Winnie Stubbs

Camping is truly one of the best ways you can spend a weekend out of Sydney, but if you prefer seeing the great outdoors from a luxury tent complete with bubble bath and high thread-count linen, let this list serve as your bible.Time Out Sydney's team of local outdoors enthusiasts (including Travel and News Editor Winnie Stubbs) have tried and tested the best glamping sites in and around Sydney; from a safari tent at Taronga Zoo to the see-through spherical confines of Bubbletent Australia.Each one of these glamping spots have been assessed by our editors based on their luxury, nature immersion and all-round wow factor. Add them to your 2026 holiday wish list for when you want to escape the urban hustle without losing the creature comforts. Your back will thank you.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:These are the best camping sites near SydneyThese are the best luxury stays around NSWAnd these are the best motels in NSW worth the road trip

Planning a trip Down Under? You've come to the right place. For almost 60 years, Time Out has been inspiring people to get off the couch and experience the very best of cities worldwide – and now we're here to do the same for Australia. You might know Australia for its iconic landmarks and laid-back culture, but there's so much more to experience beyond kissing koalas and yelling ‘g’day mate’. Our team (including Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley) have curated the ultimate Australia bucket list, covering must-see attractions, experiences, events and landmarks across the country. Whether you’re chasing art and nightlife in coastal cities, spotting fairy penguins on secluded beaches or kayaking at sunrise on Sydney Harbour, there’s something here for every kind of traveller. Here's your guide to the best things to do in Australia. Editors must do activities in Australia: ⭐️ Best city landmark: BridgeClimb, NSW 🖼️ Best for culture: MONA, TAS 🍷 Best food and drink: Barossa Valley, SA 🌊 Best outdoor adventure: Whitehaven Beach, QLD 🐿️ Best wildlife encounter: Rottnest Island, WA Jump to list: Landmarks | Culture | Food & Drink | Outdoors | Wildlife 🇦🇺 The top tourist attractions in Australia🌊 The best beaches in Australia

The Sunshine Coast’s ever-expanding dining scene is a double-edged sword: how does one pick between so many fantastic restaurants? Seasonal and locally sourced produce takes centre stage across all cuisines, with everything from modern Asian and Middle Eastern to seafood, spaghetti and steak.  Once you’ve ticked off all the hot spots on Hastings Street in Noosa, make your way south to Mooloolaba’s bustling waterfront for fresh prawns and Asian street food, the sunny town square of Peregian Beach for a paddock-to-plate long lunch, or the scenic hinterland to dine at new farm-to-table restaurant ēthos. Here’s our guide to the best restaurants on the Sunshine Coast, straight from local tips and the well-fed experience of our Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley. Editor's favourite restaurants on the Sunshine Coast: ⭐️ Best for special occasions: Season Restaurant 😍 Best for groups: Light Years 💎 Best hidden gem: Warrior Restaurant & Bar ☀️ The best things to do on the Sunshine Coast🌊 Your ultimate guide to Noosa🍽️ Where to eat in Noosa

Noosa might be best known for its golden beaches and relaxed coastal charm, but it’s dining scene is just as impressive. The resort town has no shortage of excellent eateries that buzz with locals and travellers from dusk until well after dawn. Many of the trendiest restaurants line the iconic Hastings Street, with the fanciest spots sitting mere metres from the golden sands of Main Beach. Meanwhile, waterfront institutions in Noosaville showcase the region’s finest seafood, and Noosa Junction brings a laid-back mix of global flavours – from French crêpes and fluffy bao buns to woodfired pizzas. Our Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley has visited Noosa multiple times and knows the perfect spot for every occasion – whether you’re after a romantic dinner, a breezy beachside lunch or a special occasion feast. Take your pick from this ultimate list of the best restaurants in Noosa. Editor's favourite restaurants in Noosa: 💎 Best for views: Season Restaurant ⭐️ Best new opening: Cibaria Noosa 🍽️ Best for groups: Light Years 🌊 The best things to do in Noosa🍽️ The best restaurants on the Sunshine Coast

Whether you're an Irish ex-pat, have Irish blood, or just love a good ol' Gaelic knees-up, St Paddy's Day, on March 17, is a chance to celebrate the rich heritage of the Emerald Isle. In Sydney, there are a bunch of ways to get involved. There's the official St Patrick's Day Parade and Festival on the Sunday before the big day (Sunday, March 15), which transforms the Rocks into a St Patrick's Day-palooza of live music, Irish language sessions, Irish dancing, stilt-walking, face-painting, handicrafts, festival bars and food stalls. If you want to observe the saint's day another way, there's always the option of toasting ol' St Pat is with a well-poured Guinness. You can expect great craic and pints aplenty in Sydney's pubs on the day and through the weekend also. Here's where to cheer "Sláinte!" on the big day in Sydney. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: Looking for the best watering holes in Sydney? Check out our favourite pubs. Want a Guinness in the sunshine? These are the best beer gardens in the city.Kids in tow? These are the best child-friendly pubs in the city.

