Leah Glynn

Dreaming of your next island getaway? Check in and fully check out by booking a stay at one of Australia’s most dreamy resorts and lodges. These postcard-worthy destinations offer more than just a place to stay; they’re where you can connect with the very best of Australian culture, take in our country’s most stunning landscapes and embark on some of the nation’s top bucket list experiences. Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has been lucky enough to stay at some of these five-star properties – from a private island paradise on the Great Barrier Reef to a coastal-luxe hideaway on NSW's Central Coast and an adults-only wellness retreat in the Adelaide Hills. Here are all the best resorts and lodges to book for your next Australian getaway.  ✨ The best luxury hotels in Australia🤩 Australia's hottest new hotel openings🌏 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 help us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Yes, we know it’s tempting to spend your winter nights bundled up in bed like a burrito. But it’s time to strip off the Oodie and step outside because there’s a whole world of magical, colourful light displays waiting to enchant you.  In Australia, it seems every capital city has its own winter light festival, brought to life by twinkling fairy lights, illuminated artworks and showstopping fireworks. From the Southern Hemisphere’s largest multi-platform festival, Vivid, to Uluru’s award-winning Field of Light, these are the best light festivals worth travelling to in Australia this winter. 🤘🏾 The best festivals for music, art and culture🍔 Australia's best food festivals🎭 The biggest musicals in Australia right now

The beloved Melbourne International Comedy Festival is well and truly in full swing, with more than 680 shows lighting up venues across the city. Phew, our abs are hurting already! With so many comedians to see and not enough time, we have sent out a batch of reviewers to dig deep and suss out the best of the fest this year. Whether it's a weird and wonderful show, a national treasure or a rising star, check out our reviews and see what tickles your fancy.  Want to review the show over a drink? Check out the best late-night bars in Melbourne.  

You know the landmarks and the laid-back culture, but there are plenty more things to do in Australia than kissing koalas and yelling ‘g’day mate’. Australia is a nature lover’s paradise, with highly sought-after food experiences and an impressive cultural heritage to boot. Our team (including Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley) have sifted through every attraction, experience, event and landmark our nation has to offer and put together the only Aussie bucket list you'll ever need. Whether you want to get amongst art parties in small coastal cities, see fairy penguins scurry across sandy beaches or watch the sunrise over Sydney Harbour from a kayak, there’s so much to explore across this incredible country. Here's our guide to all the best things you need to do in Australia right now. 🇦🇺 The top tourist attractions in Australia🌈 Australia's most beautiful destinations🌊 The best beaches in Australia

Autumn is possibly the most gorgeous time in Victoria, with the region turning into a kaleidoscope of red, orange and yellow foliage. And best of all, the rolling farmlands covered in grapevines, hops and autumnal produce are all ripe for the picking. It's harvest season, and the best way to celebrate is at one of Victoria's many autumn festivals, with a glass of homegrown booze in hand. We've rounded up the best autumn festivals to partake in this season, so have a scroll, layer your flannels and get a move on. Keen to get the best view of the changing leaves? Here are our picks of the best places to see autumn foliage in Victoria.

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.

Technically, The Man says that buying takeaway booze on Good Friday is not on. But unlike our friends in NSW (who have strict laws that prohibit purchasing takeaway alcohol, and limit licensed venues to only serving on premises from midday-10pm), we have a little more wiggle room down here. So we've put together a list of bottle shops that are open on Good Friday to ensure your long weekend is well lubricated. You're welcome. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Looking for more things to do this long weekend? Check out the best things happening in Melbourne this Easter.

Whether or not you celebrate Easter, we can all get behind the idea of a four-day weekend. The Easter long weekend falls from April 18 to 21 this year, and to help you maximise your holiday, we've rounded up our top picks of the best things to do.  We've included classic Easter traditions like hot cross buns, and we've rounded up all the cafés, restauarants and bars that are open over the long weekend, too. But if you're after more ideas, we've also included theatre productions, our favourite campsites and lots more.  Plus, these are the best chocolate shops in Melbourne.

