Lisa Hamilton

In Australia, we've got boundless stars to share. When you combine vast stretches of national park, deeply dark skies and a dash of pure air, you've got yourself the ideal recipe for a quality stargazing session. 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 Australia has to offer. When is the best time to go stargazing in Australia?  Generally, the experts say winter, for the crispest air and sharpest visuals. This being said, anytime from February to October should deliver the goods in any one of the spots we've listed across the nation.  What should you take stargazing in Australia? Just like if you're going outdoors at night, anywhere, you need to be prepared. Even though the land Down Under has a rep for hotness, at night, temperatures do plummet – so bring plenty of warm clothes, insect protection, and ample food and water. Depending on your stargazing level (one being – "I like looking up occasionally and saying 'wow!' while eating marshmallows, and pro being – "I prefer seeing my constellations through the Hubble"), you should bring binoculars, night camera equipment or a portable telescope. Also, a good attitude and a healthy appreciation for celestial fun. Those two? Essential.  ☀️ Where to see Australia's best

Ah, food. Glorious, glorious food. There’s nothing more we’d rather travel around the country for. Almost every state, city and even town in Australia has its own foodie festival, bringing together the best chefs, farmers, producers and suppliers. Our Sydney Food & Drink Editor, Avril Treasure, raves about Orange F.O.O.D Week, our Melbourne Editor, Lauren Dinse, loves Pinot Palooza, and our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, dreams of experiencing Darwin International Laksa Festival. So, whether you’re a wine wanker, a seafood seeker, a beer buff or a truffle hunter, here are the best food and drink festivals in Australia worth travelling for. 🍽️ The best restaurants in Australia🎸 Australia's grooviest music and arts festival🍷 The best bars in Australia

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

Lets face it, heading along 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. If 2025 is all about saying yes to getting out and about but doing it on a budget, Parramatta has the answer: a bunch of free pop-up movie nights for the whole family to enjoy. The travelling Family Movie Nights pop-up event will span across two weekends sitting inside the NSW school holidays, with the first kicking off on Friday, April 11 at Binalong Park, Old Toongabbie. Wondering what’s on the line-up? Don’t worry, they won’t be dusting off the old VHS and playing Flubber (although 10/10 would watch again), organisers have nabbed an epic line-up of flicks including the 2025 Academy Award nominated musical spectacular, Wicked. It’s free, and I get to sing ‘Defying Gravity’ to the good people of Parramatta? Win, win! Not only will this family-friendly initiative from the City of Parramatta bring the magic of movies to the masses, but you can also expect a bit of a funfair with live music, art, games, food stalls, kid’s workshops and plenty more kicking off from 4pm before the film begins at sundown. City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said the return of Family Movie Nights will be a welcome event for parents looking for cost-effective activities during the school holidays. “It’s getting harder for families to find fun yet affordable things to do during the school holidays, so we’re making life easier by putting on th

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

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 single Sydneysiders, the Emerald City cupids are putting on 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 Sunday, February 11 in your diary as the day you might meet your soulmate, aboard a yacht on Sydney's sparkling harbour (Sydney Sweeney, eat your heart out). For the fourth Sydney pop-up of their invitation-only event series, No Swipes has partnered with floating festival company Yacht Social – they're bringing nine yachts together in a corner of the harbour with sparkling city views, a float-up party, on-board barbecues and a line-up of top DJs soundtracking the day. 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. The invitation-only event accepts 400 people on board, and ticketholders can choose a place on a standard yacht, a prem

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.

Show me a Sydneysider and I’ll show you a person who isn’t shy about singing the praises of our stunning Harbour city. Top tier dining – we got it. Beautiful beaches – we got ‘em. World renowned universities – tick, tick, tick. According to a worldwide university ranking from the Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR) we’ve now got the stats to back up our boastful ways with UNSW landing a spot on the list. UNSW was also the highest-ranking NSW uni on the prestigious QS World University Rankings, which were released last month.  Coming in at number 52 on the CWUR list, UNSW claimed victory as Australia’s top university – beating the likes of University of Melbourne, Australian National University, University of Sydney and University of Queensland. More than 21,000 universities were ranked to make a top 2,000 list, which makes UNSW’s top 100 place a rather commendable achievement when stacked up against some of the most renowned tertiary facilities in the world. The quantitative academic ranking assessed each university by taking a look at key areas including the quality of education, alumni employment, quality of faculty and research performance. UNSW received an overall score of 84.6, in large part thanks to the university's solar cell technology research, which helped boost their ranking from 99 in 2024. These are the top 10 universities in the world according to the Centre for World Universities Harvard University, USA Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT),USA

