Leah Glynn

May 2025: If the looming winter ahead is having you hankering for that mid-year holiday (Euro summer, anyone?), you're probably keeping an eye on your bank account. Sun-chasers, savers and those simply on a tight budget right now, we know the spots around town where you can eat well without breaking the bank.  The late and great respected chef Anthony Bourdain once famously said: “I'd rather eat in Melbourne than Paris." It goes without saying that Melbourne has long been revered as one of Asia Pacific's most exciting food cities, but that status isn't just attributed to our fancy restaurants – special as many of those upper crust institutions may be. Our laneways and hidden alcoves are brimming with cheap street eats, smashable pub deals and dinner options you can enjoy for $20, $15 or even under $10, so you can stop counting your hard-earned pennies and start eating instead. Lauren Dinse is Time Out Melbourne’s Food and Drink Writer, and has spent an impressive time scouting for the city's tastiest cheap eats – from her early student days spent wandering around Carlton and the CBD in search of a pocket change lunch, to the present day covering fun new openings for Time Out.  For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. Don't want to spend a cent? We've got you covered with our guide to the best things to do for free in Melbourne.

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

Are you overdue for a bit of self-care? Give your muscles the gift of a deep tissue massage or refresh your complexion with a soothing facial at these retreats around Melbourne. From luxury day spas and bathhouses to cosmetic clinics and wellness centres, there's a range of treatment options for you to choose from that will leave you feeling soft, warm and radiant.  Leah Glynn is a self-confessed self-care specialist. If there's a massage to be enjoyed or a bath to soak in, chances are she's experienced it. Her hot pick for a pamper sesh? The 'equilibrium' at Comma is next-level good.  Need some more pampering? Check out our list of best massage spots in Melbourne. Or hit the road and discover the best hot springs in Victoria.

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

May 2025: Could this be the biggest month of the year in Melbourne for blockbuster productions? We sure think so... Making its Australian debut is none other than 'Beetlejuice the Musical' – the musical adaptation of Tim Burton's kooky cult classic, starring local legend of stage and screen Eddie Perfect in the titular role. Also direct from Broadway (via a stint in Sydney) is 'Hadestown', which explores the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in a dystopian steampunk-esque underworld. Plus, 'The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale' has opened at the Comedy Theatre, while 'Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular' is bringing an all-star cast to Rod Laver Arena. Phew! Better organise your tickets, stat.  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 100 things to do in Melbourne before you die.  Want something else to do this month? Check out our gig guide.

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 2025. 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.

May 2025: With Melbourne's theatre stages dominating the spotlight this month, it's a relatively quiet time on the music front. But any 'Star Wars' fans out there won't want to miss 'The Force Awakens in Concert' with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. While the iconic film plays on the big screen at Hamer Hall, the orchestra down below will play John Williams’ heroic score, conducted by Benjamin Northey. When stuck for things to do between live gigs, 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 100 things to do in Melbourne before you die.  Craving a pint with your favourite local band? Here are the best live music pubs in Melbourne.

May 2025: 'Yayoi Kusama' may have finished up (setting the record for the NGV's highest ticketed exhibition ever staged with more than 570,000 visitors), but there's still plenty for local culture vultures to discover. 'The Outsiders' wraps up at the end of the month, so don't miss your chance to see this free collection of street art – including a whole room of Banksys. Plus, 'Lego Star Wars: the Exhibition' has just opened at Melbourne Museum, with the largest collection of life-sized Lego Star Wars models ever assembled. 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 this May. 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 100 things to do in Melbourne before you die.  Keen to add some art to your home? These are the best places to buy art in Melbourne.

We all know Sydney and Melbourne – they’re the go-to cities for any traveller touching down in Australia. But once you’ve ticked off all the bucket list items – we’re looking at you, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House – where to next? Sure, you could continue adventuring along the Great Ocean Road to Adelaide, or wind your way up the coast to Brisbane – but why not shake things up? Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has handpicked ten underrated Aussie destinations that are packed with hidden natural wonders, incredible eateries and fascinating events. So, ditch the crowds and head to these lesser-known, yet equally awesome cities in Australia. Labelling a city as ‘underrated’ might ruffle a few feathers with the locals. For us, ‘underrated cities’ are those that sit in the shadow of their state’s capital, yet pack just as much awe and adventure. So, here’s our list of Australia’s most underrated cities at the moment. But fair warning – they might not stay under the radar for long. 🌈 All the best places to visit in Australia🚗 The best day trips from every Australian capital city🏝️ Cheap holiday destinations that don't suck in Australia

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

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.

