Dale Anninos-Carter

You know what’s finally trending in 2025? Self-care. While a warm bubble bath or 15-minute face mask is a nice pick-me-up, nothing beats a full-on pamper session at the spa. And boy does Australia have some pretty phenomenal pamper palaces that’ll leave you glowing from head to toe. Whether you’re treating yourself to a five-star massage while on holiday or searching for a local bathhouse to add to your weekly routine, we think you should add these day spas to the top of your to-do list. Here are the best and most luxurious day spas in Australia right now. ⭐️ Australia's best health and wellness retreats🌳 Here are all the best things to do in Australia🖼️ Art exhibitions you need to see this year

April 2025: Since our last update, we've added up-to-date opening hours, addresses and how much you should expect to pay at each spot, along with our top tip for each restaurant to ensure you have the best dining experience. What’s the secret recipe for crafting an exceptional dining experience? In coming up with Time Out’s list of the best restaurants in Australia, we considered a mix of ingredients. Talented chefs? Stylish decor? Lively ambience? Top-notch drinks? And of course, food that you can’t stop thinking about for days, months, or even years. Luckily, Australia’s restaurant scene is sizzling with spots that check all these boxes, plus so much more. Our nation’s top restaurants are a celebration of Australia’s native ingredients too. From an intimate 34-seat dining room cut into the rolling hills of South Australia's countryside to a 30-year-old institution overlooking Sydney’s sparkling Bondi Beach, these are the restaurants Time Out Australia’s team, including resident foodie Melissa Woodley, recommends for your next culinary adventure. 🍹 The best bars in Australia⭐️ Australia's most luxurious hotels🥐 The best bakeries Down Under For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines.

Combining seriously stylish design with access to abundant fresh produce from the surrounding wine regions, Adelaide’s restaurant scene has the best of both city and regional dining. Forward-thinking mod-Oz cuisine is informed by food traditions from across the world, which are also visible in everything from Afghan comfort food to Parisian classics and what might be Australia’s first pizza restaurant.  The accompanying wine lists are just as wide-ranging, encompassing powerful Barossa reds, spritzy natural wines and everything in between, all served by knowledgeable staff. And the best bit? Even the extended degustations sit at a price point that will come as a pleasant surprise to East Coast diners. Contributing writer and 11-year resident of Adelaide, Dale Anninos-Carter, has long been scouring the city for the utmost tastiest fare within dining rooms that tick all of the boxes. Together with Time Out’s local food authors, we’ve curated this guide to the best restaurants in Adelaide for all your eating pleasure – and these 21 spots are bound to do the trick. March 2025: Since our last update, we’ve knocked a few restaurants off the list and added recently opened eateries that are already turning heads to our guide, like LVN at Bird In Hand and Monica Bistro, too. Further, we've included up-to-date opening hours, addresses and how much you should expect to pay, along with our tips for each restaurant. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial g

So, you’ve decided you’re ready to explore Australia’s natural playground. You couldn’t resist the call of Darwin’s world-class hiking trails or the allure of its Indigenous stories, artworks and history. There’s no doubt that a trip to the Top End is bound to be fun, but among all the waterhole swimming, barramundi fishing and market stall perusing, you’ll need some good rest to do it all over again the next day.  With so many natural wonders, the Northern Territory can sometimes be a little difficult (and remote) to tour. It’s lucky then that the state’s capital acts as the ideal landing pad for day trips to all the national parks. In between your expeditions, experience luxury at Mindil Beach Casino Resort; take it back a notch with a home away from home at Argus Apartments; or splendour right in the thick of it at Hilton Darwin. Either way, in collaboration with Time Out Australia’s Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, and our local expert writers’ recommendations (including tried-and-tested reviews), these are the best hotels in Darwin to harbour a memorable trip up north. ☀️ All the best things to do in Darwin right now🍽️ The best restaurants in Darwin right now🚗 All the best day trips from Darwin 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.