It’s a good time to be a driver in NSW. This week, the NSW government revealed details for the government body that will be in charge of regulating toll operators and making the road network fairer for motorists. And more good news: they’ve announced a new parking fine system that promises to bring fairness and transparency. Coming into effect from Tuesday, July 1, the reform has removed ticketless parking fines and introduced on the spot fines in order to overhaul a previous “unfair” system, which saw drivers surprised by unexpected, very expensive letters in the post. Motorists across NSW can expect fines attached to their vehicle, and issued no later than seven days after the offence. This parking shake-up comes after years of frustration over the previous fine system which saw many motorists blindsided by tickets weeks after their parking folly. “Our commonsense changes bring fairness and transparency back to the system,” said Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos. “Motorists will once again benefit from on-the-spot notifications. New requirements that motorists are provided with photos of the offence will assist them if they wish to object to a fine.” A major driving force behind the call for reform came in the form of complaints from the public expressing anger over a lack of transparency when it came to fines. “People deserve to know when and why they’re being fined—and to have a fair chance to challenge it if needed,” said an NRMA Spokesperson Peter Khoury. Hopefully

When we hear the term “holiday destinations”, people often conjure up fantasies of warmer climates, a cocktail in hand and waves lapping at the sparkling shore (extra points for some Baja Fish Tacos delivered straight to the sun lounger, but we’re not picky). But for those of us who lean into the Hygge lifestyle (a Scandinavian word to describe a warm and cosy vibe), the perfect getaway takes place in the winter months.  Thanks to a new campaign from Destination NSW, Sydney – the city known for its outdoor lifestyle and summer experiences – has been pitched as a top holiday spot for those looking to get into the warm and woollies. If our cosy pubs with fireplaces are anything to go by, we’d say the theory checks out.   The ‘Feel the Sydney side of winter’ campaign has launched to showcase the delights on offer in Sydney through the colder months, and you might be pleasantly surprised to learn how much there is to see and do when the temps drop. Sure, the harbour comes alive during summer (so much so that it ranked as the best winter sun destination in the world for residents of the Northern Hemisphere). But have you ever popped on a pair of ugg boots and sipped a mug of mulled wine while watching the whales cruise past Clovelly?  A report from Tourism Research Australia revealed that in 2024, 8.7 million domestic and international travellers visited Sydney between June and September. Which means a lot of people like the cut of our winter jib, and we can’t blame ’em.  Photogr

It’s Sydney’s beaches and beautiful harbour that get most of the attention, but there are plenty of other public spaces that make up the urban landscape of our stunning city. And surprise surprise, keeping it looking fresh takes a lot of planning and meticulous work. Our city’s complex cityscape and lush landscapes make it one of the most unique cities in the world, and last night, the people helping to bring it to life were applauded at the annual NSW Landscape Architecture Awards. In celebration of all things urban design, the 2025 NSW Landscape Architecture Awards were held on Thursday, June 26 in a ceremony at the State Library of New South Wales. The big winners of the night took home awards that celebrated innovative design when it comes to public spaces. Amongst the winners was Parramatta Square which took home the Award of Excellence for Civic Landscape. The Parramatta Light Rail (Stage 1) was given the Infrastructure Award of Excellence. The public space around the first building at Sydney's new CBD Bradfield City was also honoured in the awards, and based on the green-space-focused plans we've seen, we have a feeling Bradfield City will be in line for a few more awards as it comes to life over the next few years.  Photograph: Supplied | Brett Boardman Photography The Barangaroo Station Park (the harbourside garden just outside of the metro station) won the Landscape Architecture Award, with the jury giving Pyrmont-based firm Arcadia huge kudos for their impactful

There was a time when a smoothie and a stretch were all we expected from our wellness spaces – but times are changing, and Sydney’s wellness scene is stepping up its game. Earlier this year, the CBD welcomed a shiny new wellness hub offering high-tech biohacking treatments, including hyperbaric chambers and lymphatic drainage boots. And next year, Sydneysiders will say hello to the first NSW outpost of Saint Haven: the super-luxe, Melbourne-born wellness space offering cashed-up city dwellers biohacking-style health boosts. Saint Haven Sydney will open its doors in spring 2026 in the well-heeled (and well-downward-dogged) suburb of Bondi Beach, ready to bring a smorgasbord of wellness to exclusive club members. Photograph: Supplied | Saint Haven After successfully launching clubs across Melbourne, Saint Haven has answered the call to open a Sydney venue, with plans for a 1,300-square-metre club well underway. If aligning your mind, body, spirit, and stomach is a priority, the Bondi Beach Saint Haven mecca is designed to do just that. Patrons will be able to enjoy a world-class gym offering classes focused on Pilates, yoga, strength, conditioning, breathwork, sound healing, and hybrid training. State-of-the-art biohacking technologies will also be available, with members able to experience hyperbaric oxygen therapy, cryotherapy, IV infusions, and red light beds. Afterwards, dunk your bod in a 39-degree magnesium pool or a cold plunge. Hello, elite athlete! Of course, you’ll

