Melissa Woodley

Whoever said “nothing in life is free” clearly hasn’t been to Australia. Our Great Southern Land is full of bucket list experiences that won’t hurt or even touch your bank account. Hiking through some of the world’s most beautiful national parks? Free! Spotting fairy penguins on the beach? Free! Sampling your way through a world-class market? You guessed it – free! Our Travel and News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has backpacked all around the globe, so she knows a thing or two about savvy travel. With the help of her trusted team of Aussie travel writers, she’s curated this list of the best free things to do in Australia’s major cities. Whether you’re into soaking up the sun outdoors with swims, picnics and hikes, or cooling off inside with free exhibitions, chocolate tours and tram rides, there’s a budget-friendly activity to make you feel filthy rich with happiness. Here are the best free things to do in Australia. Editors’ favourite free things to do in Australia: 🍫 Best for families: Haigh's Chocolate Factory, SA 🌳 Best outdoor adventure: Cottesloe Beach, WA ☀️ Best for a hot day: NGV, VIC NSW | VIC | SA | QLD | WA | ACT | TAS | NT 🌊 The best things to do in Australia🎢 The coolest things to do with kids⭐️ The best tourist attractions in Australia

Sitting pretty 600 kilometres off the NSW coast, World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island is undeniably one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Sir David Attenborough famously described this tiny speck in the Tasman Sea as “so extraordinary it is almost unbelievable”, and we reckon you need to witness its beauty for yourself.  Part of Lord Howe’s magic comes from its exclusivity – only 400 visitors are allowed on the island at any one time, so you can soak in the scenery and serenity without the crowds. The rest of the enchantment lies in its mesmerising natural beauty, featuring vibrant coral reefs, glassy blue waters, lush forest and ancient volcanic peaks. Our Travel Editors Melissa Woodley and Winnie Stubbs spent a honeymoon-style week exploring the island and have rounded up their favourite things to do, including beaches, walks, eateries and resorts. Dive in! Editors’ favourite things to do on Lord Howe Island ⛰️ Best hike: Goat House 🤿 Best water activity: Snorkelling with Galapagos sharks 🐠 Best for kids: Fish feeding at Ned’s Beach When is the best time to visit Lord Howe Island? The best time to visit Lord Howe Island is between September and May, as many lodges and tour operators close during the winter months. We visited in November and thought it was the perfect time – the mild temperatures were ideal for hiking, while the weather was still warm enough for swimming and snorkelling. Best of all, we got to enjoy the island without the summer crowds. How to get

There's nothing more quintessentially Aussie than surfing, and there's a reason for that. With thousands of pristine beaches fringing our gigantic, island coastline, you could literally visit a beach a day and still not see them all in one human lifetime. Surfers from all over the world flock Down Under for its countless amazing waves, and on the ground, surfing is akin to a kind of Aussie religion, just within itself.  No matter if you've never stood on a surfboard in your life (but really want to), are a fresh grom just starting out, are an advanced kinda surfer or a legitimate world champion, there's a beach and a break Down Under for everyone. We've picked out the best surf beaches in Australia. Chosen for their consistently quality waves and stunning locations, you'll find a neat mix of beaches that suit a whole range of different levels, spread out across every corner of our Great Southern Land.  PSA: Remember to always proceed with caution when you go into the open ocean, and ensure that you only tackle waves that fit your abilities. Ocean conditions can change rapidly and can be potentially fatal, so make sure you always respect the conditions and put your safety first. Editor's favourite surf beaches in Australia: 🌊 Best for beginners: Noosa Main Beach, QLD 🏄 Best for pros: Margaret River, WA 💎 Best hidden gem: Angourie Point, NSW  QLD | NSW | VIC | WA 🏄 Australia's all-time best beaches🌊 The best nudist beaches in Australia🌈 The best places to visit in Aus

We're all about a secret underground dive bar or two – but in a city as beautiful as Sydney, it seems like a damn shame to retreat into the depths for every tipple. From a sundowner by the harbour to a sunny rooftop in the Inner West, our town is awash with sky-high watering holes. So we've rounded up the best spots in the city to sip a cold one under a gorgeous open sky. But drinkers beware: Sydney's rooftop bars play host to some of the most contested seats in the city, so get in early for a spot in the sun.  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 more al fresco drinking try one of Sydney's best beer gardens. Looking for another top-notch watering hole? Check out the best bars in Sydney.

