Maya Skidmore

Sydney is often referred to as the Harbour City, but a better name might be the Town of a Hundred Beaches. There are countless golden stretches scattered along the length and breadth of Sydney’s many shores (exact figures vary based on who you ask, as some disappear with the tides or are all but impossible to reach). But such an array of sandy riches can make picking the right beach to visit a bit of a head-scratcher. To help you out, we’ve cast our discerning eyes across pretty much every beach in the city, awarding points for accessibility, natural beauty, range of facilities and unique charms. Here are 50 of the best beaches in Sydney. Grab those beach towels and dive right in. JUST REMEMBER: There have been a lot of drowning incidents at NSW beaches – if you swim at unpatrolled beaches, you put yourself at risk. You can search patrolled and unpatrolled beaches near you over here – as well as other surf safety issues. Conditions not ideal? Urbnsurf is Sydney's epic inland wave parkHate crowds? Here's our guide to the best secret beaches in Sydney. The city also has a heap of fab harbour beaches – as well as dog-friendly beaches. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox.

The crown jewel of Australia's best rainforest scene is undoubtedly the Daintree Rainforest, and it’s not hard to see why. This 120,000-hectare wonderland is the oldest tropical rainforest in the entire world, with 180 million years of history waiting to be uncovered. But Australia’s lush, green wonderlands don’t stop there. From the tropical canopies of Queensland’s humid north to the misty, cool-climate forests of Tasmania’s south, rainforests weave their magic across the country. We’ve rounded up the best rainforests in Australia for your adventuring pleasure – whether you're into hiking, birdwatching, waterfall chasing, wild swimming and trail running. See you in the bush! Editor's favourite rainforests in Australia: 🌳 Best for hiking: Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, NSW/QLD 🐨 Best for wildlife spotting: Daintree Rainforest, QLD 🌊 Best for waterfall chasing: Great Otway National Park, VIC 🌳 The best national parks in Australia🥾 The best hikes to do in Australia

Summer 2026 update: Whether you’re looking for a coffee and feed post hot girl walk, picking up a B&E after your swim or catching up with friends over a sweet treat, Sydney’s best cafés will have you covered. Sydneysiders are café people. We're constantly on the hunt for the city's best coffee and we love nothing more than donning our finest sport-luxe activewear and catching up with mates on a weekend morning over eggs, fritters and crusty artisan sourdough. So, whether it's a reward for tackling one of Sydney's most beautiful walks, an indulgent hangover fix after a night at one of the city's best bars, or a workday coffee stop, these are the best Sydney cafés, according to our in-the-know Time Out Sydney writers, including Editor Avril Treasure. We'll have one B&E roll, please.  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. Is it lunch time? Check out our guide to Sydney's best restaurants right now.

Update Tuesday, February 17: Following a sold-out Australian tour that wrapped up in February 2024, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is set to strut back into Sydney in 2027. The ten-time Tony Award-winning show’s arrival in Australia is a homecoming of sorts; it is of course based on Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film, which was filmed here. There’s never been a quiet year for theatre in Australia. From the bright lights of Broadway and the West End to our very own stages, Australia is lucky to host some of the world’s most spectacular musicals. We’re also a hotbed for homegrown gems, with fresh and experimental shows lighting up stages across the country every month.  From the grand return of the world’s #1 musical, The Lion King, and the spectacular outdoor harbour production of Phantom of the Opera to the Aussie premieres of Waitress and Anastasia, this year’s theatre line-up is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. Here are all the biggest and best musicals to see in Australia, listed in order of what's currently showing/hitting the stage next. 👀 The best art exhibitions in Australia🎉 The most exciting events of 2026

With its stunning beaches and glorious gardens, Sydney is a city with nature therapy on tap. And while a walk in the park or a splash in the ocean can be a good fix for all manner of ills, sometimes what you really need is an all-out indulgent spa day.  Thankfully, the Harbour City is home to some of the most incredible day spas in the country – palaces of rejuvenation ranging from a super-affordable communal bathhouse to a luxe harbourside spa in one of the city’s most high-end hotels.  Our editors – including self-care enthusiast Winnie Stubbs – have valiantly volunteered to try out Sydney’s leading spas, and have put together this list based on how revitalised we felt as we stepped back into the real world. Every few months, we hunt down a new gem to add to the list – Sydney’s wellness game is on the up, and it’s our job to shout from the rooftops about the places that will make you feel like the best version of you.Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.  RECOMMENDED:  Keen to head further afield? These are the best spas in the Blue Mountains. And these are the best facials in Sydney.Planning a mum-and-daughter day? These are the best afternoon teas in Sydney.

