Olivia Hart

The colder months are settling in, but Sydney’s thriving theatre scene is only just heating up. The performing arts hub Riverside Theatres, perched on the banks of Parramatta River, is serving up an unmissable winter program. With its own food truck, plus plenty of restaurants nearby on Church Street to grab a pre-dinner show, it’s the perfect destination for a culture-rich night out. For its 2025 winter season, Riverside Theatres program offers an eclectic mix of dark comedy, sharp satire and literary stage adaptations. Intrigued? We’ve rounded up our top picks. First up is Mr Red Light (July 10–12), a hilarious and heartfelt play from award-winning New Zealand theatre company Nightsong (Te Pō, Spirit House, 360). A down-on-his-luck bank robber's plan goes sideways when he's forced to confront three stubborn hostages and the world's worst police negotiator. Written by Carl Bland and directed by Ben Crowder, this production promises offbeat humour and a heartfelt payoff.  Then comes a bold adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984 (July 25–26), brought to the stage by Shake & Stir Theatre Co, the minds behind acclaimed productions like Jane Eyre, Frankenstein and Animal Farm. This gripping, all-Australian take on Orwell’s dystopian classic follows Winston Smith as he risks everything to fight for personal freedom in a totalitarian world. In Trophy Boys (August 6-9), the toxic culture of elite private boys' schools which is rife with misogyny, homophobia, and hyper-masculinity is thr

Dust off your cowgirl get-up and gather your rhinestones, the Dolly Parton-approved musical comedy Here You Come Again is kicking off its Australian run with a ‘Come As Your Best Dolly’ promotion. Fresh off sell-out tours in the UK and US, this heart-warming musical featuring all of Dolly’s most iconic songs – including ‘9 to 5’, ‘Jolene’, ‘Islands in the Stream’ and ‘I Will Always Love You’ – is rolling out the pink carpet in Melbourne this July 16, with plenty of prizes up for grabs. Yeehaw! If you want an opportunity to attend the Melbourne Premiere VIP opening night, come dressed to impress in your best Dolly-inspired look (think skin-tight clothes, sky-high heels and bleach blonde wigs) or channel the production’s Dolly devotee Kevin in double denim and you'll get the chance to buy the exclusive tickets. Walk the pink carpet and strike a pose (the photo is your entry) and at the end of the night the top three looks will be announced. There are great prizes up for grabs including a merch pack valued at $250, printed and signed cast photos and return tickets. Following its Melbourne run at the Comedy Theatre from July 12-20, the fab musical will make its way up to Sydney’s Theatre Royal on September 12. Next stop is Perth’s Regal Theatre from August 22-31, before returning to Melbourne from October 23 to November 2. Then it’ll head to Civic Theatre Newcastle from November 20-23, Canberra Theatre Centre from November 27-30 and Her Majesty’s Theatre Adelaide from December 6

Parramatta's CBD is now one of the biggest commercial hubs outside of the Sydney CBD. Along with this hustle and bustle has emerged a lively restaurant scene with cuisines from across the globe. So whether Parramatta (or nearby Harris Park) is a detour, your main destination, or you're lucky enough to live in the area, the buzzing suburb's excellent restaurants will have you stumped for choice. We've rounded up our favourites, to make the decision easier for you. Get cracking. 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. Looking for Indian, specifically? Here's our guide to the best Indian restaurants in Parramatta and Harris Park.  Or check out our guide to the very best restaurants across Sydney.

It’s easy to catch a show, wander through a gallery or stream a new album without thinking about the time and hustle behind it. But if you’ve been looking for the perfect way to show your support (and make it count), now's your chance.  The Australian Cultural Fund (ACF) is a fee-free fundraising platform dedicated entirely to the arts. Since launching in 2003, it’s helped Aussie artists bring their ideas to life through public donations where 100 per cent of the funds goes straight to the artist. No platform fees, no middlemen. And here’s the best part: every donation over $2 is tax deductible. That means you can support local creativity and treat yourself to a little EOFY tax return boost. Not only is it easy and secure to contribute but each project includes a detailed explanation of where the funds will be used, along with a live progress bar. Not sure where to start? There’s an inclusive Priscilla Queen of the Desert-inspired regional tour. An immersive installation documenting Indigenous Oceanian stories is headed for La Biennale di Venezia. There's even a community pottery studio crowdfunding a new kiln. Whether you want to back emerging talent or world-stage-ready work, head to the ACF's website, pick a project that inspires you and give a little love to the arts.  Find out more here. 