There’s never been a quiet year for theatre in Australia. From the bright lights of Broadway and West End to our very own stages in Australia, we’re lucky to play host to some of the world’s biggest and best 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 a British “mega-musical” starring cats to the Aussie premiere of a musical based on Pretty Woman, this year’s theatre line-up is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. We highly recommend nabbing tickets to The Book of Mormon, which just opened in Sydney and will hopefully announce more cities soon. Or, nab tickets to Broadway hit Anastasia, which is making its long-awaited Aussie debut in Melbourne this December. Here are all the biggest musicals playing in Australia – in order of when they hit/are hitting the stage. 🖼 The best Australian art galleries🔍 Australia's greatest museums 👀 The best art exhibitions in Australia

For a place you can drive across in a day, Tasmania packs in more wow-per-square-kilometre than just about anywhere else on earth. It’s Australia’s brooding little island offshoot – rugged, romantic and somehow still flying under the radar (just how the locals like it). Our Travel and News Editor Melissa Woodley can confirm: once you’ve been, you’ll spend the rest of your life trying to convince people to visit.  Hobart is its beating heart, where you’ll find award-winning waterfront restaurants and the mind-bending Museum of Old and New Art. But the real magic happens once you hit the open road. Within a few hours, you can go from swirling pinot in the Coal River Valley to hiking alpine trails in Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair or beach-hopping along the Bay of Fires. And, because Tasmania doesn’t really do 'mainstream', we’ve also rounded up a few of our off-the-map favourites too. To help you out, we've organised the best places to visit in Tasmania from the East Coast to Hobart and surrounds, then southwest and finally up north. 🛶 The best things to do in Tasmania🚙 The best day trips from Hobart🏖️ The best places to visit in Australia

For devotees of genuine Mexican fare, it's a great relief that Sydney is no longer only served by the tacky Tex-Mex, stand-and-stuff, burrito-centric eateries that were once the sole expression of the cuisine readily available here. There's now an exciting new wave of Mexican diners sweeping Sydney, with nary a pinata, sombrero or lucha libre mask in sight. We're not saying there isn't a time and a place for a bowl of liquid queso and a dorito or two – there really is – but with a culture and cuisine that spans thousands of years and dozens of regions, it's a crime to assume that Old El Paso and a cartoonishly large frozen Margarita is anything close to 'authentic'. Prime your palate for the true flavours of Mexico with our guide to the best Mexican eateries in Sydney, curated by Time Out Sydney's local food writers, including Editor and Mexico-lover, Avril Treasure. 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 READS: Keen to get around some killer spots for an arvo tequila or two? Check out Sydney's best rooftop bars Love spice? Check out our guide to Sydney's hottest Thai restaurants Thirsty? Have a look at the best bars in Sydney right now

Spring update: Let the good times roll with our fresh guide to Sydney’s best bars – perfect for your springtime soirée. Two new Enmore Road spots have been added (hello, Deadwax and Silver’s Motel). Is the sun out? Head to Paradise or Old Mate’s Place to soak up the warmth. And the Negronis go down a treat at Herbs Taverne. This list represents our picks of the best bars in Sydney right now, from fresh faces to tried-and-tested temples of great drinks, curated by our local editors, drink writers and fellow booze hounds, including Time Out Sydney's Editor Avril Treasure. We’re looking for quality above all, with fun, flavour, atmosphere, creativity and options at every price point. Cheers to you, Sydney. 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. After a watering hole that's a bit more casual? See our list of the best pubs in Sydney, here. After a meal? Check out our best restaurants here.

The older your kids get, the harder it is to convince them that quality time with the fam outranks quality time with the iPad. But here’s the good news: Australia’s vast, weirdly wonderful landscape makes it nearly impossible not to have a good time. Whether your family’s idea of a holiday means hitting the slopes or endless beaches to lose entire afternoons on, there’s a trip for every age, stage and attention span. Our travel writers have taken a trip down memory lane to reflect on some of the best places they visited as kids in Australia. These destinations strike the impossible balance: wholesome and genuinely fun. The kind of trips that leave everyone – adults included – asking, “Can we pleaaase stay one more night?” Here are the best family holidays in Australia. Editors' favourite family holidays in Australia: 🐨 Best for animal encounters: Kangaroo Island, SA  🏖️ Best for beach days: Margaret River, WA  🎢 Best for theme parks: Gold Coast, QLD  🏝️ Our favourite family holiday destinations in Oz🦘 Australia's top zoos and wildlife reserves

Looking for the best weekend getaways across Australia? Look no further. When you're exploring the Great Southern Land but have limited time, you're going to want to keep it short, sweet and close to a major city. Our experienced travel writers have picked ten amazing weekend getaways from every state and territory in Australia that each offer up something different. From world-class wineries to cute country towns to World Heritage wilderness, these are the best places for a weekend mini break.  Editor's favourite weekend getaways in Australia: 🌊 Best beach getaway: Rottnest Island, WA 🐮 Best country escape: Southern Highlands, ACT ☀️ Best family-friendly escape: Central Coast, NSW 😱 The best places to visit in Australia🚘 The most epic Aussie roadtrips☀️ The best day trips in Australia

