Olivia Hart

The five days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve are a strange, awkward, in-between time for everyone. Most places have closed shop for the summer, while others have new holiday hours that are tricky to wrap your head around. At this time of year, Sydney tends to feel more empty than usual as most locals make a mass exodus for elsewhere, but if you plan on sticking around and having a lovely summer holiday in a whole city that you're likely to get (probably, mostly) to yourself, we have put together a list for you of all the coolest things for you to do in town between Christmas Day and NYE. You're welcome.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: Want more culture? Check out our guide to the best art exhibitions and theatre and musicals on in Sydney this month. 

Contrary to contemporary yarns, there are still pubs and bars that host live music in Sydney. Many of them have successfully lashed back at the encroaching frontline of pokie machines.  We're all for it. So Time Out Sydney's writers – including pub-frother and Editor Alice Ellis, and resident booze-lover and Editor Avril Treasure, have rounded up a list of our fave bars and pubs that host live bands. 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. Hate the ding-ding of pokie machines? Here's a list of Sydney pubs without pokies. More into dancing to a DJ? Check our guide to the best clubs in Sydney.

Something mysterious is happening across the world as pink guards appear to be taking over iconic landmarks. Both St Kilda Beach and Sydney Harbour have already been hit…now overnight, Bondi’s icebergs pool was drained and turned into a dystopian playground with pink guards ominously standing by.  Players including content creators Nathan Lust, Shepmates and Olympian Steven Bradbury participated in a deadly game of ‘Red Light, Green Light’ where their survival skills were put to the test – let’s just hope they were all lucky enough ‘to do a Bradbury’. Just like in the show, a giant 4.5m tall replica of the doll Young-Hee, oversaw the game with her motion-detecting eyes. Thankfully, she wasn’t gunning down players this time.  The epic stunt coincides with the new season of Squid Game, Netflix’s smash-hit show which saw millions of people tune into its debut three years ago.  If you’re one of the many hanging out for new episodes, you’ll be excited to know the wait is almost over with season two premiering on December 26.  Since its launch in 2021, the Netflix series has become a global phenomenon, winning Emmys and dominating pop culture. Set in a dystopian South Korean landscape, the story follows a debt-saddled man who enters a mysterious competition where boundless wealth is made available to whomever survives a series of life-and-death games.  The new season brings back key cast members and is set to up the ante with even more gruesome twists, as Gi-hun returns to the tour

As the summer school holidays approach, every parent knows the best way to avoid having bored kids on your hands is to plan ahead. While there are only so many times you can go to the beach and cinema, there are plenty of all-ages activities on in NSW to thrill kids this holiday break – and many of them for free.   In fact, we’ve rounded up a total of 54 events across several NSW hotspots, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA), State Library, Museums of History, Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Australian Museum, the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney Opera House, Office of Sport and more.  Read on for all the best things to do in NSW this summer – things both kids and parents will love.

Long gone are the days when caravan parking was reserved for the Aussiest of ockers. Caravan parks are having a bit of a revival with their swanky done-up cabins and powered sites for the humble mobile home. Whether camping beachfront is a little bit of you, or you’re looking for a scenic detour from your Great Ocean Road adventure, these caravan parks around Australia are pulling out all the stops. 🌞 The best family-friendly resorts in Australia🚘 All the best day trips to take from every capital city⛺️ The best and cheapest camping spots in Australia

In a country as ridiculously vast as Australia, the only way to really see everything is to do it on your own set of four wheels. The humble road trip is kind of a quintessential Aussie cultural practice, with our nation's abundance of gorgeously scenic drives, bizarre roadside curios and secret nature spots making any kind of long road trip more than the average drive. We've rounded up the best Australian road trips that you should drive away on at least once in your life. Whether you're after a wholesome day trip from Sydney, a week-long adventure or a multi-week trek that'll make you feel like an intrepid National Geographic explorer, there's something on this list for everyone. Now, all that's left to do is pack snacks, download some podcasts and let yourself loose on the open road. 🌈 The most beautiful places in Australia🚘 Here are the best day trips from every capital city🥐 All the best bakeries to stop at along the way

Summertime equals festivals, and Tamworth Country Music Festival is always a favourite. From January, this ten-day celebration will take over Australia's country music capital, Tamworth, for non-stop music and a boot-scootin' good time. Pack up the car and don't forget your cowboy boots, we've got you covered on all the best spots to eat.  Here are our top picks for what’s open daily in Tamworth.

