Cassidy Knowlton

May 2025: Some of our beloved bars and brewpubs are closing their doors fast in these trying times, while others seem to be enjoying a roaring trade every night of the week. What gives? It's a bittersweet period in Melbourne's bar scene right now, with some venues thriving and others just surviving. Our advice is to rally together, drink out when you can and support your fave locals more ardently than ever. While sharing space with strangers might seem like more of an effort in the colder months, it sure beats drinking cheap wine at home in your sweatpants. Melbourne has some of the greatest bars in the world, whether you're looking for the laser-like focus of 16-seater Above Board or the rock‘n’roll ‘she’ll be right’ spirit of Lulie Tavern. You can find temples heroing whisky and palaces dedicated to gin, hole-in-the-wall nooks for sipping natural wines or classy spots for suited-and-booted cocktails. How about a prawn club sanga and a bottle of Champers from tiny charmer Apollo Inn? Or crocodile bites and ice-cold Martinis from Black Kite Commune?  If it's sky-high action you're after, then take a squiz at our guide to Melboune's best rooftop bars instead. For tipples a bit more out-of-the-box, we've got the scoop on some of Melbourne's weirdest drinking experiences. Yep, your options in this town are truly endless – even if you don't drink booze, since most bars in Melbourne have seriously upped their mocktail game in recent years. We've rounded up the top 50 bars that we

Can we tempt you with a smoked salmon and cucumber sandwich? How about a mini cupcake while a tea sommelier helps you choose from a list of 20-plus different varieties of tea? One of the best things about taking high tea is the undeniable feeling of old-world luxury – not to mention justifying a meal comprised mainly of cakes. Melbourne loves an afternoon tea, so we road-tested the best to find out where you should get your fresh scone fix. For more special occasion dining ideas, try one of Melbourne's best restaurants. Or for something a little more low key, how about breakfast at one of these excellent cafés? 

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

Looking to live it up on your next Aussie getaway? We’ve got you covered. Australia is practically swimming in great hotels, from new boutique stays with heated infinity pools to revamped classics boasting five-star rooftop bars and close proximity to our country's best attractions. But with so many options, choosing where to stay can be a bit of a challenge. That's where we come in – our expert travel writers have slept their way across every state and territory to bring you the ultimate list of Australia's best hotels. Whether you’re a local looking for a gram-worthy staycation or a tourist eager to be in the heart of the action, here are our top picks for a luxury stay in Australia right now. ☀️ Australia’s most incredible resorts🤩 The best things to do Down Under🌏 All the best places to visit in Australia Time Out makes a small commission from the affiliate links included in this article. These links have no influence on our editorial content, but they do allow us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

There are bars that are good for serious wine swilling, bars that are good for getting all hot and sweaty on the d-floor, and some bars that make you just want to hang out with your mates for hours, play games and have a few drinks. Try out various libations with different amusements (Connect Four with beers? Chess with Martinis?), and you might just find your winning combinations.  For more drinking fun, make a race out of finding Melbourne's best hidden bars, or visit our favourite karaoke bars. 

There's a reason the Yarra Valley is one of the most visited wine regions in the world. It's only an hour from Melbourne, making it the perfect day trip or weekend away. The region specialises in chardonnay and pinot noir grapes, which also happen to make perfect sparkling wine. But if you know where to look, you'll also find less common varietals, like nebbiolo, savagnin and chenin blanc. There are more than 160 wineries to try in the region, from tiny mum-and-pop operations to giant foreign-owned behemoths. Don't know where to start? These are our favourite wineries in the Yarra Valley right now. And if you can't find a deso, book yourself in for one of these guided tours.  For more mini-break ideas, visit our guide to Victoria's best getaways. Alternatively, stay close to the city and discover Melbourne's best wine bars.

While Victoria is beautiful all year round (yes, even in the coldest depths of winter!), there's no denying autumn is one of the most spectacular seasons – especially when the deciduous leaves change colour to warm, crackly hues before dropping to the ground. If you're keen to make the most of this fleeting season, here are the best towns, parks and gardens in Victoria to see the leaves at their most vibrant. Rug up, pack a picnic and make sure your phone is charged –you won't want to miss capturing this fiery spectacle. Want more outdoor adventures? Here are the best day hikes from Melbourne and coolest waterfalls in Victoria.

