Leah Glynn

They say the best things in life are free. We're not 100 per cent on board with that sentiment (have you had a perfectly prepared cocktail? That ain't cheap), but not everything in Melbourne has to cost a small fortune. We're also acutely aware that the current cost of living crisis is weighing heavily on us all at the moment – so finding an activity or experience that won't break the bank is becoming harder and harder. But that doesn't mean it's impossible. From art exhibitions to outdoor adventures, our team has scoured the city to find a bunch of things to do for free. Yep, free. Zilch. Nada. Zero dollars. Your wallet will thank us. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Hungry? These are the best cheap eats in Melbourne.

Cada any elaborem una classificació de les millors ciutats del món per menjar i beure. L'objectiu és retre homenatge als xefs, els fogons i les parades de menjar de carrer que alimenten la ciutat. I com es decideix la llista? Enguany, el rànquing de les Millors Ciutats per Menjar de Time Out s'ha creat a partir d'una enquesta a més de 24.000 residents de tot el món. Els vam demanar que valoressin la qualitat general de l'escena gastronòmica del seu lloc de residència, el preu de sortir a sopar i els punts gastronòmics en els quals creuen que destaca la seva ciutat. A continuació, vam combinar aquestes milers de respostes amb el criteri del panell d'experts culinaris de Time Out (editors i crítics gastronòmics de tota la nostra xarxa), que van votar per les ciutats que consideren els destins gastronòmics més estimulants del planeta en aquest moment. Per garantir que la llista reflecteixi fidelment les capitals culinàries globals, només la ciutat amb la puntuació més alta de cada país va aconseguir entrar al Top 20 definitiu. Com demostra la nostra selecció, vivim un moment divertidíssim per sortir a menjar per la ciutat. Restaurants des de Lisboa fins a Lima estan servint alguns dels plats més sorprenents, atrevits i francament deliciosos que es puguin trobar. Què hi ha al menú? Polos de crema de mandarina a Nova York, fideus d'espina de peix a Copenhague i un sofisticat phở a Ciutat Ho Chi Minh. Hi ha alta cuina a Melbourne i fun dining (alta cuina divertida) a Ciutat del Cap

Every year, we create a definitive ranking of the world’s greatest cities for eating and drinking. The aim is to celebrate the chefs, kitchens and street food stalls that feed the city, bringing locals and visitors together to savour life’s one greatest pleasure: an excellent meal. So, how is the list decided? This year, Time Out’s Best Cities for Food with Intrepid Travel was created on the back of a survey of more than 24,000 locals, based all around the world. We asked them to rate the overall quality of the food scene where they live, how affordable it is to eat out and the food spots they believe their city does best.  We then paired their thousands of responses with the insight of Time Out’s expert food panel – editors and food critics from across Time Out’s network – who voted for the cities they think are the most exciting dining destinations on the planet right now. Only the highest-scoring city in each country made the final 20, ensuring our list reflects culinary capitals globally.  As our list demonstrates, it’s a very fun time to be eating out in the city right now. Restaurants from Lisbon to Lima are serving up some of the most striking, daring and downright delicious plates of food you can find. On the menu? Satsuma creamsicles in New York, fish bone noodles in Copenhagen and fancy phở in Ho Chi Minh. There’s fine-dining in Melbourne and ‘fun dining’ in Cape Town, food trends from sandwich crazes to elevated tacos, and coffee and cocktail scenes well worth trav

It's the weekend, baby! You made it! To celebrate, we've gathered all the hottest festivals, shows, exhibitions and openings in one place – you're welcome.   Are you ready to enter the pearly gates of doughnut heaven? This weekend, the Queen Vic Market is hosting the annual Donut Festival – a two-day celebration of all things ring-shaped, deep-fried and sugary. Yum! Bring your appetite so you can indulge in all the delicious goodies. Lightscape is back at the Royal Botanic Gardens in all its glittering, glowy glory. This year's 2.1-kilometre trail features luminous pathways, lit-up tree canopies, soothing soundscapes and plenty more sparkly sights.  The NGV's Winter Masterpieces exhibition is also here, and it's a dazzling showcase of Cartier – think jewels, tiaras and timepieces from the luxury French brand's collection. That means the return of NGV Friday Nights. It's your chance to wander through the gallery after hours, and enjoy a line-up of live music, film screenings, food and bevvies. And remember, you can always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of the best things to do in Melbourne before you die.   Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. The fun doesn't stop on Monday! These are the best things to do in Melbourne this week.

Social calendar looking a bit empty? Don't worry, we've got you. There's always something happening in Melbourne, and this week is no different – so let's dive right in!   If you're drawn to bright, shiny things, the NGV's most sparkly exhibition opens this week. Cartier is this year's Winter Masterpieces exhibition, and it will feature nearly 400 jewels, gemstones, tiaras, watches and decorative objects from the luxury French brand's collection.  There'll be more sparkles (albeit of a glowing, neon-lit kind), when Lightscape kicks off at the Royal Botanic Gardens. This year's 2.1-kilometre trail will boast luminous pathways, lit-up tree canopies, soothing soundscapes and more. The Queen Victoria Winter Night Market is also back and in full swing, with loads of scrumptious food and warming drinks (hello, soup in a bread roll and mulled wine). And don't miss a minute of the on-screen action at the St Kilda Film Festival, which boasts a stacked program of more than 190 short flicks. When in doubt though, you can always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of the best things to do in Melbourne before you die.   Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Counting down to Friday? Here's our guide to all the fun things happening in Melbourne this weekend.

