Leah Glynn

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. Grab your bald caps, folks! Pitbull is taking over Marvel Stadium on Saturday night as part of Fridayz Live – and boy, are we ready to scream-sing 'Hotel Room Service' at the top of our lungs. He'll be joined by certified diva Mariah Carey in her first Aussie performance in 11 years, and also Lil Jon, Wiz Khalifa, Eve and more. The most stylish people in Australia are currently in town for Melbourne Fashion Week, and there are plenty of chic events you can attend – including runway shows, designer exhibitions and workshops. And the Melbourne International Jazz Festival also continues for a second week, with music galore. And if you're more of a musical theatre fan, don't miss MJ the Musical or Annie.  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 100 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! It's the most stylish time of the year! Melbourne Fashion Week is here, with runway shows, designer exhibitions and workshops to check out. There's even an exclusive free display of Glinda and Elphaba's costumes from Wicked at Fed Square – be sure to pop past before it wraps up on Sunday. The Melbourne International Jazz Festival continues through to the weekend, bringing some much-needed sax to the CBD. For your arts and culture fix, the fun and fully interactive Game Worlds continues at ACMI, while other exhibitions worth a look include Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard at Melbourne Museum and 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art at the Potter Museum of Art. 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 100 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.

For the past eight years, we’ve made it our mission to scope out the coolest pockets of the world’s greatest cities in order to create our definitive annual ranking. The places where stuff like nightlife, art, culture, and affordable food and drink can be found on every corner and down every backstreet. Where diversity is championed and independent businesses thrive, from old-school boltholes to the newest avant-garde art space. Put simply, the world’s coolest neighbourhoods are places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work and play. So, what are the neighbourhoods that fit the bill this year? To find out, we asked our network of writers and editors across a breadth of cities to nominate the vibiest district in their hometown right now. We then ranked every neighbourhood against criteria including culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink, street life and that hard-to-define sense of ‘nowness’.  On our list this year, you’ll find everything from homely, village-like enclaves with tight-knit communities to revitalised city-centre hubs and formerly dormant, industrial areas transformed into creative districts. Many are underrated spots that sit in the shadow of their commercialised counterparts; others have become unexpected culinary hotspots or magnets for the city’s artists, writers and activists. What they all have in common is a DIY spirit – and an unshakeable proclivity f

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.  Editor's favourite day spas in Melbourne: 🛀 Best for a soak: Sense of Self 💆‍♀️ Best for a massage: Comma 🧖 Best for a facial: Shine Skin and Body or Hüd Northcote 🧘‍♀️ Best for a luxury experience: Crown Spa Melbourne 👯 Best for a social wellness sesh: Soak Bathhouse 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? Hit the road and discover the best hot springs in Victoria.

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. 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.

Melburnians certainly know how to ride the wave of a good food trend, but one phase that has stuck around is our collective love and appreciation for the humble sandwich. And for that, we are thankful. Arguably the most versatile food, you can eat it for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and the possibilities for fillings and combinations are endless. Start your day with a brekky sanga filled with bacon and cheese, munch on a meatball sub for lunch, and get a lil' fancy with a croque monsieur for dinner. However you take yours, it seems the sandwich trend is not going anywhere for a while, so work your way through our round-up of the best sangas in town.  Looking to change up your usual sandwich routine? Check out the best bahn mi in Melbourne. Finish on a sweet note with the best ice cream and gelato around town. 

October 2025 update: In case you hadn't realised, it's officially sit-out-in-the-sun-and-drink-delicious-bevvies season. Yep, the weather is (slightly) warmer and the days are (slightly) longer which means there's more time to squeeze in a cheeky drink or two. And lucky for you, we've got a list of some excellent spots where you can do just that. Cheers! 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.  We've rounded up the top 49 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: Apollo Inn 👠 Best for a vibey date night: Kirk's Wine Bar 🍸 Best for cocktails: Bar Bellamy 🫒 Best for bar snacks: Bar Olo 🍻 Best for a friends' catch-up: Young Hearts Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter

October2025: If you've been hoping to see the NGV's French Impressionism or Kimono exhibitions, consider this your official notice that they both close on October 5 – which means you don't have much longer to visit! Luckily the gallery has announced two new blockbuster exhibitions – Westwood | Kawakubo and Cartier – which will open in December and June, respectively. Over at ACMI, you can dive into the world of gaming via the groundbreaking new playable exhibition, Game Worlds. Or at Melbourne Museum, discover a rare collection of artefacts from the Viking Age at 'Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard'.  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 100 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.

