Winnie Stubbs

Sydneysiders are café people. We're constantly on the hunt for the city's best coffee and we love nothing more than donning our finest sport-luxe activewear and catching up with mates on a weekend morning over eggs, fritters and crusty artisan sourdough. So, whether it's a reward for tackling one of Sydney's most beautiful walks, an indulgent hangover fix after a night at one of the city's best bars, or a workday coffee stop, these are the best Sydney cafés, according to our in-the-know Time Out Sydney writers, including Editor Avril Treasure. We'll have one B&E roll, please.  Editor's picks: 🍳 Best for scrambled eggs: Piña 💚 Best for matcha: Parami 💥 Best for trying a new café: Adelaide’s Kitchen 🥞 Best for pancakes: Happyfield ☕️ Best for on-point coffee: Primary Coffee Roasters 🐶 Best for breakfast with your dog: Havenstone 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. Is it lunch time? Check out our guide to Sydney's best restaurants right now.

Looking to stay in style on your next Australian getaway? You've come to the right place. Our Great Southern Land is packed with exceptional stays, from new boutique hotels with heated infinity pools to revamped classics boasting buzzing rooftop bars and close proximity to our country's best attractions. But with so many options, finding the best hotels in Australia requires a bit of insider knowledge. That's where we come in. Our expert team of travel writers, including Time Out Australia's Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley, have visited every state and territory to bring you this ultimate guide to the best places to stay in Australia. Whether you’re looking for a photogenic city staycation or a coastal resort away from the crowds, these are the top-rated hotels to book in Australia right now. Editors' favourite hotels in Australia: 😍 Best for harbour views: Park Hyatt Sydney, NSW 🌊 Best for urban escape: The Calile Hotel, QLD 🤩 Best for heritage glamour: Capella Sydney, NSW ⭐️ Best hidden gem: COMO The Treasury, WA 🏝️ Best bucket-list stay: InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef, QLD JUMP TO:Sydney | Byron Bay | Perth | Melbourne | Gold Coast | Brisbane | Adelaide | Hobart ☀️ The best resorts & lodges in Australia🤩 The best things to do in Australia🌏 The best places to visit in Australia Time 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 allow us to bring

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 wintery 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 escape with uninterrupted views of the Opera House, a boutique guethouse 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 be

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

Spring update: Sydney sure is fun in springtime. Locals shed their jackets, plan weekend picnics filled with soft cheese and chilled natural wine, and return to rooftop bars in need of Vitamin D and fruity cocktails. Whether you’re catching up with a friend, planning a date, or looking for a spot to celebrate, Sydney’s best bars are where it’s at. These spots offer great drinks, warm hospitality and good vibes. From exciting newcomers to long-time favourites, this guide is curated by our local editors and writers, including Time Out Sydney's Editor Avril Treasure. Grab your sunnies, Sydney – it’s bar season. Editor’s picks: 🍸 Best for Martinis: Bar Planet 🤫 Best for speakeasy vibes: The Cumberland ☀️ Best for views: Opera Bar 🍷 Best for vibey wine and snacks: Famelia 🥃 Best for whisky lovers: Banchō Bar 😎 Best for friend's catch-up: Old Mate's Place 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. Our list of the best pubs in Sydney Check out our best restaurants here

No shocker here, but Australia is home to some of the most spectacular walking trails on the planet. From multi-day treks through red deserts and family-friendly coastal day walks and lush rainforest hikes, the land Down Under offers every kind of landscape imaginable – and trust us, they’re all bloody good.  If you’re ready to lace up your boots, we’ve rounded up the best hikes in Australia to tackle this year. We've categorised them by state, complete with distance breakdowns, trail difficulty ratings and expert local tips. See you on the trails! Editor's favourite hikes in Australia: 🥾 Best multi-day trek: Larapinta Trail, NT 🌊 Best for incredible views: Three Capes Track, TAS 😍 Best hidden gem: Scenic Rim Walk, QLD ❤️ Best outback adventure: Ormiston Pound Walk, NT 🌳 Best for serious hikers: Thorsborne Trail, QLD JUMP TO:NT | NSW | TAS | QLD | WA | VIC | SA | ACT 🥾 The best national parks in Australia🌊 The best coastal walks in Australia

Dancefloors come in all shapes and sizes in Sydney – sticky-floored pubs can double up as heaving rave caves, small bars morph into late-night party dens on sporadic Wednesdays, and on most Friday nights, warehouses across Sydney's Inner West transform into laser-lit super-clubs (though we can't spill too much on that front). The Harbour City cops a lot of flack for its nightlife, but we think it's all about just looking in the right places. To help you out, our team of local editors (including Time Out Sydney Editor Avril Treasure) has put together the ultimate guide to the most reliable dancefloors in Sydney right now. 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 for somewhere more chill to whet your whistle? Here are our favourite hidden bars in the Harbour City.Want a live show? These are the best bars and pubs with live music in Sydney.

