Lisa Hamilton

Winter 2026 update: I blinked and it’s winter already. Luckily, the cooler months are made for Negronis by fireplaces, golden schnitties in sunny beer gardens, cheering on your favourite team with your mates, and a pint at the end of the day. You’ll find Sydney’s best pubs to do exactly that below. There's a lot that goes into making a great pub. They need to furnish you with an excellent meal and friendly service, and a game of pool or darts doesn't go astray, and we're fans of weekly trivia. On a hot day, it's all about having a welcoming beer garden, and on a Sunday, it's all about a cracking roast. Top-notch drinks are a must, obvs. There are a lot of rock-solid pubs in this city, and these are our picks of the bunch, pulled together by Time Out Sydney's local writers. Cheers! Editor's picks: 🍠 Best for a Sunday roast: The Duke of Clarence ☀️ Best for a sunny beer garden: Courthouse Hotel 🍽️ Best for a delicious feed: The Dry Dock 🎸 Best for live music: The Duke of Enmore 🔖 Best for mid-week trivia: The Lord Gladstone 🍻 Best for a Sunday jazz : The Old Fitz Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. For something a bit less pubby, a bit higher end, see our picks of the best bars in Sydney. Want more? These are the best steaks in Sydney for $25 and under. Hungry? Check out our ultimate guide to Sydney's best restaurants. 

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

Let’s face it: heading to the cinema ain’t cheap these days – add a choc top into the mix and yeesh, you may as well take out a second mortgage. Luckily, Parramatta has the answer once again for families keen to get out and about without blowing the budget. The city’s much-loved Family Movie Nights are returning in April 2026, bringing a series of free outdoor cinema events to parks across the area. Five local parks and reserves will transform into open-air movie theatres across two weekends during the school holidays, inviting families to roll out the picnic blankets and settle in for a night under the stars. Expect a line-up of recent blockbuster flicks – including A Minecraft Movie and Wicked: For Good – projected onto the big screen. But it’s not just about the movies. Each event kicks off with a festival-style atmosphere before sundown, featuring themed activities, roving performers, food trucks and plenty of inflatable fun (think a giant slide, fun house and even a soccer dart board). There’ll also be hands-on activities inspired by the films, like Minecraft LEGO building, potion and wand making, reptile displays and karate headband decorating. City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said the annual event continues to bring communities together for a free night out. “This is about getting our communities together for a free, fun night out with a movie, good food and fun activities,” Cr Zaiter said. “Over the past 10 years, thousands of people have packed a picnic

If you’re a Rooty Hill local, you’ll probably remember the Carousel Inn, a spot that had all the fixings of a local pub, but was in need of a lil’ TLC. You’ll be happy to know that now, its gotten lucky.  After a multi-million-dollar facelift by Sydney hospo group Solotel (also The Abercrombie, The Golden Sheaf, Darlo Bar, The Erko, The Norfolk and more), the Carousel Inn has been rebranded as The Woodstock Hotel – and its fresh doors are open for service. Rooty Hill’s newest watering hole is a far cry from the previous layout. Forget sticky carpet, a well-worn bar and eye-watering fluorescent lights, the Woodstock Hotel has come into its own with a family-friendly bistro, spacious beer garden, sports bar, events centre and a playground for the kids. The hearty bistro menu features proper pub classics, including chicken parmi, woodfired pizzas, chargrilled meats and $12 kids meals. Tipped to be a new local favourite, The Woodstock General Manager Rhyan O’Halloran hopes the new look venue will become a place for all members of the community to come and enjoy the facilities. “We want this place buzzing,” said O’Halloran. “The bistro will be full of families on a weeknight, the beer garden packed on a sunny afternoon with groups, the Sports Bar heaving when there’s a big game on. We’ve got the event space ready to go for sport lunches, weddings, birthdays – you name it”.  Making sure to tick all the boxes, The Woodstock has a daily happy hour from 3-6pm (can’t be mad at that) an

