Winnie Stubbs

It's no secret that Sydney shines during the summer. But that's not to say that the colder months aren't also packed with good times in the Harbour City. This May, the city is coming alive with the giggly goodness that is Sydney Comedy Festival, where a bunch of very funny talents will be coming together to make our lives a little brighter. Adding to the illumination is Vivid 2024 – the immersive wonderland which will be lighting up the city from May 24. Until then, you can get your luminous fix at Luna Park’s Sonic Neon. This month, we’ll also be hitting up this year’s incredible Biennale while we still can, stocking up on local goods at the best markets in the city, and catching all the best theatre we can as winter sets in. May the force be with us. 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. If you want to bust outta town: Head on one of these dreamy short weekenders near Sydney, hit up one of NSW's best hot springs, and then stay closer to home with one of Sydney's easiest (and most beautiful) day walks. 

The Emerald City is peppered with a whole host of stellar hotels that each individually carry their own little sparkly slice of je ne sais quoi. Whether you’re in town for one night, want a longer stay, are flitting through for business, or are travelling to Sydney for the very first time and want to make sure you’re in the best possible spot to properly explore the city, we have you covered. Having earned our stripes reviewing hotels across the country, our team of writers (including Lifestyle Writer Winnie Stubbs and our Travel and News Editor Melissa Woodley) have shared their top picks – along with top tips on how to make the most of your stay. From five-star luxury to boutique boltholes, this list is our edit of the best hotels in Sydney (in no particular order). Warning: it'll be hard for you to choose just one to stay at! Sorry, not sorry. Rather stay under canvas? Find the best glamping sites in NSW or the best camping near Sydney. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Let’s face it: while New South Wales has some spectacular ski resorts and snow fields, taking a trip to the snow isn’t the cheapest of holidays. Mostly, that’s because we have a much shorter snow season than our European cousins. However, that doesn’t mean you need to be rolling in dough to hit the slopes; many alpine destinations offer sweet deals during the winter months. We've rounded up everything from accommodation packages to majorly reduced day passes and student specials. Check out our ultimate snow-on-a-budget guide before you hit up the slopes this winter.  Want more winter getaway action? Check out our list of the best trips you can take to warm up your life this chilly season.Craving something super cosy? These are the best tiny homes and cabins in NSW.

April is coming to an end, which means this weekend is your last chance to dance the night away at this CBD bar’s music month, witness the works of Louise Bourgeois at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and get amongst the foodie delights that have transformed Newcastle since April 1. It’s also a good time to enjoy the city’s best ocean pools before the water turns icy, or set up in a beer garden before our cosy pubs with fireplaces become the only place you want to be to sink a schooner. For a once-a-year occasion this weekend, head to the Multicultural Eid Festival & Fair which is popping up on Sunday for its 39th year. If the cooler weather has got you hankering for a Sunday roast, check out our list of Sydney’s best. Keen to get out of town? These are the best tiny homes in NSW for a cosy weekend away.   Want a quiet spot to swim? Check out Sydney's best secret swimming spots.Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox.

It’s a good week to be a comedy fan in the Harbour City, with Sydney Comedy Festival kicking off this week with a series of shows across the city, plus Marieke Hardy’s laugh-out-loud comedy No Pay? No Way! lighting up the stage at the Opera House. Plus, SZA is coming to town – taking over the Qudos Bank Arena for three huge shows on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. You can find everything you need to know about SZA’s Sydney shows over here, and if you’ve blown your entertainment budget for the month, catch a more affordable live show at one of Sydney’s more low-key music venues. Craving noodles now the weather’s getting colder? These are our favourite noodle soups in the city. Scroll on for our full list of everything you can get up to in Sydney this week. Want to make the most of this week in Sydney? How about starting the day at one of our city's best outdoor swimming pools, then booking in for dinner at one of the best restaurants in Sydney right now.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox.

When it comes to winter getaways, Australia – namely, NSW – doesn't always get the best rap. We get a lot of hype for our marvellous beaches and fairweather fun, but our backyard isn't only worth frolicking around in the summertime. Dare we say, for many NSW holiday locations, winter is the merino-wool hat that they actually wear best.  If you're ready to venture out of the Big Smoke in search of glorious winter sunshine, brisk mountain air or a crackling hearth in a country pub, this guide to some of our favourite cold-weather NSW getaways may be just the thing for you.  So, without further ado, here are our picks of the best winter getaways in NSW to book now.  Read on and be warned: they are chillingly good.  Want more of the chilly stuff? Here are nine things all Sydneysiders know are true about winter, and if you're hitting the slopes, here's everything you need to know before you go to the snow. Staying in Sydney for the cold months? These are our picks of the best pubs and bars with fireplaces 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. 

