Caitlyn Todoroski

Let's face it, love in this economy can be tricky. Generally, living in Sydney means that (unless you’re among the city's one per cent), taking your squeeze out on the town can lead you to consider auctioning off a kidney to cover the costs. To all you lovers out there whose weekly budget doesn't stretch to chartering a seaplane (or getting tipsy at one of the city's sexy underground bars), we hear you. That’s why we've put together an ultimate list of the best cheap and free dates available to boot-strapped lovers in the Emerald City – a list we compiled with love and care, testing out each option with romance in mind. Each of these options is guaranteed to set you back either nothing or next to nothing – save the cash and stock up on memories. 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.These are the best camping sites near Sydney for a low-cost romantic escape, and these are our readers' top tips for saving money in the Harbour City. 

There's a lot of chatter in the news about how New South Wales pubs will survive when cashless gaming comes in and cuts down revenue made from the pokies. But some Sydney pubs have been free from poker machines for yonks, instead prioritising entertainment such as live music, or providing family-friendly atmospheres.  If you want to support the pubs that take a stand against gambling – or you just want to avoid the flashing lights, jangly music, loud beeps and chimes of the slot machines – make your way to one of these pubs. Looking for more of a wine bar vibe? Check out our favourite wine bars in Sydney.

This time around, Lunar New Year falls on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, and it's a celebration for many cultures represented in Sydney, including the city's Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Korean communities. It's traditionally celebrated through food, art, festivities and generally getting together with friends and family.  January 29 marks the beginning of the Year of the Snake, the sixth sign in the Chinese zodiac, symbolising elegance, wisdom and transformation in traditional Chinese culture.We've picked out some of the very best ways to harness snake energy and charm your way into the new lunar year in Sydney – we'll be adding to this list as we near the date, so check back with us when you need more activity inspo. Hungry? Here are some of the Sydney restaurants serving up special Lunar New Year feasts for Year of the Snake.RECOMMENDED: Want fun now? These are the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.And here’s what’s on this week.

There’s no shortage of attractions in Canberra. From young families to mature art lovers, the opportunity for entertainment is endless. What’s not amusing is doing the maths and adding up how much all your entry tickets cost. Luckily for you, we’ve rounded up some of the most fun and free things to do in Canberra – and the best part? We bet you haven’t heard of some of these activities before. How’s that for holiday bragging rights?  🍽️ The best restaurants in Canberra🥾 All the best hikes to conquer in the capital🖼️ Canberra's best museums and galleries

There’s always time for a tipple when you’re travelling around Australia. Our thirsty country is swimming in stellar watering holes that are loved by locals and tourists alike. We’ve even got a handful of contenders on the World’s 50 Best Bars list to back us up. Whether you’re looking for a fancy spot for cleverly crafted cocktails or a natural wine bar with superb snacks, our local Australian editors and drink writers have curated this list of all the best bars in Australia right now. Start drinking your way through it! 🍽️ The best restaurants in Australia🍷 Australia's best wineries☕️ Where to find the best coffee in Australia

Whether a saltwater plunge or a stroll by the bay, water has this uncanny ability to quiet a busy mind and restore calm to the soul. A good surf, a morning on the water or a good game of beach cricket with sand in between your toes all evoke a liveliness that makes you forget, even momentarily, about the work or stress that may be waiting upon the opening of your laptop. So clock off, pack your (beach) bags and dig out the cossies, because these are the best beach towns in Australia that you really don’t want to miss out on. 🌊 Our ultimate guide to the best beaches in Australia🙈 The best nudist beaches in Australia🏄 Australia's top surf beaches 

The Northern Territory is absolutely brimming with natural wonders, like countless natural pools, beautiful bushwalks, breathtaking mountain ranges and rugged coasts. Full of adventures, this outback territory is also brimming with knowledge, thanks to the many Aboriginal people who call the land home.  There's so much to learn about their ancient culture – one of the oldest in the world – whether it’s through listening to a Dreamtime story or learning how to respect the land we’re lucky to walk on. Fuel up the 4WD, dust off those hiking boots and get ready for an adventure like no other with our guide to the best places to visit in the Northern Territory. 🌳 Your ultimate guide to Litchfield National Park☀️ Everything you need to do in Uluru🌅 The best things to do in Darwin