Looking for a fab new restaurant to check out? You’ve come to the right place. The other week I went to Trattoria Da Orazio – a new Italian restaurant from chef Orazio D’Elia in Rushcutters Bay – and it was excellent (order the bombetta pugliese and whimsical dessert platter). Surry Hills fine diner Arthur has reopened after a big reno – still serving a 100 per cent Aussie menu across food and drinks, now in a more accessible way (and a happy hour with $3 prawns!). And you need to make a booking at Ashe – the new Southeast Asian grill from the Bentley Group, led by talented chef Khanh Nguyen. It’s my pick of the new openings of 2026 so far. Enjoy. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Looking for something to wash it all down with? These are our favourite bars in Sydney right now. Keen to eat your way around the city? These are the best restaurants in Sydney, from hot newcomers to the OGs.

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 challenge 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 Managing Editor Leah Glynn, with our Travel and News Editor Winnie Stubbs (self-confessed hotel obsessive) 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.

Australia is a nation rich with incredible artists and mind-blowing exhibitions. Whether you favour sculpture, painting, photography or textiles, there’s something for every kind of artistic persuasion ready to pop off at Australia’s biggest art exhibitions in 2026. We've rounded up just a few Aussie wonders that have us pre-booking flights in eager anticipation.  A winter standout is the never-seen-before-in-Australia glittering jewel collection from Cartier at the NGV, along with the blockbuster Monet to Matisse exhibition in Adelaide. Scroll on for our pick of the best art exhibitions in Australia in 2026. Our editors will update this guide as new exhibitions are announced. 🖼️ The best art galleries in Australia👀 The best museums in Australia

Good news, springtime lovers: we’re in the last month of winter for the year, and it’s shaping up to be a goodie. August kicks off with a bang, with the world’s largest fun run going down on Sunday, August 9. If you’re doing the City2Surf (like me), here’s everything you need to know. I better start stretching. It’s nearly cherry blossom time, with Auburn’s magical festival returning this month at Sydney’s Auburn Botanic Gardens. Book your tickets and see the whole park covered in a bubble-gum-pink blanket of flowers. It’s still whale-watching season – there are plenty of places to see the big beauties in Sydney! Here are some of our faves. This last month of the cold season will be delivering the culture goods, with an incredible round-up of theatre shows keeping us entertained, and the city’s best restaurants and bars serving up happy hour specials and price-slicing deals to keep the cost of living woes at bay. For a nature hit this August, we’d suggest taking an icy dip at one of Sydney’s best ocean pools, or getting some mountain air on one of the best walks in the Blue Mountains. If you need some help warming up, work your way through our guide to Sydney's best Sunday roasts, or settle in with a glass of mulled wine at one of Sydney’s cosiest pubs. Calling all Ted Lasso fans: Woollahra’s Lord Dudley is transforming into the Crown & Anchor this month (Aug 5-7) with themed pub grub, trivia, darts and free pies for the first 100 people through the door.Scroll on for our fu

Want to win ‘favourite child’ status this Father’s Day? Put down the novelty socks and jocks and give Dad what he really wants: quality time with you, good grub – and, a chance to crack those terrible dad jokes along the way. This year, Father’s Day in Australia falls on Sunday, September 6, so there’s still time to plan a special day that your dad deserves (or even an uncle, grandpa, father figure in your life). Whether Dad’s idea of bliss is an early-morning ocean swim, a lazy pub session, a trip to the fish markets, a brewery tour or dinner somewhere delicious, we’ve rounded up plenty of ways to celebrate the father figures in your life – with plenty of free/cheap options, too. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED READS: Six magical spots to see springtime blooms in NSW – from cherry blossom to tulips These are the best motels in NSW worth the roadtrip Sydney Harbour has a dreamy new wood-fired sauna – and the cold plunge is the ocean

There are few cafés that feel quite as woven into Sydney’s café culture as Paramount Coffee Project. Since first opening its (perfectly industrial-chic) doors back in 2013, this Surry Hills stalwart has helped shape the city’s increasingly design-conscious coffee scene – setting the standard for what we ask for from our breakfast spot. More than a decade later, it remains a neighbourhood institution – sitting pretty in the airy foyer of Paramount House and spilling out onto what we reckon is still one of the coolest streets in the city. The vibe Housed within the Paramount House precinct, steps from Surry Hills’ myriad design agencies and boutique architecture firms, this is the place you come to brunch with Sydney’s most stylish. The space is minimalist without feeling sterile, with cavernously tall ceilings, polished concrete, white subway tiles and timber details providing a very aesthetically-pleasing backdrop for the steady stream of trendy locals and coffee-devoted travellers who pass through each day.The food With an admirable commitment to sustainability (and giving the people of Sydney what they want on the brunch front), the menu changes with the seasons, with a few signatures (including the beloved house-made banana bread) staying put year round. The current spring menu is a mix of PCP signatures and newer seasonal plates, including crumbed eggs on A.P. sourdough with slow-braised ham hock and kale, fried chicken and waffles with maple bacon gravy, a spring salad w