1. Step into the light at Vivid Sydney. The annual event will be lighting up Sydney from May 26 until June 15 – with luminous highlights including Lightscape (the epic immersive event in the Botanic Gardens) and Dark Spectrum (transforming the tunnels under Wynyard)  2. Go for a dip without the crowds. Prince Alfred Park Pool’s 50-metre, nine-lane pool is heated and open all year round. 3. Winter is the only time of year when you can walk under the romantic Japanese cherry blossom trees at full bloom. Auburn Botanic Gardens' Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the season with an epic festival (you'll have to wait until August – and exact dates for this year are yet to be released). Photograph: Cumberland Council 4. We certainly don’t get the snow fall of our European cousins, but New South Wales has some beautiful alpine resorts that makes going to the snow a lot cheaper. Head to Perisher, Thredbo or Charlotte Pass to hit the powder. Check their websites for sweet deals on ski and snowboarding during winter. 5. Warm up by an open fire at one of the city’s historic pubs, like the British-accented Lord Dudley in Woollahra. Here are the best pubs with fireplaces in Sydney. 6. With shorter days and longer nights, it’s the best time of year to spook yourself silly with one of Q Station’s Ghostly Encounters. This one is scary enough that it's only available for people aged 15 and over, and people under age 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 7. Warm your hands and belly

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

As well as crisp, autumnal mornings, the month of April is blessed with two public holidays – this is your reminder to get planning a weekend away before the best stays get snapped up. It’s also a month of light and laughter, with the Sydney Comedy Festival lighting up venues across the city, the ever-outrageous Rocky Horror Picture Show popping up at Theatre Royal from March 31 until May 12, and incredible immersive light shows coming to this historic harbourside spot and a forest in the Blue Mountains. On the art front, the Biennale is giving Sydneysiders front-row access to exhibitions from globally leading contemporary artists, and a blockbuster photography exhibition documenting the life of Princess Diana is popping up in Ultimo. Plus, this month we’ll see the first iteration of a new monthly laneway party from the forward-thinking folks behind Kyiv Social, our 2023 bar of the year El Primo Sanchez is hosting a tequila-spiked high tea, and Goros has had a cherry blossom makeover. Ready to embrace the changing seasons? Warm up at one of NSW's most stunning natural hot springs, and then explore one of these natural wonders that are worth leaving town for.

Sydney is one pretty city, 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.

If there's one thing that Australia does right, it's really beautiful beaches – and a lot of them, to be precise. With a whopping 12,000 fringing our island continent, it would take you a wild 32 years to see them all – if you tackled one beach per day. Assuming that your 32-year plan doesn't singularly involve beach hopping around Australia (although, we can of course, dream), we've put together a list of the best and prettiest beaches in Australia that you should visit in 2024 – or at least once in your life. Each beach on this list has been selected for its remarkable beauty, safe swimming conditioning (read: you won't see anywhere with saltwater crocs on this list), and proximity to other incredible activities, so your adventure out doesn't end with just one dip. Some of these picks have been richly awarded in the past, while others are less mainstream – but rest easy knowing that every single one of them is well worth their salt, in more ways than one. Now, all that's left is for you to find out for yourself. RECOMMENDED: The best nudist beaches in Australia. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Australia newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. 

We might be a little biased, but we don't believe there's a better place on earth to spend a day than in our sparkling waterside city.From coastal walking tracks to secret swim spots so swanky sky-high bars, Sydney is home to the kinds of settings that play host to magical memories every day of the year – from ordinary Wednesdays to the most important days of your life.  On any given day, there are a whole host of happenings to discover in the Emerald City – each offering a new experience to add to your Sydney memory bank.  If you're stuck for activities, we're here to help – here is what’s in store today. Want to get your weekend plans in order, right now? Check out our pick of the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.Rain putting a dampner on your plans? These are the best things to do indoors. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox.  

If you’re looking for a short but beautiful walk in the Emerald City, this is the one. The easy route rewards walkers with stunning views of the Harbour for minimal effort – winding up at one of our city’s most beautiful harbourside suburbs. Along the way you’ll catch views of the Harbour Bridge and Shark Island, as well as historic Strickland House, a heritage-listed Victorian Italianate mansion built in the 1850s. You’d be wise to pack swimmers and sunscreen, as you’ll pass by a number of idyllic small harbour beaches so well secreted away from main roads that you feel like you’ve discovered one of Sydney’s best kept secrets – in a way, you have. Should you pack snacks? Yes, it’s picnic heaven. If you're willing to wait, take the route along to Watsons Bay and settle into the beer garden with a spritz and a bowl of calamari.