We Aussies are a lucky bunch. You only need to drive an hour or so from any major Australian city to wind up in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. However, with so many options, picking which road to venture down first can be quite a challenge. To make life easier, our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has cherry-picked a selection of the best day trips around Australia – many of which she's tried, tested and would happily do all over again (if only there were more days in the year). From heritage-listed towns and coastal hangouts to mountain escapes, Australia has something for every explorer. Now, all that’s left for you is to load the car and hit the open road. 😱 The most incredible places to visit in Australia🚘 Australia's most popular road trips🌳 Regional towns that you can tick off in a day

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

Is there anything better than getting a parcel in the mail? Surprise presents are the best presents, and if they come by post, even better. Whether there’s a birthday on the horizon, you're in need of a Secret Santa gift or maybe you’ve noticed a friend has been feeling a little down, one of the below packages should do the trick. And hey, there’s no one saying you can’t send one to yourself, too!  Prefer IRL retail therapy? Pay a visit to Melbourne's best gift shops. Plus, these iconic Melbourne experiences make amazing presents.

What’s not to love about a doughy, spicy, fruity, buttery ball of joy, warmed to perfection in the toaster or the microwave, and slathered liberally with salted butter? Melbourne has a wealth of brilliant bakers, all of whom have been elbow-deep in flour, sugar and spice, perfecting their recipes for Easter. We’ve rounded up our favourite floury heroes and where to get them below. Knead more dough? These are the best bakeries in Melbourne.

From May 2 to 4, the Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festival, will be lighting up Melbourne's CBD. The annual three-day event celebrates the birth of Buddha and the multi-faith community. This year, the festival will take place at Golden Square – the Lonsdale Street car park that doubles as an exciting event space. Expect a huge line-up of traditional ceremonies, concerts, transformative digital activations, art, live music and immersive experiences. On the first night, visitors will be treated to the exciting Light It Up Opening Ceremony featuring performances from the Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne and traditional Buddhist ceremonies. The event will culminate in an epic animated light projection that brings the iconic five-storey Bodhi Tree mural on Lonsdale Street to life with dazzling visuals.  Throughout the rest of the event you can visit the Lumbini Garden (home to giant-sized sculptures), which replicates the garden where Buddha was born and provides a calming oasis for prayer and mindful relaxation. Nearby is the Mindfulness Forest filled with illuminated columns for visitors to colour their way to calmness.  On the main stage, there'll be multicultural performances from a variety of different groups, featuring everything from K-Pop to Sri Lankan traditional dances. And for the kids, there'll be a special area with plenty of fun activities like face painting, origami and learning Chinese calligraphy, as well as puppet show performances.  The festival is free for

The charming fishing village of Port Fairy – about three-and-a-half hours south-west from Melbourne – has always held a special place in my heart. Every year until I was 18 my family would descend upon the township over the Labour Day long weekend to attend the Port Fairy Folk Festival (affectionately known as ‘the Folkie’). These childhood memories are some of my fondest: boogie boarding at East Beach, eating fish and chips on the historic wharf, playing hide and seek behind the giant Norfolk pines and spending all my pocket money at the lolly shop. In the years since I stopped visiting, I would often Google the area and plan a return holiday. My dream itinerary always included a stay at Drift House – an exclusive boutique hotel that’s committed to sustainability and supporting the local community, and boasts just six luxuriously designed suites. So it’s with excitement and pangs of nostalgia that I finally confirm my booking and hit the road for a weekend getaway. Why stay at Drift House? Located just past Warrnambool, at the very end of the Great Ocean Road, Drift House offers what I think is one of the most exceptional coastal retreats in Victoria. Owned and operated by Colleen Guiney and John Watkinson (who launched the property in 2013 after a big seachange move from Melbourne), it provides a relaxed-yet-chic home-away-from-home – if your home had incredible architectural finishes, bountiful fruit trees and fancy linen. The main two-storey bluestone building dates back

From April 1-30, the picturesque region of the Macedon Ranges will play host to a huge celebration of all things autumn. The Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival features a program of more than 60 events, workshops, markets, exhibitions, live music, foraging sessions and even paranormal investigations. Eat your way through 50 heavenly pastries as part of the Autumn Pie and Tart Trail – aka Australia's biggest known pie trail. Both savoury and sweet pies will be available, including offerings like a butter chicken pie, American cherry pie, banoffee pie and a beef bourguignon pie. Yum! Feeling thirsty? Take your pick from the new Tipple Trail, which will give you a taste of the best craft brewers, ciders, gin distillers, country pubs and winemakers. Or you could try the Edgy Veg Trail, which will see local pubs, cafés and restaurants create innovative plant-based dishes. And be sure to pick up your festival map and passport – solve the mystery pie recipe and you will go into the draw to win a massive prize. Many of these events are free, but to find out more and book tickets where appropriate, head to the website. After more autumnal fun? Here are the best places to see autumn leaves in Victoria.