October 2025: In case you hadn't heard the raucous applause echoing out of Her Majesty's Theatre, 'MJ the Musical' has officially begun its three-month run – and we can confirm it's a dazzling affair with some of the best dance choreography we've seen in a long time. Over at the Princess Theatre, 'Annie' continues to charm audiences. If you ask us, it's the perfect outing with kids while the school holidays are on. And fresh from its world premiere in Sydney, 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' opens at Arts Centre Melbourne – it's set to be a brand-new take on the so-bad-he’s-wicked-good anti-hero. 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.  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.

Spring is officially in full swing, daylight saving kicks off on October 5 and Melbourne's events calendar is really starting to heat up – there's no better time to be out and about in the city than right now. And lucky for you, we've rounded up all the fun stuff to do in this one handy guide. The Melbourne Fringe Festival is back in all its weird, wild and wacky glory – and we've collated our top ten picks right here. Everyone's favourite city-wide celebration of strings, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, is also returning with its most expansive and ambitious program to date. For the stylish folk among us, Melbourne Fashion Week is hosting runway shows, workshops and even an exhibition of costumes from Wicked, while video game enthusiasts will want to check out Game Worlds at ACMI (a groundbreaking new playable exhibition) and Melbourne International Games Week.  There's plenty to see on Melbourne's stages, with Annie, MJ the Musical and The Talented Mr. Riply all showing this month. And for something on the saucy side, why not check out Strip Her: The Pop-Up – this women-only strip show is all about celebrating sensuality in an inclusive and welcoming environment. So, what are you waiting for? We'll see you out there! 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 make the most of the spring? Here are the best places in Victoria to see wildflowers.

Heading Down Under? You've come to the right place. For almost 60 years, Time Out has been inspiring people to get off the couch and experience the very best of cities worldwide – and now we're here to do the same for Australia. You know the landmarks and the laid-back culture, but there are plenty more incredible things to do in Australia than kissing koalas and yelling ‘g’day mate’. We're 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 to do in Australia right now. Editors must do activities in Australia: ⭐️ Best city landmark: BridgeClimb, NSW 🖼️ Best for culture: MONA, TAS 🍷 Best food and drink: Barossa Valley, SA 🌊 Best outdoor adventure: Whitehaven Beach, QLD 🐿️ Best wildlife encounter: Rottnest Island, WA Jump to list:  Landmarks | Culture | Food & Drink | Outdoors | Wildlife 🇦🇺 The top tourist attractions in Australia🌊 The best beaches in Australia

A good 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 burger’s simplicity – take a pillowy bun, place a juicy patty inside it, maybe add cheese or salad, drizzle over a sauce or two, then apply to face – makes it hard to stuff up. The flip side, however, is that it also makes finding the ultimate burger a bit of a challenge. Time Out’s hungry team of local Aussie 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 the best burgers in Australia. We've told you exactly which burger to order at each spot, from the award-winning Fillet-O-Shrimp at CBCo Brewing Port Melbourne to the world-famous Gidley Burger in Sydney. Now it’s up to you to crown the true buns of glory. Note: These are ranked in no particular order. Editor's favourite burgers in Australia: 🍔 Best icon: The Gidley, NSW ⭐️ Best gourmet: Le Rebelle, WA 😋 Best cheeseburger: Charrd, VIC For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🥧 Australia's best pies🌭 The best sausage rolls🍕 The best pizzas in Australia

I'm a self-confessed self-care tragic – whether it's a simple sheet mask in the tub or a bougie facial followed by a soak in a mineral springs pool, if there's a chance to grab five minutes of zen time, I'm going to grab it.  So obviously I jumped at the opportunity to visit Tokyo Headspa's very first standalone flagship salon in Melbourne. The brainchild of founder Nozomi Oshima – whose love for scalp and hair rituals developed as a teenager living in Japan – Tokyo Headspa first launched in Sydney in 2022. There are now three locations in the Harbour City (my colleagues are big fans of the Bondi Junction clinic) and two in Brisbane.  The Melbourne salon is situated on High Street in Armadale, and it's a calming, quiet sanctuary that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the busy shopping strip outside. Designed by Rebecca Vulic of X+O Design Studio, it boasts a timber fitout with warm lantern lighting and soft music playing. The team are immediately welcoming upon my arrival, and I'm invited to pick a traditional yukata (I opt for the pink floral one, duh) and comfy slippers to wear for the duration of my appointment. Tokyo Headspa specialises in offering an authentic Japanese head spa experience that incorporates hair washing, scalp therapy, facial reflexology and upper body massage. The treatment beds and products have been imported direct from Japan, and all therapists have undergone extensive training in the centuries-old art by Oshima herself. I'm here for the

