Melissa Woodley

There’s no doubt about it, Sydneysiders can’t get enough of Italian food. And who can blame us? There’s something about a bowl of perfectly al dente pasta paired with a luscious, rich ragu that just hits the spot. And while Italian cuisine differs throughout the 20 incredible regions – broadly speaking, the northern regions eat more rice and polenta, while down south they feast more on seafood – Italians share a love of beautiful, seasonal produce; they choose simplicity rather than overcomplicating dishes and cook with soul. No wonder we love it so much. Luckily, there are plenty of excellent options for Italian dining in Sydney. Time Out’s food writers and editors – including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, who has eaten her way through Sicily, Sorrento, Rome and Florence – have picked our favourite eateries, covering all bases. The only catch? They just need to provide a feel-good environment and dishes you’ll want to come back for. From casual red-sauce joints and classic pizzerias to fine-dining restaurants, you’ll find them all here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Not in the mood for pasta? Here are our picks of the best spots for Greek and French food in Sydney.

Believe it or not, we're already back at the school holidays, and if the thought of keeping the kiddos entertained for not just two, but six weeks sends you into a spiral, we have you covered this summer with an ultimate list of the best activities and experiences happening in Sydney for kids and families.  Check out something for the explorers, the budding scientists, the mini-athletes, the musical prodigies and just about everyone in between.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Looking for somewhere affordable to eat out with the kids? Check out our guide to the best cheap eats in Sydney. Or visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Whether it’s a simple spaghetti with garlic, oil and chilli, ravioli stuffed to the high heavens, or lovingly layered lasagne, few foods give us the feels quite like pasta. Let’s be real – Sydney’s Italian restaurant game is seriously strong on all fronts, but when the hour calls for carbs, these are the spots that turn flour, eggs and water into small miracles. Time out Sydney's food writers and pasta lovers – including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure – have smashed their fair share of pasta in town, and here are our favourites. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Need an aperitivo before you chow down? Knock back a cocktail at one of the best bars in Sydney. After a slice of two? Here are the best pizza joints in Sydney.

Australia is pretty hard to beat when it comes to natural landmarks and epic experiences. However, it’s hard knowing which ones live up to the hype. Our Travel Editor, Melissa Woodley, has drawn on her adventures across every state and territory to curate this list of Australia’s top tourist attractions, spanning from the East Coast to the West.  While the Big Banana didn’t make the cut this time around, you’re sure to be amazed by these spectacular sights, including the world’s largest coral reef, the oldest continually surviving rainforest, and the best sunset-watching location on Earth. Start compiling your great Australian bucket list. 😱 The best places to visit in Australia right now🌈 All the most beautiful places to explore Down Under🌊 Australia's best beaches

If cruising on a large, luxurious vessel to exotic destinations is your kind of adventure, you’ll be pleased to know that in Australia, the options are pretty endless. Although cruises aren’t for everyone, they can be a pretty excellent way of exploring far-flung places while still maximising your time off.  We've found the best Australian cruise routes and companies that each offer up something a little different for the curious cruiser. Whether you're after a family-friendly Disney adventure with Bluey, a seriously luxe trip to the Great Barrier Reef or an epic journey to New Zealand, there's an Australian cruise experience out there for everyone. Now, all that's left is for you to buy a large sun hat and channel Jennifer Coolidge circa White Lotus, season two – just without the sticky ending bit (obviously).  🚘 The most epic Australian road trips to do before you die☀️ Australia’s most incredible resorts and lodges🤩 The hottest new hotel openings in Australia

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

The Northern Territory is the unofficial watering hole capital of Australia: literally, and alcoholically. After a day spent exploring the best natural swimming spots, Darwin is where the action is at for a nice cold bevvy and some good pub grub.  With the NT's capital boasting year-round warm weather and a stellar waterfront scene, it’s almost a crime not to kick back al fresco at one of the pubs. We’ve chosen the best of the bunch for their tasty specials boards, central location and snug atmosphere. 🍺 The best bars in Darwin🍔 Where to find Darwin's best burgers🍕 The best pizza joints in Darwin

While dreams of sleeping beneath unpolluted starry skies, swimming on secluded beaches and snuggling by a campfire sounds pretty good to all of us, the thought of battling spiders, dirt floors and zero showers can shatter it real quick. Enter: Glamping – your solution.  In Australia, the opportunities are truly endless for all those who like their wild nature escapes with a side of fluffy luxury. Whether it's reclining in a private bubble bath beneath a rainforest canopy, dipping into a rainwater plunge pool next to Uluru, or sleeping in clean sheets next to one of the world's most remote coral reefs, the dreamy glamping spots Down Under are both epic and aplenty. All you've gotta do is hit the road.  ✅ The best caravan parks to hit up in Australia⛺️ All the best free campsites for your travels🚘 The most epic Aussie road trips to do before you die