If you thought the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) is already as boundary-pushing as it gets, you thought wrong. An immersive after-dark experience is taking the gallery to new heights for one night only on Saturday, April 12 from 7-11pm. Artbar: Liner Notes is a visual, sonic and social melting pot of diverse art forms.  The 18-plus event is being curated by painter, photographer, tattooist and musician Shaun Daniel Allen (Shal), a proud Bundjalung man whose work is inspired by connection to community, Country and self. He gravitates towards art-making with an ethos of ‘no limitations’, which stems from his introduction to the punk/hardcore scene and its DIY approach. Shal has assembled an incredible line-up of talent for this special one-off event, including DJs and photographers. With a vibe that’s somewhere between your local pub and a busy tattoo parlour, you can expect to catch everything from improvised harp performances to hardcore punk lyrics delivered through the softness of spoken word. There will also be an appearance from former Riptides frontman Mark Callaghan, and you can even get a piece of permanent body art by Sydney tattooists Sophia Baughan (Hand in Hand) or Garth Neale (Eazy Tiger). First release tickets for this exploration of how subcultures connect, contrast and complement one another are on sale here. MCA members receive 15 per cent off. To find out more, visit the website.

Calling all bookworms, literature lovers and BookTok obsessives: the Melbourne Writers Festival (MWF) line-up has just been unveiled. This year’s program reads like a list of the crème de la crème of the 2025 literary world, featuring New York Times best-selling authors, Booker Prize standouts, first-timers and MWF exclusives. The festival will spread big bookish energy across the city and surrounds via four days of workshops, talks, events and panels, running from May 8-11. This time around, the central theme of the program is 'Magical Thinking' – which will explore the power of storytelling as a transformative force and celebrate the magic that lingers long after the final page.  International highlights include Irish authors Marian Keyes and Colm Tóibín; 2024 Booker Prize-winner Samantha Harvey, who will open the festival with a star-studded panel discussion; and UK philosopher AC Grayling, who will tackle the topic on everybody’s lips: the culture wars.  On the local front, catch writers, friends and co-authors Jamila Rizvi and Rosie Waterland sit down to discuss brain health with host Clare Bowditch; listen as Jimmy Barnes recounts the his larger-than-life adventures; or see five First Nations women showcase their artistic practices in writing, poetry, music, performance and art for Blak Magic Women. “Across four packed days this May, some of Australia and the world’s most brilliant and incisive writers and thinkers will gather in our City of Literature to celebrate the

Ever wondered if you have what it takes to fly into the face of danger with Maverick and the rest of the Top Gun crew? Now’s your chance.  The Avalon Australian International Airshow is back after a two-year break with an action-packed three-day spectacular featuring jaw-dropping flying displays, parachute drops, plane racing and static military aircraft to view up close. The weekend will kick off with Australia's only night airshow performance: Friday Night Alight. This dazzling display of pyrotechnics and flying artistry will include fireworks, a flare drop and a wall of fire. On the ground there will be aircraft from both local and international exhibitors to view – like the EA-18G Growler, E-7A Wedgetail and the MQ-28 Ghost Bat. You can also chat to representatives from the defence force, cuddle military working dog puppies and see high-speed drone racing. There are also accessibility facilities, a sensory room and an interactive kids zone with carnival rides and a ferris wheel. BYO food and picnic blanket, or opt for snacks from the tasty selection of food trucks – think smoothies, paella, burgers and tacos. The biennial airshow has been a staple in Victoria’s event landscape since 1992 and has grown to become the biggest aviation, aerospace and defence exposition in the Southern Hemisphere. To find out more and purchase your tickets, head to the website. Looking for more fun? Here's our guide to what's on in Melbourne this weekend.