Every year, Time Out publishes the results of its international survey ranking the world’s best cities. Our team then dives deeper into the data to uncover other fascinating insights, like the world’s best cities for culture, the coolest neighborhoods and—the one I look forward to most—our ranking of the world’s best food cities. To get there, we surveyed thousands of city dwellers and asked them to rate their city’s food scene across 18 different criteria, including quality, affordability and diversity. Then we tapped our global network of chefs, editors and food critics to provide local insight into what makes their particular cities such wonderful places to eat—and not just right now. Our global network of food writers shared knowledge about the history of food in their cities, the dishes each place is known for, and the influence of different cultures on the local food scene. We’re serving up all this delicious intel in the tastiest list you’ll read all year, filled with nuggets from folks who frequent the bars, are restaurant regulars and know their city’s food scene inside and out. Ready to dig in? Here are the greatest cities for food on the planet.

Winter 2026 update: You know the perfect antidote to Melbourne's wintery chill? Grabbing a drink at one of the city's hottest drinking dens. Whether you're after a glass of red by a cosy fireplace, an ice-cold Dirty Martini in a crowded bar or just want a beer or two with a side of elevated snacks, this list has you covered during the frosty months. 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?  We've rounded up the top bars that we're really loving right now – and we're sure you will, too.  Editor's favourite bars in Melbourne: 🥂 Best for a special occasion: Bar Olo 👠 Best for a vibey date night: Boire 🍸 Best for cocktails: Moondrop 🫒 Best for bar snacks: Suze 🍻 Best for a friends' catch-up: Albert's Wine Bar Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED READ: Hungry? We've got you covered  with the best restaurants in Melbourne right now.

A truly delicious burger is easily one of life’s greatest pleasures, and Australia is teeming with top-notch options, most of which fall comfortably into that hits-the-spot territory. A classic burger’s simplicity – a pillowy bun, a juicy patty, a slice of melted cheese, some salad and a drizzle of sauce – makes it hard to mess up. The flip side, however, is that it also makes finding the best burgers in Australia a meaty challenge. Time Out’s hungry team of local food writers have bravely put their jaws and stomachs on the line (in the name of exceedingly difficult research, you understand) to compile this list of Australia's best burgers. We’ve eaten our way from coast to coast to bring you the ultimate guide, telling you exactly what to order at each venue. So whether you're hunting for a classic American cheeseburger, a gourmet Wagyu creation or an innovative plant-based number, here are the absolute best burgers in Australia, ranked in no particular order. Now it’s up to you to crown the true buns of glory.  Editor's favourite burgers in Australia: 🍔 Best global icon: Café Margaret, Sydney ⭐️ Best gourmet: Bread & Bone, Adelaide 😋 Best cheeseburger: Charrd, Melbourne For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🥧 The best pies in Australia🌭 The best sausage rolls🍕 The best pizzas in Australia

Cosmic chasers, this one's for you! When you combine vast stretches of national park, clear dark night skies and zero light pollution, you've got the perfect conditions for stargazing in Australia. From tracking the Milky Way in the outback to visiting world-class dark sky reserves, the Aussie night sky is unmatched. Our Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley reckons Exmouth's Cape Range National Park has the best night sky on the planet, and she'd love to go stargazing at South Australia's Arkaroola – the country's first internationally recognised dark sky sanctuary. Here's your ultimate guide to the best stargazing spots in Australia. When is the best time to go stargazing in Australia?  Generally, the experts say winter for the crispest air and sharpest visuals. That being said, anytime from February to October should deliver the goods in any of the spots we've listed across the nation.  ☀️ The best places to watch the sunrise in Australia🌅 The best sunsets in Australia

June 2026: Direct from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, the NGV's 2026 Winter Masterpieces exhibition will be a sparkling showcase of jewels by Cartier. It's opening on June 12 and will feature more than 300 jewels, tiaras, necklaces and brooches. Geelong-born, Melbourne-based artist Rone is back with his first local project in more than three years – a large-scale installation that will transform a shopfront at Chadstone Shopping Centre. And 'Rome: Empire, Power, People' is still going strong at Melbourne Museum.  There's always something to see in this all-embracing city of ours, so don't let the month pass you by without getting your fix of the best art, culture and exhibitions in Melbourne. When in doubt, you can also always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of the best things to do in Melbourne before you die.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Keen to add some art to your home? These are the best places to buy art in Melbourne.