Australians have a love affair with art, and with incredible galleries dotted across the country, it’s also one of the top reasons we travel interstate. Every year, our nation welcomes blockbuster international exhibitions, along with major showings of our most colourful and creative local talents.  Whether it’s contemporary Aboriginal art, delicate glassworks, topical portraits or 21st-century Chinese art, we've rounded up Australia's best art galleries worth visiting. Even better, most offer free entry to the permanent galleries! As a bonus, our Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley has also put together a guide on the best art exhibitions to see in Australia right now. Editor's favourite art galleries in Australia: 🖼️ Best for modern art: White Rabbit Gallery, Sydney 🌱 Best for Aboriginal art: Araluen Art Centre, Alice Springs 🌈 Best for international art: National Gallery of Australia, Canberra 😱 Best for immersive art: MONA, Hobart 🌳 The best tourist attractions in Australia👀 The best museums in Australia

Brimming with boutique studios, sprawling mega-chains and everything in between, Sydney is a gym junkie's paradise. But the amount of choice can be overwhelming. Luckily, our Editor-in-Chief Alice Ellis has worked in the fitness industry, so she knows what sets a mediocre, money-wasting gym apart from a gym that'll actually have you motivated to lace up those sneakers and head out the door. A good gym isn't necesarily the trendiest or most aesthetic one; it's the one you stick with so that you can achieve the results you're after (whether that's building strength, losing weight, getting your stress in check or trying out a new physical activity and connecting with community). Over the years, Time Out's team have covered a lot of ground when it comes to trying out Sydney gyms! So if you're ready to swipe that membership card and sweat, read on to find the right fit for you. Looking for a healthy feed? Here's our guide to healthy eateries that don't suck. Prefer to pound the pavements? These are the best run clubs in Sydney. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, things to do in Sydney, travel inspo, food and more, straight to your inbox.  

The traditional land of the Bhwerawerri, Budawang, Jerrinja, Murramarang, Tomikin, Wandi wandandian, Wodi wodi, Yuin and associated clans, this stretch of rolling hills and stunning coastline a few hours south of Sydney is as close as you'll come to a hidden gem in the age of Instagram.While beach towns further north attract the noisy glory as the coastal gems of the NSW coastline (Byron Bay, we’re looking at you), the Shoalhaven region has remained a beloved holiday haven for families and groups of friends looking to escape the city, and – in a way – escape from modern life entirely.And though it's still blessed with the old-world, laidback energy that it's loved for, this once little-known destination is undeniably on the up – with roadside motels morphing into high-end stays, and low-key pubs becoming award-winning restaurants. Despite the region's ballooning offering, it still feels divinely unspoiled; quietly beautiful, gorgeously unpretentious and home to everything that makes a weekend away feel like a real, soul-enriching holiday.  We’ve put together a guide to the best places to stay, eat, drink and play in this heavenly region that keeps on calling us back. 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:  While you’re there – these are the best places to eat oysters on the NSW South CoastKeen to camp? These are the best places to camp close to SydneyOn a big

Sydney may be one of the world's most prettiest cities, but it’s got nothing on the breathtaking vistas of the Blue Mountains. Just two hours west of Sydney's bustling urban heart, this vast, largely untouched wilderness, spanning some 11,400 square kilometres, is crisscrossed with walking trails that take in some of the most spectacular corners of the region. From forested canyons to towering rocks and majestic waterfalls, you’ll find them all on these top bushwalks in the Blue Mountains.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. Looking to stretch your legs closer to home? Check out these great inner-city walks and easy day hikes near Sydney.

Sun and surf aside, the Gold Coast’s diverse dining scene shines just as bright as its world-class beaches. From casual fish and chips by the water and barefoot bites at the beach club to special-occasion dinners at one of the Goldy’s award-winning restaurants, these are the places you want to be seen. Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has eaten her way around the city and rounded up the best restaurants on the Gold Coast right now. She's included spots stretching from Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta, covering all the coolest places to eat, drink and soak up the relaxed GC vibes. So, leave your towels at the door and dig into this list of the Gold Coast's best restaurants.  Editor's favourite restaurants on the Gold Coast: 🌊 Best views: The Tropic ⭐️ Best for special occasions: Kōst Bar and Grill 🌮 Best cheap and cheerful: Costa Taco 🌊 Best hotels on the Gold Coast🏄🏻‍♀️ Best things to do on the Gold Coast

Choosing the right hotel in Melbourne can be an almighty task. With so many incredible stays to choose between – from super modern sky-high towers to charming historic gems – it can be an overwhelming ordeal to decide which one is right for you.Every traveller has their preference, but to make the job of deciding a little easier, our team of local experts have hotel hopped their way around the city to bring you our guide to the very best hotels in Melbourne. Many of the stays included in the list are favourites of Time Out Melbourne Editor Leah Glynn, with our Travel and Hotels Editor Winnie Stubbs chiming in and checking the guide to make sure it’s up to scratch.Whether you’re looking for a playful stay right in the CBD action (W Hotel, we’re looking at you) or somewhere more boutique in Melbourne’s buzzy Inner North (Standard X), we’ve got your back. Read on for our guide to the best hotels in Melbourne.   Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:  These are the best places to go camping near MelbourneAnd these are our favourite glamping sites in VictoriaTime Out makes a small commission from the affiliate links included in this article. These links have no influence on our editorial content, but they do help us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Whether you’re a visitor planning your very first visit to Singapore, or a Singaporean mapping out a special occasion in the city, choosing a hotel in Singapore is an important (and sometimes overwhelming) task. With so many spectacular stays to choose between – from the world-famous Raffles to new boutique stays like 21 Carpenter – it can be challenging to decide which is best for you. To help you determine which hotel to book for your next visit or staycation, our team of local editors (including Time Out Singapore Editor Cheryl Sekkappan, Regional Content Director for Time Out APAC Nicole-Marie Ng and local writer Dewi Nurjuwita) have tried and tested the city’s top-ranking hotels to determine which are worth your time.The list has been overseen by Winnie Stubbs, Travel and Hotels Editor APAC and self-confessed hotel obsessive. Each hotel has been chosen based on amenities, design and proximity to the city’s highlights – with many hotels on the list within walking distance of the best restaurants and bars in Singapore.Read on for our guide to the very best hotels in Singapore right now. Our Hotel Editor's picks for the best hotels in Singapore: Best boutique stay: QT SingaporeBest hotel for families: Mandarin Oriental SingaporeBest luxury hotel: Raffles Hotel SingaporeBest beachside stay: Capella Singapore RECOMMENDED: The best Singapore attractions to visitThe best rooftop bars in SingaporeAirport hotels in SingaporeThe best luxury hotels in Singapore At Time Out, all of

