Winnie Stubbs

Somehow, it’s already autumn. The good news is there are plenty of exciting new openings to add to your hit list. My current favourites include Newtown’s charming new fisherman’s den, Mister Grotto; a fire-powered Mediterranean diner from the Bar Copains team called Bessie’s; and Marrickville’s new Greek grill house that’s 100 per cent worth the hype, Olympic Meats. Oh, and the five-star Neptune's Grotto. Below, you’ll find Sydney’s best new restaurants. 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.

Does the idea of a road trip summon nostalgia for childhood summers spent in a caravan by the sea, or the fantasy of hitting the wide-open road in an all-in-one van and getting a break from it all with that nomad lifestyle? You can try life-on-the-road on for size without spending your life savings by renting a reliable road vessel from Camplify. It’s kind of like Airbnb but for campervans, caravans and trailers. It allows the people who have invested in all the van-life bits and bobs to share their gear instead of it just being parked in the driveway when they're at home. Looking for a caravan to clap on to the back of your own valiant steed (car) and hit the wide open road? Or an all-in-one van that will allow you to wake up to the sound of ocean waves lapping on the shore? Check out these top ten suggestions for options to pick up in Sydney for your next road trip, or opt to have a caravan set up in a dreamy location of your own choosing.  All have been lovingly restored to their vintage glory or transformed from scratch into the ultimate self-sufficient travel companion.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.  Wondering where to visit? Here are our favourite road trips in NSW and these are the best road trips in the state according to a travel industry expert.

We Aussies are a lucky bunch. You only need to drive an hour or so from any major Australian city to wind up in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. However, with so many options, picking which road to venture down first can be quite a challenge. To make life easier, our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has cherry-picked a selection of the best day trips around Australia – many of which she's tried, tested and would happily do all over again (if only there were more days in the year). From heritage-listed towns and coastal hangouts to mountain escapes, Australia has something for every explorer. Now, all that’s left for you is to load the car and hit the open road. 😱 The most incredible places to visit in Australia🚘 Australia's most popular road trips🌳 Regional towns that you can tick off in a day

As well as crisp, autumnal mornings, the month of April is blessed with five public holidays – this is your reminder to get planning a weekend away before the best stays get snapped up. It’s also a month of light and laughter, with Neon Playground 2.0 and Great Southern Nights lighting up the city until April 6, Guys & Dolls on Sydney Harbour bringing fun and fireworks to Sydney Harbour until April 20, and the Sydney Comedy Festival lighting up venues across the city from April 21. There are also a lot of foodie-focused festivities popping up this month, with Stickybeak Festival kicking things off on April 4 and 5,the Most Blessed Nights Street Food Market taking over Macquarie Mall from April 17 until April 20, and Newcastle Food Month running all month long (it’s worth a road trip, trust us). Need a tasty pep in your step? Disaronno is celebrating Amaretto Sours month by serving up limited edition cocktails all month long at some of Sydney's favourite bars.Need to keep the kids entertained? The beloved Sydney Royal Easter Show will be back at Sydney Showground from April 11 until April 22, and the Ingenia Holiday Parks Sydney Family Show is landing at the Entertainment Quarter from April 12 until April 27.Craving a nature hit before winter sets in? These are the best camping sites close to Sydney, and these are the best day hikes near the city.Saving your cash? Here's our round-up of the best deals in Sydney this April. Ready to embrace the changing seasons? Warm up at one

Believe it or not, another school holiday is just about to begin in NSW. And if the thought of keeping the kiddos entertained for the next two weeks sends you into a spiral, we have you covered –  with the ultimate round-up of activities and experiences happening in Sydney for kids and families this Easter.  There’s something here 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.

April update: Mother's Day is coming up in Australia on Sunday, May 11! Get ahead of the game and send the lovely ladies in your life a gorgeous bouquet from one of these reliable Aussie flower delivery services. 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.

Sometimes you just need to take a time out – and here at Time Out Australia, we’re the experts at doing just that. We’ve scoped out the very best wellness retreats around Australia, where you can soak away your worries and be pampered like absolute royalty. From an award-winning natural hot spring with 50 bathing experiences to the Southern Hemisphere’s largest spa with one of only two Somadome meditation pods in Australia, these places will cater to all your relaxing desires. Make a day trip of it or sneak off for a dedicated week-long detox – whatever you choose, you’ll leave feeling like a whole new person. These are the best wellness retreats in Australia right now. ✨ The top luxury hotels in Australia🌳 Australia's most magical rainforests🥾 The most epic hikes to do in Australia

Bell Shakespeare is kicking off its 35th anniversary season for 2025 with a cracker of a show. In early March, a stunning contemporary production of one of the most famous war plays of all time, Henry 5, will premiere under the spectacular sails of the Sydney Opera House. Celebrated theatre maker and former Associate Artistic Director of Bell Shakespeare Marion Potts (Othello, Hamlet) is returning to the company for the first time in 15 years to direct this all-new production starring newcomer JK Kazzi in his highly anticipated mainstage theatre debut, with Melbourne-based composer Jethro Woodward joining an esteemed creative team. Follow young Prince Hal as he leaves his wayward adolescence behind and assumes the mantle of kingship. Following an insult by the French prince, King Henry launches England into a war with France to claim the throne he believes is rightfully his and, against all odds, he leads his troops from despair to climactic victory at the Battle of Agincourt. King Henry is hailed as a warrior and a hero – but at what cost? The NSW season will run from March 1 to April 5 at the Sydney Opera House and at Illawarra Performing Arts Centre from April 30 to May 1, before the production tours to Canberra and Melbourne. You can learn more and book tickets over here. RECOMMENDED: The best theatre to see in Sydney this month.