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

Melburnians are almost as passionate about their cocktails as they are about their coffee. What's the proper way to make a Martini? Gin or Vodka Gimlet? And should a cocky ever be on tap? Though if there's anything we love more than these heated debates about drinks, it's putting an end to all that nonsense and simply enjoying them – whether alone, with friends or sitting opposite a lovely date. Wondering where to try next? We've sipped our way around this great city to find the bars with the best atmosphere, the most creative (or at least, the most welcoming) bartenders and of course, the finest drinks. Go forth, dear readers – you may just discover your new signature tipple.  If you're keen on exploring the world of vino instead, head to Melbourne's best wine bars. 

What makes a special cinema? A colossal IMAX screen, Dolby Atmos sound and cutting-edge 4K projectors are all great, but there’s something more that makes a great temple of cinema – a sense of storytelling that starts before you’ve even grabbed your popcorn and taken your seat. There are a few cinemas that truly stand apart: cine-temples so historic, beautiful and unusual that they make taking in a movie feel like an act of pilgrimage. We’ve scoured the globe, from London to Paris, Jaipur and New York to Sydney and Copenhagen, to highlight the 50 most heavenly movie theaters on the planet. From a 12-seat theatre in an old Ontario crafts shop to a 2702-seat grand salle in the City of Light, Time Out is celebrating them in all their architecturally eye-popping, Insta-friendly, just plain drop-dead-gorgeous variety. Pull up a red velvet armchair, plonk your feet on a foot stool and take a trip to the world’s most beautiful cinemas. RECOMMENDED: 🎥 The 100 greatest movies ever made🌏 101 places all movie lovers should visit

Let's face it: we've all forgotten about that special day at least once. Suddenly V-Day, an anniversary or a birthday crept up on us and we were almost caught out – but, luckily, that's why same-day flower delivery services exist. Same-day flower deliveries have rescued many a last-minute panic and quite frankly, almost any special occasion. Order from these florists and plant nurseries by around midday and they'll be delivered later that evening, and no one has to know that it was last minute. For more gift ideas, see our guides to the best florists in Melbourne, the best chocolate shops in Melbourne, and the best plant nurseries. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

The global Black Lives Matter movement in mid-2020 following the death of American man George Floyd sparked protests and demonstrations around the world and spurred on acknowledgement of the race-related injustices that continue to take place in this country against its original inhabitants, too. If you were one of the many people who posted a black square to show your support for the Black Lives Matter movement, it’s important to follow this up with action and education. Every single Australian must be reading, learning, doing research, speaking up and donating to causes that work to minimise everyday injustices and make serious moves to change institutionalised racism. We’ve gathered together a list of some of the charities and organisations supporting Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and PoC voices around Australia and the world. If you aren’t in a position to help financially, there are other ways you can show your support. Read on to learn how to provide financial support, get to know these organisations or get involved in their vital work.  Looking for other ways to lend a hand? Here's where to volunteer in Melbourne.

Here's a guaranteed way to not cure your fear of flying: step inside a plane cabin recreated inside a 40-foot shipping container, don a pair of high quality binaural headphones and plunge headfirst into complete darkness. Flight – an immersive and truly terrifying Darkfield experience – returns to Melbourne by popular demand after a successful run in 2022. It takes you on a turbulance-filled journey through two worlds, two realities and two outcomes. Just know that there are many ways in which the plane lands safely – but will that be your final destination? Flight will run for a three-month season at the Art Centre Melbourne forecourt until February 23. Tickets are on sale now via the website. This review was originally written in 2022, when Flight was last in Melbourne – please be aware that some elements may have changed. You know the drill: check your boarding pass, find your assigned seat, stow your baggage in the overhead bin and fasten your seatbelt. Make sure your tray table is in the upright position, and make sure your window blind is open for take-off. On a monitor in front of you, a flight attendant in a blue uniform details the safety features of this aircraft. She explains that you should take a minute to find your nearest exit, bearing in mind it might be behind you. As she adjusts her pink scarf, she... wait a minute, wasn't her uniform blue? The screen flickers and she's back to blue, and you wonder if you imagined the pink. And then the lights go out.  Thi