It's the most wonderful time of the year for fashionistas: Melbourne Fashion Week is returning for seven days of sartorial heaven from October 20-26. This year's theme is Come As You Are, and it's an invitation to everyone to join in the city-wide celebrations of self-expression and creativity. More than 600 designers and retailers will be taking part across 100-plus events (both free and ticketed) – like six premium runways that will be held at iconic locations like 1 Hotel Melbourne, Mercato Centrale and the Melbourne Recital Centre. Other highlights from the 2025 program include an exclusive Australian-first showcase of the spellbinding costumes created for Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked and the upcoming Wicked: For Good at Fed Square; five Fashion Capsules that will feature curated works by some of the country's brightest designers, students and stylists; and various roundtable discussions on everything from working in fashion to exploring size, culture, ability and gender as avenues for creativity.  Some of the renowned local designers who will be championing their wares include J'Aton Couture, Aje Studio, Oroton, Husk, Karlaidlaw, Collective Closets, Et Al, Ngali and students from Melbourne’s leading fashion institutions. Tickets for Melbourne Fashion Week are on sale now. For the full program, head to the official website. But get in quick – the premium runways tend to sell out in a flash. Looking for more fashion? Check out our list of Melbourne's best sustainable store

Want to hear some wheelie exciting news? The Great Vic Bike Ride is back – but this year, there's an emphasis on a more relaxed experience. Previously a nine-day event, it will now take place over five days along 300 kilometres of the Great Ocean Road and surrounding country roads. The ride will kick off – or should we say roll off – on November 24, winding through picturesque townships like Port Fairy, Koroit, Port Campbell and Timboon. Both seasoned riders and keen newbies are expected to tackle the new route, delivering a huge economic boost to the South West Victoria region.  The Great Vic Bike Ride has a proud reputation as one of Australia’s premier cycling events, and it’s also a wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded people, sample local produce and support small townships. And the fun doesn’t stop once you set up camp, with a line-up of nightly entertainment scheduled for the duration of the ride. Oh, and best of all, your belongings are transported between campsites by a fleet of luggage trucks, and there’s plenty of mechanical, medical and motivational support provided along the way. So, who’s ready to start pedalling? Find out more at the website. Fun fact: Melbourne has been ranked one of the best cities in the world to see by bike. Not sure where to ride? These are the best cycling trails in Melbourne.

Love it or hate it, Christmas is almost upon us. And just as you can be sure that Michael Bublé is slowly defrosting and getting ready to croon the festive season away, and Mariah Carey is counting the fat stacks that pile up on cue as ‘All I Want for Christmas’ goes back on high rotation – you know that the battered DVD of one particular British rom-com at your mum’s house will also be back on steady rotation, actually.  Love Actually is the festive flick that never gets old, but if you want to fall in love with it all over again, grab a ticket for this special live viewing experience. Following sell-out tours across the UK and in Australia the last few years, Love Actually in Concert is coming back to Melbourne just in time for Old Saint Nick’s next whip around.  Pack the tissues, as this experience features a full live orchestra performing the hit soundtrack as the film is projected onto a screen. Love (and Christmas) will be all around you, and so the feeling grows. Get ready to question how many lobsters were present at the birth of Jesus Christ, and fire up at Alan Rickman and his saucy secretary all over again (Emma Thompson’s cry to Joni Mitchell will really slap with an orchestral backup, to be fair). Melburnians can get in on the holly jolly action on December 21 and 22 at Melbourne Town Hall. For more information and to grab your tickets, head to the website. Want more? Check out the best of Melbourne theatre and musicals this month.

If you can quote The Last of Us line by line, have seen every episode of Critical Role and The Adventure Zone or you’re addicted to Twitch and can’t choose between Fortnite and Overwatch, then this is the festival for you. Melbourne International Games Week is the biggest gaming event in the Asia-Pacific region, and it returns in 2025 with an expanded line-up of more than 70 events. It's set to showcase the city as a leading global games hub from October 4-12, with both emerging local creators and global talent stepping into the spotlight.  Highlights from the program include ACMI's groundbreaking new playable exhibition, Game Worlds; Big Games Night Out (October 4) at Fed Square, which will feature cosplay parades, dance-offs, prizes and more; satellite events at Bunjil Place and Hobsons Bay Altona Library; crossover shows with Melbourne Fringe Festival; workshops on creating your own 3D game character or developing your rapid prototyping skills using Unreal Engine; and so much more. For those in the biz, the roll call of international big-name guests in attendance reads like a who's who of the gaming industry: Lis Moberly, creative lead at 20th Century Games and Walt Disney Company; Donald Barrett, senior designer on Marvel’s Spider-Man; Jenny Windom, organiser for Wholesome Games; and Josh Sawyer, studio design director at Obsidian. So break out your headsets, your handsets, your keyboards and your D20s, and come indulge your gaming needs. Visit the Melbourne International

