Caitlyn Todoroski

Escape the crowds in Perth, Broome and Margaret River, and head to this lesser-known coastal gem in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. ‘Amazing Albany’ is one of WA’s best-kept secrets, home to many of Australia’s bluest beaches – including Middleton Beach, Emu Point and Little Beach – all just minutes from the CBD. Sun and sand aside, Albany’s rugged coastline is dotted with striking rock formations, peaceful nature trails and panoramic lookouts perfect for spotting whales in winter. Plus, those looking to take it easy can explore its historic museums and sample local brews and bites. Don’t sleep on this coastal town any longer and start ticking off this list of the best things to do in Albany. How to get to Albany?  Albany is just a one-hour flight from Perth or a 4.5-hour drive (which makes for an incredibly scenic road trip).  When is the best time to visit Albany? Wildflower season in spring (September to November) is a popular time to visit Albany, perfect for hiking the Bibbulmun Track and catching the end of whale-watching season (May to October). Meanwhile, the weather from March to May is ideal for beach days and bushwalks along the coast without the summer crowds. How long to spend in Albany? We recommend spending two to three days in Albany to take in all the major sights. However, allow an extra few days if you plan to explore more of the 1,003-kilometre Bibbulun Track.  ☀️ Where to visit in Western Australia🌊 The best things to do in Exmouth😍 What

When life is crazy, and your schedule is jam packed to the max, a quick, affordable and delicious feed can be a game-changer. Find your next one at Ooshman, the evolution of the beloved Lebanese bakehouse. Never fear, the same authentic flavours that garnered Ooshman a loyal following are still around, only now it’s been levelled up. Think grilled kafta bowls, falafel plates, and loaded hummus delights. And of course, the original manoosh is still a star, available with classic toppings like aromatic za'atar or lamb and beef mince laid atop fresh Lebanese flatbread. There are also cheesy pick-me-ups with a pizza range featuring classics like margarita and pepperoni alongside house specials like the Oosh garlic with toum sauce and the Oosh barbecue drizzled with mayo. On the go? Grab a fresh fresh burger wrap or a delicious sandwich. For those with a sweet tooth, the dessert offerings have a modern twist too. Choose from crepe-cross-calzone-like delights filled with nutella, biscoff or pistachio cream, or snack on a little tiramisu or mud cake cup (that are big enough to share!).  With a massive menu featuring everything from pizzas to salads to wraps, you'll be pleased to know that nothing will set you back more than $25. Ooshman stores can be found all around Sydney and Canberra. Find your closest one and order here. 

Five theatremakers from across Australia walk into a bar. Exuding a vibe that can only be described as “frenetically uproarious”, they decide to come together to form Pony Cam: an experimental collective testing the bounds of how unorthodox theatre can be. After big success with productions Burnout Paradise at Rising and Grand Theft Theatre at Melbourne Fringe, they’re setting up camp at Malthouse Theatre this August for their mainstage debut performing The Orchard. Acclaimed playwright Anton Chekhov’s work, especially his classic The Cherry Orchard, is marked by a real stream-of-consciousness flow. Not only does that allow for nuanced commentary on the issues that matter right now (see: a crumbling climate and a failing economy), but it gives Pony Cam a chance to run wild with all sorts of weird and wonderful tangents in their reproduction.  There’s cling wrap, wood chopping, bonkers costumes and the all-round playfulness of co-creators and performers Claire Bird, Ava Campbell, William Strom, Dominic Weintraub and Hugo Williams. Prepare to be shocked, humoured, confronted and entranced by some unforeseen techno beats.  The Orchard is a new show as part of Malthouse Theatre’s 2025 season. You can catch it at the Beckett Theatre from August 5-16. Book your tickets here.

Look, it's no secret that we Aussies love a good pub. Whether you like bonding over schnitties at Trivia Tuesday or downing pints with a hearty Sunday roast, pub culture has something for everyone, every day of the week.  We've collated recommendations from our local writers across the country to bring you this list of Australia's best pubs. These legendary venues see it all: post-work bevvies, celebration dinners, darts competitions and even Hollywood movie crews. If it's ace food you're after, you'll want to visit one of the most charming pubs in regional NSW for grub crafted by a celebrated Sydney chef. Craving a cold pint of Guinness? A tiny beer garden in Hobart might be calling your name. Prefer your pint with a side of live music? Well, there are plenty of places to tick that box. Find your nearest one with our ultimate guide to the best pubs in Australia (in no particular order). For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍹 Australia's best rooftop bars🥧 The best pies in Australia🍷 Where to find Australia's best wineries