As far as Queensland’s playground goes, spending your time in Cairns really puts you in the front seat of all the action. The waterside town acts as the landing base not only for some of the world's best snorkelling, but some of the most gorgeous islands Queensland has to offer. That’s not to mention trekking it to the nearby rainforest for cableway rides, river tubing and croc-spotting.  After countless trips to Cairns, we’ve picked out the best hotels that will offer you stunning water views, tropical relaxation and access right to the town’s main strip of shops, and marina-side dining. Take your pick! ☀️ The best thing to do in Cairns right now😍 All the best hotels in Australia⛺️ Our pick of the best caravan parks 

Buckle up, mates! Australia is set to rock 2025 with a jam-packed schedule of music festivals, cultural celebrations, food fiestas and sporting events. Our Travel and News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has curated the ultimate list of the best events happening across the country this year. From dazzling winter light displays to sizzling summer food feasts to vibrant spring flower festivals, there’s something worth travelling for in every state and territory. Start submitting those leave requests and planning your next getaway around these key events across Australia in 2025.  😱 Here are the coolest new things to do in 2025✈️ The best places to visit in Australia right now🍽️ All the greatest restaurants in Australia

We might be a little biased, but in our humble opinion, Sydney's got it all. Can you think of many other cities in the world that rival its natural beauty, rich heritage and history that dates back thousands of years, and its creative, culinary and cultural offerings by world-class pros. In fact, there's so much to see, do, sip and ponder here, you could be forgiven for feeling a little overwhelmed. Worry not, dear reader – we're making it simple for you. Our team (including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure and our Sydney Editor Alice Ellis) sifted through every good time the Big Smoke has to offer and put together a Sydney bucket list for the ages. The activities we've chosen will give you a super varied experience of the city – everything from the tourist attractions that are actually worth your time to secret swimming spots that locals know and love.Whether you're a new arrival or a born-and-bred local, this 2025 Time Out Sydney round-up of the city's must-do activities will help you experience Sydney from every angle. After all those great activities you're bound to be thirsty. We suggest you head to one of the best pubs in Sydney right now.  Need somewhere to stay? Check in to one of Sydney's best hotels or Airbnbs. 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.

It's one of the first places you'll visit as a tourist, a pre-theatre go-to, and home to some of the most iconic views in the world – but being a tourist hotspot means Circular Quay is not without its pitfalls. Thankfully, apart from the over-priced tourist traps, there’s still great eating and drinking to be had in the area if you know where to look. Living in Sydney – and working as a professional eater and drinker – I’ve spent my fair share of time in Circular Quay. Below, I’ve rounded up the best restaurants and bars in and around the harbour, from flash fine diners like Quay and Aria to Basque-inspired wine bar Deux Frères, cheap-and-cheerful spots like Mary's and Belles Hot Chicken, and top-notch watering holes Opera Bar and Apollonia. There’s a mix of price points and cuisines, but they’re all ace (unlike the annoying seagulls) – and somewhere you'd want to bring your mates from overseas. 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. After restaurants in other parts of Sydney's city? Check out our guide to the best restaurants in the CBD. Want more? Check out our ultimate guide to the best restaurants in Sydney here.

If the thought of a road trip interstate makes you queasy, and Euro summer is a bank-breaking exercise, don't overlook the wealth of holiday options you've got in your own backyard. Sydney has some of the finest guestrooms in the country, offering plush, luxe, thoroughly bougie comforts and indulgent experiences worthy of a staycation. No one knows the Harbour City better than the team at Time Out Sydney (it is our job to professionally explore this metropolis) and we've selected staycation locations for their niche experiences, phenomenal views and taster of the luxe life. These are some of our favourites in and around the great city of Sydney that are ready and waiting to take your booking. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel tips and city insights, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: Check out our guide to the very best hotels in Sydney – from affordable to luxury. Don't have time for a weekend getaway? Have a look at these daytrips from Sydney instead. Looking for a room that's a little more niche? Here's our guide to the most unusual places to stay in NSW.