As much as we love the bright lights and late nights of the city, sometimes you just need to slam the laptop shut, toss a weekender bag in the boot and disappear somewhere that feels off-the-grid and untouched. Australia does 'the middle of nowhere' better than almost anywhere – except our version often comes with farm-to-table wineries, designer boutique stays and blissfully empty beaches.  Time Out's editors have crisscrossed the country (and then some), chasing sunsets in Broome, surf breaks in Yamba and long lunches in Margaret River. Between us, we’ve eaten, sipped and road-tripped our way through more small towns than we can count – so when we say these are the best regional towns in Australia, we really mean it. Each of Australia's most charming towns is proof that slowing down doesn’t have to mean missing out.  Editors' favourite regional towns in Australia:   ⭐️ Best for relaxation: Daylesford, VIC 🍷 Best for food and wine: Margaret River, WA 🌊 Best for coast and nature: Robe, SA 🌊 The beach towns to visit in Australia🚘 The best day trips in Australia😎 The best places to visit in Australia

Dreaming of sleeping beneath unpolluted starry skies, swimming on secluded beaches and snuggling by a campfire – but without the spiders, dirt floors and lack of showers? Enter glamping – the perfect way to experience Australia’s wild side with a touch of luxury... Whether it's reclining in a private bubble bath beneath a rainforest canopy, dipping into a rainwater plunge pool next to Uluru, or sleeping in clean sheets next to one of the world's most remote coral reefs, the best glamping spots in Australia are both epic and aplenty. All you've gotta do is hit the road.  Editors' favourite glamping spots in Australia: 💕 Best couples retreat: Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, WA ☀️ Best for families: Ingenia Holidays Byron Bay, NSW 💎 Best luxury: Longitude 131, NT ✅ The best caravan parks in Australia⛺️ The best free campsites in Australia🚘 The most epic Aussie road trips

Queenstown is famous for its epic ski fields, dramatic mountains, pristine lakes and, of course, Fergburger. You truly appreciate its popularity when you spot the queue snaking down Shotover Street, which is exactly what I saw as I rolled into town. I arrived at lunchtime, AKA burger o’clock, which made finding a park rather stressful – but somehow I lucked out and pulled straight into the driveway at Crowne Plaza Queenstown by IHG. This shiny, white hotel sits right in the heart of town, directly opposite Lake Wakatipu and a five-minute walk from the legendary Fergburger. It’s arguably one of the town’s most convenient addresses, perfectly positioned just away from the bustle of Steamer Wharf, the mall and Main Town Pier. Beyond its top location, the hotel houses 139 bright rooms with stunning lake or mountain views. Whether you’re here for the ski season, an adventurous hike or a family getaway, Crowne Plaza Queenstown has everything you need for a comfortable stay. What are the rooms like at Crowne Plaza Queenstown? The views truly steal the show at Crowne Plaza Queenstown. The four-star hotel is home to 139 bright rooms, boasting vistas of Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables mountain range or the private sunny courtyard. I’d recommend booking one of the lakeside rooms, where you can enjoy sweeping views of New Zealand’s longest lake and the surrounding dramatic mountain ranges from your own private balcony. Sunlight spilled into my spacious room, highlighting the natural colou

The three crystalline towers of The Langham Gold Coast are like jewels in the Surfers Paradise skyline, but it’s not just the exterior that brings diamonds to mind. This modern, five-star resort, complete with an award-winning day spa and health club, two swimming pools, six dining venues and panoramic ocean views, delivers an equally high-carat experience once you cross the threshold. When The Langham welcomed its first guests in June 2022, it marked the first luxury beachfront hotel debut on the Gold Coast in more than three decades. Three years on, we can confirm that it's still shining just as brightly as on day one. Why stay at The Langham Gold Coast? I caught my first glimpse of The Langham long before I arrived at its doorstep. Its three glistening towers stand loud and proud between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, with the two outer towers housing 170 ‘Jewel Residences’ (think luxury serviced apartments) and the tallest, central tower boasting 169 rooms and suites. But you’re paying for far more than just a place to sleep. This luxe hotel is home to six standout dining and drinking experiences, including a signature beachfront restaurant, a Michelin-starred Cantonese fine diner, a fancy high tea haven and a lively outdoor pool bar. Then there’s the luxurious wellness centre on level two, featuring an indoor magnesium pool, a multi-purpose health studio and a fancy day spa. Plus, with the beach just steps away, it doesn’t get much better than this. What are the rooms

Millbrook Restaurant's ever-evolving, seasonal menu takes its cues from the estate’s sprawling one-acre garden, where 100 varieties of heirloom vegetables are grown. Creativity and colour are served up lakeside, whether that’s on the deck or inside the stone walls of its grand cellar door – you’d almost mistake it for a vista across the Italian countryside. The winery restaurant's pretty plates sound a little like rump steak with confit eggplant, pan-seared market fish alongside a zucchini medley, plus a fresh plum tart atop lemon pastry cream, decorated with plum gel and meringue. There’s also a thoughtful vegan menu, too. Millbrook’s premium wines lean strongly on lesser-known grape varieties, such as viognier, tempranillo and a sublime GSM blend. Time Out tip: Millbrook Winery is located a 50-minute drive south of Perth, so it’s best to book a minibus with a designated driver to haul you around the region.  RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Perth