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

Whether you’re a certified K-Pop stan (fun fact: Rosé from Blackpink went to high school in Melbourne!), know your bulgogi from your bibimbap, or are simply interested in learning more about Korea, this is the event for you. The Korea Festival is coming back to Fed Square from May 24-25 for an epic two-day celebration of Korean culture, cuisine, traditions and a special area dedicated to the Netflix smash-hit show, Squid Game. And best of all, it’s free! The fun program includes cultural performances by the Saengdonggam Crew (a b-boy dancing group) and the chance to make kimbap (a dish similar to sushi made from rice, raw fish and veggies), plus plenty of stalls and cultural booths selling everything from authentic Korean dishes to crafts and clothing.  And you won’t want to miss the high-energy K-Pop showdown featuring some of Melbourne’s hottest musical talents. Industry professionals will judge the top vocals and impressive choreography as performers battle it out for a spot in the prestigious KBS K-Pop World Festival. This year, in honour of one of Netflix’s hottest shows, there’s even going to be an epic Squid Game activation – and yes, you will be able to play the iconic Red Light Green Light game, complete with a fully operational, full-size Young-Hee doll. Good luck trying not to flinch. There will also be plenty of opportunities to take photos with sets inspired by the show. We’re talking the Labyrinth stairs, VIP room and pink-bowed coffins. Be sure to keep an eye o

We can picture it now – the sun is shining, we’ve got a bev in hand, and we’re at the glorious Royal Botanic Gardens ready to enjoy some live music. It’s an idyllic daydream, and one that could soon become a reality. All you have to do is snap up tickets. Live at the Gardens is an outdoor gig series that launched in the summer of 2024, and it saw the lush, expansive lawns of the Royal Botanic Gardens host up to 5,000 people for an eclectic mix of musical acts. Headline performances included Groove Armada, Matt Corby, The Presets, Chet Faker and Tash Sultana. And now we've had a taste of the 2025 line-up, with Franz Ferdinand the first band to be announced. More than two decades since their debut single 'Take Me Out' catapulted them to worldwide fame, the Scottish rockers have just dropped their latest album to huge acclaim. The Human Fear is an 11-song exploration of deep-set human fears and how overcoming and accepting these fears drives and defines our lives.    The last time Franz Ferdinand toured was in 2018, and their performance on Friday, November 28, will be their only Victorian show. Supporting them will be Teenage Dads and Delivery.   For more info and to grab your tickets before they sell out, mosey on over here. Craving more music? Get your fix with the best gigs happening in Melbourne this month.

When revolutionaries stormed and captured the Bastille fortress – which was used to imprison political and religious dissidents – on July 14, 1789, it was considered the start of the French Revolution and the beginning of the end for the French monarchy. That fateful day became known as Bastille Day, and celebrations are held annually all across France. If you're keen to join in on the fun, swap your beanie for a beret and head over to Queen Victoria Market on July 12-13 for the Bastille Day French Festival – now in its tenth year. Sheds C and D will transport you to a wintery French town square complete with vendors peddling cheeses, crêpes, Champagne and pastries (it wouldn't be a Gallic celebration without the scent of croissants in the air). While you feast, live entertainment like can-can dancers, mime artists, talented accordionists will take over the main stage.  Ticketed talks, walking tours and interactive masterclasses will also run over the two days – and if you can't make it in person, you can still tune into some Bastille Day-themed online events. Best of all, think of it as an opportunity to practice your French language skills amongst French expats, Francophones and Francophiles – oui, oui! For more information, visit the Bastille Day French Festival website. Craving French food now? Consult our guide to the best French restaurants in Melbourne.

Melbourne's favourite illuminated event is back again for a fourth year, with more than 20 dazzling new light installations to meander through in wonderment. From June 20 to August 10, take a nighttime stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens and experience luminous pathways, lit-up tree canopies, soothing soundscapes and more spectacular sights. For the upcoming season, you can expect a reimagined 2.2km trail accompanied by stunning lakeside reflections, large-scale illuminated sculptures and other wonders, with more than 100,000 tiny lights on display. Expect 2025 highlights to be huge illuminated canopy of flowers and the mesmerising 'lawn of light'. Most importantly, you'll also be able to grab a bite to eat and warming drinks, like hot chocolate and mulled wine, at the Welcome Zone or along the trail. They say that Melbourne is at its best in winter and events like Lightscape, where you can rug up and join friends for a magical experience, are a big reason why. Adult tickets start at $36 and are available through the website – be quick as they tend to go fast.  Want more? Check out the best things happening in Melbourne this week.