The return of the beloved Le Jolly Market is a sure sign that Christmas is just around the corner. Spanning nine days, this annual festive event is back with a fresh inner-city location and a big dose of European charm. From December 13-22, Belmore Park (right next to Central Station) will be transformed into a festive French wonderland complete with wooden chalets, melted cheese stations and falling snow. The holiday cheer will be spread throughout the market with glimmering Christmas lights, food stalls slinging all the European favourites and so much more.  Here are all the best things to do… Gift-shop  Shop for gifts this giving season as you stroll through the authentic wood hut chalets filled with selected artisan products. You’ll find a whole heap of gifts at affordable prices, including handmade snow globes and illustrations.  Dine  There’s so much French food to pick up for your holiday dinner table (or snack on between shopping). The toughest part is choosing. From fresh crêpes to cheese fondue and moules frites, there's no shortage of delicious options. And don't miss the festive Christmas pastries to round out your feast.  Wine  With five wine bars across the festival, take a Tour de France of the country’s different wine regions, including drops from Burgundy, bubbly Champagne and rosé from Provence. There’s also pinot noir from South Australia, and a selection of drops from Western Australia. For festive drinks, order up the Rudolph’s Berry Bliss or take a chanc

If your summer plans are filling up and you’re still looking for a way to keep the younger members of your family entertained, the Tamworth Country Music Festival is about to roll into town. This ten-day festival promises a whirlwind program of fun for all ages across January, including camping, picnic hampers in the park and a Family Zone with dodgem cars and a Ferris wheel. Whether this is your first rodeo or you’re a seasoned festival goer, we’ve got you covered on all the best things to do at this lively regional festival.

Parramatta's CBD is now one of the biggest commercial hubs outside of the Sydney CBD. Along with this hustle and bustle has emerged a lively restaurant scene with cuisines from across the globe. So whether Parramatta is a detour, or your main destination, the buzzing suburb's excellent restaurants will have you stumped for choice. We've rounded up our favourites, to make the decision easier for you. Get cracking. 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 Indian, specifically? Here's our guide to the best Indian restaurants in Parramatta and Harris Park.  Or check out our guide to the very best restaurants across Sydney.

There’s a reason that Bali is consistently one of the most popular destinations for Aussies, with its wild jungle escapades, white sandy beaches and picture-perfect stays. While Bali is bustling with Airbnbs and hotels, those looking for a next-level premium hideaway will want to book a stay at the idyllic Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu. Check into your room which comes in standard, suites and family-sized suites and you’ll find cosy interiors blended with coastal charm. Each room is fitted out with timber floors, decorative artwork, a stunning verandah and a big plush bed you’ll basically live on. For those who bring work with them, there’s also comfortable and flexible seating to help you stay focused and clock off early. The rest of the hotel goes just as above and beyond with top-tier amenities, including daily housekeeping, on-site parking and a creative kids club. Work up a sweat at the fitness centre, which is equipped with quality gym gear, and then head upstairs to the rooftop pool where you can swim up to the bar and sip on cocktails while soaking up the sunset and panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. If you’ve worked up an appetite from swimming or hitting the gym, head to the hotel’s restaurant, Roomah, serving up contemporary Indonesian cuisine. While food is available around the clock, this elegant eatery is renowned for its freshly made breakfast, featuring a wide-ranging buffet and an all-you-can-eat à la carte menu. The only thing that might get you out of t

