Winnie Stubbs

Autumn 2026 update: Enjoy the change of seasons at one of Sydney’s cracking pubs. From sun-dappled beer gardens to refreshing pints and heart-warming roasts, these pubs are warm, welcoming spaces built for a good time – and even better if they’re pokie-free. Below, we’ve rounded up the best of the best. There's a lot that goes into making a great pub. They need to furnish you with an excellent meal and friendly service, and a game of pool or darts doesn't go astray, and we're fans of weekly trivia. On a hot day, it's all about having a welcoming beer garden, and on a Sunday, it's all about a cracking roast. Top-notch drinks are a must, obvs. There are a lot of rock-solid pubs in this city, and these are our picks of the bunch, pulled together by Time Out Sydney's local writers. Cheers! Editor's picks: 🍠 Best for a Sunday roast: The Bat & Ball Hotel ☀️ Best for a sunny beer garden: Courthouse Hotel 🍽️ Best for top-notch feed: The Dry Dock 🎸 Best for live music: The Lord Gladstone 🔖 Best for mid-week trivia: The Golden Barley 🍻 Best for a post-surf beer: Harbord Hotel 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 something a bit less pubby, a bit higher end, see our picks of the best bars in Sydney. Hungry? Check out our ultimate guide to Sydney's best restaurants. 

More hotels mean more excuses to pack a bag, right? From fancy five-star stays to design-led boutique properties, Australia's hotel scene is booming, giving travellers plenty of reason to test-drive the latest openings. After all, who doesn’t want to be the first to swan-dive into a crisp king bed or wrap themselves in a robe so fresh it hasn’t yet seen a room-service tray? In late 2025, Australia welcomed a wave of new coastal and city gems, including Elysium Noosa Resort, InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach and Hannah St Hotel in Melbourne CBD. This year, our Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley has her eyes set on Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel, the Sunshine Coast's first new hotel in almost 40 years, and the Hilton Palm Cove Cairns Resort & Spa, set to open in early 2026. Scroll on for the full roll call of Australia’s newest hotels – and the ones still teasing us from behind construction fences. 🌴 The best resorts and lodges in Australia⛺️ The best free campgrounds in Australia

When it comes to natural beauty, Sydneysiders are spoilt for choice with a knockout harbour, plenty of bushland and so many beaches right on our doorstep. But if you venture just a little beyond the city limits, things get even prettier. We’re talking glow-in-the-dark caves, gushing blowholes, ancient rock formations and waterfalls that make you forget the drag of your daily commute and the chaos of city living. The best part? These natural wonders are all just a few hours’ drive from Sydney. Before you know it, you’ll be swapping screen time for salty air and traffic jams for bush tracks – and still be back home in time for dinner. We’ve cherry-picked a selection of the NSW's most beautiful nature spots close to home so you can go exploring – and, perhaps, fall in love with NSW all over again. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: Make a weekend of it at one of our best camping sites. Or try any of these fun weekend getaways.

Cupid’s day of love is coming up. Forget the ridiculously overpriced red roses and take your loved one out for a delicious meal at one of Sydney’s most romantic spots instead. Don’t have a hot date? No worries. Take your best friend, your mum, or yourself out for a great night. And if you don’t believe in Valentine’s Day (fair), these gems are romantic year-round for your next date night.  So, how did we pull together this guide? All the venues are cosy and intimate, vibey and have low lighting (none of that fluorescent doctor’s waiting room stuff). And, of course, they all serve top food and drinks with warm, relaxed service – so your night can flow with ease. From classy cocktail bars to chic wine haunts and candlelit restaurants, you’ll find Sydney’s sexiest spots below. Bring a pack of mints and you're good to go. 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. Want to take the pressure off? This is our guide to Sydney's best restaurants. Wooing on a shoestring? These are the best cheap eats in Sydney.

Let’s face it: while New South Wales has some spectacular ski resorts and snow fields (including the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere), taking a trip to the snow is never gonna qualify as a cheap holiday. Mostly, that’s because we have a much shorter snow season than our European cousins – and scarily, Australia’s snow seasons are getting shorter. All that being said, you need to be rolling in dough to hit the slopes; many alpine destinations offer sweet deals during the winter months, you just need to know where to look.We've rounded up everything from accommodation packages to majorly reduced day passes and student specials. Check out our ultimate snow-on-a-budget guide before you hit up the slopes this winter. 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. Want more winter getaway action? Check out our list of the best trips you can take to warm up your life this chilly season.Craving something super cosy? These are the best tiny homes and cabins in NSW.