Melbourne's love affair with pop and live music hasn't ended now that Taylor Swift has left the city, leaving a cloud of glitter in her wake. As the Swiftie-mania fades, South Korean K-Pop sensation Aespa has finally announced more details for their Aussie tour. The quartet’s SYNK: Parallel Line world tour is currently set to comprise 19 concerts across 13 cities in Australia and Asia, and they’ll be bringing their hyperpop magic to Melbourne in early September 2024. With a name derived from a combination of “æ” (avatar and experience) and aspect, this powerhouse K-Pop quartet – Karina, Winter, Giselle and Ningning – has carved a tremendous trajectory since they debuted in 2020 with the hot single ‘Black Mamba’, with record-breaking music releases and live performances including a mainstage set at Coachella in 2022. Aespa is exciting fans globally with their incredible stage presence and innovative approach to hyperpop music, and Melbourne will finally get our turn to be part of it this spring. Here's everything you need to know. When is Aespa in Melbourne? Winter, Karina, Ningning and Giselle will be taking to the stage in Melbourne on Monday, September 2, at Rod Laver Arena. The show will be their second-ever gig Down Under, coming after a stop in Sydney on August 31.  How can I get tickets to the Melbourne Aespa show and how much do they cost? General ticket sales kick off at 9am on Friday, May 10, via Ticketek, but there are also a few presale options if you're a keen bea

If you’re looking for an alfresco location for a spot of shopping on a glittering Sydney Saturday, then we suggest you mark your calendars for the Barangaroo Artisan Market – popping up by the water on Saturday, May 11. Kicking off at 10am, this open-air market is set to be bigger than ever – playing host to over 60 stalls peddling a variety of edible treats and sustainable, locally-sourced wares. And because it's taking place on the last shopping day before Mothering Sunday, there will be a special emphasis on gifts that are perfect for your dear ol' ma. Expect to pick up treasures like delectable small-batch Chinese chilli oil from Mama Liu’s, cheese wheels from Vanella, a sweet selection of clothing made from recycled materials, handmade jewellery and homewares, and natural perfumes made from Aussie natives. There really is something for everyone – plus roving performers, live music and easy access to Barangarro's excellent eateries to keep you sustained. With everything shutting up shop at 3pm, this market is a very cute way to start off the Mother’s Day weekend – or really any weekend for that matter. You're likely to snag a pretty good last-minute present, and entry is totally free.  Bring your dog, your siblings, or come alone and score big by getting mum the best gift of Mother’s Day 2024. You can plan your visit over here.Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.  Want to

In a major win for R'n'B fans across Australia, Grammy-winning American superstar SZA has just announced dates for a hotly anticipated Australian leg of her S.O.S Tour. The 'Kill Bill' singer will be taking over Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena for three nights in late April and early May.  When is SZA in Melbourne?  SZA will bring her vulnerable yet powerful songwriting to Rod Laver Arena on April 29 and April 30, with an extra show added on Thursday, May 2. These Melbourne shows will be the final stop on SZA's journey through Australia, after stops in Brisbane and Sydney. How can I get tickets to the Melbourne SZA shows and how much do they cost? The Live Nation Presale will start on Friday, February 10 at 2pm local time via Ticketek – with prices yet to be confirmed. The general sale will begin on Monday, February 12 (also at 2pm), with a limit of ten tickets available per transaction.  What will the SZA Melbourne show be like? Few details have been released about what Melburnians can expect from the show, but based on previous shows on her S.O.S. Tour – which has taken the artist through Europe, America and Canada – we’re expecting something pretty special. SZA’s shows have been described by The New York Times as "vigorous, confident, theatrical and intimate”. We'd expect nothing less. Who will the Melbourne SZA support acts be? The support acts for SZA’s Melbourne show are yet to be announced, but special performances at previous shows have included angelic vocalist Phoebe Br

A stones throw from Oxford Street, and decked out with rainbow coloured carpets, ADGE Hotel and Residencies feels like it was purpose-built for Sydney’s sparkly Mardi Gras celebrations – in the most wonderfully colourful way. In the cavernous foyer, vibrant, palm-patterned chairs cluster around low tables, concrete pillars tower into the high ceiling, and light floods in through a skylight that runs along the entire length of the space. Between polished concrete, the walls are adorned with bold murals by renowned tattoo artist Adrian Hing, and climbing plants overflow down a sculptural shelf structure that dominates the wall facing the reception desk. There’s something immediately fun about ADGE; it’s unpretentious and welcoming – groovy in the most un-intimidating way. Towards the entrance on Riley Street, you’ll find Soul Deli – a playful Korean-inspired café serving a creative contemporary Korean lunch menu, and breakfast hotcakes that will live rent-free in your mind until your next visit. The 254-room hotel is situated on the former site of the Cambridge Hotel, and towers into the sky above Surry Hills.  Our room was on the fifteenth floor, with a balcony that opened up onto far-reaching views across the city – the rooftops of Darlinghurst falling into the distance. Inside, the room was colourful and comfy; with a perfectly firm king sized bed, sizable bathroom and a Smeg fridge waiting to be filled with drinks. For that task, Oxford Street is less than five minutes walk