Hands up if you were raised on The Sims? Us too. Or maybe you were a dedicated Neopets fan, or obsessed with World of Warcraft. Perhaps you're currently glued to your Switch playing Hollow Knight: Silksong. Whatever your connection to video games, it's safe to say most of us have picked up a controller at some point in our lives and been captivated by what appeared on the screen. Enter ACMI's incredible new exhibition, Game Worlds. Running until February 8, this blockbuster celebration of video games will transport you into the worlds of more than 30 iconic titles, including Final Fantasy XIV Online, Minecraft, Doom and Stardew Valley. Also featured are classics like Maze War and Zork, fan faves with cult followings like The Elder Scrolls Online, and new releases like Guardian Maia. Spanning games from the 1970s right through to this year, you'll be able to check out rare concept art, original design materials, early hands-on protoypes and so much more. There are 44 fully playable experiences (think Celeste speedruns on two huge screens), and four new microgames by emerging and established Aussie game developers have been specially commissioned for the exhibition.  There will also be after-dark sessions, developer talks, themed fan events and and plenty more. And as much as Game Worlds is about exploring how video games are designed, built and experienced, it's also an opportunity to spotlight the community and the friendships that are forged within these immersive digital la

I’ve been a big fan of Alba Thermal Springs and Spa since it first opened back in October 2022. As a certified water baby who loves nothing more than a good soak, this was my idea of heaven – a truly spectacular, design-forward site dedicated entirely to all your wellness needs. It’s a special place – a colleague from Sydney once told me “there’s really nothing like this anywhere else in Australia” – and I’ve spent more than a few afternoons hopping from pool to pool, always dreading the inevitable drive back home to Melbourne. So you can imagine my delight when it was announced that Alba was adding accommodation to its line-up of experiences. Who could resist the opportunity for a sleepover (night swim included, of course) at this magical spot on the Mornington Peninsula? Not me, that’s for sure – here’s what my stay was like. Why stay at the Sanctuary at Alba? The worst part about any visit to Alba is leaving – with Thyme (the on-site restaurant) offering a dinner menu and the mineral pools open until 10pm, it’s practically begging you to stay right until closing time. And now, with the arrival of the Sanctuary – a collection of five luxury villas and two studio rooms – you officially don’t have to depart.  Marking an new exciting era for Alba, the Sanctuary provides a chance for visitors to really immerse themselves in the wellness elements of the property, and find a deeper level of rest and relaxation. By staying overnight you can maximise your time bathing (I highly rec

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. First up for 2025 is Franz Ferdinand. 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. On Saturday, November 29, catch full sets from three of Australia’s most popular party-starters: Miami Horror, Sneaky Sound System and Bag Raiders. If you lived through the indie-dance era of the late noughties, this one is definitely for you.  For a folksy change of pace, on Sunday, November 30, Songs From The Canyon will make its much-anticipated debut. Featuring an all-star line-up of musicians

It’s time to enjoy some sax in the city this spring, with the return of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF) for its 28th edition. This year, more than 500 artists representing 18 countries will participate in more than 150 events across 40 venues. Phew! It's the festival's most expansive and ambitious program to date, and we can see why. Better yet, 36 per cent of the events are free to attend.  Since 1998, MIJF has taken the underground above ground and celebrated the best of jazz culture by showcasing leading and emerging contemporary artists from home and abroad. During the festival, which runs from October 17-26, Melbourne will once again become the epicentre of Australia’s vibrant and buzzing jazz scene, with music taking over the streets, concert halls and clubs.  The party kicks off with Night Crawl – a one-night-only takeover of multiple CBD venues, featuring Natasha Diggs (US), multi-instrumentalist Tenderlonious (UK) and local legends Horatio Luna, Surprise Chef and Ella Thompson. Think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure of free live music across iconic sites such as Wax Music Lounge, Arbory Afloat, Whitehart and more.  Other headline acts include Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award-winning artist Harry Connick Jr leading the festival’s signature Jazz at the Bowl on the final weekend; baritone superstar Gregory Porter, who will be performing at Hamer Hall; powerhouse vocalist Samara Joy, Japanese pianist and composer Hiromi; plus jazz legends Gary Bartz, Bill