If you’re a Rooty Hill local, you’ll probably remember the Carousel Inn, a spot that had all the fixings of a local pub, but was in need of a lil’ TLC. You’ll be happy to know that now, its gotten lucky.  After a multi-million-dollar facelift by Sydney hospo group Solotel (also The Abercrombie, The Golden Sheaf, Darlo Bar, The Erko, The Norfolk and more), the Carousel Inn has been rebranded as The Woodstock Hotel – and its fresh doors are open for service. Rooty Hill’s newest watering hole is a far cry from the previous layout. Forget sticky carpet, a well-worn bar and eye-watering fluorescent lights, the Woodstock Hotel has come into its own with a family-friendly bistro, spacious beer garden, sports bar, events centre and a playground for the kids. Their hearty bistro menu features line-up of proper pub classics, including chicken parmi, woodfired pizzas, chargrilled meats and $12 kids meals. Tipped to be a new local favourite, The Woodstock General Manager Rhyan O’Halloran hopes the new look venue will become a place for all members of the community to come and enjoy the facilities. “We want this place buzzing,” said O’Halloran. “The bistro will be full of families on a weeknight, the beer garden packed on a sunny afternoon with groups, the Sports Bar heaving when there’s a big game on. We’ve got the event space ready to go for sport lunches, weddings, birthdays – you name it”.  Making sure to tick all the boxes, The Woodstock has a daily happy hour from 3-6pm (can’t be ma

Sydney’s Darling Harbour is turning to ice. No, the great big body of water that surrounds our city hasn't hit sub-zero temperatures (although you’d be forgiven for thinking it has based on recent weather) but rather an ice skating rink has arrived in town. Have you always wanted to try a triple axel? Or maybe Home Alone 2 is your favourite cosy movie thanks to the Rockefeller Centre ice skating rink. Well, now is your chance to live out those dreams under our very own city skyline.  If you’re looking for a date night idea or something to occupy (read: tire out)  the kids then this is just the ticket for you. From Saturday, June 28 until Sunday, July 20, you can head on down to the harbourside precinct to strap on the skates and glide like a majestic penguin – or clamber around like Bambi on ice. Knee pads aren’t included, so it might be wise to wear a thick pair of pants to cushion any falls.  Once you’ve had your dash on the rink you may be ready to grab a bite to eat or rest your weary legs. Thankfully, Darling Harbour is within walking distance of plenty of Sydney’s very best restaurants and most delightful cheap eats.  If you love to romanticise winter, skating beneath the lights of Sydney’s CBD towers sounds like the perfect way to lean into the cooler months. The rink is open daily from 10am until 9pm at the Palm Grove Forecourt, and skating costs $28 per adult, $20 for children and $15 for toddlers. Skating penguins can be booked for an extra $10 to keep the little on

Real ale fanatic? Craft brew aficionado? We’ve got news. The GABS Beer Festival – the most anticipated event on Australia’s beer calendar – is heading back to Sydney this May. Complete with a 30-metre bar (the longest in Australia) GABS will bring more than 500 brews to the Harbour City for festival goers to have a crack at. Attendees of GABS25 can head along to the International Convention Centre to sample the extensive selection of daring, out-of-the-box concoctions. Among the line-up of funky frothies will be some seriously unique tipples like the Broken Bay Pearl Beer from Six String Brewing Co in Erina that was made using 1000 shucked oysters. If you’re not saying “what a pearler” two pints in, that’s on you. Elsewhere on offer you can get your laughing gear around the Gingerbread Pastry Beer (yes) from Shout Brewing Co in Newcastle or the Pickle Beer (double yes!) from Stoic Brewing in Gerringong.  The creativity of these breweries knows no bounds, with the likes of The Socials Brewers in Mortdale heading to GABS25 to show off their Vegemite, stale bread and Indigenous macadamia nuts beer. Sounds yeasty. For the sweet toothed among us, there’s a Rainbow Ice Cream Cone beer by Good Land Brewing which is stacked full of strawberries, bananas, cherries, blueberries, vanilla ice cream and bubblegum.  There will also be some European guest breweries at the festival including the world’s oldest brewery, Weihenstephan, all the way from Germany. With 500+ beer taps on offer, a

