Melissa Woodley

Ah, lovely Launceston. Tasmania’s second city might not get quite so much love as more famous cities on the Australian mainland (or, for that matter, the island’s capital city, Hobart), but it most certainly should. This home of just over 75,000 people teems with stuff to see and do, from gorgeous sights and majestic nature to underrated restaurants. Here’s our lowdown of the best things to do in Launceston. RECOMMENDED: All the best things to do in Hobart right now.

Come rain or shine, you can embark on a journey of discovery at these all-weather-friendly houses of education. You'll learn about fascinating natural histories, scientific endeavours, design innovations and the many surprising stories that have made the Queensland capital everything it is today. Along the way, you'll discover curious taxidermies, historical oddities, and interactive exhibits using cutting-edge tech. A trip to one of Brisbane’s best museums is anything but boring. Need more inspo for a great day out? Check out our picks for the best attractions in Brisbane.

Fish and chips are such a nostalgic meal for Australians that it’s easy to forget that they didn’t actually originate here. Sure, the Brits often get the credit for the dish (they do love their salt and vinegar), but it turns out that Portugal is the motherland of the ultimate takeaway food. Wherever it was invented, we’re just happy that it touched down in the land Down Under, and at just about every waterside location you can imagine. After all, it isn’t a salty summer by the beach if your hunger wasn’t satiated with some fish and chippies, right? So whether you're touring Australia's best beaches, or need a pit stop on your great Australian road trip, here are the best fish and chips shops in the land.  RECOMMENDED: These are the best pizzas in Australia.

Unless you’ve been stuck in the 19th century, you’ll have heard that the NSW town of Bowral recently underwent a regency makeover – transforming into a real-life Bridgerton for one magical week. We’re talking manicured gardens, opulent ballrooms, lush croquet lawns and a handsome duke or two.  While this fairytale won’t stick around forever, you can experience the magic of the hit Netflix show by staying at one of these enchanting Bridgerton-inspired Airbnbs in Australia.   Prefer to stay in the city? These are the best luxury hotels in Australia right now.

Sure, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but lunchtime is arguably the most exciting. You shouldn’t have to settle for soggy sandwiches and last night’s leftovers when there are fresh and fun eats existing in all pockets of the city. Whether you’re craving elevated sandwiches on oven-fresh bread, inspired savoury pastries, hearty bowls of laksa or build-your-own bentos, there’s something delicious on for lunch in Sydney every day of the week. We've rounded up our favourite places to grab a lunch on-the-go in Sydney's CBD. Whether its old, new, tucked away in the city's heart, or sitting on the fringe, we've got you covered when it comes to making the most of your lunchbreak, every day of the week.  After a liquid lunch instead? Here are the best bars in the Sydney CBD right now.

Crustless cucumber sandwiches, fluffy scones with jam and cream and tiered plates of petit fours. Sydney loves a pinky-lifting high tea, and with good reason. With bite-sized treats, tea selections for every palate and picturesque surrounds – maybe the stunning harbour views at Mosman Barracks or the tranquil gardens of historic Vaucluse House – you've got all the elements of an aspirational afternoon of ever-so-fancy leisure. 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. In search of more food and tea? Get around Sydney's best cafés here. What about more booze? These are Sydney's best bars.

If there was any lingering doubt that Queensland's capital is a world city, it was put to rest with the announcement that the 2032 Olympics would be hosted right here in Brisvegas. And truth be told, for a long time the River City has been much more than just a pit-stop on the way to the Gold Coast.  In QAGOMA, the city has two of the best-designed art galleries anywhere in the world, and blockbuster art to show in them. We have great barbecue spots, sure, but there are also some great high-end, fine dining experiences too. With an incredible climate (although slip, slop, slap please, we implore you) and a great set of river walkways and public transport connections, it’s also easier than ever to get around. Whether it’s a family adventure, a romantic weekend or a spare 24 hours at the end of a business trip – here are our pick of the best attractions in Brisbane. Got no money? Here are the best free things to do in Brisbane.

Look, it really isn’t a secret that we Aussies love a good pub. Whether you're tearing it up on the local dance floor on a Saturday night or downing pints with a hearty Sunday roast, pub culture has something for everyone, every day of the week. These venues see it all: post-work bevvies, celebration dinners, darts competitions and even Hollywood movie crews. Whether it’s a schooner or a glass of wine you’re after, in the city or the outback, we’ve got a list of the country’s grooviest pubs that are a welcome sight to tourists and locals alike. 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.  Hungry? These are the best pies in Australia worth travelling for.

