Winnie Stubbs

Let's face it, love in this economy can be tricky. Generally, living in Sydney means that (unless you’re among the city's one per cent), taking your squeeze out on the town can lead you to consider auctioning off a kidney to cover the costs. To all you lovers out there whose weekly budget doesn't stretch to chartering a seaplane (or getting tipsy at one of the city's sexy underground bars), we hear you. That’s why we've put together an ultimate list of the best cheap and free dates available to boot-strapped lovers in the Emerald City – a list we compiled with love and care, testing out each option with romance in mind. Each of these options is guaranteed to set you back either nothing or next to nothing – save the cash and stock up on memories. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.These are the best camping sites near Sydney for a low-cost romantic escape, and these are our readers' top tips for saving money in the Harbour City. 

The month of love is upon us, and Sydney is turning up the heat in more ways than one. For the first few days, the city is transforming into a Snake-inspired wonderland as Lunar New Year celebrations (including some exceptional feasts) roll on. Next up, the fastest sailing competition in the world is gracing our shores – the Aussie team took home gold at the Auckland round of SailGP, and we’ve got high hopes for their performance on home waters. Plus, the 2025 Sydney Mardi Gras program kicks off on February 14 – bringing a series of spicy parties and events to the Rainbow Mile and beyond. Throughout the month, Sydney’s outdoor cinemas will be screening history’s best romantic movies under the stars, and restaurants and bars across the city will be serving up romance in spades (these are our favourite underground spots, and these are the best rooftop bars if you want to kiss in the open air). If you’re looking for a spot to celebrate the big day, our pick of Sydney’s best new restaurants should help – or mix it up with one of these fun, budget-friendly date ideas. Keen to get out of town? These are the best camping sites close to the city, and these are our favourite spots for a weekend getaway. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel tips and city insights, straight to your inbox. Want more summer fun? Check out our guide to the coolest things to do in Sydney this weekend.

Every January, Sydney Festival arrives to kick off the city's arts and culture calendar with a massive helping of shows, gigs and immersive experiences. In 2025, we have an eclectic grab bag of more than 130 things to choose from, including critically-acclaimed productions from overseas (such as a subversive spaghetti western performed in “white face”) and wild new work from local artists (including the premiere of an unauthorised opera about Siegfried and Roy) in addition to some phenomenal live music in beautiful spaces. So, what are the performances that you absolutely cannot miss? And which ones will we still be ranting about for years to come? Time Out Sydney's squadron of independent critics are on the case, and they’re out there seeing as many shows as they possibly can this January. You can see our 13 top picks for the best shows to see during Syd Fest '25 over here, and check out our rolling list of festival reviews below. (Note: These “mini reviews” are shorter than the critical commentary that we typically publish, but they still offer honest, rigorous observations and critiques from reliable theatre enthusiasts and live music veterans.)

When it comes to running routes in Sydney, we're pretty spoiled for choice – with our sparkling coastline and leafy parks offering routes for every ability and ambition level. To help you choose which pavements to pound, we’ve put together a list of the very best runs in Sydney – with any one of these 13 options guaranteed to get your blood pumping. Lace up and conquer these lakeside, seaside and parkside runs across the city – for views as well as a workout. And don't forget your core – swing by one of these free outdoor gyms around Sydney for a full-body workout. Keen on a little less cardio? Check out our guide to the best easy day hikes in Sydney.  Don't want to run alone? These are the best run clubs in Sydney. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, things to do in Sydney, travel inspo, food and more, straight to your inbox.  

The holidays are (mostly) over, but there's a lot of fun going down in the Harbour City this week. This Wednesday marks the start of a new Lunar Year – with magical celebrations popping up across the city and exceptional feasts being dished up at Sydney’s best Chinese restaurants. On Thursday, some of Australia's best DJs and producers are serving up a free gig at one of our favourite Darlinghurst wine bars (RSVP here) with free drinks on arrival – we're not making this up. Keen to make the most of your (sweaty) days this week? We’d suggest starting with a swim at one of the city’s best outdoor pools or secret swimming spots, saving on lunch with one of these excellent cheap eats, then rounding out the day with a drink at one of the best rooftop bars in Sydney before catching a movie under the stars at one of the city’s magical outdoor cinemas. Need to cool off? These are our tips for beating the heat in Sydney, and these are our favourite ice cream scoops in town. If you’re keen to escape the here and now, you can travel back in time to ancient Peru with the Australian Museum’s latest immersive exhibition, step inside a futuristic cityscape at this incredible immersive exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW or explore the deep blue sea with the National Maritime Museum’s Challenging the Deep exhibition. Keen to keep moving? These are the best running routes in Sydney, and these are the city’s best gyms if you’d rather work out in air-con. Mapping out your weekend? These are th

  It’s a hot time to be in the Harbour City, in more ways than one – with the city’s beaches arguably the best place to while away your Friday to Sunday. For a dream beach day, we’d suggest hitting up one of the city’s best markets for a fresh picnic, then setting up camp at one of Sydney’s more secluded coves.  If you’re up for a more urban weekend, we’d suggest starting with a swim at one of Sydney’s best outdoor pools, then heading for lunch by the water before rounding out the day with an alfresco performance overlooking the harbour at Cockatoo Island’s Sunset Sessions.  If you’re keen to really get away this weekend, check out one of these magical bushland swimming spots, or escape for a night or two at one of the best camping sites close to the city (if you’re keen to wake up by the beach, this list of coastal camp sites should help). Looking for a spot for a special dinner? These are the best set menus in Sydney, and these are the best spots to kick on into the small hours. Scroll on for our full list of all the best things to do in Sydney this weekend. Looking for weekday fun? These are the best things to do in Sydney this week. Want a quiet spot to swim? Check out Sydney's best secret swimming spots.Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox.

