Caitlyn Todoroski

Don't let the political reputation of Australia's capital city fool you; there are plenty of diverse and exciting things to do in Canberra. Over the last five years, the city has undergone a hospitality glow-up, with world-class wine bars, trendy restaurants and stylish boutique hotels opening in the rapidly developing cultural precincts of New Acton and Braddon. Although once only visited by eye-rolling schoolkids, culture vultures drawn to the National Art Gallery and political wheelers, Canberra’s now a perfect weekend getaway spot, regardless of your interests. Our Travel and News Editor, Melissa Woodley, lived in the capital for four years and has carefully curated this list of the best things to do in Canberra. Her ideal weekend here involves catching up with friends over a lap of Lake Burley Griffin, a big wander in the National Portrait Gallery, hunting for pastries at the Capital Region Farmers Market, and of course, watching the sunset from the top of Mount Ainslie – a non-negotiable too.  🍽️ The best restaurants in Canberra🥾 All the best hikes to conquer in the capital🖼️ Canberra's best museums and galleries

Hobart may be tucked all the way down the bottom of Australia, but it’s a destination not to be slept on. Tasmania’s capital city is blessed with natural beauty, with the glittering waters of the River Derwent on one side and the rugged peak of kunanyi / Mount Wellington on the other, and there’s plenty to do both outside and inside. From mountain walks and self-guided history tours to top-tier restaurants and the incomparable MONA, everyone will find something they like about Hobart. Whether you’re headed to this waterfront town for a quick weekend getaway or you’ve got time on your side, our expert writers have rounded up the best things to do in Hobart. For Time Out's Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, a perfect Hobart day starts with pastries from Pigeon Whole Bakers, a sauna boat experience and a trip to the underrated Farm Gate Market. Happy exploring! 🍽️ The best restaurants in Hobart🖼️ Hobart's best museums and galleries🚗 The coolest day trips from Hobart

We're saying it loud and clear: Darwin is one of Australia’s best-kept secrets. It’s that far northern city where people put ice in their beer, dodge cyclones and take their lives into their hands if they ever step into the sea. And while there's something a little untamed about Australia’s northernmost capital city, that’s what makes it so much fun to visit.  Whether you’re here to access the majesty of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, check out the incredible international food scene or just planning to kick back by the water in this tropical paradise while the rest of the country shivers through winter, there’s something in Darwin for everyone. Our expert writers (including Time Out's Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley) have curated the ultimate guide on the best things to do in Darwin for your next trip – happy scrolling. 🍽️ The best restaurants in Darwin🚗 All the best day trips from Darwin🍸 Where to go for a drink in town

We're calling it: Adelaide is one of the most underrated cities in the country. The South Australian capital punches well above its weight with its stunning walks, top-notch wineries and unexpected water adventures. Whether you're visiting for a quick weekend away or an extended stay, you'll leave wishing you'd booked a few extra nights. Our expert writers are here to help you plan the perfect trip with this list of the best things to do in Adelaide. Time Out's Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, particularly recommends a trip to Adelaide Central Market (come hungry), followed by a sunny stroll in the Adelaide Botanic Garden. A tour of the Haigh's Chocolate Factory will also rarely disappoint, no matter who you're travelling with. So, where to begin? 🍽️ Where to eat and drink in Adelaide🖼️ Adelaide's best galleries and museums⭐️ The best hotels in Adelaide

Perth might feel like it's in a world of its own, but anyone who's been there will tell you it's absolutely worth the trip (which is a little over four hours by plane from Sydney or Melbourne). Once solely known for its pristine beaches and perfect weather, Perth’s booming restaurant and culture scenes, and its trendy sister city Fremantle (located just half an hour from Perth), have put Western Australia’s capital city on the international radar. Our expert writers, including Time Out's Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, have collated this mega guide on the best things to do in Perth. From a breezy stroll through Kings Park to a dip at the stunning Cottesloe Beach, the essentials are all here. We also reckon day trips to Fremantle and Rottnest Island are absolute musts. Happy exploring! 🍽️ The best restaurants in Perth right now🖼️ Perth's top museums and galleries⭐️ The best hotels in Perth

As we’re sure you know, cozzie livs (cost of living) is skyrocketing and we’ve had to cut down on those weekly dinner and drink outings. In an effort to balance it out, sometimes all you need is a jolly day out adventuring and exploring without breaking the bank. And what do you know, there are a plethora of free things to do in Adelaide that’ll have you saving a dime or two in no time. Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, loves eating with her eyes at Adelaide Central Market or strolling through the beautiful Botanic Garden. She also thinks a visit to the MOD is super underrated. Here’s our pick of the best free activities in Adelaide.  🥐 The best bakeries in Adelaide🖼️ Adelaide's best galleries and museums🌳 More incredible things to do in Adelaide