Hiking is having a moment right now. Brand-new trails – including the world’s longest coastal path – are opening left, right and centre. Plus, more of us than ever are choosing active, mindful and sustainable experiences when we travel. To help you plan your next great hike, we’ve rounded up the best hiking holidays the world over, from Europe’s very own Jurassic Park to the bonnie lochs of the West Highland Way and desert landscapes in the Middle East. Each hike has been tried and tested by our globetrotting network of travel writers, so read on for all the info on where to go, when to go and how long to set aside, plus tips and tricks and the best sights to look for along the way. All you need to do is pack your bags. These are the world’s greatest hikes, according to Time Out. Updated April 2026: We’ve added two Spanish hikes to the list to help you plan your summer treks. RECOMMENDED:🌲 The best national parks in the world ⛰️ The best destinations for solo female travellers🌊 The most spectacular places to swim in the world🏝️ The best beaches in the world🚂 The best train journeys around the world

Call it what you will – the rainbow region, the Northern Rivers, the Byron hinterland – the Bundjalung Nation (the region around Byron Bay) holds a certain ineffable magic. I was once told – en route to a very-Byron tea ceremony on a rainy Wednesday evening – that the magic comes from the earth; that the ground beneath the hills, spiked with crystals from a nearby volcano, generates a uniquely healing energy. And though my limited geological understanding prevents me from verifying that fact, I’m confident that there’s something special about this stretch of sparkling coastline and rolling hills that the Arakwal, Minjungbal and Widjabul Wia-bal people call home. Byron Bay – undeniably the region’s most well-known town – has traditionally acted as a place for people to come together, known by the Arakwal people as 'Cavanbah' which translates to mean 'meeting place’. And while the gentrified hippie beach town on Australia’s easternmost point does have its perks – a stunning coastal walk that curls up over a beach-studded stretch of sparkling ocean, high-end hotels that blend sophisticated design with beachside nonchalance, and a restaurant scene to rival any Sydney suburb – we’re of the opinion that the true gems of the region lie outside of town. Whether you’re looking to follow in the footsteps of the the hemp-clad, Byron-dwelling hippie of yesteryear and wake up in a campervan by the ocean (Camplify has got you covered on that front) or glide from the blindingly bright shore

Hark! What's that? If it's winter in Sydney and you're standing by the sea, it could very well be the gentle giants of the Big Blue popping up to say hello – and, y'know, breathe. In Sydney, May to November is your best bet to catch a glimpse of some humpback whales, as 20,000 of them make moves along the New South Wales coastline during the colder months. While the chill takes over Sydney, the whales begin their journey north towards warmer waters to mate and give birth. While humpbacks are the most common sight around our city, you might also spot some lesser found whale species on your adventures, including orcas and minkes. No luck? They might be hiding out by Sydney's best secret beaches – but even if not, those shores are well worth a visit.  Want to make the most of whale watching season in Sydney? Head to one of these lookouts with your camera and binoculars in tow to capture some blowholes spouting. 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:  Get out on the water with this whale watching cruise that gives you bang for your buck, then discover more wild times in Sydney at one of the city's amazing animal attractions.

Australia’s world-famous beach town has blown up in recent years – morphing from hippie haven into certified celebrity playground. And amid its sparkling shores, rolling hinterland and dreamy waterfalls, you’ll now find a mix of luxe hotels, rejuvenating retreats and trendy boutiques that attract everyone from locals on staycation to Hollywood A-listers searching for the ultimate Aussie escape. Holidaying in Byron is a breeze for Aussies, with regular Jetstar flights from cities like Sydney and Melbourne to Ballina-Byron airport – or even to the Gold Coast, which is just a zippy 40-minute drive away. You can score one-way tickets for less than $100, meaning you’ll have more to splurge on hotels dripping with luxurious facilities, world-class dining and decadent pampering. We’ve cherry-picked some of our favourite luxury hotels in Byron Bay where you can live the high life, if only for a few opulent days. After all, you’re in Byron baby! 🍽️ All the best restaurants in Byron Bay🌴 Australia’s most incredible resorts and lodges✨ The hottest new hotel openings this year

We Aussies are a lucky bunch. You only need to drive an hour or so from any major Australian city to wind up in some of the most beautiful places on earth. However, with so many of the best day trips in Australia, picking which road to venture down can be quite a challenge. To make life easier, our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has cherry-picked a selection of the best day trips from Australia's capital cities – many of which she's tried, tested and would happily do all over again (if only there were more days in the year). From heritage-listed towns and coastal hangouts to mountain escapes, Australia has something for every explorer. Now, all that’s left for you to do is to load the car and hit the open road. Editors' favourite day trips in Australia: 🌊 Best West Coast day trip: Perth to Rottnest Island 🌳 Best East Coast day trip: Sydney to Blue Mountains ☀️ Best Top End day trip: Darwin to Litchfield National Park JUMP TO: Sydney | Melbourne | Adelaide | Perth | Brisbane | Canberra | Hobart | Darwin  🚘 The best road trips in Australia🌳 The best regional towns you can tick off in a day

When it comes to discovering a new fragrance, chasing after alluringly-scented strangers to ask what they’re wearing is a tried-and-true method. But whether you’re too shy to ask or they’re too quick to escape, it’s not always feasible. Instead, you can peruse a selection of unique, rare and beguiling scents at one of Melbourne’s perfume stores. Visit one of these fragrance boutiques to get advice from the olfactory experts on choosing an every day scent or adding to your personal collection. Melbourne is blessed with a plethora of perfume shops, to choose from, so we’ve assembled this list for fragrance hobbyists, scent wardrobe curators and casual spritzers alike. Or if you want to really shop around, we've included a list of the best local online fragrance stores, too.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Feeling thrifty? Here are the best vintage stores in Melbourne.