It’s the only capital city in Australia where you can watch the sunset over the ocean, but that’s not the only reason Perth is one of the coolest places to visit. Once solely known for its pristine beaches and perfect weather, Perth’s booming restaurant and culture scenes, and its trendy sister city Fremantle (located just half an hour from Perth) have put WA’s capital city on the international radar. If you're visiting, it's well worth the flight over (which is a little over four hours from Sydney or Melbourne), we promise. RECOMMENDED: These are the best restaurants in Perth right now.

Perth may be known for its crystal clear waters, seaside sunsets and eternally camera-ready quokkas, but there's also a plethora of art and culture to be seen and pondered.  Whether it's paintings from the world's oldest living culture, or a blast from the past with all the best retro video games, tradition awaits in the city of lights. If it's the new you crave, you'll find contemporary works from emerging Aussie artists, plus the new frontier of science innovation.  The main takeaway? Perth has got a little bit of everything waiting for your viewing pleasure.  RECOMMENDED: Cool off at one of the best beaches in Perth.

Australia’s charming climates and picturesque landscapes are a recipe for some of the world’s finest wines. You’ll find more than 100 grapes grown across our leading wine regions, which are concentrated in South Australia’s Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, NSW’s Hunter Valley, Victoria’s Yarra Valley and beyond. You could spend weeks jumping between cellar doors in each region, sipping fine wines all day long – but that’s probably not entirely sensible. Why not start with our 30 top picks, and take it from there? Whether you opt to journey as part of a group or embark on an impromptu self-guided tour, these are the wineries to uncork. RECOMMENDED: Plan your winery tour around a meal at one of Australia’s best restaurants.

There’s no doubt about it, Sydneysiders can’t get enough of Italian food. And who can blame us? There’s something about a bowl of perfectly al dente pasta paired with a luscious, rich ragu that just hits the spot. And white Italian cuisine differs throughout the 20 incredible regions – broadly speaking the northern regions eat more rice and polenta, and down south they feast more on seafood – Italians share a love of beautiful, seasonal produce, choosing simplicity rather than overcomplicating dishes, and cooking food with soul. No wonder we love it so much. Luckily, there are a wealth of excellent options to choose from when it comes to Italian dining in Sydney. Time Out’s editors and critics, including our Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have picked our favourite eateries covering all bases – from casual red-sauce joints and classic pizzerias to fine dining restaurants – so no matter what mood you're in, there's something here for you. Not in the mood for pasta? Here are our picks of the best spots for Greek and French food in Sydney.

Get to know one of the best vineyards in one of South Australia’s wine capitals at this boozy festival celebrating all things vinous. Returning in 2024 for its 40th anniversary, this is the oldest food and wine festival in Australia and is split across three stages. Taste the fanciest drops over the ‘Festival Weekend’ with gourmet wine lunches, meet the maker tasting sessions and cellar door degustations; partake in wine masterclasses, art classes and paddock-to-plate experiences during the ‘Breathe It In’ midweek program, and send it off in style on the final ‘Land of the Long Lunch’ weekend.

The Sunshine State is good for more than just glittering beaches and tropical rainforests. It’s the stage for one of Queensland’s premier culinary festivals, The Curated Plate, which dishes up 90 food and drink events over 10 days. The main courses for this year’s program are the Sunny Coast Breweries and Distilleries Festivals by Gabs on the banks of the Maroochy River; the return of the ever-popular Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival; and a special Chefs in Conversation discussion hosted by celebrity cook Hayden Quinn.

Experience the best of this jewel of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast at Noosa’s annual eating and drinking festival. It’s been a firm Noosa favourite for more than 20 years, bringing some of Australia’s favourite celebrity chefs to the beachside town, including Adriano Zumbo, Gary Mehigan and Khanh Ong. Five local restaurants will collaborate for the 2024 signature Long Lunch, which stretches end-to-end along Noosa Junction’s Arcadia Street. Beer and cider aficionados aren’t forgotten with plenty of brewers demonstrating their crafts, plus sundowner sessions at The Beach Garden pop-up, produce markets and interactive masterclasses. The Festival Village buzzes day and night with live entertainment, so don’t forget your dancing shoes.

