Winnie Stubbs

If you’re competing for the prize of favourite child this year, then it’s time to get cracking with your Father’s Day festivities – Father's Day in Australia is on Sunday, September 7, 2025. Forget the silly socks or the six-pack of beers and opt for some good ol’ quality time with the man instead – or grandpa, uncle, step-dad, brother, or any fatherly figure out there.  What are the best things to do on Father's Day in Sydney?  Whether it’s a relaxing catch-up at the pub, an ocean swim at the crack of dawn, a lunchtime trip to the fish markets, an afternoon craft brewery tour, or a delicious dinner at one of Sydney's best restaurants, we’ve got the ultimate playbook for winning dad over. PSA: Most of these things to do are free and cheap, because, we all need that kind of energy right now, and so does your dad.  While you’re at it, make sure to remind him that having you as a child is the greatest gift he could ever wish for. 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.

If you didn’t know already, Australia is home to some of the most incredible hikes on the planet. From week-long treks through red deserts and green mountains to easy day hikes through lush rainforests and along beautiful beaches, the land Down Under has every possible kind of walk imaginable – and trust us, they’re all bloody good.  If you’re looking at lacing up your hiking boots this year, we’ve got you covered with our pick of the best hikes in Australia. Using the age-old philosophy of variety being the spice of life, this list has a little bit of everything – from self-guided, kid-friendly day walks to life-changing multi-day treks.  🥾 The best national parks in Australia🌊 Australia's best coastal walks🤿 The best things to do in Australia

Tucked away in CBD parks, a stone's throw from the harbour and in quiet suburban parks, these superb swimming spots have got your back(stroke). Many are open under strict "swim and go" rules, meaning lap swimmers will be happy, but loungers and sunbathers will need to look elsewhere to make a splash, like one of Sydney's fab beaches. If you’re not one for sand or waves, Sydney’s ocean pools will keep the high tide swell at bay.   Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: These are the best secret swimming spots in SydneyStaying dry? These are the best things to do indoors 

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

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

In the words of Time Out Sydney Arts and Culture Editor Alannah Sue, hair is a religion, and choosing the right salon for you is an undeniably sacred act. To help you find the best people to entrust with your crowning glory, we’ve rounded up the very best hair salons in Sydney – from celeb-approved spots in the Inner City to an award-winning sustainable salon on the Northern Beaches. Read on for our top picks of the very best hair salons in the Harbour City.   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. Need some me-time? These are the best day spas in the Harbour City.And these are the best facials in Sydney.

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

If there’s one thing Australia does well, it’s the great outdoors. And here in Sydney, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to pristine stretches of protected wilderness that are just a stone’s throw from the heart of the city. Whether you like chasing waterfalls, discovering stunning unspoilled beaches or climbing mountains, NSW is home to an abundance of incredible national parks ready to meet your nature-seeking needs. Our team of local adventure enthusiasts (including Travel and Hotels Editor Winnie Stubbs) have done the hard yards to put together this guide to the best national parks close to Sydney. The best bit? These special pockets of natural beauty are all within 100 kilometres of the CBD. 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 more? Here are the easiest and prettiest day hikes in town and here are the best camping sites close to Sydney.

Sydneysiders are a lucky bunch. Jump in the car (or on the train) and within just a few hours you can find yourself in some of the most beautiful spots in the state. But with so many options to choose from, it begs the question: where should you visit first? You're certainly spoilt for choice, so we've cherry-picked a selection of the best day trips from the city – ranging from quaint villages to seaside hangouts and mountain escapes. Around a two-hour drive or a scenic train ride away from the CBD, you'll find yourself rambling through eucalypts and gums, gazing out over gorgeous ocean cliffs, or watching the world go by from a sleepy village café. Our team of local writers (including Time Out Sydney Travel and Hotels Editor Winnie Stubbs) chose these places based on two things they all share in common: they're close enough to get you there and back within a day, and they're well worth your time. While you're on an adventure, check out the power of nature at these waterfalls and blowholes in NSW. Want to make a night of it? We've rounded up some of the best tiny houses to stay in and the best camping spots. 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.