Gather by the sea for a four-day long festival where a talented line-up of Australia’s best authors, playwrights, journalists, speakers and academics will descend upon the coastal town of Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula.  Running from April 24-27 over the ANZAC Day long weekend, the Sorrento Writers Festival (now in its third year) is an opportunity for literary enthusiasts to come together and celebrate the power of storytelling.  The brainchild of award-winning journalist, podcaster, former bookshop owner and director Corrie Perkin, the festival is now the largest literary event in Victoria and includes author meet-and-greets, keynote speeches, panel discussions and even musical performances. The stacked program features the likes of Stan Grant, Julia Ostro, Sally Hepworth, Virginia Trioli, Thomas Mayo, Don Watson and Peter FitzSimons – to name just a few. And this year's Barry Jones Oration will be delivered by former prime minister Julia Gillard. Topics up for discussion vary from the upcoming Australian federal election to The Great Gatsby 100 years on. So yes, there's truly something for everyone! For more information and to view the full program, head to the website. Feeling inspired? Check out the best bookstores in Melbourne.

PSA: toastie heaven exists, and we've found it in Richmond. The crew behind Black Gold – a local neighbourhood café on Lennox Street – have been serving up slabs of carby goodness for years now, and we're totally obsessed with their sangas. All the classic combos are on the menu; think tuna melts, mushroom truffle, caprese and a mouthwatering Reuben. They're toasted to crispy perfection, with just the right amount of ooey-gooey cheese oozing out from within. Yep, we're hungry at the thought of them. But Black Gold isn't just a toastie joint. You can also get all your favourite brekky dishes here – including fritters, chilli scramble, pancakes and more. Plus, the coffee is by the legends at ONA, so you know you're in for a cracking cup of Joe. With plenty of outdoor seating (sunny Sunday brunch sesh, anyone?) and walk-ins welcome, there's no excuse not to pay this cute café a visit. Find out more via Black Gold's Instagram. Craving a brunch sesh? These are the 50 best cafés in Melbourne right now.

In London it's the Chelsea Flower Show and in Canberra it's Floriade. In Melbourne, the event that gets plant enthusiasts and floral fanatics excited is the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. This spectacular celebration of all things horticulture is once again taking over the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens for five days of world-class landscape designs, breathtaking floral displays, educational talks and family friendly workshops. This year's event is set to be bigger and bolder than ever, and is running from March 26 to 30. There'll be seemingly endless garden displays with dazzling designs, main stage discussions with industry experts and plenty of backyard inspo. Plus, a massive immersive installation under the dome of the Royal Exhibition Building will delight and dazzle visitors, with bioluminescent blooms and Monet-inspired reflective displays.  The beloved Show Garden installations competition will feature some of the world's best landscape designers vying for the winner's title. Then follow the scent of fresh blooms into the Royal Exhibition Building as it transforms into the Great Hall of Flowers thanks to some of Victoria’s leading floral designers, including a new aerial flower display exhibition. Plus, there'll be an entertainment precinct in the forecourt, with food trucks and DJs, with new elevated food experiences.  Gardens by Twilight will return with an expanded program on on March 27 and 29, to give city dwellers the opportunity

The Makers and Shakers Market is back for 2025, showcasing a host of established and emerging designers at Carlton's Royal Exhibition Building on April 5 and 6. Bring your bags and nanna trolleys, because this is a great opportunity to stock up on one-of-a-kind presents while also supporting local artists and creatives.  The market is a curated event that will feature more than 175 stalls run by independent Melbourne makers selling homewares, food and drink, art, accessories, ethical fashion, beauty products and more. It's also the only local makers market where the stallholders sell 100 per cent Australian-made products!  You won't go hungry, either – this year's tasty line-up of snack vendors includes Rocco's Bologna Discoteca, Gigi's Gelato, Taco Truck, Cobb Lane Bakery, Sebby's Scrolls, Pasta Face, Subtle Tea and heaps more. There will also be all-vinyl DJ sets, plus kids activities, tastings and creative workshops. Adult tickets are $5 and kids under 12 enter for free. You can pre-purchase tickets via the website.  Want more? Discover the best markets in Melbourne.

Calling all fashionistas! On March 22 and 23, the National Trust's beloved annual vintage sale is returning to the Abbotsford Convent. This year, the sale will be taking place at the massive Magdalen Laundry from 10am to 4pm. You'll be able to peruse a huge selection of vintage and pre-loved designer clothing and accessories – in the past, brands like Armani, Alexander McQueen, Diane von Fürstenberg and Marimekko have been up for grabs. A lot of household linen, furnishings, dress fabrics, shoes, bags, children's wear and even haberdashery will also be on offer. Bring a gold coin donation for entry and prepare to refresh your wardrobe with fun new designer finds for a fraction of the price. Best of all, proceeds from the sale support the work of the National Trust in conserving our state's cultural and built heritage. Donations are also accepted in the lead-up to the event, so if you have some quality items you'd like to offload in the name of a good cause, now's your chance. For more information on donating and the event, visit the website here. Want more shopping options? Check out the best vintage stores and the best op shops in Melbourne.