Ever wanted to participate in a séance? You can now do so in this performance which takes place in total darkness. Sounds spooky, right? You'll need to proceed with an open mind... Séance is a 20-minute sonic experience where your senses become vulnerable to persuasion. It explores the psychology of a group of people who have been bombarded with suggestible material, and asks that they believe in what might be conjured up into the room with them. Suddenly, the line between what is real and what is imagined becomes blurred. Séance will run for a three-month season at the Art Centre Melbourne forecourt until February 23. Tickets are on sale now via the website. This review was originally written in 2022, when Flight was last in Melbourne – please be aware that some elements may have changed. "It's only 20 minutes," I think to myself. "How scary could it get for 20 minutes?"  I'm sitting in a pitch-black shipping container with my hands on a table in front of me and noise-cancelling headphones over my ears. The headphones are the only sensory input I have – for now, at least. And what they're telling me is pretty damn scary. Séance is an immersive sound experience created by Brits Glen Neath and David Rosenberg, in collaboration with Melbourne team Realscape Productions. It relies on psychology and our inclination towards superstition to alter guests’ perception of reality, all while never leaving the shipping container.  But boy howdy, it sure feels like you are in a real séa

If you have wandered down Flinders Lane and wondered what those vintage caravans on a city rooftop were, we are here to answer your questions. The six vintage 1970s Airstream caravans form Hotel No (formerly Notel) – and whoever said we’d reached peak Melbourne clearly did not anticipate this.   Knowing that it is a hotel – and indeed, even having a booking – does not make it easier to access those tantalising aluminium beauties. When you book, you'll need to download an app, whose unique code serves as your key. The app includes an instructional video and a note containing clues as to how to actually get onto the rooftop. It's sort of like an escape room, except you're trying to get into a premise rather than escape. There is no time limit except your own frustration. We don't want to spoil the surprise (owner James Fry says exasperation with entry is a feature, not a bug), but ignore everything you see written on doors. Like we said, peak Melbourne. Fry owns the car park downstairs, and he was looking for something to do with the building's unusually flat rooftop (no aircon units, water towers or lightwells mar its surface). He toyed with the idea of a pool, office space or extending the car park, but unusual accommodation was the winner. He initially wanted the space to be Australiana themed, with trains, buses and trams making up the accommodation offerings, but he found the 1970s American Airstream caravan was actually perfect for the space. He sourced all six from Cali

80 per cent of the country’s mineral springs are in the Daylesford region, which makes it perfect for spa treatments and easing tired muscles with long, hot soaks. The Hepburn Springs Bathhouse has been a centre for wellness and social bathing since 1895, so you can be pretty sure they've got it down pat by now.  There are two different areas for soaking, the general bathhouse and the Sanctuary. The main bathhouse has two different heated, chlorinated pools (the water comes from the mineral springs, but it is chlroinated for hygiene reasons). The Sanctuary is a larger space and includes a magnesium salt bath (under a gorgeous skylight; you'll feel weightless as your muscle aches melt away); a spa couch bath (you can lie on one of several underwater beds and let the bubbles work their magic); a rainfall shower in three different temperatures; two saunas, one of which includes an aromatherapy element; and an outdoor spa on the deck, which overlooks the beautiful Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve. There is also a cold plunge pool on the deck, so you can zip between the hot and cold water for maximum skin-tingling effect.  Feeling like even more pampering? You can book numerous spa treatments at the bathhouse, including a private bath in pure, unchlorinated mineral water. You can turn your bathing experience into a skin-enriching experience with a mud bath or a royal milk bath, or let the mineral salts in the water work their magic on tired muscles. There are also other water-based

What is better than freshly picked, perfectly ripe cherries? We venture to say unlimited freshly picked, perfectly ripe cherries.  That's what you can get at CherryHill Orchards, where you can pick your own cherries just an hour from Melbourne. Entry is $18 for adults and $12 for children, and you can stay as long as you like and eat as many cherries as you want while you are there. Want cherries to take home? Pick 'em yourself, and pay per kilo. You must book in advance.  Food trucks are on site if you want something other than cherries to eat (though why you would, we do not know), and you can also cool off with a bottle of Cherish sparkling cherry juice, alcoholic cherry cider or cherry wine. Cherry ice cream, frozen yoghurt and sorbet are also available.  The season kicks off in late November or December and runs until mid-January. The orchard runs an annual cherry blossom festival, a great day out for the whole family featuring tastings of the orchard's cherry products and of course, photo ops among the spring blossoms.  The orchard is also offers high tea among the cherry trees, including delights like ham-and-brie rolls, chicken-and-avocado rolls, goat cheese tarts, scones with cherry jam, cherry mousse, cherry cheesecake and cherry macarons. After your high tea, you can then pick cherries in a private row at your leisure, and like all of the cherry-picking sessions at CherryHill, you can eat as much as you want while picking.  Love a juicy sweet treat? Here are the be