When it comes to traditional Aussie meals at Christmas time, who can look past the humble prawn. Sautéed, pan-fried, charred or peeled and served with a wedge of lemon, they’re the centre of many a festive spread and cherished memory.  For Time Out Sydney’s Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, one particular meal stands out, “About a decade ago, around Christmas time, my mum took me to Port Douglas for a girls' holiday. I still remember buying a kilo of fresh Aussie tiger prawns from the local markets, as well as soft bread rolls, mayo, avocado, lemon, tomato and lettuce, and taking it all back to our accommodation. We sat in the sunshine by the pool, drinking ice-cold Coronas and eating fresh prawn rolls all afternoon. It was glorious and is one of my happiest memories.” Hear, hear.  No matter how you spend Christmas, there’s a prawn recipe to suit every style of celebration. Here’s our round-up of the very best.

The Australian Museum’s blockbuster summer exhibition, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, is landing in Sydney with one of the most impressive gold collections to ever tour the globe.  Open from November 23, this blockbuster exhibition will take you back in time with over 130 artefacts showcasing the daily lives, spiritual practices and extraordinary achievements of societies in ancient Peru. In addition to the stunning gold collection, you’ll find other priceless treasures on display, including exquisite jewellery and funerary objects unearthed in royal tombs. The exhibition explores civilisations that predate the Incas, including indigenous groups who lived in the Andes mountains and the desert coastal strip of Peru as far back as 10,000 BCE. The exhibition dives into their rich history, including their fascination with natural life cycles, birth and death. (Our team dived deeper over here, and in the video below.) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Sydney (@timeoutsydney) Upgrade your visit with a thrilling VR experience that takes you on an expedition to the Incan city of Machu Picchu for an add-on fee. Using cutting-edge technology, you’ll explore this UNESCO World Heritage site from the comfort of 360-degree motion chairs, immersing yourself in the sights, sounds and sensations of this mysterious city in the sky—all without leaving Sydney. If you want to delve deeper, an exciting series of expert-led talks and experiences a

Calling all photographers and those who just love a good spectacle – watch hot air balloons soar above Parramatta Park, as Get Up and Glow returns this Australia day long weekend. Over two exciting days, the free event series kicks off from 4pm with Balloon Glow on Saturday night, where a jam-packed program of entertainment will culminate in a spectacular hot air balloon display lighting up the night sky at 8pm. For the early risers, the magic continues on Sunday morning with Balloon Breakfast from 6am, offering a fun morning outdoors and a chance to have a close-up look at balloonists in action. Breakfast is sorted thanks to BlackBear BBQ, who are cooking up a mouth-watering feast at a pop-up BBQ Zone. BBQ legends Scott "Chop" McCoy and Carolina Smoke's founder Nick Rodgers will be on hand for interactive demos, quick tips and tricks to perfect your US-style BBQ at home. If that’s not enough to get you down to the park for the long weekend, both days will feature live music, food trucks and plenty of family fun. The kids will love the amusement rides, roving entertainers and the AFL Skill Zone, where they can test their footy skills with an inflatable or vertical jump test. There are also plenty of prizes up for grabs.  Balloon Glow will run from 4pm-9pm on Saturday, January 25 and Balloon Breakfast is on from 6am-11am on Sunday, January 26. Find out more here.

