Caitlyn Todoroski

Australia is one big old mass of land. That’s not a shock to anyone. While this may come as a slight inconvenience to whales as they navigate around this big rock in the middle of their migratory path up north, it means that we get some pretty magical sights of the journey in action all up and down our coastlines.  When is whale season in Australia? Whales breed in the colder Antarctic waters in the months of September, October and November. Come June, the mammals start heading north to feed in warmer waters. So essentially, there’s a good chunk of the year in Australia – from June to November – when you can spot, or swim with, these magical marine creatures. Whether you’re on land or out on the water, these are the best spots to go whale watching in Australia. 🌊 The most beautiful beaches in Australia🐨 Australia's best ethical zoos and wildlife reserves🦘 The best places to see kangaroos and koalas in Australia

Brisbane may be renowned for its sprawling pubs and beer gardens, where you can settle in for a laid-back session and soak up the year-round sunshine – but these days there’s a whole lot more to the river city’s booze scene than meets the eye.  If you’re looking for a trendy spot with cleverly crafted cocktails, then Maker is well worth a suss. Or perhaps a dive bar where you can drink with your dog is way more up your alley, namely The Scratch Bar. How about an oasis like Sunsets Rooftop to take the edge off? Whatever it may be, sip away knowing that our local food writer, Morag Kobez, has selected these Brisbane bars for a reason, in collusion with Time Out Australia's Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley. Cheers to that! For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🌮 The best places to eat in Brisbane🍷 Australia's greatest bars for a tipple🌳 All the best things to do in Brisbane

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

People are choosing plant-based eating for its softer step on the Earth, concerns about animal cruelty, and the health benefits of vegetable-rich diets. Plus, there's been a rise in flexitarian diets – you might not be a full-time vegan, but where you can, you opt for more plants on your plate. Only a few years ago, vegan dining meant a whole lot of pulses and sprouts, but now Sydney is home to plant-based burger shops, classic Italian pizzerias that showcase cheese and meat alternatives, gelato shops that favour coconut bases, and a growing contingent of fine diners offering fancy degustations for vegans. Below, we've rounded up the best vegan restaurants in Sydney. Cool with eggs and dairy? Check out the best vegetarian restaurants in Sydney. Got a mixed group? Head to one of the best restaurants in Sydney. On a budget? Have a look at the best cheap eats 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. Want to shop sustainably? Check out our guide to ethical shopping in Sydney here.

South Australia is the gift that keeps on giving. From the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale to the Flinders Ranges and Eyre Peninsula, it’s full of gorgeous getaways, all just a road trip away from Adelaide. But perhaps the closest day trip, and one of the most underrated, is the beautiful Adelaide Hills. Located just 20 minutes by car from the city centre, this cool climate region is full of charming villages, world-class wineries, lush forests and five-star stays. Every season justifies another visit – whether you’re picking strawberries at Beerenberg Farm in summer, strolling through fiery foliage at Mount Lofty Botanic Garden in autumn, sipping red wine by the fire in winter, or having a picnic amongst the vineyards in spring. After a recent visit, our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has compiled a list of the best things to do in the Adelaide Hills. 🚘 The best day trips from Adelaide⭐️ All the best things to do in Adelaide🍷 Australia's best wineries to visit

There are many ways that countries around the world honour their veterans and the sacrifices they make as members of the armed forces. One of the ways we do it here in Australia is with the fairly odd, gloriously raucous tradition of ANZAC Day two-up – betting on the flipping of two coins.First, of course, Sydney starts ANZAC Day with the big Dawn Service, which will take place this year at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, commencing at 4.20am. The ANZAC Day March through the Sydney CBD kicks off at 9am and ends with a 12.30pm commemoration service by the Pool of Remembrance at the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park. Then, after you've formally paid your respects, it's time for the coin toss. From rooftop parties to coastal rings and a beer garden with a grandstand for big-group viewing, we've scoured Sydney for the best two-up venues in town.Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, things to do and travel inspo, straight to your inbox. Looking for somewhere else to grab a drink? Check out the best bars in Sydney right now, and these are all of our favourite pubs in the city.