What is it? Navigate the neighbourhood of Brisbane's largest Asian population on a three-hour Food Discovery Tour of Sunnybank. You'll taste some of the best Asian food in Brisbane, while diving into the culture, history and cuisine of some of the world's oldest cultures.  Why go? Sunnybank is a melting pot of culture known for its fabulous food options – from Chinese favourites like hot pot and yum cha to Korean barbecue, Japanese, Malaysian, Taiwanese, Singaporean and Vietnamese restaurants. Your passionate tour guide and professional chef Tony Ching, will show you the top spots to eat and shop, with lots of dumplings, noodles and soups to be demolished along the way. Want more? Check out Sunnybank Oriental Restaurant for authentic Hong Kong-style breakfasts, Pappa Roti for buttery coffee buns and teh tarik (pulled milk tea), and Danbo for vegan-friendly ramen.

What is it? BlackCard Cultural Tours run interactive tours in Meanjin (Brisbane city), offering a rare opportunity to connect with the oldest living culture in the world.  Why go? Learn about the history of the city with an Aboriginal guide on one of three immersive Aboriginal Cultural Tours. From the past to the present, you'll learn about the cultural and spiritual significance of different sites, including the Maiwar (Brisbane River) and South Brisbane's Cultural Precinct. Tour highlights include exploring the city's collection of Indigenous public artworks (with work by Albert Namatjira, Lilla Watson, Fiona Foley and Clifford Possum), tasting the delights of the bush tucker trail and learning the ancient art of weaving. Want more? Check out Birrunga Gallery and Café in the city for Indigenous art and bush tucker-inspired food, and Open House in West End for Indigenous fashion and homewares.

What is it? Brisbane is home to some of Australia's most beautiful islands, with many located in driving distance from the city. From big hitters like Stradbroke and Moreton, to chilled-out destinations like Bribie and Coochiemudlo, you'll find your piece of island paradise. Why go? Less than an hour's ferry ride away, Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) is easily one of the best coastal day trips from Brisbane. You can hop on the passenger ferry or take a car over on the barge for the ultimate weekend getaway. Whale-watching season (June-November) is the ideal time to go, but the island is stunning year-round. And it’s the closest place to Brisbane where you can see kangaroos on the beach!  Want more? Yura Tours run cultural tours led by traditional owners, the Quandamooka people. The Yallingbilla (Whale) Tour takes in wonderful views from the famous Gorge Walk at Mulumba (Point Lookout), while the Bajara 'Footprints' Tour will take you across beautiful beaches and lakes in a 4WD.

If you’ve never been to a drag brunch, here’s your invitation. Cloudland’s Brunch with Bite is on every Sunday from 11am to 2pm, featuring riotous and risqué entertainment, along with a banquet brunch and booze package. The buzzing Fortitude Valley bar also hosts the drag-and-dine musical, Hey Felicia 2.0. Trust us, it’s a lot of fun. 

What is it? The pinnacle event of Launceston’s arts and culture scene, packed with local gigs, family-friendly shows, literary chats, cabaret nights and dance performances.  Why go? Launnie comes alive with a kaleidoscope of colour, spectacular sounds and magical surprises for the city’s greatest arts and music festival. Shake off the winter blues with a boogie to the island’s best local beats, feast on local snacks and spirits, and be wowed by circus and cabaret performances.

What is it? Tasmania is home to several colonies of little penguins which, at just 40cm tall, are the smallest penguin species in the world. You can spot them on a Low Head small-group, sunset tour, which includes bookable bus transfers from Launceston. Why go? Because it's absolutely adorable. This is a rewarding, but responsible way to enjoy seeing the fairy-sized black and white birds in one of Launceston's most charming seaside towns. The tour’s environmentally friendly approach ensures that the 4,000 or so penguins in the area are not disturbed as they waddle out of the water and into their burrows for the night.

