Lisa Hamilton

Sydney is renowned the world over for its New Year's Eve fireworks display, so why not ring in a fresh new year from a prime position to view them? Just a year ago, most of the prime spots to view the fireworks were paid – but now the NSW government has opened up many vantage points for free, for 2023. Read on for our full guide to watching the 2023 New Year's Eve fireworks for free in Sydney. Want to set yourself up at a venue for the night? Here's our guide to the best New Year's Eve parties in Sydney to ring in 2024.

Summer is all about getting outside and enjoying the sunshine – but when day turns to night, balmy weather makes for the perfect conditions to keep exploring long after the sun sets. By day, Jervis Bay is home to some of the most beautiful (and clearest water) beaches in NSW (heck, the world), but in the evening she’s just as glorious, thanks to less light pollution than in Sydney. If you’d like to dig your toes into the sand and marvel at the canopy of lights in the sky, then a guided stargazing tour in Jervis Bay should go to the top of your summertime activities list. Astrophysicist Dimitri Douchin, along with Caroline Boulom, invite you on a 90-minute experience that will open your eyes to the wonders of the universe right on the water's edge. Sounds magical, right? (They're the same people who run Blue Mountains Stargazing – and Dimitri sure knows his stuff, considering he's a TED speaker with a PhD in astrophysics. He’s a big thinker with a breadth of knowledge about how the world out there works, so we can’t think a better star-expert to take you on this very special journey.) You’ll get a chance to peep at the moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and The Orion Nebula through a telescope – and you might even spot a shooting star if you cross your fingers and toes. You might even witness the bioluminescence phenomenon, where a chemical reaction lights up the sealife, making their bodies glisten a shiny blue light. All participants who embark on the Jervis Bar stargazing t

Heaps Gay has long been a champion in the Sydney nightlife scene, holding parties and events that create a safe space for the queer community. On November 19, they’re returning with their Wet Dreams 10th birthday party, which will blow the lid off Sydney Harbour. It’ll be queer, it’ll be wet and it’ll be one of the best events of the year. They’ve just dropped the line-up performing at Mrs Macquarie Point, and we’ll be adding tickets to cart toot suite. Apart from everything else, THE Mel C of Spice Girls fame will be taking to the stage to perform a DJ set. This huge get for the Wet Dreams party comes as Melanie C embarks on her inaugural DJ tour – she’s heading to Sydney for a set at Seadeck, as well as to other cities Down Under. We hear she’ll be paying homage to the ’90s (good times), with dance classics and of course some Spice Girls hits. Zig-a-zig-ah. Elsewhere on the Wet Dreams line-up you’ll find British singer-songwriter Aluna, Kah-Lo, Cakes Da Killa, Byron Spencer, Felicia Foxx and heaps (gay) more epic performances.  To get tickets to Wet Dreams, head here and sign up for the pre-sale, which starts Wednesday, October 4 at 6pm. General sale begins Thursday, October 5 at 6pm over here. If you want to catch Mel C in Sydney the week before at Seadeck, you can grab yourself some tickets to that DJ performance right now here. Back-to-back Mel C weekends? Christmas is coming early. Want more spicy news? Australia is hosting an academic conference dedicated to Taylor Sw

If your social calendar has been looking decidedly un-sexy, we’ve got just the ticket to help you spice things up a bit. Dubbed ‘Australia’s sexiest party’, the Erotic Ball is returning to Sydney in 2023. On November 11, Sydneysiders are invited to a top secret location (v. sexy, v. elusive) to let their hair down and lean into all things erotic for an evening of pure, unadulterated fun.  This non-judgemental safe space will allow guests to explore their sensual side with the help of some sultry entertainment. Among the line-up of talented seductive professionals on hand will be former Miss Nude Australia Suzie Q, Benjamin Butterfly (who will put on a pole performance), Yanita Werkout (who will perform in drag), and Miss Taken Identity (who will lead a couples strip). For those keen to get involved there’s only one rule handed down by the organisers: dress to impress. Whatever sexy look you like – just make sure you double down and go all out. This is your opportunity to let go of your inhibitions and let that beautiful freak flag fly. If you’ve got an old PVC catsuit that has been collecting dust in the wardrobe, dust her off and remerge at the Erotic Ball. Whether you’re new to The Erotic Ball scene or if you’re a seasoned tease, you'll be totally welcome. To learn more about The Erotic Ball or secure your tickets, head here before they all get snapped up. Want more? Looking for a costume, toy or more? These are the best sex shops in Sydney Strip Her – a women-only strip s