April 2024 update: Due to huge demand, SZA has added a third Sydney show, and the support act has now been announced – Californian R&B curator SiR will be joining SZA on the line-up.In major news for R’n’B fans across Australia, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter SZA has just announced the dates for the Australian leg of her S.O.S Tour – she’ll be taking over Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena for two consecutive dates in April. When is SZA in Sydney?  SZA will be taking over the Qudos Bank Arena on April 23, April 24 and April 26 2024, before heading to Melbourne. How can I get tickets to the Sydney SZA show and what are SZA ticket prices for Sydney?   The ticket pre-sale will start on Friday, February 9 via Ticketek – with prices yet to be confirmed. The general sale will begin on Monday, February 12 (2pm local time), with a limit of 10 tickets available per transaction. What will SZA concerts in Australia be like? Few details have been released about what Sydneysiders can expect from the show, but based on previous shows on her S.O.S. Tour – which has taken the artist through Europe, America and Canada – we’re expecting something pretty special. SZA’s shows have been described by The New York Times as "vigorous, confident, theatrical and intimate.” We'd expect nothing less. Who will the Sydney SZA support acts be? The SZA support act has just been announced; with Californian R&B curator SiR set to join SZA on the line-up.Keep tabs on updates over here.   Want more? Sophie Ellis-B

If the events of the past few days have rocked you, you’re not alone. It’s easy to feel afraid and helpless in response to tragedies like the one that unfolded over the weekend, but there are ways in which we – as a community – can help. One such example is the annual 10km charity walk, organised by Sydney-based grassroots organisation Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre (WAGEC). The  Walk for WAGEC 2024 will take place on May 5, 2024, with the aim of raising $300,000 to deliver crucial programs for women and children that restore safety, build financial independence and promote their recovery from trauma. Based in Redfern, Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre (WAGEC) works throughout the year to support women and families in crisis – providing support whilst advocating for social change in the community.  Every night, WAGEC supports 200 women and children impacted by homelessness, domestic violence and systemic disadvantage by providing accommodation, material aid, case management, biopsychosocial support and crisis responses. They also work to address the underlying causes of gender-based violence through community engagement – part of a global movement aiming to end gender-based violence in a generation. Joining the Walk for WAGEC is a fun, interactive way of showing your support and helping to move the needle towards a safer world for women.Registration on the day will open at 7am – with walkers and runners making their way from Church Grounds within Centennial Parklands o

It’s 10pm on a Thursday night, and Luke Mangan – the acclaimed celebrity chef and restaurateur – is pouring Champagne over my dessert. I look around to check that I haven’t somehow found myself on the set of an Australian remake of The Great Gatsby, but the setting (an intimate dining room just off the marble-trimmed foyer of Kimpton Margot Sydney hotel) only compounds the illusion. Taking the lead from my dining companions, who are tucking into their Champagne-soaked chocolate tarts with gusto, I take another sip of Taittinger and follow suit. The event is the first of a series of intimate dinners that Mangan is running in partnership with the Champagne brand, and at $395 a head, it’s not one for the budget-conscious. But if you’re in the market for a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience to bring some sparkle to your autumn evening, this is it. And it should be noted that these kinds of ambitious experiences are something that Mangan manages to pull off consistently, while simultaneously championing accessibility in the industry. Currently overseeing the operations at six kitchens across the city (Glass Brasserie, Luc-San, Luke’s Bistro & Bar Sydney Airport, one particularly surreal space within the Harbour Bridge and the Kimpton Margot’s Harper Rooftop Bar and Luke’s Kitchen) he’s a man of mammoth talent, scope and ambition, and he carries it with warmth and a jovial, welcoming sense of humour. He’s the kind of person you want to spend an evening with eating pasta at a bus

Some of the state’s biggest music festivals might be pulling the plug, but it would be a misrepresentation to say that the NSW music scene is in dire straits. In fact, the slew of recent live music venue openings across Sydney and beyond suggest quite the opposite. Thanks in part to the government’s six-pronged plan to amp up Sydney’s nightlife, the Harbour City has welcomed some exceptional live music venues over the past few months, and Impressed Recordings – a new record store turned live music venue – is the latest to join the ranks. The trendy new multidisciplinary space is the passion project of the team of the same name; a boutique Australian record label which has spent the past twelve months spotlighting and elevating unique releases in Australia from their online platform. Now, they’ve found their forever home in a vibrant new space in the creative hub of Wollomooloo. Committed to re-writing the rules, the Impressed Recordings team initially established themselves as an online platform for artists and music lovers to connect, share and discover. The label’s vinyl drop from none other than The Wiggles (titled Yummy Yummy) was a sell-out success, and they also worked with Sydney golden boys Royel Otis on their recent EP Bar & Grill/Sofa Kings. Visitors to the store can expect to find new vinyl drops alongside a carefully curated, genre-bending catalogue of records. “The only rules are diversity in our catalogue, belief in the music, and never compromising on the best