At Adelaide’s first open-flame restaurant, main character energy comes from a three-and-a-half-tonne wood-burning oven that sizzles everything from local figs and spiced cauliflower to Murray cod with sweet corn sauce, as well as the dry-aged wagyu T-bone. Michelin-trained chef Jake Kellie heads this sleek barbecue restaurant, which is housed inside a heritage-listed sandstone building. You can dine à la carte from Arkhé’s seasonally-driven menu, or try for a seat at the exclusive chef’s table, located in the heart of the restaurant. Sip on enticing cocktails with the likes of a Wattleseed Negroni and Watermelon Fizz, which sit atop Arkhé’s extensive drinks list. Time Out tip: We quite like the seating at the very back of the restaurant, which backs onto a leafy courtyard – it’s like you’re outside but you’re inside all at the same time. There’s something rather calming about it. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Adelaide

Named after a Japanese style of pottery, Raku blurs the lines between art and sustenance. The menu is extensive, showcasing seafood in all its rainbow glory. You can have it raw in the kingfish served with truffle yuzu, cold in a spanner crab sushi roll, or hot as king prawns doused in XO butter. Masters of the blades, the chefs expertly slice up fresh snapper, tuna belly and scallops into sashimi or nigiri; add crunch with popcorn shrimp on the tempura menu; and grill high-grade Wagyu on a robata charcoal grill. The carefully adorned plates are a spectacle in themselves, never mind the super sleek, monochrome fit-out to boot. From the $60 express lunch to the $170 royal tasting degustation, Raku will leave you wishing you had the moolah to dine here daily – or maybe you do, but that’s none of our business. Time Out tip: Gluten-free, gang, rejoice. There’s a five-page menu dedicated to you, featuring treats like chargrilled cauliflower with miso-butter mayonnaise and soft shell crab tempura. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Canberra

Though it’s only 15 minutes from Adelaide’s city centre, Penfolds’ Magill Estate Restaurant is set high enough among the foothills to offer stellar views back over the CBD. They’re matched by seriously sophisticated food; Chef Scott Huggins works with the finest South Australian produce in an innovative degustation menu that can be paired with predictably brilliant wines (go all out and order some Grange – you know you want to). “It is my honour to create dishes that are a combination of refinement, magic and flavour. So that every guest leaves with a sense of bewilderment, and that lingering question...how?” That's what Chef Huggins stands by, and we’re here to tell you that we wholeheartedly agree that bewilderment is what you shall get from the delicate dishes. The fire and coals play a big part in this, mind you. Magill Estate Restaurant only accommodates 34 diners at any given time, so bookings are recommended to avoid any disappointment. Time Out tip: For a more laid-back dining experience with the same dreamy views, head next door to the newly revamped Magill Estate Kitchen. Here, you can enjoy classic fish sandos and Mayura Station rump cap bresaola for under $20, or indulge with the all-new grill menu featuring dry-aged tomahawk by the kilo, half lobsters with béarnaise and freshly made pasta. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Adelaide

Hook, line and sinker, Madalenas is easily one of the best bars in Perth. The sun-filled boteco sources the freshest sustainably caught seafood from local suppliers at Fins Seafood and pairs it with seasonal goodness from their thriving kitchen garden. Madalenas' ever-changing menu sees the likes of Fremantle octopus with tamarind, chipotle and duck fat, as well as Abrolhos Islands red throat emperor with chamomile butter, and barbecued Albany sardines with parsley and capers - simple yet effective. Wind down on the weekend with a chardonnay off Madalenas' white marble bar or head upstairs for cocktails and fantastic sunsets over the Indian Ocean horizon. Time Out tip: Reservations are recommended if you’re after a bite to eat, but if you’re following your nose for an evening tipple, chances are you’re in the clear sans a booking. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Perth

Shimmy on down to Such and Such for a fun, fresh and flavoursome feast that you’ll be raving to friends about for the rest of the year. You could mistake the bright and bold dining room for an art gallery, where the walls pop with artworks, ceramics and sculptures by local artists. Once you’ve had a good old-fashioned peruse around the intriguing and/or inspiring dining room, make your way across the terrazzo floor to a cool, cushioned booth or timber tabletop where you’ll be equally as enticed by the fare. Each dish is a playful masterpiece with the super seasonal menu featuring contemporary takes on nostalgic snacks and share plates. Think: a soupy sensation of fish in ‘crazy water’ with mussels and white beans, as well as pasta perfection of orecchiette in pistachio pesto – try saying that fast, three times. Don’t take things too seriously and add on a glass (or three) of lo-fi, organic wines from both local makers and faraway places. Time Out tip: If you’re after a quick in-and-out lunch, it’s hard to go past the $55 one-hour menu, which will get you two snacks and a salad (to share) as well as a main dish, plus dessert if there’s room post-savouries (there always is). RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Canberra