There’s no shortage of attractions in Canberra. From young families to mature art lovers, the opportunity for entertainment is endless. What’s not amusing is doing the maths and adding up how much all your entry tickets cost. Luckily for you, we’ve rounded up some of the most fun and free things to do in Canberra – and the best part? We bet you haven’t heard of some of these activities before. How’s that for holiday bragging rights?  Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, loves catching up with friends on a lap of Lake Burley Griffin or having a picnic atop Dairy Farmers Hill. But she reckons a free tour of Parliament House is surprisingly underrated and actually fascinating. Here are the best free things to do in Canberra. 🍽️ The best restaurants in Canberra🥾 All the best hikes to conquer in the capital🖼️ Canberra's best museums and galleries

Whether you’re looking for a leisurely sun-soaked stroll to fill your Sunday or are ready to embark on a testing trek to raise your adrenaline levels, Adelaide won’t disappoint. The CBD and its coastal fringe are home to kilometres worth of beautiful walks, while driving in a 1.5-hour radius from Adelaide’s centre will lead you to all sorts of botanical fun. Our local writers have rounded up the best walks in Adelaide and beyond that wander along waterfalls, coastlines, seaside towns and summits. Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, recommends the Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty trail (warning: it's not easy) and is eager to tick off the Hallett Cove Boardwalk next. What about you? ☕️ The best cafés to refuel at post-hike🥾 The best hikes in Australia🌳 All the best things to do in Adelaide

Canberra’s café scene has levelled up big time in recent years. From north to south, you’ll find plenty of places to grab your morning cup of joe with a side of avo toast, eggs benny or pancakes with all the fixings. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill cafés either. They’re brewing some of the nation’s best coffee while showcasing local producers and suppliers from the ACT region. You could easily kick off the day with a kimchi jaffle from the sleek Southside café, Intra. Or maybe a cinnabon from Scullin's beloved vegan eatery, Sweet Bones, is more your vibe. If you’re after something nourishing, a Japanese salad bowl from wholefoods café, Eighty/Twenty, will also do the trick. And that’s not even scratching the surface of what’s up north. Luckily for you, our Time Out Australia Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, lived in the capital for four years and has handpicked the best cafés in Canberra for this list. Where are you headed first? For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍽️ The best restaurants in Canberra🥐 Canberra's best bakeries☕️ The best spots for coffee in Canberra

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 winter.  When is the winter school holidays in NSW?  The winter school holidays for 2025 run from Monday, July 7 until Friday, July 18 – this applies to both the Eastern and Western divisions of NSW. What to do in Sydney in the school holidays? 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.

Ironically, despite its rugged surroundings, Canberra’s CBD itself is a very flat, walkable city. While this results in some highly scenic strolls around the famous Lake Burley Griffin, it means that only a short drive will take you to some fantastic locations for a more robust hike. There are hills and perches aplenty so that all your walking results in the reward of gazing out across our nation’s capital. Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has tried and tested almost all of these trails, with her favourites including Black Mountain, Mount Painter and Gibraltar Peak. Lace up and hit the trail on one of the best hikes in Canberra.  🌳 The best things to do in Canberra🥐 Canberra's best bakeries🚗 The best day trips from Canberra

Why spend a Sunday tackling house chores when you could be out at the pub partaking in one of the all-time great weekend feasting traditions? Let the pros take care of the cooking and make yourself comfortable at one of these ace boozers that celebrate English charm over the colder months. Cater to those hibernation cravings and get stuck in to legs of lamb with mint jelly, hearty slices of roast beef, crisp-skinned chook, nourishing root veggies and greens, fluffy Yorkshire puddings and gravy. Lots and lots of gravy. Whatever your preferred cut, there's a top pub roast out there for you – and hopefully a pint of something nice to go alongside it.  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. Down for more cold-weather fun? Check out these Sydney pubs with toasty fireplaces. Want more? Work your way through Time Out's guide to the best pubs in Sydney here.

The Hunter Valley gets cold in winter. Real cold. Come mid-year, temperatures in one of New South Wales’ most popular wine country destinations drop to the single digits. What’s worse than feeling the bite in the air is when you’re not even compensated with piles of fluffy snow for your troubles.The Hunter Valley Gardens took matters into their own hands and for one month and one month only, have created a spectacle of a winter wonderland for the whole family. The botanical venue already takes the cake for the largest Christmas light display in the Southern Hemisphere so expect nothing short of magnificent for their ‘Christmas in July’, if you will. In terms of the kids (and kids-at-heart) burning off some steam, there will be a mega snow play zone for snowman building and snow angel making, a 45-metre ice slide toboggan, and an ice skating rink. When you’re ready to thaw out, you can step away from the chilly action and grab a bite to eat from the food stalls dishing up all the fan favourites, from woodfired pizzas and burgers, to souvlaki plates and dumplings. For dessert, load up on warm doughnuts, crepes and ice snow cones. Who said chilly treats are only for summertime?To keep the fun times rolling, the Hunter Valley Gardens will still be operating their permanent rides, like the teacups, carousel, superslide and ferris wheel that you can purchase additional ticket passes for.  Snow Time in the Garden begins on Saturday, June 28 and runs until Sunday, July 27. Tickets st