New York has Broadway, London has the West End, and here in Melbourne, it's all about the East End. We're an all-singing, all-dancing city which means we're spoiled for choice when it comes to the musicals taking centre stage in the historic East End Theatre District in the CBD. From glitzy theatrical numbers and singalong musicals to smaller-scale productions, Melbourne is an absolute haven when it comes to all things razzle-dazzle. See for yourself by checking out the new and upcoming musicals making their way here in 2026. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Book the best spot with our guide to scoring the best seats in every Melbourne theatre. Keen on all kinds of theatre? Here are the best shows happening this month.

June 2026: Fresh outta the oven and served up hot to an adoring audience at Her Majesty’s Theatre, 'Waitress the Musical' has arrived in Melbourne as a sugary slice of wholesome musical theatre. With a star-studded cast it's sure to satisfy a hungry crowd. For something with a little more bite, 'The Book of Mormon' remains filthy, witty and outrageous – with plenty of "did they really just say that?” humour. From the toe-tapping to the cathartic, consider this your ultimate guide to all the best Melbourne theatre shows happening this month. When stuck for things to do between shows, you can also always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of the best things to do in Melbourne before you die.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Want something else to do this month? Check out our guide to the city's best exhibitions.

It’s lights, camera, action for the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) this August, when a red carpet will be rolled out for a massive eighteen days of cinematic revelry. The festival celebrates Australian and international filmmaking with a huge program of flicks. With so much to see, we've cut through the curtain to unveil everything you need to know.   What is the Melbourne International Film Festival? Now in its 74th year, MIFF is one of the oldest film festivals in the world, alongside Cannes and Berlin. The annual festival is held over three weeks each year throughout Melbourne and surrounds. Founded in 1952, the festival presents a curated global program of screen experiences and the world's largest showcase of Australian filmmaking.  When is the Melbourne International Film Festival? Running between August 6 and 23, MIFF will include 18 days of bold in-cinema programming with star-studded events, world premiere screenings, headline features and filmmaker talks.  What sort of things can we expect from the program? At this stage, we've only just scored a first look at the MIFF line-up for 2026, but let's just say it's already getting a standing ovation (Cannes style, of course) from us. Here are some of the highlights so far. MIFF will host the world premiere of The Airport Chaplain, a drama series set in Melbourne Airport, starring Hugo Weaving and Shabana Azeez, and inspired by a real encounter with Tullamarine's own chaplain. Straight outta Berlinale comes

Melburnians, we know it’s getting chilly. But we’re not the type of city to give up on going out just because the weather is less than ideal. Aside from the inconvenient truth that we’d never get anything done if we didn’t venture out into the cold, Melbourne is heating up with a red-hot good reason to hit the streets this winter. Firelight Festival is returning to Docklands from Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5. The area around Victoria Harbour will be set alight, literally, with fire artists, fire pits and flame jets. The blazing highlight of this year's program is set to be an exciting new large-scale laser and light show, featuring water fountains, high-impact lasers and synchronised music. It will transform the waterfront into a kaleidoscope of colour and movement with nightly performances at 6.30pm and 8.30pm. The free, family-friendly festival is a true celebration of winter with a focus on family, community, food, music, fire and light. The program also includes live music, roving entertainment, silent discos, glow-in-the-dark pickleball and neon face painting. There’ll be plenty of snacks to satisfy the appetite you're guaranteed to work up, with food trucks serving everything from s'mores and hot chocolates to other hearty, warming treats.   To find out more and see the festival's full program, head to the website. 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? Ch

Our second Time Out Social Club at Melbourne's first and only Ukrainian restaurant Otakoï isn't just going to be a big, delicious feast. As well as a Journey to Ukraine set menu, there'll be live Ukrainian music, a homemade nalyvky tasting (of traditional Ukrainian-infused liqueurs), and prizes and giveaways. It'll feel like a journey to Ukraine, without the plane trip.   Otakoi claimed the People's Choice Award title for Favourite Restaurant in this year's Time Out Melbourne Food & Drink Awards (as well as being nominated for the Editors' Choice Best Restaurant Award). Here are all the details:  When: Thursday, June 18Start times: 6pm Cost: $120 per personWhere: Otakoï, 34 Chapel St, Windsor, 3181Book here: Time Out Social Club x Otakoï tickets Set menu: - Ukrainian meat plate- House pickle selection- Borshch (the Ukrainian icon)- Varenyky tasting plate- Main (choose one): holubtsi (stuffed cabbage rolls) or pechenya- Dessert: traditional Ukrainian sweets- 1 alcoholic drink (beer or wine or nalyvka – their Ukrainian signature)- 1 soft drink (e.g. Uzvar or Compot)- Nalyvky tasting Get in quick – secure a table ASAP by clicking here. Read our five-star review of Otakoï here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for more fun stuff to land in your inbox. Still hungry? These are the best restaurants in Melbourne right now.