If anyone ever complains about Canberra’s nightlife, just nod quietly and then laugh all the way up the stairs to Bar Rochford, where you will be enjoying a glass of the grippy, slightly volcanic Rami wine from COS in Sicily. This is undoubtedly the best little wine bar in the ACT, and once you’re here, you’ll never ever want to leave. You know how they talk about some venues being timeless? Well, this place is locationless. Once you’re up in the cosy confines of this first-floor bar, you could be in Melbourne, Berlin or deepest Darlinghurst. There’s a stack of records on the wall, a roll-down specials list on brown paper, early hip hop on the stereo and super lovely staff wearing vintage shirts. Big arched windows at one end let in light and brighten the space, but a real log fire keeps things toasty on a bracingly cold Canberra evening, and they have enlisted a team of excited young guns to run the joint. Let them guide you on a vinous adventure that traipses the world, but if you don’t order food too, it’s a lost opportunity. The $90 set menu isn’t a cop-out; it’s more like a tour of their latest and greatest seasonal hits. Think smoked beef tongue with anchovy mayo; lamb ribs (or cauliflower for vegos) with black bean and honey; and crème brûlée tart, if you’re shooting for the stars.  RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Canberra

Set inside a heritage confectionery shop – no larger than your average sauna – this cosy Liverpool Street diner is the latest venture from acclaimed chef Luke Burgess (ex-Garagistes). Scholé takes its name from the Greek word for leisure, which is fitting for a space that encourages creativity and conversation, all centred around a communal ten-seater table. The share-style menu sways with the seasons, featuring biodynamic and local produce in elegant snacks like steamed wild angasi oysters from St Helens with fresh wasabi oil and hemp seed froknäcke (cracker) topped with salt-cured pike and pink radish. Larger plates are seafood-centric, where you could enjoy anything from smoked eel and raw scallops to albacore tuna and grilled swordfish. Complete the experience with a natural wine, a considered cocktail or a pour of premium Japanese sake. Time Out tip: On Tuesday nights, Scholé transforms into a buzzy tachinomi – a casual Japanese-style standing bar serving a tight selection of snacks and drinks. It’s walk-in only, so rock up early to secure a spot.

First built in the 1830s as a flour mill and water supplier, this historical building at the mouth of Cataract Gorge has gone on to become Launceston's premier destination for fine dining and boutique accommodation. With a strong focus on sustainable local produce like Cape Grim beef, abalone and wallaby, it’s a firm local favourite as well as a national award winner. The hyper-seasonal menu evolves to hero the region's freshest local produce, and the wine list is considered one of the best in the state, featuring many gems from the cool climate Tamar Valley.  Time Out tip: The earlier you book, the better the view – seats with water views are given to those who book first. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Launceston

When it comes to Canberra’s best restaurant views, Lunetta takes the cake – or the torta, considering it’s Italian. After a dramatic three-year hiatus, this spaceship-like dome atop Red Hill Lookout has been reborn, with a young superstar chef, Tristan Rebbettes (ex-Mona Farm, Saint Peter, Café Paci), leading the charge. In true Italian style, you must start with spuntini – may we recommend the gnocco fritto with honey and pecorino? Then make way for woodfired flatbreads with antipasti, including a selection of cheeses, salumi and cured fish. For secondi, share baked vodka pasta, a rich duck ragu or a whole market fish with puttanesca sauce. Celebrating a special occasion? Go big with the one-kilogram bistecca alla fiorentina. A lovely little torta caprese with dark chocolate, crème fraîche and orange will finish your night off nicely.  Time Out tip: Swing by Lunette during aperitivo hour from 3pm to 6pm for $18 cocktails and snacks starting at $6.50.  RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Canberra

Australians love Japan. Earlier this year, stats revealed it’s our nation’s third most popular holiday destination, with the number of Aussies travelling there now three times higher than a decade ago. But if you’re dreaming of visiting Japan in 2026, there are a few extra costs you’ll need to factor in. From 2026, visitors from around the world will face higher prices for entering and exiting the country. According to Japanese financial newspaper the Nikkei, the government is increasing tourist fees to address overtourism, with the extra funds earmarked for airport infrastructure and security upgrades, as well as national projects like making high school free. These are the fee increases that will affect Australian travellers. Exit tax Since 2019, anyone leaving Japan – including citizens – has been required to pay a small exit fee, automatically added to the price of their plane or ferry ticket. Next year, the government will raise this tax for the very first time, resulting in more expensive travel fares. The fee is currently ¥1,000 (roughly AUD $10), but reports suggest it could be increased to the ‘international standard’, potentially making it ten times more. Visa fee Japan is also upping its visa fees for the first time since 1978. Luckily, Australians don’t require a short-term visa to enter the country, so the visa price hike won’t affect us – though the higher departure tax will still apply. The exact timing of the exit and visa fee increases hasn’t been confirmed,

