Adena Maier

They say the best things in life are free. We're not 100 per cent on board with that sentiment (have you had a perfectly prepared cocktail? That ain't cheap), but not everything in Melbourne has to cost a small fortune. From art shows to outdoor adventures, there are a bunch of things to do in this fine city that you can do for free. Yep, free. Zilch. Nada. Zero dollars.  Happy to spend a couple of bucks? Here are our favourite cheap eats, and here are our top picks for things to do in the city for $25 or less.

A true-blue Aussie tradition, the gambling game of two-up is only legal in Melbourne on ANZAC Day. Brought over to Australia as 'pitch and toss' by the English and Irish, it was rife through the gold rush days and equally popular with soldiers during World War I. As a result, it’s become synonymous with April 25, during which select pubs and RSL clubs across the country host games. How to play two-up, trad-style 1. Two coins are placed on a paddle (kip) by the ‘spinner’. You and fellow punters will need to surround them and commence bellowing things like “tennahead!” (read: I want to bet $10 on both coins landing heads up). 2. Want to take that bet? Lock eyes and vigorously wave your ten dollars in the head-better's direction, then give them your cash if they accept (heads holds the money). 3. The boxer (referee) yells ‘come in spinner’, to cease bet-making whereupon the coins are flicked in the air. They have to reach higher than the spinner’s head and fall within the circle to count as a valid toss. If it's heads, you lost. Tails? You won! One of each? The spinner keeps tossing till there's a result. 4. Celebrate/console yourself with beer. Repeat. Looking for more things to do this ANZAC Day long weekend? Check out our suggestions here. 

Ah, lovely Launceston. Tasmania’s second city might not get quite so much love as more famous cities on the Australian mainland (or, for that matter, the island’s capital city, Hobart), but it most certainly should. This home of just over 75,000 people teems with stuff to see and do, from gorgeous sights and majestic nature to underrated restaurants. Here’s our lowdown of the best things to do in Launceston. RECOMMENDED: All the best things to do in Hobart right now.

If you're not a fan of roughing it but love the outdoors, try staying in a cosy cabin near Melbourne. Perfect for getting off the beaten track without having to sacrifice access to indoor plumbing or needing to cook your food over an open flame, these cabins let you explore the bush while still enjoying creature comforts. On the road? Here are the best scenic drives to take in Victoria. Or make some bigger plans – here are ten Victorian national parks you should visit at least once in your life. RECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs in Melbourne

We recommend getting out and exploring Melbourne on foot when the weather permits. But if you think the main streets are passé, we've got good news: you can traverse a good part of Melbourne CBD via laneway, without ever setting foot on a street in the Hoddle Grid.  But with over 40 laneways and arcades in Melbourne, how can you efficiently distinguish the good ones from the ones filled with garbage? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. When you're entertaining out-of-towners or keen to revisit some old favourites, consult this guide to the best laneways and arcades in Melbourne. Get out there and poke your head around corners to find graffiti-laden lanes filled with one-off shops, high-end restaurants and a few dozen hidden bars. RECOMMENDED: Where to find the best street art in Melbourne.

Australia’s charming climates and picturesque landscapes are a recipe for some of the world’s finest wines. You’ll find more than 100 grapes grown across our leading wine regions, which are concentrated in South Australia’s Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, NSW’s Hunter Valley, Victoria’s Yarra Valley and beyond. You could spend weeks jumping between cellar doors in each region, sipping fine wines all day long – but that’s probably not entirely sensible. Why not start with our 30 top picks, and take it from there? Whether you opt to journey as part of a group or embark on an impromptu self-guided tour, these are the wineries to uncork. RECOMMENDED: Plan your winery tour around a meal at one of Australia’s best restaurants.

Fancy yourself a bit of a general knowledge whiz? Put your brains to the test at these pub trivia nights, where questions on anything from film to sport are supplemented by cool beers and food specials. Nearly all of them are free to join, and fun prizes like bar tabs or jugs are up for grabs. Pub trivia isn't the only fun you can have while drinking – check out our top bars for dancing, first dates and live music.