There’s nothing like the endorphin rush when you know you’ve bagged a bargain at the op shop. When the proceeds of purchase also go towards a good cause and you’re feeling like an eco warrior, you’re cheering. That’s the name of the game at the annual Peter Pan Op Shop supporting Barnardos, which brings Sydneysiders four days of supreme deals in late July. From Thursday to Sunday, 410 Oxford Street in Paddington will become home to a wealth of designer finds like Hermes, Burberry, Chanel, Camilla, Sass & Bide and Zimmermann. The event is free entry, and sales help Barnardos provide urgent care and essential services for children, young people and their families. The event is run by the Peter Pan Committee – a group of women who have been supporting Barnardos since World War II.  Eftpos will be available at the event, alongside a changing room at the back. Want to get exclusive access to what’s on offer? To celebrate 84 years of the stylish affair, the Peter Pan Committee is running its first Fashion Parade and Wardrobe Styling evening. For $85, watch the show, enjoy some bubbles and canapes, and take your pick of what’s on sale.  The Peter Pan Op Shop is on Thursday, July 24 to Sunday, July 27. Doors open at 10am on all days, except 9.30am on Saturday. Find out more here.

The only thing better than learning about the oldest living culture in the world is immersing yourself in it. Get amongst the First Nations action in July at Parramatta Park with the Burramatta NAIDOC festival. The kickin’ outdoor event brings live First Nations R’n’B and soul artists, interactive workshops and market stalls all to one place.  The highlight of the one-day-only affair is the Next Generation Music Stage supported by Optus and Aboriginal charity organisation Kari Foundation. Triple J regular Becca Hatch brings her smooth R’n’B inspired by her Samoan and Kamilaroi heritage; ARIA-charting Velvet Trip mix up a groovy blend of psych rock and blues; and Naarm-based Kee’ahn’s soul tunes are inspired by queens like Lauryn Hill and Janelle Monae.  Either dance up a storm by the stage, or enjoy the music while you peruse the rest of Burramatta’s offerings. The markets feature a mix of special products by First Nations artists like handcrafted jewellery, artworks, textiles and clothing, alongside plenty of delish food vendors.  There are also plenty of chances to make your own art, whether through painting, drawing, dancing and weaving. These free Interactive workshops will be run by cultural leaders and super talented artists. Get in quick before the sessions fill up! Burramatta NAIDOC is happening at Parramatta Park on Saturday, July 12 from 11am to 3pm. Find out more about the free community Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander festival here.

When I think of Darling Harbour, I think of many interesting things: vibrant Vivid installations, epic old ships, celebrity wax figures and Nemo and Dory. Joining the list after my most recent expedition is Hotel Woolstore 1888. The heritage-listed-building-turned-luxury-hotel sets the scene for what was once Darling Harbour’s main claim to fame – exporting sheep wool from its wharves. You can see it in the sturdy brickwork of the Woolstore’s original exterior and the rustic wooden beams that frame the lobby. Today, it’s less about packing crates and more about packing suitcases. If you’re looking for a funky city stay that’s a little bit different, this is one to add to the list. Why stay at Hotel Woolstore 1888?  Woolstore 1888 joined Accor’s ‘Handwritten Collection’ in late 2024, which is your first indication that this hotel stay is going to be of the quirky variety (in the most charming way possible). Those wooden beams I mentioned earlier are the exact same ones from when they originally built the store in, you guessed it, 1888. While the dark lobby alludes to the fact that the place is dripping with Sydney history, stepping into the rooms is a different story. Rustic exposed brickwork is contrasted by vibrant graffiti artworks and bright blue and yellow furniture. The modern touches are nice, and a welcome change from the typical beiges and greys of some other luxe hotels. The hotel’s restaurant, Percy, is an experience in itself, and I would visit the Woolstore again

Sydney Motorsport Park sees its fair share of automotive action and on June 28 and 29, it’s all about the Prancing Horse. The Ferrari Festival Sydney is back, and it’s bringing some serious horsepower to Eastern Creek for a weekend of high-octane fun, Italian flair and free, all-ages entertainment. The showstopper of the free two-day event kicking off on Saturday, June 28 is Round Four of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Australasia. From novice drivers to seasoned Ferrari 296 Challenge and 488 Challenge Evo competitors, racers will battle it out across two races held over the weekend, with qualifying sessions each morning to set the grid.   There’s plenty happening off the track too. Get up close with Ferrari’s finest in the paddock display, walk through pit lane across the weekend, and catch behind-the-scenes glimpses inside Ferrari’s racing garages. There’ll also be exclusive on-track sessions including Passione Ferrari Club Challenge, Club GT, and the always-impressive Owner’s Parade, showcasing the racing heritage of the Ferrari brand.  Ferrari Festival Sydney kicks off at 8.30am on Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, June 29 at Sydney Motorsport Park in Eastern Creek. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are free, and you can reserve your spot here.

