Lisa Hamilton

In Australia, we've got boundless stars to share. When you combine vast stretches of national park, deeply dark skies and a dash of pure air, you've got yourself the ideal recipe for a quality stargazing session. In Australia, there are countless hidden (and obvious) amazing stargazing spots that perfectly hit this formula. We've found the best, so you don't have to.  When is the best time of year to go stargazing in Australia?  Generally, the experts say winter, for the crispest air and sharpest visuals. This being said, anytime from February to October should deliver the goods in any one of the spots we've listed across the nation.  What should you take stargazing in Australia? Just like if you're going outdoors at night, anywhere, you need to be prepared. Even though the Land Down Under has a rep for hotness, at night, temperatures do plummet – so bring plenty of warm clothes, insect protection, and ample food and water. Depending on your stargazing level (one being – "I like looking up occasionally and saying 'wow!' while eating marshmallows, and pro being – "I prefer seeing my constellations through the Hubble"), you should bring binoculars, night camera equipment or a portable telescope.  Also, a good attitude and a healthy appreciation for celestial fun. Those two? Essential. 

There’s something so intriguing about exploring the depths of the ocean, because we don't get many chances to check out what's down there. If you’re not a diver but you’ve always wanted to see what happens underneath the ripples of the water's surface, check out this ocean photography exhibition that's returning to the Australian National Maritime Museum.From November 28, the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024 exhibition will feature all of the winners and finalists of the prestigious prize, which is led by the London-based Oceanographic Magazine.  The exhibition will display 118 of the most awe-inspiring wildlife shots ever snapped, immersing you in the otherworldly magic of the ocean and bringing you face-to-face with some of the sea's most majestic creatures. Particular highlights will no doubt be getting your peepers on the winning image from photographer Rafael Fernández Caballero. His incredible photo of a Bryde whale feeding on a heart-shaped baitball was taken in Baja California Sur, Mexico during the Mexican sardine run. The stunning shot was chosen from more than 15,000 images by a panel of expert judges.  There are plenty of other award-winning photos on display across 10 categories, including the Ocean Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Ocean Adventure Photographer of the Year and the Ocean Fine Art Photographer of the Year.   Tickets are on sale now with discounts available for concessions and children and family passes on offer. All tickets include access to al

All the singles that dream of a 90's rom-com meet-cute and/or the grisly death of internet dating – put your hands up! Gather ‘round, your day has arrived.  It's a universal truth that trying to find love via an app can be a soul-destroying process that makes many of us question our will to live. Now, for single Sydneysiders, the Emerald City cupids are putting on an IRL dating event called ‘No Swipes’, that, in their words, is all about “giving dating apps the middle finger”.  If you’re ready to flip the bird to the online dating world then mark Sunday, February 11 in your diary as the day you might meet your soulmate, aboard a yacht on Sydney's sparkling harbour (Sydney Sweeney, eat your heart out). For the fourth Sydney pop-up of their invitation-only event series, No Swipes has partnered with floating festival company Yacht Social – they're bringing nine yachts together in a corner of the harbour with sparkling city views, a float-up party, on-board barbecues and a line-up of top DJs soundtracking the day. Ticketed entry is via a waitlist, so you’ll want to get in quick if you’re keen on a ‘meet-cute’ story that will probably make people exclaim loudly at parties. You can pop your name down right here, and if you’re successful, an email with details on how to purchase tickets will come flying into your inbox with the speed and velocity of Cupid’s arrow. The invitation-only event accepts 400 people on board, and ticketholders can choose a place on a standard yacht, a prem