Escape rooms had a big moment in Melbourne, but this one is unlike any we've ever tried. The story is front and centre here, with a narrative arc and interactive elements you will probably not find anywhere else.  We did the Crumbling Prince Part 1 (yes, there's a part 2) room, which is a beautiful Japanese garden. There's a cherry tree in full blossom in the corner, and a real waterfall burbles gently into the stream that bisects the room. The centre of one wall is dominated by a humanoid figure with glowing eyes in a robe – this is the titular Prince. The Prince welcomes us into his garden in a childish voice and asks us to play games and help recover objects. The Prince is extremely interactive, asking and answering questions and setting us on the right path to discover what has happened to his lost companions. He's an ally – kind of. As the game progresses, we come to realise not all is as it seems with the Prince, who might be harbouring some kind of dark secret. But he's not the only one in the room. Each of us is given a vulpine mask to wear in the room, and these contain secrets of their own. The Mask of the Lost and Mask of the Wild have headphones inside, and voices direct these players towards certain puzzles and provide warnings and information about what the Prince might really be up to. The Mask of the Moon and Mask of the Sun contain special lights to help discover secret messages and markings hidden throughout the room. The player wearing the Mask of the Lost

You’ll feel like you’ve stepped through a portal to the African savannah when visiting the Werribee Open Range Zoo. This world-leading zoo is about 30 minutes from the Melbourne CBD and features sprawling enclosures and animal encounters. The savannah is the highlight of the Zoo, with open-air safari buses taking visitors out to encounter giraffes, rhinos, zebras and hippopotamuses splashing in the river.  As well as the African savannah and walking trail featuring lions, gorillas and meerkats, the Zoo features the Australian Journey grasslands, where you can wander at your own pace and spot kangaroos and other native fauna. You’ll find the greatest hits of native wildlife here – including koalas, mountain pygmy-possums and emus. If you fancy some more you can level up your experience with a behind-the-scenes encounter that allows you to have a more intimate experience with some of the zoo’s residents. You can book a fully immersive Off-Road Safari, feed enthusiastic purple-tongued giraffes, or meet a pride of lions.  See the animals as the sun slips behind the savannah on an exclusive Sunset Safari, where you’ll roam the plains and dine alongside meerkats. Or for the ultimate glamping experience, the Slumber Safari allows you to sleep over at the zoo and see the animals awaken across the savannah.  This conservation-focused zoo is part of the Zoos Victoria group, with a mission to fight extinction and strengthen the connection between people and wildlife. Profits from certai

Working in a secret lab, scientists at Victoria's main four zoos have discovered a way to clone dinosaur DNA, found inside mosquitoes trapped in amber. They've filled in the missing sequences using frog DNA to create moving, roaring dinosaurs, which you can see until July throughout the zoos. What could possibly go wrong? OK, we might have got a little bit over-excited about the prospect of dinosaurs at the zoo. These dinosaurs are large-scale models of these ancient beasts, but they will be roaming around at Healesville, Werribee, Kyabram and Melbourne zoos once again. If you're lucky, you might see a keeper waking a sleeping dinosaur, or come face to face with a moving prehistoric creature. At Melbourne Zoo, keen explorers can explore the Dino Trail and embark on an adventure into The Lost Wild tunnels and unearth hidden fossils, while enjoying dino-themed treats or tackling a scavenger hunt. Or at Werribee Zoo, become a palaentologist and go on a dino dig to excavate fossils or navigate volcanoes and lava streams. There will be daily activities and plenty of dino facts to learn, with each of the four zoos offering slightly different experiences and activities.  All four dino experiences are running from now until July 14 and the cost is included in zoo admission. Opening hours vary slightly for each zoo. For more information, visit the Zoos Victoria website. So go on and make a visit, before they go extinct again.  Looking for more things to do? Here's a guide to what's o