Darling Harbour is a sight to behold, so it seems like a crying shame to put those views on pause when it’s time to sit down somewhere for lunch or dinner. The Ternary on Darling Harbour covers all bases with its waterfront location and stunning floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the city.  With a dynamic open kitchen concept, The Ternary blends three culinary experiences: a flame-fired grill, fresh and flavour-packed Asian cuisine, and a curated Wine Bar. There’s an outdoor section to get even closer to all the action of Darling Harbour (hello, prime Vivid seats) and heater lamps to keep you toasty in the colder months. A recent addition to the bright space is Private @ Ternary. The intimate, purpose-designed private dining room is perfect for corporate events, special celebrations, and milestone occasions. Open seven days a week for buffet breakfast, Ternary Bar à la carte lunch, and dinner from Wednesday until Sunday, The Ternary is a gorgeous Sydney restaurant for locals and visitors alike. Find out more or book your table or private event here.

The foodies get their festival fix at food and wine mixers, it goes without saying music lovers have countless outdoor options to party at, and hell, there’s even fringe festivals for all those culture vultures. But what about people craving something a bit more… unorthodox? The annual Beaker Street Festival has concocted the perfect mixture of science, art, music and good vibes, and it’s coming back to Tasmania this August. Proudly known as a nerd-fest, Beaker Street’s series of wonder-inducing events that pop up all over Tassie’s capital city are a scientifically-proven good time. Plus, given Hobart has more scientists per capita than any other Australian city, there’s no better place to let your curiosity come out to play.  A series of impressive field trips and workshops give you the rare chance to spot a platypus, slime mould, or mind-blowing megaflora alongside the experts who know them best. Craving a deeper connection? Check out tours with Indigenous guides, including Taste of Country (Ningina Palawa Kipli Piyura Kitina-Ta) and Night Sky of Hobart (Wurangkili Liwari Nipaluna).  Headliners hitting the stage in Hobart City Hall revolve around the themes of death, pleasure and humanity, with highlights including a ‘fun funeral’, a gloriously geeky gameshow, and a giant clitorous puppet.  There’s also plenty of chances to make the most of Tassie’s famously dark skies, with telescope tours, candlelit dinners, astrophotography workshops, aurora exhibitions, guided stargazin

We’re all for sharing the love with breakthrough Aussie artists, especially when they venture outside the same old metro spots. It’s exactly what Melbourne-local DJ Tobiahs is doing with his upcoming pit stop at Wrest Point in late June, and we couldn’t be more keen.  Tobiahs’ gigs are a house music lovers’ dream and with his recent success with breakthrough mix ‘Angel of Mine’ and sold out shows in US, Canada, UK and Europe, his first visit to Tassie is highly anticipated by locals and visitors alike.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by @tobiahs Expect an intimate 360 degree set so you can get all up in the action. Loosen up and unwind  to his chill sound, cool demos and big hits. With tickets only $65 each, now’s your chance to vibe out to a gig of epic proportions before he explodes across the world’s main stages.  Tobiahs’ show is one of the first that Wrest Point has secured in a series that they hope not only brings thrilling live music to Tasmania, but showcases what the gorgeous natural state has to offer to music-loving tourists too. As an indicator of how big a support Wrest Point is of live music, Tobhias concert-goers can score their second night free at the hotel. For more info, check out the deal here.  Tobiahs plays at Wrest Point on Friday, June 20. For more info and to grab your tickets, head here.

Friday May 30 update: The team at Mode Kitchen & Bar is cooking up a storm with a vibrant three-course Vivid menu. The $95 per person 'Vivid Dream Lab Dinner' is on every night of the festival and features colourful dishes like a yellow fin tuna sashimi with blood orange gazpacho, and an incredible 'tutti frutti' flower dessert that can be popped open to reveal a flavourful mousse. Want to ramp things up? Opt for the $35 wine pairing curated specially by hotel sommelier Aman Vikhona. Book in here. Located within the Four Seasons Hotel, Mode Kitchen and Bar is the luxe hotel's elegant dining spot. There's a big focus on quality cuts of meat like a one kilogram t-bone and a tomahawk, plus their signature seafood tower is a big highlight. On the go? The express lunch menu offers diners two courses for $55 all day, every day of the week. Along with the food you'll find more than 200 wines from Australian and around the world. Saddle up at the nine-metre-long bar and order a glass (or three).