Summer is all about getting outside and enjoying the sunshine – but when day turns to night, balmy weather makes for the perfect conditions to keep exploring long after the sun sets. By day, Jervis Bay is home to some of the most beautiful (and clearest water) beaches in NSW (heck, the world), but in the evening she’s just as glorious, thanks to less light pollution than in Sydney. If you’d like to dig your toes into the sand and marvel at the canopy of lights in the sky, then a guided stargazing tour in Jervis Bay should go to the top of your summertime activities list. Astrophysicist Dimitri Douchin, along with Caroline Boulom, invite you on a 90-minute experience that will open your eyes to the wonders of the universe right on the water's edge. Sounds magical, right? (They're the same people who run Blue Mountains Stargazing – and Dimitri sure knows his stuff, considering he's a TED speaker with a PhD in astrophysics. He’s a big thinker with a breadth of knowledge about how the world out there works, so we can’t think a better star-expert to take you on this very special journey.) You’ll get a chance to peep at the moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and The Orion Nebula through a telescope – and you might even spot a shooting star if you cross your fingers and toes. You might even witness the bioluminescence phenomenon, where a chemical reaction lights up the sealife, making their bodies glisten a shiny blue light. All participants who embark on the Jervis Bar stargazing t

Heaps Gay has long been a champion in the Sydney nightlife scene, holding parties and events that create a safe space for the queer community. On November 19, they’re returning with their Wet Dreams 10th birthday party, which will blow the lid off Sydney Harbour. It’ll be queer, it’ll be wet and it’ll be one of the best events of the year. They’ve just dropped the line-up performing at Mrs Macquarie Point, and we’ll be adding tickets to cart toot suite. Apart from everything else, THE Mel C of Spice Girls fame will be taking to the stage to perform a DJ set. This huge get for the Wet Dreams party comes as Melanie C embarks on her inaugural DJ tour – she’s heading to Sydney for a set at Seadeck, as well as to other cities Down Under. We hear she’ll be paying homage to the ’90s (good times), with dance classics and of course some Spice Girls hits. Zig-a-zig-ah. Elsewhere on the Wet Dreams line-up you’ll find British singer-songwriter Aluna, Kah-Lo, Cakes Da Killa, Byron Spencer, Felicia Foxx and heaps (gay) more epic performances.  To get tickets to Wet Dreams, head here and sign up for the pre-sale, which starts Wednesday, October 4 at 6pm. General sale begins Thursday, October 5 at 6pm over here. If you want to catch Mel C in Sydney the week before at Seadeck, you can grab yourself some tickets to that DJ performance right now here. Back-to-back Mel C weekends? Christmas is coming early. Want more spicy news? Australia is hosting an academic conference dedicated to Taylor Sw

If your social calendar has been looking decidedly un-sexy, we’ve got just the ticket to help you spice things up a bit. Dubbed ‘Australia’s sexiest party’, the Erotic Ball is returning to Sydney in 2023. On November 11, Sydneysiders are invited to a top secret location (v. sexy, v. elusive) to let their hair down and lean into all things erotic for an evening of pure, unadulterated fun.  This non-judgemental safe space will allow guests to explore their sensual side with the help of some sultry entertainment. Among the line-up of talented seductive professionals on hand will be former Miss Nude Australia Suzie Q, Benjamin Butterfly (who will put on a pole performance), Yanita Werkout (who will perform in drag), and Miss Taken Identity (who will lead a couples strip). For those keen to get involved there’s only one rule handed down by the organisers: dress to impress. Whatever sexy look you like – just make sure you double down and go all out. This is your opportunity to let go of your inhibitions and let that beautiful freak flag fly. If you’ve got an old PVC catsuit that has been collecting dust in the wardrobe, dust her off and remerge at the Erotic Ball. Whether you’re new to The Erotic Ball scene or if you’re a seasoned tease, you'll be totally welcome. To learn more about The Erotic Ball or secure your tickets, head here before they all get snapped up. Want more? Looking for a costume, toy or more? These are the best sex shops in Sydney Strip Her – a women-only strip s