They call it the City of Churches, but a different kind of temple is nearly as ubiquitous in the leafy boulevards of Adelaide town. Grand, 19th-century pubs are everywhere you look, with open-air balconies, impressive facades and fascinating period details. It’s an architectural feature many other capital cities lack, and something that makes Adelaide especially joyous for anyone who loves to raise a pint glass. Adelaide's best pubs are the beating heart of the city's nightlife, and they continue to nurture its live music scene. To help you find the cream of the crop, Time Out quizzed locals and pulled together this guide to the best pubs in Adelaide. You can't go past classics like The Austral Hotel and the Crown and Anchor, or the Grace Emily Hotel, where live music fills the room most nights of the week. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍹 The best rooftop bars in Adelaide🍽️ All the best restaurants in Adelaide🍺 The best pubs in Australia

We might be a little biased, but in our humble opinion, Sydney's got it all. Can you think of many other cities in the world that rival its natural beauty, rich heritage and history that dates back thousands of years, and its creative, culinary and cultural offerings by world-class pros. In fact, there's so much to see, do, sip and ponder here, you could be forgiven for feeling a little overwhelmed. Worry not, dear reader – we're making it simple for you. Our team (including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, Lifestyle Writer Winnie Stubbs and Editor in Chief Alice Ellis) sifted through every good time the Big Smoke has to offer and put together a Sydney bucket list for the ages. The activities we've chosen will give you a super varied experience of the city – everything from the tourist attractions that are actually worth your time to secret swimming spots that locals know and love.Whether you're a new arrival or a born-and-bred local, this 2025 Time Out Sydney round-up of the city's must-do activities will help you experience Sydney from every angle. After all those great activities you're bound to be thirsty. We suggest you head to one of the best pubs in Sydney right now, or save your cash at one of the best happy hours in the city. Need somewhere to stay? Check in to one of Sydney's best hotels. 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.

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

Lights, camera, action! The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) hits play on August 7, and to celebrate, Time Out is giving away ten standard screening double passes to our readers. Whether you’re a high-octane action lover or looking for a good laugh, the 2025 program is stacked with incredible Australian and international flicks.  MIFF is one of the world’s oldest film festivals, sitting up there with the likes of Cannes and Berlin – and 2025 marks an impressive 73 years of bringing artistic cinema to Melbourne. Screenings are taking place all over the city, from retro joints like the Capitol and the Forum to beloved spots like Cinema Nova and the Astor Theatre. The Headliners program is where you'll find all the hot, buzzy films from the festival circuit. Choose whatever tickles your fancy: Jafar Panahi's It Was Just An Accident, which is fresh off winning the coveted Palme d’Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival; Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut The Chronology of Water, a poetic adaptation of writer Lidia Yuknavitch’s visceral 2011 memoir; The Mastermind by film auteur Kelly Reichardt, starring Josh O'Connor in a profound exploration of American masculinity; or Twinless, a dark queer comedy starring Dylan O'Brien. Got your popcorn ready? All that’s left to do is enter below before July 31 for your chance to win tickets for you and a friend to see your ideal screening. Find out more about the full program here. 

The Great Room is an elevated shared working space that feels a little more like a premium hospitality joint than an office. Enjoy flexible access to phone booths for privacy, private offices, workhalls, event space and beautifully designed meeting rooms to take the guesswork out of where to bring your client.  Its original location on Castlereagh Street is pretty new to the CBD market, but they’re still growing with the new opening of the One O’Connell space, just a few steps away from Circular Quay Station. To celebrate the new addition, if you’re one of the first 50 Time Out readers to sign up to The Great Room’s mailing list, you’ll get access to a free day pass and a complimentary cuppa exclusively to One O’Connell. We like the sound of that.  Becoming a member of The Great Room doesn’t just give you and your coworkers a desk for the day. It’s an environment with well-designed spaces and a connected community that makes you want to come to work. Plus, unlock a network of more than 200 locations globally in the Asia Pacific, North America and Europe for work on the go and international teams.  Head here to try out The Great Room.