It’s no secret that Vivid grows every year, gaining new hot spots around the city for glowy light installations, ridiculously yummy food and an all-round vibrant atmosphere. This year, the 25 Martin Place building and surrounds will have all three of those things going on – it’s back in the Vivid line-up for the first time since 2018.  Here’s our pick of what you have to check out if you’re in Martin Place during Vivid (which we reckon you should be):  Aalia X Moët Hennessy Check out the luxe plaza area of 25 Martin Place for a glamorous collab between Middle Eastern fine-diner Aalia and opulent beverage label Moët Hennessy. They’re opening a pop-up bar where the cocktails and tasty bites will be plentiful. Catch them from 3pm for a warm-up tipple or ’til 10pm when the city is alight and in the full Vivid swing. BioDream Walk the line between your subconscious and reality with this mind-bending projection of mangroves, rippling water and flying albatrosses projected onto the futuristic looking mushroom-shaped building at the entrance to 25 Martin Place. Stunning, and it's part of the Martin Place Vivid Trail. Affordable nibbles With the packed crowds, restaurants that book out weeks in advance and so much ground to cover, sometimes a cheeky takeout from the food court is the best option on a Vivid night out. 25 Martin Place even has dessert covered with a Gelato Messina on site – so you can spend more time hopping between Sydney’s light shows with a dessert cone in hand.  Di

If you ask any Australian, Japan is so hot right now. The country seems to be a magnet for Aussie tourists at the minute, but let’s be realistic for one second – how is our whole Instagram feed affording to jet-set away from these cost of living woes? Lucky for locals, South Melbourne Market is bringing a slice of Japan to town this June so you don’t need to step foot in an airport to try wildly delicious and creatively authentic Japanese eats. So what is Flavours of Japan? It’s a niche concept so stick with us here. The self-guided degustation takes you around South Melbourne Market where vendors have created Japanese dishes specially for this foodie affair. A hot little ticket for $79 gets you more than ten dishes to sample, plus immersive experiences at the market stalls, a map and stamp card to tick them all off, and an adorable market bag. What’s on the menu, I hear you asking? It’s a stellar line-up. There’s a hojicha (a popular roasted green tea) infused mini croissant and torched salmon sashimi to whet the appetite; two different types of dumpling; calamari with togarashi (Japanese chilli pepper) and yuzu aioli; a burrata with Japanese fix-ins like bonito flakes, green onion, soy and a side of edamame; and a panko-crumbed eggplant katsu curry to boot. You can also look forward to some gorgeous desserts like an award-winning matcha gelato and a black sesame cookie with a gooey centre. Are you drooling yet? That’s not even all the dishes. You can check the rest out here

Take one glance at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks and it’s obvious the big brick structure is dripping with history. It started out as a place that housed male convicts in the early 1800s, but Japanese-Australian artist Hiromi Tango is shining a light (literally) on its lesser-known significance as a site of women’s history this May and June. Watch the Barracks become a canvas for larger-than-life projections showcasing the stories of the women who passed through the building that was once the Female Immigration Depot and Hyde Park Asylum from 1848 to 1887. Recorded voices offer deeply personal stories of hope, and a visual collage that appears after dark until 10pm gives passersby a peek into the Barracks’ archaeology including its rich collection of textiles and fabric fragments inside.  Being a Japanese immigrant, and now a resident of Northern NSW, Tango was inspired by the “voices of those who are often left out of history”. Watch as the site also transforms into the ‘Hope garden’ with large ‘hope flowers’ and a collaborative installation of upcycled textiles that will keep growing.  Hope is on until June 15 at the Hyde Park Barracks, projected nightly until 10pm. Visitors can check it out for free. Find out more info here. The Hyde Park Barracks museum is also open daily from 10am to 6pm with free entry and includes an immersive self-guided audio experience which takes about an hour and a half to complete.

The lights at The Velvet Glove are real low – all except for those illuminating artworks. Panels of Vincent van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci and Claude Monet’s works have been carefully curated and artfully backlit for the watering hole of your artsy dreams. At this new Darlinghurst bar and restaurant, you can sip on cocktails and enjoy snacks on an Italian marble table, sit yourself down at the bar on a handcrafted Greek bar stool, or relax on the open-air terrace. Photograph: David Li The Velvet Glove is where European luxury meets Kings Cross glamour – and doors are open to all. At the wheel is hospitality professional Haley Gooley, who has worked across ski chalets and dining spaces in Perisher. She wanted to make an opulent space that signals a warm welcome to anyone and everyone off the streets of the eclectic precinct. And at The Velvet Glove, there are no set seating times – and tipping is not expected. Photograph: David Li Don’t expect anything less than luxe from the menu: crisp-skinned duck à l’orange; Black Angus eye-fillet with blistered vine-ripened cherry tomatoes; and line-caught New Zealand snapper are all on offer. If you’re just popping in for a tipple, the bar menu offers some equally glam nibbles, like tuna sashimi with oxheart tomato and finger lime pearls. Photograph: David Li Drops on the drinks list hail from France, Italy and Austria, plus some local Australian labels. If the décor has you feeling like a baller, splash out on a cocktail topped with