Hobart's nightlife isn’t exactly heaving with activity after dark like its bustling mainland counterparts, but the city punches above its weight when it comes to bars. From hidden cocktail lounges and underground drinking dens to heritage pubs and waterfront watering holes, this guide rounds up the best bars in Hobart for every kind of night out. It helps that the local booze, like the food, is world-renowned – the beer, the wine, the whisky, the gin. Whatever your poison, it all adds up to a good time. So whether you're a Dirty Martini person or partial to a tinnie (or three), our expert writers, including Hobart local Josie Rozenberg-Clarke and Time Out Australia’s Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley, can both attest to every inclusion on this list of the best bars in Hobart. Bottoms up! Editor's favourite bars in Hobart: 🍹 Best for cocktails and snacks: Sonny 🌅 Best for date night: Lucinda Wine Bar 🎶 Best beer garden: Preachers For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍽 The best restaurants in Hobart🍕 The best pizza in Hobart

Not everything described as iconic deserves the title, but the double-ended ferries that shuttle between Circular Quay, past the heads and into Manly Cove are truly icons of the beachside suburb. The most visited Northern Beaches suburb is known for its surfing history, rows of Norfolk Island pine trees and busy thoroughfare of shops, cafés and sprawling pubs, but look beyond the well-trodden Corso and you’ll find tiny dive bars, indie boutiques and never-ending ways to make the most of the relaxed, outdoor lifestyle. Before Manly became a popular escape from Sydney’s CBD, it was home to the Gamaragal people, who were custodians of the land on the North Shore of Sydney Harbour. Jump to a section: EAT DRINK COFFEE THINGS TO DO SHOPPING What’s Manly known for? Just how many beaches are too manly for one suburb to have? Well, Manly has eight, which explains why water defines pretty much every aspect of life in this desirable suburb on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. People come here for surfing, sunshine, skateboarding, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, hiking and beach volleyball. What's so good about Manly? “You live in Manly for the lifestyle. It’s the kind of place where your mum always had beach towels in the boot so you could meet her for a swim after school during summer, and your weekends consisted of nippers in the morning followed by a pink iced doughnut from the local bakery” says Alice Donaldson, who grew up in Manly. Once she got older it was all about waterfront d

Sure, going for a run or ticking something off on your to-do list will dial up your dopamine levels. But do you know what else will (and that's heaps more fun)? Rounding up your silliest mates, sinking a bevvy or two and singing your little heart out at the karaoke bar! Time Out's Editor in Chief Alice Ellis is a long-time fan of karaoke, so she's done her fair share of scouting Sydney's sing spots to discern for you the best spots around the city. The judging criteria that we've taken into account? The room, the sound system, the song list and that special something – we call it 'the K-Factor'. And if you want to keep the party going, kick on at Sydney's very best dance floors, nick off for a cheeky night cap at one of Sydney's best bars, and then sober up at one of these solid late-night eateries. Time to warm up those singing chops, Sydney, we've got a long night ahead.  Want more late-night entertainment? These Sydney bars and pubs are actually open till the wee hours.

As a city bursting with attractions, it’s an unavoidable fact that some of the things in your Sydney guidebook are bound to suck. Long queues, ridiculous prices and crowds of tourists are hardly going to make your trip to Sydney a memorable one – so ditch them all for these top-notch, local-approved sights and activities.  Below we’ve laid out a full range of tried-and-tested tourist stops around Sydney that are guaranteed not to be a let-down; they'll see you surfing at Bondi Beach, jetting across the harbour on a speedboat and watching humpback whales in the wild. Read on for our pick of the very best tourist attractions in Australia’s Harbour City. 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. RECOMMENDED:These are the best restaurants in Sydney.These are the city's best bars.And these are the very best places to stay the night.  This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that Australia is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With a whopping 12,000 beaches fringing our island continent, it would take a wild 32 years to see them all – if you tackle one per day. Assuming that your 32-year plan doesn't singularly involve beach hopping around Australia (although we can, of course, dream), we've put together a list of the best beaches in Australia that you should visit at least once in your life. This list of Australia's best beaches, curated by our Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley, showcases destinations that aren’t just stunning to look at but genuinely brilliant to experience. Each is known for its remarkable beauty, prime swimming conditions (read: you won't see a beach with saltwater crocs on this list) and proximity to other incredible activities, so your adventure doesn't end with just one dip. So grab your swimmers, pack the sunscreen and start planning. Here are the best beaches in Australia to visit at least once in your life. Editors' favourite beaches in Australia: 💙 Best of all time: Whitehaven Beach, QLD 🤍 Best hidden gem: Stokes Bay, SA 💚 Best views: Wineglass Bay, TAS QLD | NSW | WA | TAS | VIC | SA  🌊 The best nudist beaches in Australia🏄 The best surf beaches in Australia

The day of inflated flower prices, oversized plushies and high expectations is almost upon us. However you may feel about Valentine's Day (Hollywood-esque love, deep, anti-capitalist contempt, cold apathy), know that there are plenty of ways you can authentically celebrate love in Sydney right now – whether that's the love you have for your date, a mate, or your own fine self. From singles to coupled-up sweethearts, there’s something delightful for everyone to do in Sydney on February 14 (which falls on a Saturday this year), as well as in the lead-up to and fallout after the big day. We've also rounded up the sexiest date-night spots in Sydney and the best fun (and free) outings – so you're all set for Cupid's Big Day. With love,  Time Out Sydney. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:Want fun now? Here’s what’s on in Sydney this weekend.And here’s our guide to things to do this February.