In early 2023, the curtains came down around Manly Pacific: a stunning, design-forward reimagining of a huge, 200-plus-room hotel on the shores of one of Sydney’s most famous beaches. The $30-million renovation project, led by Australian designers Coco Republic, transformed the sprawling site into one of Sydney’s most lusted-after luxury stays, complete with a beautiful rooftop pool, a sophisticated cocktail bar, a playful all-day diner and an Italian restaurant that quickly secured its position among the city’s best. Now, the hotel has entered a new chapter under Elysium – the Aussie-born luxury hotel brand (launched by Manly Pacific's existing owners), which made its debut in Noosa last year. Fans of Manly Pacific (myself very much included) will be happy to hear that much of the experience remains: warm, exceptional service and a stay that makes a convincing case for barefoot luxury. Returning to the hotel post-rebrand, I was pleasantly surprised to find it even more note-perfect than I remembered: refreshed rooms and suites, new locally sourced artwork and floral installations, a signature Elysium scent that laces every moment with luxury, and a team that goes above and beyond to make every guest feel like a very well-cared-for friend. It's still every bit a high-end hotel, made even more delightful with a distinctly Manly energy: calm, confident and balancing wellness with all the pleasures of a great luxury hotel stay. The difference now is in the details, from person

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 give 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  Table Top Shakespeare will turn pantry items into Shakespearean stars Forget actors – this delightfully bonkers production has vases, jars, Dettol bottles and salt and pepper shakers taking centre stage. Six performers from acclaimed UK theatre company Forced Entertainment will retell Shakespeare’s most iconic tales using whatever they can find in the pantry, with plenty of relish, marmalade and dish soap along the way.Dates: September 22–27Tickets: $75 Curious will bring some of the world’s biggest thinkers to the Opera House Keen to expand your mind? The Sydney Opera House’s ideas festival, Curious, will reurn with a line-up of influential thinkers, comedians, creatives and chefs exploring everything from the mysteries of consciousness to family drama, the past and what the future might hold.Dates: October 4 & November 4Tickets: From $39 A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen will serve up a family story with a side of curry Part theatr

The beating heart of the Central Coast, linking the quickly-growing coastal region to the centre of Sydney via a (pretty damn scenic) direct train line, Gosford is on the up and up. And Voco Gosford – a brand-new 28-storey tower in the centre of town – is leading the charge. There is, undeniably, something that feels a little strange about the presence of a sparkling metropolis in such a sleepy town, but after spending a night here, it’s hard to deny that this well-appointed mega venue is a huge boost to the area.  What is Voco Gosford like? Rising up into the sky in the heart of the small town, Voco Gosford is a coastal-inspired hotel overlooking Brisbane Water – home to 130 rooms, six food and drink venues and plenty of spaces for events. It’s a seriously polished base for exploring the Central Coast, with the foreshore, beaches and national parks all within easy reach, and a huge rooftop pool primed for slow holiday mornings. What are the rooms like at Voco Gosford? Ranging from King Standard and Bay View rooms to Premium Balcony rooms, Queen rooms and King Suites, there’s a whole lot to choose from on the rooms front – meaning it’s a really great option for big groups looking for a base on the Cenny Coast. Lots of the rooms have private balconies and water or mountain views, and the influence of the surrounding area is beautifully evident in the design: all sandy tones and touches of ocean blue. Designed by Melbourne-based interiors firm Hecker Guthrie, the simple aesthet

Art enthusiasts, assemble. Australia’s biggest contemporary art event is back at Carriageworks in Redfern from September 3-6. Sydney Contemporary has returned with a Champagne-fuelled bang, featuring stunning works by more than 500 artists from 33 countries, represented by 100 galleries. The ambitious program is made up of large-scale installations, impressive works, photographs, performances and talks. And for the first time ever, Sydney Contemporary has spilled beyond the walls of Carriageworks, with public artworks popping up across the city. Fair director Zoe Paulsen says this year’s massive 10th edition is filled with “celebration and discovery, the familiar and the unexpected.” While the fair itself will take over Carriageworks as usual, this year's highlights extend to two beautiful waterfront spots. Kamilaroi artist Reko Rennie has a striking new installation at Sydney Fish Market, while Joan Ross's bold video work will transform Pier Pavilion at Barangaroo – inviting passing Sydneysiders to engage with contemporary art outside the traditional gallery setting. Inside Carriageworks, expect everything from monumental sculptures and immersive textile installations to kinetic works and live performances. Melbourne duo The Huxleys will debut a joyous new performance piece, and Mike Hewson (the visionary behind AGNSW's universally loved exhibition The Key's Under The Mat) will transform the Carriageworks café with his signature immersive approach. Other headline names exhib