Sure, Sydney’s hella exxy, but if you look hard enough, you’ll find some cheap as chips things to do that won’t leave a big hole in your bank balance. 1. Climb some boulders harness free (don't worry, the padded floors promise a soft landing) at 9 Degrees in Alexandria. For just $25 you can nab a casual climb. $25  2. See a free gig at Phoenix Central Park. Even more intriguing than the impressive architectural design of this performance space, is the ticketing system. There is no monetary exchange required for the cutting-edge acts, you just need to enter a ballot and become one of the lucky winners. Free Photograph: Supplied | The Fullerton Hotel 3. Go for a dip at the heritage-listed Wylie’s Baths that sit below the Coogee coastal walkway. $6  4. Get moving with parkrun – a community-run 5-kilometre jog that takes place every Saturday morning at locations around the city. Free 5. Slurp down some epic noodle soup. We've rounded up our favourite bowls from around Sydney, here. From $15   6. Get a hit of the good feels that come with volunteering, by pitching in at Pocket City Farms for their Thursday and Saturday morning volunteering. $0  7. LOL all night long at the Running Joke on Level One of the Potts Point Hotel every Tuesday night. From $19 8. See the beaches on two wheels with a Cruiser Bike from Manly Bike Tours. $22 for an hour 9. Catch a $10 Sunday morning movie at Hoyts. At Hoyts cineams across the city (you'll find outposts at the Entertainment Quarter, Blackt

There’s a lot of autumnal fun going down in the Harbour City this weekend, so we’ll lay out the perfect itinerary and you can take or leave what you like. We’d suggest starting your Friday with drinks at one of Sydney’s best underground bars, then heading to Artbar at the MCA for a night of wine-fuelled creativity. On Saturday, start with a market meander or breakfast at one of Sydney’s best cafés, then check out the Sydney Family Show for some old-school fairground fun, or head to Liverpool, where you’ll find Sydney’s biggest and brightest celebration of African culture (taking over Macquarie Mall for this weekend only).  If indoor activities are more your speed this weekend, head to one of our city’s best galleries – Cao Fei’s immersive futuristic exhibition wraps up at the Art Gallery of NSW on Sunday.  Round out your weekend at Sydney Observatory’s magical ‘Pink Moon and Natural Wine’ event, which is bringing wine-makers and star-gazers together for a very special celestial-inspired evening. In the mood for a roadtrip? Newcastle Food Month is in full swing a few hours north – check out our Food and Drink Editor’s pick of the 10 best dishes before you go.If you’re keen to get some air this weekend, our round-up of the best day hikes close to Sydndey should help.  Scroll on for our full list of all the best things to do in Sydney this weekend. Weather not looking so hot? Check out our list of the best things to do indoors in Sydney. Looking for weekday fun? These are the b

There’s a lot of theatrical fun going on in the Harbour City this week to keep us entertained now daylight savings has come to an end, including the sparkly-as-anything Guys & Dolls on Sydney Harbour, Hadestown at the Theatre Royal, Annie live at the Capitol Theatre and The Glass Menagerie at Kirribilli’s Ensemble Theatre. This week is also your last chance to catch an alfresco movie from bed at Barangaroo’s pop-up beach cinema, and to explore Cao Fei’s incredible immersive exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW.Keen to make the most of the warm(ish) days before winter officially arrives? We’d suggest starting with a swim at one of the city’s best outdoor pools or secret swimming spots, lunching outside with a schooner at one of Sydney’s best beer gardens, then rounding out the day at one of Sydney’s best rooftop bars.  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.Scroll on for our full list of the best things to do in Sydney this week. Mapping out your weekend? These are the best things to do in Sydney this weekend. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox.

Sydney is jam-packed with gyms. From small studios to big mega-chains, single-service boutiques to multi-service offerings, and everything in between. The amount of choice can be overwhelming. Luckily, our Sydney Editor Alice Ellis has worked in the fitness industry, so she knows what separates a mediocre gym that you'll probably be wasting your money on, from a gym that you'll be motivated to attend so you can actually achieve the results you're after (whether that's building strength, losing weight, getting your stress in check or joining a new connecting with people). This list has been curated by all our Time Out Sydney editors and writers, who've covered a lot of ground when it comes to Sydney gyms. Read on to find the right gym fit for you. Looking for a healthy feed? Here's our guide to healthy eateries that don't suck. Prefer to pound the pavements? 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.  