It’s summertime in the Harbour City, and you know you can't go wrong with some picnic blankets, antipasto snacks, and live music. Bonus points if there's a sunset and a harbour view involved.  Sunset Sessions – Cockatoo Island's family-friendly outdoor gig series – is back and running every Saturday evening from January 11 to April 5 (except February 8, when the island will be taken over by the Nowhere Festival). A carefully curated line-up of local and not-so-local acts (brought together by Sydney tastemakers The Music & Booze Co) will be playing on the lawn of the Biloela House every Saturday evening, where there will be grazing boxes and refreshments aplenty.  There's a broad range of talents to take in, with artists hailing from all over Australia – with a mix acoustic sets, folk, contemporary and feel-good sounds. Highlights from the line-up so far include First Nations traditional language storyteller Maanyung, sibling doo-wop duo Surely Shirley and etherial physch spaceman Misty Lanes, with more acts still to be announced.You can catch Sunset Sessions on Saturdays from 5.30pm, but get there early when the gates open at 5pm to soak in the atmosphere. Tickets are $35, and children under 12 can attend for free. If you find yourself wanting more of Cockatoo Island’s out-of-this-world views, you can turn your Sunset Session into a sunrise by booking a night at the island’s heritage listed lodgings or the waterfront campground. For the first few events (from January 11 until

Melbourne is famous for its tennis – but the summer action actually hits off in Sydney (as well as Perth), with the United Cup. Now in its third year, this international mixed tennis tournament sees top male-female teams from 18 countries hit it out at stadiums in two Australian cities (Sydney and Perth), with the finals played in Sydney. Big names including Australia's own Alex de Minaur, Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas, Poland's Iga Swiatek, America's Coco Gauff, and Germany's Alexander Zverev will compete in the tournament. The fun thing about the United Cup that sets it apart from, say, the Australian Open, is the fact that these big-name players are relying on the success of their teammates, as well as themselves. It's a country-versus-country tennis tournament, as opposed to individual-versus-individual. So there's a team camaraderie on the sidelines that you don't get at the Grand Slams. And then there's the fact that the teams are made up of men and women – it's a genuinely mixed tennis tournament. We answer all your United Cup FAQs. When is the United Cup? The United Cup will start in Perth on December 27, 2024, and the first Sydney games will begin the next day, on December 28 – games will be played in Sydney every day from then until January 5, 2025. In Sydney, there are both day sessions (which begin at 10.30am) and night sessions (which begin at 5.30pm). When are the United Cup finals? The United Cup finals will be played in Sydney. The Semi-Finals are on January

Crawl under the blankets with a glass of wine and settle in on the beach for another season of screenings in bed at Barangaroo. This fun twist on the classic outdoor cinema has been running since 2016, offering Sydney’s film buffs the chance to see new releases and beloved cinematic moments on the big screen while snuggling up under the doona. After a successful set-up of their unique pop-up beach at Barangaroo in 2023, Mov'in Bed is back for its shoreline affair. With the new Metro station nearby, snuggling up under the stars in this beautiful harbourside spot has never been easier.  This year, Mov'in Bed returns with 160 queen and king-sized beds, perfect for two or three people. Level up your experience with an extra-cosy VIP bed in the West Hotel VIP area, complete with butler service, bottomless popcorn and a complimentary glass of champagne on arrival. For top-tier comfort, the Ultimate VIP bed also features a West Hotel's signature mattress and a fully stocked bar fridge with complimentary soft drinks – only two tickets are available each night, so get in quick. Summer blockbusters headline this year's Sydney season, including the hotly anticipated Wicked movie adaptation, cheeky duo Deadpool and Wolverine, and the latest creation of Gladiator II. Strap in for the festive season too with showings of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Elf, and Love Actually.  The beach cinema will be offering dine-in-bed dinner service, this year featuring hand-crafted pizza, burgers, fis

Jaws were on the floor earlier this year when the Art Gallery of New South Wales announced that it had secured Australia’s biggest and first-ever retrospective exhibition dedicated to the one and only René Magritte. Opening at the end of October, and sticking around until February 2025, consider Sydney art fiends' summer plans settled.  The exhibition titled ‘Magritte’ is part of Sydney’s International Art Series spanning 2024 and 2025. Getting in on the action are the state gallery’s Cao Fei: My City is Yours, and the MCA's Julie Mehretu exhibitions.  You could consider Magritte the master of symbols, and you’ve likely seen his plastered all over the place: clouds, bowler hats, pipes… well, *not* pipes, to be precise. The exhibition takes art lovers and history fanatics through 20 years worth of Magritte’s paintings, starting from the 1920s in the height of the surrealist movement. More than 100 works make up the showing, and they’ve been flown in from all over the world including from the MoMA in New York, the Musée Magritte in Brussels, Washington DC’s National Gallery of Art, plus other museums and even some private collections too.  Magritte opens at the Art Gallery of NSW in the South Building’s Lower Level 2 on October 26 and will be there until February 9, 2025. The exhibition is a ticketed event, and prices start from, $30 for members and $35 for adults, or you can save some pennies by purchasing two for one tickets on Wednesday nights or this ultra pass to all three