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and while we should be celebrating our mums every day of the year, it's a great opportunity to shower them with a bit of extra love. Whether you want to take your mum out for a cheeky tipple, a lovely meal, relax at one of Melbourne's finest spas or send her a stunning bunch of flowers... we've got your back. Scroll down to find our round-up of ideas for events and gifts that will ensure she feels spoiled and appreciated. Treat your mum to a night off the cooking with a meal at one of these restaurants open on Mother's Day. Trying to find the perfect pressie? Check out our guide to maternal gift-giving.

Wondering what to do in Melbourne this May? We've got you sorted with this list of free things, art exhibitions, stage shows, festivals and more. Get up your calendar and start planning. RECOMMENDED: What to do in Melbourne when it rains. 

If you have some free time on your hands, consider using a bit of it to support one of Melbourne's myriad not-for-profit organisations that provide services across areas like hunger, youth homelessness, animal care and refugee support. We've rounded up twelve of our favourite organisations that would love a helping hand, and there are options that suit all levels of skill, time commitments and interests. If you're keen to do some good, have a scroll through opportunities ranging from providing vocational mentorship and participating in community gardening efforts to creating meal packages and caring for animals. Volunteering opportunities in Melbourne 1. Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES)  Since its establishment in 1951, AMES has been providing services to newly arrived migrants and refugees to help them settle into life in Victoria. While it began as an English language training resource, it has since expanded into providing vocation education, employment services and assistance with immigration cases. You can provide your assistance as a settlement volunteer, where you'd be assisting with everything from shopping and navigating public transport to locating local services like Centrelink and Medicare. Or, if you're experienced in the fields of food science and technology, architecture, urban design or research science, you can donate your time as a skilled mentor.  How to get involved: Contact AMES and set up an interview with the volunteer coordinator. 2. Asylu

Easter long weekend has barely passed us by, and now we're lucky enough to enjoy another day off with ANZAC Day just around the corner. If you're keen to stay in and around the city, we've rounded up everything from theatre shows and art exhibitions to our favourite hotels and nightclubs. Looking to get out of the city for a bit? We've also rounded up our favourite road trips, campsites and glamping sites to help you get off the grid. Want to partake in an ANZAC Day tradition? Here's where you can play two-up.

The art of pottery has been around for millennia, and some of the oldest known ceramic artefacts date back to around 29,000 BC. If you're keen to try your hand at this age-old craft, there are heaps of ceramics studios around Melbourne with teachers keen to share their secrets of the trade. If you're a curious beginner or have a desire to recreate that scene from Ghost, many of them offer one-off classes where you can learn the basics. And for the seasoned ceramicists or those looking to learn more advanced techniques, you can opt for a six or eight-week course.  Want to learn a craft that you can eat? Shake up your kitchen know-how with these best cooking classes in Melbourne.

Join thousands of veterans, their descendants, and current serving personnel to pay respect to the ANZACs at the Shrine of Remembrance on ANZAC Day. The Dawn Service is a tradition that came out of the military practice of 'standing to' at dawn, a time when troops are vulnerable to attacks. Each year, the event draws thousands to the Shrine of Remembrance while millions more around the world follow the ceremony on television and radio.  This year, the Dawn Service will commence at 5.30am, followed by the ANZAC Day March at 9am. After the march concludes, a commemorative service will be held. All are welcome to attend, and no tickets or bookings are required. If you're unable to make it in person, the service and march will also be streamed live here. You can also commemorate from home by donating to the ANZAC Appeal to support the veteran community.  Looking to take part in more traditions? Here's where you can play two-up, a gambling game that is only legal on ANZAC Day.

What is it? Feast your eyes on up to 80 stalls brimming with Tasmania’s freshest seasonal produce at this wholesome community farmers’ market, held every Saturday morning from 8.30am.  Why go? Here, you'll be able to savour locally roasted coffees, along with ciders, craft beers, meads and drops from local distilleries. Sample your way through award-winning dairy products from the likes of Elgaar Farm and Red Cow Organics, and take home some homemade preserves, premium produce, artisan bread and pastries. Don’t be shy about tasting.