If you’re looking for an easy way to make someone’s day, surprise them with a bunch of beautiful blooms. It’s one of the easiest and sweetest ways to earn a spot in their good books, especially if you’ve accidentally forgotten their special day (don’t worry, we’ve all been there). From birthdays and anniversaries to Valentine’s and Mother’s Day, we’ve rounded up all the best flower delivery services in Australia, all available for easy online ordering with same- or next-day delivery across the country. Pick from a fragrant range of fresh, seasonal and customisable bouquets, and add in locally sourced goodies, like candles, chocolate and wine, for extra brownie points. As long as you order by around midday, your flowers could be delivered around Australia that evening – so no one has to know it was a last-minute save. Want to really win them over? Here are the most romantic getaways in Australia This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

This time around, Lunar New Year falls on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, and it's a celebration for many cultures represented in Sydney, including the city's Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Korean communities. It's traditionally celebrated through food, art, festivities and generally getting together with friends and family.  January 29 marks the beginning of the Year of the Snake, the sixth sign in the Chinese zodiac, symbolising elegance, wisdom and transformation in traditional Chinese culture.We've picked out some of the very best ways to harness snake energy and charm your way into the new lunar year in Sydney – we'll be adding to this list as we near the date, so check back with us when you need more activity inspo. Hungry? Here are some of the Sydney restaurants serving up special Lunar New Year feasts for Year of the Snake.RECOMMENDED: Want fun now? These are the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.And here’s what’s on this week.

When the mercury rises in Sydney, leave the city behind and head for the hills. There's nothing quite like a relaxing swim in a cool, clear swimming hole surrounded by glorious nature, and thanks to the vast swathes of national parks and bushland just a stone's throw from the city, you won't have to travel very far to find such a dip.  If you and your mates have well and truly done the beach thing, a visit to one of these little-known swimming holes is the perfect alternative. Round them up, pack some supplies and head off for a day at one of these stunning natural bush pools near Sydney. We put together this list based on their ease-of-access, beauty and general swimmabilty – but if you want to keep things urban, our guide to the best outdoor swimming pools in the city should help. Remember that there are always risks involved with swimming, especially at unpatrolled places. Always take care to check things such as depth and currents before swimming or jumping into water, and confirm that others you’re swimming with are confident in the water before entering any swimming spot. If you're not a confident, experienced swimmer, avoid unpatrolled swimming spots altogether. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. If you're not quite done with the ocean but you're over the crowds, seek out these top secret beaches in and around Sydney or check out our guide to the city's best saltwat

No Lunar New Year celebration is complete without a feast, and there are many auspicious and symbolic dishes that are a must on any holiday menu: noodles for longevity, whole fish and salad for prosperity, rice cakes for advancement to new heights, and more. Beyond invoking luck and fortune, Lunar New Year fare is also damn delicious. So it's the perfect time to gather your friends and family together for a festive feed. We've found the best spots to celebrate the Year of the Snake. 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. RECOMMENDED: The best Lunar New Year events in Sydney.  Feel like more? Check out our guide to the finest Chinese restaurants in Sydney.

From easy breezy coastal walks to half-day bush hikes and multi-day expeditions, Sydney is blessed with many different walking paths that’ll suit amblers of all abilities.As fans of anything that allows us a different vantage point of our city (rooftop bars included), our editors have rounded up their favourites. Take a look at our list of 13 walks in Sydney that’ll take you over dramatic sandstone cliffs, cobbled stone paths, sandy inlets and well-trodden boardwalks. Take your camera to capture city skyline views, kookaburras sitting in old gum trees, Australian water dragons basking in the sunlight and preserved and protected Aboriginal engravings dating back thousands of years. Photograph: Supplied | Destination NSW Feel like cooling off? We've ranked the best beaches in Sydney. Happy to head out of town? These are our favourite day hikes close to the city. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.

Even though I am sweaty, I love this time of year. Frangipanis are in bloom, there's festive magic in the air, friends and family are out knocking back Spritzes, and the ocean just keeps getting better. Plus, the top-notch restaurant openings keep on coming. Below, I’ve rounded up the best new restaurants in Sydney, including The Grill, the luxe diner from the Shell House crew; the impressive (and huge!) Greek restaurant from The Apollo team called Olympus; and Island Radio, an affordable Southeast Asian noodle house in Redfern. Hungry? I am too. Let’s dig in. 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 something to wash it all down with? These are our favourite bars in Sydney right now. Keen to eat your way around the city? These are the best restaurants in Sydney, from hot newcomers to the OGs.