Test your taste buds at the 13th annual Herb and Chilli Festival, a two-day event in the Yarra Valley celebrating all things hot and spicy.  A roster of more than 80 stallholders will be hawking plants, fresh herbs, rubs, jams, spice mixes and, of course, a whole lot of chillies. And if you want to prove that you can handle the heat, participate in one of the eating competitions taking place throughout the weekend. Taste sauces from spicy proprietors like Blonde Chilli, Danny Balboa's Sauce Co, Dexter's Hot Sauce, Grumpy Gary's Hot Sauce, Jungle Rain and Melbourne Hot Sauce or head to the food court for something more substantial. Vendors including Amazing Calamari, Flamin Skewers, Jambo Foods, Tornado Spuds and Lemonicious will be on deck to fill your belly.  Like to cool your burning mouth with some booze? Heaps of local producers will be exhibiting their goods, including Logan's Microdistillery, Hop Hen Brewery, Burnley Brewing, Ned Kelly Red and Stag Lane Distillery.  It wouldn't be a festival without live entertainment, and music acts will be performing across the weekend. Tap your toes to Andean flute folk music, South Cajun zydeco blues, swamp pop dance and contemporary tunes. There will also be cooking demos and a chilli cook-off.  If you're bringing children along, there will be a free kid's zone with activities including face painting, pony rides, jumping castles and even Mexican wrestling.  The event will take place at 125 Quayle Road in Wandin, and tickets are ava

It's time for the applause, applause, applause... After much speculation, Lady Gaga (our queen and saviour of pop music) has finally announced that she'll bring her highly-anticipated Mayhem Ball to Australia in 2025. This is the moment all Little Monsters have been waiting for – it's been 11 long years since Gaga was last in town, as part of 2014’s ArtRave: The ARTPOP Ball tour. The huge tour announcement comes off the back of the release of Gaga's newest album, Mayhem, which marks a return to her pop roots. It's Gaga's seventh consecutive number one album (slay) and features the hit singles 'Abracadabra', 'Disease' and 'Die With A Smile', her collab with Bruno Mars. Will she play all these bangers and more when the Mayhem Ball rolls into town? We'll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, here's everything you need to know about Lady Gaga's 2025 Mayhem Ball tour. When is Lady Gaga's Australia tour 2025? Lady Gaga is confirmed to play three Australian shows as part of her global tour. She'll kick off the Mayhem Ball tour in Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6, before performing at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday, December 9 and ending with two shows at Sydney's Accor Stadium on Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13.  When do Lady Gaga Australia tickets go on sale? General sale kicks off on Thursday, April 17 at 12pm local time via Live Nation. All we can say is get in quick!  Is there a Lady Gaga pre-sale? For a music i

Calling all Little Monsters! The paparazzi are at the ready, and our paws are well and truly up. After teasing her potential Aussie tour in interviews, avant-garde pop queen Lady Gaga has officially confirmed that she’s bringing her much-hyped Mayhem Ball to Australia, and has just announced a second Sydney show date. The huge tour announcement comes off the back of the release of Gaga's newest album, Mayhem, which marks a return to her pop roots. It's Gaga's seventh consecutive number one album (slay) and features the hit singles 'Abracadabra', 'Disease' and 'Die With A Smile', her collab with Bruno Mars. Will she play all these bangers and more when the Mayhem Ball rolls into Sydney? We'll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, here's everything you need to know about Lady Gaga's 2025 Mayhem Ball tour and her huge Sydney shows. When is Lady Gaga in Sydney? Lady Gaga was originally set to play one Sydney show as part of her Australian tour, due to bring the Mayhem Ball to the Accor Stadium for one night only on Friday, December 12. Due to unsurprisingly huge demand, she's just announced a second Sydney show for Saturday, December 13. When do Lady Gaga Sydney tickets go on sale? General sale for the first show kicked off on Thursday, April 17 at 12pm local time via Live Nation. General sale for the Saturday night tickets will go live at 1pm on Thursday, April 24.  Is there a Lady Gaga presale for her Sydney shows? For a music icon like Lady Gaga – you betcha! The Aussie

