Dale Anninos-Carter

Canberra has come a long way in recent years, with cocktail dens, hip restaurants and swish galleries popping up across the capital. Alongside this cultural glow-up, the city has also welcomed a wave of new hotel openings and major refurbishments, meaning Australia’s capital now boasts some of the best hotels in the country – from sleek city stays to wildly unique lodges.  Time Out Australia’s Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley spent four years exploring the inland capital before returning to Sydney, and knows exactly what makes a Canberra stay worth booking. From boutique favourites to standout luxury hotels, here's our pick of the best hotels in Canberra right now.  Editors' favourite hotels in Canberra: ⭐️ Best luxury stay: Jamala Wildlife Lodge 📍 Best for central location: Midnight Hotel 😍 Best value for money: Hotel Realm 🌳 All the best things to do in Canberra🍽️ The best restaurants in Canberra Time Out makes a small commission from the affiliate links included in this article. These links have no influence on our editorial content, but they do help us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Hobart’s best hotels make the most of everything that makes Tasmania's capital so special – from the glittering Derwent River to the imposing majesty of kunanyi/Mount Wellington and the fascinating convict history. Add world-class food, a thriving arts scene and easy access to nature, and it’s no surprise Hobart has become one of Australia’s most exciting destinations for a weekend escape or longer stay. To help you find the perfect base, Time Out Australia's Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has teamed up with local expert writer, Josie Rozenberg-Clarke, who knows the city's nooks and crannies inside and out. Together, they've rounded up the very best hotels in Hobart – from boutique stays in the historic waterfront to luxe retreats with harbour views – making it a little easier to choose where to stay. Fair warning though: it's still going to be a tough pick. Editors' favourite hotels in Hobart: ⭐️ Best luxury hotel: The Tasman 📍 Best boutique stay: Collected/Places 🌆 Best CBD location: Mövenpick Hotel Hobart 😍 Best value for money: Travelodge Hotel Hobart ☀️ The best things to do in Hobart🍽️ The best restaurants in Hobart🖼️ The best art in Hobart Time Out makes a small commission from the affiliate links included in this article. These links have no influence on our editorial content, but they do help us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Hobart’s food scene is undoubtedly one of the best in Australia, and the locals will happily back that up. As will Time Out Australia’s Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, who after dining across every state and territory, can confidently say the best restaurants in Hobart rival those in Sydney and Melbourne. There are plenty of reasons Hobart has become a must-visit destination for food lovers. In recent years, a wave of acclaimed chefs has swapped the high-pressure kitchens of the mainland for Hobart’s relaxed, produce-driven lifestyle. This influx of talent, paired with Tasmania’s exceptional seafood, cool-climate wines and farm-fresh ingredients, has transformed the Hobart dining scene into one of the country’s most exciting. From intimate ten-seater bars and waterside fine diners to world-famous museum restaurants, here are the best restaurants in Hobart to score a reservation (or a walk-in table) at. Editors' favourite restaurants in Hobart: 😍 Best for views: Faro Bar and Restaurant 🌱 Best for special occasions: The Agrarian Kitchen 🍹 Best for snacks and spritzes: Restaurant Maria 💕 Best for date night: Pitzi Pasta Bar For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍷 The best bars in Hobart☕️ The best cafés in Hobart

Looking for the best coffee in Brisbane? You don't have to go far. The River City has got it all: cool inner-city haunts, highly awarded local roasters, chic espresso bars, coffee-tasting experiences, plus enough espresso and cold brew to power the city. In fact, the best coffee shops in Brisbane are without a doubt among the greatest in Australia – led by icons like Coffee Anthology, which has been named on the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops list for two years running. Our expert local writers know a thing or two about what’s good across the city and have given these haunts the stamp of approval for the best coffee in Brisbane. Go on, check out the jitter juice for yourself. Editor's favourite coffee spots in Brisbane: 🏆 Best award-winning café: Coffee Anthology ☕️ Best local roaster: Bellissimo Coffee 😋 Best CBD coffee spot: John Mills Himself For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🥐 The best bakeries in Brisbane☕️ The best cafés in Brisbane

Canberra’s café scene has levelled up big time in recent years. From north to south, you’ll find plenty of places to grab your morning cup of joe with a side of avo toast, eggs benny or pancakes with all the fixings. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill cafés either. They’re brewing some of Australia’s best coffee while showcasing local producers and suppliers from the ACT region. From the leafy streets of the Inner North to the bustling Southside, the options for Canberra's best café are endless. Luckily for you, our Time Out Australia Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, lived in the capital for four years and has handpicked the best cafés in Canberra for this list. Where are you headed first? Editor's favourite cafés in Canberra: ☕️ Best CBD café: The Cupping Room 🥐 Best local favourite: Intra PRVN 🫶🏽 Best hidden gem: Café Stepping Stone For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍽️ The best restaurants in Canberra🥐 The best bakeries in Canberra☕️ The best coffee in Canberra