If you’re a foodie on the hunt for your next tasty meal, your Amex Card might give you access to unlocking some of Melbourne's yummiest dining experiences. This May, the American Express delicious. Month Out (AEDMO) returns for its sixth consecutive year to give access to some of Melbourne's best eateries.  So, what is AEDMO? This year more than 55,000 participating restaurants in Australia celebrated our diverse – and truly delicious – dining culture. Let’s just say – there are lots of options to pick from when you’re on the hunt for your next feed.  It’s not just restaurants that a trusty little Amex Card gives you access to – Amex Card Members accumulate points all year round, snag Amex presale tickets, and get access to experiences at entertainment venues plus exclusive lounges (including at the airport for certain Cards) (*T&Cs apply) all while shopping at your favourite businesses. To find out more on what you could access as an Amex Card member, click here. We’ve rounded up our favourite spots to get all the access with an Amex Card...

If you’re a foodie on the hunt for your next tasty meal, your Amex Card might give you access to unlocking some of Sydney’s yummiest dining experiences. This May, the American Express delicious. Month Out (AEDMO) returned for its sixth consecutive year to give access to some of Sydney’s best eateries. So, what is AEDMO? This year more than 55,000 participating restaurants in Australia celebrated our diverse – and truly delicious – dining culture. Let’s just say – there are lots of options to pick from when you’re on the hunt for your next feed.  It’s not just restaurants that a trusty little Amex Card gives you access to – Amex Card Members accumulate points all year round, snag Amex presale tickets, and get access to experiences at entertainment venues plus exclusive lounges (including at the airport for certain Cards) (*T&Cs apply) all while shopping at your favourite businesses. To find out more on what you could access as an Amex Card member, click here. We’ve rounded up our favourite spots to get all the access with an Amex Card…

There are plenty of reasons why the Central Coast is a stand-out destination for travellers. Just 45 minutes north of Sydney, this stunning region is nestled between lush forests, unforgettable beaches and curling coastlines. While it's best known for its laid-back beach towns, there’s no shortage of things to do year-round – and we’ve curated an epic to-do list just for you.  Here’s everything you should get up to this month on the Central Coast.

In a country as ridiculously vast as Australia, the only way to really see everything is to do it on your own set of four wheels. And our nation's abundance of gorgeously scenic drives, bizarre roadside curios and secret nature spots makes any kind of long road trip more than the average drive. We've rounded up the best Australian road trips that you should drive away on at least once in your life. Whether you're after a wholesome day trip from Sydney, a week-long adventure along the wild west coast or an epic outback odyssey that'll make you feel like an intrepid National Geographic explorer, this list has something for everyone. Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, can confirm that the Great Ocean Road lives up to the hype, has tackled the Lap of Tasmania in a campervan and dreams of conquering the South West Edge next. So, what are you waiting for? Pack snacks, download some podcasts and let yourself loose on one of the best road trips in Australia. 🌈 The most beautiful places in Australia🚘 Here are the best day trips from every capital city🥐 All the best bakeries to stop at along the way

Parties are all about dancing, drinking and enjoying great company – unless you’re the one hosting. No matter the celebration, pulling off a great event is no small feat. But what if you could hand over the reins to someone else, say, a former Quay chef, and enjoy the celebration yourself? Enter Catered by Matt, the Sydney-based catering company quietly becoming the unsung hero of event catering. You might recognise the chef behind it, Matthew Mirosevich, from Billion Dollar Playground (the new reality series on Binge and Foxtel), which offers a behind-the-scenes look into the world of premium catering. The team boasts five exceptionally talented chefs, along with skilled bar and waitstaff. Renowned for their seamless booking process, delicious food, and outstanding service, they've racked up over 200 five-star reviews. This dream team's been trusted by some of Sydney's bougiest brands like Porsche, Ferrari, Hugo Boss, and Cartier. Long before the cameras started rolling, Mirosevich had already made his mark in the culinary world. With two years at Sydney's renowned Quay and over five years at other leading restaurants in the city, his résumé reads like a foodie's dream.  So, what’s on the Catered by Matt menu? There are three options on offer: buffet, canapés, and degustation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Catered By Matt (@catered_by_matt) For relaxed gatherings, the buffet menu is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Opt for a family-style