Bell Shakespeare is kicking off its 35th anniversary season for 2025 with Marion Potts' ★★★★ production that features "a lot to praise". In mid May, a stunning contemporary retelling of one of the most famous war plays of all time, Henry 5, will show at the Arts Centre Melbourne. Celebrated theatre maker and former Associate Artistic Director of Bell Shakespeare Marion Potts (Othello, Hamlet) is returning to the company for the first time in 15 years to direct this all-new production starring newcomer JK Kazzi in his highly anticipated mainstage theatre debut, with Melbourne-based composer Jethro Woodward joining an esteemed creative team. Follow young Prince Hal as he leaves his wayward adolescence behind and assumes the mantle of kingship. Following an insult by the French prince, King Henry launches England into a war with France to claim the throne he believes is rightfully his and, against all odds, he leads his troops from despair to climactic victory at the Battle of Agincourt. King Henry is hailed as a warrior and a hero – but at what cost? The Melbourne season will run from May 11 to May 25 at the Arts Centre Melbourne. You can learn more and book tickets over here. RECOMMENDED: The best theatre to see in Melbourne this month.

When you think about places to grab a drink in Darwin, you likely think ‘outback pub’ – but the Top End of Australia is full of surprises. Whether you’re after a laid-back establishment like One Mile Brewing Co that serves local beer on tap, a courtyard cocktail hotspot by the name of Poco Bar, or a gin distillery in a graffiti-covered laneway called Charlie’s of Darwin, you’ll find it in the tropical capital city of Darwin. One thing is for certain: it’s always nice weather for a drink, and no one knows that more than our local expert writer, Kate Dinning, who has given these Darwin bars the seal of approval in collaboration with Time Out Australia's Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley. Turn your clocks to island time and get ready to waste away again in Maragritaville (that's Darwin in our books). For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍺 Where to find Darwin's top pubs🍽 Darwin's best restaurants🍔 The best burgers in Darwin

Our Bush Capital might not always top the charts for fun, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that it’s home to some of the coolest bars in the country. The good stuff is also fermented right here in the region – from craft beers to cool-climate shiraz and Australia’s only locally produced bourbon – making Canberra the perfect base for a day of winery hopping and cellar door shopping.  But, within the city itself there are buzzing wine bars like Bar Rochford; proudly Australian breweries, namely Capital Brewing Co; and even hidden basement whisky bars, more specifically, Hippo Co. Time Out Australia’s Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley, dived head-first into Canberra's nightlife scene across four big years, where plenty of drinking and eating alike was done. So you can pin your hopes on these 15 hotspots and drink your way through our guide to the best bars in Canberra. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍽 Canberra's best restaurants🥘 Where to go for the best Indian in Canberra🍕 The best pizza in Canberra

Update 2025: Aussies can't get enough of Japan this year! It's our top pick for a budget-friendly overseas holiday too, with frequent flight sales from Australia's budget airlines and a strong Aussie dollar making your yen go the extra mile.   Living in Australia is fabulous when you’ve got tropical beaches and lush national parks on the east, desert sands stretching out west, and snow-capped, hike-worthy mountains down south. But after ticking off all those adventures, the urge to pack your bags and venture beyond Aussie borders kicks in. Since we're kind of located in the middle of nowhere, jetting off on a European extravaganza or an epic American road trip might feel a tad tricky. So, let us redirect your attention to some equally lovely and far less expensive destinations. ✈️ The best budget-friendly places to holiday in Australia☀️ Aussie destinations that feel like Europe🇦🇺 The most incredible places to visit in Australia

Who says that education stops when your kids step foot out of the classroom? Discovery Parks are your base for cultural adventures across NSW—where family holidays meet hands-on learning. From First Nations history to wildlife encounters, it’s all about making memories the kids will love (and learn from). Here are the best Discovery Parks in NSW for you culture vultures.

Few things compare to escaping the ordinary and getting the blood pumping with activities that make you feel alive. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of Australia’s best adrenaline hotspots for a holiday that will have the kids asking to come back again and again. From mountain hikes to river rapids, you can Do It All at Discovery Parks – where adventure and family fun go hand in hand.

Despite the Holocaust occurring halfway across the globe 80 years ago, its lessons continue to be crucially important to Australians today. Melbourne Holocaust Museum’s Hidden: Seven Children Saved exhibition is focused on educating Melburnians on the Holocaust experiences of seven (now-local) children, to inspire greater understanding of these vital lessons. Interactive displays show visitors what it would have been like for a child to hide in such a volatile time, and how acts of kindness from the community made all the difference. Replica rooms, mini towns, soundscapes, moving images and projections make it an interesting and educational display for families (with kids ten years plus) to visit during the school holidays. The immersive storytelling of the exhibition is so powerful that it won the esteemed Victorian Museums and Galleries Award and the Social Impact Award from the Australian Museums and Galleries Association in 2024. You can find the Melbourne Holocaust Museum in the vibrant suburb of Elsternwick, just 15 minutes from Flinders Street Station. Child and concession tickets are just $10, and adults $12. Book yours here.

