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Don't let the designation of Australia's capital city fool you; there are plenty of diverse and exciting things to do in Canberra. It may be the seat of Australia’s political power, but the city’s reputation for being the Bush Capital is well-earned. Despite the museums and monuments, Canberra has much the look and feel of a country town, right down to the kangaroos that bound around the city’s abundant nature reserves. Over the last five years, the capital has undergone a hospitality glow-up, with world-class wine bars, trendy restaurants and stylish boutique hotels opening in the rapidly developing cultural precincts of New Acton and Braddon. Although once only visited by eye-rolling schoolkids on excursions, culture vultures drawn to the National Art Gallery and political wheelers and dealers, Canberra’s now a perfect weekend getaway spot, regardless of your interests. Our Travel and News Editor, Melissa Woodley, lived in Canberra for four years and has carefully curated this list of the best things to do on your next trip. 🍽️ The best restaurants in Canberra🥾 All the best hikes to conquer in the capital🖼️ Canberra's best museums and galleries

If there was any lingering doubt that Queensland's capital is a world city, it was put to rest with the announcement that the 2032 Olympics would be hosted right here in Brisvegas. And truth be told, for a long time the River City has been much more than just a pit-stop on the way to the Gold Coast. In QAGOMA, the city has two of the best-designed art galleries anywhere in the world, and blockbuster art to show in them. We have great barbecue spots, sure, but there are also some great high-end, fine dining experiences too. With an incredible climate (although slip, slop, slap please, we implore you) and a great set of river walkways and public transport connections, it’s also easier than ever to get around. Whether it’s a family adventure, a romantic weekend or a spare 24 hours at the end of a business trip – our local writers have rounded up the best things to do in Brisbane right now. 🌳 Here are the best free things to do in Brisbane🚗 The coolest day trips from Brisbane🥐 Where to find Brisbane's top bakeries

If you’re all about striking sandy beaches, staggering hillsides, and bushwalks in the company of native flora and fauna, look no further than Esperance, or Kepa Kurl, as the Wudjari Nongar Traditional Land Owners call the region. Fixed along Western Australia’s southern seaboard, this hotspot is a smorgasbord for outdoorsy folk regardless of its remote locale.  Esperance sits 700 kilometres southeast of Perth, reachable by a scenic seven-hour drive or a 1.5-hour flight, if time is of the essence. Either way, we reckon the town is worth seeing for yourself, and we’ve put together a guide on the best things to do in Esperance to help you on your merry way. 😍 Everything you need to do in Busselton🌊 The best things to do in Margaret River ☀️ Your ultimate guide to Albany

Truth be told, Adelaide isn’t home to a designated, inner-city viewing deck – for that, we resort to our good old-fashioned rooftop bars. Same-same, but better, right? Whether you’re after a nibble in the shade or a tipple under the sun, Adelaide’s rooftop bars take things to new heights.  From quaint hideouts with concrete jungle views to breezy, sky-high haunts with panoramas for days, you can find your ideal altitude in Adelaide. Take a look at our pick of the best rooftop bars in the city. 🍔 The best burgers in Adelaide🍕 Adelaide's best pizza joints🥘 Where to find the best Indian food in Adelaide

Known as a zoo without fences, Kangaroo Island is a wildlife and nature reserve that we reckon everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Before you ask, yes, there are kangaroos on the island –  along with koalas, dolphins, sea lions and penguins. You’re pretty much guaranteed to have an in-the-wild encounter with these Aussie animals, given that the island is more than one-third protected national park.  Despite its remote feel, Kangaroo Island is actually pretty easy to reach via a 40-minute flight from Adelaide or a 45-minute ferry ride from Cape Jervis. The latter is preferable as you can bring your car or campervan along for the journey, with these four wheels coming in handy if you want to explore the entirety of the island.  Whether it's seeing dolphins jump in crystal waters, sipping wine in the sun, dipping in Australia’s best secluded beach or staying at the country’s coolest lodge, you’ll only wish you had more time. Here's your guide to the best things to do, places to eat and drink, and stays to book on Kangaroo Island. 🌊 The best beaches in Australia🏝️ Australia's most beautiful islands☀️ The best things to do in Adelaide