Hey Bondi, are you feeling clucky? The uber-popular chicken shop that turns up the heat has a new home in the seaside suburb of Bondi Beach. That’s right, Belles Hot Chicken has opened a venue smack bang in the hustle and bustle of Hall Street. Belles Hot Chicken is now welcoming patrons into their freshly decked out digs that have been designed by Vicki Punch with an American ’70s diner vibe. Think retro booths, pastel colouring and totally groovy interiors. On the menu side, chook enthusiasts can expect more of the plucking good fare that has garnered Belles Hot Chicken such a big name amongst the public. Head in from the surf and tuck into some hot chicken and waffles or try the spicy chicken slider. Belles Hot Chicken Managing Director, Joss-Jenner Leuthart says the move into Bondi Beach felt like a great next move for the brand. “Comfort food, great booze and tunes just metres Australia’s most iconic beach –a match made in heaven,” said Managing Director of Belles Hot Chicken, Joss-Jenner Leuthart. “After opening the doors to our CBD flagship at Circular Quay, we pounced at the opportunity to transform Fonda’s iconic location to our new home. Belles is a place to kick back, dig in, get messy or just chill – and Bondi Beach always felt like a natural fit.” The new opening comes as Belles Hot Chicken footprint continues to expand throughout Sydney after finding success in Barangaroo, Darling Square, the Tramsheds and the CBD flagship in Circular Quay. Catch ya by the beach

If you’ve been singing Celine Dion’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’ in your bedroom for the past 26 years, we reckon it’s high time you took your dulcet vocals to the main stage. Or at the very least to the teeny, tiny stage at Poppie's Karaoke, Sydney’s newest and “littlest” karaoke joint. Hidden inside the Little Guy, a trusted and much-loved bar on Glebe Point Road, Poppie’s welcomes crooners to pick up the microphone and belt out the classics. This will be Glebe’s first official karaoke room and they’ve pulled out all the stops for the momentous occasion. No rendition of Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’ is complete without LED lights, neons and lasers, right? Good thing Poppie’s have the light show portion of your performance covered. Of course, karaoke isn’t really karaoke without a little lubrication. Fear not, you’ll be able to coat the vocal cords with all the Dutch courage you need to hit those Mariah-high octaves time and time again. Sip on ‘Poppie’s Punch’ or select a drop from the extensive beverage menu, all while noshing on complimentary popcorn. Once you’ve finished your set and collected your roses, head upstairs to the pool room and continue the good times. A nod to the ‘little’ in the Little Guy, Poppie’s will be a snug fit for those wanting to keep their performances intimate. With rooms capped at 15 patrons, this will be the intimate setting perfect for a song or two with your nearest and dearest. Given the small nature of the rooms, we encourage you to book ahead to ensure

The days are getting longer, the nights are getting warmer and there’s a scent of festivity in the air. The ushering in of the summer months brings about a sense of carefree whimsy to the city and we’ve got just the event to get your party started – on October 27, the Bacardi Dance Floor party is taking place inside the hallowed halls of the Cell Block Theatre at the National Art School in Darlinghurst, and famed indie dance act Northeast Party House will be taking centre stage. The Bacardi Dance Floor party will also feature musical performances from Gold Fang and Carolina Gasolina, who will bring a mix of reggae, funk, hip-hop and Afrobeat sounds. The folks from Bacardi will be on hand to make sure the zesty cocktails are a’flowing. Nothing says balmy nights quite like a Mojito, eh? And your bargain $30 ticket will get you entry to the party, two signature cocktails and food served throughout the event.  There’s nothing like partying with a conscience – all profits from the gig will be donated to the Support Act charity, which raises much-needed funds for crisis relief services within the music industry. Tickets are on sale now, so get in quick to make sure you’re in the mix at one of the biggest pre-summer parties of the season. What else is on in October? Check out our guide to fun weekend happenings. Hungry? Suss out these award-winning cheap eats in Sydney. Oh, and Sydney just scored its first restaurant subscription service.