Australia, it looks like your sacred morning ritual (aka the daily coffee run) is safe for now. After years of painful price increases, the global coffee market is showing signs of slowing down, with economists predicting that prices will plateau – or even fall – by the end of 2026. Ten years ago, a regular flat white or latte in Australia would’ve set you back about $3.50 to $4. These days, finding a cuppa for less than $5 is almost impossible. So, why has Australia’s coffee scene become so expensive? It’s due to a combination of domestic and international pressures, according to Gemma Thompson, a global procurement expert and principal consultant at Proxima. “Extreme weather slashed exports from Brazil and Vietnam, which are the world’s two largest producers, by around 30 per cent, pushing global coffee stocks to their lowest level in two decades. At the same time, freight and energy costs spiked during and after the pandemic, and Australia’s reliance on imports (we source around 90 per cent of our beans from overseas) made local prices especially vulnerable,” Thompson explains. Combined with rising wages, rent and utilities for cafés, the average cup of coffee in Australia has climbed to around $5.50 – up 37 per cent since before the pandemic. Prices vary across the states: Western Australia saw a ten per cent increase over the past year, while Victoria’s crowded café scene keeps prices closer to $5 per cup. Elsewhere, local market dynamics, like competition, rent, and lab

Australia has some epic hotels – from big-city stays with some of the world’s best harbour vistas to absolute beachfront resorts and outback oases, there are accommodation options that help you lap up everything Australia has to offer. At Time Out, it’s our job to help you discover the best of Australia and our cities, so we’ve narrowed it down to 49 hotels that our Time Out editors truly love – a mix of hugely popular as well as lesser-known gems, luxe, mid-range and budget stays, across all the states and territories. Where will you stay next? Start sussing out these top Time Out Australia Recommended Hotels for 2025:  ACT hotels East Hotel Hyatt Hotel Canberra - A Park Hyatt Hotel Ovolo Nishi NSW hotels Bannisters by the Sea Capella Hotel Elements of Byron Hotel Marvell Osborn House Park Hyatt Sydney Shangri-La Sydney The EVE Hotel NT hotels DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Esplanade Darwin QLD hotels Ardo HotelInterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef by IHGEmporium Hotel South Bank Hyatt Regency Brisbane JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa Mondrian Gold Coast Ovolo The Valley The Calile Hotel The Langham Gold Coast The Sundays The Tamborine W Brisbane SA hotels Mayfair Hotel Oval Hotel The Playford Hotel Adelaide - MGallery Collection Vibe Hotel Adelaide TAS hotels DoubleTree by Hilton Hobart Islington Hotel MACq 01 Hotel The Henry Jones Art Hotel The Tasman VIC hotels 1 Hotel Melbourne Grand Hyatt Melbourne Hyde Melbourne Place Jackalope Hotel QT Melbourne Quincy Hotel The R

Update Friday, November 7: Qantas has released a first look at its inaugural Project Sunrise aircraft, now in the final stage of preparation before an extensive test flight programme begins in 2026. The aircraft will be capable of flying up to 22 hours non-stop, thanks to an additional 20,000 litre fuel tank. It’s almost time for take off! Almost eight years ago, Qantas announced its ambitious plan to launch direct flights from Sydney to London. Clocking in at up to 22 hours, it will claim the title of the longest non-stop passenger flight in the world. The initial 2025 launch was pushed back due to technical issues and pandemic-related delays, but now a new launch date has been announced for the first half of 2027. RECOMMENDED: Three of the world’s longest flights depart from Australia – but a new record-breaker is on its way. Currently, the world’s longest flight is Singapore Airlines’ direct service from Singapore to New York, which covers around 15,300 kilometres in roughly 18.5 hours. Qantas’ 17.5-hour journey from Perth to London is the world’s third longest, while the 17-hour Perth to Paris route and the 16-hour Melbourne to Dallas flight follow close behind.  Once the Sydney to London Heathrow flight launches, it will surpass them all, with an air time of up to 22 hours across 17,015 kilometres. The direct services will cut up to four hours off total travel time, compared with one-stop services today. Qantas has named it Project Sunrise – a nod to the fact that passen