With Easter just around the corner, we’re busy filling our trolley with overpriced chockie eggs and making plans to enjoy the extended weekend. If your calendar is looking a little bare, we’ve got just the ticket for your Easter Sunday. In an eggs-cellent showdown, the Sydney Swans will be going head-to-head with Port Adelaide in a round-six clash that promises to be a very family friendly match-day. Even better news for families, we've got a discount code you can use to nab a family ticket for just $70 (subject to availability) – use code SWANSHQ70 when purchasing via this link. After an epic 2024 for the Swannies, Sydneysiders will no doubt be keen to don the red and white to support the team in this new season that's well underway.   Which AFL teams are playing on Easter Sunday? The Sydney Swans are going head to head with Port Adelaide on Easter Sunday (April 20). Once you’ve finished up your Easter egg hunt you can get on down to the game for a family-friendly first bounce time of 3:20pm. Pretty nice way to spend Easter if you ask us. Where is the Sydney Swans vs Port Adelaide game? The match-up between the Sydney Swans and Port Adelaide will take place at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Moore Park. Which means you can hop on the Light Rail from Central Station to get there.   What time is Sydney Swans vs Port Adelaide? Gates will open at the SCG at 1:30pm and first bounce will take place at 3:20pm – which means no late nights for families. As always the SCG w

There’s something so intriguing about exploring the depths of the ocean, because we don't get many chances to check out what's down there. If you’re not a diver but you’ve always wanted to see what happens underneath the ripples of the water's surface, check out this ocean photography exhibition that's returning to the Australian National Maritime Museum.From November 28, the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024 exhibition will feature all of the winners and finalists of the prestigious prize, which is led by the London-based Oceanographic Magazine.  The exhibition will display 118 of the most awe-inspiring wildlife shots ever snapped, immersing you in the otherworldly magic of the ocean and bringing you face-to-face with some of the sea's most majestic creatures. Particular highlights will no doubt be getting your peepers on the winning image from photographer Rafael Fernández Caballero. His incredible photo of a Bryde whale feeding on a heart-shaped baitball was taken in Baja California Sur, Mexico during the Mexican sardine run. The stunning shot was chosen from more than 15,000 images by a panel of expert judges.  There are plenty of other award-winning photos on display across 10 categories, including the Ocean Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Ocean Adventure Photographer of the Year and the Ocean Fine Art Photographer of the Year.   Tickets are on sale now with discounts available for concessions and children and family passes on offer. All tickets include access to al

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

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

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

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

Housing woes have long been the thorn in Sydney’s side. Sure, we’ve got great beaches, bars and restaurants, but with median house prices sitting at roughly $1.76 million, the long-term habitability is often pulled into question by many residents. Moving regionally is on the rise, with Commonwealth Bank’s latest data showing a continued upward trend with a net migration to regions up 11.8 per cent. One stunning coastal town that has sparked the interest of many looking to relocate from the city is Nambucca Heads, located around five hours north of Sydney and around 30 minutes south of Coffs Harbour. Photograph: Destination NSWSurfer standing on top of part of the Nambucca Heads V-wall There’s a lot to love about Nambucca Heads, and we’re just going to state the brass tax of it all which is – ding, ding, ding – affordable housing. PropTrack data on realestate.com.au shows the median price of house in Nambucca Heads is $728,000 – yep, you read that correctly. Landing a coastal property for under $1 million is quite frankly, a steal. On top of that, Nambucca Heads provides all the trimmings of an idyllic coastal town, brimming with beautiful beaches including Shelley Beach, sand dunes, forest landscape and a stunning shoreline to explore. Of course, when you start to see an influx of movers arrive from the city, the hospitality scene in a town starts to boom and we’ve been told that Matilda’s – a sun-spalshed restaurant and bar – is the place to be. As more people set up in Na

It’s an unfortunate reality, but Australia is one of the most expensive places to live in the world. However, a small handful of undervalued pockets still exist where you can score a property bargain (by today’s standards, at least) – and they’re hiding in plain sight. Australia’s housing market shows no signs of slowing down, with the typical property now worth about $81,000 more than a year ago. But fresh data from realestate.com.au has revealed nine of the country’s most undervalued suburbs that offer a much cheaper entry point than their pricey neighbours. Let’s start with Australia’s most expensive state: NSW. Sydney’s Inner West is in high demand, with median house prices easily clearing the $2 million mark in suburbs like Newtown, Balmain, Marrickville and Dulwich Hill. But nearby Canterbury and Campsie are a fair bit easier on the budget, all while giving you roughly the same proximity to the CBD. In Campsie, the median house price sits at $1.83 million, while Canterbury comes in at $1.99 million – and both are primed to yield great growth value over the coming years. If close to two mil is still way out of your price range, Goulburn is a great regional alternative. Located two hours south of Sydney, the median price for a property here is $660,000 – which is considerably more affordable than nearby Canberra, Moss Vale, Bowral and Mittagong, where median house values exceed $1 million. Photograph: Destination NSWBelmore Park, Goulburn Over in Victoria, buyers lookin