With its gleaming beachside skyscrapers, its entertainment strip and casinos, and plenty of exciting things to do, the Gold Coast—or ‘Goldie’ as it’s affectionately known—has a reputation for being Australia’s Las Vegas. But that’s changing.  The most recent Australian Commonwealth Games saw more than one billion dollars worth of investment here, including an extension to the tram system, which now connects the city with trains to Brisbane. There are new markets, restaurants and bars too, plus hotels featuring everything from private marinas and casinos to retro bikes, glowworm displays and even the odd jungle celebrity – clearly aimed at everyone from glitzy Sydneysiders and visiting dignitaries to backpacking 19-year-olds. Price points too ensure there really is something for everyone. Here are the best hotels to stay at on the Gold Coast right now. ✨ All the best things to do on the Gold Coast🍽️ Your ultimate guide to the Gold Coast's best restaurants🚘 The best weekend getaways from Brisbane

If there's one sure-fire way of injecting joy into your year – it's festivals. Gathering with like-minded people in rainbow-festooned palaces full of amazing music, glittering performances and zesty food sounds like utopia to us – which is why it's a blessing that Australia has an incredible array of festivals on offer, one for every season of the year. In this list, we round up the best festivals that we reckon you should check out Down Under this year. Starting with those that are on earliest in the year and ending with those at the end, each of these festivals has been selected for its scale, its astonishing visuals, and its commitment to seriously good times. From music to comedy to wild light displays in the Outback, rest assured that going to any of these incredible Aussie festivals will be a bloody good time indeed.  🎭 The best musical and theatre shows in Australia🎨 Australia's best art galleries🍔 The best food festivals in Australia

Dreaming of a tropical island getaway? Or waiting for fares to your favourite overseas destination to drop? We’re flying in to save the day with this ultimate guide to the best fare sales happening in Australia right now. When do flights go on sale? In Australia, flight sales happen every week – shout-out to Jetstar’s Friday Fare Frenzy and Virgin’s Happy Hour Sale. But for international carriers, those sales pop up at surprise times and last for only a super limited time. Don’t let them take off without you.  ✈️ The cheapest places to fly from Australia☀️ Australian travel destinations that feel like a European holiday🌎 All the best places to visit in Australia right now

Australia is home to thousands of very special waterfalls that we reckon everyone should go and chase at least once. However, if you don't have endless waterfall-seekin' time on hand, we understand. To make things easier, we've picked out the most incredible waterfalls that you should visit in Australia in your lifetime. Whether it's marvelling at a thundering plume of water that's hundreds of meters tall, frolicking beneath a silver sparkly cascade, or getting a free shoulder massage in the middle of the wilderness, we can promise that you won't be bored. Now, all you've got to do is blast some TLC and hit the road.  ☀️ The dreamiest hot springs Down Under👙 The best natural pools in Australia🏄 Australia's top surf beaches

It’s all about sunny days, sandy toes and blissful nights at ‘The Cat’. Originally built in the late 1960s, this roadside motel has been reimagined as a stylish surf shack, boasting six coastal-inspired queen rooms and a two-bedroom apartment. The Cat is perched just 200 metres from the pristine waters of Palm Beach, but you can also relax under shady umbrella trees in the motel’s communal courtyard or on sunbeds by the pool. With contactless check-in, free parking and rooms starting at just $275 per night, this really is the definition of lo-fi luxury.

Pulling up to Bells at Killcare, I can’t decide whether I’ve landed on the set of Grease or Mamma Mia. I can truly “hear the bells” thanks to a chorus of singing cicadas, while the scene before me feels like a slice of paradise you’d find in a Greek island movie – just reimagined with a splash of Hamptons sophistication.  Bells at Killcare is sure to, well, ring a bell for Aussies who appreciate the finer things in life. Nestled on the Bouddi Peninsula just outside Sydney, this coastal-luxe boutique hotel is a zippy 20-minute ferry trip from Palm Beach or 90 minutes by car. Since opening in 2007, Bells at Killcare has become synonymous with relaxed sophistication, best known for its 25 Hamptons-style seaside cottages, a farm-to-table restaurant boasting an award-winning wine list, and luxurious day spa.  In February 2024, the resort unveiled four nature-inspired luxe Lodges, tucked away in a private eco-bush sanctuary at the front of the property. I was fortunate enough to spend a long weekend in one of the three-storey standalone residences, and it surpassed all expectations of my wildest dreams.  Unlike the Hamptons vibe of the white-and-blue main property, the eco-certified lodges blend into the surrounding angophora canopy with their earthy olive hues. Our lovely host, Anna, takes us on a detailed walk-through of the property, which is much-needed to appreciate all of the special touches and inclusions.  Each lodge comfortably sleeps four people, with two identical king b