The Rocks – Sydney’s historic waterside precinct – is known for being steeped in convict settlement history. And that storied path has laid the way for some of the most iconic watering holes the city has to offer, many of which are still standing today. It’s also home to some of Sydney's most beautiful historic buildings, magical cobblestone streets and wow-factor Harbour views.  Always wished you could enjoy your perfect pub setting while taking in the sites? Your wishes have been granted. The Travelling Tavern is a fun new pub on wheels that promises to take passengers on a tour of The Rocks all while sipping an ice-cold beer. The Travelling Tavern is a 15-seater bike, that invites guests to work for their bevs by pedalling the trolley around The Rocks with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on offer as well as music to help push you along. Photograph: Supplied | The Travelling Tavern At The Travelling Tavern there are two types of tours on offer depending on where, how and why you’re looking to cycle through town. For those interested in learning more about the area, the History Tours offer passengers the opportunity immerse in the past lore of The Rocks – including stops at Sydney’s oldest pub and other top drinking holes. Photograph: Supplied | The Travelling Tavern   If you’ve got a hens, bucks or birthday coming up then one of The Travelling Tavern’s private social tours might be the ticket – pack some decorations, jump on board and celebrate in a very fun, very ou

Asia's largest fast-food company – the hugely popular Jollibee – is set to open its first Australian store, in Sydney. This Filipino fast-food/cheap eats giant has about 1,500 locations in 17 countries around the globe, and after a long campaign, they're in the works to open their first Australian eatery – likely in Sydney's Campbelltown. Given the large Filipino population in Australia, and Campbelltown in particular (Filipinos comprise the third-largest population of residents born outside of Australia), this news has been a long time coming. A really long time coming, considering the restaurant’s initial development application was submitted to the Campbelltown City Council in March 2021, and its preliminary development drawings were submitted in October 2021.  Is Jollibee really coming to Sydney? The initial Campbelltown site has reportedly fallen through due to “some administrative challenges”, which is why things seem to be taking a long time. But it's promising that Jollibee has a 'Business Head for Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia', Dennis Flores, on its team, and he's confirmed that the business had been planning to come to Australia “for quite some time now”.  When is Jollibee coming to Sydney? It's said that pre-construction plans are now in progress, though The Philippines Times has recently reported that Jollibee's plans to expand into Australia may not come to light for two years, and an official opening date is still yet to be announced. Photograph:

Sydney’s Taronga Zoo is home to more than 5,000 different animals, which means on any given day you’ll be able to get up close to giraffes, lions, sea lions, chimpanzees and even a cute-as-heck pygmy hippo. However, if you were hoping to get your peepers on the pair of Asian elephants who have called Taronga Zoo home since 2006 you’ve unfortunately missed your chance. On Tuesday April 29 Tang Mo and Pak Boon packed their bags and made the trek to their new digs in South Australia. CEO of the Taronga Conservation Society Cameron Kerr told ABC News the Asian elephants were being relocated to a larger space where they will have an opportunity to be more social with other elephants. Photograph: Supplied | ç “We've always been looking for another big site where we can bring elephants from different groups together to form a new community, because they are very complex social animals,"  he said. "They are dearly loved by all our teams and so many of our visitors and zoo friends as well, so it's very sad to see them go. But there's two of them here and we feel there needs to be a bigger social group than that." The pair travelled to Adelaide’s Montaro Safari Park via semi-trailer and every effort was made to ensure their commute was as comfortable as possible. It’s understood Tang Mo and Pak Boon were given seatbelts, a safety team to chaperone them and hopefully unlimited Netflix to aid the 22-hour drive. This will be the first time Taronga Zoo has not had elephants on site since