A brand-new festival is set to spark playful curiosity around Randwick’s hotspots – and everyone’s invited. The Randwick Creative Night brings vibrant markets and free interactive art activities to three easily walkable locations in Randwick on Friday, April 11, marking the start of the school holidays.  More than 40 market stalls will take over the Heritage Quarter of the hospital, right by the Randwick Light Rail stop, with local favourites like the traditional Portuguese custard tarts from House of Natas, handcrafted smoked meats from Bondi Smokehouse, and pizzas and focaccias from Gargano Pizzeria. Free creative workshops led by acclaimed artists and local talent will be going down from 3pm at Inglis Park at Newmarket (Barker Street) and The Spot (Perouse Road & St Paul Street). Be sure to bring your creative energy as NIDA Open will run several small group acting classes for kids and adults, while Gujaga Foundation will be hosting workshops on Indigenous shell art.  Our tip? Make use of the light rail and get there on a shoestring.  If you’re just passing through, there are plenty of ‘drop in and make’ sessions, including one led by celebrated artist Nadia Odlum, as well as a collaborative community canvas with Mindgardens and the Black Dog Institute. Rochelle Haley, the artist behind the dramatic ‘Lunar Sway’ artwork that lights up Randwick’s Nurses Drive every night, will also be doing an artist talk.   Randwick Creative Night is running on Friday, April 11 from 3-9pm.

The blue whale is the largest member of the animal kingdom – its heart weighs in at the same mass as a small car. Put simply, the sheer size of this incredible species is a hard one to grasp. These school holidays, IMAX is making things a little easier to visualise with an inspiring 3D film following two scientific expeditions to uncover fascinating blue whale behaviours. Narrated by the legendary Andy Serkis, who voiced Gollum in The Lord of the Rings, the documentary takes viewers alongside dolphins and orcas, and looks at how scientists collect flying snot for data (ew, but also, cool!) and the head scientist, aka the ‘Blue Whale Whisperer’, listens to blue whales communicating with eachother. From just $12 for kids, and $26.50 for adults, you’ll get an IMAX doco ticket and general entry to Melbourne Museum so you can kick back and immerse yourself in the incredible exhibitions. Blue Whales 3D is screening during the Easter school holidays, with sessions daily from 10am to 2pm. Book your tickets here.

With its rich cultural make-up and diverse array of delicious cuisines, it’s already pretty hard to leave Liverpool on an empty stomach. Now, for five weekends across March and April, the Most Blessed Nights markets will make you even more spoilt for choice.  This street food fest is taking over Macquarie Mall from Thursdays to Sundays, starting at 6pm each evening. There’ll be lights, there’ll be family fun, and of course, there will be some fan-favourite local food offerings.  There will be camel burgers, chargrilled plates, falafels galore, moreish kebabs, spiced skewers, cheesy tacos and more. A range of cuisines will be served up by Yummy Time Dumpling and Pec African Kitchen to the Fijian Taste of Paradise and Indian skewers.  The markets run until midnight each night, so you’ve got plenty of time to grab dessert, too. Look forward to fresh chocolate-covered strawberries, fluffy hot loukoumades (fried doughnut balls), cookie crossaints, lady fingers and frozen treats, plus you can’t go past some gorgeously crunchy knafeh (a stretchy cheesy sugar-soaked pastry).  The Most Blessed Nights Street Food Market is on Thursday to Sunday from 6pm until March 23, and returns again from April 17 to 20. For the full list of market stallholders across the event and more information, head here.