Perhaps the most unusual thing about Section 8 is that it’s still here. It is Melbourne’s longest-ever pop-up bar, first surfacing in 2006 with low overheads in a Chinatown car park, and then just never leaving. There’s not a clean line in the place, with graffiti and stickers covering almost every surface. White waistcoated waiters are nowhere to be seen, replaced with funky types who are very happy to walk you through the ever-changing beer list, shake a cocktail or dole out generous pours of wine. Section 8 is an outdoor drinking space, but the smells of nearby Chinatown eateries and smoke (from cigarettes and, sometimes, other things) mean you won’t be mistaking it for a brasserie en plein air. It’s as Melbourne as it gets, and we’re happy to report that means pure rock’n’roll.  The bar is in a converted shipping container (as are the toilets, so enter at your own risk), and of course it’s down an alley. Anything goes here, with a basketball hoop out the front available if you’re inspired to give it a go (just ask the bar’s super-friendly bouncers for the ball) and taps available for DIY water.  But this is a bar, and you are obviously not here for the water. There are a few beers on tap and a lot more in bottles and tinnies, with craft brews and sours rotating through the inventory. Most drinkers are here for the beer, though there is a decent selection of liquor behind the bar and a list of a dozen or so seasonal cocktails. Wine is available in sparkling, white, rose, r

Melbourne Uni favourite the Clyde Hotel has been going since at least 1866, and we can’t imagine much has changed since then. Early Carlton Football Club meetings were held at the Clyde, and Blues fans (and those in other jerseys) still flock to the pub during the footy season to watch the flat screens in the beer garden or main bar.  Food at the Clyde is what you’d expect – parmas, burgers, steak, fish and chips – but in a nod to its modern clientele it also offers gluten-free and vegan options. And although the kitchen serves during set lunch and dinner hours during the week, chips and wedges are always available to keep punters sated. Staff are friendly and always happy to explain the beers on rotating taps, or you can opt for the classics of Carlton Draught, Furphy, Guinness or Coopers. The wine list is mostly Australian, with a few New Zealand drops and the odd Italian Prosecco thrown in. Wines start at $8 a glass and go up to $40-$60 a bottle. Make sure you say hello to Darlene, the grey-haired lady who oversees the running of the Clyde. And while you’re at it, tickle her ears – Darlene is the Clyde’s resident cat, and she’s an absolute beaut. 

If you're in Melbourne to see a game or show at the MCG, there is probably no better place to stay than Pullman on the Park. Not only can you see the hallowed stadium from one of the Pullman's south-facing rooms, but it's a four-minute walk from the front door of the hotel to Gate 2 of the stadium. But for the MCG's walls, you'd be able to see the action on the field from here; as it is, you'll have to buy a ticket.  The luxury hotel was thoroughly renovated in early 2022, and each of its 419 rooms now has thoughtful touches like huge windows and chaise lounges to drink in those views. Even the window in the bathroom can switch between opaque and clear glass at the touch of a button, allowing guests to appreciate those vistas even from the shower.  About those buttons: This is a seriously high-tech hotel, with guests able to switch between numerous lighting configurations, control the temperature and turn on Bluetooth digital radio with a touch. This goes well beyond turning lights on and off; you can choose 'Relax' mode, just light the bathroom for nocturnal visits, or turn on the light behind the bathroom mirror for precise grooming. There's also a doorbell on the outside of each room, and a panel that guests can control lets housekeeping know whether a room refresh is required.  If you really want to make the most of those views, book a room on the 18th, or 'executive' floor. These rooms not only come with walk-in rain showers and extremely comfortable king beds, they also