Choosing the best hotel to book in Sydney is a delicate art – whether you’re a visitor experiencing the Emerald City for the very first time or a local on a weekend staycation. With so many options to choose between – from beachside boltholes (like the boutique hotel overlooking Watsons Bay) to a trendy converted brewery with a rooftop pool – it can be tricky to decide which hotel is right for you. At Time Out Sydney, we’ve dedicated a good few years to making that task a little easier – picking out the very best hotels in the city based on location, design creds, facilities and that undefinable something that can take a hotel from good to great. Whether you’re looking for a celeb-approved stay with uninterrupted views of the Opera House, an easy breezy escape by the beach, or an old-school luxury palace that will have you feeling like a princess, our team of writers (including Editor-in-Chief Alice Ellis and Sydney Editor Avril Treasure) have tried and tested the best hotels in Sydney. To confirm that they should make the cut, this list has been carefully edited by self-confessed hotel addict Winnie Stubbs, Travel and News Editor APAC for Time Out. Read on for our definitive guide to the best hotels in Sydney. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: These are the best glamping sites in NSW. These are the best camping sites near Sydney. And these are the best spots

Let's face it: beach weather is behind us. But thankfully, every winter, Australia’s most famous sretch of sand levels up its entertainment offering with a soul-warming multi-week festival. Running from Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 19, this year’s fest brings 17 days of music, theatre, comedy, visual arts and immersive experiences to the sand – all anchored around Bondi Pavilion and its surrounds. But 2026 isn’t just any year: it marks a once-in-a-lifetime alignment with Bondi’s postcode (2026), and the festival is going bigger to match. The winter staples are, of course, back. Expect the crowd-favourite ice rink, the ever-iconic Bondi Vista Ferris Wheel (complete with sweeping coastal views), and the technicolour chaos of the Bondi Beach Sea Wall, where artists will once again transform the shoreline into an open-air gallery. New for 2026 is Accordion by Amigo & Amigo – a large-scale, playful light and sound installation taking over the Bondi Pavilion Courtyard from late June through July. Foodies are also in for a treat, with the Blue Sky Markets returning after a buzzy debut last year. Across multiple weekends, Bondi Park will transform into a beachside feast of street food, artisan drinks and sweet treats, soundtracked by live DJs and musicians as part of Music in the Park. The festival kicks off with the opening of the 40th annual Waverley Art Prize – a milestone year for one of Australia’s leading contemporary art awards – alongside the always-sold-out Bondi Festival

The magic of The Peninsula begins long before check-in, in the mythology of its “Grande Dame of the Far East” status – but it only truly lands once you’re inside. Within the hotel's ornate walls, service is so intuitive it borders on telepathic, and you'll find beautiful, thoughtful touches at every turn. As Hong Kong’s oldest and most storied hotel, it could coast on reputation alone. Instead, every detail feels considered, tastefully contemporary and quietly exacting – a sparkling benchmark for luxury in 2026. Balancing old-world grandeur with modern precision, this harbourside icon is Hong Kong in microcosm. If you’re booking a blowout stay, you won’t find a safer bet. What is The Peninsula Hong Kong like? Opened in 1928, this place is a masterclass in colonial-era opulence and wildly intuitive hospitality. The original building – a marble-clad, six-storey masterpiece – is plucked straight from the royal playbook: heavy doors open to a palatial lobby, glittering chandeliers suspended from the towering ceiling. The addition of a 30-story tower in 1994 almost doubled its accommodation capacity, and today the hotel is so much more than just a (very luxurious) place to stay: home to a luxury shopping arcade with over 80 boutiques and a suite of eight dining and drinking venues that are each destinations in themselves. What are the rooms like at The Peninsula Hong Kong The smallest of the 300 guest rooms is 54 square metres, so abundant space is a guarantee. Design is tastefull

To bring a little musical joy to the Harbour City through the cooler months, Sydney’s historic waterside precinct The Rocks is once again transforming Thursday evenings into a free, open-air jazz experience – with Jazz Sessions in The Rocks returning for its third year in 2026. Running from Thursday May 7 until Thursday September 24, the series will take over The Rocks Square each week, delivering intimate live performances set against cobblestone laneways and heritage buildings in the heart of Sydney. Curated in partnership with SIMA (Sydney Improvised Music Association), the program spotlights Australia’s thriving contemporary jazz scene, with a rotating monthly line-up of artists. The opening month features standout acts including the Harley Coleman Trio and Billie McCarthy, with new performers announced at the start of each month to keep things fresh, spontaneous and ever-evolving. Event times (every Thursday) 6:30pm – 7:15pm – First set 7:15pm – 7:30pm – Interval 7:30pm – 8:15pm – Second set 8:30pm – Event concludes To complement the music, visitors can explore a range of nearby food and drink offerings across The Rocks, from fiery Thai at Snake Bark, freshly shucked oysters at Hooked & Harvest, and classic Italian at Sicilian. Pisa Slice will also be serving a $10 slice and soft drink combo every Thursday, while a pop-up bar will be pouring everything from mulled wine to and Spicy Mango Margaritas. Free entry. No bookings required. Sign us up. Find out more over here.