Update Wednesday, April 16: As predicted, Mother Monster has graced Melbourne with a second show. The news comes off the back of huge demand for tickets, with fans exhausting early presale allocations. Another round of presale begin today at 11am, with general tickets going on sale tomorrow (April 17) at 12pm. Alert the paparazzi! Cue the applause! Lady Gaga (aka our queen and saviour of pop music) is bringing her much-hyped Mayhem Ball to Australia, with Melbourne up first. This is the moment all Little Monsters have been waiting for – it's actually been 11 long years since Gaga was last in town, as part of 2014’s ArtRave: The ARTPOP Ball tour. The huge tour announcement comes off the back of the release of Gaga's newest album, Mayhem, which marks a return to her pop roots. It's Gaga's seventh consecutive number one album (slay) and features the hit singles 'Abracadabra', 'Disease' and 'Die With A Smile', her collab with Bruno Mars. Will she play all these bangers and more when the Mayhem Ball rolls into town? We'll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, here's everything you need to know about Lady Gaga's 2025 Mayhem Ball tour. When is Lady Gaga going on her Melbourne, Australia tour 2025? It's just been confirmed that Lady Gaga play two Melbourne shows as part of her Australian tour. She'll be bringing the Mayhem Ball to Marvel Stadium on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6. Does she have time for a third performance? Watch this space for more show announceme

Here's some news that's sure to spark your city pride: Melbourne Airport has officially ranked among the top 20 best airports in the whole wide world, for the third consecutive year. Not only that, but it's also been crowned as the best airport in the Australia Pacific region, taking out the title for a fifth time. Turns out ol' Tulla is truly world-class.  The results of the annual Skytrax World Airport Awards (essentially the Oscars of the aviation industry) have just been announced in Madrid, and our very own Melbourne Airport has held steady in the top 20 rankings, claiming 16th place. That's three spots up from both 2024 and 2023, when it ranked 19th.  Melbourne is home to the only Australian airport to crack the top 20, with Brisbane Airport the next closest in 35th (down three spots from 2024) and Sydney Airport trailing even further behind in 54th (up one position from 2024). Perth Airport landed in 63rd, Adelaide Airport in 68th and Gold Coast Airport in 74th. Basically, Melbourne easily takes the cake for Aussie airports.  Singapore's Changi Airport stole back the coveted crown from Doha's Hamad International Airport, with the two switching places in the rankings to come in first and second place, respectively. Bronze went to Tokyo's Haneda Airport, followed by Seoul's Incheon Airport and Tokyo's Narita Airport rounding out the top five.  The prestigious awards are based on data collected from global satisfaction surveys across 565 airports worldwide, and take into

We're all guilty of zoning out at our desks every now and then, daydreaming about what it would be like to finally retire and never have to worry about the nine-to-five grind ever again (sigh). So while the golden years are probably still a long way off for most of us right now, here's something us Victorians can get excited about: our state is the best place to grow old in all of Australia. That's right – according to new research from care organisation software ShiftCare, Victoria has been ranked the retirement capital of the country. The data analysed 22 key factors, including the accessibility and quality of aged, residential and home care; health and safety; community engagement; social opportunities and walkability. Victoria boasted the highest number of residential aged care home providers (294), plus the second-most residential aged care homes (768) and home care providers (223). On top of that, Victoria benefits from a whopping $5 billion in government investment in aged care and has the joint highest number of GPs (116 per 100,000 people aged 65-plus), so retirees are well and truly taken care of. Add in Australia’s lowest crime rate, excellent walkability and a thriving network of social clubs – our state really has it all for the oldies.   The Australian Capital Territory ranks as the second-best state to grow old in Australia, boasting the shortest home care wait times (90 days) and the highest community satisfaction rating (4/5). Along with New South Wales, whic