The Harbour City does a good line in immersive light experiences, and if you can’t wait until Vivid takes over the city later in May, Luna Park is here to help. The iconic attraction’s newest installation – Sonic Neon – will be opening to the public from Saturday, April 13, and tickets are on sale now. Housed in Crystal Palace – a building which dates all the way back to 1935 – Sonic Neon will take visitors on a journey through six different rooms, with state-of-the-art visuals and a layered soundscape creating a transportive experience. Illuminating more than 150 metres of the historic building, the experience will feature more than 26,000 lights set to a pulsating soundtrack using state-of-the-art technology that’s never been used before in Australia. Tickets to the event are available now, and first release ticket holders will be afforded access to what Luna Park has described as a “secret zone”. Details about this mystery “Blacklight Dessert Bar” are thin on the ground, but Luna Park has confirmed: “Visitors will be able to purchase glow-in-the-dark desserts including custom treats by Sydney’s famous Tokyo Lamington along with glowing fairy floss and soft serve ice cream.” The experience will run daily from 10am for approximately four months, though the exact end date is yet to be announced. Tickets for the self-guided Sonic Neon experience (estimated to take around 30 minutes) start at $29 per person, and the first month of tickets are on sale now. If you’re keen to secu

You’d be forgiven for mistaking Sage Space – the ridiculously beautiful dentist studio in a shady corner of Darlinghurst – for a trendy creative agency, interior design firm or high-end beauty salon. And in a way, it kind of is.  The brainchild of passionate interior design enthusiast and dentist Dr Corbin Barry – whose role at Sage Space isn’t only as Principal Dentist, but also as Founder and Creative Director – Sage Space is a dentist studio like you’ve never seen before. In the light-flooded, terrazzo-tiled foyer, you’ll be greeted with a glass of water (in Maison Balzac, no less), then led through to the "brushing bay" (an enclosed, warmly-lit space complete with a stylish sink below a designer mirror) and gifted with a dental wellness pack containing a toothbrush, organic toothpaste, natural lip balm and the cutest box of floss you'll ever see. Once you’ve brushed your teeth, your dentist will lead you through to the treatment room; another stunningly designed space that entirely defies convention. Aesthetically unpleasant, purely functional design features are replaced with artwork from local creatives, and instead of the scent of harsh chemicals thronging the air, you’ll notice a Maison Balzac candle burning in the corner. Every touchpoint of the dentist visit has been considered and re-worked for your enjoyment. And while Sage Space could get by on good looks alone, it doesn’t have to. The treatments offered are akin to the kinds of dental care treatments you’d expe

Since Australia’s first dedicated infrared sauna space (Nimbus Co) opened in Bondi back in 2016, Sydney’s eastern suburbs have taken on the unofficial role as the Emerald City’s sauna hotspot (pun intended). And now the offering is levelling up; with the launch of a new sauna, steam and ice bath studio with a membership model that’s wildly more affordable than the standard rate.  Founded by two brothers, Xtra Clubs is bringing an anytime membership model to Sydney – a model that’s never been seen before in the sauna studio space. Essentially, you’re paying less than the cost of one standard sauna session to get anytime access to a sprawling social bathhouse. It sounds a little too good to be true, but then so did ordering pizza to the park through an app on your phone until we started doing it. The first Xtra Clubs space opened its doors in Bondi Junction in early 2024; a huge studio that's home to a 30-person Finnish sauna, six ice baths, three four-person infrared saunas and a 20-person steam room. It’s like a Roman bathhouse, but the 2024 edition.Memberships start at a very affordable $28 per week, and the entry-level membership will score you unlimited access outside of peak times, plus one 70-minute peak-hour session per week. If you’re keen to upgrade, the “Elevate” membership will score you an additional two peak-hour visits per week (and extended use time with 100-minute instead of 70-minute sessions) for $44 per week. Considering the cost of a 45-minute infrared saun