On October 26 and 27 at the Melbourne Showgrounds, you can celebrate your beloved four-legged friend at the Dog Lovers Festival (which also happens to be the event's tenth birthday). As one of the world's largest dog-dedicated festivals, you can look forward to seeing pups of all shapes, sizes and breeds. There will be live performances from talented canines, engaging talks by dog experts, dedicated petting zones, carnival rides, pool diving pups, stalls spruiking the latest products and services, and so much more. There will also be exciting new adoption initiatives to help more dogs in need. Essentially, it's heaven for pooch lovers.  Whether you own a pup of your own or you're simply a lover of dogs, this event will be filled to the brim with fun dog-related activities. The event will run from 9.30am until 5pm daily, and tickets are on sale now through the Dog Lovers Festival website. More of a cat person? The Cat Lovers Show is also happening at the Melbourne Showgrounds on the same weekend. Find out more info here. Looking for more fun? Here's our guide to what's on in Melbourne this weekend.

The most paw-sitively meow-nificent news has dropped: after a hiatus, the animal aficionados from the Dog Lovers Show are bringing back the Cat Lovers Show, set to hit the Melbourne Showgrounds on October 26 and 27.  For cat owners, the event will be the purr-fect opportunity to meet fellow crazy cat people, and for aspiring cat owners, it will be a great chance to live vicariously through those lucky enough to have a furry pal in their lives (or even inspire you to finally adopt one for yourself).  The two-day expo will feature more than 200 beautiful kitties in the Pat-A-Cat and Breed Showcase zones, and you can meet and greet all of them and learn more about the lifestyle requirements, temperament and characteristics of each cat. There will also be opportunities to chat with renowned animal experts to get essential tips on feline behaviour, nutrition, enrichment and breed selection.  One of the main objectives of the show will be to raise awareness for cat rescue and to work closely with shelters across the country to drive adoption and increase education about responsible cat ownership. The Whiskas adoption zone will provide all the information you need on providing a loving home to a cat in need, and you can even meet cats ready for adoption (hint, hint). Plus, there will also be a Championship Cat Show, free feline face painting, expert discussions, stalls loaded with the latest cat products and guest speakers. Plus, if you take part in the kitty cosplay fancy dress, yo

It doesn’t matter whether you’re inked head to toe or a cleanskin who’s contemplating their very first tattoo, the Rites of Passage Tattoo Festival welcomes all. This three-day bonanza of body art kicks off on April 26 at the Royal Exhibition Building and will feature more than 400 of the world’s best tattoo artists. When you’re not getting inked there will be a huge line-up of events to check out, including artists tattooing live, seminars and tattoo competitions. It’s a wonderful opportunity to discover new trends, meet your favourite artists and plan your future tatts. There will also be a bunch of giveaways and prizes to be won across the weekend, plus plenty of retail vendors selling tattoo-related gear. And that’s not all – you can enjoy live music acts and feast on tasty treats from a wide variety of food trucks. So come and experience the unity of the tattoo industry, and celebrate diversity and culture through body art. To purchase your ticket, head here. Looking for more ink slingers? Here's our guide to Melbourne's best tattoo shops.

Score vintage treasures, designer items, crafted goods and op shop finds at the Round She Goes vintage market at Coburg Town Hall. The market features more than 55 stallholders selling handpicked and vintage clothing (1950s onwards), jewellery and accessories for cheap.  Stallholders are carefully handpicked by the Round She Goes team so that quality is ensured, sizing is diverse and prices start from just $10. In the past, shoppers have been able to snap up preloved designer goods from the likes of Jean Paul Gaultier, Prada, Christian Dior, Balenciaga, Gorman, Mister Zimi, Bianca Spender and so many more.   The market is held several times annually, with the next market taking place on May 5 from 10am to 3pm. Entry is $4, payable by cash or card, and there's plenty of free parking. Go early to fetch a good bargain and don't worry, there's coffee and baked goods inside to keep you going. Keen to snag more clothing? Here are Melbourne's best fashion markets. Alternatively, get a greener wardrobe with these sustainable fashion brands.

Wyndham Park is getting a literal glow-up this March with a dazzling after dark experience returning to the Werribee recreation area. Lit at Wyndham Park is a free, after-hours art experience that turns the space into a glowing wonderland through a number of immersive attractions.  This year, highlights include several large-scale installations, including a colourful, interactive ChronoHarp instrument, giant glowing trumpet flowers that perform musical melodies, a glowing moon, giant night parrots, a glowing light walk and much more. To make a night of it, there's plenty of restaurants, bars, pubs and more within the city centre of Werribee.  Lit at Wyndham Park is free to enjoy and will run nightly Wednesday to Sunday from March 8 to 24, open between 8pm and 11pm. There will also be a sensory friendly night on March 12. Enter via Werribee's Wedge Street Piazza and head to the website for more information. Looking for more fun? Here's our guide to what's on in Melbourne this weekend.