Pulling up to Bells at Killcare, I can’t decide whether I’ve landed on the set of Grease or Mamma Mia. I can truly “hear the bells” thanks to a chorus of singing cicadas, while the scene before me feels like a slice of paradise you’d find in a Greek island movie – just reimagined with a splash of Hamptons sophistication.  Bells at Killcare is sure to, well, ring a bell for Aussies who appreciate the finer things in life. Nestled on the Bouddi Peninsula just outside Sydney, this coastal-luxe boutique hotel is a zippy 20-minute ferry trip from Palm Beach or 90 minutes by car. Since opening in 2007, Bells at Killcare has become synonymous with relaxed sophistication, best known for its 25 Hamptons-style seaside cottages, a farm-to-table restaurant boasting an award-winning wine list, and a luxurious day spa.  In February 2024, the resort unveiled four nature-inspired luxe lodges, tucked away in a private eco-bush sanctuary at the front of the property. I was fortunate enough to spend a long weekend in one of the three-storey standalone residences, and it surpassed all of my wildest dreams.  Unlike the Hamptons vibe of the white-and-blue main property, the eco-certified lodges blend into the surrounding native greenery with their earthy olive hues. Our lovely host, Anna, takes us on a detailed walk-through of the property, which is much-needed to appreciate all the special touches and inclusions.  Each lodge comfortably sleeps four people, with two identical king bedrooms that ca

While many city slickers feel like they’ve left Sydney the moment they hit the upper North Shore, you haven’t officially left the city until you’re cruising down the motorway. Just after crossing the Mooney Mooney Bridge, it’s worth veering off the freeway to Mount White where you’ll find Saddles. This stunning 28-acre estate, less than half an hour from Hornsby, is home to a homestead restaurant channelling Americana ranch vibes and a cute kiosk serving house-baked goods. You can swing by for just a coffee and a fresh pie – the beef brisket with housemade tomato sauce is a real winner – and enjoy it at the shaded picnic tables overlooking the dam. But if you’ve got time to spare, it’s worth booking a table on the lakeside deck for a long, wine-fuelled lunch.  While you can order signature bakery treats like the pork and sage sausage roll or honey-wattleseed scones from the restaurant, a three-course meal makes the journey even more worthwhile. Saddles’ seasonally changing lunch menu heroes locally sourced ingredients – many grown on the property – while embracing the flavours from afar.  Settle in with freshly baked bread and smoked butter, before enjoying shared entrées like compressed melon and goat’s cheese bruschetta, or a vibrant beetroot-cured salmon gravlax. Native ingredients shine in the mains – think ricotta gnocchi basking in lemon myrtle beurre blanc, spatchcock sprinkled with warrigal gremolata and wattleseed popcorn, or a Wagyu eye fillet zhuzhed up with a Kaka

You'll find this newly refurbished boutique retreat in the spectacular Scenic Rim, just an hour’s drive from Brisbane or 25 minutes from the Gold Coast. The Tamborine features 23 boutique rooms, all boasting luxe king beds and private balconies or terraces with breathtaking mountain views. Guests will benefit from a heated mineral pool and spa, complimentary continental breakfast, Moda hydration station, local produce pantry, and central bar area serving aperitifs at ‘Peacock O’clock’. The Tamborine team also offers curated Tamborine Mountain itineraries for your stay.

King Street’s 'vegan mile' is like the Hollywood Boulevard of plant-based dining, with meat-free menus found on almost every corner. Sitting in good company between Vandal and Vina Vegan, Mina Maria has earned its place among the stars on the Walk of Fame, offering an impressive Euro-inspired menu that could convince even the most die-hard carnivores to ditch meat for the night. Long-time vegans will undoubtedly recognise Emma Langley and Adam Papastathopoulos, the powerhouse duo behind this restaurant, previously known as I Should Be Souvlaki. These trailblazers of Sydney’s plant-based scene started out in 2017 as a humble stall at the Sydney Vegan Markets, serving Greek souvlaki so authentic it could win Yia Yia’s seal of approval. In 2021, I Should Be Souvlaki made the leap from market stall to its first restaurant on King Street, bringing a fresh, playful twist to Greek street food. Now, the couple has reimagined their beloved eatery as Mina Maria, a heartfelt tribute to Papastathopoulos’s Yia Yia Asimina and Langley’s late great aunt Maria. While the name has evolved, their signature souvlaki is still available with 'chick’n', ‘lamb’ or marinated mushroom skewers. For those eager to see which is most realistic, the Mixed Skewer Platter for Two – served at both lunch and dinner – is a must-try, featuring all three options alongside Greek and cabbage salads, house-made 'tzatziki' and mini pitas. Regulars will breathe a sigh of relief to see their deceptively realistic salt