It’s no secret that Sydney is home to some of the most expensive suburbs in the country (even world, welp). But there are still a few (yes, just a small handful) of undervalued pockets that are still offering up some property bargains. New data released from the property experts at realestate.com.au has revealed a list of the most undervalued suburbs in Australia, and there are two – yes, just two – here in Sydney. The Inner West is booming, with big median property prices across suburbs like Newtown, Balmain, Marrickville and Dulwich Hill. But nearby suburbs Canterbury and Campsie are still a fair bit easier on the budget, all while giving you roughly the same proximity to the CBD. RECOMMENDED: Feeling the pinch? Here's a heap of free things to do in Sydney These undervalued Sydney suburbs each have a median property prices under $2 million (yep, that's considered decent value these days): $1.83 million for Campsie and $1.99 million for Canterbury, with both expected to yield great growth value over the coming years. Bonus: Campsie is home to a bustling high street packed with thriving Asian grocers and excellent restaurants. Agent Peter Kassas from LJ Hooker Campsie told realestate.com.au he is already seeing an uptick in interest in these two areas from buyers looking for property in the Inner West. “It’s six or seven minutes down Canterbury Road but it’s much more affordable,” he said. If close to two mill is still way out of your price range, the other NSW area noted in

Undoubtedly a favourite winter pastime is to lean into the hygge (the Danish concept of getting cosy) and go on a road trip. If you’re welcoming the cooler weather you might be searching for some cute small towns to venture to – and we’ve got some pearlers to add to your list. Dotted across NSW, these quaint towns will give you all the warm fuzzies including history, pubs with fireplaces and perhaps a tipple of mulled wine or two. RELATED READ: These 7 stunning NSW day trips feel like a mini holiday (BYO snacks) Blackheath  Come wintertime, Sydneysiders lace up the boots and head into the Blue Mountains in search of a speckle of snow. Travel beyond the tourist hotspots of Katoomba and Leura in favour of the positively lovely Blackheath. Stop by the Little Piggy Deli for a moreish baked treat, pick up an antique gem at The Victory Theatre, set off on one of the many picturesque hikes (of varying difficulties) and end the day at Frankie & Mo’s wine bar. Photograph: Destination NSW Yass If you’ve ever driven to Canberra from Sydney it’s hard to stop the compulsion to scream “yasss queen” as you pass the turn-off to Yass. Make this the year you actually head into town because you’ll be tickled to find a truly wonderful day ripe for the picking. Rich in history, Yass offers tourists an opportunity to go back in time at the Yass Railway Museum and the District Museum. There are also plenty of nature hikes like the Hume and Hovell Track, and wineries to boot. Braidwood Around thre

It’s a volatile time in the real estate world, and it would be remiss of us not to acknowledge how tricky it has been for everyday Aussies to get on the property ladder over the past decade. As we move into the second quarter of 2026, things are as murky as ever with tight property stock, rising median prices and the 5 per cent Deposit Scheme increasing demand across many suburbs. RELATED READ: Yes, you can still buy by the beach: 12 NSW suburbs under $1m However, there is some good news coming our way after the latest PropTrack data revealed a list of 402 suburbs across Australia that have median property prices under $500,000. Considering the median house price in Sydney is roughly $1.75 million – scoring a property for under half a million sounds pretty neat and dare we say rather encouraging. Photograph: Dee Kramer/Destination NSW Drilling into the list to focus on homes in NSW, we can see a number of suburbs that have properties available for under $300,000. The catch is you’d have to be willing to give up Sundays luxuriating on the Clovelly slab and swap it for swatting flies. In the rugged outback town of Bourke you can buy a house for $170,000, or if you fancy a bit of country music perhaps a home in South Tamworth for $282,500 might pique your interest. If you prefer to be slightly closer to the water, homes in South Kempsey and South Grafton go for $445,000, and are about a 40-minute drive to the closest beaches. Here are the top 10 cheapest places to buy property