Did you know that Ballarat is home to a collection of thousands of begonias in more than 500 varieties? They're housed in the city's historic botanical gardens, and to celebrate this floral feat, the city has hosted the Ballarat Begonia Festival annually since 1953. Excitingly, this year the festival will debut a never-before-seen begonia flower cultivated just for the festival, to be revealed in a special event.   When is the Begonia Festival in Ballarat?  If you're keen to see the colourful and highly Instagrammable blooms, make your way to Ballarat for the Labour Day long weekend from Saturday to Monday, March 9-11. How long is the Begonia Festival on for?  The floral festivities run across three jam-packed days, so you'll have ample opportunity to explore vibrant floral displays that fill the space's gardens, main stage and heritage floral clock throughout the historic botanic gardens.  What's on at the Ballarat Begonia Festival?  Alongside the colourful blooms, there will be a line-up of line-up of demonstrations and talks led by a roster of celebrity presenters and industry experts. Plus, there's plenty of family-friendly entertainment, most excitingly circus act Sway wil delight attendees with a fantastical musical performance. Plus, there's fine food purveyors, markets, live music, kids' activities, a parade and more roving entertainment. It all makes for a super fun-filled weekend.  Keen to make it a weekend getaway? Check out our guide to visiting Ballarat.

Australia's largest community festival is back this Labour Day weekend, and it's the perfect opportunity to make the most of Melbourne's still-warm March weather. From March 7 to 11, enjoy a jam-packed and mostly free program of family-friendly fun, including events like dance workshops, skate competitions, face painting and so much more.  It's the 70th anniversary of the festival, so to celebrate the milestone, a very special headline event will relive one of the most iconic moments in the festival's history. World-famous tribute act Bjorn Again will recreate ABBA's famous 1977 performance at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday, March 9. If that doesn't sound like a fantastic time, then we don't know what does.  Across the whole five epic days of festivities, stacked program of events will include the much-loved Moomba Parade; the hilarious Birdman Rally, where competitors hurtle themselves over the Yarra River in homemade flying devices; the Moomba Masters water sports competition; the Moomba Carnival; the Moomba Skate Park Program; and a variety of entertainers, performers, play zones, feature films and food and drinks experiences, plus so much more. Top it all off with nightly fireworks across the Melbourne skyline and you've got yourself one helluva party.  To view the full program or to purchase a Friday ride pass for the carnival, visit the Moomba website.  Planning out your weekend? Here's our guide to things to do over the Labour Day long weekend.

Test your taste buds at the 12th annual Herb and Chilli Festival, a two-day event in the Yarra Valley celebrating all things hot and spicy.  A roster of more than 80 stallholders will be hawking plants, fresh herbs, rubs, jams, spice mixes and, of course, a whole lot of chillies. And if you want to prove that you can handle the heat, participate in one of the eating competitions taking place throughout the weekend. Taste sauces from spicy proprietors like Blonde Chilli, Danny Balboa's Sauce Co, Dexter's Hot Sauce, Grumpy Gary's Hot Sauce, Jungle Rain and Melbourne Hot Sauce or head to the food court for something more substantial. Vendors including Amazing Calamari, BBQ King, Flamin Skewers, The Happy Mexican and Tornado Spuds will be on deck to fill your belly.  Like to cool your burning mouth with some booze? Heaps of local producers will be exhibiting their goods, including Logan's Microdistillery, Grand Ridge Brewery, Burnley Brewing, Soumah Wines, Ned Kelly Red and Morgan's Winery and Distillery.  It wouldn't be a festival without live entertainment, and music acts will be performing across the weekend. Tap your toes to Andean flute folk music, South Cajun zydeco blues, swamp pop dance and contemporary tunes. There will also be cooking demos and a chilli cook-off.  If you're bringing children along, there will be a free kid's zone with activities including face painting, pony rides, jumping castles and even Mexican wrestling.  The event will take place at 125 Quayle Road