Did you know that Kalgoorlie is Australia’s largest outback city? Well, now you do. The remote township lies just under 600 kilometres east of Perth in the Goldfields-Esperance region, and was indeed established as a result of the Gold Rush in 1893. Ever since, Kalgoorlie has remained one of the most bountiful gold deposits in the world, and you’re invited to experience it first-hand.  You can take a stab at sifting for the shiny stuff, learn about the locale’s diverse history, cherish some crazy-good sundowns, and discover the story behind the name ‘Kalgoorlie’, which derives from the Wangkathaa First Nations words ‘karlkurla’ and ‘kulgooluh’, meaning ‘place of the silky pears’. A deluge of pursuits await in the rural city, and we’ve rounded up the standouts when it comes to the best things to do in Kalgoorlie. It’s just a hop, skip and a jump (plane, train or car ride) away from Perth, too – it’d be rude not to. 🌳 All the best things to do in Perth🚘 The greatest day trips from Perth😎 Interesting regional towns to explore

Whoever said Australian architecture is boring clearly hasn’t done their building-spotting rounds across the country. Modernist structures take to the sky, Gothic Revival cathedrals captivate and Byzantine-inspired complexes inspire – not to mention a bizarre UFO-like dome over in Canberra, too. Australia’s architectural scene is diverse, and we’ve put together a list of incredible spots where you can gaze upon some remarkable sites – take a look.  🖼️ The best art galleries to explore in Australia👀 Australia's finest museums🌳 The 20 top tourist attractions in Australia

South Australia’s capital may be wee in size, but it sure does offer a plethora of activities for everyone involved – the adults, the almost adults and the ones that are way off too. Luckily for the latter, we’re here to talk about the best things to do with kids in Adelaide. From plucking strawberries and tackling rock-climbing walls to thrilling waterborne bumper cars and gazing at the world’s biggest rocking horse, there’s a youth-friendly venture in Adelaide that will take all of the cake. 🦋 More incredible things to do in Adelaide🖼️ Adelaide's best galleries and museums🥐 The best cafés in Adelaide

Perth may be one of the most isolated cities in the world, but when it comes to fun, it sure doesn’t lack. Entertainment awaits in all shapes and sizes, from screen-free activities and educational airings about astronomy to outdoor merriment purely for playful purposes and fauna-charged gazing.  Whatever your little one desires, youngin-friendly pastimes are in abundance over west – here’s our pick of the best things to do with kids in Perth. ☀️ More incredible things to do in Perth🥾 Where to go hiking in Perth🖼️ Perth's top museums and galleries

Not to toot our own horn, but Australia’s coffee scene is unbeatable. Our laid-back café culture is underpinned by vast caffeine consumption, with most locals kicking off their day with a good ol' cup of Joe. Our thriving industry of roasters and baristas earns international acclaim year after year, and Sydney and Melbourne have even been named among the top ten cities for coffee worldwide.  We've tapped into the wisdom of our most devoted coffee enthusiasts and writers around the country to bring you this list of Australia's best coffee roasters. These masters of the craft excel in every part of the process: from sourcing and roasting beans to ultimately brewing them expertly. Whether you're a fan of Ona and Industry Beans, or swear by Sample and Single O, here's our pick of the top coffee suppliers in Australia right now. 🥐 The best croissants in Australia🍹 All the best bars for a boozy night🥖 Our favourite bakeries in Australia right now

Western Australia is one of the most spectacular and varied places on the planet. Spanning 2.5 million square kilometres, it’s packed with dreamy beach towns, isolated wine regions and jaw-dropping islands that you have to see to believe. But with so much ground to cover, creating the perfect travel plan can be a bit overwhelming. That’s where our Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley steps in, to share her top tips on the best places to visit in Western Australia. Short on time? Spend a few days soaking up the buzz of Perth, exploring its hip neighbour Fremantle, and taking a day trip to the iconic Rottnest Island. For the ultimate Western Australia adventure – think swimming with whale sharks and sunset camel rides on the beach – a month-long road trip is the way to go. Be sure to tick off all the destinations included below. 😱 All the best places to visit in Australia🥾 Where you need to go in Tasmania