If you haven't yet experienced the pure joy of solo travel in Australia, consider this your sign. From avoiding heated debates over where to eat (you want the French steak, they want vegan ramen) to leaving the house without waiting for someone else to find their shoes, the freedom of solo travel is something that everyone should experience at least once. In Australia, there are plenty of safe, beautiful and accessible destinations for solo travellers. Whether you're an arty, wine-guzzling sort who enjoys wandering around all day or a more intrepid adventurer who thrives off coasting down highways alone, we've found the best solo travel spots in Australia. After all, solitude is where it's at. Editors' favourite solo travel destinations in Australia: 🙋🏻‍♀️ Best for females: Byron Bay 🌊 Best for your 20s: Tasmania ⭐️ Best for over 50s: Barossa Valley 🥾 The best hikes in Australia🤿 The best things to do in Australia

Merri-bek dwellers are spoiled for choice when it comes to musical talent, and never more than during the annual Brunswick Music Festival, when international and local acts come together for a celebration of great music. 2026 marks the 38th year of the festival, and you can look forward to eight jam-packed days, featuring more than 40 gigs across the suburb and surrounds. Everything kicks off with the famous Sydney Road Street Party on Sunday, March 1. This free one-day festival takes over Brunswick’s main road  – which happens to be the longest continuous shopping strip in the southern hemisphere. Expect roving performers, amazing beats and pop-up acoustic sets, with rhythm happening everywhere you turn. The festival is also bringing in a whole lot of international headliners, with each one providing a special something. From French disco lord François K and Cretan sibling-duo Xylourides to Japanese hip-hop powerhouse DJ Krush, the globe is well represented.  You can also expect to get down with a heap of homegrown talent, dance to the uproarious bellow of Horns of Leroy's big brass brand, and hop through a series of epic, special sets at some of Brunswick's best live music locales, including Howler, the Retreat and Jazzlab.  This year, there'll also be an exciting return of the Merri-Bek 'Neighbourhood Noise' program. Creative spaces like Brunswick Library, Next Wave, Balam Balam Place and Blak Dot Gallery are all set to fling open their doors and become home to live perfo

Get ready to dive into the hottest season of the year at Le Splash – the swanky, Euro-inspired pool bar at Le Méridien Melbourne. Formerly only open to the five-star hotel's guests, for the second year running Le Splash will welcome the public onto its stunning rooftop for a swim this summer.  With a 28-degree heated pool, sun-soaked lounge deck and 360-degree views of the prettiest corner of the CBD, Le Méridien offers a perfectly elevated swimming experience that'll have you feeling like you've been transported to a swish hotel on the Côte d'Azur.  The Le Splash Pool Passes are available from Monday to Thursday all summer long, and you'll be able to choose between either a morning or sunset pass, with both options giving you hours of swimming, sunning and lounging time. They cost $85 per person.  The morning sesh is for early birds who like a slower start. Open from 8am to noon, you get full pool access, a free scoop of Le Méridien's famous gelato and a beverage of your choosing. The sunset pass is for those who like the idea of swimming above the city from 6pm to 9pm. The soundtrack will become more vibey, rosé and Champagne will be poured and golden hour pics will be a focal point. Also included is a complimentary gelato scoop and drink.  But that's not all! On Friday and Saturday nights, you can get involved in a bougie sunset dinner and drinks at the Le Splash rooftop bar. The service runs from 5-9pm, and includes the option to dine on a thoughtful, Mediterranean-inspir

When a festival has been running for 45 years straight, you know something's being done right. In 2026, the legendary free and all-ages St Kilda Festival is returning with its classic community force, and a 100-strong line-up that features some pretty epic headliners. Running across February 14 and 15, this year's event is expected to draw in a wild 350,000 attendees, setting itself up to be bigger and better than ever before.  On Saturday, February 14, you can tune in for the 20th edition of First Peoples First, an amazing celebration of Indigenous art, music and culture that'll pop off across two stages. On the main stage, acts include R'n'B superstar and recent ARIA winner Barkaa and six piece rock band Selve from the Gold Coast, with Jabirr Jabirr frontman Loki Liddle.  Over at the Optus Stage, you can expect to get down with Bunhungura Alternative artist Drifting Clouds, the amazing and bilingual (Pitjantjatjara and English) Utju band from the Top End, James Range Band, Ruby Mae and Ngiyampaa folk artist Pirritu – plus many others.  Other than the tunes, come through on Saturday for community workshops, cool markets and the Kummargii Yulendji Gadabah Sunset Ceremony, led by N’Arwee’t Carolyn Briggs of the Boon Wurrung Land and Sea Council. On Sunday, February 15, the stage switches over to Big Festival Sunday. Australian sweetheart Jessica Mauboy is headlining, with the multiple ARIA winner and all-time legend set to belt out her classic R'n'B hits. You'll also get to se