Every year, the Melbourne Fringe Festival makes jaws drop and eyes widen across the city with its unconventional line-up of independent theatre, comedy, drag, art, music and events. This year marks the 43rd iteration of the festival, which is known for championing big, radical ideas and being an all out celebration of Melbourne at its weirdest.  Melbourne Fringe returns to the city again from September 30 to October 19, with a program of events set to show punters exactly how to experience the best that the arts in our fair city has to offer. This year the theme is ‘Action Heroes Assemble’, and it's aiming to encourage everyday people to take part, take risks and take action to help shape the kind of world we all want to live in. Leading the stacked line-up is the festival's major public artwork: 'Power Move' by Quiet Riot. This free public dancefloor will be located at Fed Square, and using cutting-edge technology it will channel everyone's moves into green energy. The Opening Night Gala – this year hosted by Sammy J – is always a riotous night packed with comedy, cabaret, circus and plenty of surprises. And don't forget to come dressed as your childhood hero. You can witness queer family making in real time at First Trimester by Krishna Istha. This live performance invites audiences to join in Istha’s public search for a sperm donor. Or why not go for a stroll with a Gen Z as part of Nightwalks With Teenagers – part performance, part social experiment, it's been co-created

Who said you have to go to Japan to see cherry blossoms in full bloom? This spring, head to CherryHill Orchards in Wandin East for a magical floral experience. You'll have the opportunity to wander through rows of gorgeous cherry blossom trees in all their pastel-coloured glory, sip on cherry-based drinks, enjoy delicious cherry ice cream, listen to live music and participate in fun activities for the whole family – including a special kids hub with workshops, face painting and fairy fun. Picnic packs are available to pre-purchase for the event, or you can BYO and find a lovely little spot among the blossoms to enjoy your spread. The on-site food caravans (they are bright pink – you can't miss them) will also have plenty of treats to keep you fed and watered. And for the second year running, Blossom By Light will return. This after-dark event (from September 19-22) will see the orchard transformed into an enchanting display of light and colour. Think of it as your chance to see the cherry blossoms illuminated in a way you'd never expect. Conveniently located just an hour from the Melbourne CBD, the CherryHill Blossom Festival is on from September to October 5. Find out more and grab your tickets via the website. Looking for more things to do? Check out our round-up of the best things happening in Melbourne this week.

If you needed another excuse to visit the Mornington Peninsula (you know, aside from the incredible wineries, restaurants and beaches), here it is: Alba Thermal Springs, a sustainable, $90 million wellness sanctuary that boasts a collection geothermal pools within its perfectly manicured 15-hectare grounds, is now open. Located in Fingal, just an hour’s drive from Melbourne, this relaxation destination has been meticulously curated to evoke calm and tranquility from the moment you enter through its curved, concrete entranceway complete with a moat-like water feature. Fluffy robes and slippers greet you upon arrival (don’t worry, there are secure lockers to store all your belongings – this is a phone-free zone, after all), and then it’s time to leave your worries behind and enter the open-air bathing complex. There are 31 pools dotted among the undulating landscape – some intimate and private, others large and more social – and they range from geothermal pools and cold plunge pools to herbal-infused botanical pools and invigorating rain pools. There’s also a private rooftop salt pool that allows you to experience total weightlessness, plus steam rooms and saunas. Wandering along the snaking path to find each pool is almost (almost) as fun as immersing yourself in the restorative waters – and trust us when we say it’s way too easy to spend hours hopping from pool to pool. Alba uses 100 per cent geothermal water that is heated between 37-degrees Celsius and 43-degrees Celsius, a

Ask any local what they love about Victoria, and we bet they can easily list a number of things that makes this great state of ours so wonderful – whether it's the spectacular natural wonders, cool neighbourhoods or epic adventures like this snow to surf trip. But it's always nice to be recognised by others on a global scale, which is why we're pretty damn excited that Victoria has made not one but two appearances on Lonely Planet's 2026 Best in Travel guide. Now in its 16th edition, the Best in Travel guide is basically the holy grail of wanderlust – a collection of expertly curated picks for where to go in the year ahead. It's divided into two sections: the 25 best destinations and the 25 best experiences. Standing tall as the only Aussie state to be featured twice, Victoria's two inclusions fall under the best experiences banner. So, just what exactly are they? Drumroll, please... The first is the Great Bathing Trail – aka Australia's steamiest road trip. In case you didn't know, Victoria is lucky enough to be home to a number of excellent hot springs sites stretching from Gippsland in the east to Warrnambool in the west. This new 885-kilometre route links them all, in what has to be one of the most relaxing ways to criss-cross the state. Open all year round (though we recommend doing it between April and November when the weather is cooler), stops include Metung Hot Springs, Alba Thermal Springs and Spa, Peninsula Hot Springs, Hepburn Bathhouse and Deep Blue Hot Springs,