It’s a huge international affair at WOMADelaide – World of Music Arts and Dance – where artists from more than 30 countries grace the stage in Adelaide’s beautiful Botanic Gardens. Almost 100,000 festival-goers grooved among the trees at the 32nd edition, with the 2025 event set to feature heaps of global stars. The 33rd festival will kick off with an epic performance from Grammy-nominated UK multi-instrumentalist PJ Harvey, who’ll bring her full-band experience to the stage on opening night. WOMAdelaide will also feature exclusive Aussie performances from global icons, including Queen of Afropop Yemi Alade, Jamaican Grammy-nominated reggae/dancehall star Protoje and The Indiggnation, and legendary '90s US hip-hop trio Digable Planets. Other standout acts to look forward to include celebrated Berlin-based pianist and composer Nils Frahm and the renowned Portugal Fado singer Mariza.  The program also features a stellar line-up of local acts, like Bangarra Dance Theatre, Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir, The Australian Art Orchestra in collaboration with the 12-piece Tatana Village Choir, and heaps more. You can check out the full line-up here. This festival isn’t just about the music though! Alongside electrifying concerts, it features a huge array of multicultural food and drink, a three-day conversational forum Planet Talks, a KidZone, and interactive art workshops for when you’re, you know, really feeling the music.

Newtown knows how to eat, it knows how to drink, and boy does it know how to party. Whether you’re a Newtowner or an out-of-towner, we suggest pulling up your party pants and getting down to this massive one-day street festival on Saturday, December 7. The whole of Eliza Street will be shut down from 1-8pm and transformed into a runway of colour and energy with live tunes, legendary burgers and ice-cold tinnies.   With two years under its belt, you can expect Newtown Street Party’s third edition to be an absolute riot. We have the beer juggernauts at Young Henrys and their best mates at the Courthouse to thank for this epic celebration, which will mark 12 years since the first schooner of Newtowner (Young Henrys’ first flagship brew) was poured at the hotel. You can toast the first week of summer with drinks flowing from multiple pop-up bars along the street, then fuel up with woodfired pizzas from the beloved Public House Petersham and porchetta rolls by The Bank Hotel.Throughout the afternoon, partygoers can jam out to a stacked line-up of all-star rock and indie artists including Caitlin Hartnett and the Pony Boys, Velvet Trip and a very special DJ set by the OG Red Wiggle, Murray Cook himself. Young Henrys’ co-founder Oscar Mcmahon says that the event is “all about bringing people together – good mates, great music, and cold beers right in the heart of our backyard.” The party is an entry-via-donation event with entry proceeds going to Newtown Neighbourhood Centre. You ca

Australia’s dusty red desert is set to sparkle more than ever in 2025 thanks to the return of our nation’s biggest light and art spectacular – Parrtjima, A Festival in Light – from April 4 to 13. It’s not too early to submit those leave requests and start planning your trip, as registrations for this must-see First Nations celebration are already open. And the best part? Entry is completely free.  Parrtjima (pronounced Par-chee-ma) takes its name from the Arrernte word Parrtjima, which means ‘lighting up’ in two ways – both illuminating an object and shedding light on a subject. Billed as the only Aboriginal light festival of its kind in the world, Parrtjima shares timeless stories of the world’s oldest continuous culture through innovative art installations and large-scale projections. This all ties into the festival’s tenth-anniversary theme,  ‘Timelessness’, which will celebrate the enduring connection between generations through sound and storytelling. Shining bright under the starry skies of Alice Springs (Mparntwe), curator Rhoda Roberts AO is set to bring back crowd-favourite installations, including the MacDonnell Ranges Light Show, which illuminates almost two kilometres of the 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges. Also returning is the interactive Grounded installation, which projects animated artwork onto the red sand of Alice Springs Desert Park with a spectacular accompanying soundscape.  In 2025, Parrtjima will host its first-ever orchestral performance, set t

