Adena Maier

Craving an out-of-town adventure to get off the grid? Jump in the car and drive out to one of these stunning national parks in Victoria. If you can only fit in a day trip, we've put together a few options that are just an hour or two from the CBD – and if you're after a true blue road trip, we've also thrown in some destinations up to seven hours away. Pack your bags, put on that road trip playlist that has all the best singalongs and hit the road in search of Victoria's most beautiful natural landscapes.  Explore more of the state with these scenic Victorian drives or stretch your legs with the best day hikes near Melbourne.

As a kid, there's few things that are more fun than a huge playground. Flying across monkeybars, swinging up to the sky, diving down a slide — it's a kids paradise. Across the city and its suburbs, there are plenty of sites for kids to run amok and have a ball. Many of these playgrounds also offer picnic tables and barbecues, so you can pack a picnic or fire up the grill and spend the whole arvo soaking up some sunshine.  After more fun for the family? See our guide to Melbourne's best activities for kids. Does your family love a bike ride? Here are Melbourne's best cycling paths.

Looking to live it up on your next Aussie getaway? We’ve got you covered. Our country is practically swimming in great hotels, from new boutique stays with heated infinity pools to revamped classics boasting five-star rooftop bars. Whether you’re a local looking for a gram-worthy staycation or a tourist eager to be in the heart of the action, here are our picks of Australia’s top hotels. RECOMMENDED: Australia’s most incredible resorts and lodges for your next getaway.

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.

You know what’s finally trending in 2024? Self-care. While a warm bubble bath or 15-minute face mask is a nice pick-me-up, nothing beats a full-on pamper session at the spa. And boy does Australia have some pretty phenomenal pamper palaces that’ll leave you glowing from head to toe. Whether you’re treating yourself to a five-star massage while on holiday or searching for a local bathhouse to add to your weekly routine, we think you should add these spa days to the top of your to-do list. Here are the most luxurious day spas in Australia. RECOMMENDED: The best health and wellness retreats in Australia.

NAIDOC stands for 'National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee', and NAIDOC Week is all about celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements. First Nations Australians are custodians of the world's oldest living culture, and that's something to be immensely proud of. This year, it's taking place from July 7 to 14 with the theme 'Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud'. The theme aims to highlight the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture. For First Nations people, fire is a symbol of connection to Country, to each other and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define them.  RECOMMENDED: First Nations organisations and social justice campaigns you can support An introduction to Boon Wurrung language from Aunty Fay Stewart-Muir

Joyeux Quatorze Juillet! July 14 is Bastille Day, and it marks the start of the French Revolution and the beginning of the end of the French monarchy. In France, it's a huge cause for celebration. For Australians, it's a bit like St Patrick's Day — it doesn't matter if you're not French, you can still participate in the festivities.  We've put together a list of the best events happening this Bastille Day, so whether you want to celebrate July 14 because it's part of your heritage or if you're just in it for the croissants and Champagne, here's where you'll find the best festivities. Just want the best croissants in Melbourne? You need to go here. Or find out what else is going on in Melbourne in July.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a local or a visitor: Melbourne is at its absolute best when you go in face first and let your taste buds lead the way. But what are some of the dishes that set our city apart? We've put together a bucket list of 32 must-try Melbourne dishes, including an award-winning pizza, a Macca's-inspired Filipino snack and a hangover-busting brunch plate. While you're in town you should check out these 101 things to do in Melbourne in your lifetime. In between, grab a drink at Melbourne's best bars and best restaurants.

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.

In recent years, tattoos have become increasingly common, with people from all walks of life investing in the art. But it’s as important as ever to take the time to investigate the many parlours and artists that are around to discover which ones suit your unique tastes and needs. Here, we take a look at some of Melbourne’s best tattoo shops and some of the inspiration behind the work. Appreciate good art? Take a gander at our guide to the best street art in Melbourne. 

There’s no shame in being hopeless in the kitchen, but if you’re tired of falling back on the few things you can cook without burning the house down, maybe a Melbourne cooking class is in order. We've rounded up some of our favourite classes in Melbourne where you can learn to make Spanish paella, Tamil curries, Korean banquets and so much more.  Classes range from those led by professional chefs to those run by great home cooks who can share a thing or two about creating delicious dishes for the dinner table. Want more ways to get hands-on? Check out Melbourne's best pottery classes, or DIY some fromage at Melbourne's best cheese-making classes. 

Do you love anything sparkling, glowing or illuminated? You've come to the right place – there are plenty of gorgeous light-up events to discover in Melbourne. From digital exhibitions and sparkling light shows to a Harry Potter-themed immersive experience (complete with a life-size hippogriff), it's time to get your glow on. Want to explore regional Victoria? Here's our list of winter light festivals outside of Melbourne.

Previously located in Collingwood next to Lamington Drive, this premier art gallery in Brunswick is run by artists, for artists. Its group shows often feature upwards of 40 to 50 artists and are known to draw crowds of nearly 1,500 visitors.  Owners Jesse 'JESWRI' Wright, a First Nations artist from Gadigal Country in NSW, and Britt Devlin, who has a background in architecture and business, opened Honey Bones in February 2020 – just before the Covid-19 crisis thrust Australia into months of lockdown. Despite this, in 2020 and 2021 the gallery ended up hosting the highest number of art exhibitions by a single gallery in the whole of Australia.  Visitors can enjoy some free beverages while perusing the works on display and an environment a touch more informal than a traditional gallery. At the time of writing, the current studio residents include Izzy Faith V, Georgia Cavanagh, Sharya Wickramesooriya and Donika Fazliu. One thing that sets Honey Bones apart from other gallery collectives is that every artist receives equal treatment and an equal position on the 'hierarchy' regardless of how well-known they may be. The studio prioritises working with emerging artists and providing mentorship to help them learn how to produce killer shows.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Want more art? Check out the best exhibitions happening in Melbourne this month.