Golden hour in Sydney is a magical time – when the glare of the day fades and the dropping sun coats the city in a buttery glow. And there’s one particular spot in Sydney that seems to catch the light perfectly – a failsafe sunset spot with views across the Harbour, and one of the best places to stargaze when daylight disappears entirely. We’re talking about Sydney Observatory, and for the next five Fridays, golden hour here is going to the next level – elevated by a series of (free-to-attend) live performances programmed by the creative people behind Powerhouse.Sunset Variations will kick off this evening (Friday, January 31) with a performance by the ridiculously multi-talented artist, composer and producer xmunashe. Tonight only, there will also be 500 scoops of free gelato on offer from the good people at Messina – first in, best dressed, so get there when doors open at 5pm.Next up, on Friday, February 7, ambient instrumental duo Wilson Tanner (Andras and Eleventeen Eston) will soundtrack sunset with a mesmeric three-hour set.  On the day of love (February 14), experimental electronic artist e fishpool will set the tone as the light disappears from the sky above the Harbour City. Friday, February 21 will welcome the spellbinding Maryam Rahmani to the Observatory, and the series will come to a close with a powerful three-hour set from the magnificent force that is RONA. Remarkably, the event series is entirely free – though you’ll need to RSVP to secure your spot. Inside t

There are a select few career paths that live eternally rent-free on every 20-something Sydneysiders’ “one day” bucket list. Jewellery designer is undeniably one of them – there’s something powerful about the idea of creating, from elemental ingredients, something that will quickly become infinitely more valuable than the sum of its parts. If a full career change isn’t on the cards just yet, dipping in for a one-off jewellery making workshop might have to suffice – and we’ve found the perfect one. Hosted by Northern Beaches designer and jeweller Matt Candrick, The Fifth Lane ring-making workshops are an ideal intro course into the craft. During a three hour session, you’ll be guided through the process of ring-making and let loose with some power tools (does a handheld blow torch count as a power tool? I’m happy to go on record and say yes). Each guest will leave with two handcrafted silver or gold rings – super personal pieces that are water, sweat and rust-proof, and unique to you.  When I visited back in December, I set the gold standard for needy apprentices – falling at every minor hurdle and taking twice as long as any other guest at every (relatively simple) stage. Regardless, Matt remained totally unphased – a laid-back, calmly supportive teacher who (figuratively) held my hand until my two shiny silver rings were perfectly formed and ready to wear. If you’re unsure about your ability to tackle practical tasks (consider that my confession), this is the jewellery works

Back for its thirteenth year, Australia’s biggest non-fiction film fest is coming to the Harbour City this February – bringing a 50-strong program of incredible documentaries to big screens across Sydney for ten horizon-expanding days.This year’s Antenna fest kicks off on Thursday, February 6, with a carefully selected program of films screening every night until Sunday, February 16. Opening night will welcome the Australian premiere of Reas, a documentary-musical hybrid following cis and trans women reenacting their incarceration experiences through music and performance. According to Festival Director Dudi Rokach, it’s these kinds of boundary-pushing, reality-expanding films that form the backbone of the program, with Rokach describing every feature as “imaginative, cinematic, and provocative.” Other highlights of this year’s program include About A Hero, a scarily futuristic film based on an AI-generated script, Union, a Sundance-winning documentary following a group of Amazon workers as they take on their employer, and Look Into My Eyes, a film documenting a group of NYC-based psychics (directed by Lana Wilson, the filmmaker behind Taylor Swift: Miss Americana). Among the 50 films on the program, 12 are Australian-made shorts, and three are feature-length Aussie documentaries. Films will be screened at Dendy Newtown and the Ritz in Randwick. Tickets start at $25 for a one-time adult pass – you can check out the program and book tickets over here. Stay in the loop: sign up

It’s time to clear your calendar and prepare your body for one helluva gig crawl, because Great Southern Nights is back in action. This means that some 300 gigs are taking over more than 120 live music venues across New South Wales, with a spotlight on major and emerging Aussie artists. This year’s eclectic line-up features Missy Higgins, Lime Cordiale, Budjerah, King Stingray and Mallrat, just to name a few. Other headliners include Winston Surfshirt, Marcia Hines, The Paper Kites, Hoodoo Gurus, Thirsty Merc and Birds of Tokyo.  Here in Sydney, shows will pop up across legendary live music venues as well as more intimate bars and restaurants – with joints like The Lansdowne, Machine Hall, PS40 and Jacksons on George getting amongst the fun. Outside of the big smoke, there are gigs set to take place in Tamworth, Broken Hill, Orange, Newcastle, Woollongong and Byron Bay, to name a few road-trip-worthy locations.  As well as forming part of the government’s plan to amp up Sydney’s nightlife, Great Southern Nights aims to bring a boost to the state’s regional towns, with major names like Sons of the East, The Cat Empire and Ziggy Alberts popping up in small towns across the state. With shows like Bec Sandridge, Boo Seeka and Missy Higgins already sold out, fans are encouraged to secure tickets soon, before they miss out. The series will be brought to life by Destination NSW in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).“Great Southern Nights is about f