How good is autumn in Sydney? Even though March marks the end of summer, it’s a blissful time to be out in this city, and that’s what Waterloo Autumn Festival is all about – getting out and about, making the most of time outdoors, picking up some fresh seasonal produce and enjoying live entertainment. On Sunday, March 30, Waterloo’s Young Street – in between Danks and McEvoy Streets – will come alive with community and market stalls selling delicious produce, as well as lunch and snack options. There’ll also be live music; a dedicated kids area complete with arts and crafts, games and entertainment; and a pet-friendly zone so your fur-baby doesn’t need to miss out on the action – all among the rusty-hued autumn trees. This all-ages festival is free to attend, and it’s being put on by Danks St. District and DASCO (the crew bringing new life to Waterloo through their development projects).  So on the last Sunday in March, head over to Waterloo (why not jump on the Metro?) and get in on the action.  Waterloo Autumn Festival is happening on Sunday, March 30 between McEvoy St and Danks St from 10am to 3pm. If you register here, look forward to claiming a free food coupon on the day.

Put Legoland Discovery Centre Melbourne on your radar for a pit stop because the Lego F1-themed Build the Thrill event has rolled into town just in time for the Australian Grand Prix.  From now until April 27, your ticket purchase to the brick wonderland includes a pit pass to some wheel-y cool Lego of epic proportions. Check out a 3D Brick-built Lego F1 car made from more than 21,000 bricks and then build your own version.  You’ll get to choose an F1 team, build your own Minifigure driver and then pop your driver into a custom-built race car. Race on the track, claim all the glory of pole position and celebrate on the Build the Thrill podium. The fun doesn’t stop there. Guests can enjoy interactive challenges, epic photo opportunities, and an exclusive Lego F1 display in Miniland The kids-at-heart can get in on the action too, with an adults-only night on Friday, March 14. Enjoy all of Legoland kid-free and really let your competitive side loose on the track from 6pm to 9pm.  The Build the Thrill event is running at Legoland Discovery Centre Melbourne until April 27. Your pit pass is included in entry, which starts from $36 per person and is free for little ones under two. Purchase your ticket here.

One of Sydney's biggest galleries is welcoming a supersized collaboration. Inclusive organisations The A List, Create Space Art Initiative and Aspect have come together with the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia with an event that makes you the artist. The MCA, in partnership with beloved stationery brand Faber-Castell, invites people of all ages to the gallery on Saturday, March 15 for a drawing bonanza. Whether you're an adult or young family, there's a drop-in activity for you. Draw your way from the MCA forecourt at Warrane (Circular Quay) all the way through the building. From a giant outdoor chalk canvas to the Level 3 Family Space, experiment with different drawing materials and build your own structure using cardboard. As you move throughout the museum, watch the cityscape grow and murals move up the stairwell. All these free activities are inspired by the colourful and energetic Julie Mehretu exhibition. It’s one of the major summer installations as part of the Sydney International Art Series 2024-25. You'll need a ticket for this must-see show – though it’s free for children under 18, Australian students and MCA members. On Saturday, March 15, the MCA is your canvas all day long. Find out more here.

Just like the Easter school holidays creep up on you, so does the spending on activities to keep the kids entertained. Skip out on the eye-watering ticket prices and pay a visit to the great-value Ingenia Holiday Parks Sydney Family Show this autumn. The family affair returns to the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park, set to put the little – and not-so-little – ones in the Easter spirit without costing you a pretty penny. This year, the festivities kick off on Saturday, April 12 and will run until Sunday, April 27. The jam-packed program features everything from high-energy motorcycle and bike stunt shows to adorable little daschund meet and greets, carnival-style games and a carousel the whole family can enjoy. There will also be an adrenaline-pumping obstacle course, dodgem cars, a thrilling reptile show where you can get up close with snakes and crocs, and an animal nursery with cuddly ducklings, chicks, lambs, goats and piglets. Of course, there will be showbags galore too. For the first time the event welcomes an exciting lineup of shows set to wow little fans. The Paw Patrol Stage Show runs from April 12 to April 22 and the Bluey Live Interactive Experience from April 23 to April 27, and even better, there will be opportunities throughout the day to meet the characters (and snap a cheeky pic, too).  Be sure to go for a wander through the Easter Basket Zone and stock up on some treats. Animal lovers will be pleased to know that April 27 is Greyhound Adoption Day where v

Sydney is abuzz with Lion King-mania. In addition to the announcement of the hit-musical returning to the Capitol Theatre, the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra is giving Sydneysiders the opportunity to experience the film like never before.  While Simba prances through all of the catchiest tunes on the big screen at The Concourse in Chatswood, the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra will congregate down below. The live music will have you feeling like you're among the pridelands – get ready for goosebumps.  From Pumbaa and Timon’s infectiously uplifting ‘Hakuna Matata’ to the rousing ‘Circle of Life’, the movie’s soundtrack was put together by a collection of Oscar- and Grammy-winning musicians like Elton John and composer Hans Zimmer. With all that talent, it’s one of the best scores you could catch live.  There are two daytime performances you can catch – Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6. You can snag tickets, starting from $45 to $275 for a family ticket, here.