Hotel Railway in Brunswick has lived many lives, and now this much-loved watering hole has entered a brand new era. It was recently taken over by the Riverland Group, which has given it a slick refresh and injected new life into the historic venue. But the heart of what makes this iconic pub remains: quality pub grub, beers on tap, footy on the big screens and a welcoming atmosphere. The menu features all the pub classics, with some Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours sprinkled in. We're talking parmas, burgers and steaks (obvs), plus yummy, flavour-packed dishes like sumac-roasted heirloom carrots, kingfish ceviche and popcorn fried chicken. You can grab a Sunday roast with Yorkshire pud and all the trimmings for $30, and a double serving of steak and chips for just $39 on Saturdays. Yum! Trivia takes place on Tuesday nights at 7pm, the beer garden is the place to be on sunny arvos and happy hour runs from 4-7pm on Tuesday to Friday – that's when you can score selected pints, wines, spirits and Spritzes for $10. And there are DJs spinning tunes on Friday and Saturday nights. Whether you're a Brunswick local or simply keen to soak up the community spirit at Hotel Railway, everyone's welcome in for a froff. Head to the website for more info. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Still hungry? These are the best restaurants in Melbourne right now.

Fresh outta the oven and served up hot to an adoring audience at Her Majesty’s Theatre (complete with the mouth-watering aroma of a fresh-baked pie wafting through the air), Waitress the Musical arrives in Melbourne as a sugary slice of wholesome musical theatre – but will you want to go back for a second helping?  Adapted from the 2007 cult indie flick by Adrienne Shelly, Waitress made its New York debut in 2016 with a female-led creative team (a first in the history of Broadway). That line-up included direction by Diane Paulus, a book by Jessie Nelson, choreography by Lorin Latarro and songs by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles (whose knack for writing catchy, melodic pop hits are on full display here). Sprinkle in a tale of female friendship, dreaming big and finding courage – with some sugar, butter and flour, of course – and it’s no surprise Waitress ran for four successful years, with a stint on London’s West End, too. What is Waitress the Musical about? Set in the American South, Waitress follows the story of Jenna (Natalie Bassingthwaighte), a small-town waitress and baker who works at Joe’s Pie Diner, alongside her friends Becky (Gabriyel Thomas) and Dawn (Mackenzie Dunn). She’s unhappily married to the ghastly Earl (a truly brutish man played with a villainous sneer by Keanu Gonzalez), but upon discovering she’s pregnant, ends up in an (increasingly awkward) affair with her obstetrician, Dr Pomatter (Rob Mills). Mix in a looming pie-making contes

When a pub's been around for 172 years, you know it's doing something right. First opened in 1854, the Lincoln – located on the corner of Queensberry and Cardigan Streets – is one of Carlton's (and Melbourne's) most beloved spots for a pint, parma and all-round good time. While it's had a couple of tune-ups over the years, that old-world charm and iconic facade remains. The green-walled, Art Deco bar is a prime spot for punters to work their way through the 12 taps of rotating craft beers (which change frequently, so there's always something new to try), and the refurbished dining room is the perfect setting for a special meal – whether that's a birthday, anniversary, work do or group catch-up. The menu is loaded with all the classic pub grub – think fish and chips with mushy peas, steaks, pies and a chicken schnitty, of course. But it's the Sunday roast we love best. Available from 12pm every Sunday, it rotates between free-range pork and grass-fed lamb and beef, with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and seasonal veggies on the side. And all for just $35 – bargain, right?!  Charming, characterful and welcoming to all (with plenty of ice-cold bevvies to boot) – just how we like our pubs. To find out more and make a booking at the Lincoln, head to the website. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Still thirsty? These are the best pubs in Melbourne right now.  

Score vintage treasures, designer items, crafted goods and op shop finds at the Round She Goes vintage market at Coburg Town Hall. The market features more than 60 stallholders selling handpicked and vintage clothing (1940s onwards), jewellery and accessories for cheap.  Stallholders are carefully handpicked by the Round She Goes team so that quality is ensured, sizing is diverse and the prices remain reasonable. In the past, shoppers have been able to snap up preloved designer goods from the likes of Zimmerman, Miu Miu, Versace, Scanlan Theodore, Marc Jacobs, Romance Was Born and so many more.   The market is held several times annually, with the next market taking place on May 3 from 10am to 3pm. Entry is $4, payable by cash or card, and there's plenty of free parking. Go early to fetch a good bargain and don't worry, there's coffee and baked goods inside to keep you going. Find out more here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Keen to snag more clothing? Here are Melbourne's best fashion markets. 

It’s time to dig out your puffer jacket and make the drive to Ballarat, because Sovereign Hill is hosting an illuminated extravaganza this chilly season. That’s right, the annual Winter Wonderlights program is back for another year and this edition promises to bring a bumper schedule of nighttime activities. From June 26 to July 19, the beloved Gold Rush museum will once again transform into a whimsical winter wonderland, with dazzling new light installations, Christmas carols, warming fires, cosy food and drink options, family-friendly activities, live music and more. Highlights are set to include St Nicholas’ winter hut, where you can snap a keepsake photo with the man in red himself; live comedy shows and pantomimes at the Victoria Theatre; a pop-up arts and craft studio; dustings of faux snow along Main Street; and the chance to experience the Goldfields by firelight.  Tickets are $77 for a day pass (10am-7pm) or you can opt for a short timeslot on weekends with an evening ticket (5pm-7pm) available on Saturdays and a night ticket (8pm-10pm) available on Friday and Saturdays for both $45. Snag yours here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Want more fun? These are the best things happening in Melbourne this weekend.