It’s been a big twelve months for Sydney on the art front – with the 25th Biennale of Sydney being named the best exhibition in the world worth travelling for, the beloved Brett Whiteley Studio re-opening in Surry Hills, and Mike Hewson’s Key’s Under the Mat changing the way we think about galleries. Mercifully, we’re not stopping there. This spring, one of Australia’s most celebrated artists is getting the blockbuster retrospective treatment that only the Art Gallery of NSW can offer, with Nolan: Origins landing this spring, exploring the formative years of Sidney Nolan’s career. Bringing together more than 150 works from public and private collections, the exhibition traces the period from the late 1930s to Nolan’s departure for the UK in 1953 – the years in which he developed the bold, distinctive style that would help redefine Australian art. According to the gallery, the major drawcard will be Nolan’s iconic Ned Kelly series, with all 27 paintings reunited in Sydney for the first time in more than 60 years. The series sees the bushranger transformed into a mysterious, almost mythical figure, and remains one of the defining achievements of Australian art. But there’s plenty more to discover, from Nolan’s early modernist works developed at Melbourne’s Heide to his vivid paintings of the Wimmera, K’gari, outback Queensland and Central Australia. The exhibition will also explore his fascination with Australian legends, including the Burke and Wills expedition, as well as his

It’s hard to name a more iconic Australian live music venue than the Sydney Opera House. In fact, I dare you. And while the Concert Hall, Utzon Room and other architecturally stunning indoor spaces have their merits, a show on the Opera House forecourt – out in the air, with views across the harbour – is beyond special.Last year, the Sydney Opera House On The Steps series brought some of Australia’s most beloved musicians to the Opera House forecourt, with Parcels, Ruel and Jimmy Barnes all performing outside of the country’s most famous building, as well as global acts including Franz Ferdinand, Loyle Carner and Boy and Bear. This year, On The Steps will return to the Sydney Opera House Forecourt from December 1 to 12, bringing nine nights of live music to what we think is the country’s most magnificent stage. Now in its fifth year, the Live Nation series has become something of a Sydney summer fixture, pairing big-name acts with that crazy-good Harbour Bridge-and-Opera House backdrop. For 2026, the headliners are particularly stacked. American punk-rock heavyweights Rise Against will kick things off on December 1, joined by fellow genre legends Dropkick Murphys, before Mercury Prize-winning electronic artist James Blake takes over the Forecourt on December 2. Then it’s over to Sydney’s own DMA’S on December 3, bringing their indie-rock anthems home, followed by British alt-rockers Wolf Alice on December 4. Fresh from taking home Group of the Year at the 2026 BRIT Awards, th

If you’ve ever been lucky enough to find yourself in the Supernatural Amphitheatre in mid-December, you’ll be familiar with the magic of Meredith. The beloved three-day, two-night music festival is an annual pilgrimage for a lot of music-loving Victorians (and beyond, myself included), and the recently-dropped line-up for this year’s event is looking seriously stacked. Meredith 34 will take over the famous pocket of countryside on Wadawurrung Country near Meredith from December 11-13, with a genre-hopping bill that runs from indie rock and punk to electronic, soul, hip-hop and (in true Meredith form) everything in between. Topping the bill this year is the shape-shifter that is Dijon, making his Australian debut with his cosmic blend of soul, R'n'B and rock, while hyper-pop provocateur underscores will bring her gloriously chaotic live show to the festival for the first time. We can also expect a very welcome return from Melbourne legends Eddy Current Suppression Ring, back at the 'Sup a decade after their last appearance.Elsewhere on the line-up, we can expect indie anthems from The Dandy Warhols, genre-bending neo-soul from Hiatus Kaiyote, and a big dose of dancefloor euphoria courtesy of DJ Seinfeld. New York hardcore outfit Show Me The Body, South London chaos merchants Fat Dog, electronic pioneer Suzanne Ciani and Detroit dance heavyweight Marcellus Pittman are among the other headline acts. Aussie favourites Killing Heidi are back too, alongside D Train, Ella Thompson,

The Adina tagline is Living Made Easy – and based on the rooms, facilities and thoughtfully location-specific aesthetic of the Adina properties I’ve stayed in, it totally checks out. Stepping into the designer lobby of Adina Bondi, you’d be forgiven for mistaken you were heading to your friend’s luxe new beachside home. Right in the beating heart of Bondi, home to 111 apartment-style suites, Adina Bondi is the perfect base for anyone who wants a commitment-free sample of life in Australia’s most famous beachside ’burb. What is Adina Bondi like? Sitting right in the heart of Bondi’s buzzy Hall Street, within the 33,000-square-metre complex known as The Hub, Adina Bondi Beach is a breezy, beachy hotel-apartment hybrid in a next-level location. It’s the sort of place where you can wake up, grab a top-tier coffee (our rec is Makuto), spend a day in the waves, then wander home with a bottle of wine for balcony drinks without ever needing to get in a car.  What are the rooms like at Adina Bondi? As per the Adina ethos, the vibe here is apartment living with hotel service. The 111 studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are designed to give you a heap more elbow room than your average hotel room, with kitchens and laundry facilities making them perfect for longer stays and multigenerational trips. There are sofa beds and rollaway beds for larger groups, while various studio and one-bedroom apartments can be interconnected to create bigger spaces with extra bedrooms and b