A balmy breeze kisses my skin as I lounge by the infinity pool, mesmerised by the flickering flames of the bonfire and the soothing strum of a live guitar. Earth, water, air, fire – all the elements in perfect harmony. It’s hard to avoid sounding cliché, but I was very much in my element from the moment I arrived at Elements of Byron. This stunning $100 million beachfront resort has long been on my radar, having been a hot spot for A-list celebrities and influencers since its debut in 2016. After a short but sweet stay, I’m happy to report that it truly lives up to the hype. Elements of Byron is sprawled across 50 acres of lush beachfront land, just 2.5 kilometres from the heart of town and a short stroll from Belongil Beach. Don’t plan on leaving the resort during your stay because it has all the amenities you could wish for (plus some you didn’t even know you wanted) – with complimentary golf buggy rides to whisk you from point A to B. Element’s 202 solar-powered villas are inspired by the four ecological zones found throughout the property: sand dunes, eucalypts, wetlands and rainforest. I was lucky to stay in a standalone rainforest pod, where I woke up to the twitter of birds and drifted off to the soothing crash of waves. Our villa had everything I could’ve asked for and more – a cushiony king bed, a little kitchenette, an ensuite bathroom and a gorgeous balcony just steps away from the rainforest. Rather than going for over-the-top glitz and glamour, the decor feature

Basq House is Byron’s ultimate beauty queen, complete with rosy cheeks and a sun-kissed glow. As you pull up to her doorstep, hidden down a quiet laneway in the heart of town, it’s impossible not to be captivated by her effortless charm. Basq House is the latest addition to Byron’s collection of five-star hotel openings, offering an oasis of calm and sophistication for travellers who love a touch of luxury. Designed to feel like a home away from home, this free-flowing retreat features 32 light-filled rooms and plenty of communal spaces, where days seamlessly slip into nights – and before you know it, a weekend’s washed away.  Upon entering this house-style sanctuary, I instantly forgot that Byron Bay’s bustling main drag is just a stone’s throw away. The lobby radiates a calm sophistication, combining the charm of an eclectic art gallery with the cosy vibes of your best friend’s living room. While my room gets its finishing touches, I'm invited to take a seat and enjoy a complimentary welcome drink and nibble on snacks from the self-service bar. I've scored a Pool Room, fittingly named for its views of the shimmering magnesium pool below – a serene centrepiece inspired by the tranquil vibes of a traditional Moroccan riad. The calming waters, I'm told, are perfect for melting away stress and soothing sore muscles. Say no more... Our room may be minimalistic and compact, but thanks to high ceilings and a breezy balcony, it feels spacious and airy. The blush-toned colour palett

Chris Lucas, the acclaimed hospitality mastermind behind Chin Chin and Kisumé, has turned his attention to the capital with the launch of Carlotta. Drawing inspiration from the charming trattorias dotting the European coast, this Mediterranean restaurant sets the stage for long, leisurely lunches that effortlessly roll into aperitivo sessions and beyond. Kick off your evening here with a signature Sorrento Fizz at the long marble-topped bar, where you can take in the lively scene of the open kitchen. As food envy kicks in, feast on rosemary and sea salt focaccia, baked to perfection in a custom wood-fired oven from Naples, and complement it with a premium selection of Italian mozzarella and salumi. The pasta is made fresh daily and coated in slow-cooked beef ragu, lobster oil and chilli, and classic tomato sugo. Pair your pasta with showstopping meat and seafood mains, which are cooked over coals and designed for sharing. 

Sydney summertime is well and truly underway – with everything from movie time to happy hour best enjoyed outside at this glorious time of year. If you’re hoping to soak up the warmer days and balmy summer nights, you’ll want to mark your calendar for the summer solstice on Saturday, December 21 – aka the longest day of the year. (Aka: tomorrow).This year in Sydney, the summer solstice is set to bless us with 14 hours and 24 minutes of sunshine. Here’s a rundown of how long the daylight will last and the exact timings of sunrise and sunset. What is the summer solstice? The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year, bringing the most daylight hours between sunrise and sunset. In the Southern Hemisphere, this happens when our side of Earth is tilted closest to the sun. As a result, the sun's rays hit the Earth more directly, leading to extended daylight hours and the sun appearing higher in the sky.At the same time, the Northern Hemisphere will experience the winter solstice, due to the North Pole being at its farthest tilt away from the sun. Photograph: Supplied | Destination NSW | Hamilton Lund When is the summer solstice in Sydney 2024? The summer solstice occurs annually across the Southern Hemisphere between December 21 and 23. In 2024, Sydney’s longest day falls on Saturday, December 21, with 8.20pm marking the exact time of the solstice in the Harbour City. From December 22, our days will gradually become shorter than our nights until the winter solstice in Aus