Been wanting to try hugely popular Melbourne restaurant Zareh, but haven’t been able to get a reservation? Now you have an exclusive, one-night opportunity to get in. To mark Time Out’s Food Month (and our Food & Drink Awards), we’re hosting a Time Out Social Club dinner at this special Award nominee restaurant. Come find out why it’s one of our Food & Drink Award nominees for 2026 – and why it’s often booked out. For one night only, Zareh will be serving a set menu, designed as a greatest-hits tour of their offering.  When Tuesday, May 12Times 6:30pmWhere Zareh, 368 Smith St, CollingwoodCost $120Book hereMenu: - 'Salma Hayek' cocktail: Arak, Gaza Cola and Fresh Lime- Haigo’s Olives- Torshi Bandari- Kafta Nayyeh, Radishes, Fried pita- Batata Harra- Chicken Kebab, Toum, Pickled Green Chilli - Hummus, King Prawns, Spanner Crab- Aish Baladi - Khorovats  | lamb cutlets, harissa, jajik- Ghapama | wood-fired pumpkin, rice, sour fruits, walnuts- Wood Baked Atayef | filled with akawi cheese & apricots with cardamom & orange blossom water Secure a table by clicking here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for more fun stuff to land in your inbox.

If you’re a foodie in Victoria (or, really, anywhere in Australia), chances are Wickens is on your must-dine bucket list. It was definitely on mine, and after a few prior fleeting visits to Dunkeld (a three-hour drive west of Melbourne) I was stoked to finally be locked in to experience the culinary magic of this regional restaurant for myself. As part of the acclaimed Royal Mail Hotel, Wickens was officially established in late 2017 by executive chef Robin Wickens, who had been working at the Royal Mail Dining Room since 2013. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength – building out one of the country’s most impressive wine collections; growing a bountiful kitchen garden that now supplies up to 80 per cent of the produce showcased in the menu; picking up two hats (along with multiple other awards); and driving up visitation to the small Southern Grampians community. The vibe  Name a more picturesque spot for a regional restaurant, we’ll wait. Located at the southern tip of the Grampians National Park, in the shadow of the majestic Mount Sturgeon, Wickens is an intimate dining room ensconced in nature – native plants line the boardwalk entrance, and towering trees dominate the panoramic vista that’s framed by floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s a beautiful sight to behold upon being seated; my only qualm with the 7.30pm booking is that once golden hour surrendered to darkness, so did our ability to continue admiring the views (book in for lunch if that’s important to you).

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 2026 literary world, featuring New York Times best-selling authors, Booker Prize standouts, first-timers and MWF exclusives, with a stellar cast coming together to celebrate the iconic festival's 40th anniversary.  The festival will spread big bookish energy across the city and surrounds via four days of workshops, talks, events and panels, running from May 7-10. This time around, the central theme of the program is 'Visions and Revisions' – which will explore the ideas that matter, futures we imagine, the strange stories we all carry, and the particular revisions, both personal and collective, that work to define us. International highlights include former NZ prime minister and all-round fan favourite, Jacinda Ardern, international bestseller R.F Kuang (Yellowface and Babel), recent Booker prize winner David Szalay (Flesh) and acclaimed Booker winner Yann Martel, whose known worldwide for his beloved book, The Life of Pi.  On the local front, expect to see journalist and human rights advocate Antoniette Latouff present 'Women Who Win', alongside activist and former Australian of the Year, Grace Tame. We'll also see Stephanie Alexander (aka the queen of Australian homestyle cooking) in conversation with beloved author and philanthropist Alice Zaslavsky, in a Mother's Day conv

Wednesday nights in Melbourne are known for one thing and one thing only: Queen Victoria Market’s legendary Night Market. With the summer iteration officially finished for the season, Queen Vic has announced it will be bringing back its insanely popular Asian night market to tide you over until the winter version takes over during the chilly season. The Hawker 88 Night Market brings Asian tastes, sights and sounds to Queen Vic’s sheds. Running every Wednesday night from April 8 until May 6, a tasty variety of stalls and trucks will be set up to sell authentic street food direct from China, Vietnam, Korea, India, Malaysia, Japan and beyond.  There's a line-up of more than 25 vendors selling tasty street eats like chicken and beef satay, handmade gyoza, spicy laksa bowls, pad see ew, moreish popcorn fried chicken, crispy wonton tacos, matchamisu and even durian (if you dare!). Quench your thirst at The Lucky Horse Bar with an Iced Watermelon Shochu or a non-alcoholic Lychee Lemonade. Across the five-week stint there will also be lion dances, KPop Demon Hunters performances, martial arts demonstrations, taiko drumming, Squid Game-inspired challenges, Bollywood dance workshops and a closing-night cosplay parade. There's even a Korean-style photobooth, vintage Japanese kimonos and souvenirs like custom keychains, bags and 3D printed toys to browse and buy.  Each Wednesday brings a distinct cultural focus. April 8 is Pan-Asian Night with lion dances; April 15 showcases the flavour