What better way to warm yourself up during winter than with a belly full of wine and good food? This coming Queen's Birthday long weekend, head to the Mornington Peninsula for its annual four-day Winter Wine Fest, a variety of cellar door experiences, dazzling dining events and wine tastings. The festivities will kick off on Friday, June 7 with 'The Winemaker's Truffle Dinner' – the unmissable opening night in the festival's program, which brings 13 top wineries together in 'The Village Hall' at the Red Hill Showgrounds. Each winery will host a table with wines specially curated to match starting canapes and a delightful three-course menu showcasing the finest of the new season's truffles.  You can expect the winemakers' rarest and finest, back vintage and cellar selection drops, with bottles likely to be passed around from table to table as the libations start a'flowing! Jazz ensemble, the Georga Byrne Trio, will treat your ears to their dulcet tones while your taste buds are treated to the likes of Paringa Estate, Montalto, Crittenden Wines, Handpicked Wines and many more. And that's just the first day! Saturday, June 8, is when the festival's famous weekend showcase will take place. The long-standing event allows you to taste more than 150 premium wines by 40 wineries from the region. Tickets are $80 per person and include a complimentary Riedel tasting glass and access to all wine tastings. On Sunday, June 9, head to the 'Village Green' to explore plenty of bougie food po

Awarded the world’s Best Beauty Salon at the World Spa Awards in 2019, Miss Fox was designed with glamourous intentions in mind. This Hollywood-esque day spa and beauty salon is located in the hustle and bustle of Melbourne’s CBD on Little Collins Street. It's a fair bit more expensive than the other salons on this list, with manicures starting at the $85 mark and increasing in price depending on the polish you choose. But if you're feeling luxe and want to treat yourself, this salon will guarantee you walk out feeling like a movie star.

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.

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

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.

Let go of 2023 and welcome the year to come at Let Them Eat Cake, the longest-running arts, culture and dance music festival in Melbourne. Hosted on the beautifully manicured gardens of Werribee Mansion, you can look forward to an absolutely hectic roster of artists.  The line-up is full of big names from across the globe and local party starters, like reliable party starters like international stars ABSOLUTE., LF System, Mella Dee, Barry Can’t Swim and BICEP as well as beloved Aussie acts including C.FRIM, Caitlin Medcalf, Yarra, S4FD and Valerie. After a long year, it's time to feel the bass through rumbling speakers and let our eyes feast on kaleidoscopic light shows. Tickets are in their final release and can be purchased through the Moshtix page. For more information, head to the Let Them Eat Cake website.  For the morning after, bookmark this page on Melbourne's best hangover meals. 

Founders Athan Didaskalou and Richard Li both felt frustrated by how the luggage market was saturated with poorly designed products being sold at extreme premiums. They decided to take matters into their own hands and launched July in 2018 as an online luggage label that sold a single product: the Carry On. The high-quality signature case features a strong polycarbonate shell, anodised aluminium bumpers, Japanese zippers and a water-resistant and stain-proof nylon lining. It was also designed to hold the maximum capacity of luggage allowed inside the cabin with you, has an ejectable USB-C battery charger and features a secure TSA lock. Travellers fell in love with the product, and the brand quickly got to work designing additional products and opened its retail flagship store in 2019.  Designed by Melbourne architecture firm One Design Office, the space reflects the clean, minimalist and high-tech designs found in July's product range. Now, shoppers can get an in-person look at the full range, including backpacks, totes, accessories and check-in and carry-on luggage. And if you have a last-minute trip coming up and can't wait for shipping, you can pop in and out with new luggage quickly.  Planning a day in the CBD? Check out our handy guide to all the best things to do in the city.

If you're keen to refresh your wardrobe but not so keen on emptying your bank account, then make your way to the 91 Vintage Sportswear Market at the Line in Footscray on Saturday, December 9.  This beloved market is a treasure trove for collectors, with an array of vintage, secondhand, y2k and streetwear goods on offer from more than 30 stallholders. Dig through $5, $10 and $20 tubs filled with vintage, retro and luxury items, as well as sneaker tables and racks of vintage tees, accessories, hoodies and jackets. And unlike a flea market, where you're definitely sifting through more trash than treasure, here you'll have your pick of goods from coveted brands like Nike, Adidas, Ralph Lauren, Carhartt and heaps more.  The Good Ideas team will be heat-pressing designs onto clothes all day long (you can BYO clothes as long as they are 100 per cent cotton), and there will also be DJs, a photo booth and Slice Girls West slinging pizzas to keep your energy levels up. The market kicks off at 9.30am, and tickets are $5 for either the morning or afternoon session – entry is free after 3pm. While some stallholders will take card payments, it's still best to bring cash. For more information, head to the 91 Vintage Market event page. After more pre-loved goods? Check out the best vintage stores in 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  

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.  

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