There’s a lookout on the edge of the Jamison Valley called Sublime Point, and I’d argue it’s the most aptly named spot in the Blue Mountains. In its philosophical sense, the sublime describes something so vast and beautiful it borders on overwhelming – even terrifying. Stand here, gazing across an endless sea of knotted eucalypts framed by towering sandstone escarpments, and the meaning becomes pretty immediately clear. In my opinion, it’s not the only place in the BMs that inspires that feeling, either. You’ll find the same heart-stopping sense of wonder at Echo Point, where the Three Sisters rise from the valley to your left and bright red parrots swoop between the trees. And just a few steps away from Echo Point, you’ll encounter the word's other, less philosophical meaning. Fresh from a multi-million-dollar refurbishment, Lilianfels represents the sublime in the more familiar sense: impeccably designed and luxuriously appointed, it’s a note-perfect countryside escape. What is Lilianfels like? Grand, glamorous and gloriously old-world. Originally built in 1889 as the summer residence of Lieutenant-Governor of NSW Sir Frederick Darley, the heritage-listed estate has been serving as a mountain getaway mainstay for decades. Now, after a multimillion-dollar makeover, the appeal goes far beyond the hotel’s historic bones and immaculately manicured grounds. Service is first-rate, rooms are Instagrammable-as-heck, and the Martini trolley is ready for your post-hike hang by the fi

There’s a lot of incredible art to see in Sydney, but if you’re open to a getaway this springtime, we’d suggest heading up the coast to Newcastle – the coastal city that’s transforming into a creative wonderland for its multidisciplinary contemporary arts festival, New Annual. Across 10 days (from September 25 until October 4), the festival will bring together 402 artists, 40 events and seven new commissions – celebrating the stories, landscapes and creative energy that make Newcastle (traditionally known as Muloobinba) so special.This year, the coastline will take centre stage – with sunrise theatre, open-air exhibitions and works that (actually) shift with the tides. At Dixon Park Beach, acclaimed theatre-maker Roslyn Oades will present Sea Stories, an intimate sunrise experience exploring friendship and life by the ocean, while Penelope Green’s Ocean Rituals will turn the Bathers Way into an outdoor photographic exhibition. At Canoe Pool, Izabela Pluta’s monumental new commission Cavitation will evolve with the changing light, weather and waves, accompanied by live dance performances from Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub.Come sunset, Newcastle Ocean Baths will once again become one of Australia’s most spectacular gig venues for SOAK: Live at the Baths. Curated by Urthboy, the free concert series will feature performances from Hermitude, Claire O’Brien, 92Wrld, Kobie Dee and Karen Lee Andrews. Beyond the beach, the city’s pubs, parks and cultural spaces will come alive with

One of Australia's biggest NYE parties is so back – and if last year's lightning-fast sell-out is anything to go by, you'll need to move fast if you want to score tix. Beyond the Valley (BTV) has just unveiled the line-up for its 11th edition, with global dance titan John Summit, noughties icons Black Eyed Peas and rave superstar KI/KI leading the charge. Presented by Untitled Group and Triple J, the four-day camping festival has become a summer rite of passage for Victoria’s dance fans, drawing tens of thousands of people to Barunah Plains every year. To kick off its second decade in action, BTV is going big. Topping the bill is John Summit, one of the biggest names in dance music right now. Fresh from headlining Tomorrowland, selling out London's O2 Arena and Los Angeles' Kia Forum, and racking up more than one billion global streams, the Chicago-born DJ and producer will take on BTV’s hottest slot: the New Year's Eve countdown into 2027. Joining him for an Australian-exclusive performance is Black Eyed Peas. The six-time Grammy-winning group behind beloved poppy hits like 'Where Is the Love?', 'Boom Boom Pow' and 'I Gotta Feeling' will serve up their signature singalong anthems that are so perfectly primed for festival crowds. Electronic music fans will be looked after too. Dutch DJ KI/KI – a megastar in the global dance music scene right now – will return for an extended three-hour set. British grime pioneer Skepta is also back for his first BTV appearance since 2019/20.T