Hotels are a fun escape from everyday life, and they are often a convenient jumping-off point to explore an interesting city or region. Lindenderry at Red Hill certainly is that, as the wineries, beaches, walks and attractions of the Mornington Peninsula are almost literally on the doorstep. But it's also a destination in itself, sitting on almost 14 hectares of vineyards and gardens to explore and enjoy. In inclement weather or once the sun goes down, there's no need to leave the building itself, which feels more like a grand manor house than a hotel. There are nooks and crannies aplenty, semi-secluded rooms with open fireplaces and comfy couches that are crying out to be enjoyed with a good book and a glass of red. If you forgot to bring your own, there are books in the rooms to borrow, as well as plenty in the library to peruse. It's the kind of place that encourages – nay, insists – on relaxation, where you can lose yourself in a book, wander the grounds or just watch the world go by out the floor-to-ceiling windows. If you'd rather enjoy a crackling fire in your own space rather than in a common area, you can make use of the wood, kindling and matches in your room. The wood is listed as a minibar item, so you'll pay to burn it – but can you really put a price on cosiness?  You don't even need to leave the hotel for fine dining, as there's a hatted restaurant in the building. There is no à la carte option, but it's really best to leave your fate in the chef's hands anyway

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

What's better than a party? A free party, of course. So we at Time Out are shouting our readers free tickets to some of the hottest parties in town at nightlife precinct YCK Laneways. The bars of YCK Laneways are hosting a series of brilliant parties and workshops run by some of the coolest women in the hospitality and entertainment industries as part of the Front & Centre festival. And you, dear reader, are invited to go for free. Just use the code TOSHOUT to get two free tickets to any of the following: A Little Bit Shaken, a Little Bit Stirred: This cocktail masterclass is hosted by some of the awesome women in the distilling industry, who will reveal the tricks of their trade. You can learn how to make gin cocktails, vodka cocktails or whisky cocktails, and you'll do some tastings along the way. Learn to Pickle: This one is for those who love it a bit sour. Cornersmith's Alex Elliott-Howery will teach a class in how to turn absolutely any vegetable into a crunchy, perfectly seasoned pickle. The class includes vinegar choices, flavour combos and all the food safety lessons needed to pickle just about anything. Ganymede Truffle Masterclass: Truffle farmer Wendy Burdis from Ganymede Truffle Estate will talk through everything you need to know about this super-luxe fungus. And of course, there will be plenty of tastings, including truffle burrata, truffle chévere and truffle charcuterie.  Live at YCK on Friday, August 26: Want to ditch the learning and just dance? Sydney Frin

One of our favourite places to party in Sydney is the YCK Laneways precinct, which is stuffed with brilliant small bars like the Lobo, Stitch, PS40 and the Prince of York. But that's not the only place to go out in Sydney. There are pockets all over the city packed with bars, restaurants, music venues and cultural institutions that make the perfect precincts for bar crawls, progressive dinners and experiencing art and culture.  If you work in just such an area, the NSW government wants to hear from you. The government is calling on arts and cultural institutions, entertainment and hospitality businesses and organisations to take place in the Uptown Accelerator Program, which aims to build going-out precincts across the city.  Applications need to come from 'district teams', made up of at least three local businesses or organisations. These teams will take part in a four-week program that will help them become Sydney's must-visit entertainment precincts.  NSW 24-hour economy commissioner Mike Rodrigues says the Uptown program will offer valuable training for organisations to market themselves and encourage visitation. “Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the night-time economy, with hospitality and retail businesses, artists, live performance venues and cultural institutions suffering disproportionately. Uptown is about supporting these sectors as businesses recover from the pandemic and look for greater revenue opportunities,” he says. "From Brookvale to Balmain, Harris

We're pretty proud of our restaurant scene here in Melbourne, and we think it can stand up to just about anywhere. But the World's 50 Best Restaurants aren't so sure, with no Australian restaurant making it into the top 50. We can still hold our heads up high, though, because Gimlet at Cavendish House has been named in the top 100 restaurants in the world.  Gimlet came in at number 84, which is a pretty good result for a restaurant that opened in the middle of pandemic-stricken Melbourne. What makes Gimlet so great? Well, as our reviewer pointed out: "It’s glam, it’s fun, it’s delicious. And while it can certainly be expensive, it’ll make you feel like a million bucks. " The restaurant is full of old-school glamour, the kind of place where you can have a wood-grilled lobster or caviar, alongside the restaurant's titular cocktail. It's like a cross between a New York steakhouse and a Parisian bistro, with plenty of Australian touches.  Geranium restaurant in Copenhagen was named the best in the world, a fine dining institution that focuses on foraged ingredients. In true European style, the restaurant is currently closed for a summer holiday.  Love good food? Check out the best restaurants in Melbourne.