Riding into town this March on his white horse is country music star Chris Stapleton. Not only will Sydneysiders delight in his sold-out shows at Qudos Bank Arena, but can also look forward to what may be Australia’s biggest whiskey shout. From Thursday, February 27, Sydney bar Jolene’s – in the CBD's YCK precinct – is shouting nips of liquid gold every day for a month at 8pm. And it's not just any shout. Chris Stapleton’s new Traveller Whiskey has been distilled by the renowned Buffalo Trace Distillery, so you know you’re in for something good.  Catch a free daily tasting while you can, and while you’re at it, sample one of the Traveller cocktails, like the Parachute, Traveller Old Fashioned, and East Kentucky Sweet Tea. If you need something to line the stomach, the pop-up will also be dishing out Traveller tater tots (that's mini hash browns, for us Aussies) with smoky brisket, liquid cheese and whiskey-infused barbecue sauce. How’s that for southern comfort?  There aren’t any promises that Chris will make an appearance, but a little birdie told us to never say never. Find out more about the deal here.

It’s no secret that the Star Wars film scores boast some of the most easily recognised and universally loved melodies of all time. Watching the futuristic franchise, including the most recent trilogy, is goosebump-inducing enough, but to really up the ante, catch a screening with a live orchestra.  Hamer Hall welcomes the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for a cosmic rendition of The Force Awakens. While the film plays on the big screen, the orchestra down below will play John Williams’ heroic score, conducted by Benjamin Northey. The movie, set three decades after the destruction of the second Death Star, follows the unlikely teaming up of Han Solo and Chewbacca with and ex-stormtrooper and desert scavenger. Together with Resistance leader General Leia Organa, they try to overturn the First Order.  Strap in for two hours and four minutes of action, including time for an interval.  You’ve got three chances to catch the spectacle: May 22, 23 and 24. Tickets are selling fast so jump on it and purchase yours here. Prices start from $81.

What lengths would you resort to if you survived a plane crash and became stranded in the wilderness? Cannibalism seems very far from mind but it’s a different story for WHS Yellowjacket soccer team. After two smash-hit seasons, Paramount+’s Yellowjackets is back for a third, and Surry Hills degustation diner Nel is celebrating with an ear-y feast. Nel’s renowned degustations are unexpected at the best of times, but for this dramatic affair, we’re talking 11 courses of eating your heart out.  This is a chance for diehard Yellowjacket fans – and their plus ones – to get immersed in the vibes of the show, all while challenging the senses. And while the food will most certainly surprise and excite, let’s just say we’ve been to Nel recently and we know that everything chef Nelly Robinson serves up is delicious.  While Nel’s degustation dinners are a premium affair, this incomparable experience is literally priceless – you can enter the competition to dine for free here. There’s a dinner running each night from March 4 to March 7, and there are 18 double passes each night up for grabs. Yellowjackets season three is now streaming on Paramount+.

The lights at The Velvet Glove are real low – all except for those illuminating artworks. Panels of Vincent van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci and Claude Monet’s works have been carefully curated and artfully backlit for the watering hole of your artsy dreams. At this new Darlinghurst bar and restaurant, you can sip on cocktails and enjoy snacks on an Italian marble table, sit yourself down at the bar on a handcrafted Greek bar stool, or relax on the open-air terrace. Photograph: David Li The Velvet Glove is where European luxury meets Kings Cross glamour – and doors are open to all. At the wheel is hospitality professional Haley Gooley, who has worked across ski chalets and dining spaces in Perisher. She wanted to make an opulent space that signals a warm welcome to anyone and everyone off the streets of the eclectic precinct. And at The Velvet Glove, there are no set seating times – and tipping is not expected. Photograph: David Li Don’t expect anything less than luxe from the menu: crisp-skinned duck à l’orange; Black Angus eye-fillet with blistered vine-ripened cherry tomatoes; and line-caught New Zealand snapper are all on offer. If you’re just popping in for a tipple, the bar menu offers some equally glam nibbles, like tuna sashimi with oxheart tomato and finger lime pearls. Photograph: David Li Drops on the drinks list hail from France, Italy and Austria, plus some local Australian labels. If the décor has you feeling like a baller, splash out on a cocktail topped with