From salads and pizzas to pancakes and toast, there's virtually no food that wouldn't improve with the addition of ricotta. The delicious soft white Italian cheese is a marvel, and if you're among its many fans, you can celebrate it at the upcoming Ricotta Festival on March 17 hosted by That's Amore Cheese.  You can begin the feasting by tasting fresh, hot ricotta straight out of the vat and feasting on all manner of Italian dishes. This includes pizza, gnocchi, ravioli, porchetta rolls, panzerotti and cannoli. When you're ready to switch things up a bit, you can also enjoy Sicilian-style charcoal barbecue, cold treats from Boca Gelato, deep-fried pockets of dough from Il Panzerotto and strawberries with chocolate drizzle from Natfood. As for beverages, Aperol Spritzes, wines, beers, Italian soft drinks and more will be on offer.  This year, lively Italian music and performances will be provided by the Siesta Cartel Band, Melbourne's Tarantella Dancers and DJ Stefano Marciano. And don't miss demonstrations from chefs like Guy Grossi, Darren Purchese and Andrea Cozzolino. For the kids, there will be a petting zoo, mobile play centre and face painting. Plus, the Carlton Football Club van will be getting everyone involved with goal-kicking and prize giveaways.  And before you go, don't forget to stock up your pantry with goodies from vendors like Bippi, Battisti, Il Baronello Vinocotto, Backyard Honey and Barkly Smokehouse. Tickets are $10 until February 10, and $15 after and i

Fun (kinda) fact: to get into the Legoland Discovery Centre in Chadstone, adults need to be accompanied by a child. But what if you don't have a kid, and just want to play with Lego without a gaggle of sticky littlies running amok? Thankfully, Legoland has heard our pleas and announced its last adults-only night of the year on December 15. And there are no kids allowed.  This time around, it's Christmas-themed – yes, you are encouraged to wear your daggiest festive jumper. A DJ will be spinning tunes (you know 'All I Want For Christmas' will be on repeat), and you can even snap a pic with Lego Santa in the photobooth. Wander through the vast playground and take a spin on rides or buckle in for a 4D movie. It's set to be a brick-tastic night, but places are limited so grab your tickets before they sell out.  Can't make it to Chadstone? Head to one of the largest Lego stores in the southern hemisphere instead.

If you’re a stargazing fan and find the majesty of shooting stars amazing, prepare to have your mind blown by the annual Lyrid meteor shower – which should be visible above Sydney next month. Every April, a torrent of meteors whizz through the sky and burn up in the atmosphere to create beautiful, sparkling flashes of light. The celestial event, which is visible across skies worldwide, is expected to take place this year from April 14 to 30, and will reach its peak on April 22 and 23.  The fireballs are created by debris from the comet Thatcher. The Lyrids are actually one of the oldest recorded meteor showers, with some historical Chinese texts mentioning the shower more than 2,500 years ago. At their most active, you can expect to see around 20 shooting stars per hour. But even outside those key hours, you're likely to see the occasional flash of light or cluster of shooting stars. This year, the meteors are expected to be peak around 1am AEST on April 23, so bundle up for a late night of stargazing. This interactive map can tell you exactly where to look. The best part? You don’t need any special equipment or astronomical skills to view this meteor shower – just make sure to give your eyes enough time to adjust to the darkness. Keep in mind that Lyrid meteors are relatively fast, but on the plus side they are surprisingly bright. If you need to scope out a good viewing point, head to one of these stargazing spots across Sydney.   Happy star spotting! Stay in the loop: sig

Calling all avid stargazers: the biggest meteor shower of the year will be lighting up the sky on the night of Thursday, December 14 and the morning of Friday, December 15, with 150 meteors shooting above us when the meteor shower is at its peak. The Geminids meteor shower is one of the final celestial spectacles for the year and it's one worth seeing – if you can't get out to the Blue Mountains to watch it with an astronomer by your side, you're still likely to catch a pretty impressive spectacle. While most meteor showers are the result of a comet, the Geminids come from debris shed by 3,200 Phaethon, a five-kilometre-wide asteroid that discards matter as it moves past Earth in space. It first appeared in the mid-1800s, but it wasn't considered particularly notable at the time, offering just ten to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. The Geminids have grown considerably in scale across the centuries, today offering upwards of 120 meteors per hour in perfect conditions. This particular starry display is considered one of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers, according to NASA.  This year, the Geminids will be visible in Sydney from December 7 to 17, with a peak set to occur on the night of December 14 to the morning of December 15. The visibility of the meteors can vary based on moonlight and weather, but (pending cloud cover) we should be in luck this time around; the new moon this month means that the skies will be darker, making for what should be an excellent s