This 18-storey, $90 million hotel on the edge of Melbourne’s CBD is the biggest ground-up hotel development in the city for 2026 – so we sent our Video Lead Rebecca Hegedus to check it out. Here’s the lowdown on Mercure Melbourne La Trobe Street. What are the rooms like at Mercure Melbourne La Trobe Street? Light-filled and thoughtfully styled, rooms come with floor-to-ceiling windows and a palette inspired by the Victorian bush: soft greens, blush tones and neutrals. The real show-off is Suite 1603 – a high-rise hideaway with a two-person bathtub perched against a window, primed for gazing at the city skyline with a glass of red in hand. Some suites even open onto private terraces, which feels like a luxury in the CBD.“My room was super spacious with amazing views of the city,” said Reb.  Is there a restaurant at Mercure Melbourne La Trobe Street? Foundry, the on-site restaurant and bar on level six, pairs an open kitchen (with a striking marble island centrepiece) with a terrace that looks out over Flagstaff Gardens and the CBD. It’s a great spot for golden hour drinks, and the menu will keep you there for dinner. Reb’s tip: order the fresh fish with chimichurri.  What is the service like at Mercure Melbourne La Trobe Street? Inspired by Mercure’s “local discovery” ethos, staff are primed with neighbourhood tips to help you make the most of your stay – pointing guests in the direction of little-known distillery tours to regional dining adventures. The vibe is welcoming and

I love a daggy pub. I love the laid-back energy and the staff that lean against your table as though you’re new-found friends. I love the cheap pup-sized pours and no-fuss happy hours, and burger nights and steak deals and the occasional sticky dancefloor. Remerging after a $2 million-plus glow-up, The Flynn is anything but daggy – but it delivers on all of the above, and it’s a win for Sydney’s CBD pub scene.Revealed on Monday, March 16, the revamped 200-person venue from hospitality group East Coast Collective (whose portfolio includes a handful of regional faves) is pitching itself as a hybrid: part classic megapub, part casual restaurant. For us, the most notable shift (aside from the schmick refurb from EJE Architects, which is a pared-back palette of greens and natural fibres, until you reach the bathrooms) is the service: with the back section of the venue offering a table-service approach, and the (notably warm) team operating like a well-oiled machine.And then, crucially, there’s the food. Heading up the kitchen is renowned Sydney chef Justin North, who’s designed a menu that lands somewhere between elevated pub fare and easy-going dining. It’s broad, crowd-pleasing and just a little bit fancy without tipping into white-tablecloth territory. Standouts include a prawn roll packed with sweet Mooloolaba prawns ($22 for two), wildy moreish tuna tostadas ($21 for two), a creamy vodka rigatoni speckled with stracciatella ($25) and a crab malfadine laced with chilli, garlic

If your fave kind of night out involves wandering between bars filled with live music and accidentally stumbling into a laneway gig, clear your calendar: Great Southern Nights is dialling things up for 2026. Running from May 1–17, this statewide celebration of live music is back with a stacked lineup (headliners include Missy Higgins, Jessica Mauboy, Lime Cordiale and Genesis Owusu, to name a few) plus a fresh drop of 110 additional gigs. The big name gigs are the headline stealers, but the real magic is the return of the much-loved Gig Trails – popping up this year in even more remote corners of NSW. Think of the Gig Trails as your choose-your-own-adventure night out. Each precinct transforms into a walkable music playground, where you can dip in and out of venues depending on what’s calling you. Expect buskers on corners, surprise acoustic sets in tucked-away rooftops, and pop-up performances lighting up laneways you’ve probably walked past a hundred times without a second glance.RELATED READ: This free community will score you $25 tix to live gigs across NSW Kicking things off is Newcastle’s Midtown precinct, which will host a one-night-only music takeover from 5pm on Friday, May 1. With 11 venues involved – including faves like Bernie’s Bar, The Happy Wombat and The Rogue Scholar – you can bounce between gigs, jump on a karaoke rickshaw (yes, really) and hop a courtesy bus home when your feet need a break. The following weekend, Sydney gets its turn. On Saturday, May 9, C