Ruma is warm. It’s in the ochre-hued walls, the massive abstract painting of family enjoying food together and the hearty breakfast plates. The Double Bay joint dishes up brunch four days a week, plus dinner from Thursday to Sunday. Plush booths and scenic alfresco seating await. Ruma, which opened at the end of 2024, is helmed by chef Faheem Noor, the brains behind nearby Bartiga. A love letter to his Malaysian heritage, his menu features brunch classics like pancakes, big breakfast plates and avo toast, all with Asian-inspired twists like the addition of ‘kimchimimchurri’ (a mix of kimchi and chimichurri) and crisp chilli oil. The star of the show is the Korean-style fried chicken bite dish. Order them as they come with a dollop of Kewpie mayo on each piece, or opt for a bougie caviar add-on.  Photograph: Caitlyn Todoroski for Time Out Sydney If you’re looking for a long-lunch experience, check out the bottomless menu. Fill up on a big breakfast platter with all the fix-ins like sourdough toast, scrambled eggs, grilled peppers, plus a sweet plate with whatever’s fresh in the pastry cabinet and fruit. The novelty is the bottomless matcha that you can get iced, hot, cloud-like or with strawberry.  Photograph: Supplied | Pat Stevenson Come dinnertime, the menu looks a little more like kingfish crudo with ponzu, steak frites with sarawak pepper jus, and coconut and turmeric barramundi curry. It’s all about fusing subtle Asian flavours with modern Australian dining. Breakfas

Imagine a pub from 1980s Australia – and then imagine it never got a refurb. Sounds a little outdated, but at Baptist Street Rec. Club – Redfern’s new bar found at Wunderlich Lane, home to Olympus, Lottie and The Eve, among others – it’s nostalgic, and also a little bit edgy. Retro posters and pop art adorn the walls, and drinks are served in glasses that look like they’re straight outta your nan’s good glassware collection (you know the ones). Speaking of tipples, booze aficionados Dan Cramsie (ex Clam Bar, Pepito’s and Double Deuce Lounge) and House Made Hospitality (Island Radio, Apollonia, Bar Mammoni) beverage director Jason Williams have teamed up to create a refreshing bar menu. Fun takes on nostalgic cocktails are the norm here at the latest venue from House Made Hospitality (the team behind Sydney favourites Grana, Apollonia and more). Think a Breakfast Martini with spiced pineapple marmalade, and a Strawberry Daiquiri flavoured with strawberry cordial. Photograph: Steven Woodburn Monthly specials stay on rotation, with the opening stars including the Bloody Mary’s savoury and down-to-earth cousin: a Beetroot Negroni. The wine list spotlights small-batch producers, and the brews are mostly local, including the house-made Reccy Lager. When you get the munchies, Thai-inspired eatery Bangkok Dreaming offers salty specialities galore. Its share platters feature all the Aussie-fied favourite nibblies like spring rolls, money bags and fish cakes. All of which are a nod t

Calling all chip-on-a-stick fans and aspiring farmers! Sydney’s favourite agricultural festival, carnival ride mecca and baby animal pat-fest is back for 2025. When is the Easter Show Sydney? This year's Easter Show will kick off on Friday, April 11, and run for 12 full days until Tuesday, April 22. How much are Easter Show Sydney tickets?  The early bird gets the worm when it comes to tickets – if you purchase your passes before the show kicks off on Friday, April 11, you can hook cheaper tickets, and if you purchase online in advance of your arrival, you’ll also be doing yourself a favour.  Early-bird pre-show tickets (Before April 11): $45 per adult $27 per child (4-15 years old + 16-18 year olds with a student ID card) $33.50 for concession  $118 for a family pass (two adults, two children).    Online purchase once the show has started (April 11 onwards): $48.00 per Adult $29.50 per child $36.00 for concession Children under 3 are allowed in for free. Note that these tickets just include entry for the show – rides, showbags and food are all at various additional costs.  Where is the Easter Show Sydney?  The Sydney Royal Easter Show takes place at the same beloved location each year: Sydney Showground at Sydney Olympic Park is the prime possie for the show’s elaborate agricultural displays and competitions, plus a whole heap of rides.  How to get to the Easter Show Sydney? Sydney Showground is located right next to the Olympic Park Train Station. Limited stops and express

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