Earlier this year, four Australian capitals earned spots on Time Out’s World’s 50 Best Cities for 2025. While our 2026 ranking isn’t out yet, we’re happy to take Resonance Consulting’s World’s Best Cities list – regarded as “the most comprehensive study of its kind” – as gospel for now. Four Aussie cities feature in the top 100 for 2026, with Perth and Brisbane experiencing particularly big jumps over the past year.  To rank the World’s Best Cities for 2026, Resonance analysed data from more than 400 cities across three key themes: livability, lovability and prosperity. London hung onto its crown as the world’s best city for yet another year, while Sydney held its title as Australia’s highest-ranked city, coming 11th globally. The NSW capital may have slipped out of the top ten, but 11th place is still an impressive achievement. The report credits Sydney’s 24-Hour Economy strategy, looser alfresco dining rules, new entertainment precincts and handy metro connections as key factors behind its high placement. Not to mention, it's just a bloody beautiful place! Photograph: Supplied | Brett Boardman Photography Melbourne was Australia’s second-highest-ranked city, climbing from 25th in 2025 to 21st in 2026. Like Sydney, new metro stations helped lift the Victorian capital, along with its world-class universities. Melbourne’s sizzling arts and events scene also earned praise, including sporting spectacles like the Australian Open and Formula 1 Grand Prix. It really does have it

Anyone who remotely calls themselves a foodie will know the Michelin Guide, which spotlights the finest restaurants across Europe, Asia and North America (but not here). Recently, Michelin made its Australia-New Zealand debut with the launch of Michelin Keys – basically the hotels equivalent of restaurant stars – and 35 Aussie hotels earned their place. Now, the world’s most prestigious dining authority is bringing its food guide to Oceania for the very first time – but Australia still isn’t on the menu. Michelin announced this week that it has partnered with Tourism New Zealand to launch the inaugural Michelin Guide Aotearoa New Zealand in mid-2026. The first edition will cover the country’s four major cities – Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown – with Michelin’s anonymous inspectors already on the ground, carefully curating their restaurant selections. Using its standard methodology, Michelin will evaluate venues on five key criteria: ingredient quality, technical mastery, harmony of flavours, chef personality and consistency. One Michelin star recognises ‘high-quality cooking that is worth a stop’, two Michelin stars signify ‘excellent cooking that is worth a detour’, and three Michelin stars signify ‘exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey’. We have no doubt that chef Josh Emett’s restaurants, Onslow in Auckland and Rātā in Queenstown, are likely strong contenders, given his international career includes stints in multiple Michelin‑starred kitch

At Time Out, it’s our job to help locals and visitors discover the best of Australia, so we’re normally the ones giving recommendations. That said, we love getting hot tips from you, too. So we put it to you – what are your top recommendations for things to do, hotels, restaurants and bars around Australia? What should Aussies (and those from other places) put on their travel bucket lists? Drum roll, please… these are your top Time Out Australia Recommended People’s Choice picks for 2025:  Things to Do - People’s Choice – Snorkelling, the Great Barrier Reef (we love Reef Magic) Photograph: Supplied | Tourism Tropical North Queensland Hotel - People’s Choice – Capella Sydney Photograph: Supplied | Capella Sydney Venue - People’s Choice – Rockpool Bar & Grill Perth, Crown Perth Photograph: Supplied | Rockpool Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Australia newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.  Want more travel inspo?  ✈️ These are the best places to visit in all of Australia 🧳 These are Australia's most incredible resorts ⛺ And these are the top spots for glamping

The world knows Australia is beautiful – what a lot of people don’t realise is that Australia is delicious, too. We’re lucky to have world-class restaurants across a huge diversity of cuisines, featuring amazing produce and serving it all in stunning locations. And let’s not forget the bars – from rooftop gems to hidden cocktail lounges, they’re as creative and vibrant as the food. At Time Out, it’s our job to help people discover the best of Australia and our cities, so we’ve narrowed it down to 50 restaurants and bars that our Time Out editors truly love, and which are actually worth travelling for. Never been to Bennelong? You must. How about The Agrarian Kitchen in Tasmania? Put it on your list.  Where will you eat next? Pick from this list of top Time Out Australia Recommended Destination Restaurants & Bars for 2025:  ACT restaurants & bars Bar Rochford Lunetta Onzieme Pilot Restaurant Raku Such and Such NSW restaurants & bars ANTE Bennelong Cafe Paci Muse Restaurant Pipit Restaurant Saint Peter Spice Temple The Waratah NT restaurants & bars Ella by Minoli Hanuman QLD restaurants & bars Agnes Restaurant Death and Taxes Brisbane Exhibition Restaurant Gerard's Bistro Kōst Bar and Grill Maker Warrior Restaurant & Bar SA restaurants & bars Africola Allegra Dining Room arkhé Hains & Co La Buvette Drinkery Magill Estate Restaurant Ondeen TAS restaurants & bars AløftOmotenashiRestaurant Mariascholésonny Stillwater Restaurant The Agrarian Kitchen VIC restaurants & bars Above Boa