It's October, which means it’s time to start carving out the pumpkins and poking holes in your old white sheets. If you prefer your trick-or-treating with a little bit more bass, this year's Return to Rio has your name over it. The witching hour just got a whole lot more fun. Return to Rio music festival is doing what it says on the label and it's returning to the social calendar after a four-year hiatus. The beloved three-day knees-up is coming back with frightful gusto across the Halloween weekend with a line-up that’s so good you’ll need to clutch your pearls.  Taking the stage at Del Rio Riverside Resort in Wisemans Ferry will be Sneaky Sound System, Late Nite Tuff Guy, Nick Warren, Patrice Bäumel and Mark Farina. Elsewhere at the spookfest, punters will be able to mix it up with the dark arts, with freak shows, voodoo fortune telling, and the Pickles Family Funeral immersive theatre where you can take part in your own funeral. If you’d like to step into the lighter side of things, there will also be reiki, massage, yoga classes and breathwork available. Return to Rio has long been known as the music festival where you dress to impress. It is highly encouraged for revellers to don their most outrageous kit, and with the festival coinciding with Halloween the costume options are ripe for the picking. Where you’re most terrifying Zombie look one day in the mosh pit then switch it out for a Barbie-inspired get up the next.  The last Return to Rio was held back in 2019, which

Homelessness is a major issue in Australia – every night, approximately 140,000 people sleep rough. This winter, Sydney institution Wayside Chapel (which provides support and essential services for people experiencing homelessness and social isolation in Sydney) experienced an increase of 100 people per day through its doors compared to the previous year. In a fight against homelessness, Wayside is bringing back their Long Walk Home event for the sixth year. The 28-kilometre fun walk is held annually to raise funds and awareness of the growing homelessness and isolation problem across Sydney. Why 28km? Because, according to Wayside, that's how long someone experiencing homelessness walks each week, on average, in search for essential services or a safe place to sleep.   On Saturday October 7, walkers will be invited to hit the pavement, starting in Parramatta and finishing up in Kings Cross. Entry into the Long Walk Home costs $70, which will go towards providing much needed funding to help homeless people throughout Sydney. Wayside Chapel has community centres in Kings Cross and Bondi, and have long provided assistance to those who need it most. Between dishing up nutritious meals to offering legal services and safe spaces for vulnerable members of the community, they have been an integral part of Sydney since 1964. If you’re not able to make the Long Walk Home in person, you can sign up to participate in your own virtual walk challenge, held any time from Saturday, October

It’s time to dust off the platform sneakers and pull on your Adidas crop top because all of your Spice Girls prayers have been answered. Sporty Spice, Melanie C, is heading to Australia for her inaugural DJ tour. The award-winning icon is bringing her dance music, funk and pop stylings to Sydney and other cities this November. On November 10, Spice enthusiasts and lovers of the dance scene alike can take to Sydney’s harbour, boarding Seadeck to see Mel C hit the turntables.  Of course, her sets have been known to pay homage to the ’90s (good times), with dance classics and of course some Spice Girls hits. Zig-a-zig-ah. A day on the Sydney Harbour dancing to one of our favourite musicians of all time? Doesn’t get much spicier than that. Except that it does get spicier. Mel C will also be hitting up the Heaps Gay ‘Wet Dreams’ 10th birthday party, performing again in Sydney on November 19 alongside Aluna and Kah-Lo.  While Mel C made her first, big foray into the music industry as a member of the Spice Girls, Melanie C has enjoyed success as a solo artist and is now having an impressive turn as a DJ – she took to the stage at Glastonbury this year, and brought the house down with a set at Ibiza’s renowned PACHA nightclub.  If you’re keen on grabbing tickets to Melanie C’s inaugural DJ tour in Sydney at Seadeck, head here for tickets, which are on sale now.  If you want to catch her at Heaps Gay’s Wet Dreams, you’ll have to wait until the pre-sale starts on October 4 at 6pm (sign

