dates: Eastern D

The summer of cricket is in full swing Down Under, and the action is bowling along nicely, with Australia’s men’s team having just reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in almost a decade. While the men’s Test series against India has concluded, all eyes now turn to the Australian women’s cricket team, who will soon take on England in the 2025 Ashes contest.  The Women’s Ashes started way back in the summer of 1934-1935 (though there was no trophy until 1998). 90 years on, Australia is looking forward to hosting England for the 2025 multi-format Women’s Ashes series – with a range of seven different games held across the country, starting in Sydney on January 12, followed by games in Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Canberra, then culminating in a Test series at the MCG from January 30.  Help make history by showing up to one of the games, and tuning in on TV, to break some records. You did it for the Matildas, now do it for our women’s cricket stars! They’re ranked number one in the world.  What’s the format of the Women’s Ashes? Unlike the Men’s Ashes, which is a Test Series, the Women’s Ashes is made up of a series of different game formats. The 2025 Women’s Ashes will feature: 3 x ODIs (One Day International games – 50 overs for each team, played in one day) 3 x T20 games (Twenty20 games – 20 overs for each team, played over a few hours) 1 x Test match (unlimited overs day/night games, played over four days) Why is the Women’s Ashes multi-format inste

Let me start by saying I don’t watch Squid Game. I have a low gore tolerance. Of course I know bits and pieces from the mega-hit series – and I discovered by doing it that, whether you like the show or not, Squid Game: The Experience at Luna Park Sydney is well worth doing.  Luna Park worked with Netflix to bring the show to life in Sydney, the way they’ve also done in New York and Madrid. Luna Park hired actors from NIDA (the National Institute of Dramatic Art) as the front man and guards, so they play their parts well. When you arrive, you throw on a singlet with a pocket for winner chips, and then get led by the pink, masked guards into a dormitory-style room with rows of stark metal bunk beds – the type of room I know the players sleep in the show. And so it begins.  Here you go, I’ll answer your FAQs… How many challenges are there in Squid Game: The Experience, Sydney?   There are a total of six to seven challenges (depending on how you count it), all played in different rooms, starting with a claw challenge to pick your numbered singlet, followed by things including a Korean tile-flipping challenge, a marble challenge, a memory challenge and, yes, 'Red Light, Green Light'. Photograph: Alice Ellis for Time Out   What happens if you lose a game in Squid Game: The Experience in Sydney? Thankfully you’re not “eliminated” if you fail a game. You simply miss out on winner chips (or, if you show sufficient shame and remorse, you might be rewarded with some some lighter loser

Ping. Ping. Ping. That’s the sound of Sydney's Boxing Day sales as digital payments ring out across Aussie shopping centres – with hardly a note in sight. Tyro’s latest Big Time Business Report, which surveyed more than 500 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), revealed that 55 per cent of businesses are considering the idea of going cashless in 2025, partly to cut admin costs. Hospitality businesses like restaurants and bars, as well as retail businesses, are even more likely to go cashless than other industries. And 16 per cent of Australian businesses have already gone fully cashless in 2024, with hospo and retail leading the charge. “With almost 80% of payments in Australia made by card, and the cost benefit that comes with streamlining payment operations, it’s not surprising that more businesses are interested in going cashless,” says Tyro CEO, Jon Davey. Rising costs are putting the squeeze on profit margins – 48 per cent of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) surveyed for the report said they have hiked their prices in the last year to keep up with climbing supply costs. Some have absorbed the financial strain or switched suppliers to avoid passing the pain onto customers. As the saying goes, time is money. Financial admin is a big time suck for business owners who know they need to modernise how they do business to stay competitive.  RECOMMENDED: These are the best cheap eats in Sydney. No surprises here: consumers are feeling the pinch, too. They are getting increasing

Hughes Street in Potts Point is anticipating its annual shutdown on December 25 to make way for the Wayside Chapel Christmas Day Lunch and Street Party for homeless members of the community. Thanks to over $1,400,000 in donations from the public, the Wayside Chapel will provide over 1,000 Christmas lunches “with all the trimmings” to people who’d otherwise have nowhere else to spend the public holiday. While they've met their fundraising target for 2024, demand for the service grows each and every year, so you can still donate to support the cost of keeping their kitchens, programs and support services open across the festive season. Not only is their aid in the Christmas spirit — they provides daily support for thousands of homeless people living in Sydney. Last year, they provided over 86,000 meals to vulnerable community members who walked through the doors at the Kings Cross shelter in need of nourishment. The Christmas community event that's been running for over 40 years encourages anyone who is living on the street, lost or lonely, on Christmas Day to join the free party. There’ll be a Christmas breakfast at 9am, a service at 10am and lunch at 11.30am followed by a street party full of DJ's, live music, dancing and activities until 5.30pm. More than 100 volunteers help out on the day, serving up 100kg of prawns, 50 hams and 500 Christmas puddings.   Guests can look forward to a visit from Santa Claus, alongside Christmas songs, kids’ activities, (fake) tattoo stati

Parramatta is packed with IT professionals, Lakemba has loads of taxi drivers, Epping is where accountants assemble, Mosman has a lot of legal eagles, Castle Hill is home to school principals, Bondi Beach is a hub for models – and plastic surgeons. Stereotyping, much? Not exactly. We’re referencing "occupation by suburb" statistics from the latest Census, as recently broken down by the SMH. The Sydney workforce has now climbed to almost three million people across its 562 suburbs. The most common job by sheer volume is the sales assistant – we have 89,000 of them in Greater Sydney, with Blacktown alone home to 932 of them. The second most popular occupation is general clerks (49,000) and, again, Blacktown is where a huge portion of them live. Coming in third is accountants (44,000), a big portion of whom reside in Epping.  It won't come as a surprise that suburbs with water views – e.g. Vaucluse, Mosman, Hunters Hill – have more CEOs than anywhere else. Mosman has 471 lawyers and a dozen judges among their working elite. It's also a hot spot for management consultants, HR managers and financial advisors. Lawyers also dwell across inner Sydney, with a strong presence in other waterside areas like Woolloomooloo and McMahons Point. Newtown and Stanmore also have a smattering of legal professionals due to the gentrification of these once-working class suburbs.  In less obvious news, medical professionals like to settle down in Strathfield; it's home to big portions of GPs, cardi