Hey Bondi, are you feeling clucky? The uber-popular chicken shop that turns up the heat has a new home in the seaside suburb of Bondi Beach. That’s right, Belles Hot Chicken has opened a venue smack bang in the hustle and bustle of Hall Street. Belles Hot Chicken is now welcoming patrons into their freshly decked out digs that have been designed by Vicki Punch with an American ’70s diner vibe. Think retro booths, pastel colouring and totally groovy interiors. On the menu side, chook enthusiasts can expect more of the plucking good fare that has garnered Belles Hot Chicken such a big name amongst the public. Head in from the surf and tuck into some hot chicken and waffles or try the spicy chicken slider. Belles Hot Chicken Managing Director, Joss-Jenner Leuthart says the move into Bondi Beach felt like a great next move for the brand. “Comfort food, great booze and tunes just metres Australia’s most iconic beach –a match made in heaven,” said Managing Director of Belles Hot Chicken, Joss-Jenner Leuthart. “After opening the doors to our CBD flagship at Circular Quay, we pounced at the opportunity to transform Fonda’s iconic location to our new home. Belles is a place to kick back, dig in, get messy or just chill – and Bondi Beach always felt like a natural fit.” The new opening comes as Belles Hot Chicken footprint continues to expand throughout Sydney after finding success in Barangaroo, Darling Square, the Tramsheds and the CBD flagship in Circular Quay. Catch ya by the beach

If you’ve been singing Celine Dion’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’ in your bedroom for the past 26 years, we reckon it’s high time you took your dulcet vocals to the main stage. Or at the very least to the teeny, tiny stage at Poppie's Karaoke, Sydney’s newest and “littlest” karaoke joint. Hidden inside the Little Guy, a trusted and much-loved bar on Glebe Point Road, Poppie’s welcomes crooners to pick up the microphone and belt out the classics. This will be Glebe’s first official karaoke room and they’ve pulled out all the stops for the momentous occasion. No rendition of Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’ is complete without LED lights, neons and lasers, right? Good thing Poppie’s have the light show portion of your performance covered. Of course, karaoke isn’t really karaoke without a little lubrication. Fear not, you’ll be able to coat the vocal cords with all the Dutch courage you need to hit those Mariah-high octaves time and time again. Sip on ‘Poppie’s Punch’ or select a drop from the extensive beverage menu, all while noshing on complimentary popcorn. Once you’ve finished your set and collected your roses, head upstairs to the pool room and continue the good times. A nod to the ‘little’ in the Little Guy, Poppie’s will be a snug fit for those wanting to keep their performances intimate. With rooms capped at 15 patrons, this will be the intimate setting perfect for a song or two with your nearest and dearest. Given the small nature of the rooms, we encourage you to book ahead to ensure

The days are getting longer, the nights are getting warmer and there’s a scent of festivity in the air. The ushering in of the summer months brings about a sense of carefree whimsy to the city and we’ve got just the event to get your party started – on October 27, the Bacardi Dance Floor party is taking place inside the hallowed halls of the Cell Block Theatre at the National Art School in Darlinghurst, and famed indie dance act Northeast Party House will be taking centre stage. The Bacardi Dance Floor party will also feature musical performances from Gold Fang and Carolina Gasolina, who will bring a mix of reggae, funk, hip-hop and Afrobeat sounds. The folks from Bacardi will be on hand to make sure the zesty cocktails are a’flowing. Nothing says balmy nights quite like a Mojito, eh? And your bargain $30 ticket will get you entry to the party, two signature cocktails and food served throughout the event.  There’s nothing like partying with a conscience – all profits from the gig will be donated to the Support Act charity, which raises much-needed funds for crisis relief services within the music industry. Tickets are on sale now, so get in quick to make sure you’re in the mix at one of the biggest pre-summer parties of the season. What else is on in October? Check out our guide to fun weekend happenings. Hungry? Suss out these award-winning cheap eats in Sydney. Oh, and Sydney just scored its first restaurant subscription service.