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

Six levels above Fortitude Valley’s The Constance hotel lies Dirty Sultan, an urban oasis that welcomes you upstairs for a taste of Istanbul nightlife and dining. The Turkish-style hang-out is a multifaceted hub that takes claim to Brisbane’s first rooftop shisha lounge title, all while dishing up polished street food that’ll take you straight to flavourtown, along with a weekend DJ that never fails to get the party started. In a wise move by Dirty Sultan, the shisha lounge is separate from the dining room and bar. Here, you can tuck into plates with the likes of slow-cooked lamb ribs, roast cauliflower and artichoke with buckwheat, and harissa-roasted half chicken, too. Artful cocktails are a Dirty Sultan mainstay, including the Musa of brandy, white crème de cacao liqueur, roasted macadamia and wattleseed liqueur with a hint of orange. 

One of the newest additions to Adelaide’s day spa scene is Davaar House along South Terrace’s leafy hive. The 19th-century mansion has been transformed into a truly luxurious sanctuary where the city sounds are a distant memory. Complete with original fireplaces and yesteryear finishes, Davaar House gives formal minimalism. Along with the usual day spa suspects, this wellness institute serves up downright cutting-edge treatments. Stimulate your cells with mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy, tingle in an anti-inflammatory ice bath, breathe easily during salt therapy, and regenerate upon a red light therapy bed. They also offer reiki, sound healing, yoga and naturopathic consultations, plus healthy bites, coffee and smoothies at the beautiful café.

Sit back and relax – or float, more like it – at Hyde Park and Fulham Gardens’ Blue Lagoon Float and Spa outposts. The award-winning Roman-inspired bath houses flaunt bath-side columns, timeless archways and a distinctly reflective shade of blue that does wonders for the senses. Among Blue Lagoon’s restorative massages, nourishing facials, body treatments and sauna offerings, the day spas are all the rage for their inviting, flotation therapy amenities. Leave that concept of gravity at the door and experience weightlessness upon a dense bath of epsom salt. Release tensions of the mind, body and soul; drift through the realms of relaxation; and maybe even astral project to Ancient Rome. Queue the mood lighting.

Would you believe us if we told you that one of the best urban spas in Australasia is located right here in Adelaide? Well, truth be told, Ione Spa and Wellness along the pristine West Lakes waterfront takes claim to just that, having won runner-up honours at the prestigious 2023 Australasian Spa and Wellness Awards. Forget no-frills, Ione has all of the frills with its organic skin products, Swiss vichy jet shower and lakefront lounge with refreshments on the house. The building itself is even constructed with non-toxic materials and incorporates a crystal grid in the foundation for maximum energy healing. May we recommend the whopping 3.5-hour spruce-up? Essentially, you will be reborn. It’s no surprise Ione Spa and Wellness is one of the best day spas in Adelaide.

First things first: skin is the top priority at First Skin and Body. Having collected a slew of awards over the years and boasting 15 different skin-specific treatments, First is set on helping you feel your absolute best. Located inside one of Adelaide’s finest gyms, Next Gen Memorial Drive, this day spa is well-versed when it comes to the latest newfangled technology and procedures. As for the more so day spa side of things, we are all about the organic rehydrating honey and cocoa body wrap, where you’ll be lathered in papaya cream and walnut exfoliant, cocooned in French clay, and left to marinate and tenderise, leaving you oh so fresh and clean. 

Coming in hot (or pleasantly warm in this scenario) is Temple Day Spa over in Unley – where an earthy facade of wood-clad walls and greenery suspended from the rafters entices that sweet inner peace. With a multitude of awards under its belt across 11 years, it’s safe to say that Temple’s therapists know a thing or two about self-care. Circling back to the ‘hot’ thing, Temple Day Spa does actually offer an ever-so-soothing hot stone massage – your discs will thank you later. But if that’s a little too much Mother Earth for your liking, opt for a full-body exfoliation, a hydrotherapy shower or an infrared sauna session. Oh, and to those up in the north-western suburbs, you’ll be pleased to know Temple Day Spa Semaphore is officially open for your pampering desires.