It’s the first time in three decades that Bell Shakespeare is revisiting one of William Shakespeare's most political and turbulent works. This July and August, Arts Centre Melbourne transforms into a volatile Rome for Coriolanus. The drama is the second production to form Bell Shakespeare’s major 35th anniversary season, headed by artistic director Peter Evans. Hazem Shammas (Macbeth, The Twelve) leads a powerhouse cast as the fierce Roman general Coriolanus who has it all: a victory over the invading Volscians, a sweet wife and a Senate nomination for consul. All, except for the people’s vote to officially take the title. When Coriolanus’ contempt for the public and refusal to play the political game backfires, he’s banished from the city he once protected. Will he regret his decision to team up with old rival and leader of the Volscian army and attack his former home?  Visceral, fast-paced and politically charged, Coriolanus is a blood-soaked thriller about pride, power and the price of vengeance. The Sydney season of Coriolanus runs from July 24 to August 10 at Arts Centre Melbourne, after its run in Sydney. You can learn more and book tickets over here.

The Mormons are having a moment right now. Proof? A certain housewife-related TV series that’s blown up big time. But before the Mormon wives could run, Elder Price and Elder Cunningham carried mainstream Mormon representation (for better or for worse). Express from Salt Lake City (well, Broadway), everyone’s favourite hilarious Mormon musical is now playing in Sydney. When a production has been written by the creators of South Park, and it’s won nine Tony awards, plus an assortment of Grammys, Olivier awards and a Helpmann award, you know you can strap yourself in for a good laugh. The Book of Mormon will follow its record-breaking streak of sold-out shows with a run at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre, where every shocking and outrageous joke is balanced out with equally punchy social commentary. The plot follows an unlikely pairing of Mormon boys, straight-A Elder Price (Sean Johnston, Hairspray) and geeky Elder Cunningham (Nick Cox, Beauty and the Beast), sent on a mission to a place that’s about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get. It’s not the show's first rodeo in the Harbour City. The last time The Book of Mormon was in town, our Time Out reviewer called it a “beautiful-looking, tongue-in-cheek show from head to toe”. You can check out their review here. The show was written by Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Robert Lopez, the latter of whom co-wrote songs for Disney’s Frozen and Coco. It was also choreographed by Casey Nicholaw who has worked on the likes of Aladdin and Me

Exploring Sydney in the wintertime is one of (city) life’s cosiest pleasures – there are sunny harbourside walks to be strolled, underground bars to be visited, and thrilling concerts to be experienced. The Sydney Symphony Orchestra has an extensive (and we mean extensive) line-up of winter performances to warm you up, and you don’t want to miss them. With so many to choose from, we’ve gone and done you the favour of shining a spotlight on the must-visits below. So, will you be travelling to the River Nile through music this winter, or perhaps Spain’s Basque region? 

Deciding to take a snowy getaway is relaxing, until it isn’t. You must consider where to eat, the easiest way to get to the slopes and where the closest warm bevvy is. Enter: the Alpine Inn. It’s a one-stop shop for adventure and fun, just a stone’s throw away from Jindabyne – so you can tear it up on the slopes by day and defrost with a drink in hand at the onsite bar by night.  The cosy 36-room resort, reminiscent of an American cabin-style retreat, was recently renovated – think rolling lawns with plenty of fairy lights illuminating the grounds, four crackling fireplaces and lots of beautiful timber. It’s perfect for an idyllic escape from the city or for a rustic function or event.  The Alpine Inn sits in a quaint snowy valley town called Khancoban, located 65km from Thredbo. It’s technically in New South Wales, but is super close to the Victorian border, so you’ll soak in incredible Snowy Valley views. Rooms start at just $175 a night, ranging from premium rooms that sleep two, to deluxe rooms that sleep up to four guests. The crème de la crème is the spacious honeymoon suite with a double walk-in shower, comfy lounge chairs and a record player.  On the grounds, you’ll find the Big Foot Café and Bakery dishing up brekkie, pre-packed lunches and Allpress barista coffee, plus an all-day bottle shop for when you’re planning a homey night in. The main bistro and dining area is ‘70s-inspired, and houses two fireplaces for a heartwarming pub feed, plus a sports bar complete wi