To bring a little musical joy to the Harbour City through the cooler months, Sydney’s historic waterside precinct The Rocks is hosting free jazz performances every Thursday throughout autumn and winter – with live performances by musicians from around Australia. Jazz Sessions in The Rocks will run from 6pm until 8.30pm every Thursday from Thursday, April 3 until Thursday, September 25 – so there’s plenty of time to catch the star-lit shows.  Local distillery Hickson House Distilling Co will be slinging gin-based cocktails, and there are a host of excellent restaurants in the area to keep you nourished pre and post show. The line-up so far includes harmonic duo Aaron Flower and Kate Wadey, the dynamic vocalist Leah Berry and Sydney-based ensemble Zodiac Quartet.The events are free to attend and there’s no need to book. You can learn more over 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.   RECOMMENDED:  Want more evening entertainment? These are the best bars and pubs in Sydney for live music. And these are the best shows to catch in Sydney this month. Need fun now? Here’s what’s on in Sydney this week

Now in its 13th year, the Palestinian Film Festival Australia will return to Melbourne from May 7-11 with a bold program of films that offer a powerful exploration of resilience, love and freedom in the face of ongoing war and dispossession. “This year’s program is guided by a deep emotional pulse,” say festival director Naser Shakhtour. “It’s about the power of Palestinian cinema to speak from the rubble, to conjure memory and to imagine freedom. These films reflect not just the struggles, but the resilience, beauty, and strength of Palestinian culture.” The ten-film program will spotlight a selection of both new voices and acclaimed international works, following through on the festival's mission to share Palestinian art and culture with Australian audiences. Highlights include The Teacher, an emotionally charged drama from Oscar-nominated filmmaker Farah Nabulsi about a Palestinian schoolteacher torn between compassion and resistance; To A Land Unknown, which tells the story of two Palestinian friends stranded in Athens and driven to extremes in their quest for escape; and the documentary Yalla Parkour, which explores the powerful connection between a filmmaker and a parkour athlete in Gaza.   The Melbourne leg of the Palestinian Film Festival will be held at Cinema Nova, and you can view the full program and plan your cinema trips over here. It will also travel to Sydney, Canberra, Perth and Brisbane. Looking for more things to do? These are the best things to do in Melbo

The One Playground empire is expanding at a phenomenal rate, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. After transitioning from ‘Fitness Playground’ back in March 2023, the boutique wellness company set about converting gyms across the city into genuine wellness meccas: not just fitness zones, but places dedicated to improving how Sydneysiders feel, inside and out. With their accessible membership model and super sexy studios, they’re sort of taking Sydney by storm – with locations in Surry Hills, Newtown and Marrickville, a lush wellness studio in Surry Hills and more gyms set to open in Merrylands and north of the bridge.  The latest site to join the ranks is arguably its most central, and spectacular, to date. Spread across 2,600 square metres and three glittering floors, the new flagship gym is found just off George Street in a bustling corner of Haymarket, just four minutes’ walk from Central Station.  Enter through the shiny monochrome foyer, and you’ll be greeted by a triple-height ceiling, marble floors and a sweeping gold staircase. The bafflingly luxe design took more than two years to complete, and transformed two levels of carpark (plus the first floor) into a high-spec gym complete with six studios (ranging from a sparkly bright reformer studio to a moody ‘pulse’ studio custom-built with super-powerful speakers and TV-screen walls) and a huge, mirror-lined gym floor fitted out with mainly custom-made equipment. Throw in the personal training zones, saunas and re

After a sold-out debut season, the Blue Mountains’ incredible immersive exhibition – titled Nocturnal – is back, bringing otherworldly visuals to life under the star-studded mountain skies. Running for an extended season, the luminous interactive experience is popping up from Thursday, April 3 until Saturday, May 11 – taking over Scenic World with a sparkly new program of light displays, holograms and magnificent dynamic light structures. On select nights throughout April and early May, visitors will have access to this surreal luminous universe – with Scenic World’s Scenic Railway offering enchanting night-rides through the forest, and the Skyway offering sky-high views of the sparkling setting. Highlights (literally) of this year’s program include a huge holographic lyrebird basking in the moonlight, a forest walk illuminating the secret language of trees and magnificent light projections inspired by the local landscape and history.  Expect moving holograms of native creatures, and spellbinding projections mapping ancient rock formations.Tickets to Nocturnal will score you access to all Scenic World rides after dark – including the world’s steepest railway – and hours of immersion in the magical luminous setting. The experience is free for children under three, and general admission for kids starts at $40.90, with adult tickets starting from $54.90. A child’s ticket will also include a special Nocturnal quest to help little explorers uncover hidden clues to the Gundungurra