Whether you realise it or not, social media likely had something to do with where you went and what you did on your last holiday. Instead of flipping through pocket-sized travel guides, more of us are turning to Instagram and TikTok for travel inspiration, mindlessly scrolling through hashtags until we’ve built a bucket list long enough to last us the next 50 years. If you’re hoping to find the most picture-perfect destination for your next summer getaway, we’ve got the inside scoop. Tour booking platform Titan Travel has analysed the last three years’ worth of Instagram, TikTok and Google search data to create a new Social Travel Index, revealing the world’s most popular countries right now. They’ve even tracked search volume changes for each country since 2023, hinting at which destinations you’re about to start seeing all over your Instagram and TikTok feeds – if they haven’t already. If you’re one of the many Aussies who’ve jetted off to Japan in recent years, you won’t be surprised to discover that it topped the list as the number-one trendiest destination on social media. Rising from ninth place in 2023, Japan experienced a whopping 79.71 per cent increase in searches, reaching 703,900 in 2024. India ranked in second place, leading with the highest number of Instagram posts (268,034,839) and TikToks (58,300,000), while Canada followed in third with the largest number of Google searches (737,600).  Photograph: Alvin Lenin via Unsplash Australia just missed out on a to

Looking back on 2024, it’s incredible to see how many huge stories we’ve packed into just one year. From Australia’s ranking among the world’s richest cities to the launch of ‘Adult’ Happy Meals, plus guides on how to watch the Olympics or see the brightest supermoon, we’ve tackled a variety of topics that kept you hooked. In case you missed any, we’ve rounded up the ten most popular news stories of 2024. Save this for your holiday reading! 1. The world’s richest cities – here’s where Australia ranked There’s no denying that most Aussies haven’t been swimming in cash this year. Yet, in the midst of this wallet-wringing chaos, our readers were most interested in finding out about the world’s wealthiest cities. In 2024, four Australian capital cities made the rich list, with Sydney and Melbourne both ranking in the top 20. 2. The Olympics Opening Ceremony It’s hard to believe that another Olympic year has come and gone. But it’s no surprise that our readers were keen to tune into the world’s biggest sporting event, particularly the Opening Ceremony on July 27. Aussies were most curious about the start time in Australia, which fell between 1.30am and 3.30am. Photograph: filmplusdigital via Unsplash 3. The brightest supermoon of the year If there’s one trend we’ve noticed in 2024, it’s that our readers love celestial events. Our third most popular story was all about spotting the Hunter’s Moon in Australia on October 17, and it was packed with handy tips on how to see it with t

Alright folks, we’re less than one week out from the big dance!  Right now, almost every car trip comes with a Mariah Carey soundtrack, a parade of giant snowmen and the not-so-fun chaos of Christmas traffic. One of the downsides of the silly season is that our already busy roads become even more clogged. If you’re hitting the highway for a family reunion, a seaside escape or a Boxing Day shopping spree, we’ve got the insider tips to help you beat the traffic jams this Christmas and New Year's in Australia. According to Santa's little helpers at Novated Lease Australia, the Christmas chaos officially revs up on Friday, December 20. To dodge the worst of it, you’ll want to get behind the wheel early, before 10am, or wait until after 7pm, as traffic is predicted to peak daily between these times from December 20 through to Christmas Eve on December 24. The roads will be even busier on Christmas Day, with Aussies advised to hit the road before 9am or after 7pm. You’ll want to avoid driving between 11am and 2pm when people are travelling to their festive feasts, and again from 5pm to 7pm as they roll home in a food coma. Boxing Day is shaping up to be the most chaotic traffic day of them all, with Aussies advised to get the wheels turning before 7am if they want to steer clear of bumper-to-bumper traffic en route to seafood lunches or snagging bargains at the sales. Expect peak congestion on December 26 to kick off early from 8am to 2pm, and ramp up again between 4pm to 7pm. From

If you’re looking to work smarter, not harder in 2025, listen up. We’ve figured out how to maximise your holiday time next year by turning 26 days of annual leave into more than 60. Victoria is one of the luckier states, scoring the most public holidays in the country (tied with ACT). If you play your cards right, with some strategic planning you can get a whopping 64 days of rest and relaxation across the year. So, lock in your leave ASAP (before your colleagues beat you to it). January 26 public holiday 2025 January 26 is on a Sunday in 2025, so the public holiday will land on Monday, January 27. If you take the Friday before or the Tuesday after off, you could swing a long four-day weekend. Alternatively, take leave from Tuesday, January 28 to Friday, January 31 for a glorious nine-day break. Days off: Nine days (January 25-February 2) Leave used: Four days Labour Day 2025 Labour Day offers another ‘buy one, get four off’ situation. In Victoria, Labour Day public holiday falls on Monday, March 10. Simply take off the Tuesday to Friday after to be rewarded with nine days of chillaxing.  Days off: Nine days Leave taken: Four days  Easter and Anzac Day 2025 Easter falls in mid-April next year, with Anzac Day landing just one week after. You could score a ten-day break from Good Friday on April 18 to April 27 – at the price of only three days of leave from April 22-24. Whatta win! Days off: Ten days (April 18-27) Leave used: Three days  King’s Birthday 2025 You can once agai