If you're an avid stargazer, we've got some exciting news for you. One of the best annual meteor showers will light up our skies very soon and it's looking like it'll be quite a magical display. The Geminids meteor shower is one of the final celestial spectacles for the year and it's one worth seeing.  While most meteor showers are the result of a comet, the Geminids come from debris shed by 3200 Phaethon, a five-kilometre-wide asteroid that discards matter as it moves past Earth in space. It first appeared in the mid-1800s, but it wasn't considered particularly notable at the time, offering just ten to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. The Geminids have grown considerably in scale over the centuries, today offering upwards of 120 meteors per hour in perfect conditions and often considered one of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers, according to NASA.  This year, they'll be visible in Melbourne from December 7 to 17, with a peak occurring on the night of December 13 to the morning of December 14. The visibility of the meteors can vary, but we're in luck this time around. The new moon this month means that the skies will be darker, making for an excellent show.  For more advice on how to see the Geminids, head here. After the best stargazing spots? Reconnect with the night sky at these stellar locations across Melbourne.  

For the past few years, Zoë Foster Blake's cult skincare brand Go-To has collaborated with Four Pillars to create a limited-edition peachy gin. And in a surprise to absolutely no one, getting your hands on a bottle has been pretty damn hard. Well, if you've missed out in the past, we've got good news: it's back just in time for G&T season.  The 2023 version of 'My New Go-To Gin' is peachier and fancier than ever, and features flavours of yuzu, lime, coriander seeds and lemon myrtle. And to add that extra zing, it has been infused with quandong, a native peach from Western Australia. Yum! It's the perfect base for everything from a classic G&T to a bubbly Bellini or a tart Peach Bramble.  Keen to sip on peachy beverages all summer long? The gin will be available from the Four Pillars website from November 22 – but hurry, we have a feeling it's not going to stick around for long. It will retail at $85 for a 700mL bottle and there is a limit of three per purchase.  RECOMMENDED: The world's best cities have been revealed and we think Melbourne should have been higher This is the annual income you need to be happy in Australia, a new study claims Melbourne has been declared the third most mispronounced place in Australia  

With the current state of Sydney's real estate market, playing a round of Monopoly is probably also the only chance most of us have at owning any property. But instead of dwelling on that, pack your bags and book your trip to Melbourne because a $20 million, 1650-square-metre Monopoly-themed indoor park has just opened in the southern state. After much anticipation, the $20-million dollar, 1650-square-metre indoor park is officially open at Melbourne Central, with tickets on sale now.  It's only the second of its kind in the world, and it's twice the size of the original location that landed in Hong Kong back in 2019. After passing go at the entrance, visitors will get to explore two distinct areas: Monopoly City and Monopoly Mansion.  Across the two zones, which are inspired by Melbourne and feature trams and street art, there will be a total of 15 attractions including a 4D theatre and a chance wheel. Punters can win Monopoly money that can then be spent at the park's café or retail store.  General admission tickets start at $38.50.  RECOMMENDED: While you're travelling, head to the NT for this amazing Red Centre Light Trail

Does talking about Monopoly simultaneously elicit feelings of rage while also bringing back fond childhood memories? If so, you're not alone. The bestselling board game critiquing the follies of capitalism has been the main character at countless family game nights over the years – and we'd wager at least half of those sessions have ended with a table being flipped over in a fit of rage.  With the current state of the real estate market, playing a round of Monopoly is probably also the only chance most of us have at owning any property. But instead of dwelling on that, focus on the good news: a $20-million dollar, 1650-square-metre Monopoly-themed indoor park is opening in Melbourne Central on November 15, 2023.  Photograph: Supplied It's only the second of its kind in the world, and it'll be twice the size of the original location that landed in Hong Kong back in 2019. After passing go at the entrance, visitors will get to explore two distinct areas: Monopoly City and Monopoly Mansion.  “The keys to Monopoly City and Mr. Monopoly’s Mansion are due for handover in September 2023," said Mark Connolly, general manager of Monopoly Dreams Melbourne. "We are excited to be able to officially give Aussies an opening day for the most anticipated attraction of 2023." Across the two zones, which are inspired by Melbourne and feature trams and street art, there will be a total of 15 attractions including a 4D theatre and a chance wheel. Punters can win Monopoly money that can then be