Swimming with whales... If you nerd out on biodiversity and conservation laws, you’ll be wondering how such an adventure came about when it’s illegal to swim with whales in Australian waters. The answer to that is a family-owned business that has the whole ethical, eco-friendly, whale-friendly tourism experience down-pat – they manage the whole thing in a way that gives them access to a special permit. Partners Dylan and Lara run Woebegone Freedive – a small charter boat tour that runs out of Jervis Bay in NSW. Depending on the time of year, you can swim with seals, dolphins and sharks, but our pick of the lot is their humpback whale adventures.  From May to November, whales can be spotted all up and down Australia’s east coast as they migrate between Antarctica’s colder waters for breeding and Queensland’s warmer waters for feeding. While that does include Sydney-local waters from Cronulla all the way up to the Northern Beaches, Jervis Bay in the Shoalhaven region is a real whale-spotting hub.  These waters, and the big blue passersby, can be gazed upon from the Bannisters by the Sea pool deck. Every hotel room has a pair of binoculars for whale-spotting, but to take it to the next level, Bannisters has teamed up with Woebegone this whale season for a pretty unforgettable experience as far as eco-tourism goes. It's called the Mollymook Migration package, and it includes two nights' accommodation, breakfast, a two-course dinner at Rick Stein at Bannisters (iconic) and, of c

When the seven-time women’s world champion cliff diver, one of the most decorated cliff diving pros in the world, is an Aussie, it stands to reason that their home country should host the sport’s biggest annual event. Which is exactly the reason why Sydney Harbour will be transformed into an adrenaline-junkie haven from November 8. Homegrown diving star, Rhiannan Iffland, will be returning home to an anticipated 50,000 person crowd in the Royal Botanic Garden after taking out a King Kahekili trophy earlier this year in Türkiye. If there’s one thing Aussie spectators know how to do, it’s how to get behind one of our hometown heroes with enough whoops and whistles to carry them to victory. The divers will be hurling themselves at speeds of 85 kilometres an hour into the waters of Sydney Harbour. Since the only cliffs high enough to suit the event look out of the headland waters that are not only choppy but active shipping lanes, a purpose-built platform will be constructed by the waters off Bennelong Point, in view of both the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. If you want to get in on the action, spectating is free and you can nab a scenic spot at the Botanic Gardens nearby. Iffland shared her excitement at the chance to show the folks back home why she’s the leading female cliff diver in the world. “I’m extremely proud of my journey so far and the final being held in Sydney has kept me motivated all season long,' she said. "I can’t wait to put on the best show I can

With hair-raising rides and thrilling sideshow attractions, Luna Park Sydney has long been in the business of frightening people. But this Halloween, the scream-o-metre is being dialled up to 100 as Halloscream returns with a horrifying horror house, terrifying attractions, special performers, and a pop-up bar. You can experience the thrill over five horrific nights, from October 25-31, with the park extending its hours from 6-10pm. On top of unlimited rides, you’ll want to hit up Neon Nightmare – which will see Sonic Neon transformed into a light and sound horror-fest.  Luna Park’s heritage-listed Coney Island has also been given a terrifying facelift and is now the House of Horrors. Oh, and be careful not to let your guard down because spooky circus performers will be running loose in the park including a sword swallower, fire twirler and 11-time Guinness World Record holder strongman.  This year, the park is also giving putners a sneak peak of their new immersive Squid Games experience. Expect all the suspense and tension of games like Red Light Green Light without the same fate as the Netflix players... General admission tickets are $103 and include unlimited rides and guaranteed fear. There’s also the Halloscream VIP package for $148 including a photo pass to capture candid moments on your favourite ride, access to the VIP bar, merchandise, a treat token and more. PS: Costumes and creepy garb are highly encouraged. Purchase your tickets to Halloscream here, if you’re b