The NSW Labor government is holding steadfast in its commitment to ensuring a vibrant 24-hour economy returns to the streets of Sydney. So much so that Planning Minister Paul Scully has recently overturned the introduction of a midnight curfew at the soon-to-be-opened Cutaway arts and culture space in Barangaroo. Initially, the Cutaway was slated to be a 24-hour venue fit to host festivals, installations and community events, but mounting pressure from local residents forced Placemaking NSW – the government agency overseeing the project – to introduce a curfew. In a bold move, Minister Scully recently stepped in and overturned the curfew, citing his government’s strong stance on ensuring Sydney’s once-thriving nightlife is given a chance to make a comeback. Photograph: Toby Shain Scully rejected the residents’ plea for peace and quiet, doubling down on his support for the Cutaway to operate day and night. “The new and improved Cutaway will support everything from festivals and installations to community gatherings and contemporary performance, and following my request, it can operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week as needed,” he said. “We will be maximising the benefit of this venue, given the significant taxpayer investment made, to allow it to host events that support Sydney’s growing events calendar.” Naturally, local residents in the area surrounding the Cutaway were displeased with the government’s decision, with Millers Point Community Resident Action Group preside

It’s been a long time coming and a whole lot of controversy, but North Sydney’s beloved Olympic Swimming Pool is almost ready to reopen after a huge, drawn-out redevelopment project. It’s good news for swimmers, but the proposed new $11 entry fee has the local community up in arms. According to the community, an $11 casual entry fee has been put forward by the North Sydney Council with a flat out rejection of any local resident discount. The Council’s report – which has been placed on public display – cites a number of reasons why a discount would not be offered, including operating costs, loan repayments and market analysis of surrounding facilities.RELATED READ: These are the best outdoor pools in Sydney “While a resident discount may feel equitable for residents who regularly use NSOP, it would reduce the Pool’s income overall,” stated the report.  “That shortfall would then need to be covered through higher subsidies from Council, funded by all ratepayers. This includes residents who do not use the Pool at all.” This has left North Sydney local residents suitably miffed given their council rates subsidised the facilities’ redevelopment. “Besides the locals already paying for it, they need those exact people to visit regularly and grow to love it again. Very bad move,” wrote Carmel Montgomery on Instagram. “No discount for residents when we have funded this and no discount on rates for the last 5 years for loss of amenity during this utter fiasco!” said Tracey Hayman on In

Taking just one look at the lines that snake around Club Rose Bay, you’d be well aware that socialising in the city can often come with significant wait times. But it looks like more and more people are shirking the CBD and Eastern Suburbs in favour of a day or night out in Sydney’s western suburbs. RELATED READ: This unexpected Sydney suburb has just been named one of the world's 10 best food destinations for 2026 Fewer lines, cheaper eats, no entry fees and, according to plenty of patrons, a somewhat less conceited clientele are all reasons why nightlife in the west is emerging as a much more favourable option than heading to the CBD. Leading the charge in the booming cultural scene in the west are two suburbs: Canley Vale and Canley Heights. Known as the “Little Asia” district, these suburbs have been driven by Anthony Nguyen, who has helped cultivate this emerging hotspot to celebrate Southeast Asian food, drinks, art and culture. “We’re not going to travel one hour to the city, then party, then spend an hour to get home – it’s dangerous. We have to create something for the locals,” Nguyen told the Sydney Morning Herald. “We literally went and door-knocked everyone and said, ‘Hey, we’re going to create a district’.” RELATED READ: Sydney officially scraps its remaining lockout laws, ending a decade-long era of restrictions The injection of energy into the community is being keenly felt, with new stats showing just how popular the west is becoming. In data released by Visa

After the RBA announced its first cash rate hike in two years earlier this year, the move has already started reshaping Sydney’s real estate scene – for better or worse (mostly worse – sorry!). The bad news first: some of Sydney’s most affordable suburbs in the outer west and Blue Mountains have seen a significant bump in house prices, according to new data. The Blue Mountains region recorded an increase of 2.6 per cent, while places like Campbelltown and Camden saw property values rise by 1.7 per cent. RELATED READ: Sydney house prices jumped again in 2025, pushing the median to $1.76 million It’s a similar story across the South West and Central Coast regions, where rising property prices are a direct result of more first-home buyers jostling to get a look-in in an already competitive market. And the good (ish) news? Prices in areas like the Eastern Suburbs and the North Shore dropped 2.11 per cent and 1.31 per cent respectively. However, considering these areas are home to some of the most expensive suburbs in Australia – including Bellevue Hill and Mosman – those figures won’t mean much to anyone trying to enter the market. RELATED READ: Yes, you can still buy by the beach: 12 NSW suburbs under $1m With Greater Sydney’s affordable housing crisis only deepening, these latest stats will further bottleneck an already strained system. And with interest rate uncertainty likely to push rental prices even higher – things could get even more grim for many across the city. My one