What is it? Australia’s largest regional museum featuring a planetarium, colonial art collection and blacksmith shop, along with an ongoing exhibition on the extinct Tasmanian tiger. Why go? It's almost too good to be true, but this underrated museum is free of charge. The QVMAG is split across two sites with the Museum at Inveresk dedicated to natural science and history, and the Art Gallery at Royal Park home to traditional and contemporary art. Over at Inveresk, you can gaze in wonder at the stars in the full-dome Planetarium, explore an old blacksmiths' shop and study the centrepiece wall map of Tasmania depicting the territories occupied by 57 known clans over more than 30,000 years of pre-colonial history. Meanwhile, at Royal Park, you can wander through interactive installations, Aboriginal art displays, photography exhibitions and the Guan Di Temple.

What is it? On the outskirts of Launceston, this wheelchair-friendly boardwalk weaves through the grasses and over footbridges along the kanamaluka / River Tamar. It’s a prime spot for bird enthusiasts, but keep your eyes peeled for other Aussie critters like reptiles, frogs, fish and creepy crawlies. Why go?  If you're feeling under the feather (get it?), this peaceful boardwalk is just the ticket. You can spot about 60 bird species here, from ducks and black swans to egrets, cormorants, and swamp harriers. Pack a picnic for some stunning views down the Tamar Valley – and remember, no feeding the birds.

What is it? Tasmania’s craft beer scene has taken off in the last few years, but Saint John was one of the originals. At any one time, they offer up to 18 taps and more than 150 bottled beers, craft ciders, wines and top-shelf spirits. Why go? Don’t be fooled by the industrial aesthetic: this is a super-friendly spot with bar staff who know their hops. The lunch and dinner menu leans on locally sourced, seasonal produce and it's delivered with a South American spin, including spicy chicken burgers, pulled lamb tacos and charcuterie boards (with vegan cheese available). Take note: the super crunchy fries are legendary.

We’re officially less than 250 days out from Christmas (wild, right?), which means it’s time to start planning your summer vacays. It's hard knowing where to start when there are almost 6,000 hotels to pick from in Australia – but that’s where Tripadvisor comes in. The world’s largest travel site just released its annual Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotel Awards for 2024, spotlighting places that received the highest number of ‘above-and-beyond’ customer reviews in 2023. Tripadvisor sifted through ratings of more than 1.6 million hotels listed on the site and also organised the hotels into categories, such as best all-inclusive, luxury, family-friendly, B&Bs, boutique, pet-friendly and sustainable options. But what we’re most interested in is the best of the best: the top hotels in Australia.  Claiming first place was the exclusive, adults-only Reef House Boutique Hotel and Space in Palm Cove, North Queensland. If the ‘adults-only’ tagline hasn’t hooked you, then how about the sound of two crystal clear pools, sparkling wine on arrival, complimentary poolside sorbet, beachfront yoga, mixology classes, marine facials and seafood platters under the stars? This isn’t the first time The Reef House has appeared on Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best list, having been voted as the second-best hotel in Australia and the South Pacific in 2023.  Photograph: Supplied | Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane | David Kelly Snagging the silver medal was Brisbane’s Emporium Hotel South Ban

One of Australia’s most talked-about chefs, Analiese Gregory, has cooked everywhere from Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, London and Spain to prized Australian restaurants Quay and Franklin. However, it’s her home in Tasmania’s rugged Huon Valley where she’s happiest. When Gregory’s not foraging, fishing, diving and hunting, she loves exploring Tasmania’s rich food and drink scene. Here are her favourite top picks for coffee, sashimi, cocktails, market shopping and swimming in Hobart. RECOMMENDED: We’re giving away a $10,000 trip to the Northern Territory – and here’s how you can win. Photograph: Tourism Australia Farm Gate Market Weekend mornings are made for markets and you’ll want to start yours surrounded by Tasmania’s most beautiful produce at the Farm Gate Market. Held on a closed-off street in Hobart’s CBD every Sunday, this is Gregory’s go-to spot for stocking up on the best that Tassie has to offer: free-range meat and eggs, just-picked berries, fresh oysters, local gins, homemade bread and pasta, fresh-cut flowers and so much more. Make sure you BYO shopping bag, if not several. Photograph: Supplied | Somewhere Coffee Bar Somewhere Coffee Bar If you’re searching for the best coffee in Hobart, Gregory recommends heading straight to Somewhere Coffee Bar. This minimalistic café on Elizabeth Street, just a three-minute stroll from the Farm Gate Market, specialises in filter coffee. Passionate barista and owner Brian Lam sources beans from roasters around the w