If the floor-to-ceiling views of Cronulla’s Elouera Beach weren’t blue enough for you, Summer Salt went and reinvented their chic dining room to be fifty shades of the colour. Let us tell you, it is cool as.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Summer Salt Restaurant (@summersaltrestaurant) It doesn’t get more waterfront than Summer Salt, where the only thing separating you from the waves are a couple of metres of sand and windows. No matter where you’re sitting in the European beach bar-esque restaurant, you’ll have sweeping views of the shore.  As for the menu, it keeps on theme with a Mediterranean-Italian influence. Keep it fresh with light entrees like paper-thin slices of tuna carpaccio, and chunks of octopus marinated in olive oil, chilli and lemon. For mains, curly mafaldine pasta and lobster come served on a giant platter, while the line-caught baby snapper is served whole.  Don’t skip out on dessert, because there’s a limoncello tiramisu with your name on it.  On the topic of booze, this waterside setting begs for a crisp drink on a sunny day. An Aperol Spritz features in the aperitif line-up, while the wine list has a healthy dose of Australian and Italian features, plus a decent Champagne offering. If any of the house specialty cocktails (like the Sunset Spritz with prosecco, strawberry, vermouth and lemon) don’t tickle your fancy, you can always order a classic.  Strap in for a long lunch because Summer Salt is the poster ch

Leave your passport at home and prepare for the ultimate winey weekend escape without leaving the city limits. Wine Island will return in November, bringing its celebration of all things vinous, and this time, to Gap Bluff in Sydney Harbour National Park. Wait, what? This little plot of land in Watson's Bay isn't an island, you may be thinking. So yeah, while there will most certainly be plenty of wine, the wine fest is not on an island this year – partly because the idea is to enhance the event's affordability, with cheaper tickets and easier transport making the event more accessible to all.  Running over three days, guests can kick back and sample exciting wines and summery snacks. There’ll be wine, spirit and cocktail making and tasting, booze-y pottery and yoga classes to keep you entertained, plus a tropical silent disco. Your ticket to the grown-up grape juice fest will include six or ten tastings (depending on your ticket type). Bottles have been ferried in from around Australia and abroad and include vintages from grand vineyards Rameau d’Or, Thomas Wines, DAS Juice, Chateau Tanunda, and Kies Family Wines. If you need a break from the wine world, there’ll also be stalls by Broulee Brewhouse, Papa Salt, and Lūla Rum whipping up refreshing mixers, as well as food shacks serving snacks and desserts in the form of a Spanish and Latin American feast including Brazillian barbecue, saucy burgers and nachos. There are two sessions each day (10.30am-2.30pm and 4-8pm) so you c

The ethos at La Terre is bringing spa experiences worthy of overseas trips to our Australian capital’s backyard. Just like the spa’s name, many of the indulgent experiences have French titles, like Le Fleuve, the river to sea experience with full-body exfoliation. Or just screw it and go for La Totale, which is, you guessed it, the total package. La Terre uses Sothys products for their facials so you can rest assured in your comfortable-as-can-be treatment chair that your skin will be getting nothing but royal treatment.

Canberra Day Spa is all about the holistic health package – so you won’t just walk out with some flawless looking skin, but a clear mind too. If you’re open to trying something new, the spa pairs traditional treatments like massages with techniques like hypnosis and Reiki (a Japanese alternative medicine focused on unblocking the flow of energy through the body). Relax with scalp and head massages that target acupressure points to relieve tension and promote blood flow, or polish your whole body with a sugar scrub or aqua salt scrub treatment.

Hidden amongst the manicured lawns and red brick buildings of the prestigious Brassey Hotel in the Parliamentary Triangle, you’ll find an opulent day spa and gym that might just take the cake in Canberra. While the exterior screams old money charm, the interior is fresh and crisp, featuring an infrared sauna, steam room, ice shower and moody “cave-like” heated plunge pool – all in aid of muscle recovery (or just relaxation). If your skin’s been looking a little blah lately, the signature facial will sort you out. The spa uses Rationale products, and it’s an extremely hands-on experience, with lots of facial and scalp massaging to aid product penetration and skin plumping.

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

Sydney is a very doggo-friendly city. There are countless parks, beaches and pubs that welcome your fur babies with open arms. That’s not to mention the Santa Paws event, dedicated entirely to canine Christmas cheer. As it turns out, Sydneysiders take the term “fur babies” quite literally. We're facing a (human) baby recession (with birth rates lower than they've been in 18 years) – this, coupled with an increase in companion animal registrations leads us to a city where pups outnumber kids aged under 15 in 16 out of 34 Sydney councils.  The Sydney Morning Herald uncovered that in the City of Sydney, there are more than two dogs for every child. Woollahra and the Inner West come in a pretty close second, with around 1.7 dogs for every child. Mosman and the Northern Beaches sit at around 1.25 dogs per child, and even the Sutherland Shire is up there, with the same figure.  From 2019 to 2023, pet numbers grew by over 20 per cent in a third of Greater Sydney’s councils. While we may have calmed down a little post-pandemic, it seems dog children aren't going anywhere. People love their pets.  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:  There’s $638 million unclaimed by NSW residents. Here’s how to cash in. Rental hacks: how to get ahead in Sydney’s competitive property market. Sydney has ranked among the top 10 best cities in the world for 2025.