Budget conscious movie fans, this one’s for you. For the third year running, Darling Quarter’s free open-air cinema is back – this time with dog-friendly seating and high-quality headphones for crystal-clear audio.Kicking off this Thursday, January 9, the free open-air cinema will run until Sunday, January 26, with the varied film program featuring big releases and old-school favourites.  First cab off the rank is a screening of the magical new Wonka featuring Timothée Chalamet, followed by a hot pink spectacular with a screening of Barbie on Friday, January 10. Other movies on this year’s program include Miss Congeniality, Happy Feet 2 and Wonder Woman. Potterheads can also get their fix at a series of Harry Potter marathons taking place over the weekends. Though screenings are free, it’s worth booking a place – with free unallocated seating and beanbags available to hire for an extra $10. This year’s movie experience sees the upgrade of all new headphones, meaning you don’t have to worry about the ambience of the area impacting your audio experience (though sound will be played through large outdoor speakers too). For a cinema snack, moviegoers can order Click and Collect from some of Darling Quarter’s fave eateries – including Churrascaria, Noodle Face and Gelatissimo.  With a flat evening parking rate of $20 per car, this is hands down one of the most affordable cinema experiences you can have in the Harbour City. Keen to spend those extra dollars on another movie-style e

You’re morally obliged to swim in the ocean before lunch at Amalfi. It’s implied in the name, and insisted upon through the menu – Italian-inspired plates that taste best after an hour or so spent between the sand and the sea. The bright, light-flooded restaurant, just steps from Bondi Beach, is designed to be enjoyed in holiday mode – arrive with salty hair and leave with a full belly and a Limoncello buzz. Occupying a glass-fronted space a three-minute walk from the ocean, the spacious new restaurant exists in a bubble of stillness – wide windows opening up onto a quiet residential street. White chairs and benches are scattered with yellow cushions – a colour theme that’s carried throughout by a striped accent wall above the well-stocked bar, and paper straws popping out of goblets of Limoncello spritz. Slim Aarons photographs and shots of the Amalfi Coast line the walls, and terrazzo-style tables are illuminated by big hanging lights. Like the aesthetic, the menu here is an ode to the Italian coastline: fresh, joyously salty antipasti (we’d recommend the oysters and the anchovy bruschetta) and bowls of rich, garlic-loaded pasta. Come here with the whole family, and you’ll find something for everyone – with crowd-pleasers like calamari fritti and butterflied king prawns, a super-affordable "bambini" menu and a good range of gluten-free and vego options. It’s a menu that doesn’t take itself too seriously, with a major focus on maximum flavour – tuna tartare arrives doused in

Cinephiles, this one’s for you. Flickerfest – Australia’s biggest short film competition – is back for 2025, taking over Bondi Pavilion with more than 200 short film screenings across a glittering ten-day program. Known for spotlighting some of the country’s best-received short films – with a heap of Academy® and BAFTA winners among its alumni – Flickerfest is returning for its 34th year, with films screening by the beach from January 17 until January 26, 2025.  This year, the carefully selected curation of short films were chosen from a pool of more than 3,400 entries, with the official selection including 63 Australian films, 36 international films, and 15 documentaries. Audiences can expect to see 37 world premieres, 46 Australian premieres, and 5 NSW premieres, with most of the films in the running for a series of awards, including Flickerfest Award for Best International Short Film, the Yoram Gross Award for Best International Animation, the Panasonic Lumix Award for Best Australian Short Film, and the Flickerfest Award for Best Documentary.  As well as the shortlisted films, the program features a celebration of young Aussie filmmakers (FlickerUp), a showcase of LGBTQI cinema (Rainbow Shorts), a series of films about relationships (Love Bites) and exploring films about relationships, Short Laughs (a comedy series) and FlickerKids: a special program of kids and family-friendly films. After the Bondi-based festival, Flickerfest will go on tour – taking selected films to m

Before jumping on the pans at Percy – Pyrmont’s new Spanish-inspired wine bar – chef Rosy Scatigna spent days on end exploring the pintxos bars of San Sebastian: “tasting fresh flavours and feeling that electric buzz of people enjoying their dining experience, sharing good food and wine.” As many people (including our very own Food and Drink Editor Avril Treasure) do, Scatigna fell in love with the Basque approach to dining, which she describes as “cool, casual and absolutely delicious”.It’s these pillars that guide the approach at Percy – the charmingly unpretentious but deftly executed wine bar hidden in a heritage-listed building in an unassuming corner of the city. Enter into the lobby, and you’ll be met by a busy warmth that’s immediately reminiscent of Spain’s intimate drinking caves. High ceilings are supported by thick wooden beams that stretch up from the stone floor, and deep red walls are lined with bottles of (mainly Spanish) wine. The location – housed within the Hotel Woolstore 1888 in Pyrmont – means you get a hotel bar and tapas bar experience in one. Get cosy on one of the statement sofas dotted throughout the lobby for a pre-dinner drink, then make your way into a table in the restaurant – each illuminated by wine bottle candlesticks. With Basque country pintxos bars as its inspiration, the menu focuses on easy-to-eat, flavour-forward sharing plates, brought to life with a sense of un-fussy fun. With creative direction from the bar’s executive chef Eli Lozad