It’s been more than 70 years since Daphne du Maurier wrote The Birds, the gothic short story that famously inspired Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 film of the same name. Decades later, it remains one of the most unsettling tales ever told. Now, Malthouse Theatre is bringing this classic thriller to the stage in a bold new form: a reimagined one-woman show starring Paula Arundell (Three Furies, Antony and Cleopatra, Henry V). Adapted by Louise Fox and directed by former Malthouse artistic director Matthew Lutton (Picnic at Hanging Rock), the new production blends psychological horror with cutting-edge audio technology to create a truly immersive experience. As the theatre darkens and you don a pair of headphones, prepare for your pulse to race. The stunning sound design by J. David Franzke uses binaural sound – a 360-degree audio technique – to drag you into the haunting tale where a coastal town is under supernatural siege from a flock of birds. Arundell performs with tiny microphones in her ears, capturing every whisper, gasp, flap, screech and swoop as though it is terrifyingly close. The Birds is set to play at Beckett Theatre from May 16 to June 7 for a limited season only. Tickets are on sale now from $45 to $80. Get yours here.

One of the best parts of being a Sydneysider is watching the city come alive when Vivid rolls back into town. Exploring the streets on foot during this twinkly time can guarantee some life-lasting memories for the families, but little ones are likely to work up an appetite. Take the stress out of dining by heading to the vibrant dining precinct Gateway in Circular Quay, where you’ll find family-friendly restaurants galore. Below are our top picks – plus a few other nearby spots to hit up, too. 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: Where to eat and drink at Vivid Sydney. Check out our guide to the best places to eat and drink in Circular Quay.

Celebrate Star Wars Day on May the fourth (be with you) with a trip to Melbourne Museum’s new addition, Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition. The world-first – or should we say galaxy-first – event brings together two beloved brands in an epic collab with renowned Lego certified professional Ryan "Brickman" McNaught at the helm. Expect the largest collection of life-sized Lego Star Wars models ever assembled, gargantuan spaceships, stunning landscapes from a galaxy far, far away and a life-size C-3PO. We’ve rounded up the top five reasons you need to see Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition, including how you can get a sneak peek. 

Rugby league’s greatest rivalry hits fever pitch this July, as New South Wales and Queensland go head-to-head in the 2025 Ampol State of Origin decider. To celebrate Game III landing in Sydney, adidas is making sure everyone can get in on the action — even if you’re not heading to the stadium. From July 3–9, adidas is transforming its Pitt Street store into the House of Blue, a free, action-packed hub celebrating the Westpac NSW Blues this Origin Week. Whether you’re backing the Blues or just tuning in for Australia’s biggest sporting showdown, this is the place to kick off Origin Week and get into the spirit. Head in store between 11am and 2pm daily and you can score access to a complimentary nail art and tattoo studio, test your luck with the Locker Lucky Dip (think signed jerseys, vouchers and match tickets), and get your gear sorted with free customisation on any apparel purchase over $60. You’ll find everything: from men’s and women’s jerseys to training hoodies, gym shorts, tees and even retro jerseys. Whether you opt for nail art, tattoos or merch, it’s the perfect chance to show your stripes. This marks the first time adidas is backing the NSW Blues men’s and women’s teams, and it’s clear they’ve gone all out for the home crowd. Now that you’re all kitted out, it's time to tackle your game day plan. Heading to Accor Stadium this July 9? With 80,000 seats to fill, make sure you plan ahead to avoid the crowds. Or, skip the queues altogether and let someone else take car