The Ramadan Nights food market has become a Western Sydney institution during the holy month of Ramadan. More than one million Sydneysiders flock to Lakemba’s eat street – Haldon Street – after dark to enjoy an abundant array of halal dishes from a range of different Muslim cultures to break fast. While the month-long event has its way of bringing the Muslim community together, and sharing the Islam religion with the rest of Sydney, Canterbury-Bankstown Council and Muslim leaders have some concerns with how big the event has grown.  Their concerns boil down to: the sheer size of the event causing congestion, the event commercialising a holy tradition, and the costliness of the event (it cost the council $3 million dollars this year).  So, there was a unanimous vote by councillors to implement four changes to the markets from 2025 onwards. These changes are:  Moving stalls from the footpaths to the road; This means that instead of stallholders paying local businesses $6,000 total to rent out the space at the front of the restaurant for the whole month, they will pay $600 per night to the council; Renaming the event from ‘Ramadan Nights, Lakemba’ to ‘Lakemba Nights’ to separate the increasingly commercial event from the Islamic tradition of Ramadan; Reducing the number of days the stall is run from seven nights a week to four (Thursday to Sunday). This equals less nights for council staff and contractors to work and be paid, helping reduce costs.  At the moment, the changes a

Aside from Music of the Spheres being an arena spectacular of a show to witness live, it’s also produced some very epic stage design. The bright lights, big bouncing spheres, spectrum of colours and galactic themes are all features of Coldplay’s merch drop for the tour, and we can’t get our hands on the stuff fast enough. Here’s your guide on how to buy it.  When are the Coldplay Sydney shows? The four sold-out shows at Accor Stadium started on Wednesday night (November 6), then continue through Thursday, November 7, Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10.  Where to buy official Coldplay merch in Sydney? Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park held a merch pre-sale day in Sydney (on Tuesday, November 5), but that’s done and dusted now. At the moment you can purchase Coldplay merch from their official website. That being said, of the few items that aren’t sold out, or on pre-order, there are pretty limited sizes available. Never fear because you can buy from stalls at the stadium. Those stalls included stock that is sold out online, and some items that can’t even be purchased from the website.  What Coldplay merch can you buy in Sydney?  T-shirts, drink bottles, posters, caps, bucket hats, programmes, hoodies, CDs, keychains, drawstring bags and more. There goes a week’s pay. Wondering how to get to the Coldplay Sydney concerts? Here's all the public transport info you need. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, things to do and tr

Well, Sydney, a Hymn for the Weekend is finally this week. Coldplay took to the stage on Wednesday, November 6 and Thursday, November 7, and they're back again on Saturday and Sunday nights. The tour is one of the most highly anticipated music events of the year. Actually, event, period. With more than 300,000 fans expected at the four sell-out shows, the experience is up there with T-Swift’s Eras Tour earlier this year – and Sydney Trains is accommodating for this in the same theatrical way. Leave the car at home and start the party early with these public transport options... How to get to the Coldplay Sydney concert at Accor Stadium  Accor Stadium is situated very conveniently near Olympic Park Station. It’s less than a ten-minute walk away and has regular buses and trains passing through. On the nights of the Coldplay Tour, Transport NSW is running 568 extra trains and 650 extra buses. Not only are there all these extra options, but they’ll be decked out in the spirit of the Music of the Spheres tour. The trains will be playing Coldplay hits. And the L1 light rail will also be running for a little later than usual, until 1am, to make getting home easier for people on that line.  Which trains go to the Coldplay Sydney shows?  To get to the concerts, express trains from Central to Olympic Park will run every three to four minutes. You’ll know exactly which trains to catch, because ‘Coldplay Music of the Spheres’ will be displayed on the boards marking your destination. On t