Calling all beer enthusiasts, foodies and footie fans (aka: 98 per cent of Sydneysiders): your dream weekend itinerary is loading. Sydney’s Beer Footy and Food Festival is back for 2026 – and for its tenth birthday, it’s going bigger than ever with a multi-day, multi-venue takeover of some of the city’s most beloved footy grounds. Things will kick off at North Sydney Oval from May 16–17, with a stacked lineup of rugby league clashes that will ultimately unfold over two full days. On day one we'll watch the Penrith Panthers play the Western Suburbs Magpies, the Newcastle Knights verse the Newtown Jets and the North Sydney Bears verse Sydney Roosters. Day two will see the South Sydney Rabbitohs play the Manly Sea Eagles, New Zealand Warriors play the Melbourne Storm and St George Illawarra Dragons play the Parramatta Eels. It’s proper footy played right – close to the crowd and fuelled by community spirit (and craft beer, obvs). The beer lineup reads like a greatest hits of Sydney’s indie brewing scene, with pours from Young Henrys, Philter, Wayward Brewing Co and more. There’s also a solid lineup of street food stalls (faves include gozleme, tacos and a smoky barbecue joint), plus a brand-new precinct spilling into St Leonards Park for maximum snacking space. Then there’s the chaos factor. The crowd-favourite Beer Mile will return – yes, that’s people attempting to run laps while knocking back beers – with organisers aiming to break a spectator world record of 6,200. New for 2

If the end of Sydney Observatory’s summer music series has left a hole in your Friday schedule, the 2026 Biennale of Sydney is here to fill it. From 6pm every Friday night for the next couple of months, the Biennale’s Art After Dark program will transform White Bay Power Station into a boundary-blending live music venue – with an impressive line-up of acts set to light up the cavernous industrial space (along with bars serving local pours and food stalls serving up your Friday night feed).Curated by Naarm/ Melbourne-based outfit Liquid Architecture, the first three events will feature the likes of Tujiko Noriko, Mara Schwerdtfeger, Ruhail Qaisar, Marcus Whale, Liam Keenan and Allara Briggs-Pattison. Next up, the Inner West Council will present three more nights of live music, with Body Type, Yes Boone and BOY SODA bringing home-grown talent to the historic Rozelle site. The final three nights, curated by Vivid Sydney, will include ambient techno trio Purelink, French-Senegalese singer-songwriter anaiis, and the festival’s closing night party on Friday, June 12, which promises to be a multi-stage celebration of global music (with extended hours until 11pm). Beyond the Friday night fun (and the art, obvs), the three-month festival will also operate Memory Lane Food Markets every Saturday, Africa Day celebrations, six new performance commissions, guided tours of White Bay’s historic spaces, Family Days, youth and education programs, and access initiatives. Art After Dark will ru

I love this hotel. I realise that’s not a particularly creative way to start a hotel review, but I’ve read enough of them to know that sometimes an unfettered love letter is what we need to be convinced to actually book a stay. So let me go on record: if you’re looking for a sparkly hotel in Sydney’s CBD with seamless service and sky-high views, I implore you to book a room at A by Adina. What is A by Adina like? The Adina name is one you might be familiar with: branded over hotels and serviced apartments across Sydney and beyond. And while the standard is relatively high across the board, A by Adina is a step above the rest: a designer space polished to perfection with exceptionally attentive five star service to match. Opened in 2021, this architecturally impressive tower is home to 194 apartment‑style rooms, Australia’s first “sky lobby” (the reception desk is found 100 metres above the street, in an impeccably beautiful light-flooded space) and one of Sydney’s most awarded cocktail bars – and it’s right in the beating heart of the city. What are the rooms like at A by Adina? Our room on the 16th floor was one of the sexiest hotel rooms I’ve ever stayed in. Floor to ceiling windows flood the carefully appointed, tastefully minimalist space with light, and the bathroom is fitted with a dreamy raindance shower overlooking the city. Studios and apartments (you can choose between one- and two-bedroom apartments) are all equipped with kitchenettes and clever storage, so whether

Hiding in a heritage-listed 1929 building on Pitt Street, Hotel Morris is a gem of a city stay: a cinematically beautiful boutique bolthole on the western edge of Sydney’s CBD. Originally designed by visionary architect Virgil Dante Cizzio, the hotel reopened in 2023 after a careful restoration (conceived by Sydney-based interior design firm Tom Mark Henry) revived its Art Deco bones, layering in plush, maximalist interiors and a playfully Italian approach. Stepping into the lobby, you’re met with a long marble bar illuminated by suspened bars of red LED and opulent tiered chandeliers. Tall, deep red tables line the east wall, backed by a deep brown velvet bench and framed by fringed curtains and bronze fixtures. It’s a lot, and somehow it works – particularly at 5pm when the place is buzzing with friends catching up over carefully crafted Martinis and plates of focaccia and caviar. With just 82 rooms, Hotel Morris is intimate and packed with personality. The operations don’t run as smoothly as a lot of larger hotels I’ve visited, but I couldn’t help but fall in love with the old-world energy of this hidden Art Deco darling. What are the rooms like at Hotel Morris? Spread across 13 floors, the 82 guest rooms are compact but beautiful. If you’re looking for a base in the city to get the hotel bedroom shot, this is it: all deep red velvet headboards illuminated by bronze glass lights and plush cotton robes hanging in the wardrobes. Bathrooms are sleek and moody and kitted out w