At the best hotels in Perth, you'll find proof that the West Coast's accom scene is exploding. More than 25 new or renovated hotels have opened around the city in recent years, with many taking full advantage of the sparkly, new Elizabeth Quay waterfront development.  This pedestrian and arts precinct's design pays homage to Perth's First Nations people, with large public works by Noongar artists like Laurel Nannup, and a curving, flowing sense of space by the Swan River. The world-renowned Ritz-Carlton and nearby, historic COMO The Treasury are prime examples of Perth hotels that are taking full advantage of the river-ting city. Meanwhile out in Fremantle, Tradewinds Hotel is the place to be for relishing the Indian Ocean coastline with ease. Having been in and out of Perth over the past ten-plus years, Time Out contributor and local travel enthusiast, Dale Anninos-Carter, keeps a keen eye on her hometown’s ever-expanding tourism scene. From witnessing the humble 1990s big-country-town vibes, to the now glossy cityscape that is Perth, she’s well equipped with knowledge of old faithfuls and flash new constructs that thicken the skyline. In addition, Time Out Australia’s Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley has all the insider knowledge to point you in the right (and most comfortable) direction. Combined with never-before-seen luxury and late checkout times, you’re in for an exceptional stay. Here's our pick of the best hotels in Perth right now. 🌳 All the best things to do i

A trip to Adelaide can mean exploring the wineries of Barossa Valley, learning about science, art and migration at one of its many museums, or attending the largest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere – oh, and paying a visit to the beach. But however you decide to spend your time here, make sure you've got somewhere fabulous to stay, as you're going to want to be well-rested for busy days ahead.  Time Out Australia's Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has joined forces with our local expert writers, Dale Anninos-Carter and Petra Starke (who know the ins and outs of their 20-minute-city like the back of their hands), to recommend the very best abodes in South Australia, and why they're deserving of a spot in our refined guide. Whether you're a visitor wanting to stay bang in the centre of town at the prestigious Sofitel or Mayfair Hotel, or a local in search of a cheeky Barossa Valley staycation at The Louise, take a peek at our top hotels in Adelaide below, hand-picked by an expert who knows their stuff.  ☀️ All the best things to do in Adelaide🍽️ The greatest restaurants in Adelaide🖼️ Adelaide's best galleries and museums 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.

With its award-winning restaurants and dishes worth trekking interstate for, Canberra has earned its place on Australia’s gourmet map. The star of the show is the region’s local produce – including truffles, smoked meats and wines – which are fired, flamed, fermented and fried into all sorts of culinary creations. Time Out Australia’s Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley, spent four years immersed in Canberra’s dining scene before returning to Sydney, and she can vouch that its newest openings are right up there with the Emerald City’s. Whether you’re dining at the Italian spot in Braddon, vying for a table at a tiny Parisian-style restaurant, or making friends at one of the city’s funkiest pan-Asian eateries, these are the best Canberra restaurants you want to be hittin' up. March 2025: Since our last update in November, we've added up-to-date opening hours, addresses and how much you should expect to pay at each spot, along with our tips for each Canberra restaurant for your research needs. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍹 The best bars and breweries in Canberra☕️ Canberra's coolest cafés🍣 Where to find the best Japanese food in Canberra

​​With trendy restaurants and bars popping up all over the city, it’s no wonder Brisbanites and visitors alike can feel a bit overwhelmed when deciding where to eat. That’s where we come in! Our expert local writers, along with Time Out Australia’s Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley, have tasted their way through Brisbane’s diverse food scene to bring you this list of must-try restaurants. From a sprawling Japanese izakaya overlooking the river and an old-school pizzeria to a contemporary Chinese eatery with a spicy Sichuan fish broth that will make your eyes water, these are the best Brisbane restaurants that Time Out recommends for a culinary adventure in the River City. March 2025: Since our last update in November, we've added up-to-date opening hours, addresses and how much you should expect to pay at each spot, along with our tips for each Brisbane restaurant for your research needs. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍸 The best bars in Brisbane☕️ Brisbane's coolest cafés🥐 Where to find the best pastries in Brisbane