More than twenty years since their debut single ‘What a Waster’ made it to number 41 on the Australian music charts, The Libertines are heading Down Under for a limited run of high-energy shows. After a six-year break, the iconic British rock band will be returning to Australia for the first time since 2018, bringing their signature chaotic energy and poetically crafted hits to three major Aussie cities. This time, they're also welcoming special guests Reverend and the Makers. With hits including ‘Don’t Look Back Into The Sun’, ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ and ‘You’re My Waterloo’, the British rock band know a thing or two about a good anthem, and their 2025 tour will be packed full with them. Keen? Here’s everything you need to know about The Libertines’ 2025 Australia tour. Kicking off with a sold-out show on Saturday, April 12 (a convenient public holiday-eve) at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre, the band’s 2025 tour will also bring them to Melbourne for a sold-out show at The Forum on Tuesday April 15. Missed out on tickets? Queensland-based fans, you’re in luck: tickets for The Libertines’ final Aussie show of 2025 are still available. The British indie rockers will be taking over Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall on Thursday, April 17 – with tickets starting at $119.90. Ready to re-live the noughties? You can snap up your tickets over here.    

It’s the first Thursday of autumn, and the weather has taken note – casting a thick blanket of grey across the sky. It mutes the sunlight and wraps the hills in stillness. Down a bush-shrouded track just minutes from the coast, we find Worrowing: a hillside property dotted with rustic wooden huts and clusters of gum trees that reach their elegant, ageless shapes into the sky. We find our hut at the end of a boardwalk that curls around the lake, pour a bottle of local wine and set up camp on the deck that reaches over the water. Swallows swoop to drink and ducks cut lines through the surface, painting nature’s pattern. The air smells of eucalyptus, laced with the layered orchestra of frogs and crickets and the thud of kangaroo tails on damp earth as they bound through the rain-jewelled fields.   Why stay at Worrowing? Home to a stunning homestead with formal gardens, and accommodation to sleep up to 41 guests, the 250-acre estate is often occupied by wedding parties for exclusive use. The historic property, hidden in the hills just a few minutes drive from the sparkling white shores of Jervis Bay, is a popular wedding destination for locals and Sydneysiders seeking an idyllic countryside location for tying the knot. And while it would be a particularly special place to celebrate a milestone, this charming farmstay is a delightful base for a south coast getaway regardless of the occasion. With accommodation options ranging from repurposed stables to deluxe villas (with capaciti

There’s always a lot going on at Sydney’s favourite house. So much so that it can be hard to keep track – with new headliners dropping every other week, and huge events taking over the various venues seemingly out of nowhere.  Keen to go to a show under the sails over the next few months? We’ve rounded up a few top picks in the Sydney Opera House autumn season:  The Opera House’s May cinema season Sydney’s outdoor cinema season wraps up in the cooler months, but if you’re keen to catch a movie in a unique location, the Opera House is here to help. From Thursday, May 1 until Sunday, May 4, the Playhouse will screen a series of new and classic films. The line-up includes a sing-along screening of Wicked, the latest release from Parasite director Bong Joon Ho Mickey 17, the late David Lynch’s iconic Mulholland Drive, Studio Ghibli's cherished Howl’s Moving Castle and a special screening of The Correspondent with a live Q&A.  Tickets start at $30. Generations and Dynasties, a celebration of First Nations talent Following its debut last year, this powerful series showcases creative First Nations families through conversation, storytelling, and performance. The 2025 program will take over the Utzon Room on Tuesday, April 29, Wednesday, May 14, Thursday, August 7 and Thursday, August 14, showcasing the musical talent, creativity and resilience of four First Nations families. Tickets start at $25. You Are Here, a creative play designed to encourage storytelling between children From

Calling all cost-conscious brides! If your wedding budget is blowing over, we’re here to help. From Saturday, March 29 until Friday, April 4, the Vinnies Waverley store will transform into a wonderland of discounted delights, with a huge selection of new and pre-loved wedding gowns, suits, bridesmaids’ dresses, formalwear, and accessories (including jewellery and shoes). According to Vinnies, the average Australian wedding now costs $36,000 – so any cost-saving measure to lighten that load is a welcome gift. Back in 2023, Vinnies launched their first ever bridal expo, attracting 674 customers over three days of shopping, and helping to raise money for the organisation’s charitable mission. Later this month, the mega sale is coming back – bigger and better than ever. This year’s event will feature more than 500 wedding dresses, 200 of which are brand new, plus outfits for your bridal party and accessories galore. Mapping out your budget? All brand new dresses will be priced at $300, and all pre-loved dresses will be priced at $50. You’ll find the Vinnies bridal expo at Vinnies Waverley, 253-259 Bronte Road, Waverley. The store will be open from 9.30am until 5.30pm Monday through Saturday and from 10am until 5pm on Sunday. It’s a first-in, best-dressed situation, with last year’s event attracting queues down the street as budget-savvy brides-to-be waited to snap up their cut-price finds. Our advice? Grab a coffee and a sambo from Frank’s Deli (a few doors down), and get in line