「モノポリー」と聞くと、子どもの頃の懐かしい思い出がよみがえると同時に、怒りの感情が湧き上がってくることはないだろうか？　もしそうだったとしても大丈夫、あなただけではない。 資本主義の愚行を批評するこのボードゲームのベストセラーは、何年にもわたり数え切れないほどプレーされてきた。そのうちの少なくとも半分は、きっと怒りに任せてボードがひっくり返されて終わっているに違いない。 多くの大都市の不動産市場の現状を思うと、ほとんどの人にとって不動産を「所有」できる唯一の機会は、モノポリーで遊ぶ時となっているのが悲しいところではある。しかし、それであればむしろオーストラリアのメルボルンへ行き、思いっ切りモノポリーで遊んでみるのはどうだろうか。 2023年9月、メルボルン・セントラルにモノポリーをテーマにした広大な屋内パーク「Monopoly Dreams」がオープンするのだ。 同テーマパークは2019年に香港で初めてオープン。メルボルンのパークは世界2カ所目で、香港の2倍の広さになる。エントランスを通過した後、来場者は「Monopoly City」と「Mr. Monopoly’s Mansion」という2つの異なるゾーンの探検が楽しめる。 メルボルンをイメージした路面電車やストリートアートが描かれた各ゾーンでは、4Dシアターやチャンスホイールを含む合計15のアトラクションが設置される。獲得した「モノポリーマネー」は施設内のカフェや売店で使うことができるという。 「これらの2つのゾーンへの鍵は、9月に引き渡されます。2023年に最も待ち望まれていたアトラクションのオープンを、正式にオーストラリアの皆さまへお知らせできることに興奮しています」と、Monopoly Dreams Melbourneのジェネラルマネジャー、マーク・コノリーは述べている。Monopoly Dreamsのオープンは、9月1日（金）で、チケットは30AUドル（約2,875円）からとなっている。 関連記事 『A $20 million Monopoly theme park is coming to Australia（原文）』 『メルボルン、2031年までにシドニーを抜き豪で人口が最大に』 『世界で最も過小評価されている14の旅行先』 『ファッションのテーマパーク「木更津コンセプトストア」でしかできない5のこと』 『東京、ベストテーマパーク4選』 『2023年に行くべき新施設とイベント10選』 東京の最新情報をタイムアウト東京のメールマガジンでチェックしよう。登録はこちら  

The House of Mouses's famous family-friendly cruises have been setting sail across the globe for decades now, and they're finally slated for a run in Australia.  The first season of Disney Magic at Sea (which sets sail this October) was so popular that Disney Cruise Line has now announced a new season of cruises departing Australia and New Zealand in 2024 and through to 2025. You'll be able to embark on two to seven-day cruises filled with Disney magic, and hang out with characters like Captain Mickey Mouse, Captain Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Pluto, as well as characters from the Star Wars and Marvel universes. As you'd expect with Disney, there will be plenty of entertainment, including musical performances and original theatrical shows. Of course, there will be plenty for small Disney fans, with the Disney Oceaneer Club taking small sailors on a Frozen-themed adventure. Kids can also play in a multi-level replica of Andy's room from Toy Story or learn to save the world at the Marvel Super Hero Academy. And while the kids are busy, adults can relax in the adults-only Quiet Cove pool, get pampered at the Senses Spa and Salon or enjoy fine dining (and adult conversation) at Palo restaurant.  The first of these magical cruises will set sail from Sydney Harbour on October 28, 2023. Bookings are now open for the 2024-25 season, which will visit ports in Noumea, Hobart and Eden. We recommend getting in quick, considering how far in advance the first season sold.  For more info or t