Strapping on a spacesuit and blasting off into space is a childhood fantasy shared by many. Yesterday, that dream became a reality for Sydney-born Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who has qualified to become the first astronaut to represent Australia in space.  The 39-year-old dynamo, who works as the Director of Space Technology at the Australian Space Agency, is not only the first Australian woman to be trained as an astronaut by an international space agency, but also the first to be trained while representing the Australian flag. She follows in the celestial footsteps of South Australian aerospace engineer Andy Thomas, who joined a NASA mission in 1984, and Sydney-born oceanographer Paul Scully-Power, who flew to space with NASA in 1996. Despite being Australian-born, both men were United States citizens at the time, so they went to space with the American flag on their flight suits. This means that if Bennell-Pegg gets the call-up, she’ll make history as the first-ever astronaut to rock the Aussie flag while exploring the cosmos. Photograph: ESA – P. Sebirot From taking flying lessons as a teenager and serving in the Army Reserves, to volunteering in the NSW SES and jet-setting to India with Engineers Without Borders, this is something Bennell-Pegg has dreamt of and chased her whole entire life. Oh, and that’s not to mention that she’s completed a double degree in engineering and science, and is also a full-time mum of two. We guess some people really can do it all.  A woman on

Toowoomba has a reputation for being the ‘Garden City’, so a few smart noggins thought that segued nicely into a celebration of such. Fair to say the idea was a good one, given the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers will celebrate its 75th anniversary this year with the fitting theme ‘It’s A Party.’ Just weeks after being crowned the best major event in the nation at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, the town’s annual flower festival has revealed its spectacular 75th-anniversary program. More than 80 events and activations will bloom across four weekends from September 13 to October 7, with the return of the iconic Grand Central Floral Parade and the introduction of new events, like a Carnival Memorabilia display and Symphony Under the Stars. Photograph: Supplied | Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers The Carnival of Flowers is still a few months out, but planning is well underway with the Toowoomba Council already busy planting seeds for more than 40 million petals that will splash colour across the city’s major parks like confetti. As always, this year’s major displays are in the Botanic Gardens, Queens Park and Laurel Bank Park, but wandering pretty much anywhere will take you past a photogenic curation of petals. The official carnival stretches across four weekends, but the main shebang happens on Saturday, September 21 when 75 floral floats will wind through Herries Street, Margaret Street and Hume Street for the Grand Central Floral Parade. Toowoomba will welcome the return o

It’s hard to believe that an Olympic year has rolled around yet again. In 2024, the world’s largest sporting event will bring together more than 10,500 athletes (5,250 women and 5,250 men) in a grand spectacle encompassing 329 medal events across 32 sports. Whether you're lucky enough to be travelling to Paris or tuning in from half way around the world, there are countless ways to get around the green and gold. Here’s everything you need to know about watching the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.  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.  Where are the 2024 Olympics? The Games will be hosted in Paris, France across 41 venues, with the surfing competition taking place in Teahupo’o, Tahiti. Arguably France’s most famous stadium, the Stade De France will host the athletics and rugby sevens competitions. The lawns of Champ de Mars, between the Eiffel Tower and the École Militaire, will transform into a pop-up arena for beach volleyball, judo and wrestling, while one of the city's most famous public squares at the eastern end of the Champs-Élyséess, Place De La Concorde, will turn into an urban park for the BMX freestyle, skateboarding, breaking and 3x3 basketball events. When are the 2024 Olympics? The Olympic Games will kick off with a spectacular opening ceremony on Friday, July 26 and will continue for 19 days, ending with the closing ceremony on Sunday, August 11. The first events