Canberra is home to the Australian War Memorial, a shrine and museum that commemorates the service and sacrifice of Australian men and women in wartime. Here you can discover the Australian experiences of war and connect with the stories of people and events that shaped Australia. Place a poppy on the Roll of Honour to remember the sacrifice made by Australian servicemen and women, and stay for the moving Last Post closing ceremony.  How about this? The Australian War Memorial has been listed as one of the top free tourist attractions in the world. In a list released by tourism company Casago, the Australian War Memorial made the top ten best places across the globe to visit that will cost you zero dollars. Analysing TripAdvisor reviews, they looked at which free tourist spots have the most five-star ratings, and the Australian War Memorial came in at number nine. Open from 10am daily, grab your free ticket (booked in advance) and weave through the exhibitions that tell a rich story of Australia's military history. You can explore the Aircraft Hall, the World War I and II galleries before paying respects at the commemorative area where there is an Honour Roll complete with names of all the brave men and women who fought for our country. If you’re interested in checking out the other free tourist attractions around the world listed by Casago, you might want to lock in an around-the-world flight, because they’re dotted far and wide. According to the data, the quaint Belgian tow

You head out for your morning coffee and who’s this red-headed fella you keep bumping into? Why, it’s a brush turkey, and there’s a reason you’re seeing more and more of them popping up all over Sydney. The Australian brush turkey was all but extinct back in the 1930s, but recent research published in the Wildlife Research journal has found that these curious birds are having a huge resurgence in urban areas. Yup, Sydney is in its brush turkey era. Brush turkeys were hunted and roasted for dinner at a rapid rate in the Depression, yet since legislation declared the birds a native species in the 1970s, they’ve been rapidly increasing in population across Sydney. The resurgence has been a while in the making, but it's been a rather extraordinary bounce-back from near extinction. Dr Matthew Hall, an urban ecologist at the University of Sydney, said research shows when the brush turkey boom hit our city. He told the ABC they “became really common in northern Sydney in the 2000s and 2010s." Now, in 2024, they can be found in around 312 Sydney suburbs – which is most likely why you’ve bumped into a few on your daily constitutional. Besides becoming an official native species, ecologists have been keen to pinpoint exactly why these yellow-necked birds have had such a spectacular return from being all but gone. One such theory behind their resurgence is the fact that by nature they practice sustainability habits – they’re more than happy to scrounge for discarded food and they’re no

Arriving at Sydney International Airport hours early to traipse through the seemingly never-ending malaise of actually making it to your boarding gate on time can kinda kill the holiday buzz. Getting the chance to travel overseas is, of course, one of the great joys in life, but the process of checking in isn't the fun part. So Sydney Airport has been looking at upgrades they can make to enhance the process. They have already made some changes, including installing 3D body scanners, which has made security checks a whole lot more efficient. High-resolution scanning technology has replaced two-dimensional imaging, meaning that passengers can leave things like laptops, liquids and gels in their check-in bags and whiz on through. One of the key changes on the way is overhauling the security hall and rearranging zones, to create a better flow for passengers and prevent bottlenecking, which is definitely a thing at Sydney International. Currently, passengers need to go through security first and then passport check – the plan is to swap these two zones, which they say will be a more streamlined order. BELIEVE IT OR NOT: Sydney Airport has ranked as one of the most luxurious airports in the whole world Sydney Airport says the upgrades are due to be completed by quarter four of 2025 (sounds like the perfect time to book a trip away). The upgrades will be a welcome addition for outbound Sydney travellers and a positive step forward for the travel industry, which is still working to 