Sydney is one of the most sought after cities to live in Australia – and the prices sure show it. Now, a recent report from PropTrack has revealed the cheapest and most expensive suburbs to buy in across Australia, and it will come as no surprise that Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs have secured the top spot as the most expensive local government area (LGA) to purchase a home in all of Australia. But the most affordable areas might not be on your radar (more on that later). According to the PopTrack data, if you quite like the idea of being near one of the world's most iconic beaches, Bondi, you're looking at an average Eastern Suburbs home price of a hefty $3.465 million. That said, if the likes of Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama are out of your price bracket you could look to Edgecliff where the median value of a property is only(!) $872,000. OK, so we know where the well-heeled prospective property buyers are trotting to splash their cash, but where are the most affordable areas in Sydney? In the Blacktown area, a home in Tregear goes for around $748,000, and in the outer southwest region of Airds, you could become a homeowner for around $768,000. In the Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury region, the little-known suburb of Glossodia might be worth checking out – with houses averaging around $853,000.  These six-figure sums in "more affordable" areas are still rather eye-watering, but the fact is that nabbing a home in Sydney for under a million dollars is actually a coop in the

Are you sports mad? The next gen of sports fans among us might be able to turn that passion point into a career with an exciting new development via the University of Newcastle. In 2026, students enrolled in a Master of International Sports Business or a Master of Sports Analytics will swap the Newcastle campus for two major sporting venues in Australia. The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and Allianz Stadium (both in Moore Park) will host the students for around two days a week so they get first-hand, on-the-ground experience by immersing themselves in the world of sport. "It gives an opportunity for the students to put theory into practice and learn within an environment where the business of sport is actually being practiced," said Dean of the Newcastle Business School at the University of Newcastle, Professor James Skinner, in an interview with 9news.com.au. "The facilities, the infrastructure, already exists within a stadium, it's just using the existing infrastructure and changing it to meet the classroom environment." On any given day at the ‘stadium campus’, students can expect to hear from executives, understand more about client relationships and – who knows – maybe even rub shoulders with Australian men's cricket captain Pat Cummins. This kind of dynamic tertiary education will no doubt pique the interest of many sports lovers looking to pursue a career in this field. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo

Let’s face it: with their ridiculously adorable smiles and expert selfie technique, quokkas are the ultimate mood-lifter. Now, these perennially chuffed furry marsupials are bringing that joy to Sydney – landing at Sydney Zoo for the first time ever. Known as the native smilers of Rottnest Island in Western Australia, quokkas have typically been out of reach for most Sydneysiders. But now, Sydney Zoo has officially welcomed three Quokkas (one male and two females) to Eastern Creek for the first time ever. Just in time for the school holidays, these three quokkas have settled into their new habitat and are ready to serve up big grins for the camera.  Photograph: Supplied/Wild Life Sydney ZooDavey the quokka “These quokkas have already stolen our hearts,” said Sydney Zoo’s Animal Care Manager, Kelly Davis.  “Their playful nature and unique behaviours make them fascinating to care for, and we can’t wait for guests to experience their charm up close.” Whilst you might not always be able to get down in the dirt for a famous quokka selfie, you’ll definitely be able to marvel at these fascinating marsupials as they explore their new home.  Their impressive skills include the ability to stay hydrated from leaves, hop for long distances and store fat in their tails for when they need an extra energy boost – slay! If you’re interested in helping name these cuties, Sydney Zoo is running a competition and they need your suggestions. Head here to have a crack at naming one of the quokka

The school year is in full swing! Whether you’re looking for some reassurance that your HECS debt is paying off or are considering swapping degrees, it’s worth having a squiz at Times Higher Education’s esteemed 2025 World University Rankings. This year, six Aussie institutions made the cut, rubbing shoulders with big guns like the University of Oxford, Stanford, Princeton and Harvard. To compile this list, Times evaluated more than 2,000 tertiary institutions, considering factors like teaching, research quality, industry engagement and international outlook. The University of Melbourne placed 39th on the list, making it the highest ranked in Australia. It received an overall score of 78.4 and an impressive 99.3 score for industry engagement. The university also performed well in the rankings by subject, landing in an impressive 11th place for law and 20th for medical and health. Not too shabby when you look at the highly regarded institutions featured on the list. The University of Melbourne outperformed its fellow Aussie institutions by quite a large stretch, with Monash University ranking as the nation’s second-best and coming 58th globally. The University of Sydney placed 61st, the Australian National University came 73rd, the University of Queensland landed at 77th and UNSW Sydney rounded out Australia’s top 100 inclusions at 83rd. Overall, Australia had ten universities in the top 200, which is the sixth most of any country in the world, behind the US (55), UK (25), Ger