It’s been a while in the works, but thanks to an update from the City of Sydney, we’ve got reason to believe that the Harbour City’s alfresco eating game is about to seriously step up. The City of Sydney has just approved a new set of outdoor dining guidelines that will come into effect on October 1, 2026, changing how restaurants, cafés and bars can use public footpaths and kerbside space. Here’s what that means for your happy hour. For starters, businesses will have more flexibility over where they can put tables and chairs. Venues will be able to apply to use space outside adjacent properties, rather than being restricted to the space directly outside their own premises. They can also set up dining on both sides of the pedestrian path – against the building and the kerb – where there is enough room. The application process for venues is also being streamlined, with the City reducing notification requirements and removing duplicate processes. Some existing rules around outdoor dining furniture, food, toilets and heaters are also being removed. According to the City of Sydney, there will be more scope for greenery, too, with businesses given greater flexibility to install planter boxes and large pots. And there's a longer-term incentive for businesses: new permanent footpath extensions can receive five-year approvals where possible, giving operators more certainty. Photograph: Supplied | City of Sydney | Abril Felmanoutdoor dining Sydney The council is keen to stress that

When you’re planning a next-level getaway, it’s natural to immediately look overseas – to the ornate hotels of Italy and the charming chateaus of the French countryside. But let's be honest: there’s a whole new level of luxury to an immaculate hotel getaway within driving distance of home. Thankfully, our sunny state is home to a very impressive line-up of genuinely world-class hotels, and you don’t need to just take our word for it. The Michelin Guide – essentially the gold standard for the good life – has just unveiled its 2026 hotel selection, with 22 new hotels across Australia awarded Michelin Keys, and ten new additions to the NSW round-up. In 2025, NSW’s Michelin Key hotels included two-Key stays Spicers Sangoma Retreat in Bowen Mountain and Lord Howe Island’s Capella Lodge, alongside one-Key properties including Osborn House in Bundanoon, Basq House in Byron Bay, Wildlife Retreat at Taronga, Crystalbrook Albion, Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, Park Hyatt Sydney, QT Sydney, The Eve Hotel Sydney, The Langham Sydney and the dreamy Med-inspired Il Delfino Seaside Inn (in the picture-perfect coastal town of Yamba). This year, the list has gained 10 new additions, with a particularly strong showing from regional NSW. For context, we should explain what a Michelin Key actually is. Introduced in 2024, the distinction is essentially the hotel-world counterpart to the Michelin Star. Michelin Guide inspectors visit hotels anonymously and independently, assessing the overall experienc

Update Wednesday, September 23: Round two! The second pre-sale for Calvin Harris' Aussie tour goes live today at 12pm local time. Tickets for the Frontier Member pre-sale on Monday sold out in minutes, so have your artist pre-sale code and link ready! If you didn't sign up for today's pre-sale, set an alarm for 1pm for the general on sale tomorrow (September 24)! Melbourne EDM enthusiasts, assemble. UK-based producer Calvin Harris is coming to Flemington Racecourse in February 2027 for his first-ever Australian headline tour. The Grammy Award-winning DJ and producer will bring a stack of his biggest hits to Melbourne, including One Kiss, This Is What You Came For, Summer, Feel So Close and Sweet Nothing. Basically, expect a set packed with dance songs you already know all the words to. The tour will also celebrate Harris’ blockbuster albums including 18 Months, Motion and Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, alongside his recent collaborations and compilation album 96 Months. Harris last performed in Australia at Festival X in 2022, so this marks his first dedicated headline tour Down Under. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing Calvin Harris in Melbourne. When is Calvin Harris playing Melbourne? Calvin Harris will play Flemington Racecourse on Friday, February 26, 2027. The Australian tour also stops in Perth on February 18, Brisbane on February 19 and Sydney on February 20, before wrapping up in Melbourne. How do I get tickets to Calvin Harris in Melbourne? General

While we're big fans of Melbourne’s suburban gum trees – there's just something in their gentle strength amidst the human-made structures of the city – but if you like your trees a little bit bigger, read on. Hiding in the Yarra State Forest, the Ada Tree Rainforest Walk leads you through a fairytale landscape of towering tree ferns, moss-covered myrtle beech and soaring mountain ash before revealing one of Victoria's greatest natural wonders: the mighty Ada Tree. Estimated to be more than 300 years old and stretching 76 metres into the canopy, this forest giant is one of the largest flowering trees on Earth. Where is the Ada Tree Rainforest Walk? Hidden deep within the lush Yarra State Forest, the Ada Tree Rainforest Walk sits about a two-hour drive east of Melbourne, near the tiny towns of Powelltown, Noojee and Warburton. What can you see on the Ada Tree Rainforest Walk? The star of the show is, unsurprisingly, the Ada Tree itself: a colossal mountain ash estimated to be more than 300 years old. Standing 76 metres tall with a staggering 15-metre circumference, it's one of Victoria's largest trees and among the world's biggest known flowering trees. But the journey to see this leafy giant is just as magical as the destination. The trail weaves through cool temperate rainforest filled with towering tree ferns, ancient myrtle beech, sassafras and soaring eucalypts before arriving at a viewing deck where you can stop and properly appreciate the Ada Tree herself. Keep your ears