Need further proof that Melbourne is the coffee capital of the world? Well, here it is: local barista Jack Simpson – who is also Head of Innovation at Axil Coffee Roasters – has taken out the prestigious 2025 World Barista Championship, which was just held in Italy. Now that's news that's got us more jazzed than a triple shot espresso! Back in May, we reported that Simpson had taken out the Australian Barista Championship, making it the third year in a row he had take out the local title. His win saw him travel to Milan for the 25th anniversary of the World Barista Championship, which took place over five fierce days of judging. Competitors travelled from 50 countries across the globe – including Greece, Vietnam, Costa Rica and Kenya – in an effort to claim the crown. The championship is based around three categories: espresso, milk-based and specialty. Each barista had 15 minutes to create four of the same drink, which were then judged on key criteria like taste, technical skills, presentation and storytelling. Simpson's winning signature brew combined two coffees (from Panama and Colombia) and combined it with a housemade honey vinegar and passionfruit husk distillate to create a fizzy, refreshing drink with notes of raspberry kombucha and mango. Yum!    Photograph: Supplied/World Barista Championship   “It’s an incredible honour to bring the World Barista Championship title home to Australia,” says Simpson. “This win celebrates not only me, but the producers, roasters, a

Let's be honest – it was actually a pretty mild winter in Melbourne, and although we haven't had any super hot spring days yet, the weather conditions have been (mostly) calm and consistent. Which would bode well for a pleasantly warm summer, right?  Well, no. At least not if La Niña has her way. This month, the US Climate Prediction Center (CPC) declared that a La Niña event is officially underway, with the cool, rainy phase expected to stick around until early next year. While it’s probably not the news anyone was hoping for, it’s not all doom and gloom Down Under. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) hasn't declared La Niña here – yet. But it's safe to say we're on high alert here in Melbourne. This is everything you need to know so far. What is La Niña? La Niña is one of three phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate cycle. It happens when stronger-than-usual trade winds push warm water westward across the Pacific Ocean, leaving cooler-than-average waters along the equator. The result? Wetter weather, more cloud cover and a greater chance of storms across Australia. Are we in La Niña or El Niño? Australia experienced three consecutive La Niña years – from late 2020 through to early 2023 – which is pretty rare (only the fourth “triple-dip” since records began). This led to record-breaking rainfall and cooler temperatures across much of the East Coast, with widespread flooding in parts of QLD and NSW. However, Australia has been in a neutral climate phas

Australia is famous for its melting pot of cuisines, and our bar scene is just as diverse. From New York-style speakeasies and Parisian wine bars to Japanese izakayas and Mexican cantinas, you can explore the world of cocktails without leaving our major cities. And it’s not just variety on offer – Australia’s bars are world-class, with two beloved drinking dens recently making the prestigious World’s 50 Best Bars list for 2025. Now in its 17th year, this annual event is regarded as one of the world’s most influential bar awards, celebrating the top bartenders and drink enthusiasts on an international scale. The winners are voted on by an esteemed global academy made up of drink experts, bartenders and other top dogs, and were recognised at a live ceremony in Hong Kong earlier this October. Bars from 29 cities across the globe were featured in this year’s top 50, including Bar Leone in Hong Kong – the 2025 winner and the first Asian bar to ever claim the top gong. But who are our local heroes? Photograph: Supplied | Caretaker's Cottage The title of Australia’s best bar goes to Caretaker's Cottage – a tiny, highly lauded CBD venue that landed 19th on the global charts. The news comes after we crowned it our Bar of the Year at the Time Out Melbourne Food & Drink Awards in March, proving once again we can spot a good bar when we see one. Caretaker's Cottage climbed two spots from 21st in 2024 to 19th this year, and honestly, we're not surprised. Our reviewer called it “quintess

Since the news first broke in March that Hugh Allen – Vue de Monde's critically acclaimed executive chef – would be launching his very first restaurant right here in Melbourne, we've been eagerly counting down to its opening date. And now, that day has finally come: Yiaga (an Indigenous word meaning ‘to seek and find’) is officially open to the public. Located in the heart of East Melbourne's lush Fitzroy Gardens, it has taken up residence in an old pavilion that was originally built in 1908 as a tearoom and expanded with a dining room in the ’20s. It had been vacant for nearly a decade before Allen, in collaboration with renowned Australian architect John Wardle and his team, took over the venue and began a stunning transformation.   Photograph: Jason Loucas   Now it's a space that beautifully complements the lush garden setting, with an open dining and kitchen area, a rich and earthy colour palette, and terracotta tiles that emulate the bark of nearby elm trees. There's also a beautiful Tasmanian blackwood timber cellar by Ross Thompson, a custom-built table that furniture designer Vivienne Wong made using a cypress branch from the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens and even the Yiaga branding has been created to symbolise local specimens of Australian flora. The restaurant itself – which seats 44 diners, including an eight-seat semi-private dining area – will showcase Australia's abundant diversity of native ingredients and top-quality produce. Think pasture-fed Blackmore Wagy