With more than half a billion streams globally and an ARIA chart-topping album, The Jungle Giants has established some serious musical street cred in Australia. When they’re not headlining festivals and selling out shows from the East to West Coast, you’ll find the wonderfully cheeky indie-pop gang hanging out in their hometown of Brisbane. Follow along as the band’s songwriter-guitarist Sam Hales and lead guitarist Cesira Aitken show us their favourite late-night haunts in Brisbane. RECOMMENDED: We’re giving away a $10,000 trip to the Northern Territory – and here’s how you can win. The QA Hotel Kick off your Friday with pints and pool at one of The Jungle Giant’s favourite watering holes, the QA Hotel. This James Street pub in the hip ’burb of New Farm, just a stone’s throw away from Brisbane CBD, is where the band unwinds with a bevvie or two. Bring your A-game to the pool table, because the loser will be picking up the tab for the next round.  Photograph: Supplied | Hikari Hikari Feeling peckish? Make a dash to Hikari in Teneriffe, a breezy 15-minute stroll down the road. This low-key Japanese pub-izakaya puts a spin on traditional eats, serving up tuna tacos, salmon sashimi and beef rib bao, along with larger mains like chashu pork ramen and chicken katsu curry. Keep the bevs flowing with Japanese sake, umeshu (plum wine), whisky and Aussie wines.  Photograph: Supplied | Bosco Bosco Named after either the Italian word for wood or a star from season 14 of RuPaul’s Dra

Here’s some news to get fired up about (and we promise it won’t send you to sleep). A highly controversial new study has ranked the top 100 most boring tourist attractions in the world – and they reckon seven are right here in Australia.  The research carried out by online gaming company Solitaired looked at 66.7 million Google reviews from 3,290 attractions in 71 countries and 384 cities. Rather than using Google star ratings, they based their rankings on attractions with the highest number of keywords mentioned that were synonymous with the word “boring”, such as “tiresome”, “dull” and “drab.” The first red flag in this study is that Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), once hailed as the world’s best modern art gallery by Lonely Planet, was named in the list. On a scale of zero to five, MONA received a boredom score of 1.90, placing it at number 76. This colossal and futuristic museum may not be for everyone, but it sure is the crown jewel of our modern art scene and easily makes Time Out’s very own list of the top tourist attractions in Australia. We’re not the only ones who think so too, as MONA scores an average of 4.4 stars on Google based on more than 10,000 reviews worldwide. Photograph: Tourism Western Australia | WA Museum Boola Bardip All up, Australia trailed behind the US and Canada with the third-highest number of attractions on the most boring list. The highest snooze fest points in Australia went to WA Museum Boola Bardip (meaning “many stories in t

Eyes on the prize? More like eyes on the skies. Another astronomical spectacle is expected to take place this April, around the same time as the once-in-a-lifetime Devil’s Comet. Flying through the sky at lightning speed, the annual Lyrid meteor shower happens around the world from mid-to-late April each year. In Australia, it will peak in the early hours of Tuesday, April 23, with roughly 20 shooting stars streaking across the atmosphere per hour. Here's everything you need to know about the 2024 Lyrid meteor shower.  What is the Lyrid meteor shower? Lyrids are one of the world’s oldest meteor showers, with their origins tracing back more than 2,500 years in Chinese texts. The celestial spectacle is created when the Earth makes its annual journey through the dust trail left by comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1). When the small chunks of debris collide with our atmosphere, they disintegrate, forming fiery streaks in the sky that look like shooting stars when viewed from Earth. When is the Lyrid meteor shower visible in Australia? The Lyrid meteor shower is visible for around two weeks every April. In 2024, the Lyrids will be at their most active between April 14 to 30 and are expected to peak around 1am AEST on April 23. During this time, you can expect to witness around 20 shooting stars per hour, with sporadic flashes of light visible at night throughout the two-week period. This handy interactive map will tell you exactly when to look up based on your location in Australia.  How c

In need of a quarter-year mood boost? We’ve got just what the doctor ordered. A fully interactive museum dedicated to everyone’s favourite happiness hormone, dopamine, is making its Australian debut in Brisbane this May. Straight from London, Dopamine Land will send your happiness levels through the roof with pillow fights, ball pits, mirror mazes and more. Just the thought of it is already making us smile. The game plan is easy to follow when you arrive at Dopamine Land. Kids and kidults can adventure through ten themed rooms, with each featuring mesmerising optical illusions and audio sensations designed to awaken your inner child and trigger your happiness hormones.  You can take a trip down memory lane in the glowing ball pit room, featuring pulsating LED lighting, ’80s electro beats and the scent of Pina Coladas. Or, let off steam in the pillow fight room, inspired by lolly boxes and Mexican wrestling. Warning: things might get heated in here. Photograph: Supplied | Dopamine Land If you need to calm down post pillow fight, then head to Lucid Dreams, an ASMR-led visual journey featuring surreal projections by Australian digital animation artist, Cassie Troughton. There’s also the dedicated Keep Calm Forest where you can meditate in a soothing woodland featuring LED trees, mirrored spaces and a relaxing soundscape, plus a Musical Tiles room where you can compose a personalised light and sound composition with your movements. Photograph: Supplied | Dopamine Land It hasn