Ever wondered what it was like when dinosaurs roamed the earth? Now’s your chance to find out. Round up the kids these school holidays and head to DinoFest at Nortons Park in Wantirna South for a fully immersive, family-friendly experience where you can get up close to the big and exciting creatures.  Join a DinoFest Ranger for a 45-minute Dinosaur Encounter through the Mesozoic era, complete with all your childhood favourites including roaring Triceratops, towering Stegosauruses and of course, the most fearsome dinosaurs of all: the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex. Along the way, you’ll pick up fascinating dino facts like how the giant T. Rex was once the size of a dog. The kids can even get their hands dirty with a 'Dino Dig', themed arts and crafts, and ‘feel a fossil’ with real dinosaur bones. Once you’ve had the chance to meet more than 30 life-like, moving dinosaurs (including cute baby dinos), refuel at the coffee and food trucks before continuing on at one of the many activities on offer. Kids can unearth fossils at the Dino Dig, hold a real life-sized dinosaur bone at Feel a Fossil and then wrap up the day with some dino-themed arts and crafts. Dino Fest runs in 90-minute sessions daily during the school holidays from July 5–20. Tickets are $28 for adults and $26 for kids. Grab yours here. 

This June, Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta’s inaugural Heartland Festival is coming to Western Sydney performing arts hub, Riverside Theatres. The two-week program, which features a line-up of local and international artists, centres on groundbreaking writing and thrilling performances, with everything from theatre, spoken word and comedy on the agenda.  On week one (June 25-28) you can catch award-winning rapper and poet Omar Musa (Since Ali Died) performing spoken word alongside renowned American cellist and composer Mariel Roberts Musa in The Offering (A Plastic Ocean Oratorio). There’s also Supper Club, a night of thought-provoking performances served up alongside a course of delicious plates. On hosting duties is the captivating Nancy Denis – whose debut solo show Ma’p Boulé earned a four-star review from Time Out. On week two (July 2-5) enjoy a mash-up of theatre and film from re:group performance collective in their smash-hit show POV. With a cast of ten unrehearsed actors, and an 11-year old with a video camera leading the charge, this hilarious and deeply meaningful show is sure to surprise. If you missed tickets to the first Supper Club, you’re in luck – it returns for one more show on July 3. To close out the festival, Bars From The Heart will feature a host of Sydney’s finest wordsmiths performing poetry alongside the UK actor, poet and playwright Azan Ahmed at the mic.  Tickets start from $15 and are on sale now (but selling fast) so grab yours here. 

It’s time to get in the winter spirit (literally) – Smirnoff is popping up at Carriageworks this Vivid for a limited time only with two new seasonal drops for Sydneysiders to taste. The best part? It won’t cost you a cent.  Across two weekends in June, Smirnoff will take over a section of Sydney’s coolest arts hub with cosy igloos, where spirit fans (18+, of course) can sample its newest flavours: Lemon Freeze and Espresso Fire. Whether you like your drinks fresh and crisp or prefer a bit of heat, Smirnoff has your taste preferences covered. Lemon Freeze is sharp and zingy with an icy twist, while Espresso Fire packs more of a spicy punch, with rich caramel notes and a warming finish.  “We co-created these flavours with our consumers to ensure they’re not only delicious but surprising,” says Smirnoff's Maddy Stockwell. “The shots literally leave a 'cooling' or 'warming' sensation.” Head down to Carriageworks from Friday, June 6 to Saturday, June 14, 2025, for this immersive experience and be sure to drink responsibly. Find out more about what's on at Carriageworks here.  Smirnoff Lemon Freeze and Smirnoff Espresso Fire are now available for purchase for $53 RRP. *Available to guests 18+ only. Drink Responsibly

It’s been 35 years since one of Australia’s most acclaimed directors, Baz Luhrmann, staged a groundbreaking production of La Bohème for Opera Australia, launching a career that would take him all the way to Hollywood. Now, in celebration of his extraordinary career and the iconic soundtracks that have defined it, Opera Australia invites you on a musical journey through Luhrmann’s beloved works. For two nights only, Monday, 23 June and Tuesday, 24 June, experience a star-studded performance at the Sydney Opera House’s Concert Hall, featuring songs including  ‘Time After Time’, ‘Love is in the Air’, ‘Young Hearts Run Free’, ‘Come What May’, ‘One Day I’ll Fly Away’, ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ and many more.  Musical theatre stars Alinta Chidzey (Moulin Rouge!), Tim Draxl (Sunset Boulevard), Ryan Gonzalez (Moulin Rouge!) and Phoebe Panaretos (Strictly Ballroom the Musical) will take to the stage with the full backing of the Opera Australia Orchestra conducted by Vanessa Scammell.  Luhrmann has since directed epic productions including ballroom satire Strictly Ballroom, the cinematic Romeo + Juliet, and the dazzlingly maximalist Moulin Rouge! It's safe to say the Strictly Baz Luhrmann the Concert program will dazzle. Tickets are on sale now from $62-$175. Get yours here.