What are the best restaurants in Australia? With one of the world's most diverse and exciting dining scenes, narrowing down the absolute greatest places to eat across the country is no easy task – but don't worry, we've done the hard work (and plenty of eating) for you. Our expert editors, including resident foodie Melissa Woodley, have curated this list of the best places to eat in Australia, spanning fine-dining institutions to hidden neighbourhood gems. So, what’s the secret recipe to an exceptional dining experience? When compiling Time Out’s guide to the best restaurants in Australia, we considered a mix of ingredients: talented chefs, stylish decor, lively ambience, top-notch drinks and, of course, unforgettable food. Luckily, the local culinary scene is sizzling with world-class venues that check all these boxes, plus so much more. Here are the best restaurants in Australia right now. Editor's favourite restaurants in Australia: ⭐️ Best bucket-list: Saint Peter, NSW 💎 Best hidden gem: Scholé, TAS 🥂 Best new opening: Omada Bar & Grill, SA 🌊 Best views: Rick Shores, QLD 🌍 Best experience: The Agrarian Kitchen, TAS Jump to list: NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍹 The best bars in Australia⭐️ The best hotels in Australia

It's no secret that we Aussies love a good pub. Whether you like bonding over schnitties at Trivia Tuesday or downing pints with a hearty Sunday roast, pub culture has something for everyone, every day of the week.  To honour these cornerstones of Australian social life, we've gathered recommendations from our national team of writers (and readers) to bring you this list of the best pubs in Australia's capital cities. These legendary venues have it all: perfect parmigianas, exceptional local beers, friendly staff, breezy beer gardens, live music and unbeatable weekly specials. Find your nearest watering hole with our ultimate guide to the best pubs in Australia (organised by state). For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍹 The best rooftop bars in Australia🍷 The best wineries in Australia

A truly delicious burger is easily one of life’s greatest pleasures, and Australia is teeming with top-notch options, most of which fall comfortably into that hits-the-spot territory. A classic burger’s simplicity – a pillowy bun, a juicy patty, a slice of melted cheese, some salad and a drizzle of sauce – makes it hard to mess up. The flip side, however, is that it also makes finding the best burgers in Australia a meaty challenge. Time Out’s hungry team of local food writers have bravely put their jaws and stomachs on the line (in the name of exceedingly difficult research, you understand) to compile this list of Australia's best burgers. We’ve eaten our way from coast to coast to bring you the ultimate guide, telling you exactly what to order at each venue. So whether you're hunting for a classic American cheeseburger, a gourmet Wagyu creation or an innovative plant-based number, here are the absolute best burgers in Australia, ranked in no particular order. Now it’s up to you to crown the true buns of glory.  Editor's favourite burgers in Australia: 🍔 Best global icon: Café Margaret, Sydney ⭐️ Best gourmet: Bread & Bone, Adelaide 😋 Best cheeseburger: Charrd, Melbourne For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🥧 The best pies in Australia🌭 The best sausage rolls🍕 The best pizzas in Australia

Not to toot our own horn, but Australia’s coffee culture is world-class. In 2025, an Aussie café was named the best coffee shop on Earth, and this year, six more exceptional coffee spots joined it on the highly anticipated global list.  To help you find the best coffee in Australia, we've tapped into the wisdom of our most devoted coffee drinkers and writers around the country. From sourcing and roasting the finest ethically-sourced beans to crafting flawless espresso, smooth flat whites and delicate filter brews, these standout Australian coffee roasters are masters of the craft. So, grab yourself a hot brew and start reading through the list of the best coffee in Australia. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🥐 The best croissants in Australia🍹 The best bars in Australia

When it comes to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, it’s hard to beat those on offer in Uluṟu, AKA Australia’s Red Centre. This magical stretch of the Aussie outback is full of endless possibilities and wild adventures, all centred around one of our nation’s most recognisable and sacred landmarks, Uluṟu (previously known as Ayers Rock).  Set on the ancestral lands of the Anangu people, Uluṟu holds deep spiritual importance for Australia's First Nations people. By day, explore the rock’s vast ten-kilometre base on foot, where you’ll uncover fascinating geological facts and learn Tjutkurpa (creation stories) shared by the Traditional Owners. As night falls, the landscape transforms with magical drone shows, light projections and star-lit dinners. Here’s our guide on the best things to do in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. When is the best time to visit Uluṟu? The best time to visit Uluṟu is during the coolest months from May to September, when daytime temperatures are a comfortable 18 to 25 degrees – perfect for hiking and exploring. Warning: summer is scorching in the Red Centre, with temps soaring up to a sweltering 45 degrees. Editor's favourite things to do in Uluṟu: 🥾 Best outdoor adventure: Uluṟu Base Walk ⭐️ Best cultural experience: Wintjiri Wiru 🌈 Best bucket-list experience: Field of Light 🌅 The best places to visit in the Northern Territory🌳 The best things to do in Alice Springs