In 2026, Fed Square is coming alive like never before. Enter Open Air at the Square, a vibrant, multidimmensional sound, art and movie bonanza that'll be filling up every Melburnian's proverbial cup this summer.  From Feburary 2-28, an amazing line-up of world-class music, peformers and activations are set to take to the main stage. And the best bit? It's totally free.  This mammoth program is all about bringing some special spice to Melbourne's summer nights. First up, we're keen to get stuck into some epic homegrown talent at a Candlelight Concert Series that'll include Tina Arena, Folk Bitch Trio and First Nations R'n'B legend Dean Brady.  The music doesn't end there though. There'll be a Beatles-inspired DJ set from the Beatles Dub Club, an incredible Afro Caribbean Carnival featuring Jamaican dancehall legend Sister Nancy (who Beyonce sampled once) and General Levy, a UK-based jungle, drum and bass icon. Plus, keep your eyes tuned for an appearance from New Orleans superstar Big Freedia, whose performance will be a delightful explosion of queer joy and New Orleans magic.  But that's not all! Fed Square's amazing outdoor cinema will be continue to roost until summer's end this year, with a whole new program of film titles set to blare on the silver screen. From a silent cinema with a live music score experience (where you'll get to see vintage films alongside a special orchestra peformance) to heaps of great flicks for families, cinephiles and everyone in between, there's

Forget saccharine sweet Christmas cabarets. Meet: C***ty, a wildly interactive and very funny festive show with a saucy little twist. This one's for the grinch-inclined, the clown-enthusiasts and anyone who wants to see a colourful array of acclaimed Sydney queer and female talent battle (via song, dance and the odd bit of pole dancing) to become the North Pole’s next top Santa Claus. Because, as you'll be asked to imagine beforehand, the OG Santa is (sadly) dead. Running on December 18 for one special festive show at Surry Hills' Two280 Cabaret, the C**nty Christmas Cabaret promises to be a force of tinsel-toned entertainment that's guaranteed to get Scrooge himself into some kind of Christmas spirit. Designed and hosted by Australian comedian Joshua Hauville (Melbourne International Comedy Festival, London, NYC, Amsterdam, Paris, Sydney), who has just returned from a sparkly year spent running cabaret and comedy shows in Paris, this festive show is crafted in his signature over-the-top, surprise-packed (and occasionally a little explicit) style that's garnered big laughs all over the world.  What can you expect? This is a wild and deeply interactive show where the audience gets to direct the action. Packed with big cackles, weird surprises and a fair bit of stripping, you'll get to see a vibrant lineup line up of incredible Sydney-based comedians, sexy clowns, pole dancers, drag kings, drag queens and magicians create their own unique brand of Christmas magic.  With a speci

Whack on something striking and dust off your dancing shoes as the much-loved NGV Friday Nights returns to dazzle Melburnians this summer. Every Friday night, the NGV will open its doors after hours to show off the gallery's coolest new kid: Westwood | Kawakubo, an epic exhibition tracing five decades of radical self expression through the eyes of two of fashion's most trailblazing designers: Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo, the visionary behind Comme des Garçons.  Westwood | Kawakubo is a showcase of more than 140 boundary-breaking designs. Many are drawn from the NGV’s own holdings – an extraordinary cache of 300-plus Kawakubo pieces and more than 100 by Westwood – making this one of the most important showcases of their work anywhere in the world.  The exhibition is arranged thematically, moving from punk’s anarchic spirit in the 1970s to the avant-garde silhouettes of today. Expect explorations of their shared obsessions with historical dress, radical cutting techniques and subversions of gender norms, alongside rare runway footage, archival photography and film. Grab a bubbly from the Moët and Chandon Champagne Bar, sink a signature summery cocktail at the Four Pillars Bar, or taste a Yarra Valley wine from the Yering Station Wine Bar. There will also be share-style snacks floating around, and a pop-up Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream Cart, because, obviously. Eclectic live music and epic performances will also be popping off in the gallery, with renowned Aussie DJs like Bre

Alert! The Queen Victoria Summer Night Market is back, and believe it or not, this year marks its 25th anniversary – making it the longest-running night market in Melbourne's history. Running every Wednesday night, the beloved institution has returned in its full, summery glory. You're invited to wander through open-air stalls, feast on an incredible selection of global street food and drinks, purchase gorgeous goodies and just soak up the good vibes. This year, more than 100 shops, stalls and bars will light up the market sheds across a bumper 15-week season. Foodie highlights include Sri Lankan street eats favourite and 25-year icon, Drums Sri Lankan Street Food; gourmet meatball subs from Mr Baller; charcoal-grilled lamb, chicken and halloumi-stuffed pita pockets from the Cypriot Kitchen; popcorn prawns and fried oysters from George the Fishmonger; flame-grilled Brazillian meats from Braz Oz Brazilian BBQ; and crispy bubble waffles and towering soft serves from Oz Waffle.  When you get thirsty, head to the Traditional Lemonade Stand for nostalgic fresh-pressed citrus, or for something stronger, to Brick Lane Brewing Co., for locally brewed beers and Mojito slushies. You can also grab a Blood Orange Spritz from Compa Tequila or a Limoncello Drop from Bella Spritz. As always, you can expect roving performers, pop-up fruit and veggie stalls, and a rotating line-up of homegrown talent playing live music on the market's main stage. After sipping and snacking, be sure to explore