Spring has officially sprung, which means it's time to trade out our indoor plans for long sunny days fuelled by good old-fashioned fresh air. And according to new data from AllTrails, Victorians have some pretty solid reasons to get outside: three of the ten most popular spring hikes in Australia are right here in our backyard. The national list was compiled using AllTrails navigation data from September to November 2025, with walks across the country ranked by the number of navigations recorded on the platform. We've put together the key details of the Vic hikes below – we'll see you on the trail. Cape Woolamai Circuit, Cape Woolamai For dramatic coastal scenery, it’s hard to go past the Cape Woolamai Circuit. The trail loops around the southernmost point of Phillip Island, taking in towering cliffs and sweeping ocean views. Spring brings another reason to make the trip, with wildflowers adding pops of colour to the landscape and seabirds making an appearance along the coast. It’s the sort of walk that makes a weekend road trip to Phillip Island feel very worthwhile. Distance: 8.4 kilometresDrive from Melbourne: Approx. 2 hours Halls Gap to The Pinnacle Loop, Halls Gap The Grampians are one of Victoria’s great hiking destinations, and the walk from Halls Gap to The Pinnacle is a particularly scenic way to take them in. The trail climbs through the region’s distinctive sandstone landscapes before reaching properly panoramic views across the valley. Come spring, the already i

Far-flung overseas holidays have their place, but sometimes getaway perfection comes in the form of a thoughtfully executed hotel stay within driving distance of home. And if you needed another excuse to splurge on a high-end escape here in Vic, here it is: five hotels across the state have just been awarded Michelin Keys as part of the 2026 Australian selection. Announced on September 21, the latest Michelin Guide hotel selection has recognised 22 new hotels across Australia, bringing the country's total to 54 Michelin Key hotels. The awards are the hotel world's answer to the Michelin Star – with inspectors visiting properties anonymously and independently to identify outstanding stays. Having stayed at a couple myself, I can vouch for the standard, and the evaluation criteria – everything from consistency of the service standard to extent of local social impact – are the kinds of things that genuinely do take a hotel from good to great.All five Victorian properties have been awarded One Michelin Key, which the guide describes as a "very special stay". They span everything from a grand Melbourne hotel to coastal retreats and wellness-focused escapes, and yep – we’re firmly adding them to our travel hit list. Greg ElmsIntercontinental Sorrento First up is InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula, which joins the selection with one Key – described by the Michelin team as a “thoroughly modern luxury hotel”. The Mediterranean-coded palace is found in the charming seasid

Earlier this year, a beloved family-run pizzeria in Sydney’s Inner West was ranked No. 3 in the Asia-Pacific at the 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific awards, making it the highest-ranked pizzeria in Australia. Now, Darling Street darling Gigi’s has scored another major accolade, ranking No. 16 in the world at the 50 Top Pizza World 2026 awards. And that’s not the only reason the team has been celebrating – Gigi’s founder and pizzaiolo Daniel Semrani was also crowned Pizza Maker of the Year 2026 – World at the ceremony in Naples. RELATED READ: These are our favourite pizza spots in SydneyIf you’ve dined at Gigi’s and watched Semrani in action, you’ll understand the magic. For more than 15 years, the Sydney-based pizzaiolo (yep, the actual name for top-tier pizza chefs) has been developing his own style of pizza at Gigi’s, experimenting with fermentation, hydration and baking. He calls the resulting style ‘Crunchy Contemporary Neapolitan’, which takes the foundations of Neapolitan pizza and gives them a modern spin, with a crisp exterior and light, sort-of melting centre. Photograph: Winnie Stubbs | Time Out SydneyGigi's Balmain   Gigi’s describes its approach as ‘Freedom of Expression’, giving Semrani and his team plenty of room to experiment with techniques and flavours while staying rooted in the traditions of Italian pizza. For Semrani, being recognised in Naples is particularly significant. “To come to Naples, the home of pizza, and have Gigi’s ranked No. 16 in the world, and th

Melbourne’s foodie scene is famously top-tier – but one humble pizza joint in the city’s north continues to prove that you don’t need white tablecloths and freshly shucked oysters to dominate the global stage. Located along a Pascoe Vale South shopping strip, Shop225 – the pizzeria crowned Australia’s best pizza last year – has just picked up another serious international accolade. The beloved local was recognised as the seventh best pizza restaurant in the Asia-Pacific region at the prestigious 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific Awards, announced recently in Tokyo. Photograph: Supplied | Julian Lallo RECOMMENDED: These are the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne 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. For Shop225, the honour continues an impressive run on the international stage. At last year’s global ceremony in Italy, the venue was named the best pizza in Australia and placed 28th in the world – a remarkable result for a low-key neighbourhood pizzeria that still feels resolutely local. Behind the operation is founder Lorenzo Tron, whose mission extends beyond perfectly blistered crusts and carefully sourced toppings. The venue has long been known for i