Summer is officially over, and if the longer nights have got you plotting your next trip, you’re not alone. With over 6,000 hotels to choose from in Australia, it can be hard to know where to start. At Time Out Sydney, we're all over the best hotels in Sydney, but this is also where Tripadvisor comes in. The world’s largest travel site just released its annual Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotel Awards for 2024, spotlighting places that received the highest number of "above-and-beyond" customer reviews in 2023. Tripadvisor sifted through ratings of more than 1.6 million hotels listed on the site and also organised the hotels into categories, such as best all-inclusive, luxury, family-friendly, B&Bs, boutique, pet-friendly and sustainable options. While it’s nice to know what overseas options are available, we’re most interested in the best hotels here on Australian soil. Alongside its global list, Tripadvisor also put together a round-up of the best hotels in Australia according to travellers, and two hotels from right here in the Harbour City made the cut. It turns out, the most high-end stays in the city aren’t necessarily the faves. Photograph: Supplied | Little National Hotel The first Sydney stay to make the cut was the Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Chippendale – a complex of serviced apartments right in the heart of Chippendale, which came in at number 12 in the list of Tripadvisor's 25 favourite hotels in the country. 127 travellers reviewed this urban sanctuar

From our sun-drenched beer gardens to our dreamy stretches of sand, you can't deny that Sydneysiders are afforded easy access to some pretty epic relaxation stations. But even we admit that we’re somewhat surprised to hear that Sydney has been named "the most chilled-out city" in the whole world. Sydney is Australia’s largest city, and (when you're not worrying about things like rental rises, parking fines, and the downward spiral of late-stage capitalism) there is whole lot to love about the Emerald City – like all the great things to do and our amazing options to get out to eat, drink, play and engage with culture. Which is why we’re pretty proud to take the crown, beating well-known chill-out zones including Honolulu, Amsterdam, and even our neighbours across the ditch.The news comes courtesy of a recent survey by insurance company PayingTooMuch, which analysed and ranked the most laid-back cities in the world based on a variety of metrics. These key factors included noise and pollution, the number of walking trails, happiness scores and the quality of green spaces. Sure, we'll take it. Photograph: Destination NSWBondi Beach, Sydney Thanks to our abundance of walking trails (an amazing 681), extensive outdoor spaces (the Harbour City is home to 917 parks), and high happiness rating (Sydney ranks as the third-happiest city in the world) Sydney came out as number one. If that doesn’t prompt you to take an hour out this weekend for a slow schooner in the sun, we don’t know

Attention Inner Westies: your night-time journeys are about to get a whole lot easier. As of Monday, April 29, the L1 Dulwich Hill light rail line will start running late into the night, with extended hours from 5.00am to 1.00am, seven days a week.  The changes will see an extra 160 services added to the weekly timetable, with services running every 15 minutes between 5.00am and 6.00am every morning, and every 15 minutes between 11.00pm and 1.00am every night. It’s good news for early risers, and also good news for late-night stop outs – and according to Transport for NSW, the change is permanent.  The decision has been made as part of the NSW Government’s plan to revive Sydney’s night-time economy, with improved conditions for those working outside of 9-to-5 hours making up one of six reforms forming the government’s approach to reigniting Sydney’s nightlife. What does this mean if you’re not a member of the night-time workforce? Easier access to Sydney’s rapidly-increasing line-up of live music venues and late-night dining options.In the words of Transport Minister Jo Haylen: “Every night is a good night to be out and about in Sydney, so ensuring people have a way home is vital.”  You can learn more over here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.  RECOMMENDED: A major Oxford Street upgrade will improve the lives of 3,000 Sydney cyclists and commuters These Sydney train stati

If you’ve found yourself at the intersection of St Peters and Newtown over recent weeks, you might have noticed something sparkly taking over the ground floor of 672 King Street. And now, the news is out – with One Playground Newtown opening the doors to their new reformer pilates studio, complete with more than 8,000 hand-installed mirrors. For the uninitiated, One Playground is a Sydney-based wellness brand operating strikingly beautiful, surprisingly affordable gyms across the city. The brand made the switch from “fitness playground” to One Playground in March 2023, a move that co-founder Justin Ashley (who happens to be one of our Future Shapers for 2024) describes as a reflection of their mission “to bring all health, fitness and wellness under one roof.” Photograph: Supplied | One Playground   The launch of One Playground’s third reformer studio is the extension of that mission – with Ashley explaining that the reformer classes run from their Marrickville and Surry Hills studios are the most popular classes on their (notably extensive) class schedule. Occupying a 145sqm space on the ground floor of their expansive, night club-style Newtown outpost, this shiny new studio has been a long time coming. “Ever since we moved into this space nine years ago, we’ve been hoping that our landlord would give us the keys to the ground floor – we knew it would be the perfect space for a reformer studio. It’s been operating as a picture frame shop for years, and every few months, I’