There's nothing quite like frolicking through a vibey night market on a balmy summer evening. Enter: Coburg Night Market, a beloved institution that's returning in 2025 for three sweet days. Free to enter, dog-friendly and bursting with artisan goodies, mouth-watering food and amazing live music, it's a guaranteed good time. Running from December 11-13, the Coburg Night Market will pop off at Bridges Reserve on Bell Street, courtesy of Merri-bek City Council. With amazing food trucks, local makers and free live music and entertainment going until late, there's no better way to get your Christmas shopping done, all while simultaneously adding sparkle to your end of week.  This year, you can expect to dance to an epic music program curated by local respected DJ and creative producer MzRizk. There will be an extensive line-up of impressive local talent from the city's north taking to the main stage all weekend, including the soulful vocals of Miss Katalyna and Kee’Ahn on Thursday night, DJ General Feelings opening on Friday, and Saturday wrapping up with colourful Latin dance beats by way of Amaru Tribe – plus many, many more. On Thursday and Friday the doors open from 5pm to 10pm, and kids will especially enjoy attending on Saturday, with the market open from noon to 10pm. There will be heaps of family-friendly creative activities going on, including Counihan Gallery putting on a postcard-sized drawing sesh that'll get displayed in its windows in January, and a DIY jewellery wo

Driving around the neighbourhood hunting festively adorned houses is a Christmas tradition for many families, but you can take things to a whole new level with a visit to Adventure Park’s Christmas Festival of Lights. If you think suburban streets hung with festoons are impressive, your jaw will be on the floor when you behold more than 3.3 million twinkling lights. Until December 24, Adventure Park will sparkle to life with Victoria’s largest Christmas lights display. In 2025, there are six new installations, live entertainment a refreshed Santa's Village and plenty more to amaze the little ones. This year, the new Santa's Village will include two big zones packed with glowy gingerbread houses, singing reindeer and dancing polar bears. These are in addition to six spectacular new light displays that will glitter around the lake, including glowing lunar lanterns and an amazing interactive piano feature. As always, Santa will be in attendance, ready to star in professional family photos and supervise the kids as they post letters destined for the North Pole. And if your senses are still looking for more stimulation, simply jump on one of the eight on-site theme park rides, including the classic tea cups and ferris wheel. You can book in for the weekends in early December, and from Thursday, December 18, right through to Christmas Eve. Find out more here to secure your slice of the Christmas fun. Looking for more things to do? Check out our guide to what's on this week. 

Summer is here, and to celebrate the first Saturday of the silly season, the City of Sydney is throwing a pool-centric extravaganza that's almost too good to be true. For the entire day of Saturday, December 6, you can enter all of the City of Sydney's amazing pools for free. That's right. $0. Also, they're slinging free gelato too. This is not a drill.  The Summer Open Day will pop off at six pools and world-class aquatic centres across the City of Sydney, from 6am to 8pm. With free gelato scoops getting slung at select pools from 11am to 2pm, and free icy poles at others all day (while stocks last), you can bet your bottom dollar that this is one Saturday where you're in for a treat.  Plus, to add to the fun, all the pools on the roster have some kind of fun activation, activities, games and special deals that will be running all day. From lawn games and a hammer challenge, to an ultimate Zumba party, there's no end to the summery surprises and all-round good times to be had on December 6, 2025.  The Summer Open Day is also an exciting opportunity for Sydneysiders to have a peek into the newly renovated Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool, which is finally ready for swimming business. A gelato cart, games and one-day only specials on memberships and swim lessons will all be available at what is arguably Sydney's snazziest swimming pool.  Participating pools are: Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool, The Domain Prince Alfred Park Pool, Surry Hills Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, Ultimo Victoria Pa

Field Day is a Sydney institution. Devotees of the sunny New Year’s Day event will likely be tucking themselves into bed just before the year ticks over on December 31, sober and ready for a wild day of music and festival madness. This popular festival is back for its 25th year on the decks, and it looks like it's going to be a particuarly fresh one.  Kicking off in the Domain on Monday, January 1, Field Day 2026 is exhibiting all signs of shaping up to be a really excellent party. International music arts and homegrown talent will both take to the main stage to sling high energy dance music to Sydney revellers. From young dancers to more seasoned party professionals, Field Day is an inclusive, dance-focused space where hydration is key, and good vibes are a must.  This year, there's an exciting new kid on the block. Enter: Camp Ground, a special stage that'll be solely dedicated to shining a (literal) light on Sydney's queer talent. Curated by, and for, Sydney's LGBTQIA+ communities, this new wing is set up to add an extra, bright dimmension to a legacy institution.  So who are the big names we’ll be holding out for? Start the New Year with Aussie icons and Aria winners, The Presets, 'Shooting Stars' duo Bag Raiders, rising producer STÜM, and Berlin-based techno power-house Patrick Mason. UK-grown talent includes London's BL3SS and the Irish Belters Only, while Aussies are represented by Atomic Kiss, Chase Zera and Djanaba, plus lots, lots more.  Remember to pack your water

In 2025, we're all rolling around in the screen-fuelled dystopia of the AI-verse, and things are feeling pretty weird. Strangely convincing videos and eerily-real (yet not quite) photos have taken over the internet, and with it, our collective perception of reality. Whether it's the current US President or your mum, there are few folks on the planet today who aren't grappling with the inane and mysterious powers of artificial intelligence. It is this truth that has launched the MCA's newest exhibition, aptly titled Data Dreams: Art and AI, an immersive and first-of-its-kind art show that will sweep through a series of interconnected gallery spaces in the MCA from November 21, 2025 through to April 27, 2026. Featuring the groundbreaking works of ten otherwordly artists from all around the world, Data Dreams is setting itself up to be a guide for all of us confused, bumbling humans who have suddenly found ourselves thrust into the AI age. Through immersive installations, AI-films and hallucinatory imagery, the exhibition aims to make you really and truly question what it means to exist in the AI era, and what we can expect from the years to come.  You'll be pointed through Big Questions, like how technology influences power, how our algorithims are shaping each of our individual world views, and how to navigate an illusory "reality".  The artists asking you to expand your mind come from all over, and each of them have something very fascinating to say. From palawa artist Angie