Sydney Harbour is the place to be on New Year's Eve – our fireworks display, set against the stunning backdrop of the water, is well-renowned – and if you want to level up your experience, our city’s most famous House is where it’s at. As well as A-grade views of the fireworks, there are two incredible performances by Opera Australia under the sails. Start the evening with a few drinks overlooking Sydney Harbour before taking your seats for the Opera Gala, a grand celebration of opera’s best and most famous music, hosted by Ben Mingay and Katie Stenzel. Or, for a truly magical midnight countdown, don your finest attire and settle in for a picture-perfect performance of Cinderella. After captivating audiences at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, London’s Royal Opera House and beyond, this acclaimed production is set to make its grand Australian debut on New Year’s Eve. Directed by Laurent Pelly,  this opulent fairytale staging of Jules Massenet’s opera is the perfect way to bid farewell to 2024 with a happily-ever-after ending.  Both these events offer ticket holders the chance to pause for the 9pm fireworks and the option of tickets to their three-course pre-performance dinner and the exclusive Midnight Party in the Northern Foyers of the Opera House, where you can tuck into drinks and canapes, alongside more entertainment.   Tickets to both events start from just $199 per person, depending on what you want to take part in, with performances starting at 7:45pm. Find out mor

Julie Mehretu is widely regarded as one of the most significant painters of her generation, acclaimed for her large-scale paintings which erupt with colour, line, energy and movement. This summer, the first major survey of the New York-based artist’s work ever exhibited in Australia is coming exclusively to the MCA Australia on Sydney's Circular Quay.  Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and now based in New York City, Mehretu has exhibited extensively at major institutions across the US, UK and Europe. Most recently, Mehretu was commissioned to create an 83-foot tall glass mural for the Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago. She was named one of the “100 most influential people in 2020” by Time magazine; and in 2024, The New York Times described her as “one of today's most original and thought-provoking painters.”   Opening on November 29 and running until April 27, the much-anticipated Julie Mehretu: A Transcore of the Radical Imaginatory addresses urgent concerns of our globalised world including revolution, migration and climate change. Featuring 13 new works created especially for the exhibition, the presentation will include more than 80 powerful abstract paintings, prints and drawings dating from 1995 to the present. The exhibition will also feature a series of talks and tours, with extended hours for Art Up Late for Sydney Festival on Wednesdays, January 8, 15 and 22 until 9pm.  Julie Mehretu: A Transcore of the Radical Imaginatory is part of the Sydney International Art S

It’s a bonafide holiday for shoppers when Black Friday rolls around, and Sydney’s sprawling outlet centre – Fashion Spree – is pulling out all the stops this year.  From Friday, November 29 to Sunday, December 1, the Liverpool-based outlet centre will be buzzing with live DJs, roving entertainment and spend-to-win prizes all weekend long. Not only will you find massive sales throughout the outlet but extended trading hours and free parking will give you the best chance to snag a bargain or get your Christmas shopping done on the cheap.  Located in the west of the city, just outside of Liverpool CBD, Fashion Spree is a shopper’s dream with more than 60 outlet stores including Polo Ralph Lauren, Oroton, Tommy Hilfiger, Peter Alexander, Calvin Klein, P.E Nation and more. Get ready to shop ’til you drop with some of the biggest savings of the year and refresh your wardrobe and home with unbeatable deals. Most are still to be announced – keep an eye on the website's offers page to be the first to know when new deals drop. Fashion Spree is open between 10am to 6pm and will be open from 9am to 8pm on Black Friday. Find out more here.

Melbourne’s cutting-edge digital art gallery, The Lume, brings Europe’s artistic masterpieces to life. Its immersive experiences have featured the works of renowned painters including Van Gogh, Monet, and most recently, Leondaro Da Vinci.  For its latest multi-sensory tribute to Italy’s famous polymath, artist and inventor, The Lume is taking things to new heights (quite literally) with an additional VR experience as part of Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius. Through the use of state-of-the-art technology, visitors are able to book in for VR Florence Flyover and soar like a bird above Renaissance-era Florence, peering down at the city’s notable landmarks. The VR technology allows you to embrace the exhilaration of flight – you’ll feel like you’re literally soaring through the sky like a bird as you navigate your way around Florence – just like Da Vinci always dreamed of. To complement the experience, 500 Years of Genius also utilises The Lume’s colossal exhibition space with projections of Da Vinci’s original drawings and writings – including his sketches for a flying machine that predates human flight by more than 400 years. There’s also a one-of-a-kind, 360-degree replica of the ‘Mona Lisa’ created by French optical engineer Pascal Cotte. (Who used pioneering research to scan the famous painting with his 240,000,000 pixel multispectral camera, so visitors can study her cryptic smile like never before.) This is the first time Da Vinci’s artwork has made its way to Aust