You’ve been to wine tastings, cheese tastings, perhaps olive oil tastings, but now it’s time to tease the palate with something a little sweeter. The Italian gelato gods behind Venchi 1878 are hosting dark chocolate tasting evenings this winter – but strap in for a whole lot more than just good choccy.  The one-hour experience at Venchi’s flagship Australian store in The Galeries walks guests through nine different dark chocolates, unpacking layers you’ve probably never imagined before, while chowing down on your favourite treat. Each bite will be paired with little gourmet delights like dried fruits and nuts.  The fun doesn’t stop there. Enjoy a glass of prosecco, and when you’re finishing up, look forward to a scoop of Venchi’s wildly well-known gelato. The cherry on top is a bag full of goodies that you’ll get to take home with you.  All of these premium goods would usually set you back $90, but the tasting session will only cost you $30. Spaces are super limited for these evening sessions – on July 29 and 30, and August 5 and 6. Secure a spot here. If you’ve got nut allergies, a dairy intolerance or other food sensitivities, you might be best sitting this one out. All ticket sales are final and cannot be refunded or transferred to another event date.

Sometimes, you come across a perfect storm: where location, timing and talented people come together to form something spectacular. In Newcastle’s case, combine an accomplished festival director (Tory Loudon, responsible for the wildly successful Vivid Ideas), a handful of fresh coastal locations, some hot international acts and a series of street parties, time them for the first week of the sunny spring school holidays, and voila. Hop aboard the New Annual train for a trip through 10 days of colourful inspiration this September.  The first night of the festival (Friday, September 26) tells you all you need to know about what’s to come. Watch Laman Street come alive at First Night Art Party with roving performers, revel in explosive art projections and feel the high energy of live music sets by Haiku Hands, Kira Puru and Devaura. The artsy shindigs continue on with the quirky Dancefloor Conversion Therapy performance and afterparty at Bernie’s Bar (September 27-28) and the high-voltage arts party Surge at Newcastle Museum (October 3). There’s live theatre at Newcastle Ocean Baths, a bonkers one-woman show that was the talk of the Edinburgh theatre scene and some of Australia’s best theatre shows at Newcastle Museum. Families can cash in on their culture fix at Global Gathering on Beaumont St hosted by author Benjamin Law and comedian Jenny Wong. Feel the rhythm with a female drumming collective, chow down at eat street and get fresh inspo at cooking demos.  We’re cheering tha

If you’re a Spritz-sipping city slicker or live music lover (you’re reading Time Out – you’re probably both), we think QT Melbourne is set to rise to the top of your winter night out hit list. The beautiful CBD hotel is teaming up with the music moguls at Nova for a concert series kicking off in July that brings the heat.  From July 5, Rooftop at QT, the hotel’s – you guessed it – rooftop bar, is getting a little makeover. Think a pop-up front and centre stage backlit by Melbourne’s city lights and the nighttime stars. Sounds pretty stellar to us. And hitting it will be some exclusive performers that you won't want to miss.  You can expect intimate sets by the hottest up-and-coming artists from around Australia curated by Nova and its exclusive network. There's four nights for four stellar performers: The Voice winner Lachie Gill, indie pop singer-songwriter Jem Cassar-Daley, the beautifully chill Chris Lanzon, and beachy guitarist Sam McGovern. The best part is that entry is free (18+, no booking necessary), so come and uncover some talent before the rest of the world does. The live music kicks off at 6pm and goes all the way to midnight. We recommend arriving earlier though – the doors to Rooftop at QT open at midday – so you can kick back and get the party started with a fun tipple. The series is complemented by a groovy partnership with Italian bitter liqueur Campari and Espolòn Tequila (made from 100 per cent blue weber agave from Mexico) so you can bet the drinks are ju

Take every assumption about museums being dust-covered snoozefests and throw them out the window. The adults-only Museum of Desire turns things on their head: it’s out there, unorthodox and a little bit naughty.  Burlesque and Bites is the headlining event of the Museum of Desire’s winter program. Be wowed by the mesmerising Evana De Lune as she’s joined by burlesque guest Valeria Cuenu and another surprise dancer while you feast on indulgent sweet and savoury bites. The waitlist opens on Tuesday, July 8 at 6pm so get on it while you can – the autumn event, which saw podcaster and television host Abbie Chatfield in conversation with Dr Esmé Louise James, sold like hotcakes. If you do score a ticket, you’ll be granted access to the museum for an hour and a half to explore its promiscuous holdings – like the newly added Cabinets of Curiosities, which is filled with retro sexual health devices and vintage gay erotica catalogues. You can also prank your Instagram followers in recently installed The Little Vegas Love Chapel and pretend you eloped. The event also features early access to two exciting new exclusive exhibits opening in August. Feast your eyes on the sparkly burlesque costumes on loan by generous Melbourne performers, and ponder local photographer Marcus Keily’s works. On the night of the performance, there will also be meet and greets with Keily and the dancers.  Bites and Burlesque is coming to the Museum of Desire in Collingwood on Tuesday, July 30 at 6pm. Join the