Since it burst onto the local hotel scene last year, Hyde Melbourne Place has quickly established itself as one of the hottest – and most stylish – places to stay for a city getaway. Well, turns out we're not the only ones who thought it was a pretty special spot, with National Geographic ranking it among the world's 30 best properties in its Hotel Awards for 2025. From Morocco to Madagascar, National Geographic’s annual awards celebrate the best new and renovated places to stay across the world. This year's winners were decided by an expert panel of eight travel writers and crowned across categories, including budget breaks, designer dens, wellness havens, eco retreats and one-of-a-kind stays. Hyde Melbourne Place was recognised in the 'Designer Den' category, with the judging panel calling it a “microcosm of local art and design” and highlighting the “circular motifs and warm native woods”.  Our former Food and Drink Writer, Lauren Dinse, stayed here when it first opened, and also praised its chic and modern style. “There’s much to love about Hyde Melbourne Place – its artfully warm design, local-made contemporary art works, world-class dining and a confident team of staff who’ll please every type of luxury-loving lodger,” she said.   Photograph: Sean Fennessy   Located smack-bang in the middle of the CBD, it boasts two excellent drinking and dining options on the ground floor: Marmelo and Mr Mills, by celebrated restaurateurs Ross and Sunny Lusted. And opening this Dec

Whether you're finishing up year 12 or considering a career change that requires you to hit the books (or maybe you're just curious to see how your alma mater is going), this grading of global universities is sure to pique your interest. Especially because two revered Melbourne institutions have made the list.  There are plenty of university rankings out there (including QS and CWUR), but the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Ranking is widely regarded as one of the most trusted. This year, it assessed almost 2,200 institutions across 115 countries and territories, evaluating performance across five key pillars: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry engagement. Each institution was then scored and ranked – and for the 2026 list, ten Australian universities earned a spot.  Photograph: Eriksson Luo via Unsplash Once again, The University of Melbourne retained its crown as Australia’s top university, ranking 37th on the global leaderboard. Home to more than 77,000 students and 13,000 staff, the university improved two places on its 2025 ranking and earned near-perfect scores in five metrics, including research excellence and impact, while making notable progress in its teaching reputation. The University of Melbourne also finished 16 places ahead of its closest rival, The University of Sydney, which rose eight spots to 53rd in 2026. It's another tassel in the graduation cap for Melbourne Uni, which also landed in the

Maybe Sammy – a high-end cocktail bar which blends old Hollywood glamour with Palm Springs flair in The Rocks – has been named as one of the best bars in the world for 2025. The World’s 50 Best Bars list for 2025 just dropped, with the swish spot landing in 42nd place – a drop from last year’s 26th position. It’s the seventh year in a row Maybe Sammy has made the coveted list, and was the only Sydney bar to make the cut this year, with Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage landing in 19th place. RELATED READ: Sydney’s award-winning Maybe Sammy has created a limited-edition cocktail, now available at MGallery hotels across Australia. Photograph: Daniele Massacci Founded in 2019 by Vince Lombardo and Stefano Catino, Maybe Sammy is known for its inventive and delicious cocktails, flamboyant pink-suited bubble-blowing bartenders and top-notch service. And while I can think of many Sydney bars that also deserve to be on the list (Old Mate’s Place, PS40, Bar Planet, to name just a few) – Maybe Sammy’s consistency of service and excellent offering deserves a toast. Co-founder Stefano Catino says of the award: “Are we one of the best bars in the world? Some nights, yes. Other nights, we know we can be better. What matters is that we’ve grown stronger each year – as a team, as a business, and as a bar. For seven years we’ve proudly put Sydney on the global cocktail map, and that consistency means everything to us. Australia is one of the best food and drink destinations in the world, and