When you’re thinking of spots to spend a sunny day in Sydney, South Eveleigh isn’t generally number one on the list. This summer, the people behind the precinct’s family-friendly activations (they hosted a whole heap of science-focused fun during the winter months, and their previous street parties have been off the charts) are hoping to change that – with South Eveleigh’s Summer Club bringing big beach energy to the city’s Inner East.  From Monday, December 2, the precinct will transform into an immersive urban summer club, complete with daily giveaways and visits from a very summery Santa. Every day from Monday, December 2 until Sunday, December 15, the Mini Kiosk will be giving away seasonal sweet treats – everything from fresh coconuts to mini pavlovas – and the first 130 customers to spend more than $10 at any retailer in the precinct will score a free summer accessory (choose from caps, tote bags and towels) from the Summer Club Kiosk. Visitors to the area can also join volleyball games, test their surfing skills on the mechanical wave rider,  hit the foam pool or kick back in the chill zone beneath an umbrella. If you’re keen to see the big man himself, Santa will be hitting the (mechanical) surf on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays – available to snap Christmassy pics and take note of your present requests. The precinct will also be home to a “Sandy Clause Photo Booth” for your team and family festive shots, and throughout the two week program entertainment will be pro

If you've ever dreamed of running off with the circus, this one’s for you. After a record-setting season in Brisbane that saw more than 120,000 tickets sold, Cirque du Soleil’s spectacular new show has landed in Sydney for its final Aussie encore. It's already got a big thumbs up from none other than Robert Irwin, who described it as “just next level”, and now the wildly impressive Luzia is pitching up under the Big Top at the Entertainment Quarter until February 9, before it ships off to New York City.Originated some 40 years ago in Canada, Cirque du Soleil is the world-leader of live circus – and as with every Big Top show they roll out, Luzia features ridiculously impressive acrobatics and stunning visual effects, with this particular show transporting spectators to a vibrant and surreal Mexico-inspired setting. Morphing from a vintage movie set to the aquatic depths of the ocean, and from a hazy dance hall into an arid desert, the stage brings Mexican landscapes (and seascapes, and atmospheric indoor settings) to life through an immersive, spellbinding show. The poetic narrative of Luzia was crafted by playwright Julie Hamelin Finzi, and the transporting story is brought to life under the direction of author, director, choreographer, lighting designer and actor Daniele Finzi Pasca. On the acrobatics front, you can expect trapeze artists, hoop divers, football freestylers and contortionists to defy the laws of gravity – all set within a magical dreamlike setting complete w

If your algorithm is anything like mine, your current feed likely features a seemingly disproportionate number of selfie-style clips of influencers getting a head massage. If you’re wondering who’s responsible, I’m here to fill you in. Tokyo Headspa first popped up in Bondi Junction’s new beauty precinct – Salon Lane – back in June of this year, after making its Sydney debut in St Leonards in November 2022. Since opening, the Japanese-style head spa has gone from strength to heavily-Instagrammed strength. After being fed content about Sydney’s new wellness “must” for weeks, I decided it was time to try out the experience for myself, and I have to admit – it was pretty damn dreamy. My therapist met me at the entrance to Salon Lane after a busy day at work and a hectic cycle through the city, and her presence alone made my shoulders drop. Chisato – who worked as a physiotherapist in Japan before relocating to Sydney – has a divinely calming aura, and a truly masterful touch. I’d booked in for Tokyo Headspa’s 'Dream Labs' treatment – a new treatment designed to dramatically improve sleep by regulating the autonomic nervous system and helping you drop into a deep sense of calm. Reclined back on the ridiculously comfy chair, surrounded by curtains illuminated by projections of a slowly-moving solar system and soundtracked by an ethereal soundscape, the seventy minutes slipped past in a surreal, transcendent blur. Using the super-luxe Oribe lotion that I’d chosen as my favourite (y

The north-of-the-bridge iteration of Bondi's Sunset Cinema is taking over North Sydney Oval again this summer, bringing three months of alfresco flicks to the open-air location. Sunset Cinema North Sydney will kick off a new season of outdoor popcorn delights from Thursday, December 5 through to Sunday, March 15. Pack your blankets and lawn chairs, hire a bean bag for $10, or level up with a Sunset Lounge ticket for an additional $25 – you will receive a reserved bean lounger, seating in a prime viewing area and bottomless popcorn. Gates open at 7pm with films commencing at sundown, and there's a range of food and drinks available including a full bar (note: you can BYO food but not alcohol).You can expect heaps of the major releases of 2024 on the line-up – everything from Wicked to the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man – plus old classics like The Princess Diaries, The Holiday and Home Alone. Screenings take place Wednesday to Saturday (with a few exceptions) and tickets (from $27 for adults, kids $15) are on sale now. Want more? Check out the best outdoor cinemas in Sydney. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: Want fun now? Here’s what’s on in Sydney this weekend. In the mood for a show? Here’s our list of the best theatre to see in Sydney this month. No cash to splash? You can catch an alfresco movie every Wednesday this summer in The Rocks.