It's October, which means it’s time to start carving out the pumpkins and poking holes in your old white sheets. If you prefer your trick-or-treating with a little bit more bass, this year's Return to Rio has your name over it. The witching hour just got a whole lot more fun. Return to Rio music festival is doing what it says on the label and it's returning to the social calendar after a four-year hiatus. The beloved three-day knees-up is coming back with frightful gusto across the Halloween weekend with a line-up that’s so good you’ll need to clutch your pearls.  Taking the stage at Del Rio Riverside Resort in Wisemans Ferry will be Sneaky Sound System, Late Nite Tuff Guy, Nick Warren, Patrice Bäumel and Mark Farina. Elsewhere at the spookfest, punters will be able to mix it up with the dark arts, with freak shows, voodoo fortune telling, and the Pickles Family Funeral immersive theatre where you can take part in your own funeral. If you’d like to step into the lighter side of things, there will also be reiki, massage, yoga classes and breathwork available. Return to Rio has long been known as the music festival where you dress to impress. It is highly encouraged for revellers to don their most outrageous kit, and with the festival coinciding with Halloween the costume options are ripe for the picking. Where you’re most terrifying Zombie look one day in the mosh pit then switch it out for a Barbie-inspired get up the next.  The last Return to Rio was held back in 2019, which

All the singles that dream of a 90's rom-com meet-cute and/or the grisly death of internet dating – put your hands up! Gather ‘round, your day has arrived.  It's a universal truth that trying to find love via an app can be a soul-destroying process that makes many of us question our will to live. Now, for all lucky (and single) Sydneysiders, the Emerald City cupids have come together to create an IRL dating event called ‘No Swipes’, that, in their words, is all about “giving dating apps the middle finger”.  If you’re ready to flip the bird to the online dating world then mark Saturday October 28 in your diary as the day you might meet your soulmate, over at Café Del Mar in Darling Harbour. The invitation-only event accepts 300 men and 300 women through the doors to an exclusive singles club. Ticketed entry is via a waitlist, so you’ll want to get in quick if you’re keen on a ‘meet-cute’ story that will probably make people exclaim loudly at parties. You can pop your name down right here, and if you’re successful, an email with details on how to purchase tickets will come flying into your inbox with the speed and velocity of Cupid’s arrow. This day party not only comes with the chance of locking eyes with the love of your life but you can also enjoy tarot reading, help from a real-life sex coach, matchmaking games, live DJs, and the chance to shuck some oysters (the ultimate aphrodisiac) to sharpen up your flirting game. It sounds like a real extravaganza, and definitely a who

If you’ve been drinking from old chipped mugs, it might be time for a ceramics upgrade – and just in time for your spring cleaning, the Sydney Ceramics Market is coming this October 7.  Taking over Bay 25 and the Elston Room at Carriageworks will be a veritable festival of all things ceramics, with artistry, craft, demonstrations, exhibitions, industry speakers and of course stalls to purchase some seriously beautiful wares. The market comes amidst a ceramics renaissance of sorts. The centuries-old technique of creating pieces using high heat has had somewhat of a boom over the past decade, with creatives and hobbyists taking the art to interesting new places. A quick glance in homewares stores and on platforms like Etsy and you’ll notice these products are in high demand.  For a $5 entry fee (kids under 12 are free) you’ll have access to the work of more than 90 artists and ceramic makers who will be showing (and selling) their clay creations.  You may be curious to try your hand or you might want to take home some keepsakes of your own – luckily you can do it all at the Sydney Ceramics Market. If you’ve always wanted to give ceramics a go ever since watching Demi Moore and Patrick Swazye in Ghost many moons ago, here’s your chance to learn more about the craft. You’ll be able to catch a glimpse of a wheel-throwing demonstration and they’ll be offering some top tips for those keen to get their hands dirty. Your kitchen table settings are about to get a whole lot more chic. C

Homelessness is a major issue in Australia – every night, approximately 140,000 people sleep rough. This winter, Sydney institution Wayside Chapel (which provides support and essential services for people experiencing homelessness and social isolation in Sydney) experienced an increase of 100 people per day through its doors compared to the previous year. In a fight against homelessness, Wayside is bringing back their Long Walk Home event for the sixth year. The 28-kilometre fun walk is held annually to raise funds and awareness of the growing homelessness and isolation problem across Sydney. Why 28km? Because, according to Wayside, that's how long someone experiencing homelessness walks each week, on average, in search for essential services or a safe place to sleep.   On Saturday October 7, walkers will be invited to hit the pavement, starting in Parramatta and finishing up in Kings Cross. Entry into the Long Walk Home costs $70, which will go towards providing much needed funding to help homeless people throughout Sydney. Wayside Chapel has community centres in Kings Cross and Bondi, and have long provided assistance to those who need it most. Between dishing up nutritious meals to offering legal services and safe spaces for vulnerable members of the community, they have been an integral part of Sydney since 1964. If you’re not able to make the Long Walk Home in person, you can sign up to participate in your own virtual walk challenge, held any time from Saturday, October