The days are getting shorter and temperatures in Sydney are dropping, so if you’re dreaming of a winter getaway, you’re not alone. And if your idea of the perfect winter getaway involves submerging your body in a naturally heated pool, you’re not alone on that either. According to the ABC, hot springs are the fifth most popular tourist experience worldwide. Luckily for us here in New South Wales, some pretty exceptional hot springs are right here on our doorstep. But what’s the deal with these steamy spots? And why are they so high on travel bucket lists?  Essentially, a hot spring (otherwise known as a hydrothermal spring, or geothermal spring) is a body of water that emerges when water that’s heated below ground makes its way to the Earth’s surface. The water is heated below ground by flows of magma circulating through the earth, and the mineral content and water temperature has been found to improve vascular health, burn calories, reduce blood pressure and improve skin conditions.In Queensland, high levels of rainfall have allowed for naturally occurring hot springs to appear across the outback and in the bush, as The Great Artesian Basin (which runs beneath the state) fills, pushing warm water to the surface. Photograph: Supplied | Destination NSW And while we're not experiencing the same phenomenon here in NSW, we do have a bunch of amazing, well-established hot springs that are ready to welcome visitors. In the far reaches of the state, you'll find Yarrangobilly Caves

Twitchers, this one’s for you. In an attempt to slow down the extinction of some of our most precious birds, there’s been a huge census of Australian skies – and the results are in. This year, the exotic-looking rainbow lorikeet has been crowned the most popular bird in New South Wales. Collating data from 60,598 keen bird-watchers from across Australia, the tenth annual Aussie Bird Count recorded a total of more than 3.6 million birds – with 597 different bird species recorded. And while there were significant numbers of noisy miner sightings and sightings of sulphur-crested cockatoos (the second and third most common birds in NSW, respectively), it was the rainbow lorikeet who came out on top. Photograph: Pexels | Syed Redwan Hoque The first Aussie Bird Count was carried out back in 2014, with a smaller cohort of bird watchers turning their eyes to the sky. Back then, only 9,000 bird counters took part – and while a lot has reportedly changed about our sky-bound residents over the past ten years, the dominance of one particularly colourful creature remains consistent.  “Australia has undergone a lot of changes in the past decade, but the results of BirdLife Australia’s 10th Aussie Bird Count show that two things have remained constant in that time – rainbow lorikeets continue to rule the roost when it comes to counting Australia’s most common birds, and Aussies love to get out and connect with nature in the places where they live,” explains BirdLife Australia spokesperson

If you’re keen to get out of town, may we suggest making your way to Dangar Island? This dreamy car-free island is just an hour north of Sydney. Located in the heart of the Hawkesbury and only accessible by boat, this sleepy, tree-studded island is a staggeringly peaceful place to spend a day – and with an RSL slinging good beer and loaded burgers, it’s the perfect spot for a day trip away from the city. The best news? You don’t need a car to get there – the train runs straight from Central to nearby Hawkesbury River Station seven days a week, so all you need to do to access this island paradise is board a train in the city, then take the three-minute walk from the train station to the ferry terminal. As Time Out Sydney's resident lifestyle reporter, I took it upon myself to test out this intriguing day trip for myself – and I can attest that this idyllic day out is a dreamy escape from the hustle and bustle.  Photograph: Winnie Stubbs | Time Out Sydney The quaint wooden ferry will set you back $10.90 each way, but the 15-minute journey across the water is worth every penny. Arriving at the island, you’ll find a jetty stretching out into the water, home to a creaky wooden shed that serves as the suburb’s main transport hub. Wheelbarrows line the dusty path that runs up from the wharf, and we discovered that these are used by residents to carry their groceries from the ferry to their fridges – in the absence of cars, creativity comes to the fore. Photograph: Winnie Stubbs

Cutting-edge Grammy-winning singer-songwriter SZA is officially on Aussie soil, and fans across Oz are playing her S.O.S album on repeat to prepare for her upcoming Melbourne shows. The genre-spanning powerhouse – whose musical style combines elements of R’n’B, hip-hop, soul, and chill electronica – announced the initial dates for the Australian leg of her S.O.S Tour back in February. She was set to take over Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena for two consecutive nights, but after the first two shows sold out in moments, SZA added an additional show in early May.  So, why are SZA fans so hungry to see this musician perform live? We chatted to Sydney-based fan Ava, who saw SZA back in 2018, and they told us: "She was everything." Aside from the chance to sing along to hit songs like 'Kill Bill' and 'I Hate U' with a whole stadium of people, Ava explained that SZA creates a space that is really special for the queer community, and "especially for sapphics and POC folks who don't often feel represented in those spaces". Slay. Here's what we know so far about SZA's upcoming Melbourne shows. When is SZA’s S.O.S Tour in Melbourne? SZA will take to the stage at Rod Laver Arena (after previously hitting up Brisbane for two nights and Sydney for four nights) on Monday, April 29, Tuesday, April 30 and Thursday, May 2. These three Melbourne shows are the last stop on her tour Down Under. What time will SZA come on stage in Melbourne? Rod Laver Arena is yet to confirm what time gates will open,