Visit one of the Harbour City’s east-facing beaches on a cloudless weekday morning, and you’ll quickly understand why Sydneysiders are so enchanted by the sunrise. It’s hard to have a bad day when you spent the first few moments of it watching the sun burst out of the ocean from the salty embrace of Bronte Baths, or with a coffee from a beachfront café. And while we already had all the anecdotal evidence we needed to stake Sydney’s claim as a sunrise hotspot, a new report has just verified our position – with the Emerald City ranking as the fourth best sunrise-watching spot in the world. To identify the world’s top sunrise watching spots, influencer marketing platform Heepsy analysed data and ranked the locations from around the world where sunrises are the most-frequently Instagrammed. The report analysed sunrise-related Instagram hashtags per city, as well as average sunshine hours, air quality, tourism numbers and the number (and standard) of popular sunrise spots. Frankly, we can’t work out how we didn’t come first. Photograph: Supplied | Destination NSW According to the data, 61,800 sunrise hashtags have been shared to Instagram from Sydney – making it the fourth most popular sunrise spot in the world.  With 685,000 sunrise hashtags across Instagram when the report was released, New York City ranked as the most desirable daybreak destination in the world, with Dubai ranking in second place with 254,000 sunrise hashtags. Although a lot of our biggest cities face east, S

With its far-reaching coastline and abundance of neighbouring national parks, the Harbour City is undeniably a hiker's paradise. And while there are plenty of beautiful walking routes in Sydney itself and full-day hikes within an hour or so of the city, venturing further out can really pay off if you’re looking for a world-class walking route. Just under four hours south of Sydney in the stunning Shoalhaven region, you’ll find one of the NSW National Parks organisation's "Great Walks". The Murramarang South Coast Walk is a magical 34-kilometre route that takes walkers along a beautiful stretch of unspoilt coastline – through quaint coastal villages and majestic forests. With the option of pre-booking campsites and transfers along the route, tackling at least a section of this gorgeous walk on your next South Coast weekender is a must-do. Where is the Murramarang South Coast Walk? Tracing the coast between Pretty Beach and Maloneys Beach on the NSW South Coast, the Murramarang South Coast Walk is located in Murramarang National Park on Yuin Country – with the starting point around a 3-hour, 40-minute drive from Sydney. How long is the Murramarang South Coast Walk? The full 34-kilometre route takes around three days to complete in full, but it’s possible to dip in for shorter stints if you’re not up for taking on the walk in its entirety in one big go.   Photograph: Supplied | Destination NSW | Josh Burkinshaw How to get to the Murramarang South Coast Walk The easiest way to

Way back in 2014, the Federal Government committed to transforming a greenfield site on the western outskirts of Sydney into a huge international airport. Now, building work on the new Western Sydney International airport (WSI) is more than 90 per cent complete, and it’s on track to open in late 2026. Curious? Us too. So, we reached out to the team for the lowdown and got an exclusive behind-the-scenes scoop on what to expect at Sydney’s shiny new airport. Why is Sydney getting a new airport?  As one of the most desirable holiday destinations in the world (recently ranked number one for winter sunshine, and among the very best cities in the world for 2025), Sydney is an in-demand place to be, so making our city more connected is pretty crucial for the city’s economy. As well as providing a boost to our tourism industry, a new all-hours airport will help connect Sydneysiders with the world – especially those living in Western Sydney. According to a spokesperson from WSI, the population of Western Sydney is set to reach about 3.2 million over the next decade; and with a population comprising 170 different ancestries, a well-connected airport is vital (the average Western Sydney resident is estimated to take 2.6 international trips per year).  Where is Sydney’s new airport?  The Western Sydney International airport is being built in the Sydney suburb of Badgerys Creek, approximately 41-kilometres west of Sydney’s CBD. Access to this corner of Sydney will become a lot easier once

If you missed out on Australian Open tickets and are looking for a dose of high-speed excitement, we’ve got good news. Next month, the world’s fastest sailing boats will be going head to head in the Harbour City for the Australian leg of the global Sailing Grand Prix – here’s everything you need to know. What is the SailGP?  The SailGP is the world’s fastest sailing competition – a league-style global comp that sees teams of elite sailors race around some of the world’s most famous harbours on super high-performance catamarans.  What boats are used in the SailGP? The boats you’ll see zipping around Sydney Harbour when the SailGP comes to the Emerald City next month are F50 catamarans: cutting-edge sailing boats designed for high-speed racing. Suspended on blade-like hydrofoils, the boats lift out of the water and are propelled by rigid sails, reaching speeds of up to 101 kilometres per hour. When is the SailGP Australia? The competition is coming to the Harbour City for the weekend of February 8 and February 9, 2025, with a pre-event party kicking things off on Friday, February 7. Where is the SailGP Australia? The Australian leg of SailGP takes place in the Harbour City (where else?), with the boats navigating a route surrounding Sydney’s Shark Island. You can check out the map of the Sydney race route (and plan your picnic spot accordingly) below. Supplied | Sail GP What time is the SailGP Sydney race? The racing will run from 3pm until 4.30pm on Saturday, February 8 and