Summer might be over, but Sydney’s event schedule isn’t slowing down – with Great Southern Nights bringing more than 300 gigs to venues across the city and beyond. Keen to get amongst it? The annual autumn gig series is reaching its peak in one of our very favourite corners of the city; with the Hollywood Quarter (the Surry Hills intersection where some of Sydney’s coolest streets collide) playing host to a crazy-good gig trail on Saturday, April 5 (and deep into the morning of Sunday, April 6).After launching during Great Southern Nights 2024 edition, the Hollywood Quarter Gig Trail is back in a big way for 2025 – with live gigs from established and emerging Aussie artists at venues around the precinct. Running from 12pm on Saturday, April 5 until 4am on Sunday morning, the urban trail will take music lovers from intimate bars to high-end restaurants, with a super-strong line-up of artists (headliners include Babitha, Jono Ma and The Pro-Teens) playing free-to-attend gigs.  Participating venues in this year’s event include Ace Hotel Sydney, the Soda Factory, Alberto’s Lounge, the Burdekin, Golden Age, Hollywood Hotel, Harry’s, Butter, Surry Hills Hotel and Paramount House Hotel. We can also expect pavement gigs and pop-up stages, with Music Curator Trevor Brown encouraging Sydneysiders to “get ready to explore the back alleys, nooks and crannies of the Hollywood Precinct.” Keen? You can learn more about the participating venues and check out the line-up over here. Stay in th

Golden Hour is a uniquely magical time in Sydney, when the sun begins to drop below the mountains in the west and casts a honey golden glow across the city. And while golden hour is beautiful anywhere in the city, any time of year, there’s something about an autumn evening by the harbour that hits different.  From Thursday, March 20 until Saturday, April 5, one of Sydney’s prime sunset spots will be upping the ante with its golden hour offering; with live entertainment, delicious (and affordable) foodie offerings and ice-cold goblets of (appropriately golden) Aperol Spritz.Brought to life by the Bars of Barangaroo District, in partnership with everyone’s favourite afternoon aperitif, Golden Hours Barangaroo is a three-week event series designed to bring a whole lot of delight to Sydney’s harbourside precinct before Daylight Savings comes to an end. From 3pm until 7pm throughout the duration of the event, 25 venues across Barangaroo will be serving up two Aperols for $30 (that’s $15 per drink), with excellent food offerings across the precinct and a varied line-up of live entertainment. Inspired by the Italian ritual of aperitivo, Barangaroo favourites including NOLA Smokehouse, love.fish, Sax Bar, Belles Hot Chicken and CIRQ at Crown Sydney will be offering early evening treats to complement your Spritz, ranging from freshly shucked oysters crowned to spicy chicken sandos. On Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the event, expect DJ sets from local tastemakers

Calling all Inner City art fans. For three inspiring weeks this autumn, Neon Playground – Sydney’s largest Asian-Australian cultural arts festival – will transform Haymarket into a luminous wonderland of neon light installations, comedy shows, art exhibitions, incredible live performances and excellent food.  After a hugely popular first year, Neon Playground is back for round two, kicking off this Saturday (Saturday, March 15) with the epic Chinatown Block Party (taking over Dixon Street in the centre of Haymarket). The opening-night event will be headlined by Korean-Australian rap group 1300, with a super-strong line-up (featuring Hong Kong-Australian rapper Tommy Gunn, Taiwanese-Australian pop artist tiffi, CRIMSON dance crew and more) soundtracking the streets from 5pm until 10pm.  Throughout the duration of the festival, a carefully curated program of Asian-Australian artists will perform at a range of free-to-attend and ticketed shows, and the streets will be buzzing with vibrant art exhibitions and light installations. Showcasing a rotating roster of established and emerging Asian-Australian artists including Chris Yee, Kentaro Yoshida, Pei Kwang, Andrew Yee, and Samuel Kim, a magnificent sculpture formed of 14 luminous towers will act as Neon Playground's visual centerpiece. The 4-5 metre towers of light will feature 80 lightbox illustrations; use 1km of neon; and integrate more than 100,000 individual LEDs. Produced in collaboration with world-renowned creative produ

It’s 1853, and down a dusty road half way between Australia’s two largest cities, a warmly-lit pub is bustling with weary travellers. As they gather around the open fire with pints of ale and overflowing plates of hearty, local fare, a highwayman sneaks into the stables, hops on a horse who’s resting her legs, and gallops off into the night. Ben Hall, the highwayman in question, is something of a folklaw antihero in the Jugiong township: a fearless cowboy whose tactic of borrowing horses to help him commit local crimes, then returning them in time for breakfast, was more annoying than nefarious*. “People had to stay another night because their horses were too tired to get back on the road,” Mark Orr, General Manager of The Sir George tells us, as we gather on the lawn for a game of Bocce and an Aperol Spritz. As far as I can tell, no terrible fate. Though many things about The Sir George have changed in the 150 plus years that have passed since Ben Hall’s journey-hampering reign, a lot has stayed the same. Just one minute’s drive off the Hume Highway, the pub is still a popular pit stop on the Syd-Melb commute, the meals served still celebrate local produce, and the heritage shell holds all the secrets of the building’s storied past. Excluding a brief period of disrepair in the late 1990s, the historic hotel has remained a reliable watering hole for generations, and thanks to a spectacular renovation by a powerhouse mother and daughter team, it’s now one of Australia’s stand-