Got the travel bug? Global travel platform Klook is launching Sydney’s newest travel event and its set to take over Carriageworks, giving you access to exclusive travel discounts, prizes and expert travel tips. Best of all? It’s free to attend. On Saturday, November 30, Klook Travel Fest is touching down in Sydney and gearing up to be the city’s biggest travel event of the year, with more than 20,000 visitors expected. TV personality Faustina ‘Fuzzy’ Agolley will be taking to the stage and giving out huge prizes and flash deals every hour – everything from tickets for Movie World, Sea World and Wet ‘n’ Wild to big discounts on tickets to Universal Studios Japan and Disneyland Resort in California. Major prizes – including trips to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Vietnam and Japan – will also be up for grabs. 'Klook Kreators' Kat and Deja Clark and Sofia Ligeros will join Fuzzy on stage to chat about all things travel and answer any audience questions. The festival will be split into destination and dedicated experience-focused sections including Hong Kong, Europe, Singapore, the Philippines, Korea, Japan, Los Angeles, Nevada, Bali, Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida – plus a ‘rest of the world’ area. At each ‘world’, you’ll find destination experts offering insider travel tips as well as even more deals on activities and experiences, exclusive to event visitors. The event will be themed around classic ’90s console games – hop around each ‘world sec

The beloved chicken joint Wingboy is expanding to Parramatta, bringing its signature big flavours, electric atmosphere and friendly service to Sydney’s west. Founded by pals Mike Brenton and George Williams in 2021, Wingboy saw the pair combining more than a decade of hospo experience with a shared love for hot wings and cold beers. Since opening its flagship store in Darling Square, the duo have expanded to Newtown’s bustling King Street and Randwick’s The Spot, and now they're gearing up for their latest venue. The Parramatta location will stay true to Wingboy’s ethos: delicious wings and boneless tenders served with your choice of 14 finger-licking house-made flavours. The rest of the menu will stick to the familiar with loaded fries and classic sides like mac 'n' cheese, tater tots and waffle fries. For vegetarians, their cauliflower bites—topped with remastered sauces—remain a menu highlight. The no-fuss venue brings the care of a fine dining restaurant and the soul of a rowdy Friday-night pub, complete with cosy booths and local beers. Don’t miss the specials, like two hours of bottomless wings and drinks for $70 per person (the current record is 188 wings), $1 wings on Mondays and Tuesdays, and $20 1kg wings on Thursdays. Bring your fellow chicken-wing lovers and come (hungry) to Wingboy on Parramatta's Church Street open now. Find more info here.

Tourism Western Australia is set to uncork a brand new 'wine first' festival in the Margaret River Region from November 14-17. Set amidst the rolling vineyards of Western Australia’s coastal wine country, Pair’d Margaret River Region will showcase the south west’s world-class wines and local produce, paired with incredible experiences on beaches, in forests and vineyards.  Headlined by top wine and food talents, this inaugural event will combine adventure and indulgence, bringing together expected and unexpected pairings. Vinophiles can sip their way through the region with more than 40 events, including wine tastings, Michelin starred wine dinners and insta-worthy dining experiences. Some event highlights include Margaret’s Beach Club at Castle Bay, with dishes from Dave Pynt, Burnt Ends Singapore, Ben Ing (Ex-Noma head chef, now Albertas), Ben Jacob and Aaron Carr. At this event you can find luxe daybeds, seafood platters, and, of course, more wine. Plus, if you stay late for the sunset sessions you can catch a special DJ set from global rockstar turned cheese and wine maker, Alex James, bassist of the band Blur.  Sip your way through 16 of the region’s most delectable wines on the stunning lawns of Howard Park at the Grand Tasting, presented by Singapore Airlines, or discover the region’s most daring wines at the New Wave Gathering where you can sip and savour as the sun sets to the vibrant sounds of Ben Shewry on the decks. Snag a ticket to Night Hawker at Chow’s Table