It’s time to dust off the platform sneakers and pull on your Adidas crop top because all of your Spice Girls prayers have been answered. Sporty Spice, Melanie C, is heading to Australia for her inaugural DJ tour. The award-winning icon is bringing her dance music, funk and pop stylings to Sydney and other cities this November. On November 10, Spice enthusiasts and lovers of the dance scene alike can take to Sydney’s harbour, boarding Seadeck to see Mel C hit the turntables.  Of course, her sets have been known to pay homage to the ’90s (good times), with dance classics and of course some Spice Girls hits. Zig-a-zig-ah. A day on the Sydney Harbour dancing to one of our favourite musicians of all time? Doesn’t get much spicier than that. Except that it does get spicier. Mel C will also be hitting up the Heaps Gay ‘Wet Dreams’ 10th birthday party, performing again in Sydney on November 19 alongside Aluna and Kah-Lo.  While Mel C made her first, big foray into the music industry as a member of the Spice Girls, Melanie C has enjoyed success as a solo artist and is now having an impressive turn as a DJ – she took to the stage at Glastonbury this year, and brought the house down with a set at Ibiza’s renowned PACHA nightclub.  If you’re keen on grabbing tickets to Melanie C’s inaugural DJ tour in Sydney at Seadeck, head here for tickets, which are on sale now.  If you want to catch her at Heaps Gay’s Wet Dreams, you’ll have to wait until the pre-sale starts on October 4 at 6pm (sign

Canberra is home to the Australian War Memorial, a shrine and museum that commemorates the service and sacrifice of Australian men and women in wartime. Here you can discover the Australian experiences of war and connect with the stories of people and events that shaped Australia. Place a poppy on the Roll of Honour to remember the sacrifice made by Australian servicemen and women, and stay for the moving Last Post closing ceremony.  How about this? The Australian War Memorial has been listed as one of the top free tourist attractions in the world. In a list released by tourism company Casago, the Australian War Memorial made the top 10 best places across the globe to visit that will cost you zero dollars. Analysing TripAdvisor reviews, they looked at which free tourist spots have the most five-star ratings, and the Australian War Memorial came in at number nine. Open from 10am daily, grab your free ticket (booked in advance) and weave through the exhibitions that tell a rich story of Australia's military history. You can explore the Aircraft Hall, the World War I and II galleries before paying respects at the commemorative area where there is an Honour Roll complete with names of all the brave men and women who fought for our country. If you’re interested in checking out the other free tourist attractions around the world listed by Casago, you might want to lock in an around-the-world flight, because they’re dotted far and wide. According to the data, the quaint Belgian town

OK so Sydney's far from perfect – there's the whole cozzie livs situation, for starters. But travellers from elsewhere reckon we've got it pretty bloody good here in the Emerald City. Sydney has ranked in the top ten best cities in the world, according to the Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards – in fact, we made it into eighth spot, after half-a-million travellers had their say. The scores were tallied by overall levels of satisfaction with a destination, but factors like architecture, tourist sightseeing, accommodation, food and cultural aspects all came into play, too. When looking at the final winning list we’re feeling pretty chuffed to be held in such high esteem next to some of the most beloved cities in the world, such as Spain and Tokyo – and Victoria, Canada in top spot. Looking for 2024 travel inspo? Take a look at the top-ten rankings: Victoria, Canada San Sebastian, Spain Singapore Tokyo, Japan Seoul, South Korea San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Cape Town, South Africa Sydney, Australia Copenhagen, Denmark Oslo, Norway With a score of 88.98, Sydney was the only Australian city to make it onto the list, and received points thanks to our gorgeous beaches, rooftop bars and bustling culture scene. Elsewhere in the same set of awards, another Sydney hotspot took out the top gong in the 'Best Hotel in Australasia' category – The Fullerton, a hotel in Martin Place, is a fave with international voters. Want more? These stories are popping off: These are the must