Calling all outdoors enthusiasts. Today, NSW has welcomed a stunning new four-day walking trail, leading hikers on a 42-kilometre track past lush rainforests, stunning volcanic landscapes and some of the state’s most magnificent waterfalls. The name of the trail, the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk, was chosen by the Widjabul Wia-bal Native Title Holders and Minjungbal Bundjalung people, to honour the ‘Old People’s Track’ walked by Widjabul Wia-bal and Minjungbal peoples for thousands of years. The magical new trail is the sixth NSW Great Walk to open in the past two years, with others popping up in the Blue Mountains (quickly becoming the country’s most lusted-after hiking trail) and the Snowy Mountains. Keen to get moving? Here’s everything you need to know about the brand-new Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk. Where is the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk? The new 42-kilometre is found on Minjungbal Country, part of the Bundjalung Nation in northern NSW – just north of Byron Bay in the Tweed hinterland. Getting there from Sydney would take around eight-and-a-half hours in the car – so if you’re planning on driving, it’s worth turning it into a road trip. You’ll either want to stop by at a magical beach town for a night (Port Macquarie or Yamba would get our votes) or rent a campervan and pull in at a beach on the way. How far is the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk? The walking trail stretches for 42 kilometres through the Gondwanan rainforest and past the ancient volcanic landscapes of Mount Jerusalem National Pa

Us Sydneysiders are no strangers to the water. Our Emerald City is lined by more than 240 kilometres of sparkling coastline, with more than 100 beautiful beaches to dive right in. But once you look beyond the popular city beaches, you’ll discover plenty of secret spots to get wet and wild within easy driving distance of the city – ranging from naturally formed ocean rock pools to gorges and waterfalls hidden deep within the bush. Our mates at Lonely Planet recently rounded up the 60 coolest natural swimming spots around Australia, and two of the top five are right here in NSW. First up is a beautiful gem of a swimming spot hidden between the trees in the Shoalhaven region. Jervis Bay is famous for its blindingly white sands (and recently ranked as Australia's most popular summer holiday destination), but it’s also home to some of the world’s rarest wildlife. Next time you’re adventuring along NSW’s South Coast, head to Green Patch Beach. A short stroll through a forest of blackbutt trees leads you to this secluded paradise, where you might come face-to-face with kangaroos, wallabies, parrots and rosellas. A refreshing swim in the sparkling, sheltered waters is a worthwhile reward – with this swimming spot ranking as the third most breathtaking in the whole country. Photograph: Supplied | Destination NSW Another bush bash in NSW will bring you to the magical Jellybean Pool in the Blue Mountains, located just an hour’s drive from Sydney’s CBD. Shaded by a towering sandstone c

Calling all lunar lovers: it’s time to think pink! A rare celestial sight is coming up this weekend – with a rosy pink moon (or paschal moon) set to shine above Sydney this Saturday and Sunday nights. Keen to catch a glimpse? Here’s everything you need to know. What is a pink moon? The pink moon is named after native pink wildflowers (ground phlox) that bloom across North America in early spring, coinciding with the April full moon. Despite its name, the moon itself won’t actually turn rosy – it will shine with its usual silvery glow. That said, it can take on a subtle pinkish hue if there’s dust or pollution in the atmosphere. The April full moon also happens to be a micromoon, which occurs just before the moon reaches apogee – when the moon is at its farthest point from Earth. Unlike supermoons, which appear larger and brighter, micromoons look slightly smaller and dimmer when viewed from Earth. When is the pink moon in Sydney? The best time to view the pink micromoon is on the nights of Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13. While it will appear fuller and more luminous at night, the moon will officially reach peak fullness on Sunday morning at 10.22am Sydney time. How to see the April full moon from Sydney When it comes to fully appreciating the full moon, the darker the area you're in, the better. You can find our top spots in this handy guide to the best stargazing spots near Sydney. If you're hoping to capture these moon memories forever, then you'll want to check

Let’s face it: it’s a sad reality that most Sydneysiders are hardly swimming in cash right now. But while we’re trying to navigate this cost-of-living crisis, it seems our millionaire population is somehow growing. In the midst of this wallet-wringing chaos, the world’s wealthiest cities have been announced for 2025 – and Sydney came in at number nine. Every year, wealth migration firm Henley and Partners releases its World’s Wealthiest Cities Report, which ranks the top 50 wealthiest cities based on the number of millionaires (and billionaires) who live there. Four Australian capital cities made the rich list in 2025, with Sydney and Melbourne both ranking in the top 20.  Sydney dropped one spot in the rankings – from the eighth wealthiest city in the world in 2024 to ninth this year. Over the past decade, the Emerald City’s millionaire population has grown a massive 28 per cent, now being home to 152,900 millionaires, 224 centi-millionaires and 22 billionaires – and that's all in USD, suggesting an even higher figure in Aussie dollars. The same report also revealed Sydney as the seventh most expensive city to live in globally, following Monaco, NYC, Hong Kong, London, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Paris. Topping the rich list for yet another year was New York City. The Big Apple a total of 384,500 millionaires, 818 centi-millionaires and  66 billionaires. The runner-up on the world's wealthiest cities list was the US's Bay Area (including San Francisco and Silicon Valley), with