Sydney's enjoyed the latest update to its transport network – the divine Sydney Metro fast-rail service. It's fast, it's punctual, it's clean, the stations are beautiful – it says what it does on the packet. is it time for an upgrade to our public transport ticketing system, too? It’s been a long-time coming since the NSW government announced two years ago they were planning to overhaul the Opal system but it looks like the wheels are finally in motion and the train looks like it'll be leaving the station soon(ish).  Can we get a hoo-ray?! 'Opal Next Gen' is the name of the new-look Sydney transit project, in which $568 million will go towards shifting ticketing into the digital era. This means that instead of tapping your bank card (which doesn't let you access benefits such as concession fares) or your weathered physical Opal card, you'll be able to tap a digital Opal using your smartphone.  As mentioned, the new digital system is touted to come with benefits, apart from convenience. Concession card holders will be able to access concession rates, you'll be able to access discounts when travelling on certain days of the week or when travel caps are reached (which can't happen currently if you pay across multiple bank cards), you’ll be able to plan trips, and use your sporting or gig tickets to unlock free public transport.  Not only will this overhaul bring in much needed new digital functionality for passengers, but stations, buses, light rail and ferries will all be upgra

The weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer – this means spring has sprung in Melbourne! And this change of season also means daylight savings will be upon us soon. But funnily enough, even though it comes around every year, we're always wondering when it starts and how exactly it works. So here's a guide that answers all your 2024 daylight savings questions... When does daylight savings start in Victoria for 2024? Daylight savings starts on the first Sunday in October. So for 2024, on Sunday, October 6, clocks will jump forward an hour – that means we skip an hour at 2am and go straight to 3am.  Do we gain an hour or lose an hour when daylight savings starts in Victoria? When daylight savings kicks in, our clocks will jump forward, meaning we will lose an hour. However, what we lose in time we will make up for in light at the end of the day – more hours to go out for a twilight walk, get a drink with friends, or try that new restaurant.  Do I turn the clock back or forward for daylight savings in Victoria? Look, if you have a smartphone or laptop connected to the internet, you can check it to work this one out. But, to help you get your head around it, you have to move your analogue clocks and watches forward by one hour when you wake up on Sunday, October 6. What date do I change my clock on for daylight savings Victoria? When you wake up on the morning of Sunday, October 6, it'll be an hour later than usual. You'll have lost an hour during the night, and clo

We’ve braved our way into the final month of winter here in Sydney, so by now you might be sick of wearing three pairs of socks to keep your feet warm inside Sydney's notoriously frosty dwellings (or just sick). But before you resign yourself to another couple of weeks of hibernation, we'd suggest popping on your puffiest jacket and getting outside to look up at the night sky. We all know that Sydney comes alive during the summer months (miss you, rooftop cocktails) but even when it’s on the cooler side there are plenty of things to do, including: stargazing. Did you know that winter is the best time of the year for Australians to witness special celestial happenings?  Dr Stefania Barsanti, an astronomer from the Australian National University, has urged that now is the time to get outside and see some spectacular sights before they fade into the abyss. Another astronomer, Dr Ian Musgrave told the ABC that “a lot of the dust and nastiness that makes the skies less brilliant during summer has either been washed out or settled, so the skies are clearer”. So what exactly will you see if you head outside on a cold Sydney evening? Our favourite event on Sydney's stargazing calendar this winter is the Perseid meteor shower – a result of the Swift-Tuttle comet shedding ice and rock along its orbit, which creates what we see as shooting stars. Even though this peaked earlier this week, it continues activity through August – possibly until September 1, according to NASA.  For your be

The Sydney Harbour foreshore is already our city's pearl, and the 9km Foreshore Walk (from Pyrmont to Woolloomooloo) will soon be jazzed up with a number of oyster-themed art installations – in an effort to help visitors to the area build a deeper connection to Country. The latest installation in a project known as 'Yananurala' comes from Yuwaalaraay designer Lucy Simpson, who has designed a range of giant mud-flat oyster artworks to bring pearlescent energy to the foreshore. The sculptures are a nod to the many mud flat oyster clusters that were once found around Yurong (Mrs Macquarie’s Point), the Woolloomooloo bay foreshore, Cockle Bay and the headland at Barangaroo. The significance of these oysters to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander will be further expanded upon with a soundscape component to the installation – audio narratives will explain the history and heritage of the Harbour. The sculptures are interactive – passersby will be invited to explore the oyster sculptures by sitting in, standing on and touching the giant artworks. In short: you can become a pearl in an oyster for the day. Designer Simpson and her art concept were selected from a call-out during the ongoing Yananurala project, and she says she got the idea after being inspired by the rich storytelling that oysters allow. “What I loved about these oyster shell forms is a layering of time embodied in their shapes; you can read their experience and memory,” she says. “Their growth rings are worn and age