Ruma is warm. It’s in the ochre-hued walls, the massive abstract painting of family enjoying food together and the hearty breakfast plates. The Double Bay joint dishes up brunch four days a week, plus dinner from Thursday to Sunday. Plush booths and scenic alfresco seating await. Ruma, which opened at the end of 2024, is helmed by chef Faheem Noor, the brains behind nearby Bartiga. A love letter to his Malaysian heritage, his menu features brunch classics like pancakes, big breakfast plates and avo toast, all with Asian-inspired twists like the addition of ‘kimchimimchurri’ (a mix of kimchi and chimichurri) and crisp chilli oil. The star of the show is the Korean-style fried chicken bite dish. Order them as they come with a dollop of Kewpie mayo on each piece, or opt for a bougie caviar add-on.  Photograph: Caitlyn Todoroski for Time Out Sydney If you’re looking for a long-lunch experience, check out the bottomless menu. Fill up on a big breakfast platter with all the fix-ins like sourdough toast, scrambled eggs, grilled peppers, plus a sweet plate with whatever’s fresh in the pastry cabinet and fruit. The novelty is the bottomless matcha that you can get iced, hot, cloud-like or with strawberry.  Photograph: Supplied | Pat Stevenson Come dinnertime, the menu looks a little more like kingfish crudo with ponzu, steak frites with sarawak pepper jus, and coconut and turmeric barramundi curry. It’s all about fusing subtle Asian flavours with modern Australian dining. Breakfas

Imagine a pub from 1980s Australia – and then imagine it never got a refurb. Sounds a little outdated, but at Baptist Street Rec. Club – Redfern’s new bar found at Wunderlich Lane, home to Olympus, Lottie and The Eve, among others – it’s nostalgic, and also a little bit edgy. Retro posters and pop art adorn the walls, and drinks are served in glasses that look like they’re straight outta your nan’s good glassware collection (you know the ones). Speaking of tipples, booze aficionados Dan Cramsie (ex Clam Bar, Pepito’s and Double Deuce Lounge) and House Made Hospitality (Island Radio, Apollonia, Bar Mammoni) beverage director Jason Williams have teamed up to create a refreshing bar menu. Fun takes on nostalgic cocktails are the norm here at the latest venue from House Made Hospitality (the team behind Sydney favourites Grana, Apollonia and more). Think a Breakfast Martini with spiced pineapple marmalade, and a Strawberry Daiquiri flavoured with strawberry cordial. Photograph: Steven Woodburn Monthly specials stay on rotation, with the opening stars including the Bloody Mary’s savoury and down-to-earth cousin: a Beetroot Negroni. The wine list spotlights small-batch producers, and the brews are mostly local, including the house-made Reccy Lager. When you get the munchies, Thai-inspired eatery Bangkok Dreaming offers salty specialities galore. Its share platters feature all the Aussie-fied favourite nibblies like spring rolls, money bags and fish cakes. All of which are a nod t

Calling all chip-on-a-stick fans and aspiring farmers! Sydney’s favourite agricultural festival, carnival ride mecca and baby animal pat-fest is back for 2025. When is the Easter Show Sydney? This year's Easter Show will kick off on Friday, April 11, and run for 12 full days until Tuesday, April 22. How much are Easter Show Sydney tickets?  The early bird gets the worm when it comes to tickets – if you purchase your passes before the show kicks off on Friday, April 11, you can hook cheaper tickets, and if you purchase online in advance of your arrival, you’ll also be doing yourself a favour.  Early-bird pre-show tickets (Before April 11): $45 per adult $27 per child (4-15 years old + 16-18 year olds with a student ID card) $33.50 for concession  $118 for a family pass (two adults, two children).    Online purchase once the show has started (April 11 onwards): $48.00 per Adult $29.50 per child $36.00 for concession Children under 3 are allowed in for free. Note that these tickets just include entry for the show – rides, showbags and food are all at various additional costs.  Where is the Easter Show Sydney?  The Sydney Royal Easter Show takes place at the same beloved location each year: Sydney Showground at Sydney Olympic Park is the prime possie for the show’s elaborate agricultural displays and competitions, plus a whole heap of rides.  How to get to the Easter Show Sydney? Sydney Showground is located right next to the Olympic Park Train Station. Limited stops and express