Snow-seeking Sydneysiders, we’ve got news. Construction work on Australia’s first indoor snow resort is due to start very soon – with the huge snowsports centre on track to open in Penrith in 2028. Taking over what is currently a horse paddock located within Penrith’s Riverlink Tourism Precinct, Winter Sports World will offer year-round access to snow sports and mountain fun, complete with mountainside cafés, a 300-metre advanced open ski run, a competition venue and a 170-room hotel. The proposal to build Winter Sports World in Sydney’s Western Suburbs was granted State Significant Development Application (SSDA) approval by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment way back in January 2024, but due to the scale of the project (it’s the largest new attraction project currently in Australia and the biggest ever in Western Sydney), it’s taken a hot minute for construction to start. According to the team behind the project, construction on the $700-million Winter Sports World will begin in the first half of this year, with the opening date slated for 2028. Photograph: Supplied | Winter Sports World Sydney The ambitious project is expected to double visitor numbers for Penrith: attracting more than one million visitors every year, generating 1,350 new ongoing tourism jobs and injecting an estimated $222 million per year into the local economy.Local developer, Peter Magnisalis, explains how the indoor mountain has turned from a “pie-in-the-sky dream” to “a real project and

Home to Sydney’s fastest-growing population, Western Sydney area is on track to receive some well-deserved attention, investment and development over the next few years. Back in June 2024, a 25-year plan for the precinct’s capital (Parramatta) was revealed, with the aim of turning Parramatta into “Western Sydney’s job engine”. The plans for Parramatta 2050 are ambitious, long-term ideas, but there’s some development that will appear on a faster timeline. This week, plans have been revealed for Civic Link: the city’s new “grand boulevard” connecting the river to the CBD – here’s what it’s set to look like... The $21-million Civic Link project will connect key areas of Sydney’s second CBD – running north-south along Horwood Place from George Street to Phillip Street, connecting Parramatta Square and the future public spaces around Sydney Metro West (currently in development) to the south, and Powerhouse Parramatta (also in development) to the north. Photograph: Supplied | City of Parramatta Designed to improve quality of life for people in Parramatta, the new urban corridor will infuse green space into the heart of the CBD, with $10.1 million in funding coming from the Housing Support Program (a funding program aimed at infrastructure and public spaces around new and developing housing projects). As well as being a beautiful public space, the area is set to become a cultural and creative hub – home to cafés, shops and purpose-built spaces for community events. ALSO RECOMMENDE

With its far-reaching coastline, magical harbour and abundance of urban public swimming pools, Sydney has no shortage of places to get wet. But if what you’re looking for is a celebratory-style pool day – where you can turn Thirsty Merc up to full volume and get silly with your nearest and dearest – it’s preferable to have a private space. Thankfully, you don’t need to actually own a pool to make that dream a reality – thanks to a handy app with 130 Sydney pools available to book by the hour at the click of a button. Swimply (essentially the Airbnb for pools) helps connect pool owners keen to earn some extra cash with pool-less Sydneysiders looking for a place to splash around under the sun. Since launching in Sydney in 2019, Swimply has built a portfolio of 130 private pools across the city, available to book for around $30-$90 per hour. Photograph: Supplied | Swimply Our top picks for a pool day in Sydney this summer include a stunning 15-person infinity pool with views across the harbour, a shady pool in a Sardinian-inspired terrace in Newport, and a magical, bush-shrouded saltwater pool hiding in a garden in Maroubra. The app's search function means you can filter to find pools with the features you need, e.g.: pet-friendly, party-friendly and waterslide-equipped. If the Aus Open has inspired you to get training for a Grand Slam, Swimply also has tennis and pickleball courts available to book, and you can narrow your search based on budget, proximity and a bunch of othe

As a city of swimming enthusiasts, Sydney is home to pristine swimming pools for an urban dip, but if you’re over chlorine and want to get aquatic in nature, there are some truly magical bushland swimming holes within easy reach of the city. With possibly the cutest name around, Jellybean Pool is one of our favourites – a dreamy freshwater swimming hole just an hour’s drive from Sydney’s CBD.  Where is Jellybean pool? Shaded by a towering sandstone cliffface and gum trees that stretch theatrically up into the sky, Jellybean Pool feels divinely remote (especially on less-crowded days), but it’s one of the most easily-accessible freshwater swimming holes in the Sydney area. Close to the charming historic town of Glenbrook on the eastern edge of the Blue Mountains National Park, the pool is a one hour drive from the city (and just over an hour on public transport, plus a relatively manageable 36-minute walk). Photograph: Winnie Stubbs | Time Out Sydney How to get to Jellybean Pool If you’re travelling from Sydney by car, drive west towards the Glenbrook entrance of the Blue Mountains National Park and you’ll arrive at the Jellybean Pool car park in just over an hour. If you’re travelling from central Sydney, it’s actually just as efficient to travel by train, with the train to Glenbrook from Central taking an hour and one minute, and the walk from Glenbrook Station to Jellybean Pool taking around 36 minutes. From the carpark, a short walking track takes you down a steep set of