We love a nostalgic, feel-good musical here in Melbourne – hello, Anastasia, Mary Poppins and Beauty and the Beast – and now we've received news that a blockbuster production that's heavy on both the nostalgia and feel-good vibes is heading Down Under for the very first time. Yep, hold onto your saucepan lids, folks – the musical adaptation of Mrs Doubtfire is coming to Melbourne after spreading joy to audiences overseas. Based on the 1993 cinematic masterpiece starring Robin Williams and Sally Field, this warm, hilarious and high energy live show is directed by four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks. It's been delighting sold-out crowds in London's West End for the last two years, has a Broadway season tucked under its belt, and has also toured across the United States, South Korea and Brazil since its inception.   Photographed: Supplied by Mrs Doubtfire the MusicalMrs Doubtfire the Musical Opening at the Princess Theatre in November, Mrs Doubtfire is an epic, family-friendly musical that's rooted in the movie we all know and love, but with a few extra surprises that are tailor-made for the live stage (think catchy songs, dazzling dance sequences and plenty of goofy gags). You can expect to fall back into the wild exploits of divorced, out-of-work-actor dad Daniel Hillard, who, after losing custody of his kids, creates the showstopping alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire. And as any fan of the movie knows, what follows is pretty damn hilarious.  Casting is yet

What's Australia without our animals? Answer: Too sad to contemplate.  Endlessly iconic and the source of about 87 per cent of our overseas reputation, Australia is home to a wealth of native wildlife that doesn't exist anywhere else on the planet. And now, a new data index released by wildlife travel experts Go2Africa proves it all beyond a shadow of a doubt. Australia is one of the best places on Earth for wildlife-seeking travellers. Fourth-best, to be precise.  To get to this conclusion, Go2Africa created a comprehensive Wildlife Index that compared countries around the world for their offering of wildlife experiences. They utilised seven different data metrics, including the number of: Indigenous protected areas, national parks, wildlife species and endangered species, protected natural areas, megafauna conservation efforts and general natural environment quality. The countries were then sorted into a top ten list, based on the number of points they got for each data category.  Photograph: Shutterstock Wildlife travel is a huge thing, with millions of animal-loving people across the world keen to explore places where the natural environment is protected enough to allow for the authentic flourishing of native species out in the wild.  Go2's Wildlife Index ranked Australia as the fourth-best place for wildlife-centric travel in the world, scoring Australia a whopping 82.1 per cent for having the most national parks out of any country. With 685 protected areas dedicated t

Obviously libraries are pretty essential parts of any well-functioning society, and thankfully, Melbourne has plenty of amazing ones. But sometimes, the time comes for a library to level up.  If you haven't already heard, Maribyrnong City Council is currently seeking feedback from the community regarding current plans to transform the existing Footscray Library and adjoining car park into a massive new cultural hub. This development proposal joins the recent opening of the new Footscray Community Arts space on the banks of the Maribyrnong River. Footscray Library 2.0 will include a new and improved library (rest easy, the books are staying), plus a performing arts venue and public park, with facilitating community connection and cultural celebration in the western suburbs at the core of the proposal.  Dubbed ‘Creative West’, the development is being driven by Maribyrnong City Council, with Melbourne-based firm Architectus leading the project, alongside design partners GLAS and Public Realm Lab. The federal government is on board too, pledging $5 million to the initiative under the Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program. The council has matched this amount, bringing the total funds for the detailed planning and design phase allocated up to a fairly significant $10 million. Maribyrnong council mayor Mohamed Semra said that the project is all about “revitalising Footscray”, with the aim being to “strengthen Footscray's reputation as a creative neighbourhood... (and) also suppo

The month of love is upon us, and that can only mean one thing: romance. And what's more romantic than a beautiful dinner? Not much, if you ask us. Luckily, Australia is known for its world-class dining scene, with a mind-boggling abundance of genuinely incredible restaurants. It's this fact that can make it exceedingly hard to decide which restaurant to choose for a special occasion – particularly when that special occasion is a hot date.  Our editors have rounded up their pick of the best restaurants in Australia in 2026, but it seems like many of our selections are favoured by more than just us. New data released from global restaurant booking platform OpenTable has revealed the 50 most romantic restaurants across Australia in 2026, with a huge mix of city favourites and regional gems. Photograph: Supplied OpenTable reported that in 2025, Valentine's Day was the biggest dining day of the year in Australia, followed by Mother's and Father's Day. It also showed dining increased by a wild 65 per cent year on year on V Day, with a nine per cent increase in average spend.  The consumer research also unveiled some interesting truths about the way Aussies dine out around this time of year, revealing that 22 per cent say they'll be eating out on Valentine's Day itself, and another 16 per cent say that they'll be making a reservation for the Valentine's Day weekend instead. Overall, the numbers are clear – Aussies like to celebrate love by going out and eating delicious food.  To