This winter, the esteemed five-star hotel located in the former General Post Office, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, is teaming up with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved mega-musical Cats to present a whimsical, feline-inspired afternoon tea that’s straight out of your Broadway dreams. Timed to celebrate the show’s spectacular return to Sydney for its 40th anniversary, the Cats Inspired Afternoon Tea promises a claw-some culinary adventure into the magical world of the Jellicle cats. Indulge in an imaginative menu of treats inspired by the world-conquering production’s most memorable characters, including a Victoria sponge cake with jam and mascarpone mousse, a nod to Victoria the White Cat. There’s also a choux with Dulcey whipped ganache in honour of the dapper Bustopher Jones, and a lobster medallion worthy of the glamourous Bombalurina. To top it all off, sip on the limited-edition Jellicle Ball cocktail, a refreshing mix of melon and lychee margarita. The Cats Inspired Afternoon Tea is served daily at The Bar on No.1 Martin Place, inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, from June 1 through September 2025, with sittings available from 12pm to 4pm. Prices start at $90 per person, including tea or coffee, $102 with a flute of Chandon, or $112 with a flute of Veuve Clicquot. Book your afternoon tea here. 

April 27, 2025 update: Transcend by Penfolds will also included a dedicated pop-up Bar, the Penfolds Lounge, open to walk ins and serving a range of wines by the glass.  Forget everything you’ve ever known about a normal, run-of-the-mill wine tasting session, because this exclusive 45-minute, multi-sensory experience is set to change the game. Transcend by Penfolds is a wine tasting reimagined, and offers the opportunity to sample Penfolds wines made in some of the best winemaking regions around the world, including Australia, France and the USA – as well as a taste of Penfolds' flagship Grange.  But that’s not all – everything about this highly immersive spectacle has been designed to enhance your sensory experience. Expect a unique soundscape accompanied by storytelling elements, plus dazzling visuals and lighting. The guided tasting will also be narrated by Penfolds senior winemaker, Steph Dutton. The experience will hit its crescendo with a ‘Grange palate cleanser’, which has been specifically designed to reinvigorate the palate ahead of tasting the Penfolds Flagship, Grange. It will leave you well and truly prepped to enjoy the gamut of complex aromas and flavours that Grange is most famous for. It’s all happening from May 2-11 in Sydney Arcade at 400 George Street, with multiple sessions available per day. To ensure you don’t miss out on this opportunity to try some really special tipples and throw around some fancy wine words, book your spot via the website.

Get ready, Sydney! The Motherland African Festival is back and bigger than ever. Immerse yourself in the rhythms and flavours of Africa at Macquarie Mall from Friday, April 11 to Sunday, April 13. The best part? Entry is free. Motherland is all about celebrating the rich and vibrant history of Africa’s many cultures. Liverpool will shine a light on a whole heap of dynamic nations that make up "the Mother Continent" through a weekend-long program of dance, music, food and drumming performances. There are workshops for all ages, including a Jollof Rice Competition; an African drumming workshop with global performer Lucky Lartey; art and painting classes with young Ghanaian migrant Emmanuel Asante; face painting by Sydney-based makeup artist Lauren Maher; and hair braiding by Sweetstylez. Throughout the weekend, you can also browse the artisan market and discover a range of African goods, including jewellery, textiles, spices, and beauty products. Catch a show on the mainstage where Mike Champion and The Young Boys, True Vibenation, and the AfroMbollo Band are all set to perform. You can also head to the Afrobeats Lounge and join the silent disco on Friday night, the dance demo on Saturday, or the dance lesson on Sunday where your instructors will also put their own skills to the test in an epic dance battle. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, indulge in the authentic flavours of Africa and try some of the continent’s tastiest delicacies, like Congolese saka saka, Nigerian egusi