Feeling the chill? The Big Design Market returns to Melbourne to warm you right up with a special 'Almost Winter' edition. From May 23-25, the Royal Exhibition Building is set to be transformed into a shopper's haven for three big days. You'll be able to peruse more than 250 stallholders from Australia and New Zealand, selling things like ethically made ceramics, jewellery, homewares, clothing, lifestyle products, stationery, limited-edition art prints, pet wares and so much more.  Shopping can be hungry work, so be sure to fuel up with treats from some of the country's best culinary connoisseurs, including the likes of Wonder Pies, Ca Com Bánh Mì Bar, Casa Nata, Ugo Burrata Bar, 400 Gradi and Billy Van Creamery. On the beverage front, Rumble Coffee will be joining for the first time with their tasty brews, while Pizzini Wines, Cheeky Rascal Cider, Subtle Tea, Ester Spirits and more will be on hand to whip up something a tad stronger.  This market's guest artist is Irina Nazarova, who will create a magical space with her whimsical botanical art that blends the complexity of Australian flora with the simplicity and tenderness of European flowers. Her work will hang in the great dome of the Royal Exhibition Building. Don't miss the fashion runway at 12pm on Saturday, May 24 (starring the latest collections from the fashion designers in attendance); and if you’ve got kids in tow, a designated entertainment zone with creative activities is sure to keep them busy. The show bags ar

The MCG is Melbourne's holy ground for cricket and AFL, but for one night a year, it is also the site of a huge sleepover, as everyone from students to CEOs pack pyjamas, board games, scarves and beanies and sleep on a cardboard box to raise funds to combat youth homelessness. For the last 11 years, Melbourne City Mission (MCM) has asked people to camp out at the legendary stadium to get a taste of what more than 7,600 young people aged 12-24 are experiencing every single night in Victoria. And on May 15, the massive community event is happening again. The money raised through this fundraiser and other donations help the MCM provide vital accommodation for young people who are couch surfing, sleeping rough or in other forms of unstable accommodation. On top of providing a safe place to sleep, the MCM also helps struggling youth build life skills that they might not have had the chance to learn. This year, presenter Brihony Dawson will host the night's fun program of events, which will include live music, games, DJs, mini golf, singalongs, prizes, a photobooth, Lego building station and lots more. Registration is now open, and adult tickets are $75. So go on, gather a group of family, friends or colleagues and start raising money to do your bit to end youth homelessness. For more information, head to the website. Looking for more worthy causes to support? Here's where you can volunteer in Melbourne.

Calling all insomniacs with a penchant for round-the-clock revelry: Sleepless Footscray Festival is returning for a fourth edition this May. This after-dark festival of public art, music and unexpected activations will bring dormant laneways and forgotten indoor spaces to life, transforming them into inviting nightscapes.  The heart of vibrant Footscray will play host to a series of adventurous events celebrating the world-class diversity and creativity coming out of Melbourne’s inner west. Running from May 2-18, the festival will consist of an eclectic line-up including music, film screenings, art installations, theatre and more.   For lovers of offbeat cinema, the Melbourne Nocturnal Film Festival will bring the weirdest and most wonderful local shorts to Footscray’s Bluestone Church Arts Space from May 6-7.  Other program highlights include The Door in Question, an immersive theatre experience that portrays a vivid portrait of living with mental illness; Untitled Baseball Game, an experimental narrative project centred around the culture of Melbourne’s western 'burbs; and Footscray Celebrates Africa, a day of free live music, dance and musical education featuring performances by Jarabi Band, Mandé Spirit, Seben Brothers and more. “Sleepless Footscray is a celebration of the bold, the unexpected, and the deeply creative spirit of Melbourne’s inner west,” said Alex Mansell, spokesperson for the event. “This year, we’re transforming overlooked spaces into stages, galleries an

Update Monday, May 5: Keen for a luxe winter getaway? Drift House is running an exclusive offer through the colder months with rates from just $325 per night – that's a saving of 34 per cent! The Winter Escape Package (which includes daily breakfast) has a minimum stay of three nights and is available from now until August 31 (exlcuding the King's Birthday long weekend). For more info, head to the website. 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

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 (1950s 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 prices start from just $10. 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 4 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. Keen to snag more clothing? Here are Melbourne's best fashion markets. Alternatively, get a greener wardrobe with these sustainable fashion brands.