We're officially one week out from Christmas Day! Will it rain? That’s the million-dollar question on everyone’s lips right now. In recent years, Australia’s Christmas weather has been a mixed bag, with the skies delivering everything from downpours to bushfires. But it looks like we’re finally in Santa’s good books, with some ripper temperatures expected across the country on Christmas Day in 2024. That said, those celebrating in Darwin, Hobart and Perth might want to pack an umbrella with their pavlova. These cities could see potential showers throughout the day. It goes without saying that weather is incredibly hard to predict, and these long-range forecasts (courtesy of AccuWeather) are likely to change as we near Christmas. Regardless, here’s the current forecast for Christmas Day in Australia’s capital cities. We’ll keep you updated closer to the big day.  What is the weather in Adelaide on Christmas Day? Temperature: High of 34°C, low of 22°C. Weather: Full day of sunshine. Zero per cent chance of thunderstorms. What is the weather in Brisbane on Christmas Day? Temperature: High of 30°C, low of 20°C. Weather: Less humid with some sunshine. Zero per cent chance of thunderstorms. What is the weather in Canberra on Christmas Day? Temperature: High of 30°C, low of 11°C. Weather: Mostly sunny, with intense UV rays. Zero per cent chance of thunderstorms. What is the weather in Darwin on Christmas Day? Temperature: High of 35°C, low of 25°C. Weather: Mostly cloudy,

Road trips are a big part of our nation’s DNA. From the Great Ocean Road to the Red Centre Way, these roads wind along the coast and into the heart of the outback, forming the backbone of unforgettable family holidays, mates’ trips and solo getaways. And with the current cost-of-living crisis hitting hard, road trips are now more popular than ever – with the average Australian spending just above $1,100 on their latest four-wheel adventure.  Of the 2,000 travellers surveyed in Youi’s Great Australian Road Trip report, 35 per cent admitted that the whole reason they hit the road was because it’s cheaper than other types of holidays. With the average Aussie road trip costing around $1,108, you could cover everything – accommodation, transport, fuel, meals and entertainment – for the price of a one-way flight to Athens. We know which we’d pick! According to the survey, 74 per cent of people cited fuel as their biggest expense, closely followed by accommodation. This checks out given that almost half of Aussie travellers drove up to 500 kilometres on their last roadie, with a quarter spending more than 17 hours on the road. Hey, time flies when you've got some great snacks and a playlist of anthems queued up.  Photograph: Tourism Western Australia | Eagle Bay Beach, near Dunsborough Queenslanders are the most enthusiastic road trippers, clocking more hours behind the wheel on average than any other state or territory. Meanwhile, Western Australians are the least likely to trave

We know when that hotline bling, it can only mean one thing. In huge news for Drake fans Down Under, the Canadian rapper has just announced he’ll be coming to Australia in 2025, with 12(!) confirmed shows on his Anita Max Win Tour of Australia. It’s been eight years since the world-famous star has performed on Australian soil, and in true Champagne Papi style, he teased his return to Oz via a series of cryptic Instagram stories before confirming via live stream in late November. Here’s everything you need to know about getting tickets to Drake’s 2025 tour of Australia. When and where is the Drake Australia tour? The Grammy-winning artist is set to bring his Anita Max Win Tour to three Aussie cities in 2025, including: Perth's RAC Arena – February 4 and 5 Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena – February 9, 10, 12 and 13 Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena – February 16, 17, 19 and 20 Brisbane Entertainment Centre – February 24 and 25 When do Drake Australia tickets go on sale? Drake tickets go live to the general public on Friday, December 6 at 12pm / noon local time via his website and Live Nation.  Is there a presale for Drake’s Australia show? There are not one, but three presale opportunities for Drake's Aussie concerts. Mastercard cardholders will have first dibs with a special presale on Tuesday, December 3 from 12pm / noon local time here. Vodaphone customers will be able to access a presale at the same time (but you'll need to sign up for the presale code in advance here). Finally, West