If you’re the type to hibernate the second Sydney dips below 20 degrees, consider this your cue to rethink your winter-on-the-couch itinerary. Carriageworks – Redfern’s industrial arts hub – is rolling out a stacked cold-season program that’s less “cosy night in” and more “culture-packed calendar”, running from late May through August. Here’s what you need to know about the Carriageworks winter line-up. Things kick off in a big way with Vivid Sydney (May 29–June 14), as Carriageworks transforms into one of the festival’s key music hubs. The lineup is genuinely stand-out this year, featuring hip-hop royalty Lil’ Kim, R&B hitmaker Ella Mai, EDM heavyweights Alison Wonderland and Porter Robinson, plus genre-bending acts like Skin On Skin and Teletech. It’s not all late-night beats, either – the free Awesome Black Block Party brings a vibrant celebration of First Nations culture, and the (already sold-out) Warakirri Dining Experience will serve up native ingredients in a seriously immersive setting. From there, the program will shift gears towards a more playful artsy offering. Comedy fans should make a beeline for Garry Starr: Classic Penguins (June 16– July 5), a chaotic, mostly-naked sprint through the entire Penguin Classics catalogue that’s already earned cult status on the global festival circuit. Visual art lovers, meanwhile, can explore the Incognito Art Show (June 24–July 5), a massive anonymous exhibition where you can snap up original works without the gallery price ta

ParkRoyal Darling Harbour Sydney sits between the buzz of the CBD and the waterfront energy of Darling Harbour, making it a super central base for exploring the city. It’s designed for convenience, but with enough polish to feel like more than just a place to crash between plans. Time Out Video Lead Rebecca Hegedus stayed recently before heading to Art After Dark at the Biennale of Sydney (the hotel is offering a bespoke Biennale package for a limited time), and described it as the perfect base for a fun, easy staycation in the city. What are the rooms like at ParkRoyal Darling Harbour? There are 341 rooms and suites, including upgraded Club Rooms with lounge access, and they lean spacious and functional rather than flashy. Our very own Reb stayed in a Club Suite, a larger suite that can be divided into two separate rooms, complete with two toilets, one shower, a couch that turns into a sofa bed, and 55” TVs in both rooms. “The room was spacious, and at sunset it was so lovely. The light came through the sheer curtains, creating this golden glow, and you could see Darling Harbour from the room too.” Which are the best restaurants at ParkRoyal Darling Harbour? You’ve got two main on-site options: Barkers for buffet breakfast and Abode Bistro and Bar for modern Australian dining and cocktails. Reb’s take on Abode? “The corn ribs were fire, and it was happy hour, so $2 oysters, which were honestly such a slay for the price.” On drinks, she explained, “We also had the two Starwar

Thought to be one of the oldest public gardens in the Southern Hemisphere, Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens date back to 1810 when Governor Lachlan Macquarie and his wife had a vision for an "English parkland setting with a grand house". Over the years, this 30-hectare oasis has withstood fires, cattle grazing, invasions of flying foxes, a windmill, an aviary, and even a zoo. Today, aside from a few sulphur-crested cockies, it's an oasis of calm in an urban jungle. If it's not raining, rug-up and take a free guided walk through the gardens...good for helping city-slickers to distringuish between Begonias and Camellias. Alternatively, if it's a wet weekend, warm up over brunch at Botanic House, where you can watch the rain pour down whilst cradling your steaming cup of coffee. Exquisite. Best For... Amateur botanists, hippy nature lovers & anyone in need of a break from the city. Worst For... Couch potatoes. Tours from 10.30am, daily. Free entry. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:Want more green space? Click here for our guide to the best public gardens in Sydney. Can you keep a secret? This little-known garden in Sydney is bigger than NYC’s Central Park. And this magical harbourside garden is worth the journey over the bridge.

Newtown’s King Street doesn’t exactly specialise in subtle – but Piqu is giving it a crack anyway. Blink and you might miss the teeny, unassuming dining room slotted into number 194 – but step inside, and you’ll be met with a creative, spice-loaded menu that feels like a trip overseas. From chef-owners Jihwan Choi (ex-Momofuku Seiobo, Callao) and Nicola D’Angela (ex-Osteria di Russo & Russo, Callao), Piqu is a Southeast Asian-leaning diner built on serious technique and a shared passion for Thai flavours. The name riffs on “piquant” – sharp, spicy, intriguing – and that energy runs through the menu, from street-food style snacky starters to a punchy coffee-laced parfait to finish. The menu kicks off with tasty street food-style snacks like fried chicken skin with pineapple nam prik ($9) and golden moneybags packed with seriously spicy prawn-based filling ($12 for three). In the kitchen, you’ll find mortar and pestles working overtime, pounding galangal, chilli, coriander root and garlic into punchy pastes that form the backbone of the menu. It’s a labour-intensive and hands-on approach, and it shows – there’s a real kick to the dishes that can be hard to find in a lot of Sydney’s mid-range Asian eateries. Starters include perfectly fall-off-the-bone lamb ribs ($28) and raw tuna reimagined through a Thai laab lens – bright with orange nam jim, earthy with beetroot, and built for wrapping into crisp lettuce cups ($26). Then come the heavier hitters: hearty osso buco stew ($44)