If there was any lingering doubt that Brisbane is a world city, it was put to rest the moment we scored the 2032 Olympics. Since then, the River City's been named one of the world's trendiest travel destinations and one of the friendliest places to live. Whether you're a local or just passing through, our editors have compiled the ultimate guide to the best things to do in Brisbane right now. In QAGOMA, the city has two of the best-designed art galleries on the planet, and blockbuster art to show in them. Sure, we've got great barbecue spots, but you'll also find some seriously impressive fine dining experiences and rooftop bars, too. Add in that year-round sunny climate (though slip, slop, slap please) and a great set of river walkways and public transport connections, and you’ve got yourself a city that’s a dream to explore. Start ticking off this list of the best things to do in Brisbane. Editors' favourite things to do in Brisbane: 🐶 Best for families: Bluey's World 😋 Best for foodies: Eat Street Northshore 🧺 Best for locals: West End Markets 🌳 The best free things to do in Brisbane🚗 The best day trips from Brisbane🥐 The best bakeries in Brisbane

Australians have a slight obsession with Japanese food. From silky bowls of ramen and glossy slivers of sashimi to crispy gyoza and bite-sized sushi rolls, we’d go to great lengths for a taste of Tokyo. Luckily, you don’t need to splurge on an international flight; we're blessed with some of the best Japanese restaurants in Australia. Steeped in precision and ancient culinary traditions, Japanese cuisine is a meticulous art form in its own right. Across the country, you’ll find highly awarded chefs firing Kobe beef right before your eyes, cozy izakayas pouring fragrant teas and premium sake, and new-wave cooks serving high-end omakase menus in intimate settings. Whether you’re after no-frills or all of the frills, here are some of the best Japanese restaurants in Australia (listed geographically). 🍽 The best restaurants in Australia🐠 The best fish and chips in Australia

This intimate three-tiered restaurant takes things up a notch with its European fare, along with its thoughtful wine list to match any dish that takes your fancy. By no means is Le Rebelle a burger bar; however, we’d go there for Le Burger alone. It bleeds two types of French cheese in all their glossy glory, a punchy tomato relish, and features a melt-in-the-mouth wagyu patty that seeps with its grilled juices – rebellious by nature, and indeed one of the best burgers in Perth.  Other classic mains include glazed whole duck with bearnaise sauce, saffron cavatelli complemented by potato, broccoli and espelette, plus poisson du jour (fish of the day). The house baguette is a non-negotiable too, and the same goes for a glass of red. Time Out tip: Big on cheese? Oh, sorry, we meant ‘fromage’. Well, Le Rebelle is the place to be with the separate fromage menu of local and international choices. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Perth

Nothing can beat a great curry, and few chefs can outdo Minoli De Silva’s jaggery lamb with spiced tomato salsa. The former MasterChef contestant has set up a city centre establishment that marries creativity with reverence for traditional Sri Lankan ingredients. Fill the table with spice-cured kangaroo tartare, spiced lamb ribs that are slow-cooked for 18 hours, and twice-cooked eggplant moju (a kind of relish-y curry). The plates are pretty and the product placement is thoughtful, accompanied by verdant sauces that dance around the dish, with a symphony that concludes in your mouth. The choice is only made harder by the wafting (and sensational) aromas that linger around the contemporary dining room. Top it all off with a zingy cocktail from Ella’s extensive list, where ingredients like kaffir limes, cardamom and pandan steal the spotlight. The Kiwi Bay not only leaves you refreshed, but it changes colour too. Time Out tip: Nab a seat in West Lane Arcade – the alfresco atmosphere only adds to the Ella by Minoli experience with Darwin’s tropical weather. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Darwin

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.

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.

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. 

There’s much more to Australia’s architectural landscape than just our poster child Sydney Opera House. While its striking white sails are easy on the eyes, our nation is home to many other remarkable buildings that double as picture-perfect backdrops. Rocket-like structures take to the sky, grand domes command attention and ancient pavilions whisper stories of the past – not to mention a bizarre UFO-like dome in Canberra that looks like it landed from another planet. After exploring every Australian state and territory, our Travel and News Editor Melissa Woodley has scoped out the coolest architectural buildings in Australia you need to see with your own eyes at least once. Don’t forget to look up. The Bell Tower, Perth Is it a rocket ship? A towering crystal shard? Or a futuristic shield protecting the city? No, it’s The Bell Tower – Perth City’s landmark pride and joy, chiming sweet melodies across the Swan River. Standing 82.5 metres tall and complete with 18 bells, this striking glass and copper spire is one of the largest musical instruments in the world. It’s a sight to behold from below, but the sixth-level vistas across the mighty river are pretty epic too. Photograph: Robert Seba Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne What do Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building and Paris’ Eiffel Tower have in common? Both were built for World Fairs (or World Expos) – global gatherings of the most creative minds that happen every five years. Our very own Carlton Gardens masterpiece