There’s no more rehearsing. In fact, there was none to begin with. Not a single cast member of ECHO: Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen knows the part by heart. Welcome to a spectacle that is deliberately unprepared, unorthodox and unpredictable.  Nassim Soleimanpour is the most performed playwright in the history of Iranian theatre. You may know him for his acclaimed works like White Rabbit, Red Rabbit or NASSIM. This July, he’s joining audiences at Malthouse’s Merlyn Theatre all the way from Berlin for a spectacle that plays with technology and tricks of the trade to redefine the idea of ‘home’.  One of the key characteristics of Soleimanpour’s style is fastracking unrehearsed cold reads to showtime, and Italian-Palestinian director Omar Elerian is bringing his work to life in Melbourne. Each night Soleimanpour will guide a new guest through the script for a performance that quite literally no one has seen before.  Household Australian names taking on the challenge include everyone from journalists Stan Grant and Jan Fran to musician and presenter David Campbell and comedian Michelle Brasier, plus actors Ben Lawson, Pia Miranda and Nadine Garner. Watch them star in what Soleimanpour calls a “long-distance magic show”. ECHO: Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen plays at Malthouse Theatre from July 14 to 19. To find out when each performer takes the stage and book your tickets, head here.

If you’ve had your eyes peeled, you would have noticed an epic market stalls series taking over South Eveleigh the last few weeks. Titled ‘Loco Markets’, the six week-long event brings a new theme, new vendors and new bites to Locomotive Street each week. Next on the list? A massive NAIDOC week celebration.  The team behind Loco Markets has collaborated with Awesome Black – a First Nations creative agency – to bring live performances, soundscapes, live podcast recordings, art workshops and more to the precinct. Catch them from July 8 to 13 to celebrate this year’s NAIDOC theme: ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, Legacy’. At the markets, you won’t hear live music like you know it; there’ll be rotating musicians throughout the week including Lamonay, Elina Roberts Turner, Kyarna, Jake Magi and Tim Gray. A lunchtime dance club with First Nations DJs and headline performances from acclaimed artists Eric Avery, salllvage and Dobby are also on the line-up. There’s also plenty of fun for the family to get involved in. You can look forward to a talk from EarthSpeak illustrator Jade Goodwin on the beauty of our natural world, and join a family music workshop from First Nations music composer Dyagula. Prefer appreciating art than making it? Peruse the Trading Blak stalls for uber-talented products from 100 per cent Blak-owned businesses like Ngurrbul Clothing, Indigiearth, Jarin Street, and Balgarra Designs. Some of the vendors will even be sharing their expertise in mini workshop

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.

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.

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

Whether you mean to or not, you'll find history on every corner you turn in Italy. Beautiful churches, half-dug ruins and centuries-old restaurants. Divino Osteria is taking a page out of Italy’s history book, bringing both quality Mediterranean flavours and an exciting past to the streets of Elizabeth Bay. Located in the old Sebel Townhouse Hotel (the former home of Bar Grazie), Divino Osteria’s walls have once seen the likes of big stars like Elton John and David Bowie. Now they see leopard-spotted woodfire pizza crusts and heaping bowls of pasta dreamt up by owner, Paddington-local Anthony Alafaci. Photograph: Caitlyn Todoroski for Time Out His Southern Italian heritage has inspired the classic Italian menu: fresh antipasti like octopus carpaccio and apple scallops; pasta faves like slow-cooked ragu rigatoni; big, fluffy and crunchy pizzas; and hearty mains like a magical-looking herb-crusted lamb cutlet. They’re all cooked up by head chef Andrea Di Stefano and his team. Stefano is a Catania native, and has also worked in in European Michelin-starred kitchens, so strap in for a great Italian feast. Pair your meal with a drop from the European wine list and contemporary Italian cocktails that feature a whole lot of Limoncello and Aperol. In true Italian fashion, you can enjoy a long weekend lunch that includes a filling pizza to share and two Spritzes with your favourite plus-one – all for $60. Kicking things off before a night out instead? From 4pm to 6pm every Thursday

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