It's no secret that Melbourne has long been aiming to steal Sydney's crown as Australia's most populous city – we even reported on it back in 2023, when it was first revealed that Melbourne was on track to overtake the Harbour City by 2031. And now it seems even more achievable, with updated data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) revealing that our ever-expanding city grew by 142,600 people from 2023-2024. That's an increase of 2.7 per cent – the largest jump in the whole country. It means Melbourne's population stands at 5,350,705 (and counting), while Sydney is home to 5,557,233 people – essentially, four in ten Australians call the two major capitals home. The regions within Greater Melbourne where the largest growth was recorded include Fraser Rise - Plumpton (up by 4,300 people) and Rockbank - Mount Cottrell (up by 4,100 people). Both areas are located in Melbourne's outer west.  The growth is being driven by a few key factors: natural increase, internal migration and overseas migration. Overseas migration accounts for almost 90 per cent of the lift across the capital cities, with students in particular helping to swell the population in suburbs close to universities. For example, Carlton – located nearby the University of Melbourne – had the largest net overseas migration gain (up 2,900 people). Collectively, Australia’s capitals grew by 427,800 people in 2023-2024, with Perth experiencing the highest proportional growth rate (3.1 per cent). Regional Austr

It's the news we'd all been anticipating but weren't quite ready for: the Lume – the world’s largest digital art gallery and the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere – has announced its official closing date, and it's much sooner than we'd thought. After first announcing its plans for closure back in November 2024, the Melbourne cultural institution has remained tight-lipped on when the doors would shut – aside from hinting it would be likely be in 2026. Now, we have a date: June 1, 2025. Cue the tears! Created by local Grande Experiences and located in the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), the Lume has played host to a breathtaking array of groundbreaking exhibitions since it first opened in 2021, including Connection (which won the Impact Award at the 2024 Time Out Melbourne Arts & Culture Awards) and Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius (which featured original pages of the Codex Atlanticus that are so priceless they can only be shown for three months at a time). More than 1.5 million visitors have experienced the digital art gallery's immersive magic, and it's injected an estimated $180 million into the Victorian economy.  "The Lume Melbourne has been a defining chapter in Australia’s cultural landscape – a place where art, innovation and imagination came to life for millions of visitors," said Bruce Peterson, founder and chair of Grande Experiences and CEO of the Lume. "As we look to the future, we see an opportunity to once again redefine imm

Drumroll, please – it's the moment you've all been waiting for! After a fabulous awards ceremony at the QT Rooftop on Monday, March 17, the winners of Time Out Melbourne's Food & Drink Awards 2025 (in partnership with Tyro) have been revealed. Time Out has been running awards that celebrate Melbourne's hospo industry for more than 15 years now. Our local editors and writers have been eating their way around the state to give readers the recommendations they’re searching for, while also working to spotlight amazing business owners, chefs, bartenders, sommeliers, front-of-house and back-of-house professionals that are working hard to deliver special dining experiences. Winners were awarded across 11 Critics’ Choice categories (based on independent, anonymous reviews of a diverse range of restaurants and bars), as well as four People’s Choice categories. Read on for the full list of winners. Critics' Choice Awards Restaurant of the Year: Greasy Zoe’s Bar of the Year: Caretaker's Cottage Legend Award: Brae Impact Award: Free to Feed Best Fine Dining: Navi Best Relaxed Dining: Eat Pierogi Make Love Best Cheap Eat: Wazzup Falafel Best Destination Venue: Chauncy, Heathcote Best Cocktail Bar: Bar Bellamy Best Wine Bar: Bar Olo Best Casual Drinking Venue: Young Hearts Time Out Melbourne never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more here.

Update Friday, March 7: With two Melbourne shows under her belt and a day off to recharge, Billie is gearing up for two more shows at Rod Laver Arena. For 90 minutes she'll take to her 360-degree stage that also features an LED video floor, floating platform, luminescent cube and massive overhead screens. We've been told highlights are 'Ocean Eyes', 'Birds Of A Feather' (duh) and a goosebump-inducing rendition of 'When The Party's Over' with vocal loops. It's been three years since Billie Eilish last toured Melbourne, and since then she's collected multiple Grammy and Academy Awards, dropped her third studio album (Hit Me Hard And Soft) and continued to charm fans across the globe. So, thank goodness, it's finally Melbourne’s turn to see the pop juggernaut as she brings her new world tour to town. After kicking off in North America last year, Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour is playing multiple shows in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne ahead of dates in Europe, the UK and Ireland. So, who’s hungry for some lunch? If going to see Billie Eilish perform in Melbourne is what you were made for, we’ve got you covered with all the information you need to know ahead of the shows this week. When is Billie Eilish in Melbourne? After shows in Brisbane and Sydney, Billie is playing a total of four Melbourne dates at Rod Laver Arena on March 4, 5, 7 and 8.  Who is Billie Eilish’s support act in Melbourne? Ashnikko is the support act for all of Billie’s Australian shows on this tour. With a d