Exhausted Sydney's Euro-summer coded spots? We've got good news – you could get a taste of peak Europe IRL this year thanks to some very hot flight deals that have just dropped. Virgin Australia has just announced a huge flash sale to iconic Euro-summer destinations, with the price of peak-time flights majorly discounted. Photograph: Pexels | Kai Pelger The sale has been launched to celebrate Virgin Australia’s new flights to Doha in partnership with Qatar Airways, but Qatar isn’t the only destination you could get to on the cheap this Aussie winter. To fulfil Sydneysiders’ Parisian fantasies, Virgin is extending its discounted flight routes from the Harbour City all the way to Europe, with return economy flights from Sydney to Paris starting at $1,927. Want to fly into England? Return flights from Sydney to London start at $2,035.Often when these kinds of sales drop, the flights are for times of year when we'd rather be in Sydney. But Virgin’s sale could make Euro summer dreams come true, with the sale fares applying to travel between June 17 and July 11 2025, and available to book from today (January 24) until January 31 (or until sold out).Virgin has also discounted flights from other Aussie cities to different European hotspots, with return flights from Brisbane to Athens starting at $2,022, and return flights from Perth to Barcelona available from $1,798.Ready for a holiday? You can learn more and book over here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney n

With our sun-soaked beaches and stunning sky-high bars, Sydney does summer well. In fact, we do summer so well that people travel across the world to get a taste – with the Harbour City just ranking in joint first place as the best winter sun hotspot in the world. A new report from luggage company Bounce identified the world’s favourite destinations for a dose of winter sunshine, and along with Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory, the Emerald City ranked at number one. To determine the best destinations around the world for winter sunshine, the team at Bounce analysed a number of factors: average temperature, rainfall and nightly price (that’s likely where we fell down), plus various searches for “winter”. The data was collected based on the Northern Hemisphere’s winter months (January, February and December), so naturally our weather stats were pretty darn lovely. The stats were then integrated to determine an overall total out of ten, with Sydney scoring a “winter sun score” of 6.45 out of ten. With identical total scores, Darwin and Sydney weren't the only two Aussie destinations to make the list, with Broome coming in fourth place with a "winter sun score" of 6.14. Photograph: Anna Kucera For cost-conscious travellers, we can’t deny that Darwin out-did us, with the average nightly price in Darwin sitting at £81 (around $160 Aussie dollars), compared with £189 in Sydney (that’s an average price of $372 for a stay in the Harbour City). The report also analysed sea te

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the shiny new stretch of Sydney Metro was the most exciting thing to happen to the city in 2024. Metro mania was unprecedented, and to keep the hype alive, the people who brought the super-fast new transport system to life have just released a series of maps detailing how Sydneysiders and visitors can explore the very best of the city via the metro system’s key stops. The three new culture maps (released today, Wednesday January 22) cover three of the city’s main tourist areas, highlighting some of Sydney’s main cultural attractions and the easiest routes to explore them. With el cozzie livs in mind, the maps also spotlight key low-cost and free attractions in the vicinity of each metro stop – helping you plan a day of sight-seeing via the city’s most-hyped mode of transport. Illustrated by local artist Joel Tarling, the maps are an initiative of Sydney Metro staff member Tiffany O’neill, who noticed the potential of the new Sydney Metro City line to unlock Sydney’s major cultural attractions. Want to check out Sydney’s famous corpse flower, explore the works of world-famous artists then have a drink at one of the city’s best rooftop bars? The Martin Place map will help. Photograph: Supplied | Transport for NSW Want to swim in a magical harbour swimming spot then catch a show from the city’s leading theatre company? Check out the guide to Barangaroo. Photograph: Supplied | Transport for NSW Or keen to check out Australia's cooles

The frenzy that overcame Sydneysiders when the latest stretch of Sydney Metro opened its doors back in August was unprecedented – a unifying wave of city pride. And in glorious news for public transport enthusiasts across the city, that was just the beginning – with the Sydney Metro network set to comprise 46 stations across Sydney once it’s complete. If you can’t bear to wait until 2027 for the Western Sydney Airport Metro line to open, you’re in luck – a life-size prototype of the carriages set to be used on the new line has been unveiled to the public. The carriage doesn’t actually go anywhere yet, and the public can’t see it in the flesh (yet), but hopefully, this BTS will scratch the itch. Brought to life from a flat pack in a Western Sydney warehouse, the carriage prototype provides a sense of what it will be like travelling on one of the 12 new trains on the metro line connecting to Sydney’s shiny new airport. Running through Sydney’s west for 23 kilometres, the Western Sydney Airport Metro line will extend from St Marys to Bradfield, with Transport for NSW predicting that the line will become “the backbone of transportation in Greater Western Sydney” – with the capacity to carry 7,740 passengers per hour in each direction. Photograph: Supplied | Transport for NSW | Justin Sanson The prototype carriage closely mimics all of the design and safety features set to be used in the new metro carriages: multiple seating choices, wide aisles, wheelchair access and accessible