There was a time, not too long ago, when George Street was one of Sydney’s least loveable streets. Now the Light Rail is up and running and the number of trees (and tables) lining the pavements are growing, it’s a pretty damn lovely place to be, and it's about to get even more pedestrian-friendly. According to the NSW Government, the final stage of the George Street transformation is set to extend all the way into The Rocks. The planned upgrade will cover the northern stretch between Essex Street and Jack Mundey Place, completing the 2.5-kilometre pedestrian-friendly corridor that now runs from Central Station towards Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood. So, what’s actually changing? Between Essex and Alfred streets, the eastern side of George Street will be closed to traffic and turned into a wide pedestrian “boulevard”, with new seating, trees, lighting and paving alongside the light rail tracks. The NSW Government says a single southbound vehicle lane will remain on the western side. Render: Supplied | NSW Governmentrender of George Street transformation   Then, between Alfred Street and Jack Mundey Place, the temporary road closure introduced during the pandemic to allow for more outdoor dining will become permanent. One southbound traffic lane will remain, and the other will be repurposed for pedestrians, outdoor dining and public space. That means more room for restaurants and bars to spill outdoors, plus space for people to sit and take in The Rocks without having to compe

After a good few years in the works (and a fair dose of controversy), Powerhouse Parramatta is officially opening its doors later this spring – and it’s kicking things off with a 23-day festival packed with 179 events. Running from November 7 to 29, the Opening Festival will take over the new museum across four weekends, with a stacked program covering everything from space and science to First Nations culture, design, music, film and food. Overwhelmed? Here are nine things worth knowing.RELATED READ: These are the opening exhibitions for Powerhouse Parramatta 1. The museum will stay open late From opening day on November 7 onwards, Powerhouse Parramatta will be open seven days a week – with extended hours during the festival. From Thursday to Sunday, it’ll stay open until 9pm, giving you heaps of time to check out the exhibitions, catch a performance or talk, and stick around Parramatta for dinner afterwards. From Monday to Wednesday, it’ll be open from 10am to 5pm. 2. First Nations artists are getting a major spotlight The festival will be officially opened by Jannawi Dance Clan, who will welcome audiences to Country through dance, song and storytelling. There’s also Eseli's Story, a performance from 44 male dancers and eight singers and musicians from Badu Island, inspired by childhood memories of WWII fighter planes taking off from Horn Island, plus other nods to Country throughout the space (including the rooftop garden). 3. A NASA astronaut is coming to Parramatta Yes,

Abbotsford locals, we’ve got news. A very Euro-coded spot to settle in for a coffee, sandwich, Spritz or long lunch has landed, with an all-day ethos and a very promising team. Open now at Abbotsford Convent, Bar Familiar is bringing good coffee and seasonal plates to the historic site – here’s what we know so far. The new venue comes from friends and co-owners Alessia Augello and Stephanie Lane, who have spent years working within the Convent precinct. The pair previously worked at Cam’s Kiosk, the much-loved venue that occupied the space for 17 years before closing in June. When Cam’s Kiosk closed, Augello and Lane saw an opportunity to create something of their own – keen to retain the sense of familiarity that gained Cam’s its following. According to the team, that feeling of familiarity is quite literally baked into the name. The idea is for Bar Familiar to feel comfortable, welcoming and – crucially – the kind of place a community can make its own. In the kitchen, former Cam’s head chef Alisha Grant is also back, serving a seasonal menu inspired by classic European food, with a focus on generous, unfussy dishes. There are daily sandwiches made with fresh Baker Bleu bread, including mortadella with mustard, confit garlic aioli, pickled fennel and cos (pictured below), and a vegetarian number with pepperonata, Sicilian olives, stracciatella and salsa verde. Sold. Photograph: SuppliedBar Familiar The all-day menu runs from breakfast into lunch, with sesame bagels topped

In a city with so many next-level stays – from boutique beachside gems to celeb-approved palaces overlooking the harbour – it’s a rare thing for one hotel to shine notably brighter than the rest. But according to the hotel experts behind the annual, globally renowned guide to the world’s best hotels, Sydney has just such a property – and it goes by the name Capella. Housed in a grand old sandstone building in the heart of Circular Quay, the 192-room luxury hotel opened in 2023 and this week was named Australia’s top hotel for the second year running by The World’s 50 Best Hotels.Revealed at an awards ceremony in Paris this week, the fourth edition of the global ranking celebrates 50 hotels across six continents, with the list compiled from votes by more than 800 anonymous experts. The voting panel, known as The 50 Best Hotels Academy, includes hoteliers, travel journalists, educators and experienced luxury travellers. The only Australian hotel to make the list, Capella Sydney hotel has landed at No. 16, taking out the title of Best Hotel in Oceania in the process. It’s another major accolade for Capella, which has previously been recognised as Sydney’s finest by Travel + Leisure, Gourmet Traveller Hotel Guide and the 2025 edition of The World’s 50 Best (as well as by our very own Editor in Chief Alice Ellis). Housed inside the beautifully restored former Department of Education building in Sydney’s Sandstone Precinct, the 192-room hotel is a blend of heritage architecture, ch