Despite feeling like we just celebrated the beginning of 2022, the downward roll into the year’s end is upon us, folks. As we emerge from the winter months and start to get a whiff of summer air on the horizon, attention turns to firming up our New Year’s Eve plans. It’s a well-known fact that our city’s NYE fireworks in the world. While you can see the fireworks show from far and wide, there are a number of areas that are considered to be the best vantage spots for a front-row seat to the show, and these spots usually come with pretty hefty ticket prices (around $500) – until now. Premier Chris Minns has announced the NSW Labor Government is releasing 6,000 free tickets, allowing punters to nab the best seats in the house located across Barangaroo Reserve, West Circular Quay, Campbells Cove, Hickson Road Reserve, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, The Domain, and Mrs Macquarie’s Point. The Labor government has come good on their election promise to release a selection of free tickets to the public and will go about it on a first-come, first-serve basis, with each venue closing off once at capacity. If you want to try your luck at a really special spot, the government is launching a free ticket ballot for the NYE on the Cahill Expressway event – the ballot opens on Tuesday, September 5 at 9am and closes Friday, October 6 at 11.59pm. If you’re keen to get your name in the mix you’re invited to select your preference for either the 9pm or midnight fireworks show – or if you’re keen

In Australia, we love our native birds (at least when they're not trying to swoop us). And once every two years, that bird love is recognised, when the Bird of the Year poll opens – Australians take a vote to crown the Australian Bird of the Year. This year, a whopping 11,171 people voted for the swift parrot, making it the 2023 winning bird in the Guardian and BirdLife Australia competition. While it seems like just a bit of flighty fun to vote for our favourite avian creatures, the Bird of the Year poll can have a more serious impact. The swift parrot has recently made its way into the critically endangered category. Not-fun fact: more people actually voted for the swift parrot than numbers of the birds left in the wild. This endangered status is what prompted ornithology fans to make a coordinated push to make sure the swift parrot took out top spot. Yes, the colourful bird is a genuinely loved animal in bird-watching circles, but the win was a rally cry to help bring conservation efforts for the bird to the fore. “This was definitely a concerted vote from people who were captivated not just by the birds themselves but their plight,” said BirdLife Australia’s national public affairs manager, Sean Dooley in an interview with The Guardian. “I hope the government hears this message. People really care about these beautiful birds. They care about what happens to them.” This comes as the critically endangered swift parrot was detected near the Boggabri coal mine site in north-w

If it feels like you’ve been shoo shoo shoo-ing flies away from your lunch more than usual for this time of year, that’d come down to Sydney's current fly invasion. While we can usually expect mum to be at the ready with the swat come Christmas Day lunch, it feels a wee bit early to be this ticked off by the pesky pests, don’t you think? According to scientists, the hot start to spring has led to the unwelcome swarms. Evolutionary ecologist at the University of Sydney Thomas White told ABC News that the recent heat waves and record high temperatures have promoted a speedier life cycle for fly species. "It's quite dry, we are in El Niño [...] And because it's so hot and humid, they're there in larger numbers than we might have seen in the last couple of years [when] it's been a bit cooler and a bit wetter." When the weather cooled down recently, the flies seemed to buzz off, but experts warn that with warmer weather on the way and a dry and hot summer on the cards, we need to learn to live with our flying friends. Dr White points out that flies are pollinators, nutrient recyclers, they're food for animals like frogs, and essential in our environment. "So really, people can just swipe them away, move on with the day, and not worry about it too much as best as you can." Make sure to bin your food scraps properly, bust out the fly swat and warm up your wrist for some heavy-duty swatting.

Everything Taylor Swift truly does turn to gold. The Eras Tour movie has just become the most profitable concert film in history, all before it's even been released. The Swift effect continues to sweep the world. The film’s distributor AMC released a statement announcing global ticket sales have already banked the singer $100 million, all before it hits cinemas on Friday, October 13. "Audience demand for the Eras Tour concert film has been incredible from the moment it was first announced,” an AMC spokesperson said in an official statement. The movie itself was filmed during the US leg of Taylor’s Eras Tour, which has become a record-breaking event in its own right. The 146-date tour will span across continents and will run through until November 2024. If you can’t make it to one of her concerts (yup, tickets have been dang hard to come by) you may be happy to settle for the in-cinema version instead. For Sydneysiders keen to watch Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, the movie will premiere this Friday, October 13, showing in all major movie theatres across the city. To make sure you don’t miss out on tickets, be sure to book in ahead of time and get crafting your friendship bracelets. Find out more, here. Oh and get your vocals warmed up. Taylor Tweeted earlier this year that “singing and dancing” is “encouraged” during the viewing of her film. You don’t have to ask us twice to belt out 'Cruel Summer'... Recommended: Here’s how you can see Taylor Swift's Eras Tour for just $19.89