There’s always a lot going on at Sydney’s favourite house. So much so that it can be hard to keep track – with new headliners dropping every other week, and huge events taking over the various venues seemingly out of nowhere.  Keen to go to a show under the sails over the next few months? We’ve rounded up a few top picks in the Sydney Opera House winter to spring season:  Backstage tours gives you a peek behind the curtain Explore the inner workings of Australia's most famous buildings on one of these expert-led tours. Dates: DailyTickets: From $48 Erth’s Dinosaurs will stomp into the Opera House Premiering in Sydney before heading off on a global tour, this larger-than-life theatrical adventure will bring the prehistoric world to life with astonishing puppetry, thrilling storytelling and plenty of dino facts. Dates: April 8–19Tickets: From $49 Parasite: Live in Concert will bring the Oscar-winning film to life A rare chance to experience the Academy Award-winning Parasite in a whole new way, Bong Joon-ho’s genre-defying masterpiece will light up the big screen while renowned composer Jung Jae-il conducts a live orchestra performing his haunting, tension-filled score in real time. Dates: April 24–25Tickets: From $89 The Other Side of Me will tell a powerful story through dance Making its Sydney debut, this intimate duet will explore the emotional fallout of the Stolen Generations through movement and storytelling. The piece follows a man caught between families, continents an

If your idea of a perfect Sydney afternoon involves a swim, a Spritz and front-row harbour views, we’ve got you. After a v successful launch season last summer, Pier One’s pop-up pool is back: this time with a Amalfi-coded makeover.  Live until the end of April, this sun-soaked floating pontoon invites guests to swim, drink and socialise right on the water. Open daily from 11am to 4pm, the pastel pink installation has transformed the hotel’s waterfront into a breezy harbour-side hangout with big beach club energy. Set just steps from Pier Bar (which, btw, serves an excellent happy hour), the netted pontoon pool serves up shark-safe harbour swims, with loungers waiting for post-dip cocktails and Euro-inspired snacks. Access to the pool is included with food and drink purchases from the bar – the perfect excuse to linger over a long lunch by the water. With gorgeous views across the harbour to Walsh Bay, last year’s pool was pretty enough, but this year they’ve seriously levelled up. The space has been styled in partnership with Australian outdoor lifestyle brand Business & Pleasure Co., whose retro-inspired umbrellas and loungers give the pontoon a luxe, hyper femme coastal aesthetic. Pier Bar’s coastal-inspired menu can be ordered to your lounger, so there’s really no need to change out of your bikini all afternoon. Our top pick from the menu? The bay bug ‘Big Mac’ sliders are a playful upmarket take on the Maccas icon, and bloody delicious after a day spent in and out of the

Overlooking a far-reaching stretch of rolling fields dotted with groups of wandering ducks, The Berry View Hotel feels like a sun-bleached desert hideaway dropped in a picture-perfect pocket of South Coast countryside. The recently renovated motel takes its design cues from the desert boltholes of Palm Springs: all whitewashed walls and playful pops of colour. With its ultra Instagrammable suites and show-stopping infinity pool just steps from Berry’s storybook main street, it’s the perfect base for a Shoalhaven weekender. What are the rooms like at Berry View Hotel? The hotel’s suites are bright, stylish and thoughtfully designed, with contemporary furnishings and a breezy aesthetic inspired by mid-century Palm Springs. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame rolling green farmland, and cute touches like carefully placed coffee table books and artsy vases add character. In our suite, a huge bathtub sat beneath the window in the bathroom, and the raindance shower was stocked with NSW-made Leif toiletries. Which are the best restaurants near Berry View Hotel? One of the best things about staying here is that you’re a short stroll from Berry’s famously excellent food scene. Start the morning with top-tier pastries at Milkwood Bakery, head to Berry General Store for lunch, then book a special dinner at South on Albany for refined seasonal plates served with love in a beautifully intimate setting. Berry might be small, but its dining creds punch well above their weight. Is there a gym at

It’s a rare and delicious thing to see a Sydney dancefloor packed out on a weeknight – all low lights and sweaty bodies and overflowing cups. Thanks to Dead Set – Darlinghurst’s new underground live music venue – it’s becoming a more common sight. Hiding in a basement just off one of Sydney’s busiest streets, Dead Set is a gritty new live-music room bringing a solid hit of rock ’n’ roll energy to Taylor Square. The vibe is unapologetically rock: deep red lighting, heavily graffitied walls, arcade machines blinking in the corner and a soundtrack that swings from punk to metal to indie sleaze. There’s beer on tap and frozen margs served in house party-style solid red cups, a simple menu of late night salty snacks, and a sort of unpretentious, anonymous energy that makes you feel like you could be anywhere in the world. From Thursday through Sunday, the venue runs as a hard-rock hangout, with live bands taking over the stage on Friday and Saturday nights and DJs into the small hours. Programming leans deep into rock’s wilder corners – punk, doom, metal and alt – with a mix of local talent, touring acts and the odd surprise show or after-party, including a recent gig with Ghanaian-Australian icon Genesis Owusu (run as part of Vodafone’s First Night Only exclusive gig series).The name itself is a nod to both live “sets” and the building’s past. The basement sits beneath what was once the funeral chapel at Kinselas Hotel, and rumours have it that the room once housed a morgue. Dead