If you’ve exhausted the rails at Glebe markets (now known as Markets at Glebe), and raided all of the gems from your local Vinnies, this announcement will come as welcome news. Savers, the huge global second-hand clothing retailer, has confirmed that it’s opening its first Sydney store – a sprawling 1,590 square metre superstore in the city’s west. Housed in a former warehouse in Hoxton Park, Prestons, the vast “thrift superstore” is set to be a dream spot for shopping in the age of el cozzie livs – with an exhaustive, wildly-affordable collection of clothing, homewares and accessories. Photograph: Supplied | Savers   Since opening its first thrift store in San Francisco in 1954, Savers has gone on to become something of a second-hand mega-brand – with more than 315 stores across America and Canada, and 12 currently in Australia.  Set to stock more than 100,000 pre-loved items, many priced under $10, Savers Hoxton Park is projected to create 100 new job opportunities in 2024 alone – with 25,000 new items arriving every week to be sorted through and sold to savvy Sydneysiders. The store is set to open on Thursday, May 30 – you can plan your visit over here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.  RECOMMENDED: Can’t wait to get treasure hunting? Head to one of Sydney's best markets.Or check out one of the coolest independent clothes stores in the city.

Among other things, driving in the Harbour City frequently fills Sydneysiders with irrational rage. But according to a new study into driving behaviour across Australia, Sydney’s drivers are getting a bad rap. It turns out, drivers in NSW are far more polite than we like to give ourselves credit for – with NSW home to some of the most well-behaved drivers in Australia. Sceptical? Read on for the research. Published last week (Friday, April 19) by insurance provider Youi, The Australian Unofficial Driving Etiquette Act of 2024 collated insights from 2,000 Australians to determine the five most important rules of etiquette on our roads. Unsurprisingly, the sacred “thank you” wave is one of them. According to Aussie drivers, the five top unofficial road rules are as follows:Rule 1 – Acknowledgement Mandate This rule is common decency, but it’s surprising how many people fail to pull it off. According to Australian road users, drivers should express gratitude with a causal wave when afforded the right of way, or when permitted to merge into a lane. While 85 per cent of drivers in NSW are aware of this unofficial rule, only 60 per cent of us actually adhere to it – that’s the same follow-through rate as drivers in Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia, but less than drivers in Tasmania, the Northern Territory and Victoria. Rule 2 – Salutation Mandate This gesture is a more casual acknowledgement, otherwise known as the “one finger wave”. According to the drivers surveyed

When Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival first popped up in 2022, it took what was already one of the regional foodie capitals of NSW to whole new heights – transforming the region into a buzzing hub with supper clubs, art installations, wellness classes and a heap of other beautifully-varied, beautifully-Byron events. The ten-day ode to the region’s counterculture is coming back to the Northern Rivers in May 2024, this time with a boosted program thanks to a string of new event partners. Here’s what we know so far about Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival 2024. After an invite-only launch event bringing together foodies, producers and creatives for a sample of what to expect, the festival will officially begin on Friday, May 17 – with an opening party celebrating the region’s produce through a spectacular menu curated by Byron’s leading hospitality heavyweights. Taste The Cape opening party will take over The Farm Byron Bay on May 17 – with more info and tickets available here. The following nine days will follow a similar ethos, with food-centric events popping up at venues and properties across the region. Arabian-themed cabaret shows will take over Brunswick Picture House for a two-night ‘Rock the Casbah Dinner & Show’ series with drinks and food from Middle Eastern-inspired cocktail bar The Smoking Camel, the iconic Raes on Wategos will host a long seafood lunch, and an ode to autumnal produce will take over the acclaimed farm-to-table eatery Harvest on Monday, M

If you think you’ve seen a whole lot more people pounding the pavement recently, you’re not wrong. In 2023, the Sydney Marathon saw entries rise by 250 per cent, with 48 per cent of participants being marathon first-timers. (The marathon has in fact grown so popular, that the organisers decided to pull the plug on the Sydney Half Marathon this year in order to focus their attention on the Full Marathon, which is coming up in September.) And it’s not just competitive running that’s on the rise in Sydney – recreational running is also on the up, with social run clubs experiencing rapid growth, and searches for “trail running” up 50 per cent since the start of 2024.  And now, Sydney has topped a global list of the best cities for running enthusiasts – beating cities like London, Hawaii, Hong Kong and Budapest to the top spot. This news comes in addition to the announcement made earlier this month that Sydney also ranked as one of the most walkable cities in the world. Photograph: Lyndon Marceau | Destination NSW The research was carried out by UK-born activewear brand OCEANSAPART, who researched the world’s best running trails and running-inspired travel trends to find the best city in the world for running enthusiasts to visit. Sydney’s stunning running trails and sunny weather are credited with scoring the Emerald City the top spot on the global list. According to the research carried out by the brand, Sydney is home to an incredible 708 running trails, and 2640 sunshine ho