Hughes Street in Potts Point is anticipating its annual shutdown on December 25 to make way for the Wayside Chapel Christmas Day Lunch and Street Party for homeless members of the community. Thanks to over $1,400,000 in donations from the public, the Wayside Chapel will provide over 1,000 Christmas lunches “with all the trimmings” to people who’d otherwise have nowhere else to spend the public holiday. While they've met their fundraising target for 2024, demand for the service grows each and every year, so you can still donate to support the cost of keeping their kitchens, programs and support services open across the festive season. Not only is their aid in the Christmas spirit — they provides daily support for thousands of homeless people living in Sydney. Last year, they provided over 86,000 meals to vulnerable community members who walked through the doors at the Kings Cross shelter in need of nourishment. The Christmas community event that's been running for over 40 years encourages anyone who is living on the street, lost or lonely, on Christmas Day to join the free party. There’ll be a Christmas breakfast at 9am, a service at 10am and lunch at 11.30am followed by a street party full of DJ's, live music, dancing and activities until 5.30pm. More than 100 volunteers help out on the day, serving up 100kg of prawns, 50 hams and 500 Christmas puddings.   Guests can look forward to a visit from Santa Claus, alongside Christmas songs, kids’ activities, (fake) tattoo stati

Sydney is a very doggo-friendly city. There are countless parks, beaches and pubs that welcome your fur babies with open arms. That’s not to mention the Santa Paws event, dedicated entirely to canine Christmas cheer. As it turns out, Sydneysiders take the term “fur babies” quite literally. We're facing a (human) baby recession (with birth rates lower than they've been in 18 years) – this, coupled with an increase in companion animal registrations leads us to a city where pups outnumber kids aged under 15 in 16 out of 34 Sydney councils.  The Sydney Morning Herald uncovered that in the City of Sydney, there are more than two dogs for every child. Woollahra and the Inner West come in a pretty close second, with around 1.7 dogs for every child. Mosman and the Northern Beaches sit at around 1.25 dogs per child, and even the Sutherland Shire is up there, with the same figure.  From 2019 to 2023, pet numbers grew by over 20 per cent in a third of Greater Sydney’s councils. While we may have calmed down a little post-pandemic, it seems dog children aren't going anywhere. People love their pets.  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. RECOMMENDED:  There’s $638 million unclaimed by NSW residents. Here’s how to cash in. Rental hacks: how to get ahead in Sydney’s competitive property market. Sydney has ranked among the top 10 best cities in the world for 2025.

The Ramadan Nights food market has become a Western Sydney institution during the holy month of Ramadan. More than one million Sydneysiders flock to Lakemba’s eat street – Haldon Street – after dark to enjoy an abundant array of halal dishes from a range of different Muslim cultures to break fast. While the month-long event has its way of bringing the Muslim community together, and sharing the Islam religion with the rest of Sydney, Canterbury-Bankstown Council and Muslim leaders have some concerns with how big the event has grown.  Their concerns boil down to: the sheer size of the event causing congestion, the event commercialising a holy tradition, and the costliness of the event (it cost the council $3 million dollars this year).  So, there was a unanimous vote by councillors to implement four changes to the markets from 2025 onwards. These changes are:  Moving stalls from the footpaths to the road; This means that instead of stallholders paying local businesses $6,000 total to rent out the space at the front of the restaurant for the whole month, they will pay $600 per night to the council; Renaming the event from ‘Ramadan Nights, Lakemba’ to ‘Lakemba Nights’ to separate the increasingly commercial event from the Islamic tradition of Ramadan; Reducing the number of days the stall is run from seven nights a week to four (Thursday to Sunday). This equals less nights for council staff and contractors to work and be paid, helping reduce costs.  At the moment, the changes a

Aside from Music of the Spheres being an arena spectacular of a show to witness live, it’s also produced some very epic stage design. The bright lights, big bouncing spheres, spectrum of colours and galactic themes are all features of Coldplay’s merch drop for the tour, and we can’t get our hands on the stuff fast enough. Here’s your guide on how to buy it.  When are the Coldplay Sydney shows? The four sold-out shows at Accor Stadium started on Wednesday night (November 6), then continue through Thursday, November 7, Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10.  Where to buy official Coldplay merch in Sydney? Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park held a merch pre-sale day in Sydney (on Tuesday, November 5), but that’s done and dusted now. At the moment you can purchase Coldplay merch from their official website. That being said, of the few items that aren’t sold out, or on pre-order, there are pretty limited sizes available. Never fear because you can buy from stalls at the stadium. Those stalls included stock that is sold out online, and some items that can’t even be purchased from the website.  What Coldplay merch can you buy in Sydney?  T-shirts, drink bottles, posters, caps, bucket hats, programmes, hoodies, CDs, keychains, drawstring bags and more. There goes a week’s pay. Wondering how to get to the Coldplay Sydney concerts? Here's all the public transport info you need. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, things to do and tr