April is officially upon us, and although the weather doesn’t seem to be cooling down much yet (with Sydney recording the hottest start to March in 109 years), the darker days are approaching – with Daylight Savings coming to an end this weekend for NSW and other states of Australia. Here's a handy guide that answers all your Daylight Savings NSW questions... When does Daylight Savings end in NSW? During the very early hours of Sunday, April 7, clocks will shift back an hour. The bad news: No more sunny times at the end of the day. The good news: You’ll get an extra-long sleep in that Sunday morning. Here’s hoping that the start of April will be as beautiful as March has been, and we can make the most of the lighter mornings (check out our guide on how to do just that, over here).  Do we lose an hour or gain an hour when NSW Daylight Savings ends? If you also still can’t quite wrap your head around which direction time moves, then join the club. When Daylight Savings ends in a couple of weeks, our clocks will jump backwards, meaning we will gain an hour. However, what we gain in time we will pay for with shorter evenings – meaning the sun will set an hour earlier each evening (meaning it might be time to swap out your evening run for a night at the theatre... no complaints from us).  Do I turn the clock back or forward when NSW Daylight Savings ends? Look, as long as your smartphone and computer are connected to the internet, it will change automatically, so you can check it

Trying to plan your life? Here's everything you need to know about the NSW school holidays and school term dates for 2024. Looking for things to do during the school holidays? Check out our round-up of the best activities and places to go. Or want to suss out places to go? Here's our guide to the best cheap holiday destinations in NSW. What are the dates for NSW school holidays 2024? NSW autumn 2024 school holiday dates: Monday, April 15 to Friday, April 26, 2024 NSW winter 2024 school holiday dates: Monday, July 8 to Friday, July 19, 2024 NSW spring 2024 school holiday dates: Monday, September 30 to Friday, October 11, 2024 NSW Christmas (summer) 2024 school holiday dates: Eastern Division: Monday, December 23, 2024, to Thursday, January 30, 2025 Western Division: Monday, December 23, 2024 to Thursday, February 6, 2025 What's the difference between the eastern and western division NSW school holidays? Historically, the NSW Department of Education has staggered NSW schools located in the eastern and western districts across the NSW summer school holidays. This means that schools located in the eastern section of NSW will return to school in the new year a week earlier than their western region counterparts. What are the NSW school term dates for 2024? NSW School Term 1 2024 dates: Eastern Division: Thursday, February 1 to Friday, April 12, 2024 Western Division: Tuesday, February 6 to Friday, April 12, 2024 NSW School Term 2 2024 dates: Monday, April 29 to Friday, July

OK so Sydney's far from perfect – there's the whole cozzie livs situation, for starters. But travellers from elsewhere reckon we've got it pretty bloody good here in the Emerald City. Sydney has ranked in the top ten best cities in the world, according to the Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards – in fact, we made it into eighth spot, after half-a-million travellers had their say. The scores were tallied by overall levels of satisfaction with a destination, but factors like architecture, tourist sightseeing, accommodation, food and cultural aspects all came into play, too. When looking at the final winning list we’re feeling pretty chuffed to be held in such high esteem next to some of the most beloved cities in the world, such as Spain and Tokyo – and Victoria, Canada in top spot. Looking for 2024 travel inspo? Take a look at the top-ten rankings: Victoria, Canada San Sebastian, Spain Singapore Tokyo, Japan Seoul, South Korea San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Cape Town, South Africa Sydney, Australia Copenhagen, Denmark Oslo, Norway With a score of 88.98, Sydney was the only Australian city to make it onto the list, and received points thanks to our gorgeous beaches, rooftop bars and bustling culture scene. Elsewhere in the same set of awards, another Sydney hotspot took out the top gong in the 'Best Hotel in Australasia' category – The Fullerton, a hotel in Martin Place, is a fave with international voters. Want more? These stories are popping off: These are the must