When XtraClubs opened the doors to their sprawling Bondi Junction bath house back in early 2024, they changed the game – establishing Sydney’s most affordable social bath house, with a new membership model that makes wellness hacks accessible for members every day of the week. Now, they’ve confirmed the opening date for their second location – with XtraClubs Green Square opening this June in a stunning light-flooded space in Sydney’s Inner South.  Housed in a former warehouse just 100 metres from Green Square station, XtraClubs Green Square will be home to two large traditional Finnish saunas (one of which will be a dedicated no-talking zone), four infrared saunas, six ice-baths and one huge social steam room. Designed to inspire relaxation, the shiny new space features crazy pave travertine, with light pouring in through huge windows and each feature carefully positioned for a calming escape from reality. Photograph: Supplied | Xtra Clubs And while the space alone would be worthy of buzz, it’s the XtraClubs membership model that really sets it apart from other Sydney bath houses. As with the Bondi Junction space, the new Green Square location will be open from 6am to 11pm, seven days a week. Once you’ve signed up as a member, you can make the bath house part of your daily ritual – with a range of membership levels to suit different schedules. Entry level memberships offer you unlimited off-peak visits and one peak-time visit every week for less than $30 per week. Consideri

The paparazzi are at the ready, and our paws are well and truly up. After teasing her potential Aussie tour in interviews, avant-garde pop queen Lady Gaga has officially confirmed that she’s bringing her much-hyped Mayhem Ball to Australia. This is the moment all Little Monsters have been waiting for – it's actually been 11 long years since Gaga was last in town, as part of 2014’s ArtRave: The ARTPOP Ball tour.The huge tour announcement comes off the back of the release of Gaga's newest album, Mayhem, which marks a return to her pop roots. It's Gaga's seventh consecutive number one album (slay) and features the hit singles 'Abracadabra', 'Disease' and 'Die With A Smile', her collab with Bruno Mars. Will she play all these bangers and more when the Mayhem Ball rolls into Sydney? We'll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, here's everything you need to know about Lady Gaga's 2025 Mayhem Ball tour and her huge Sydney show. When is Lady Gaga going on her Sydney, Australia tour 2025? At this stage Lady Gaga is confirmed to play one Sydney show as part of her Australian tour. She'll be bringing the Mayhem Ball to the Accor Stadium on Friday, December 12. However, there is plenty of time between that show and her other Aussie shows, so watch this space for more show announcements... When do Lady Gaga Sydney tickets go on sale? General sale kicks off on Thursday, April 17 at 12pm local time via Live Nation. All we can say is get in quick!  Is there a Lady Gaga presale for her S

Democracy is, undeniably, an excellent thing. As is the democracy sausage. But is that snag sambo really worth lining up at the local school on a Saturday to cast your vote? If you've got other plans on the Australian federal election day (Saturday, May 3, 2025), you can pre-poll. We've broken down everything you need to know about the 2025 federal election. When is the Australian election 2025? Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the next Australian federal election for Saturday, May 3. Who has to vote in the Australian election? Anyone who is an Australian citizen, aged 18 and over, must vote in the election.  How to enrol in the Australian election?  All Australians must be enrolled to vote. You can check your enrolment here. If you've just turned 18 or moved since the 2022 election, you'll need to have already enrolled (close date for enrolment was 8pm on Monday, April 7). Failure to vote will result in a $20 fine. How to vote in the Australian election? On election day, Australians can vote at polling booths in their state or territory, including churches, schools, community halls and public buildings. Locations are available via the Australian Electoral Commission's “Where can I vote” page, with polling stations open from 8am to 6pm. Once you arrive at your polling station, you’ll be provided with two ballot papers. The smaller piece is for the House of Representatives: you must number every box in order of your preferences. The larger ballot is for the Senate: y

When Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden officially opened to the public way back in 1968, it set a new standard for urban gardens – it became one of the biggest protected spaces in Sydney, and among the first places to offer nature education programs to our kids. Decades on, it’s still one of the city’s most magical hidden gems – a huge, 123-hectare haven of protected native bushland on the outskirts of the city. Keen to explore? Here’s everything you need to know. Where is Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden? You’ll find Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden on the traditional land of the Darramuragal people in the northern Sydney suburb of St Ives, directly adjacent to the stunning Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The vast garden stretches across 123 hectares of unspoilt bushland, and it's home to beautiful walking trails, dreamy picnic areas, and a huge native plant nursery. What can you see at Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden? As the name suggests, the main attraction here is the natural beauty – the gorgeous, far-reaching garden is home to a vibrant tapestry of native plants. Walking trails wind their way through the bushland, past magical waterfalls and dramatic rocky outcrops, and the varied geographical settings – ranging from dark shrublands to dusty forests – provide perfect ecosystems for more than 90 species of birds (including the beloved rare honeyeaters) and other animals. Photograph: Supplied | Destination NSW What can you do at Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden? As with many of the