After a mad scramble to snag tickets to witness the arena spectacular that is a Coldplay Sydney concert, 80,000 lucky Sydneysiders get to watch the global superstars work their magic live for four nights. Shows started on Wednesday, November 6, and run through to Sunday, November 10, 2024. We went on Thursday night, and it was everything and more than we hoped. Tears streamed down our faces – as did the rain – but nothing could dampen the experience. It was a magical experience, a stadium full of stars. Here's everything you need to know... When is the Coldplay Sydney Music of the Spheres Tour? Coldplay is taking the stage at Accor Stadium in Sydney for four nights: Wednesday, November 6, Thursday, November 7, Saturday, November 9, and Sunday, November 10, 2024.  How to get to the Coldplay Sydney concert The 10,000 car parking spaces at Olympic Park are expected to be booked out well in advance. It can also get pretty congested leaving the carpark at the end of the night. So public transport is often the best option for getting to Olympic Park. Olympic Park Station is less than a ten-minute walk from the stadium, hundreds of additional trains and buses will run to and back from Olympic Park during the Coldplay concerts, the cost of travel is already included in your concert ticket – just show your Coldplay concert ticket to board. Plus, Sydney Trains are putting on a bit of a show for fans on the trains, playing music to hype everyone up. Here's everything you need to know ab

There are so many wonderful things about living in Melbourne – but affordable property is definitely not one of them. In fact, our city recently ranked seventh on a worldwide list of the most expensive cities to buy a home in. So if you're a hopeful home buyer despairing about your chances of snagging a decent property, here's some good news: there are still a few hidden gems across the city where you can buy a home at a (more) reasonable price and also see it quickly appreciate in value, you just need to know where to find them. Real estate expert John McGrath recently released his annual list of suburbs to keep an eye on, so you can get insider tips on the spots with the best potential.  Melbourne's west is fast becoming a super popular area for people cracking into the property market, and one suburb in particular is shaping up to be the next hotspot. Due to its proximity to the West Gate Tunnel (slated to open in 2025), Altona North will soon have a direct connection to the CBD and broader Melbourne, which will add value to properties in the neighbourhood in the future. While it's considered more of an up-and-comer right now, it's very close to some beloved parts of the western 'burbs like Yarraville and Williamstown, but its properties aren't as expensive.  Further north, another suburb that's ripe with potential is Keilor East. This area is also set to gain transport connections, with a new train station slated as part of the future Melbourne Airport rail link (although

Metallica has been going strong on their hectic world tour ever since April 2023, and the hallowed heavy metal giants are showing no signs of slowing down. On the record-breaking M72 World Tour, the band has played to around three million fans across the globe, with the LA Times saying they're “as tight and furious as Metallica has sounded in ages”. Now it’s time for OG Aussie metal fans to get pumped because the M72 World Tour is officially coming to Australia, including Sydney. Better yet, it has been confirmed that the much-loved ‘snake pit’, which allows fans extremely close to the action, will make an appearance Down Under. Read on for everything you need to know about the Metallica Sydney and Australia tour....  What dates are the Metallica Sydney shows? The tour will hit Sydney next Spring, for a single show at Accor Stadium on November 15, 2025.  When do Metallica Sydney tickets go on sale? General sales are happening this Friday, November 1, at 2pm local time. You can tickets over here.  Is there a Metallica Sydney presale? There are so many presales that we need dot points to keep track. Here they are: Mastercard Presale (Sydney/Adelaide/Brisbane): Wednesday, October 30 from 1pm until Friday, November 1, 1pm Vodafone & One NZ Presale: Wednesday, October 30 from 1pm until Friday, November 1, 1pm Live Nation Presale: Friday, November 1 from 12pm until Monday, November 4, 11am Stadium Presale: Friday, November 1 from 2pm until Monday, November 4, 11am How much will

Sydney's got a lot going for it – affordable property is not one of those things. In fact, we recently claimed spot number two on the world’s list of most expensive cities to buy a home in. All things considered, there are still a few hidden gems across the grid where you can snag a home at a (more) reasonable price, you just need to know where to find them. Real Estate expert John McGrath (you know, the name on all those SOLD signs?) released his annual list of suburbs buyers should keep an eye on, and there are some great finds in there.  With the new Metro line, and the light rail already running through to Dulwich Hill, it’s no surprise that Sydney’s Inner West is the place to purchase right now. Dulwich Hill itself made the cut, and so did neighbouring suburb Summer Hill. Once the new section of Metro line (to Marrickville, Dulwich Hill and beyond) is completed, it will take mere minutes to get from Dully to Central.   Glebe and its beautiful little terrace houses also made the cut. Although this suburb is certainly no secret, McGrath reckons that its become somewhat underrated over the last few years. Being right next to the city, with a village atmosphere, fun venues, leafy parts, and good bus and light rail access, it's got everything going for it. Millers Point has been majorly gentrified (RIP social housing, boo) in the time that Barangaroo has come to life. Also with a new metro stop to be connected to the city, alongside a winding waterside walking track, it’s bes