Well, Sydney, a Hymn for the Weekend is finally this week. Coldplay took to the stage on Wednesday, November 6 and Thursday, November 7, and they're back again on Saturday and Sunday nights. The tour is one of the most highly anticipated music events of the year. Actually, event, period. With more than 300,000 fans expected at the four sell-out shows, the experience is up there with T-Swift’s Eras Tour earlier this year – and Sydney Trains is accommodating for this in the same theatrical way. Leave the car at home and start the party early with these public transport options... How to get to the Coldplay Sydney concert at Accor Stadium  Accor Stadium is situated very conveniently near Olympic Park Station. It’s less than a ten-minute walk away and has regular buses and trains passing through. On the nights of the Coldplay Tour, Transport NSW is running 568 extra trains and 650 extra buses. Not only are there all these extra options, but they’ll be decked out in the spirit of the Music of the Spheres tour. The trains will be playing Coldplay hits. And the L1 light rail will also be running for a little later than usual, until 1am, to make getting home easier for people on that line.  Which trains go to the Coldplay Sydney shows?  To get to the concerts, express trains from Central to Olympic Park will run every three to four minutes. You’ll know exactly which trains to catch, because ‘Coldplay Music of the Spheres’ will be displayed on the boards marking your destination. On t

After a mad scramble to snag tickets to witness the arena spectacular that is a Coldplay Sydney concert, 80,000 lucky Sydneysiders get to watch the global superstars work their magic live for four nights. Shows started on Wednesday, November 6, and run through to Sunday, November 10, 2024. We went on Thursday night, and it was everything and more than we hoped. Tears streamed down our faces – as did the rain – but nothing could dampen the experience. It was a magical experience, a stadium full of stars. Here's everything you need to know... When is the Coldplay Sydney Music of the Spheres Tour? Coldplay is taking the stage at Accor Stadium in Sydney for four nights: Wednesday, November 6, Thursday, November 7, Saturday, November 9, and Sunday, November 10, 2024.  How to get to the Coldplay Sydney concert The 10,000 car parking spaces at Olympic Park are expected to be booked out well in advance. It can also get pretty congested leaving the carpark at the end of the night. So public transport is often the best option for getting to Olympic Park. Olympic Park Station is less than a ten-minute walk from the stadium, hundreds of additional trains and buses will run to and back from Olympic Park during the Coldplay concerts, the cost of travel is already included in your concert ticket – just show your Coldplay concert ticket to board. Plus, Sydney Trains are putting on a bit of a show for fans on the trains, playing music to hype everyone up. Here's everything you need to know ab

There are so many wonderful things about living in Melbourne – but affordable property is definitely not one of them. In fact, our city recently ranked seventh on a worldwide list of the most expensive cities to buy a home in. So if you're a hopeful home buyer despairing about your chances of snagging a decent property, here's some good news: there are still a few hidden gems across the city where you can buy a home at a (more) reasonable price and also see it quickly appreciate in value, you just need to know where to find them. Real estate expert John McGrath recently released his annual list of suburbs to keep an eye on, so you can get insider tips on the spots with the best potential.  Melbourne's west is fast becoming a super popular area for people cracking into the property market, and one suburb in particular is shaping up to be the next hotspot. Due to its proximity to the West Gate Tunnel (slated to open in 2025), Altona North will soon have a direct connection to the CBD and broader Melbourne, which will add value to properties in the neighbourhood in the future. While it's considered more of an up-and-comer right now, it's very close to some beloved parts of the western 'burbs like Yarraville and Williamstown, but its properties aren't as expensive.  Further north, another suburb that's ripe with potential is Keilor East. This area is also set to gain transport connections, with a new train station slated as part of the future Melbourne Airport rail link (although

Metallica has been going strong on their hectic world tour ever since April 2023, and the hallowed heavy metal giants are showing no signs of slowing down. On the record-breaking M72 World Tour, the band has played to around three million fans across the globe, with the LA Times saying they're “as tight and furious as Metallica has sounded in ages”. Now it’s time for OG Aussie metal fans to get pumped because the M72 World Tour is officially coming to Australia, including Sydney. Better yet, it has been confirmed that the much-loved ‘snake pit’, which allows fans extremely close to the action, will make an appearance Down Under. Read on for everything you need to know about the Metallica Sydney and Australia tour....  What dates are the Metallica Sydney shows? The tour will hit Sydney next Spring, for a single show at Accor Stadium on November 15, 2025.  When do Metallica Sydney tickets go on sale? General sales are happening this Friday, November 1, at 2pm local time. You can tickets over here.  Is there a Metallica Sydney presale? There are so many presales that we need dot points to keep track. Here they are: Mastercard Presale (Sydney/Adelaide/Brisbane): Wednesday, October 30 from 1pm until Friday, November 1, 1pm Vodafone & One NZ Presale: Wednesday, October 30 from 1pm until Friday, November 1, 1pm Live Nation Presale: Friday, November 1 from 12pm until Monday, November 4, 11am Stadium Presale: Friday, November 1 from 2pm until Monday, November 4, 11am How much will