To celebrate the launch of Time Out Australia, we’ve partnered up with Tourism NT to give away the ultimate holiday to the Northern Territory worth $10,000. The lucky winner will score a $2,000 flight voucher for getting to and from Darwin, a car hire for eight days of exploring, and seven nights of luxe accommodation for two travellers. That’s not to mention the whirlwind of activities, including a private helicopter ride over Litchfield National Park, a thrilling jetski tour and a jumping croc adventure. How to enter? Create a video showcasing your favourite things to do, eat, drink, shop and/or watch in Australia.  Post the video on your Instagram and hashtag #BestofAus and tag @timeoutaustralia. Make sure your profile is on public so we can see your entry. Make sure you’re following @timeoutaustralia and @ntaustralia.  Time Out tips: Use our competition Instagram Reel as a template for your entry. Just click the ‘Use template’ button on the post. Make sure your profile is public so we can see your entry. Keep an eye on your DMs – the competition closes at 11.59am AEST on May 3, 2024 and the winner will be contacted on the same day. Photograph: Supplied | Northern Territory TourismMaguk, Kakadu National Park What’s included in the $10,000 prize? Your adventure in Australia’s Red Centre starts in the capital city of Darwin, an underrated destination that sits in summer year-round and might just be one of Australia’s best-kept secrets. Check into your guest room at the

Australia is full of picturesque pockets of nature, but the ones accessible only by foot are even more remarkable. You’ll find plenty of places to venture off the beaten track in Tasmania, especially now that the island state is home to the newest Great Walk of Australia – one of only 13 across the entire country. Earlier this year, Flinders Island Walking Adventure – In Comfort joined the exclusive club of Australia's greatest multi-day guided walking experiences, all done in eco-luxe style. Dubbed the “hidden hiking jewel of Tasmania”, the six-day guided experience covering 42 kilometres of wild bushland and rugged coastline is now the state’s sixth Great Walk. Photograph: Tourism Australia | Flinders Island Walking Adventure You don’t need to be a hardcore hiker to conquer the Flinders Island Walk, which is rated easy-to-moderate in difficulty. Carrying only a day pack, hikers follow two expert guides along the beautiful coastline, through enchanting woodlands, around striking granite mountain ranges and to the summit of Mt Killiecrankie and Mt Strzelecki, where they can take in epic 360-degree views over the entire island. (Packing a pair of togs for a swim or two in the island’s crystal clear waters is recommended, but it may feel like more of an ice bath in the colder months.)  If spending a week in the wilderness still isn't floating your boat, then hear us out. You won’t have to fend off creepy crawlies, pitch tents in the dark, or hunt for food. Like any of the Gre

Fresh from her debut as the first Australian queen on a global season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Logie-nominated superstar Kween Kong is here to show Time Out Australia her favourite places in Adelaide. You can’t skip out on visiting a cellar door or two when in Australia’s wine capital. And in true Kween Kong fashion, you have to swing by a show (time your visit with Adelaide Fringe which happens in February and March each year) and dance the night away at one of Adelaide’s liveliest nightclubs. Check out Kween Kong’s must-visit spots in Adelaide below. RECOMMENDED: We’re giving away a $10,000 trip to the Northern Territory – and here’s how you can win. Photograph: Duy DashD'Arenberg Cube D’Arenberg You can’t visit South Australia without experiencing the state’s sprawling wine country, and as per Kween Kong’s recommendation, D’Arenberg in McLaren Vale is an absolute must-visit. Renowned for its award-winning architectural design, this all-glass Rubik’s cube stands as the poster child for all South Australian regional wineries. Ascend to the tasting room on the top level and sip your way into D’Arenberg’s dizzying array of reds and whites (the Dead Arm shiraz and Broken Fishplate sauvignon blanc are perennial faves). Then launch into lunch at the spectacular D’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant in the adjacent 19th-century homestead – still one of SA’s best regional restaurants. Kween Kong’s insider tip: “Take a quick pee break at the campest loo in the state.” These toilets are anyth