If you’ve spent any time in Sydney’s CBD, chances are you’ve walked right past Paradox and passed it off as another of the city’s beautiful sandstone office buildings. Before my stay, I’d been pretty oblivious to the fact that a 364-room hotel hides within the 170-year-old heritage bones, but it turns out it’s one of the city’s go-to stays for business travellers. Set in a stately slice of Sydney history, Paradox Sydney occupies 27 O’Connell Street – a grand sandstone beauty dating back to 1856, just steps from Circular Quay. Originally built for John Fairfax & Sons, the publishers of The Sydney Morning Herald, the building has lived a few lives before its latest glow-up. Today, heritage walls meet a modern, fuss-free approach to hospitality – it’s not the kind of stay you’d bookmark for a honeymoon, but it’s got everything you need for a comfy, super-central stay in the Harbour City. What are the rooms like at Paradox Sydney? Rooms strike a balance between classic and contemporary, with high ceilings (a perk of the building’s 19th-century bones), creative metallic-look walls and wildly comfy beds. Design-wise, they keep things simple, but Paradox doesn’t cut any corners where it matters: rooms are spacious and stocked with luxe toiletries, phone chargers, alarm-clock radios, ironing boards, kettles and a good selection of tea and coffee. Ours was a balcony room on the twelfth floor, with views down Pitt Street to the Harbour Bridge and a cute Parisian-style balcony that floo

It’s 3pm on a Wednesday afternoon, and the Moroccan riad-style courtyard of Basq House is buzzing. A honeymooning couple are clinking glasses in the pool, and groups of women are making friends from the comfort of their cushioned sun loungers – chatting about life under the shade of the palm trees. Hiding down a quiet laneway just steps from Byron’s buzz, Basq House is the kind of boutique stay that feels less like a hotel and more like you’ve scored the keys to your stylish friend’s beachside mansion. And while the immaculate designer aesthetic is perhaps the hotel’s calling card (it was one of 35 Australian hotels to earn a Michelin Key in the inaugural round of awards), the friendly, communal, in-on-a-shared-secret energy is what keeps guests coming back. Here’s everything you need to know about this beautifully presented Byron gem. What is Basq House like? Basq House is a 32-room hideaway built around a dreamy central magnesium pool, with airy, free-flowing communal spaces that blur the line between indoors and out. The vibe is eclectic but intentional – layered with art, handcrafted pieces and global influences, but never overdone. What are the rooms like at Basq House? While the communal areas are masterfully busy, the rooms dial things back to a calm, minimalist mood. Expect tasteful deep red tones, honey-hued timber finishes and a breezy, uncluttered feel. They’re kitted out with HD TVs (with Chromecast), Nespresso machines, minibars stocked with local treats and a cl

In France, Bastille Day is a day of revolution and feisty celebrations. In Sydney, it’s about all that too – but also, cheese. Lots and lots of cheese. For 2026, it’s dialling things up even further with immersive wine experiences, a brand-new flea market and an expanded footprint that spills across the harbour foreshore. Vive la révolution! The four-day line-up of fêtes and activités returns under the banner of Bastille Festival, a free winter takeover celebrating the diverse culinary and cultural regions of France. This year’s festivities will unfold from Thursday, July 16 to Sunday, July 19, stretching across Circular Quay and The Rocks – with an expanded footprint that links surrounding spaces through music, performance and pop-up experiences. Unsurprisingly, foodies are especially well catered for. Expect French street-food favourites like raclette (melted, grilled cheese heaven), crêpes, escargots and macarons, alongside chef collaborations and globally inspired dishes reimagined with French flair. With more than 130 exhibitors and over 80 dishes on offer, Sydneysiders can take a full-blown culinary tour of France without leaving the 2000 postcode. On the drinks front, 2026 introduces a bold new wine experience: Taste France x Vin de France, a high-energy hub of tastings, masterclasses and sensory moments designed to bring French varietals to life. Beyond the vineyards, there’ll be more than 18 bars pouring everything from spiced cider to craft beer and French-inspired

Epping is getting a new after-dark addition. The suburb’s first-ever monthly night market is launching at Boronia Park, bringing street food, live tunes and a buzzy community vibe to the heart of the neighbourhood.RECOMMENDED READ: These are the best markets in Sydney Kicking off on April 24 and running on the last Friday of every month (with a special end-of-year edition in the works), the Epping Night Markets will see more than 30 stalls serving up everything from artisan eats to handcrafted goods. Expect roving performers, local talent on the mic and plenty of reasons to hang around – with the market taking over the park from 5–9pm. Backed by City of Parramatta and delivered by AMA Event Management, the markets are set to become a regular fixture for this fast-growing suburb – and a solid excuse to cancel your Friday night takeaway plans.You can find out more and plan your visit over here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:Want more activities? Here’s what’s on in Sydney this weekendAnd here’s what’s on this week.Looking for somewhere for dinner? These are the best restaurants in the city.

ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the first day the Australian and New Zealand troops saw military action in Gallipoli back in 1915. In recent times it’s become a day of commemorating and remembering all Australians who have served in war. What time is the Sydney ANZAC Day dawn service?  The annual dawn service held at Martin Place begins with the Catafalque Party and Band, followed by the ceremony from 4.20am by the Cenotaph. What time is the ANZAC Day march in Sydney? At 9am there is a march led by war veterans and their descendants, which will take place down Elizabeth Street. What time is the ANZAC Day commemoration service in Sydney? A commemoration service is held from 12.30 at the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park by the Pool of Remembrance. What time is the ANZAC Day sunset service in Sydney? The sunset service takes place at the Cenotaph at 5pm. It is a shorter service to conclude the official commemorations, with the accompaniment of the NSW Ambulance Service Band. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, things to do and travel inspo, straight to your inbox.RECOMMENDED: These are the best places to play two-up in Sydney.And these are Sydney's best pubs.

If it feels like Sydney’s been inching its way back to a proper night out, consider this a full-throttle push. After years of incremental policy changes and big vision planning behind the scenes (in large part thanks to Sydney’s very own Night Mayor), the NSW Government has unveiled a fresh round of planning reforms. The new batch of regulation changes are designed to make going out – and staying out – a whole lot easier, with more outdoor dining, rooftop bars and pop-up entertainment set to roll out across the state. At the heart of the changes is a very Sydney problem: great venues, great weather, but far too much paperwork standing in between. The fix? Strip back the red tape and let operators actually use the spaces they already have. For hundreds of clubs sitting on Crown land – your local bowlo, RSL, surf club or golf club – outdoor dining will now be classified as exempt development. Translation: no more drawn-out approval processes just to put tables and chairs outside. These venues will still need to meet safety, accessibility and amenity standards, but the bureaucratic slog is getting the chop. It’s a move that will bring clubs into line with other hospitality businesses that have already benefited from relaxed planning laws – and one that could quietly transform some of the state’s most underutilised alfresco spaces into breezy, beer-in-hand hangouts. But the reforms don’t stop at plastic chairs on the lawn. The Government is also doubling down on its push to reviv

There are few places in Sydney that feel quite as perpetually in transit as Bondi Junction – a place you pass through on the way to the beach, the shops, the office, but don’t generally head to for a full-day hang. A newly unveiled plan from Waverley Council is aiming to change that – with a bold reinvention on the cards for the Eastern Suburbs hub. After more than 12 months in the works, the blueprint for Bondi Junction’s next chapter is now out in the open. The vision is to create a cultural, civic and commercial centre, complete with 3,000 new homes, expanded public spaces and a reimagined town heart designed to stay buzzing from morning through to well after dark.First up: destination status. The plan aims to transform Bondi Junction from a “glorified shopping stopover” into a bona fide day-to-night precinct. The much-maligned Oxford Street Mall is set for a glow-up, recast as a sunlit hub for retail, wellness and culture by day, before morphing into a lively promenade after dark – with extended dining, live music and community events brought to life as part of the NSW Government’s Special Entertainment Precinct program. Then there’s the interchange. Anyone who’s navigated the current maze of bus stops, escalators and station entrances knows it’s not exactly intuitive. The proposal would relocate the main entrance to Bondi Junction Station to Rowe Street, creating a more direct, legible connection to the mall and smoothing out the daily commuter scramble. Green space also

Melbourne mountain bikers, this one's for you. Warburton Bike Park, a network of trails just 90 minutes from the city, has levelled up. After the success of its first 30 kilometres (which opened last year), the Upper Yarra Valley site has doubled its network with more than 15 new trails and 70 kilometres now open, alongside a shuttle service to make your biking adventures a whole lot more accessible. For those who’ve sampled Warburton’s debut trails, you’ll understand the appeal: lush forest and flowing descents in a park that was built with genuine care for both riders and landscape. The new trails, crafted by renowned trail builders World Trail, offer a step up in both scale and ambition, with the team delivering a more diverse and challenging network. Cyclists can now enjoy a wider mix of features, ratings to match your skill level, longer descents and up to 650 metres of elevation – a combination that’s put Warburton firmly on the national (and international) mountain biking map. When fully complete (yes, there's still more to come!), the park will feature an epic 160-kilometre trail network, climbing to 800 metres of elevation.  Photograph: Supplied | Colin Levitch While the original 30 kilometres drew plenty of Melbourne-based riders looking for an easy weekend escape, the more recent phase has been designed to lure experienced mountain bikers from interstate and beyond. That includes Warburton Bike Park ambassador and cross-country mountain bike world champion Paul

Melbourne’s spectacular coastline has its perks – hello, Great Ocean Road. But if you’re looking for something a little more underrated, we’re here to help. Just over three hours from Melbourne, Cape Liptrap Coastal Park feels like you’ve stumbled onto the edge of the world without actually leaving Victoria. Think wild Bass Strait surf, craggy limestone cliffs and winds that make you feel gloriously small. If you’re after raw coastal drama without the crowds, this is your spot. Here’s everything you need to know before your visit.  Where is Cape Liptrap Coastal Park? Cape Liptrap Coastal Park is located near Walkerville, in the South Gippsland region. It sits between Wilsons Promontory and Phillip Island, hugging the wild edge of Bass Strait. What is Cape Liptrap Coastal Park like? It’s rugged, windswept and beautifully unpolished. Expect dramatic cliffs, moody grey-blue seas, rolling farmland meeting ocean edges, and that constant coastal wind that keeps everything feeling alive. It’s not manicured or overly developed – it’s Victorian natural beauty in its most honest, untamed form. What can you do at Cape Liptrap Coastal Park? You’re here for walks with mega views. Walk cliff-top tracks, explore secluded beaches like Walkerville South, and watch waves hammer the limestone stacks below. It’s also a prime spot for photography, whale watching when in season, or just sitting still and letting the landscape do the talking. What can you see at Cape Liptrap Coastal Park? It’s basi