When it comes to things New South Wales does really well, you have to include beaches and national parks, right? So if you like getting out for some bush-bashing, you might be interested in a the findings of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service 2022 Park Visitor Survey, which has revealed the top most visited national parks across our beaut state. Turns out the Blue Mountains National Park is the most popular park – around 6.4 million tourists headed there in the last 12-month reporting period. The second most visited park is closer to home for Sydneysiders – it's the Royal National Park, just south of Sydney, where about 5 million people visited to take some of the most spectacular coastal walks in the world. Photograph: Destination NSW/Daniel Tran In third spot: the famed Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, just north of the CBD. This sacred Aboriginal land has long been a favourite visit for Sydney folk and tourists alike, and in the reporting period, 4.4 million people visited the area. Here's the full top 10 most visited National Parks: Blue Mountains National Park (6.40 million visits in a year) Royal National Park (5.05 million visits) Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park (4.4 million visits) Lane Cove National Park (2.61 million visits) Kosciuszko National Park (2.48 million visits) Sydney Harbour National Park (1.93 million visits) Eurobodalla National Park (1.41 million visits) Garigal National Park (1.18 million visits) Cape Byron National Park (1.03 million visi

If you've been feeling like you're in a bit of a rut with trying to keep active, we get you. There's only so many times one can go to the gym and try to pretend they know what they're doing on those weird weights machines. Luckily for us, there's a fun new sporting trend that's picking up across Australia and judging by its popularity, it's worth checking out. Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and popularity is surging in across the country. Figures from the Pickleball Australia Association (PAA) show that about 25,000 people across the country play – and plenty of those players are in Victoria.  So, what is pickleball? Pickleball is a bit like tennis – two to four players hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball over a net until the player/s on one side are unable to return it or do something wrong; though the ball is hit with little paddles, and it's played on a smaller court (outdoors or indoors) than tennis is. The sport was first played in the US back in 1965, and it brings together elements of tennis with badminton and table tennis. Photograph: Aleksander Saks | Unsplash | Pickleball In VIC the sport is becoming more and more popular all the time. According to Pickleball Victoria, there are now 28 centres around Melbourne, and you can play in 16 other locations across regional Victoria.  Can anyone play pickleball? Part of the rise in popularity of pickleball is thanks to the accessibility of the sport. It's easy to pick up, it's social, it's

We guess wild horses truly couldn’t drag them away. The Rolling Stones are adding yet another feather to the cap of their illustrious career, which has spanned more than six decades – yep, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood are releasing their 24th studio album, Hackney Diamonds, proving that they won’t stop – baby, they won’t stop. It will be their first album release in almost 20 years. Now well into their septuagenarian eras (in fact, Mick just celebrated the big eight-oh), the band that formed in 1961 are returning with new music they’re saying will appeal to their old fans and new.  Launching on October 20, Hackney Diamonds aims to bridge the gap between original fans and their kids (or grandkids) by including notable collabs with artists like Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder. The lead single, ‘Angry’, has recently dropped, and the film clip features none other than current Hollywood darling Sydney Sweeney.  They’ve been tinkering away to create this album over a few years – in fact, drummer Charlie Watts passed away in 2021, after production began. “Ever since Charlie’s gone, it’s different, of course, he’s number four, he’s missing, he’s not there,” said Keith during a press conference announcing the album. “Of course he’s missed, incredibly, but thanks to Charlie, we have Steve Jordan (an alternate drummer), who was Charlie’s recommendation for if anything should happen to him.” In a market that’s often criticised for discarding talent once they hit a certain age,