Back in June 2024, a 25-year plan for Parramatta was revealed, with the aim of turning the Western Sydney capital into a world-class cultural and creative hub, and a “job engine”. The plans include huge new housing developments and a heap of industry centres, with the aim of creating 150,000 additional jobs between now and 2050. At the heart of the suburb’s creative renaissance is the redevelopment of Riverside Theatres, and the plans for the project have just been revealed. On track to become a world-class performing arts centre, the venue's proposed redevelopment includes a 1,500-seat Broadway-style theatre, a refurbished 700-seat Riverside Playhouse theatre, an all-new 325-seat black-box drama theatre, a state-of-the-art 110-seat digital studio, a big-screen cinema, and upgraded public spaces. According to the City of Parramatta, the new arts hub will welcome more than 400,000 visitors a year, and the community is now invited to have their say on the plans. Photograph: Supplied | COX Architecture Located across the river from the Powerhouse Parramatta, the redeveloped Riverside Theatre has been described by City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Clr Martin Zaiter as a pivotal part of the City’s plans to become an epicentre of culture and creativity. “This critical piece of infrastructure will give the people of Western Sydney the front seat tickets they deserve to world-class shows and productions,” Cr Zaiter explained. In line with the suburb-wide redevelopment, including the es

As neighbourhoods go, Sydney’s Inner West has everything. Cool breweries, sexy wine bars, killer live music venues – and you’ll find them all within easy striking distance. But set about looking for a stylish place to stay in this corner of the city, and you’ll have considerably less success. Noting the area’s relative lack of boutique stays, the people behind one of the Inner West’s most beloved restaurants decided to take on the task themselves: opening up Australia Street Suites above Continental Deli (and its shiny new neighbours).  It was way back in 2015 that Continental Deli first opened its doors, immediately becoming a timeless institution. At Continental, it’s not just the tin-based treats that secured its position as a local’s favourite (though they’re worth noting): the intimate, warmly lit setting and fun, friendly team make this the kind of place you want to revisit again and again. It’s this ethos that the team (led by brothers-in-law Joe Valore and Elvis Abrahanowicz) have carried through to their new venues, which opened within the same historic building earlier this year. All-day eatery Flora is serving up fresh, creative plant-based dishes, Mister Grotto has firmly claimed its spot among the city’s best seafood restaurants, and Osteria Mucca has transformed a former butchery into an Italian eatery plating up fresh, handmade pasta and house-cured meats. Although the foodie offering at each venue varies, the vibe is consistent: intimate, unpretentious and aut

There’s a lot of change afoot in Sydney’s west. Over the next few years, we’ll say hello to a brand-new CBD (complete with NYC-style central park) and a new international airport in a previously relatively undeveloped corner of the city, 41 kilometres west of the CBD. Wondering how we’ll get there? As with the plans for the new city and the airport, it’s looking pretty futuristic: a 23-kilometre stretch of super-fast metro and a toll-free motorway lined with striking public artworks.  This week, the M12 Motorway project – one of the largest transport projects in NSW – passed a major construction milestone, with 14 kilometres of the road now complete. Once complete, the road will stretch for 16 kilometres, connecting the new Western Sydney International Airport to the wider Sydney motorway network, Elizabeth Drive and The Northern Road. And it’s not just a road – with the construction project also involving installing striking public artworks to welcome passengers from the new airport to Dharug country, and rest-stops designed to honour and celebrate the rich culture of the traditional custodians of the land.  Photograph: Supplied | Transport for NSW Now that most of the key construction is complete (with just two kilometres of road left to be built), attention is turning to landscaping, signage and infrastructure, with one key feature standing out from the rest. Towering into the sky at the Western Sydney Airport interchange, a 30-metre tall, 372-tonne steel sculpture depic

When the corporate grind begins to take its toll, there’s no shame in fantasising about a future where the only deadlines involve happy hour. Maybe it’s sipping cocktails by the pool at Wategos, toasting to wine’o’clock in the Hunter Valley, or clinking Champagne glasses in a cosy country pub – everyone’s idea of the perfect retirement looks a little different. But when dreaming about how to spend your golden years, it’s important to make sure your future home is as practical as it is picturesque. Australia is home to many magnificent places to retire, but not all are equal when it comes to the availability and quality of healthcare for senior citizens. New research from care organisation software ShiftCare has ranked the best and worst states for retirees across the country, analysing 22 key factors, including the accessibility and quality of aged, residential and home care, health and safety, community engagement, social opportunities and walkability. After crunching the numbers, NSW ranked third on the list. As Australia’s most populous state, it’s no surprise that NSW is home to more people aged 65 and over than any other state, with 1,459,299 people aged 65 and above calling NSW home. According to the data, the quality of life score for older people living in NSW is 89.95 –  based on a number of factors including health care, walkability, aged care offerings and community. To make life lovely for our residents, NSW is home to 2.05 home care providers per capita and 1.99