After a frantic dash to nab tickets to the arena spectacular that is a Coldplay concert, it's finally almost time to watch the global superstars work their magic in Melbourne.  Due to sky-high demand, the ballad masters ended up adding extra shows, so Marvel Stadium will be abustle with Coldplay fans for four days, starting from Wednesday, October 30 through to Sunday, November 3.  Here's what we know so far about Coldplay’s Melbourne shows this week. When is Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres Tour in Melbourne? Coldplay will take to the stage at Marvel Stadium for their first Melbourne Music of the Spheres concert today (Wednesday, October 30). They'll also perform on Thursday, October 31, Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3.  How to get to the Coldplay Melbourne concerts Marvel Stadium is right next door to Southern Cross Station, so public transport is by far the best option to get to the Coldplay Melbourne concert. Simply walk over the convenient footbridge to get from the platforms to the stadium entrance. For info on how to plan your public transport journey, head over here.  What time will Coldplay come on stage? Gates open at approximately 5pm, while the music will kick off at 6.15pm, with Shone as the opening act. They'll be followed by Emmanuel Kelly at 6.45pm and Ayra Starr at 7.30pm. Coldplay are set to take to the stage at 8.45pm. What can I bring to the Coldplay Melbourne show? There are specific rules for what you can and can’t bring to Coldplay’s Music of

The Prix Versailles hands out World Architecture and Design Awards to global game-changers in contemporary design. Within these awards there are categories including museums and restaurants, airports and train stations – as well as hotels. Only 16 hotels around the world were recognised for their exquisite architecture and design, and just one Australian hotel – in Sydney – received the prestigious accolade. The Manly Pacific took one of these prestigious awards for 2024. Stroll down Manly’s beachfront strip, North Steyne, and we guess we can see why. The mod five-star accommodation catches the eye of tourists and locals alike, but it isn’t until you step inside that the real magic happens.  The structure has a long-standing history in the Northern Beaches suburb. Opened more than one hundred years ago and undergoing a multitude of changes – the most previous being a run as a Novotel – it wasn’t until 2023 that the hotel got a major revamp. Photograph: Supplied | Geoff Lung Manly Pacific's North 55 bar is garnished from counter to tabletop with that signature Coco Republic marble, a theme that carries on throughout the rooms. Opulent fittings from the Australian-born furniture company go easy on the eye, especially when matched with the blue from your room’s oceanfront views.  If you haven’t had enough ‘wow’ moments at this point, you can head on up to the magnesium rooftop pool, where the iridescent floor carefully tiled out to spell ‘M | P’ overlooks the world-famous Manl

Euro summer always sounds like a great idea, until you’re eight hours into the second leg of your 24+ hour flight to sunnier weather. Compression socks, sleeping pills and long airport layovers are the price us Aussies have to pay for summer in winter and good pasta. Not for long. Enter: our national airline. A few years ago, Qantas announced ‘Project Sunrise’, a 20-hour flight direct from Sydney to London, and 18 hours from Sydney to New York. Initially the flights were due to start transporting travellers in 2025, but manufacturing and certification issues have delayed the delivery of 12 AirbusA350-1000s.  With a new anticipated lift-off in the late half of 2026, we’re counting down the days.  Way back when, we got a sneak peek of what the first class cabins would look like, and let’s just say that flying wouldn’t be so bad sitting in one of those bad boys. Instead of a seat that transforms into a bed, first class flyers will board to both an armchair, and a bed, plus sliding doors, private wardrobe and storage, and a 32” HD screen. They’ll also get a tablet to control the mood lighting, temperature and even the humidity as part of Qantas’ Wellness Program for the new aircrafts.  For us plebs hanging back in economy, there are still some pretty cool upgrades to look forward to. The usual 300 person capacity will be reduced to 238 to allow for a little more legroom and ‘wellness zones’. Set throughout the plane, the corners have on-screen exercise programs, stretch handles a