It's February, aka the official month of love, which means one thing and one thing only: romance. And what's more romantic than a beautiful dinner? Not much, if you ask us.  Luckily, Melbourne is a city known for its world-class dining scene, with a mind-boggling abundance of genuinely incredible restaurants. It's this fact that can make it exceedingly difficult to decide which restaurant to choose for a special occasion – particularly when that special occasion is a hot date.  Our editors have rounded up their pick of the best romantic restaurants in Melbourne in 2026, but it seems like many of our selections are favoured by more than just us. New data released from global restaurant tech company OpenTable has revealed the most romantic restaurants across Australia in 2026, with Victoria landing a whopping 18 representations on the 50-strong list.  OpenTable reported that in 2025, Valentine's Day was the biggest dining day of the year in Australia, followed by Mother's and Father's Day. It also showed dining increased by a wild 65 per cent year on year on Valentine's Day, with a nine per cent increase in average spend.  Photograph: Supplied / Yugen The consumer research also unveiled some interesting truths about the way Aussies dine out around this time of year, revealing that 22 per cent say they'll be eating out on Valentine's Day itself, and another 16 per cent saying that they'll be making a reservation for the Valentine's Day weekend instead. Overall, the numbers are

There's nothing quite like a moment of quiet luxury. Whether it's lighting the ‘good candle’, popping a bottle of fancy wine or treating yourself to a bougie stay somewhere like the Sanctuary at Alba Thermal Springs and Spa, it's these simple pleasures that make all the drudgery of normal life kind of worthwhile.  And it's this precise experience above that has been awarded by the ultimate boss of luxury itself – Michelin. This year, Michelin has added 14 Aussie hotels to its world-respected 'Selections' list for 2026, with the Sanctuary landing a coveted spot. Plus, it's also been awarded a Michelin Key, which is the equivalent of a Michelin Star for restaurants. Having managed to crack both of these incredibly competitive benchmarks, we can safely say the Sanctuary deserves it. Tucked away in a sprawl of native bush on the Mornington Peninsula, this gorgeous accommodation is the newest addition to the wider Alba complex, setting a new standard of luxury for spa stays and experiences in both Australia and around the world. Photograph: Leah Glynn Located in the tiny town of Fingal, not far from Sorrento, it's comprised of five villas and two studios, all of which are thoughtfully designed to sing in harmony with the natural landscape around them.  But the real star of the Sanctuary is the all-inclusive access you get to the incredible natural spring-fed bathhouse complex at Alba. Boasting a mix of geothermal, botanical and cold plunge pools overlooking the bush, there is

Lune is basically the stuff of national folklore at this point. Mathematically perfect croissants? 43 per cent premium French butter? Endless lines? A seemingly permanent spotlight in the Australian pastry zeitgeist? Lune does it all. And now, it's levelling up once again.  After outgrowing the Fitzroy location, Lune has just opened the doors to a hugely ambitious – and genuinely massive – store on Lonsdale Street. Aptly, this edition's been dubbed: Lune Lonsdale, aka ‘Maxi Lune’.  This is the second CBD location (and fourth one in Melbourne overall), and it can be found tucked under the Ritz-Carlton. A wild 418-square metres, this expansive space has been designed to seat 50 people, all while providing adequate space for the production team to churn out the vast number of orders that come through each day.  Supplied: Lune LonsdaleLune Lonsdale Lune's Melbourne croissants were previously made at the Fitzroy site, but over-demand meant that the dedicated team of pastry makers weren't able to keep up. Now, Lune Lonsdale is ready to change everything.   Designed by Melbourne-based architecture firm In Addition, the new space is distinctly Melbourne in its structural essence. With paired-back concrete minimalist features, black mirrored glass and a bluestone tile floor that's inspired by the NGV, this new iteration of Lune is gallery-esque, and has been created to focus on the resident works of art – the handcrafted croissants. With a huge concrete table, a glass cube that you

Australia knows its road trips. In a country this ridiculously vast, the only way to really see everything is to do it on your own set of four wheels. Our nation's abundance of gorgeously scenic drives, bizarre roadside curios, small town bakeries and secret nature spots makes any kind of long road trip more than the average drive. But when you're faced with endless highway stretches and many, many hours on the road, there's one very important concern for all self-respecting foodie travellers: where on Earth does one find some decent food? Turns out, you can forget roadside Maccas and sad chips from the servo, because new data has revealed that there are road trip routes you can take across Australia that have food (and that's genuinely good food) as their focus.  To determine the best road trips for food lovers across Australia, car insurance company ROLLiN’ analysed Australia’s most popular car journeys, and ranked them all based on food-related factors, like the number and quality of food stops, and the customer ratings at each human-refuelling station along the way. First up, let’s talk about the winner. Spanning 1,000 km from Sydney to Brisbane, the Legendary Pacific Coast road trip scored 76.9 out of 100 in the total foodie trip score, with 658 total food stops and 6.4 food stops every ten kilometres. The route weaves through the Hunter Valley (passing some of Australia’s best wineries), past the iconic dunes of Port Stephens, then up the coast past the foodie meccas o