When winter rolls around in Sydney, Vivid steps in to bring a little light to our streets for those first chilly weeks. And while Circular Quay sparkles with kaleidoscopic projections, the real magic often happens indoors – on the stages and dancefloors where the festival’s music program comes to life. Keen to plan ahead this year? Two of the city’s most iconic live music venues – Sydney Opera House and Carriageworks – have just dropped the details of their music programs for 2026. From May 22 to June 13, Vivid Live will take over Sydney Opera House, with more than 50 artists lighting up every corner of the World Heritage-listed landmark. Masterful tastemaker Ben Marshall (Head of Contemporary Music at the house) has curated another divinely diverse program spanning genres, generations and geographies – featuring everything from Detroit techno to Arnhem Land surf rock and the one and only Erika de Casier. In the Concert Hall, indie icon Mitski will headline four sold-out nights, performing in-the-round with songs from her new album Nothing’s About to Happen to Me alongside all-time fan faves. Meanwhile, Matt Berninger – best known as the frontman of The National – will deliver a rare, intimate set featuring material from his reflective solo album Get Sunk. Scottish post-rock pioneers Mogwai will celebrate 30 years together with a career-spanning performance, while Yolŋu rock heroes King Stingray make their Opera House debut (indoors at least, they opened for Parcels on the fo

What do a retro surf motel on the Mid North Coast and Sydney’s brand-new fish market have in common? They’ve both just scored a spot on TIME magazine’s annual World’s Greatest Places list – a global round-up of the most exciting destinations to visit and stay right now. Each year, TIME compiles the list with help from its worldwide network of correspondents and contributors, spotlighting 100 standout experiences across hotels, restaurants, attractions and cultural sites. And while the 2026 edition spans everything from luxury expeditions to ancient cultural landscapes, two of the inclusions are much closer to home for Sydneysiders. First up: Sydney Fish Market, which has just reopened following a massive $800 million redevelopment. Already one of the city’s most beloved institutions (and the second-most visited attraction in Sydney after the Opera House), the harbourfront icon has been completely reimagined as a next-generation seafood hub. The new market brings together more than 40 seafood retailers, restaurants and cafés under one spectacular roof, making it a paradise for anyone partial to freshly shucked oysters, sashimi platters or a classic paper-wrapped serve of fish and chips. Photograph: Supplied | NSW Government Also flying the flag for NSW is Sea Sea Hotel, a design-forward boutique hiding by the beach in the laid-back surf town of Crescent Head. Opened in late 2024, Sea Sea is part of the new wave of nostalgic Aussie motels getting a stylish second life. The pr

The Illawarra region is known for its magical deserted beaches and creative coastal towns, but according to a new statement from the NSW Government, a new major attraction could come to life in one of the region’s most underused waterfront spots. This week, the Warrawong Parklands Master Plan was officially finalised, setting the stage for a sweeping transformation of a 32-hectare slice of foreshore along Lake Illawarra. If it all comes to fruition, the new parkland could become a dream lakeside day-trip out of the city (and a game-changer for Illawarra locals). According to the NSW Government, the area has long been known locally as something of a hidden gem: plenty of space and unbeatable lake views, but not much infrastructure to get amongst it. The new master plan aims to change that – reimagining the parklands as a lively community hub. At the heart of the proposal is nearly ten kilometres of new pedestrian and cycle paths, which will weave through the park and along the lake’s edge. Another headline feature is a 320-metre wetland boardwalk that will stretch across the parklands, promising “panoramic views” over Lake Illawarra while connecting the eastern and western sides of the site. Exercise enthusiasts will also have plenty to look forward to. Plans include an Olympic-standard skatepark, upgraded sports fields and new accessible playgrounds and "nature play" areas for the little ones. Photograph: Supplied | NSW Government   Water access is another major focus, with

Update Monday, March 23: The latest alert from the Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre (ASWFC) today confirms a geomagnetic storm is still in progress. According to the alert, the "Aurora may be observed during local nighttime hours in good observing conditions at high altitudes." The best chance to spot the lights is 60 to 75 minutes after sunset, with likely spotting in Tasmania and Victoria, plus parts of South Australia, Western Australia, the ACT and NSW, if skies are clear. On the weekend, Lady Aurora put on a dazzling show, with the Southern Lights spotted everywhere from Horsham and Wodonga in Victoria to the Tasman Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and the NSW Southern Highlands. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Southern Lights from NSW. What is the Aurora Australis? The Aurora Australis is a breathtaking natural light display that glows across the southern skies, also referred to as the Southern Hemisphere’s equivalent of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). It occurs when charged electrons from the sun collide with gas molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere. These particles are first launched from the sun’s surface, then accelerated again by Earth’s magnetic field, creating glowing waves of colour that ripple through the night sky. Where in the world can you see the Aurora? Bright, beautiful and bedazzling, the Aurora Borealis is a big-ticket bucket list item for pretty much everyone on Earth. Only those who have witnessed the Northern Lights w