Sydney. If getting starstruck by celestial happenings is your thing, prepare to have your mind blown by the annual Lyrid meteor shower that’s coming at us in April 2023. In April every year, a torrent of blazing meteors whiz across the sky and burn in the atmosphere, creating otherworldly flashes of light. This annual shower will be visible across the world from April 16 to 25, 2023, and will be at its peak for Australian (and Sydney-residing) stargazers from April 22 to 23.  The Lyrids are one of the oldest recorded meteor showers in human history, with some historical Chinese texts mentioning their existence more than 2,500 years ago. The fireballs you see in this shower are created by debris from the Comet Thatcher, and at their most active, you’ll see up to 20 shooting stars per hour. But, even if you’re looking up outside of peak time, it’s highly likely you’ll see the occasional flash of light illuminating the sky.  Sadly for all us Southern Hemisphere dwellers, the Lyrid shower will not be as radiant and intense as it is for our Northern Hemisphere brethren. This being said, we’ll still get a pretty good look at it all (weather conditions dependent) after midnight on April 22, or a few hours before sunrise on April 23. You’ll get the best vantage point if you turn your feet towards the northern part of our sky, and look 45 degrees above the horizon. If you’re lost, this interactive map can tell you exactly where to look.  The best part about the Lyrids? You don’t need

Last year, we reported on how Melbourne Airport was crowned Australia's worst airport for delays and cancellations. We don't want to point any fingers at which airlines may be behind that unsavoury title, but we will say this: research conducted by S Money has found that Jetstar Airways is Australia's most hated airline. Not surprised? Neither are we.  Although Jetstar does offer some ridiculously good deals, lost and damaged luggage is a common theme for Jetstar customers, which is a bummer because who doesn't want to travel with their stuff intact?  So how was the research conducted? S Money unpacked thousands of Tweets that had tagged airline handles and analysed the volume of posts with negative and positive sentiment for each airline. The airlines with the most negative Tweet scores were determined to be the ‘Most Hated’, and vice versa. Because, of course, when travel turmoil arises, people turn to social media to grumble. Tweets tagging Jetstar were 67.5 per cent negative. Qantas better hold onto their tray tables, too, because the study results will also shake them up – their detours and cancellations have left a lot of people with some serious travel headaches, and a lot of people regard Qantas as greedy. They ended up with a 60 per cent negativity rating.  Virgin Australia came out as the third most common airline to peeve Aussies off (with a 50.7 per cent negativity score). But, considering Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin are the three most commonly flown airlines Down

In February, a bright green, two-tailed comet blazed through our skies; if you missed it, we're sorry to say you probably won't ever see it again (unless scientists perfect cryogenics) as it only comes around every 50,000 years. But don't be too sad: we come bearing news of another fascinating astronomical occurrence. From February 20 to March 10, Jupiter and Venus will appear close together in the sky in a phenomenon known as planetary conjunction. What exactly is a planetary conjunction? Well, it's a term for when two planets appear to meet in the same part of the sky. Jupiter and Venus are known as the brightest planets in our sky, and they've been slowly inching towards each other. For Australians, they are expected to appear closest together on Thursday, March 2. Afterwards, they'll begin to go their separate ways again.  It's not the rarest conjunction to spot in our night sky; Venus and Jupiter align with each other every 13 months or so. In comparison, Jupiter and Neptune had a conjunction in 2022 for the first time since 1856. Regardless, it's still a marvellous nighttime spectacle, and it should be visible to the naked eye, so find a primo stargazing spot and look up.   

Plant-based eating has been on the rise, with the Food Revolution Network reporting that plant-based dairy and meat sales are projected to soar from $29 billion in 2020 to $162 billion by 2030. While that's great news for inclusivity and access in grocery stores, it's also important for vegans to have access to plant-based meals when eating out. And lucky for vegan Melburnians, gone are the days of ordering hot chips and a sad salad consisting of just greens, red onion and tomato; in 2023, vegan eateries are practically a dime a dozen, and Happy Cow has ranked Melbourne as the fourth most vegan-friendly city in the world.  The results were based on criteria including the number of fully vegan restaurants within a ten-kilometre radius of the city centre; the number of fully vegan businesses including shops and bakeries; the density of vegan businesses per capita; and qualitative factors like how active the city's vegan community is. Based on that criteria, Melbourne came in fourth just below London, Berlin and New York City, and ranked ahead of Singapore, Los Angeles, Bangkok, Amsterdam, Warsaw and Barcelona. The news should come as no surprise to vegan and non-vegan Melburnians alike; you'd have to live under a rock to not be familiar with entirely or predominantly plant-based eateries like Parcs (Time Out's Best Innovation winner in the 2022 Food and Drink Awards), Smith and Daughters, Red Sparrow Pizza and Patsy's. In fact, Happy Cow reports that based on 2022 data, Melbour