When the weather is hot, we look for every opportunity to cool off. A road trip is a holiday mainstay – and if you’re searching for inspo, we’re here to suggest a jaunt to the Barrington Coast to see New South Wales’ tallest waterfall. Roughly four-and-a-half hours north of Sydney, you’ll find Ellenborough Falls, a spectacular cascade of forceful water plunging off the cliff. RELATED READ: I went to the most Instagrammed waterfall in Australia – here’s what I thought At 200m tall, Ellenborough Falls is the longest single-drop waterfall in New South Wales – and ranks among the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere. Photograph: Destination NSW There is much to do and see at Ellenborough Falls, including four lookouts of varying difficulty. Two are just a short walk from the main carpark, the third is an approximate ten-minute walk that gives you a bird’s-eye view of the falls, and the last takes you down a long staircase of 641 steps alongside the waterfall. The steps are well worth it, though, leading to a beautiful natural rock pool at the base where the waterfall plunges, creating the perfect spot to cool off if conditions are calm and safe. It’s chilly, so be prepared for some Wim Hof-style breathing, and take care – the rocks can be slippery. Given that it’s a considerable road trip to Ellenborough Falls, why not add an overnight stop at one of the gems of the coast, like Forster or Shoal Bay? Go chase this majestic waterfall – you deserve it. Note: A few kilometres past Wi

The Sydney Metro project is facing even more delays with new internal documents revealing the state-of-the-art train carriages for Sydney’s new international airport have missed their deadline in arriving from Europe. The first driverless trains were due to arrive in November of last year coming all the way from Germany after undergoing testing – but alas, February is nearly over and the 12 trains are nowhere to be found. A fairly vague response has been given by Sydney Metro as to why there have been such significant delays, citing the fact that delivery timetables were subject to change in order to “ensure alignment with the overall construction program.” Read into that what you will (eye rolls are welcome). This train delay snafu is just the latest hurdle in a project that has been consistently marred by missteps and miscalculations. The Sydney Metro line that offers a 23-kilometre direct line to the new Western Sydney International Airport was originally due to open as the first flights start operating later this year. RELATED READ: The new Western Sydney International Airport is opening this year – here's what we know so far However, the completion date for the Sydney Metro line has now been pushed out to late 2027, with a hefty project budget blow out to $2.2 billion. In response to the considerable delays, the government has arranged for free shuttle buses to transport passengers from St Marys in the city to the new airport when it opens later in 2026. The messy projec

Well, the numbers are in and 2025 was another year of housing growth in Sydney – for better or worse. Recent data released in Domain’s Quarterly House Price Report shows that median house prices in the city rose by a further 2 per cent ($34,177) in the last quarter of 2025. The steady increase brought annual growth to 6.4 per cent, meaning that if you want to buy property in Sydney you’re now looking at a record median price of $1.76 million. Wowzers. So your dreams of becoming a homeowner may have just slipped further out of reach as the competitive market continues to wreak havoc amid an already challenging financial climate. RELATED READ: Yes, you can still buy by the beach: 12 NSW suburbs under $1m One key takeaway from the report is the uptick in unit purchases – perhaps signalling a clear shift away from unattainable house prices as buyers try to squeeze their way into the market. Data from Domain showed that units outperformed houses in the final quarter of 2025. However, the median price of a unit in Sydney jumped to $844,390, so take that all with a grain of salt. Photograph: Dominic Kurniawan Suryaputra via Unsplash Domain’s Chief of Research and Economics, Dr Nicola Powell, says that the growth trend in unit purchases is being felt across many of the major cities. “We’re seeing buyers gravitate towards units in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in search of relative value, while smaller capitals like Perth and Adelaide are leading the charge on house price growth,”