Ever wonder how Time Out Melbourne's former food editor Jess Ho knew so much about our city's food scene? It's because they've worked in all aspects of the industry, ultimately owning one of Melbourne's favourite wine bars, Smalls. But it's not always rosy behind the scenes, and Jess's new memoir pulls back the curtain on some of the less-than-savoury elements of hospo: greed, ego, sexual harassment, exploitation and cultural appropriation among them. Raised by Wolves is Jess's memoir of growing up Cantonese in Melbourne's outer suburbs and their journey to becoming one of the most influential names in Australia's food scene. Like all of Jess's writing, it's at times brutal, poignant, acerbic and hilarious, and we're pretty sure you'll laugh, rage and definitely learn something. Where can you buy Jess's book? Why, at one of Melbourne's best bookshops, of course.

There were certainly naysayers aplenty when it opened 20 years ago, but Federation Square has become one of Melbourne's most successful public spaces. Crowds gather to watch the tennis on the big screen during the Australian Open; arty types explore giant glowing installations when they pop up; and people often meet on the steps, using the space as a convenient jumping-off point from which to venture out into the wider city.  Fed Square is now after a new way to innovate in the space, and there's cash going for anyone who can come up with a cool project. The project is called the Experience Lab, and it's an incubator for individuals or groups to develop interesting, site-specific experiences to transform Fed Square. The Experience Lab is being run by some pretty brilliant people, the Experience Consortium. They are: Remix Summits co-founder Peter Tullin, Immersive Cinema co-founder and Secret Squirrel Productions founder (and Time Out Future Shaper!) Tamasein Holyman, and Grumpy Sailor founder James Boyce. They are experts in the field of immersive experience, and they are helping Federation Square to find three creative types who will reimagine the space. Each of the three individuals or groups will be given $10,000 to bring their vision to life, and they'll be given coaching and help from the Experience Lab to turn it into a reality.  If you're interested in transforming Federation Square and getting your idea off the ground, head to Fed Square's website. Want to see other

Looking for an intrastate holiday? You should put Bendigo, Port Fairy and Mount Macedon on your radar, as all three were chosen by a panel of nine judges and announced at the Victorian Tourism Industry Council Awards. Bendigo was Victoria's Top Tourism Town (for places with a population greater than 5,000), while Port Fairy was named Top Small Tourism Town (for those with populations between 1,500 and 5,000). If you want a really rural break, Mount Macedon won the inaugural Top Tiny Tourism Town (for towns with populations under 1,500).  All three will now go into the competition to be named Australia's Top Tourism Town, which will be named later this year.  Things to do in Bendigo We love visiting Bendigo, the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung people. The former gold rush town is rich in history and has some pretty fantastic restaurants, bars and cultural attractions. Bendigo Art Gallery often has world-class temporary exhibitions, in addition to a permanent collection that includes works by Bill Henson, Patricia Piccinini and Emily Kame Kngwarreye. Australia's oldest pottery kilns are also found in Bendigo, at Bendigo Pottery. You can watch artisans at work and even have a go yourself.  If you're hungry, Masons of Bendigo is the place for a special night out, with an ever-changing menu of seasonal produce.  Things to in Port Fairy The coastal town is home to the famous Port Fairy Folk Festival, so music lovers should definitely keep that date in mind.

A proposal to redevelop the site of Preston Market threatens the character and possibly very existence of the market, with stallholders and shoppers concerned that the fresh food sellers could be squeezed out altogether. Developer Salta Properties plans to redevelop the market site and build 2,200 apartments across towers of 12, 16 and 20 storeys. Under the plans the market would remain, but most of the 120 stallholders would have to move to a new site during construction, though they will be able to continue to trade where they are until the new stalls are ready. The overall footprint of the market would not be reduced, but many stallholders and fans of the market fear the redevelopment would destroy the market's character. The Victorian Planning Authority is considering its submission for planning minister Richard Wynne about the proposal, so the plans are some way from being finalised. But local lobby group Save the Preston Market fears the worst. Unlike Queen Victoria Market and South Melbourne Market, which are run by local government, Preston Market is in private hands. The group is calling on the state and local government to compulsorily acquire the site and prevent the development from going ahead. It has suggested an alternative redevelopment plan that would be much lower rise to preserve the character of the area. Prefer a market for your fresh fruits and vegies? These are the best markets in Melbourne.        