Here’s some delicious news you can really sink your teeth into: Time Out has revealed its definitive ranking of the world’s greatest cities for eating and drinking in 2026, and Melbourne has landed at seventh on the list. The rankings were determined through surveys of 24,000 city-dwellers around the world, paired with insights from Time Out’s global network of food writers (more on that later). After taking out the overall title of best city in the world earlier this year, and following that up with sixth spot on the list of the best global cities for culture, the accolades just keep rolling in for Melbourne. And in a city that's long been revered for its culinary scene, this announcement tastes particularly sweet. If you ask us, there’s never been a more exciting time to eat out in Melbourne than right now. Chefs like Tom Sarafian, Rosheen Kaul, Gayan Pieris and Zoe Birch are expanding hungry diners’ horizons through their innovative and modern takes on Armenian, Egyptian, French, Chinese, Sri Lankan and local Australian cuisine. There are huge (but justified) lines to try world-class burgers from Charrd, chicken sangas with a cult following from Chicky Boi and Japanese-inspired pastries from Bakemono. And no longer are restaurants trying to appeal to the masses with broad offerings – a recent shift towards ‘specific authenticity’ and highly localised regional cuisines has seen spots like Marmelo (Portuguese) and Otakoi (Melbourne’s first and only Ukrainian restaurant) thr

If your idea of heaven is a Kmart shopping spree with an unlimited budget (hello, beauty dupes and random kitchen gadgets), and you love browsing at places like TK Maxx and Costco (who doesn't love a bargain?!), this one's for you. Retail giant Kmart is opening its very first dedicated homewares outlet right here in Melbourne, and it's going to be huge. Launching on June 18 in Box Hill South, the 3,800-square-metre store is set to rival the likes of Ikea, Amart Furniture and Freedom. The layout will adopt a similar showroom experience to its competitors, featuring an extended range of its budget-friendly Anko home-brand furniture, storage and decor products – all displayed in stylised room settings.   Photograph: Supplied | KmartK Home Render   From couches and mattresses to shelving units and bookcases, K Home will largely stock big-ticket items you won’t find in a regular Kmart store. In the past, these bulkier items have been online exclusives – but the new outlet changes the game, allowing you to see how they look in real life while serving up plenty of home styling inspo along the way. Of course, Kmart is staying true to its “Low prices for life” promise. Affordability will remain at the core of its new offering, proving that you never have to sacrifice style to be savvy. K Home will officially open at Box Hill South in the city’s east on Thursday, June 18. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to yo

If you watched on with jealousy as Dom Dolla made a record-breaking debut Australian stadium performance at Sydney's Allianz Stadium last December, we've got some very exciting news to share. The Grammy Award-nominated DJ and producer is returning to Melbourne for an exclusive one-off homecoming show on the eve of the city's AFL Grand Final weekend. Huge! He will perform the world premiere of his brand new stadium production in front of a hometown crowd at Marvel Stadium on September 24, in what's expected to be one of the largest headline electronic shows ever staged in Australia. With new music ready to go – he recently released ‘Addicted to Bass’ and ‘Don't Worry Baby’ feat. Tiga – and an impressive catalogue that has now surpassed 1.5 billion streams, we just know this is one gig that Melburnians won't want to miss. “Melbourne clubs are where I cut my teeth as a DJ. I don't get to play at home as often as I’d like these days, so after touring all over the world and learning what makes a great show, I wanted this one to be incredibly special,” said Dom.  “Turning this stadium into a superclub has been a dream of mine for years now, and I can’t believe we’re finally making it a reality. I am so grateful for the support Melbourne has shown me over the years. See you in September!” Photograph: @samverbiskyDom Dolla When is Dom Dolla in Melbourne?  Dom Dolla will make his Marvel Stadium debut on Thursday, September 24 – aka the eve of the AFL Grand Final weekend.  When do 

In what's sure to be music to the ears of the avid outdoor lovers among us, a historic bridge on a popular walking and biking trail in regional Victoria has finally been repaired and restored to its former glory. Dee Slip Bridge, which makes up part of the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail near Warburton, has now reopened to the public after falling into disrepair.  Located in the Yarra Ranges National Park, the timber bridge was originally used to access the O’Shannassy Aqueduct and the 30 kilometre trail that runs alongside it. It was constructed back in 1947 when the aqueduct collapsed, and was used by cyclists and walkers alike to get to the popular mountainside track that runs from East Warburton to the Don Valley.  But in 2021, the bridge was badly damaged when a big pine tree fell onto it, and it had to be closed off to the public, with a temporary bypass created instead.     Photograph: Parks VictoriaDee Slip Bridge In September last year, the Victorian Government announced plans to restore the heritage bridge, with works commencing in Novermber to preserve the structure. While some of the original piles had to be removed due to rotting, much of the original timber remains, with modern steel supports added to ensure long-term durability. This strengthening of the bridge’s deck also means it can support fire-fighting vehicles up to six tonnes in weight. Dee Slip Bridge is a vital piece of the region's history, and the only timber trestle bridge on the system. It also suppor