If there’s one thing most of us can agree on, it’s how cool it is to gaze up in wonder at a brilliant night sky unobstructed by light pollution. The power of the galaxies has had humans spellbound for millennia, but with the continued growth of cities, it’s becoming increasingly rare to find genuine Dark Sky zones where stars can be seen in all their true, sparkling glory.  It’s for this reason that the efforts of Winton – a tiny town in outback Queensland with a population of just 1,130 residents – are so important. Though small in size, Winton is packed with mighty surprises: it's the birthplace of fan-favourite Aussie national anthem ‘Waltzing Matilda’, home to stunning opals and, perhaps most excitingly, it boasts Australia’s biggest collection of dinosaurs. Photograph: Steve Lippis The Winton Shire Council and resident Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum are working together on a bid for Winton to be formally recognised as a Dark Sky Community on the international stage. This is actually a very difficult process and involves making serious changes to the town's lighting infrastructure and policy. But, Winton's residents and Council believe it's worth it.  The Jump-Up at Winton's Dinosaur Museum is currently recognised as one of only two International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in Australia. However, if it succeeds in being recognised as a ‘Dark Sky Community’, it'll become the first place in the country to hold both globally renowned titles. The difference? A Dark Sky Sanctua

If there's one thing for sure, it's that Australia is home to some of the most incredible, awe-inspiring and genuinely excellent walks in the world. With thousands to choose from, it's difficult knowing which trails to prioritise when you're keen for a bit of a nature stroll in the Land Down Under. So, to launch off 2026, the hiking gurus over at AllTrails have crunched their 2025 numbers and released a list of the top walking tracks that had Aussies in a chokehold last year. Their '2025 Year on the Trails' list has uncovered a number of cool things, including the fact that in 2025, Aussies traversed their way through a whopping 28 million kilometres of trails (which is the same distance as driving to the Moon and back more than 35 times!). It also showed that Australians rank fourth in the world for the most time spent on a trail, per member, while long-distance backpacking style hikes saw the highest growth in popularity among Australian hikers.  Photograph: Luke O'Brien Photography Cool facts aside, however, one of the most exciting revelations from the AllTrails' 2025 round-up was the reveal of the highest-rated walking tracks in Australia. Unsurprisingly, Tasmania led the nation in the most trail activity growth, with three Tassie walks ranking in the top ten highest-rated walks.  Australia's highest-rated trail in 2025 was the scenic and relatively short Crater Lake, Marions Lookout, Lake Lilla, Dove Lake Loop. This 9.2-kilometre hike in Tasmania's Cradle Mountain-Lak

There are loads of movies filmed in Australia, but arguably, there's no movie more distinctly Aussie than Crocodile Dundee. Putting Australia, but more specifically Kakadu National Park and the Northern Territory, on the world map, Paul Hogan's 1986 masterpiece is personally responsible for every non-Australian dweller asking us in a nervous voice about animals that may or may not kill them. While the lore of Crocodile Dundee has stayed strong in popular culture for what has been 40 years now, it may surprise some to know that you, yes, you, can easily visit multiple locations featured in the film when you travel to the astounding beauty of Kakadu National Park.  To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Kakadu Tourism have pulled out the stops and released a Crocodile Dundee-inspired tour route of Kakadu that you can do entirely on your own. This self-guided tour has been pinned for intrepid fans on Google Maps and takes you on a five-hour loop route to some of the most dramatic landscapes and locations that star in the film. Here's the route, broken down just for you.   1. Ubirr Rock Art Site Starting off where Mick Dundee famously climbs up to the top of the ridge and says "This is my backyard", pointing across the dramatic sweep of the flood plain, Ubirr is special for more than just this Paul Hogan appearance. Home to ancient rock art that includes a thylacine and a musket from the 1800s, this is an incredibly sacred site for the local Bininj people. Go at sunset for stunning

It's high time that a whimsical, fairy-themed bar with a rock'n'roll edge came to Melbourne's CBD. And even higher time (no pun intended) that our drinks were delivered to us by way of zipline. Enter: Arcane Fairies, a strange, theatrical and all-together otherworldly late-night bar that's just fluttered down onto Lonsdale Street. With giant, red-hued fairy folk suspended from the ceiling, medieval-looking decor and an abundance of quirky touches that promise to momentarily transport you out of the cold, hard reality of 21st century Melbourne, this magical watering hole does not come quietly. Created by director Steve Thomas, Arcane Fairies is full of deep crimson colours, curious corners and a generally immersive, playful energy. It's like if a NYC speakeasy entered a fantasy dimension. There's a fairy chest bar with Guinness on tap, glowing bottles and rare spirits, and, if you look carefully, a hidden key that will reveal a secret surprise within the venue itself.   Photographed: Supplied by Arcane FairiesArcane Fairies burger Tapping into this kind of rebellious fairy spirit, the menu sings with classics like wicked ribs (chicken ribs with honey-stung chilli, lemon and masago), a lobster doughnut (with smoked tomato and a curry emulsion) and fairy crack fries (fries with arcane spice and fried onion mayo), amongst an abundance of other spellbinding bites. The menu has been carefully conjured up by renowned celebrity chef Jake Warhurst, who has served as a personal chef