The number of daily cases of Covid-19 in Victoria continues to fall, with the state recording fewer than 10,000 cases and the number of those in hospital dropping below 550.  A total of 9,908 new cases were announced today, from 6,281 rapid tests and 3,627 PCRs. On January 17, Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton speculated that the state's Omicron peak had passed, as daily case numbers were on the way down. “There’s a lot of uncertainty, but I do think we are reasonably close to a peak if we’re not at a peak already," he said at the time. However, Sutton also warned that the number of people in hospital would continue to rise for some time, as hospitalisations usually trail daily cases by more than a week. The number of people in hospital with the virus has also dropped, from a peak of 1,229 on January 19 to 542 on February 9. About 93 per cent of Victorians over the age of 12 have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, and 46 per cent of those over 18 have received their booster. Anyone who received their second vaccine on or before November 9, 2021 can now receive a booster dose. You can now get your booster vaccine three months after your second dose. 

Fully vaccinated visitors will be allowed into Australia from February 21. That is almost two years after prime minister Scott Morrison closed borders to international visitors on March 19, 2020.  Since then, only Australian citizens and residents have been permitted to re-enter the country, and until November 2021 even they had to spend two weeks in hotel quarantine upon arrival.  From February 21, tourists can return - provided they are fully vaccinated. "That's the rule," Morrison said. "Everyone is expected to abide by it, and it's very important that people understand that requirement if they're seeking to come to Australia. "If you're double-vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back to Australia, and I know the tourism industry will be looking forward to that." Rules differ by state, but at the moment international arrivals have to do either a PCR or rapid antigen test upon arrival in Victoria and NSW and must quarantine until they receive a negative result. For those who opt for the rapid antigen tests, that effectively means no quarantine, as results are ready within half an hour.  Remember when borders were slammed shut? Here's what's happened in Australia during the two years of Covid-19. 

It might well be a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll, but if you just want to roll, St Kilda Beach might be the perfect spot. Rolla Bae has set up a pastel pink skate hire pop-up on the foreshore so you can channel Heather Graham and get some seaside exercise.  Skate hire is $25 for an hour, $60 for a half day and $95 for a full day. These are not just any skates, either – they are cute AF Impala artistic skates with outdoor wheels (yes, outdoor wheels are different and yes, it matters) in a bunch of colours – rose gold, peach, pink, black, classic white or holographic silver. To complete the look you can also hire bum bags and mini speakers. Safety is very important (believe me, I've seen enough "oh I didn't think I needed gear" horror shows to know), so you can also hire a helmet and knee and elbow pads. They'll even throw in wrist guards for free, and if you don't fancy the idea of typing with broken wrists, you should take advantage of that. I'm not your mum, but wear gear. Seriously. Wear. Gear.  Feel a bit unsteady on your feet? The crew at Roller Bae are also on hand to teach you a few tricks to get you rolling.  The pop-up is open from about noon until sunset Saturdays and Sundays through summer. Get your skates on! Looking for other fitness ideas? Here are some free, outdoor activities for you to get fit all summer.

Australians might soon have to get a booster dose of a Covid-19 vaccine to be considered 'fully vaccinated', Victorian premier Dan Andrews has revealed.  At a January 19 media conference, Andrews confirmed national cabinet had been discussing making the booster dose mandatory for certain sectors, and that an announcement would be made 'very soon'.  "The health minister last Monday made a number of announcements for a number of different classes of worker... There’s every chance that we add to that list, for the best of reasons. We mandated a number of people, many people across many different sectors, a first and second dose, and I think you’ll see very soon, out of national processes, you’ll see the terminology and the recognition of the third dose be crystal clear." Andrews said a third dose was the best way to ensure protection against Covid-19 and that 'full vaccination' would soon mean a course of three shots. "This is not an option, not an add-on, not 'a good thing to have'," Andrews said. "I think we’re close to a change in policy that will simply reflect the fact that in order to be fully protected, you need three doses, not two plus an optional extra, to in fact be fully vaccinated. You need three. We can all be proud, as a Victorian community, that 93 per cent-plus of us have had two doses. We need to make sure the number of those with a third dose grows every day. It’s a common-sense thing. We need to make it easier for people to get that third dose, and I think Vi