Despite feeling like we just celebrated the beginning of 2022, the downward roll into the year’s end is upon us, folks. As we emerge from the winter months and start to get a whiff of summer air on the horizon, attention turns to firming up our New Year’s Eve plans. It’s a well-known fact that our city’s NYE fireworks in the world. While you can see the fireworks show from far and wide, there are a number of areas that are considered to be the best vantage spots for a front-row seat to the show, and these spots usually come with pretty hefty ticket prices (around $500) – until now. Premier Chris Minns has announced the NSW Labor Government is releasing 6,000 free tickets, allowing punters to nab the best seats in the house located across Barangaroo Reserve, West Circular Quay, Campbells Cove, Hickson Road Reserve, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, The Domain, and Mrs Macquarie’s Point. The Labor government has come good on their election promise to release a selection of free tickets to the public and will go about it on a first-come, first-serve basis, with each venue closing off once at capacity. If you want to try your luck at a really special spot, the government is launching a free ticket ballot for the NYE on the Cahill Expressway event – the ballot opens on Tuesday, September 5 at 9am and closes Friday, October 6 at 11.59pm. If you’re keen to get your name in the mix you’re invited to select your preference for either the 9pm or midnight fireworks show – or if you’re keen

In Australia, we love our native birds (at least when they're not trying to swoop us). And once every two years, that bird love is recognised, when the Bird of the Year poll opens – Australians take a vote to crown the Australian Bird of the Year. This year, a whopping 11,171 people voted for the swift parrot, making it the 2023 winning bird in the Guardian and BirdLife Australia competition. While it seems like just a bit of flighty fun to vote for our favourite avian creatures, the Bird of the Year poll can have a more serious impact. The swift parrot has recently made its way into the critically endangered category. Not-fun fact: more people actually voted for the swift parrot than numbers of the birds left in the wild. This endangered status is what prompted ornithology fans to make a coordinated push to make sure the swift parrot took out top spot. Yes, the colourful bird is a genuinely loved animal in bird-watching circles, but the win was a rally cry to help bring conservation efforts for the bird to the fore. “This was definitely a concerted vote from people who were captivated not just by the birds themselves but their plight,” said BirdLife Australia’s national public affairs manager, Sean Dooley in an interview with The Guardian. “I hope the government hears this message. People really care about these beautiful birds. They care about what happens to them.” This comes as the critically endangered swift parrot was detected near the Boggabri coal mine site in north-w

If it feels like you’ve been shoo shoo shoo-ing flies away from your lunch more than usual for this time of year, that’d come down to Sydney's current fly invasion. While we can usually expect mum to be at the ready with the swat come Christmas Day lunch, it feels a wee bit early to be this ticked off by the pesky pests, don’t you think? According to scientists, the hot start to spring has led to the unwelcome swarms. Evolutionary ecologist at the University of Sydney Thomas White told ABC News that the recent heat waves and record high temperatures have promoted a speedier life cycle for fly species. "It's quite dry, we are in El Niño [...] And because it's so hot and humid, they're there in larger numbers than we might have seen in the last couple of years [when] it's been a bit cooler and a bit wetter." When the weather cooled down recently, the flies seemed to buzz off, but experts warn that with warmer weather on the way and a dry and hot summer on the cards, we need to learn to live with our flying friends. Dr White points out that flies are pollinators, nutrient recyclers, they're food for animals like frogs, and essential in our environment. "So really, people can just swipe them away, move on with the day, and not worry about it too much as best as you can." Make sure to bin your food scraps properly, bust out the fly swat and warm up your wrist for some heavy-duty swatting.