If you've long treated the Maldives as the ultimate 'one day' destination – a place reserved more for blissed-out honeymooners, A-listers or travellers with plenty of money and endless patience for layovers and airport lounges – we've got some exciting news. In a major aviation first, journeying to the Maldives has just gotten a whole lot smoother, with popular travel brand Luxury Escapes launching Australia’s first-ever direct flight from Melbourne to Malé – officially putting one of the world’s most dreamy destinations within easy reach (and cutting out the stopover slog entirely). According to Luxury Escapes, this is the first and only direct service between Australia and the Maldives, operated via an exclusive partnership with Maldivian Airlines. Translation? Less transit, more tanning and a total travel time of under 12 hours. Until now, getting to the Maldives from anywhere in Australia meant bracing yourself for at least one international stopover – usually Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo or Dubai – stretching the journey to between 15 to 20-plus hours. The new direct Melbourne-Malé route changes that completely, offering a straight shot overnight from Tullamarine to Velana International Airport. Photograph: SennaRelax/Shutterstock It’s a genuine game-changer for Australian travellers, especially as interest in the Maldives appears to be on the up. Luxury Escapes booking data shows the Maldives was the third most popular overseas destination in 2024, with bookings u

Looking for some autumn day trip inspo? We’re here to help. Just 90 minutes from Melbourne, there’s a scenic pocket of parkland that’s perfect for a cooler-season outing. Formed over thousands of years, the gorge is all sheer rock walls, winding rivers cutting through the earth and magical walking tracks that feel a little bit like you’ve stumbled into a secret oasis. Lerderderg State Park is rugged, raw and – if you ask us – wildly underrated. Here’s everything you need to know before you visit. Where is Lerderderg State Park? Lerderderg State Park sits just outside Bacchus Marsh, around 70 kilometres north-west of Melbourne. It follows the deep Lerderderg River gorge through the Wombat State Forest region, forming one of the closest wilderness-style landscapes to the city. What is Lerderderg State Park like? As mentioned above, it’s rugged and rough. Think steep sandstone cliffs, dense bushland and a river that has carved a seriously dramatic gorge over millions of years. It’s one of those places where the terrain feels unexpectedly wild for how close it is to Melbourne. It’s worth noting that the walking tracks can be muddy and uneven – in other words, very much not a casual stroll in the park. Photograph: Supplied | Parks Victoria | Tatjana Plitt What can you see at Lerderderg State Park? The star here is the gorge itself – a long, winding canyon with towering rock faces and thick scrub clinging to the edges. Down in the valley, you’ll find the Lerderderg River weaving

It wasn’t long ago that my understanding of Hong Kong was limited to top-tier bars, glittery hotels and wildly delicious street food. And while those features are all major calling cards (Hong Kong is home to three of the world’s best bars, three of the world’s best hotels and a dining scene that’s consistently regarded as one of the best in the world), there’s so much more to this surreal, vibrant city than I once thought. If you’re an adventure-loving Aussie looking for the ultimate stopover en route to Europe, I cannot recommend this city highly enough. It sounds like a clichè to call Hong Kong (often referred to as the Pearl of the Orient) a confluence of worlds, but there’s really not a better way to describe it. Show me a city where East and West, old and new, abundant nature and futuristic design merge more seamlessly, I dare you. First up: nature. Hong Kong has always been known as a city of dualities – where skyscrapers brush against jungle-clad peaks and grit meets glamour at every turn – and for me, it was the nature that really got me sold on visiting. While most people know it for its skyscrapers (and let me tell you, there are a lot – thousands of towers of varying colours, shapes and sizes stretching up into the hazy sky), around 70 per cent of Hong Kong is national parkland. In total, Hong Kong has 24 country parks, home to incredible hiking routes and magical remote beaches – many of which are accessible via (adorably old-world, and super affordable) public b

Let’s be real: as a travel writer living in one of the most expensive cities in the world, I don’t have the cash to splash on Business Class flights to Hong Kong. But a perk of the job is experiencing everything – from swimming with sharks to sleepovers in ridiculously luxe hotels – and on a recent trip to discover why Hong Kong is the ultimate stop-over destination (more on that another time) I was lucky enough to fly in Cathay Pacific’s new Aria Suite. Keen to upgrade? Here’s what you need to know about these hyper luxe cabins.We’re all familiar with the pang of envy that comes from walking through Business Class en-route to your seat at the back of the plane, and lemme tell you: the guilt when you’re the object of that envy hits even harder. Glass of Taittinger in hand, I kept my eyes firmly on my book as the other passengers made their way through the cabin, but the guilt didn’t come close to outweighing the delight of the next nine hours in the sky.  Before take-off, your cabin team will take your cocktail order, which will be delivered to you with an amuse bouche once the plane is safely cruising. Dinner is a three-course affair, with options including a perfectly creamy fennel soup, a buttery chicken cassoulet and a cheese course. Before being presented with your meal, your large tray table will be set with a table cloth and silverware, and each dish will arrive perfectly hot on sparkling white crockery. It’s all luxe-as-hell and such a far cry from the trays of ready-