Melbourne's summer is in full swing – with everything from movie time to happy hour best enjoyed outside at this glorious time of year. If you’re hoping to soak up the warmer days and balmy summer nights, you’ll want to mark your calendar for the summer solstice on Saturday, December 21 – aka the longest day of the year.This year in Melbourne, the summer solstice is set to bless us with 14 hours and 47 minutes of sunshine. Here’s a rundown of how long the daylight will last and the exact timings of sunrise and sunset. What is the summer solstice? The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year, bringing the most daylight hours between sunrise and sunset. In the Southern Hemisphere, this happens when our side of Earth is tilted closest to the sun. As a result, the sun's rays hit the Earth more directly, leading to extended daylight hours and the sun appearing higher in the sky. At the same time, the Northern Hemisphere will experience the winter solstice, due to the North Pole being at its farthest tilt away from the sun. Photograph: Mitchell Luo via Unsplash When is the summer solstice in Melbourne 2024? The summer solstice occurs annually across the Southern Hemisphere between December 21 and 23. In 2024, Melbourne’s longest day falls on Saturday, December 21, with 8.20pm marking the exact time of the solstice. From December 22, our days will gradually become shorter than our nights until the winter solstice in Australia on Saturday, June 21. How many hours of daylig

When you think of national cuisines, certain dishes instantly come to mind: sushi for Japan, curry for India and pizza for Italy. But what about Australia? Some might say meat pies, others might joke it’s smashed avo on toast, and New Zealanders might argue with us over the lamington, but it’s so much more than all those things combined.  Modern Australian cuisine is a beautiful fusion of cultures, celebrating the rich diversity of our multicultural nation – from the First Nations people who have nurtured this land for millennia to the generations of immigrants who’ve added their own ingredients and recipes to the pot. So, when Taste Atlas revealed its list of the 100 Best Cuisines in the World for 2024/25, we weren’t too fussed that Australian cuisine didn’t crack the top 50. After all, our cuisine is just a mash-up of all those cultures ranked both above and below us. Taste Atlas compiled its official rankings of the World’s 100 Best Cuisines based on 477,287 ratings for 15,478 dishes in its database, with the top cuisines scoring the highest averages out of five. The land of olive oil, honey and feta cheese – aka Greece – took the top spot as the world’s best cuisine with an overall rating of 4.6. European flavours dominated the top ten, with Italian in second, Spanish in fourth, Portuguese in fifth and French in eighth. There was also a strong Asian influence, with Indonesian ranking as the world’s seventh best cuisine, Japanese (Australia’s favourite cuisine) ninth, Chin

Surf’s up, Australia! This summer, one of the Gold Coast's most iconic waterfront gems, Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club, is turning into an Airbnb for a one-of-a-kind summer stay. Picture yourself waking up to sparkling ocean views, enjoying sunset barbecues on the balcony and falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves – sounds too good to be true, right? Well, this exclusive three-night stay is up for grabs, but only for one lucky guest and their three closest mates. Photograph: Luke Marsden Airbnb is teaming up with Aussie surf legend Mick Fanning to host this epic beachfront stay from January 24-27, 2025. They’re transforming Palm Beach SLSC into a surf-inspired loft-style studio, featuring a comfy queen bed and a bunk area for a family or group of four people. The space will be decked out with Fanning’s personal surfboard collection and favourite memorabilia, along with heritage pieces from the clubhouse downstairs. Photograph: Luke Marsden The lucky guests will also score a surf session with the world champion himself, right near the Gold Coast surf break where his legendary career took off. Fanning will also join them for a sunset barbecue and take you on a shopping spree at his local Rip Curl store. Cowabunga! Photograph: Luke Marsden So, what's all this for? Airbnb is riding the wave of Surf Life Saving Australia’s new Beach Passport campaign – a new, free online course that provides a fun way for the public to gain basic water safety awareness. Get beach-re

Australia’s hot girl summer is officially in full swing, meaning the sunnies, bucket hats and short shorts have come out to play. If you’re hoping to soak up the warmer days and balmy summer nights, you’ll want to mark your calendar for the summer solstice on Saturday, December 21 – aka the longest day of the year. This year in Australia, the summer solstice is set to bless us with between 13 and 15 hours of glorious sun, depending on which city you’re in. Here’s a rundown of how long the daylight will last and the exact timings of sunrise and sunset. What is the summer solstice? The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year, bringing the most daylight hours between sunrise and sunset. In the Southern Hemisphere, this happens when our side of Earth is tilted closest to the sun. As a result, the sun's rays hit the Earth more directly, leading to extended daylight hours and the sun appearing higher in the sky. At the same time, the Northern Hemisphere will experience the winter solstice, due to the North Pole being at its farthest tilt away from the Sun.  When is the summer solstice in Australia 2024? The summer solstice occurs annually across the Southern Hemisphere between December 21 and 23. In 2024, Australia’s longest day falls on Saturday, December 21. The exact timing of the solstice varies by time zone, but includes 5.20pm in Perth, 6.50pm in Darwin, 7.20pm in Brisbane, 7.50pm in Adelaide and 8.20pm in Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney.  From December 22, o