If mindless doom-scrolling on your phone isn’t hitting the way it used to, perhaps a new (more active) pastime is on the cards and, boy, have we got a good one for you. Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and popularity is surging in Australia. Pickleball Australia Association (PAA) figures show that about 25,000 people across the country play – a big proportion of them in NSW. What's pickleball, you might ask? Pickleball is a bit like tennis – two to four players hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball over a net until the player/s on one side are unable to return it or do something wrong; though the ball is hit with little paddles, and it's played on a smaller court (outdoors or indoors) than tennis is. The sport was first played in the US back in 1965, and it brings together elements of tennis with badminton and table tennis. Photograph: Lesli Whitecotton | Unsplash | Pickleball In NSW the sport is become more and more popular all the time – there are now 31 centres around Sydney, and you can play in 27 other regions across NSW. Can anyone play pickleball? Part of the rise in popularity of pickleball is thanks to the accessibility of the sport. It's easy to pick up, it's social, it's fun, and anyone can play: kids, older people, and people with a disability. Photograph: Aleksander Saks | Unsplash | Pickleball A whole lot of new people started picking up paddles during lockdowns when people were looking for ways to stay active while physically di

A devastating 2020 report found that logging and bushfires were placing koalas under grave threat – with projections estimating that, by 2050, the entire population of koalas in NSW could become extinct. In response to these figures, a considered effort has been made by the NSW government to inject much-needed funding into the conservation of our nation’s favourite furry friends. After making big campaign promises to save the koala, Chris Minns and his government are putting their money where their mouths are and have announced a huge boost into protecting and securing koala habitats in south-west Sydney. The sum to the tune of $80 million will be split up into a number of different areas of focus. Firstly, $48 million will go towards creating a new Georges River National Park, which will cover 1,830 hectares of protected land that will hopefully provide safe, dense bushland for koalas free from logging. “Establishing a national park and putting more money into infrastructure to keep koalas safe around roads will ensure generations to come will still be able to see koalas in the wild,” said environment minister Penny Sharpe. Another $26 million will be used to build three new koala crossings in south-west Sydney, providing safe ways for the koala population to roam near densely populated suburban areas.  And, lastly, $5.7 million will be used to fund koala care in the Macarthur area. Another positive development: logging was ordered to cease across 106 koala-populated areas o

When you think award-winning day spa, you probably picture the Real Housewives sashaying into glowing, marble-surfaced interiors and sipping on glasses of Dom. Well, Australia's best day spa brand doesn't quite fit that bill (and we'd say, in this case, that's a good thing). Inner West spa and bathhouse brand Nature's Energy (which has venues in Glebe, Newtown and Balmain) has been recognised in the 2023 World Spa Awards, taking out gongs for both Australia’s Best Day Spa 2023 and Oceania’s Best Day Spa 2023. Yet it's a fairly humble establishment – instead of being known for Champagne and chandeliers, it's known for its knowledgeable staff, use of natural ingredients, holistic approach, jam-packed menu, bang-for-buck services and high standards of professionalism.  As well as the Finnish sauna-style offerings (hot and cold spas, sauna, steam rooms), they offer up a range of relaxing and restorative massages, reiki, crystal therapy, naturopathy, acupuncture, facials, beauty services such as waxing, and even hypnosis sessions. Photograph: Supplied In terms of products, as the name suggests, they use ingredients made from the Australian flora. Between bush flower essences and local native essential oils, their philosophy is all about helping clients feel their best by using the best Australia's landscape has to offer. That said, they also have all the day spa perks you'd expect: fluffy robes, lockers, hair dryers, slippers and herbal tea on tap. Photograph: Supplied In r

Sick of all the Mediterranean moments that have been flooding your Instagram feed for months on end? The best cure for FOMO is getting involved yourself, and Etihad Airlines are helping Aussies do that – they’ve just announced a pre-summer sale that sees a bunch of their flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Europe are hugely slashed.  You may want to go from Sydney to Paris for $1,249 (that’s the return Economy price, minus fees and surcharges – not each way) and be on the Champs-Élysées for some window (or real) shopping.  You could fly from Sydney to Milan for $1,399. Or from Sydney to Copenhagen or Beirut for just $1,559 return.  Their flights to the Middle East are also significantly reduced – though they’ll cost you a bit more than getting to Europe. For instance, you can fly to Cairo for $2,079. The catch: You’ll need to have some leave up your sleeve, because the sale is open for travel between October 4 and November 22 – so you’ll be hitting the Northern Hemisphere’s autumn season. And while Europe gets a lot of attention during the summer months, there's a lot to love about travelling outside of the peak season: smaller crowds, cheaper prices and less sizzling temps. Another perk is that you'll get to travel on a five-star flight with Etihad Airways being rated as a five-star global airline for the third consecutive year, according to the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX). The airline was awarded the title of best economy class at the Business Traveller