Missed out on Harry Styles tickets when they went on sale earlier this year? You're about to be thrown one final lifeline. The pop star – who kicked off his Together, Together tour in Amsterdam over the weekend – has just announced a fourth and final show for Melbourne. Yep, Styles will hit Marvel Stadium one extra time on Friday, December 4 – and we could not be more excited. It's been three years since Harry Styles last performed in Australia as part of his Love On Tour, and since that wrapped up all sightings of the international megastar have been few and far between – aside from popping up to run the odd marathon or being papped with Zoë Kravitz (who he recently got engaged too *sob*). He released his fourth studio album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, on March 6, and has now officially kicked off his massive seven-city global residency, finally giving us our first glimpse of what the shows will look like. And let's just say that marathon training has come in handy – the stage is huge. So, alert the group chat and get your game plan in action – these tickets are gonna go quick. Here's everything we know about Harry Styles' Melbourne shows so far.  Photograph: Anthony Pham When is Harry Styles in Melbourne?  The music gods have blessed Melbourne with not one, not two but four shows as part of Styles' Together, Together tour. He will kick off the Australian leg with performances on Friday, November 27, Saturday, November 28 and Wednesday, December 2 at Marvel St

Ignore what anyone tells you about places like Sydney or Adelaide chasing the crown of Australia's cultural capital – that title belongs firmly to Melbourne, especially after it was just named Time Out’s 6th best city in the world for art and culture in 2026! It’s been a big year for us Melburnians, with our city recently crowned the greatest on Earth in Time Out’s highly anticipated annual ranking. Beyond the overall title, we also set out to find today’s true cultural hotspots, where world-class art, theatre, music and festivals are both accessible and affordable to locals and visitors. To create this year’s list, Time Out surveyed 24,000 locals across more than 150 cities, asking them to rate the quality and affordability of their hometown’s culture scene, and to tell us exactly what their city does best – from comedy and carnivals to live music and literature. We then combined their responses with local insights from Time Out’s editors and contributors to identify the most exciting places to go for culture and the arts right now.  Photograph: Visit Victoria To ensure the list reflects the best cities for culture globally, Time Out only features the highest-scoring city from each country. While Sydney proudly secured that spot in 2025 – ranking fifth on the global index – the tide has turned. In 2026, Melbourne has rightfully reclaimed the spotlight, proving exactly why it’s Australia’s cultural capital. We landed sixth on the worldwide ranking for culture, only behind h

It's been almost 18 months since Melbourne welcomed a new Chris Lucas restaurant (hello, Maison Bâtard), but that countdown clock will reset in October with the arrival of Wishbone – an all-day Hong Kong-inspired eatery located in the city's Midtown precinct. Channelling the vibrant energy of Hong Kong's small restaurants and food stalls, the kitchen will be helmed by Dan Chan (Hong Kong's Yardbird), who has been leading the charge over at another Lucas Collective venue, Tombo Den. The menu – created in partnership between Lucas and Chan – will showcase the incredibly diverse and fun flavours of Hong Kong street food through a modern Aussie lens. Think a playful execution of classic dishes like dumplings and prawn toast, that draw on Chan's upbringing and his deep personal connection to the city. “The development of the menu is very close to my heart and draws on my time in Hong Kong, as well as broader travel.” says Chan. “The food scene in Hong Kong has always been a brilliant, chaotic mix of influences – a bit eccentric, and a lot of fun. That’s what I want people to feel when they eat at Wishbone.” The venue has been designed by Chris and Sarah Lucas in collaboration with DKO Architecture, and it's set to become one of the city's most eye-catching new additions. Red perspex stairs will be visible from the entrance on McKillop Street via gorgeous curved windows, with the lush red colour palette extending inside via retro furnishings and moody lights.  “Wishbone is going t

Update Sunday, April 19: With petrol prices remaining high and the cost of living continuing to put pressure on local households, the Victorian Government has made the decision to extend the free public transport initiative until the end of May. And from June 1, half-price fares will kick in for the rest of the year – with the full daily fare costing $5.70, not $11.40. Under half-price fares, reimbursements will be available for people with Mykis, while under 18s and those with special pass holders can continue to travel for free. It means that from June 1, the Myki tap-and-go trial can also resume. It's expected this will cost the average daily commuter more than $850 between June and the end of 2026. It will also ease demand at the petrol pump and take cars off the road.  *** Feeling the pinch at the bowser? You're certainly not alone. With petrol prices skyrocketing across the country (and in some areas, drying up entirely), taking public transport has never looked more appealing. In an effort to ease the pressure at the pump, the Victorian Government has just announced that all public transport will be free across Victoria for a month, starting on Tuesday, March 31. That's right – until Thursday, April 30, all commuters will be able to travel across Victoria's trains (both metro and V/Line), trams and buses every single day without having to tap on their Myki. Instead, all Myki gates will be open to allow for easy and streamlined access to stations and platforms.  Don't w