There have been plenty of reasons to dust off your camera recently. From the National Portrait Prize and Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards taking over Sydney to the return of Sony’s photography and filmmaking festival stacked with community-hosted events for all skill levels. Whether you use your smartphone as a camera or you’re old school and capture moments with film and a darkroom, there’s never been a better time to start snapping. Now, Sony is set to launch a two-day photography, videography and content creation expo so you’ll have somewhere to channel all your inspiration. From September 28-29, Scene Tradeshow will take over Sydney’s recently revamped cultural space, White Bay Power Station.  Set to be one big epic weekend celebrating the creative medium, get hands-on with Sony’s latest cameras, lenses and accessories and brush up on your skills with a curated selection of talks, panels and masterclasses. Topics covered include grassroots filmmaking, travel photography, music video fundamentals, vlogging, behind-the-scenes photography on film sets and so much more.  Plenty of industry experts are expected to make appearances including photographers Adam Ferguson, Trent Mitchell, Sydney Low; filmmaker Gabriel Gasparinatos; film editor Matt Villa ASE ACE; and Sony Digital Imaging ambassadors Colin Jeffs, Meghan Maloney, Craig Parry and Ann Odong.  Tickets are available as a morning pass or afternoon pass for $20. See it all with an all-day pass for $30, or upgrade

This September, Newcastle’s flagship arts festival, New Annual, is set to return over ten days with a roster of innovative art and live performances in the heart of the city.  From September 27 to October 6, a stacked program of national touring artists and local talent is set to take over the city, starting with the epic First Night Street Party. Head down to King Street for DJ sets, local bands, food trucks, and unmissable performances from headliner Gamilaraay man Mitch Tambo and the soul-stirring Tower Divas. There’s also Wayfinder, a new show from contemporary dance centre Dancenorth Australia, that fuses dance with music and visual arts; Truth to Power Café, a live performance exploring the topic of power through art and audience contributions; The Birth & Death of Stars, a theatrical world-music experience from MZAZA; The Cord, a contemporary dance performance by acclaimed First Nations choreographer, Jasmin Sheppard; Concertante, an intimate performance of Chopin’s First Piano Concerto by Omega Ensemble; and performances by Newcastle’s Youth Orchestra.  There are also plenty of free events in the line-up including ‘Scrub Club’, a ten-day participatory project at Quandamooka artist Megan Cope’s Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House, where you can contribute to future oyster reef art projects. Plus, Belongings, an immersive installation sharing the stories of six local refugees and an immersive theatre show celebrating humpback whale migration through a parade of giant illumi

The magical Kryal Castle is set to transform into Frozen Kingdom these winter school holidays, as part of Ballarat's Winter Festival. A spellbinding kids program is taking place across three fun-filled weeks of the festival, inviting kids to meet dragons, battle evil queens, and discover the tale of the kingdom’s long-lost princess.  Step into a storybook world where a kingdom has been overtaken by an evil snow Queen who has cursed the land with an eternal winter. The adventure begins at Jesters Theatre with the tale of the kingdom's icy past and a hero foretold, at The Story of the Lost Princess theatre show which you can catch at 11am or 1:15pm. Make your way to Trial By Fire at the Main Arena where knights will battle with steel and flame to defeat the evil Queen. Once the battle is won, stick around for a dragon meet and greet where you can pat these ferocious, fire-breathing creatures. Plenty of other family-friendly activities will also be going down across the day. Try your hand at mystical potion making by signing up for a lesson at the Wizard Classroom for $20. Be transformed into a princess or creature with face-painting on offer for $10. Or, brush up on your medieval skills at the Archery range, Axe throwing range and Knight school where you’ll be equipped with a sword and shield and taught battle tactics under the tutelage of Kryal Castles Master-at-Arms. Don’t leave home empty-handed, stop by the snowflake ornament making workshops, where you’ll be given dough an