You can see one of the most impressive gold collections to ever tour the globe right here in Sydney, at the Australian Museum's exclusive blockbuster summer exhibition – which is now sticking around until May 2025. Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru will take you back in time, showcasing more than 130 artefacts that give us a glimpse into the daily lives, spiritual practices and extraordinary achievements of societies in ancient Peru. In addition to the stunning gold collection, you’ll also find other priceless treasures on display, including exquisite jewellery and funerary objects unearthed in royal tombs. The exhibition dives into the rich histories of the diverse and varied ancient civilisations that originated in this enthralling region, including their fascination with natural life cycles, birth, death and human sacrifice. (Our team took a deeper dive over here, and in the video below.) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Sydney (@timeoutsydney) Want to get more out of your visit? You can upgrade your visit to Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru with a thrilling VR experience alongside the exhibition, which takes you on an expedition to the famous "lost city" of Machu Picchu. With cutting-edge technology, you’ll explore this UNESCO World Heritage site from the comfort of 360-degree motion chairs, immersing yourself in the sights, sounds and sensations of this mysterious city in the sky, all without leaving Sydney. The

Calling all photographers and those who just love a good spectacle – watch hot air balloons soar above Parramatta Park, as Get Up and Glow returns this Australia day long weekend. Over two exciting days, the free event series kicks off from 4pm with Balloon Glow on Saturday night, where a jam-packed program of entertainment will culminate in a spectacular hot air balloon display lighting up the night sky at 8pm. For the early risers, the magic continues on Sunday morning with Balloon Breakfast from 6am, offering a fun morning outdoors and a chance to have a close-up look at balloonists in action. Breakfast is sorted thanks to BlackBear BBQ, who are cooking up a mouth-watering feast at a pop-up BBQ Zone. BBQ legends Scott "Chop" McCoy and Carolina Smoke's founder Nick Rodgers will be on hand for interactive demos, quick tips and tricks to perfect your US-style BBQ at home. If that’s not enough to get you down to the park for the long weekend, both days will feature live music, food trucks and plenty of family fun. The kids will love the amusement rides, roving entertainers and the AFL Skill Zone, where they can test their footy skills with an inflatable or vertical jump test. There are also plenty of prizes up for grabs.  Balloon Glow will run from 4pm-9pm on Saturday, January 25 and Balloon Breakfast is on from 6am-11am on Sunday, January 26. Find out more here.

Sydney Harbour is the place to be on New Year's Eve – our fireworks display, set against the stunning backdrop of the water, is well-renowned – and if you want to level up your experience, our city’s most famous House is where it’s at. As well as A-grade views of the fireworks, there are two incredible performances by Opera Australia under the sails. Start the evening with a few drinks overlooking Sydney Harbour before taking your seats for the Opera Gala, a grand celebration of opera’s best and most famous music, hosted by Ben Mingay and Katie Stenzel. Or, for a truly magical midnight countdown, don your finest attire and settle in for a picture-perfect performance of Cinderella. After captivating audiences at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, London’s Royal Opera House and beyond, this acclaimed production is set to make its grand Australian debut on New Year’s Eve. Directed by Laurent Pelly,  this opulent fairytale staging of Jules Massenet’s opera is the perfect way to bid farewell to 2024 with a happily-ever-after ending.  Both these events offer ticket holders the chance to pause for the 9pm fireworks and the option of tickets to their three-course pre-performance dinner and the exclusive Midnight Party in the Northern Foyers of the Opera House, where you can tuck into drinks and canapes, alongside more entertainment.   Tickets to both events start from just $199 per person, depending on what you want to take part in, with performances starting at 7:45pm. Find out mor

Julie Mehretu is widely regarded as one of the most significant painters of her generation, acclaimed for her large-scale paintings which erupt with colour, line, energy and movement. This summer, the first major survey of the New York-based artist’s work ever exhibited in Australia is coming exclusively to the MCA Australia on Sydney's Circular Quay.  Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and now based in New York City, Mehretu has exhibited extensively at major institutions across the US, UK and Europe. Most recently, Mehretu was commissioned to create an 83-foot tall glass mural for the Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago. She was named one of the “100 most influential people in 2020” by Time magazine; and in 2024, The New York Times described her as “one of today's most original and thought-provoking painters.”   Opening on November 29 and running until April 27, the much-anticipated Julie Mehretu: A Transcore of the Radical Imaginatory addresses urgent concerns of our globalised world including revolution, migration and climate change. Featuring 13 new works created especially for the exhibition, the presentation will include more than 80 powerful abstract paintings, prints and drawings dating from 1995 to the present. The exhibition will also feature a series of talks and tours, with extended hours for Art Up Late for Sydney Festival on Wednesdays, January 8, 15 and 22 until 9pm.  Julie Mehretu: A Transcore of the Radical Imaginatory is part of the Sydney International Art S