Pop the Champagne! The accolades for Caretaker's Cottage just keep rolling in, with the teeny tiny, highly lauded CBD venue landing at 19th on the prestigious World's 50 Best Bars list for 2025. The news comes after we crowned it our Bar of the Year at the Time Out Melbourne Food & Drink Awards in March – so it's nice to know we can spot a good bar when we see one. This is the 17th edition of the World's 50 Best Bars, with the winners announced on October 8 at a live ceremony in Hong Kong. The annual event is regarded as one of the most influential bar awards in the world, celebrating the best and most talented bartenders and drink enthusiasts on an international scale. The winners are voted on by an esteemed global academy made up of drink experts, bartenders and other top dogs.  Taking the gold medal was Bar Leone in Hong Kong – the first time a bar in Asia has ever won. The top five were rounded out by Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City; Sips and Paradiso, both in Barcelona; and Tayēr + Elementary in London. Bars from 29 cities across the globe were featured, including new entries from Oslo, Lima, Athens and Bratislava.   Photograph: Supplied / Caretaker's Cottage   But back to our local hero. Caretaker's Cottage actually improved on its 2024 ranking, moving up two spots from 21st to 19th. And look, we're not surprised – this is a bar that our reviewer described as “quintessentially Melbourne: cool without being pretentious, creative but not overwrought, and intimate wit

Hot on the heels of the news that the Metro Tunnel finally has an opening date (spoiler alert: it's early December – one year ahead of schedule!), comes another very exciting announcement. Premier Jacinta Allan has just revealed that travelling on public transport will be free across the state every weekend for two months over summer. Yes, you read that right. As a gesture of thanks to Victorians for their patience while the Metro Tunnel was being built, and to celebrate the opening of this much-hyped $15.5 billion project, the entire public transport network will be free on weekends from early December to February 1. We're talking the first service on each Saturday to the last service on each Sunday, and it includes all trams, buses, trains and regional services. During this period, you won't need a valid ticket or Myki to use any public transport. You also won't be required to tap on or off, and if you accidentally do, no charges will incur.    Photograph: Visit Victoria   The free travel will mark the Metro Tunnel's Summer Start, which is essentially a soft launch designed to iron out any bugs, avoid unexpected disruptions and ensure everything runs safely and smoothly. On February 1, the Big Switch will occur, which will see a brand new timetable introduced across the state's entire public transport network to accommodate more than 1,000 new weekly services.  So, if you've been wondering when you'll get the opportunity to check out the Metro Tunnel – and its five brand

This is not a drill! We repeat, this is not a drill! After years of city-wide disruptions, billions of dollars spent, five new underground train stations built, state-of-the-art tech installed and hours of intense driver training sessions, Melbourne's Metro Tunnel is ready to open to the public. And it's being delivered a year ahead of schedule, too. The official opening date has been a tight-lipped secret for a while now, but Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has finally revealed the landmark new public transport network will open with hundreds of weekly services in early December. But don't expect to be cruising from Sunbury to Pakenham at all hours of the day. The Metro Tunnel will open with a special Summer Start period to iron out any bugs, avoid unexpected disruptions and ensure everything runs safely and smoothly. On weekdays, that means services every 20 minutes from 10am to 3pm between Westall and West Footscray; while on the weekends, you can travel every 20 minutes from 10am until 7pm between Westall and West Footscray, every 40 minutes from East Pakenham and every 60 minutes from Sunbury. The soft launch will include 240 new services along the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, with trains stopping at all five new stations: Anzac, Arden, Parkville, Town Hall and State Library. The timetable will remain unchanged on every other line, with trains travelling through the City Loop as normal. Then, on Sunday, February 1, comes the Big Switch. The Metro Tunnel will b

Ok, so I know I’m biased, but how lucky are we Victorians to live in a state that offers so much in the way of natural splendour and biodiversity. There’s everything from the rugged, untamed beauty of regions like the Grampians and the High Country, to the coastal charm of destinations like the Mornington Peninsula, Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island. And while it’s definitely possible to experience a few of these spots in a short period of time, I had never considered the likelihood of seeing snow and surf in the one day. That is, until I was invited to join Wild Adventures Melbourne (WAM) on an epic four-day trip that would include a morning of snow play on Mount Hotham before hitting the road to spend an afternoon surfing along the Gippsland coast. Seeing snowflakes and shaka-worthy swells on the same day? Count me in. Leading our crew of eight is Nic Cooper, who founded WAM on the Mornington Peninsula in 2020. His mission via this eco adventure tour company is to offer incredible outdoor experiences (think bushwalking, snorkelling and stand-up paddle boarding) that connect people with nature while leaving as little impact on the environment as possible. As one of Australia’s only B-Corp Certified tour operators and winner of the 2025 National Banksia Sustainability Award, WAM is redefining how tourism can be utilised to drive positive and progressive change that will last for generations to come.  Photograph: Supplied/Visit Victoria We’re doing a slightly condensed ver