Since the world has been a little heavy with bad news recently, here’s something to feel good about: a precious little platypus has been successfully returned to the wild following ten months of expert care.The young platypus was found underweight, alone and in the middle of the road on a hot summer's day back in February. The good samaritans who found him (while out cycling near Mt Baw Baw) quickly delivered him into the care of vets at Healesville Sanctuary, where his recovery was overseen by platypus specialist Dr Jessica Thomas. He needed to be rehydrated with fluid and underwent a full physical exam and radiographs. The results determined he had ticks, anemia, a low burden of blood parasites and a leech attached to his eye.  “He was a freshly emerged juvenile who likely became lost on his way to find water,” said Dr Thomas. “My current research and prior experience suggest that fresh juveniles may still need their mother, so we took care of him until he reached the age of one when he would normally disperse on his own.” Photograph: Jo Howell During his stay, Dr Thomas and the sanctuary team were able to teach the youngster basic survival skills and essential behaviours he needed to meet before returning to the wild, including swimming in different currents, diving to various depths, resting in burrows, foraging in tricky spots and searching for food. Following his recovery, the team called on the expertise of Baw Baw frog researchers to help identify a suitable stream

It’s not new news that Australia’s friend, the koala, is listed as an endangered species, due to the effects of things such as land-clearing, cars, dogs, feral cats, prolonged droughts, bushfires and disease. In fact, a parliamentary inquiry found they may be extinct in NSW by 2050 – a tragedy that conservation groups are working madly to help reverse. The latest, though, is that a new koala conservation centre is opening in south-west Sydney, backed by $5 million in funding.The NSW Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Penny Sharpe, announced the new koala care facility, which is set to open at the University of Sydney School of Veterinary Sciene’s Camden campus, to support koalas in the Macarthur region. The funding is set to be distributed across several key areas, with $500,000 dedicated to securing expert assistance and wildlife rehabilitators. The remaining funds will focus on three main areas: koala rescue, rehabilitation and conservation. Plus, the initiative aims to introduce on-call vet care and advice, access to facilities, upgraded clinical equipment and biosecurity seclusion areas. The new facility has been hailed as a “game changer” by Professor Jacqui Norris, Head of School and Dean, who says, “We want future generations to be able to step into bushland in south-western Sydney and see koalas in the wild.” Hear, hear. If you want to help support koala conservation efforts, you can buy merch or donate at Save the Koala. Stay in the loop: sign up for o

In case you haven’t noticed, Sydney’s speed limits have been gradually dropping in recent years. Nowadays, 75 per cent of local and regional streets in the City of Sydney have a 40 kilometre an hour speed limit or lower – up from just five per cent of roads in 2004. And now, even more roads are set to fall under this 40km/h mandate, as the NSW Government works with the City of Sydney to make the city safer.  The speed-limit changes are set to affect local and regional streets that currently have a 50km/h limit, in areas including Glebe, Forest Lodge, Beaconsfield and Waterloo. Some sections of roads in Annandale, Redfern, Alexandria, Zetland and Woolloomooloo are also set to drop, with larger roads such as motorways excluded.  The lower speed limits are all about reducing the number of crashes and increasing survival rates, as studies have shown survival rates for people hit by a vehicle drastically improve at lower speeds like 40km/h. “When people drive at safer speeds it reduces the number of crashes and their severity, improves safety for people walking and riding and helps to support better place-making,” says Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO. “Not only will our streets be safer as a result of these important changes, they’ll be quieter and have less exhaust emissions.” The Lord Mayor says the City of Sydney will continue to work with Transport for NSW to reduce speed limits even further – down to 30km/h – in the city centre and other high-activity areas where there