Update Monday, March 23: The latest alert from the Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre (ASWFC) today confirms a geomagnetic storm is still in progress. According to the alert, the "Aurora may be observed during local nighttime hours in good observing conditions at high altitudes." The best chance to spot the lights is 60 to 75 minutes after sunset, with likely spotting in Tasmania and Victoria, plus parts of South Australia, Western Australia, the ACT and NSW, if skies are clear. On the weekend, Lady Aurora put on a dazzling show, with the Southern Lights spotted everywhere from Horsham and Wodonga in Victoria to the Tasman Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and the NSW Southern Highlands.Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Southern Lights from Victoria. Where in the world can you see the Aurora? Bright, beautiful and bedazzling, the Aurora Borealis is a big-ticket bucket list item for pretty much everyone on Earth. Only those who have witnessed the Northern Lights with their naked eyes can truly understand its ethereal magic. But you don’t need to fork out on a ticket to Scandinavia to see the dramatic natural light display IRL. Australia has its very own version, called the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights – and last year was one of the brightest display in 20 years. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Aurora Australis in Australia. Will the Aurora Australis be visible tonight from Victoria? Australia’s first big Aurora Australis of the se

There’s a lot in the works when it comes to Sydney’s Metro network, and commuters in Southwest Sydney have just scored a sneak peek of what’s around the corner. On track to connect to Sydney’s (long awaited) Metro Southwest line, a brand-new public plaza has opened at Bankstown Station, creating a leafy new link between the suburb’s north and south sides.The new 90-metre-long plaza runs between Restwell Street and Appian Way, creating a direct north–south pedestrian corridor through Bankstown’s station precinct. For context, Bankstown is already one of Sydney’s busiest transport interchanges – with more than 330,000 passengers moving through the station in February alone. That number is expected to surge once the Metro Southwest line begins running – and the new station precinct has opened up ahead of time. Photograph: Supplied | NSW Government A new entrance has opened with nine additional Opal gates, and there’s improved weather protection thanks to new station canopies and shelters. The precinct also includes secure storage for 36 bikes, extra bicycle parking spaces and even a bike repair station, alongside new Kiss-and-Ride spaces and accessible parking nearby. Shaded by 24 trees, with timber decking punctuated by benches, it’s designed not just as a commuter thoroughfare but as a welcoming public space. Bankstown’s iconic 150-year-old fig tree is the focal point, now illuminated by lighting fixtures and surrounded by seating, and according to the NSW Government, the sp

If you needed another excuse to feel smug about living in the best city in the world, here it is: Melbourne Airport has just been crowned the best airport in Australia and the Pacific at the prestigious Skytrax World Airport Awards. Announced in London at the Passenger Terminal Expo 2026, the accolade is based on the world’s largest airport customer satisfaction survey, with travellers ranking more than 565 airports across the globe. And this is not a one-off win: it’s the sixth time in seven years Melbourne Airport has taken out the top regional honour. Off the back of a record-breaking summer, the airport clocked its busiest ever month for international travel in January. And it’s not just about volume – it’s about options. In the past six months alone, a raft of new carriers have touched down, including Delta Air Lines, Hong Kong Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines, opening up routes to Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Meanwhile, Indonesia AirAsia, Maldivian Airlines, Finnair and British Airways are all gearing up to launch services in the near future. CEO Lorie Argus has gone on record stating that there’s still work to do. While praising staff as the airport’s “secret sauce”, she acknowledged that ageing infrastructure and clunky border processes – yep, including those stubborn paper arrival cards – are due for a serious upgrade, especially with Australia preparing to welcome the world for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. The good news is, change is already in motion. A hefty

Sydney runners, assemble. The brand-new Parramatta Half Marathon has just dropped its official course, medal details and race-day threads – so if you needed motivation to lace up, this might be it. Set to debut on Sunday, June 21, 2026, the 21.1-kilometre race will carve out a scenic route through Parramatta – taking in heritage parklands, shiny new city squares and riverside stretches – before a finish line moment that’s the main rockstar. The race will kick off on O’Connell Street, sending runners straight into the leafy expanse of Parramatta Park, before weaving through the CBD and Parramatta Square. From there, it’s a scenic push along the river foreshore, with the kind of views that almost make you forget you’re several kilometres deep and running on adrenaline. Almost. Photograph: Supplied | City of Parramatta   The real headline, though, is the finish line. For the first time ever, runners will charge directly into CommBank Stadium – making this the only race in Sydney to end inside a stadium, and the first running event to take over the venue.The course has been officially measured and certified, meaning it ticks all the boxes for personal best chasers and elite competitors alike. Unveiled at Parramatta Town Hall in partnership with the City of Parramatta, the event is already shaping up to be a major calendar moment for Sydney's second CBD. According to the team, more than 7,000 runners have signed on, and with the race sitting at 85 percent sold out, spots are dis

Sydney’s pizza scene has always punched above its weight – but according to a recent (v reputable) global pizza guide, it’s now officially gone stratospheric. The freshly dropped 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific 2026 list (essentially the Michelin Guide to top slices of the good stuff) has crowned a Sydney favourite among the fourth best in the region, with three other neighbourhood spots making the list. The rankings form part of the global 50 Top Pizza World Awards, one of the most respected competitions in the pizza world. Restaurants across 13 countries in the region were in the running, with winners decided through a strict mystery-shopper system. Judges dine anonymously, meaning venues never know when they’re being assessed – or which slices are being scrutinised. Leading the charge is Balmain’s Gigi's Balmain, which has soared to an equal third place ranking across the entire Asia-Pacific. Possibly even more impressive, Gigi's head pizzaiolo Daniel Semrani also snagged Pizza Maker of the Year – cementing the Sydney spot as a serious global player, not just your go-to Inner West carb temple. Photograph: Supplied | Gigis Balmain If you’ve ever queued outside Gigi's on a Friday night, this glowing title won’t come as a shock. The Balmain institution has built its reputation on meticulous dough and a creative approach to Neapolitan tradition. According to Daniel, who's been perfecting his craft for 15 years, the allure comes from what he's coined “Crunchy Contemporary Neapoli