Calling all the lovers – it's almost time for our favourite showgirl Kylie Minogue to hit Sydney for not one, not two, but three huge arena shows. This will be Kylie's biggest tour since 2011, so you know she's going to be delivering pop anthems, perfectly choreographed dance moves and cheeky banter galore.  It’s set to be a great, big huge sparkly weekend for the Harbour City, with Kylie’s shows overlapping with the 47th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, which our Kylie has long been a supporter of. (Hot tip: there’s a rumour that Kylie might kickon at the official Mardi Gras Party, along with Troye Sivan!) So, who's ready to come into her world? Here's everything you need to know about Kylie's shows this week. When are the Kylie Sydney shows? After lighting the fuse for the Tension Tour in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane, Kylie will be rounding out the Aussie leg of her tour at the Qudos Bank Arena, with three gloriously glittery shows on Saturday, March 1 (the same day as the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade); Sunday, March 2; and Monday, March 3.  How to get to the Kylie concerts in Sydney? Public transport is usually the best option for getting to Qudos Bank Arena; and that’s not only because the cost of travel on trains, metro, and light rail is included in concert tickets. Olympic Park Station is less than a ten-minute walk from the stadium, and plenty of additional trains and buses will be running for concertgoers – you’ll find more info over here.

Just when you thought a stay at Jackalope couldn’t get any more enticing, the stunning luxury hotel in the heart of the Mornington Peninsula’s wine region has announced the arrival of a pop-up outdoor cinema that will screen blockbuster flicks, cult classics and romcoms all through March. Created in collaboration with Lexus Australia, Jackalope Cinema will open on Saturday, March 1, with a viewing of the Wes Anderson smash-hit, The Grand Budapest Hotel. Other excellent movies on the month-long line-up include A Star is Born, Pulp Fiction, Notting Hill, Past Lives and Mad Max: Fury Road.   Photograph: Griffin Simm This fully immersive experience is set to be a film buff’s dream, and will begin with the opportunity to enjoy a pre-movie bite at Doot Doot Doot (Jackalope’s renowned on-site restaurant) – think a menu loaded with delicious dishes showcasing the region’s local produce. Guests can then either head to their room to catch the flick from their private terrace or get cosy on the infinity pool deck under the twinkling night sky. Bluetooth headphones will be provided to ensure top sound quality, and there will be plenty of snacks on offer, including unlimited popcorn (yes, really!), ice cream and other nostalgic treats. “Having studied film before pivoting to designing spaces and experiences, the pillar of storytelling will be brought to life at Jackalope,” said founder Louis Li. “One of my favourite moments of staying at Jackalope is holding a box of popcorn and watchin

Calling all the lovers – it's almost time for our very own Kylie Minogue to hit Melbourne for not one, not two, but three huge arena shows. This will be Kylie's biggest tour since 2011, so you know she's going to be delivering pop anthems, perfectly choreographed dance moves and cheeky banter galore. So, who's ready to come into her world? Here's everything you need to know about Kylie's shows this week. When is Kylie Minogue's Tension Tour in Melbourne? Due to huge demand – this is Kylie's hometown, after all – the music icon will perform a total of three shows. Kylie will kick things off with a bang at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday, February 20, with two more shows on February 21 and 22. How to get to the Kylie Minogue concert in Melbourne Public transport is considered the quickest and easiest option. You can walk from Flinders Street Station (it's a ten-minute stroll via Birrarung Marr or the Tanderrum Bridge) or from Richmond Station or Jolimont Station. Tram 70, 48 and 75 also all have stops near Rod Laver Arena. Be sure to allow plenty of extra travel time in case of a disruption. There is parking available at the Eastern Plaza Car Park (Entrance D, Olympic Boulevard), and it's highly recommended that you pre-book your spot. Bookings close at midnight the night before the event. What time will Kylie Minogue come on stage in Melbourne? Gates will open at 5.30pm, and the Rod Laver Arena website has stated Mallrat will come on at 7.45pm followed by Kylie at 8.35pm. The roug