Way back in August 2024, initial plans were revealed to build Australia’s biggest affordable housing project in the inner-city suburb of Waterloo. Now, the project is officially moving forward, with the next stage of the massive Waterloo South transformation now on public exhibition. The proposal outlines plans for a dramatically reshaped neighbourhood – complete with thousands of new homes, huge public parks, cafés, shops and community spaces just steps from the metro. Part of the state’s $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program, the Waterloo South renewal is set to become Australia’s largest public housing redevelopment. The wider initiative will deliver 8,400 new public homes, 21,000 affordable and private homes, and upgrades to 30,000 existing social housing properties across NSW. For “Waterloo South” itself, the proposal could pave the way for around 3,300 new homes – with at least 50 per cent earmarked as social or affordable housing. That figure more than doubles the number of social and affordable homes currently on the site. The plans also put major emphasis on green space. Two new public parks are proposed for the precinct, including a sprawling two-hectare “central park” and a smaller community park set to become a locals’ gathering spot and community event space. Alongside the new housing, the vision for the development includes local shops and cafés, a supermarket, essential services and community facilities aimed at supporting health, wellbeing and social con

Southbank was already on track for a glow-up, with the infamous Red Stairs officially scoring a $1.7 million redesign. Now, there’s more in store for the inner city precinct, with plans for a sprawling new $3.5 billion Melbourne Square precinct recently revealed. Set to rise at 7 Hoff Boulevard, ‘Aura’ is no shrinking violet. The $800 million tower will climb 67 storeys high, housing 673 luxe-as-heck apartments and some super impressive indoor and outdoor communal spaces. According to the team (Malaysian developer OSK Property), this isn’t just another shiny tower chasing skyline clout. Apartment-wise, we're looking at designer residences: Japanese-inspired minimalism meeting the raw, grounding textures of the Australian landscape – all soft light, natural materials and super bougie features. Photograph: Supplied | OSK Property Aura’s big sell is its “vertical wellness ecosystem” – a multi-level approach to living that puts physical, mental and social wellbeing front and centre. On level seven, the Aura Club is on track to be a wildly impressive lifestyle precinct, complete with indoor pool, cold plunge, spa, sauna, steam room, gym, pilates studio, yoga room, plus a golf simulator, music rooms and co-working spaces. Outdoors, we can expect Japanese-inspired gardens, complete with a tea house pavilion, fire pit and open-air dining spaces. Higher up, things only get more indulgent. The Meridian Club (levels 49–50) will lean into socialising with lounge bars and private dinin

Back in November 2025, plans were revealed for the $50-million transformation of Moore Park Golf Course – with a 20-hectare section of the site set to be reborn as a huge new public park. This week, the final masterplan for ‘Moore Park South’ has been revealed – promising to transform part of the existing golf course into a sprawling public space, complete with sports fields, picnic lawns, playgrounds and walking trails. Here’s what we know so far. The new-look Moore Park South (backed by a $50 million investment), will feature running, cycling and walking paths, shaded picnic spots with barbecues, a fenced off-leash dog park, outdoor fitness equipment, multi-purpose sports courts and a full-size community sports field. There’ll also be a nature playground, new amenities including toilets and lighting, and room for future food kiosks.Worried about getting your golf fix? The precinct’s golfing future has also been locked in. Following community consultation, the original proposal for a nine-hole course has now been expanded into a redesigned 12-hole public course – all without reducing the size of the planned parklands. Designed in collaboration with Golf NSW and golf course architect Harley Kruse, the new 45-par course will retain existing fairways where possible while still finishing at the historic Golf House. The golfing facilities will also include an expanded driving range with up to 90 bays, an 18-hole mini golf course, plus putting and chipping greens. Photograph: Sup

Trainspotters, assemble. Melbourne’s train network has officially entered a new era, with the first of a next-generation fleet now hitting the tracks across the city. French rail giant Alstom has begun passenger services for its new X’Trapolis 2.0 trains, marking the start of a major rollout that will eventually see 50 new trains join Melbourne’s network. Even better? They’re being built right here in Victoria, across Alstom’s Dandenong and Ballarat manufacturing sites. Developed in partnership with the Victorian Government, the X’Trapolis 2.0 fleet has been designed with real passengers in mind, with 58 refinements made during the design process to better suit Melbourne commuters (and drivers). The trains are set to progressively replace some of the city’s oldest rolling stock, improving both reliability and accessibility across the network. So, what’s actually new? These six-car electric trains can carry up to 1,225 passengers, feature a continuous walkthrough layout (no more awkward carriage-hopping), and have wider doors to speed up boarding. Accessibility has also had a serious upgrade, with 20 dedicated wheelchair spaces, semi-automated ramps, tactile signage and assistive hearing tech. There’s also more room for prams, bikes and multi-use spaces – the things Melbourne commuters actually need. Photograph: Supplied | Victorian Government Beyond the tracks, the project is also a win for local industry. According to the Victorian Government, it's supporting around 750 jo