While winter seems like the time to hide under the doona and get reacquainted with your Netflix must-watch list, that is absolutely the wrong approach. Cold weather brings with it a kind of magic in the form of frosty air and clear, still views that seem to go on forever, and this is especially the case in regional Victoria.  If you're keen to head on a cool-climate caper but aren't sure where to begin, you're in luck: the East Gippsland Winter Festival is returning for its fifth iteration. Rug up and hit the road for a month-long celebration packed with lavish winter feasts, fantastical art installations, live music, lantern parades, creative workshops, wellness experiences and much more. This year, the festivities kick off on June 20 and coincide with the Victorian school holidays. Returning highlights of the program include the Medieval Winter Fire Festival at Bruthen complete with swordfights, costumes and bonfires; a long lunch on the Nicholson River Trestle Bridge showcasing the region's best produce; live ice sculpting and a fire show at Meetung; and Lakes Lights – an incredible display of lantern sculptures, light projections and roaming performers on the foreshore of Lakes Entrance.   New events on the line-up include an après-ski party complete with mulled wine, hot toddies and DJs; the Op Shop Ball in Cann River, where attendees are encouraged to wear their finest oph shop garb; and the Great Alpine Scarecrow Competition. And don't miss the sunrise dip in the Gipps

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

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.

Africa may be considered the king of the savannah when it comes to animal experiences – lions! Elephants! Giraffes! Rhinos! You can see them all over there – but in comparison to the rest of the world, our humble state doesn't fare too bad.  The researchers at Titan Travel recently published a Wildlife Safari Index, which aims to spotlight the best destinations around the world for animal lovers outside of Africa. They compiled a list of locations offering the ideal balance of diverse wildlife, endangered species conservation and accessible travel, then ranked them across categories like most affordable, top-rated and most Instagrammable. And wouldn't you know it, three of the top five most Insta-worthy spots can be found in Victoria. Yep, if you were hoping to have a special wildlife encounter – whether that's hand-feeding a roo or joining a cheetah on its morning walk – you can do all that right here. Photograph: Werribee Open Range Zoo Coming in second place on the list is Werribee Open Range Zoo, with more than 126,000 location tags. Visitors have long flocked here to take an African-inspired journey on one of the zoo's famous open-air safari buses, where you can see giraffes, rhinos, zebras and hippopotamuses splashing in the river. In March, the zoo also opened the brand new Elephant Trail – an $88 million enclosure spanning a massive 21 hectares that's become home to a herd of nine Asian elephants. Healesville Sanctuary – a haven for native Australian animals – cla

Whether you've been a fan of Gracie Abrams since her debut single 'Mean It', discovered her via Taylor Swift's Eras Tour or became obsessed following the release of pop banger (and TikTok earworm) 'That's So True', there's no denying the American singer-songwriter has had one helluva rise to fame. And now, she's ready to get close to you – literally – when she brings her Secret Of Us Tour to Melbourne for three powerhouse shows. So, slip on a lace maxi dress and pop a white bow in your hair (IYKYK), it's finally time to belt out 'I Love You, I'm Sorry' with 14,000 of your new best friends. Find out everything you need to know about Abrams' upcoming Melbourne gigs below.  When is Gracie Abrams in Melbourne? Abrams kicked off the Australian leg of her Secret Of Us Tour with three performances in Sydney followed by two in Brisbane. She will play three sold-out shows at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on May 9, 10 and 11. After that, she's heading to Adelaide and Perth.  Who is Gracie Abrams’ support act in Melbourne? California-born singer-songwriter Ashe will support Abrams across all her shows in Australia and New Zealand. She is best known for her songs 'Moral Of The Story' (which featured in the Netflix film To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You), 'Till Forever Falls Apart' and 'Angry Woman'. How to get to the Gracie Abrams concerts in Melbourne? Public transport is considered the quickest and easiest option. You can walk from Flinders Street Station (it's a ten-minute stroll 

After a hiatus in 2024, and in the wake of so many Aussie music festivals being cancelled, many of us wondered whether Spilt Milk would ever return. Well, we're here with some very good news: Spilt Milk is back, baby – and boy oh boy has it delivered with a world-class line-up that had us gasping out loud.  Drumroll, please: hip-hop legend Kendrick Lamar (fresh off five Grammy wins and an epic Superbowl Halftime performance) is headlining the festival alongside US rap goddess Doechii (who will make her Aussie debut). If that's not enough to have you alerting the group chat, we don't know what is. As always, the fun goes beyond the stage, with immersive activations like rowdy country bars, jolly sing-alongs, empowering art exhibitions and a pumping party bus.  Given Spilt Milk has a track record of selling out in mere minutes, you’ll want to be ready to pounce when tickets drop. Here’s everything you need to know about scoring tickets in 2025. When and where is Spilt Milk 2025? Like in previous years, Spilt Milk is bringing the party to four Australian cities in 2025, including: Ballarat: Victoria Park – Saturday, December 6 Perth: Claremont Showground – Sunday, December 7 Canberra: Exhibition Park – Saturday, December 13 Gold Coast: Gold Coast Sports Precinct – Sunday, December 14 Photograph: Jordan Munns When do Spilt Milk tickets go on sale? Due to high demand, general admission tickets will be released at staggered times on Friday, May 9: 8am AEST – Canberra 9am AEST

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