The Australian Open. The Formula One Grand Prix. The AFL Grand Final. The Boxing Day Test. Melbourne has long been known as Australia’s sporting capital, but in case you needed further proof, here it is: this year, the city will play host to Australia’s first-ever regular season NFL game, as part of a massive multi-year deal. It also makes Melbourne the first city in the world to host an international tennis Grand Slam, a Formula One Grand Prix and an NFL Regular Season game. Further proof this really is the best city in the world. The match will feature the Los Angeles Rams as the ‘home’ team, with the San Francisco 49ers confirmed as the opposition. The game will be played at the MCG – aka the sporting heartland of Melbourne – with kick-off at 10.35am on September 11, 2026.  “It’s a win for jobs, a win for businesses and a win for fans who will get to see American Football played in the best stadium in the world,” said premier Jacinta Allan.  Supplied: Office of the premier of Victoria NFL, also known as American Football, is the USA’s most popular sport. That means footage of Melbourne as the host city will be beamed live to the almost 20 million Americans who tune into each game (not to mention the millions more who watch from across the globe). The 49ers are one of the NFL’s most illustrious franchises, having won the Super Bowl five times. Best of all, they share an intense rivalry with the Rams, which is sure to make the Melbourne match-up a hugely important – and

Update Monday, March 23: The latest alert from the Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre (ASWFC) today confirms a geomagnetic storm is still in progress. According to the alert, the "Aurora may be observed during local nighttime hours in good observing conditions at high altitudes." The best chance to spot the lights is 60 to 75 minutes after sunset, with likely spotting in Tasmania and Victoria, plus parts of South Australia, Western Australia, the ACT and NSW, if skies are clear. On the weekend, Lady Aurora put on a dazzling show, with the Southern Lights spotted everywhere from Horsham and Wodonga in Victoria to the Tasman Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and the NSW Southern Highlands.Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Southern Lights from Victoria. Where in the world can you see the Aurora? Bright, beautiful and bedazzling, the Aurora Borealis is a big-ticket bucket list item for pretty much everyone on Earth. Only those who have witnessed the Northern Lights with their naked eyes can truly understand its ethereal magic. But you don’t need to fork out on a ticket to Scandinavia to see the dramatic natural light display IRL. Australia has its very own version, called the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights – and last year was one of the brightest display in 20 years. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Aurora Australis in Australia. Will the Aurora Australis be visible tonight from Victoria? Australia’s first big Aurora Australis of the se

Big news! Time Out's 2026 ranking of the best cities in the world has just dropped, and Melbourne – yes, our Melbourne – has jumped three places (from fourth in 2025) to take out the number one spot. Cue the applause, fireworks and confetti, stat!  It's the first time ever that an Australian city has topped the annual list, with Melbourne previously peaking in second spot a decade ago in 2016. And our humble little metropolis outshone some heavyweights on the way to the top this year, beating out global powerhouses Shanghai, Edinburgh, London and New York, which rounded out the top five.  Even better, it's a celebration all round for Australia, with Sydney ranking 21st and Adelaide coming in at number 29. And while we can't promise we won't gloat about this for the next year (sorry, Sydney!), it's still an poignant reminder that Australia really is an exceptional places to live, visit and explore. Photograph: Supplied | Visit Victoria So, how was this ranking compiled? Time Out surveyed more than 24,000 locals in 42 languages about where they live. These questions covered topics that included everything from food, nightlife and culture to affordability, happiness and the overall city vibe. A panel of more than 100 Time Out city experts from around the world were also asked to name the most exciting cities in the world right now. All data from 44 different criteria was combined to create the ranking. Melbourne scored a strong overall ‘city rating’ as well as high ‘happiness

There's nothing we love more than planning a holiday. But do you ever stop to think about the reasons why you travel? Of course, there's the usual: gain new life experiences, learn about different cultures, create lasting memories with loved ones. But there's also the big bucket list moments – like major sporting events – that drive a desire to see the world. Because let's be real, who hasn't dreamed of one day attending Wimbledon, the Super Bowl, or even the Olympics?  Yep, when you start to think about it, sports really do seem to be emerging as a major player in tourism world. And Melbourne – home to the Australian Open, AFL Grand Final, Boxing Day Test, the F1 Australian Grand Prix and an upcoming regular-season NFL game – is undoubtedly at the centre of it. A recent survey by Hilton conducted across China, India, Australia, Singapore and Japan confirms this, revealing that 40 per cent of respondents were likely to plan international trips around major sporting events. And more than half (60 per cent) have already travelled domestically or internationally for a sporting event.   People aren't attending these sporting spectacles alone, either. The rise in sports tourism stems from a drive to be social and connect – 47 per cent of of respondents travel with friends, while 55 per cent travel with partners. This aligns with one of the aforementioned fundamental reasons we travel: to create special shared memories.  And while having an interest in the sport itself (like Formu