One of Melbourne’s oldest places of worship is getting a glow-up. On St Patrick’s Day (Tuesday, March 18), the Archbishop of Melbourne Peter A Comensoli unveiled Light into the City: a sweeping, once-in-a-generation vision to restore St Patrick’s Cathedral and transform its surrounding precinct into a more open, accessible and culturally vibrant space. If you’ve ever wandered past the Gothic Revival masterpiece on the edge of the CBD, you’ll know it’s already an eye-catching beauty, but this ambitious five-to-ten-year plan is about more than preservation. It’s about reimagining the cathedral as a living, breathing part of the city – not just a place of worship, but a hub for culture and community. “Light into the City is about caring for what we have inherited,” Archbishop Comensoli said at the launch. “While ensuring that this cathedral and its precinct can continue to serve the people of Melbourne… for generations to come.” Photograph: Supplied According to the board, the project will roll out in stages, starting later this year with a major restoration of the cathedral itself – widely considered one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Australia. Alongside that, a new assembly building will be built next door, complete with flexible event spaces and improved facilities for visitors. According to the plans, we can expect upgraded landscaping, too – designed to make the precinct feel less like a pass-through and more like a place to while away an hour i

A huge new waterfront convention centre in Geelong is officially complete – and it’s shaping up to be a game-changer for big events in the region. Meet Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre – a sprawling, state-of-the-art events hub perched right on the city’s glistening waterfront. While the doors won’t fully swing open to the public until July, the venue is already flexing its muscles, with more than 50 events locked in and a pipeline expected to draw more than 21,800 delegates through to 2028. According to the Victorian Government, the first wave of 56 bookings alone is tipped to inject around $13 million into the local economy, thanks to a steady stream of visitors eating, drinking, shopping and generally living their best coastal-conference lives. With 3,700 square metres of event space, a 1,000-seat theatre and all the cutting-edge AV bells and whistles you’d expect from a venue angling for global attention, it’s prepped and ready to host everything from major business summits to medical conferences – the kind of events that usually stick close to capital cities. Delivered as part of the $676 million Geelong City Deal, the event centre isn’t the only exciting project popping up in the area – it’s part of a precinct-wide transformation.  Right next door, a new Crowne Plaza Geelong is already open, offering 200 rooms for interstate and international visitors who’d prefer not to commute from Melbourne post-networking drinks. Outside, the public Gheringhap Plaza

If you’ve ever stood at a bus stop in Western Sydney wondering whether your ride is running on vibes alone, relief is on the way. A major transport boost is landing this winter, with five new permanent bus routes set to connect communities from Penrith to Campbelltown – and crucially, to the long-awaited Western Sydney International Airport. From July 5, a handful of routes (790, 845, 825, 860 and 772) will begin running, an estimated three months ahead of passenger flights taking off. That means locals, construction workers and airport staff will have a reliable way to get in and out of the new airport well before the first suitcase hits the carousel.RELATED READ: This new toll-free motorway connecting to the new airport is open now According to Transport for NSW, buses will run every 30 minutes from 5am to 10pm, seven days a week. The routes will link key hubs including Liverpool and Mount Druitt, stitching together communities that have long been overlooked when it comes to public transport. And in excellent news for the planet, the fleet is going green. A total of 43 new electric buses will hit the roads, promising quieter, smoother rides (and less diesel drama). They’ll come decked out with air-conditioning, low-floor access and luggage racks – small details that make a big difference when you’re schlepping bags in the middle of summer. This rollout is part of a hefty $302.7 million investment in new routes, within a broader $362.7 million commitment to Western Sydney bu

Sydney’s live music scene has been through it – and if you’ve tried to catch a gig lately without blowing your weekly budget, you’ll know what we mean. But in good news for live music fans (and venues) a new initiative is flipping the script, with a simple goal: get Sydney’s young people back in front of the stage (and keep them there). Enter MyGigPass, the flagship program from the Live Music Venues Alliance – a coalition of independent venues taking action to get Aussies off the couch (and outside of their Spotify algorithm).  Launched in February 2026, MyGigPass is basically your golden ticket to affordable live music across NSW. If you’re aged 18 to 25, you can sign up to receive a weekly Tuesday email packed with exclusive offers – we’re talking free entry, two-for-one deals, double passes and discounted tickets – spanning everything from indie bands in sweaty Inner West dance dens to regional gigs worth the road trip. And this isn’t just about getting leftover tickets moving. The program has been designed to build long-term gig-going habits, not just fill empty rooms on a quiet night. Every offer is tied to a specific show and approved by artists and promoters, meaning the quality of programming will be certified solid. Photograph: Pat Stevenson   According to the team, the need for something like this is pretty stark. Research shows that while two-thirds of young Australians love live music, the majority say cost is the biggest barrier stopping them from showing up.