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 vouch for it.  Tasmania’s food scene is spectacular for a number of reasons. In recent years, spiking rent prices on the mainland have prompted chefs to flock to Hobart to launch their own restaurants. This influx of talent, combined with Tasmania’s naturally bountiful fresh produce, has led to Hobart becoming quite the destination for food lovers.  From tiny hole-in-the-wall bars with 20 seats to a bustling Tokyo-inspired eatery and a French restaurant that sits at the front of MONA, Hobart’s best restaurants are wildly varied, and there’s a plate to suit every palate. Eating out is truly one of the best things to do in Hobart, so here’s our list of the best restaurants to score a reservation (or a walk-in table) at. March 2025: Since our last update, we've added up-to-date opening hours, addresses and how much you should expect to pay at each spot, along with our tips for each restaurant for your research needs. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍷 The best bars in Hobart☕️ Hobart's cutest cafés🌳 All the best things to do in Hobart right now

When most people think about visiting Darwin, food likely isn’t the main motivating factor. But with steaming bowls of laksa and uniquely Territorian bites, Larrakia land gives plenty of reasons to linger. By day, you’ll come across intimate cafés with creative cross-cultural fare and bustling weekend markets serving some of the nation’s best noodle soups. As the sun sets, Darwin’s dining scene heats up with harbour-front restaurants showcasing tropical fruits and upscale pubs featuring local wildlife, like crocodiles and kangaroos. Our Travel and News Editor, Melissa Woodley, along with Northern Territory-based contributing writer, Leah McLennan, keep a weather eye on every nook and cranny of the wee but mighty city – and have curated this list of the best restaurants in Darwin right now. Now, all that’s left for you to do is eat up. March 2025: Since our last update, we've added up-to-date opening hours, addresses and how much you should expect to pay at each spot, along with our tips for each restaurant for your research needs. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍕 The best pizza joints in Darwin🌳 The 23 best things to do in Darwin🍻 Darwin's best bars for a night out

It feels a little lazy to say that eating yourself silly is one of the best things to do in Perth, but it would be disingenuous to suggest otherwise. The culinary scene here is exquisite, with each eatery bringing its own quirks and flavours to the table. And you're in safe hands when it comes to choosing one of the best restaurants in Perth to dine at – our contributing food enthusiast and writer, Dale Anninos-Carter, has lived in The West for 17 years and keeps a keen eye on the hospitality scene for all your devouring needs. She's given these 22 spots the seal of approval, too. From a charming European bistro tucked inside a heritage hotel to Australia’s very first Hokkaido soup curry house hidden down a laneway, our expert local writers have scoured out the best dining spots in Perth that are well worth visiting. So, put that appetite of yours to good use and get feasting. March 2025: Since our last update in November, we revisited Bread In Common, Uma, Rojiura Curry Samurai and No Mafia, just to make sure they're still worthy of a top spot in our guide. We've also included up-to-date opening hours, addresses and how much you should expect to pay, along with our tips for each restaurant. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍷 The best bars in Perth🍝 Perth's top Italian restaurants☕️ The coolest cafés in Perth

Life in Australia ain’t cheap right now. With so many bills to pay, your budget for dining out might feel like it’s getting tighter and tighter every day. That’s why it’s more important than ever to make those pretty pennies go the extra mile. To help you out, we’ve asked local writers across Australia to recommend their top cheap eats in each capital city. These places whip up hearty meals for less than $20, whether it’s a hefty banh mi, steaming noodle soup or a tasty trio of tacos. Pick your favourite cuisine and track down your closest budget-friendly bite with our guide to the best cheap eats in Australia right now. ✈️ The cheapest places to fly from Australia🥐 Australia's top bakeries for a cheap feed🍕 The best pizzerias 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.

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