Australia is a big place, with loads of diversity – we have everything from coral reefs and deserts to rainforests, mountains, and charming coastal cities. So the bucket list of must-do Aussie experiences is huge. At Time Out, it’s our job to help you discover the best of Australia and our cities, so we’ve named 49 experiences that Time Out editors truly love – a mix of hugely popular as well as lesser-known gems across all the states and territories. Keen to explore this incredible country? Start planning visits to these top Time Out Australia Recommended Things to Do activities for 2025:  ACTAustralian War MemorialNational Arboretum CanberraNational Gallery of AustraliaNational Portrait GalleryWine Hopper NSWArt Gallery of New South WalesBridgeClimb SydneyBundanon Art GalleryCarriageworks MarketsKangaroo Valley Adventure CompanyScenic WorldSydney Opera House: The Backstage TourWhite Rabbit Gallery NTAraluen Arts CentreDeckchair CinemaMuseum and Art Gallery of the Northern TerritoryStandley ChasmSun Pictures, BroomeThe Kangaroo Sanctuary QLDAustralia ZooBluey's World BrisbaneBrisbane PowerhouseHOTA, Home of the ArtsMossman Gorge Cultural CentreMt Coot-thaQueensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern ArtSOL Elements BathhouseStory Bridge Adventure Climb SAAdelaide Central MarketBeerenberg FarmMonarto Safari ParkMount Lofty Botanic GardenSeppeltsfield Winery and Estate TASCallington Mill Distillery, OatlandsCataract Gorge ReserveKuuma - Nature SaunaMONA – Museum of Old and New

Sydney skygazers, we’ve got news. As if last night’s supermoon wasn’t enough of a celestial spectacle, today, the Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre (ASWFC) issued an Aurora alert confirming a geomagnetic storm is currently in progress. According to the alert, the "Aurora may be observed during local nighttime hours in good observing conditions at high latitudes." The last time the ASWFC issued an alert (October 30), sightings were reported around midnight in Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and South Australia. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Southern Lights from Victoria. Where in the world can you see the Aurora? Bright, beautiful and bedazzling, the Aurora Borealis is a big-ticket bucket list item for pretty much everyone on Earth. Only those who have witnessed the Northern Lights with their naked eyes can truly understand its ethereal magic. But you don’t need to fork out on a ticket to Scandinavia to see the dramatic natural light display IRL. Australia has its very own version, called the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights – and this year, we could be in for the brightest display in 20 years. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Aurora Australis in Australia. Will the Aurora Australis be visible from NSW tonight? Australia’s first big Aurora Australis of the season occurred on Sunday, June 1, sparked by a severe geomagnetic storm. Another recent storm was visible from Australia (including here in Victoria) on October 30, and it’s loo

As if last night’s supermoon wasn’t enough of a celestial spectacle, today, the Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre (ASWFC) issued an Aurora alert confirming a geomagnetic storm is currently in progress. According to the alert, the "Aurora may be observed during local nighttime hours in good observing conditions at high latitudes." The last time the ASWFC issued an alert (October 30), sightings were reported around midnight in Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and South Australia. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Southern Lights from Victoria. Where in the world can you see the Aurora? Bright, beautiful and bedazzling, the Aurora Borealis is a big-ticket bucket list item for pretty much everyone on Earth. Only those who have witnessed the Northern Lights with their naked eyes can truly understand its ethereal magic. But you don’t need to fork out on a ticket to Scandinavia to see the dramatic natural light display IRL. Australia has its very own version, called the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights – and this year, we could be in for the brightest display in 20 years. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Aurora Australis in Australia. Will the Aurora Australis be visible tonight from Victoria? Australia’s first big Aurora Australis of the season occurred on Sunday, June 1, sparked by a severe geomagnetic storm. Another recent storm was visible from Australia (including here in Victoria) on October 30, and it’s looking like we could be in luck

Brisbane, it’s time to get spooky! Earlier this year, Melbourne scored the Australian premiere of Beetlejuice the Musical, starring the one and only Eddie Perfect, who wrote the music and lyrics for the cult Broadway hit. Now, it’s just been announced that the eight-time Tony Award-nominated show is returning to Australia in June 2026 for a season at Brisbane’s Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). Let's get spooked! If you haven’t seen Tim Burton’s beloved 1988 comedy-horror film, Beetlejuice follows the story of a recently deceased couple, Barbara and Adam, who enlist a mischievous bio-exorcist ghost to scare out the pesky new family in their home. But when Beetlejuice is unleashed, chaos reigns – and he takes an unexpected interest in the family’s teen daughter, Lydia Deetz, who’s obsessed with the afterlife. Photograph: Michelle Grace Hunder The green-haired, striped-suit-wearing ghost that featured in the nightmares of '90s kids has been transported from screen to stage in the critically acclaimed musical version with a serious following. Picture dancing footballer zombies, exorcisms and so much more weirdness, plus super-catchy songs, rollicking, colourful dance numbers – and a giant stripey worm or two.  Reprising their roles from the Melbourne season of Beetlejuice the Musical are Karis Oka as gothic teen Lydia Deetz, Elise McCann as Barbara Maitland, Rob Johnson as Adam Maitland, Erin Clare as Delia Deetz and Tom Wren as Charles Deetz. The one major change is t