Since the world has been a little heavy with bad news recently, here’s something to feel good about: a precious little platypus has been successfully returned to the wild following ten months of expert care.The young platypus was found underweight, alone and in the middle of the road on a hot summer's day back in February. The good samaritans who found him (while out cycling near Mt Baw Baw) quickly delivered him into the care of vets at Healesville Sanctuary, where his recovery was overseen by platypus specialist Dr Jessica Thomas. He needed to be rehydrated with fluid and underwent a full physical exam and radiographs. The results determined he had ticks, anemia, a low burden of blood parasites and a leech attached to his eye.  “He was a freshly emerged juvenile who likely became lost on his way to find water,” said Dr Thomas. “My current research and prior experience suggest that fresh juveniles may still need their mother, so we took care of him until he reached the age of one when he would normally disperse on his own.” Photograph: Jo Howell During his stay, Dr Thomas and the sanctuary team were able to teach the youngster basic survival skills and essential behaviours he needed to meet before returning to the wild, including swimming in different currents, diving to various depths, resting in burrows, foraging in tricky spots and searching for food. Following his recovery, the team called on the expertise of Baw Baw frog researchers to help identify a suitable stream

It’s not new news that Australia’s friend, the koala, is listed as an endangered species, due to the effects of things such as land-clearing, cars, dogs, feral cats, prolonged droughts, bushfires and disease. In fact, a parliamentary inquiry found they may be extinct in NSW by 2050 – a tragedy that conservation groups are working madly to help reverse. The latest, though, is that a new koala conservation centre is opening in south-west Sydney, backed by $5 million in funding.The NSW Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Penny Sharpe, announced the new koala care facility, which is set to open at the University of Sydney School of Veterinary Sciene’s Camden campus, to support koalas in the Macarthur region. The funding is set to be distributed across several key areas, with $500,000 dedicated to securing expert assistance and wildlife rehabilitators. The remaining funds will focus on three main areas: koala rescue, rehabilitation and conservation. Plus, the initiative aims to introduce on-call vet care and advice, access to facilities, upgraded clinical equipment and biosecurity seclusion areas. The new facility has been hailed as a “game changer” by Professor Jacqui Norris, Head of School and Dean, who says, “We want future generations to be able to step into bushland in south-western Sydney and see koalas in the wild.” Hear, hear. If you want to help support koala conservation efforts, you can buy merch or donate at Save the Koala. Stay in the loop: sign up for o

In case you haven’t noticed, Sydney’s speed limits have been gradually dropping in recent years. Nowadays, 75 per cent of local and regional streets in the City of Sydney have a 40 kilometre an hour speed limit or lower – up from just five per cent of roads in 2004. And now, even more roads are set to fall under this 40km/h mandate, as the NSW Government works with the City of Sydney to make the city safer.  The speed-limit changes are set to affect local and regional streets that currently have a 50km/h limit, in areas including Glebe, Forest Lodge, Beaconsfield and Waterloo. Some sections of roads in Annandale, Redfern, Alexandria, Zetland and Woolloomooloo are also set to drop, with larger roads such as motorways excluded.  The lower speed limits are all about reducing the number of crashes and increasing survival rates, as studies have shown survival rates for people hit by a vehicle drastically improve at lower speeds like 40km/h. “When people drive at safer speeds it reduces the number of crashes and their severity, improves safety for people walking and riding and helps to support better place-making,” says Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO. “Not only will our streets be safer as a result of these important changes, they’ll be quieter and have less exhaust emissions.” The Lord Mayor says the City of Sydney will continue to work with Transport for NSW to reduce speed limits even further – down to 30km/h – in the city centre and other high-activity areas where there