Getting your nature fix in Sydney isn’t hard. With beautiful national parks to the north, south and west, and the ocean to the east, you never have to travel too far to reach the energising bounty of the natural world. But sometimes, for a full re-set, you need a couple of days in the open air. Craving a camping trip but not sure where to go? We’re here to help. From a stunning beachside spot on the Central Coast to a surprisingly affordable site on a heritage-listed island in the harbour, our team of local writers have tried and tested the best camping sites in and around Sydney to help you find the one that’s right for you. Each one has been assessed for facilities, location and distance from Sydney, with Time Out Sydney’s Travel and Hotels Editor Winnie Stubbs giving the list the final tick of approval. Whether you're hoping to wake up to the sound of crashing ocean waves, deep within a forest, or not too far from a solid coffee shop, these picture-perfect camping spots have got you (quite literally) pegged. 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:  Ready for an upgrade? These are the best glamping sites in Sydney And these are the best cabins and tiny homes close to the city.

We might be a little biased, but in our humble opinion, Sydney's got it all. Can you think of many other cities in the world that rival its natural beauty, rich heritage and history that dates back thousands of years, and its creative, culinary and cultural offerings by world-class pros? In fact, there's so much to see, do, sip and ponder here, you could be forgiven for feeling a little overwhelmed. Worry not, dear reader – we're making it simple for you. Our team sifted through every good time the Big Smoke has to offer and put together a Sydney bucket list for the ages. The activities we've chosen will give you a super varied experience of the city – everything from the tourist attractions that are actually worth your time to secret swimming spots that locals know and love.Whether you're a new arrival or a born-and-bred local, this 2025 Time Out Sydney round-up of the city's must-do activities will help you experience Sydney from every angle. After all those great activities you're bound to be thirsty. We suggest you head to one of the best pubs in Sydney right now, or save your cash at one of the best happy hours in the city. Need somewhere to stay? Check in to one of Sydney's best hotels. 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.

Whether you’re a visitor mapping out your first trip to the Emerald City, or a Sydneysider planning a special-occasion staycation, finding the right hotel in Sydney is an important, sometimes overwhelming task. If you’re looking to book a stay that’s extra indulgent – willing to splash the cash on a high-end experience – choosing the right spot is even more important. Luckily for you, we’ve got a team of hotel aficionados who are committed to trying and testing the very best luxury stays in the city, and deciding which ones are worth your hard-earned dosh (it’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it). Our expert team includes connoisseur of fine things Time Out Sydney Editor Avril Treasure and Sydney-based travel whizz Melissa Woodley (Time Out Australia’s News and Travel Editor). Each hotel has been checked for its luxe credentials by Time Out Sydney's Travel and Hotels Editor, Winnie Stubbs. From a celeb-approved harbourside palace (Park Hyatt Sydney) to a stunning beachside stay with a rooftop magnesium pool (Manly Pacific), these are the best luxury hotels in Sydney for a super-special stay. 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:Want more options? Here's our full guide to all of the best hotels in Sydney.These are the best glamping sites in NSWAnd these are the best tiny homes and cabins near Sydney for a romantic escape. Time Out makes a small commissio

Fans of the Bard, we’ve got news. Two thirds of the way through a huge 2025 season, with critically acclaimed productions of Henry V and Coriolanus all wrapped up and a beloved production of Shakespeare’s most famous love story returning to the Opera House this summer, Bell Shakespeare has just released the details for its 2026 season. Next year, Sydney’s Shakespeare enthusiasts will be treated to a world premiere of Mackenzie, a new production of Julius Caesar and the return of Bell Shakespeare's critically acclaimed 2023 production of Macbeth. The first Bell Shakespeare production to light up our stages in 2026 will be a new production of Julius Caesar, opening in the Harbour City in March before touring Canberra and Melbourne. This entirely new staging will be directed by Artistic Director Peter Evans, with Leon Ford (Elvis, Hamlet) as Cassius and Brigid Zengeni (Coriolanus, The Artful Dodger) as Brutus. Next up, Bell Shakespeare will bring to life a new reimagining of Macbeth, described by the theatre as “hilarious, twisted, and deeply camp”. Mackenzie is the brainchild of award-winning creator Yve Blake in partnership with Artistic Director Virginia Gay, who have rewritten the Macbeth story with the titular character being a 13-year-old child star in the heights of early 2000s TV stardom, and Lady Macbeth her “ruthlessly ambitious stage mum”. Mackenzie will open in Sydney in June of 2026, before showing in Melbourne.For the company’s annual national tour, Bell Shakespear

Spring is officially upon us, daylight savings is fast approaching, and for Barangaroo’s 20,000+ office workers, Thursday lunchtimes just got a whole lot more lively. To encourage people to get outside this spring season, Barangaroo has re-launched its Spring in the Streets series – bringing live music, roving entertainment and affordable lunch specials to the waterside precinct every Thursday until Thursday, October 30. For the next eight Thursday lunchtimes (from 11am until 3pm), Barangaroo will come to life with seasonal festivities; think free ice cream scoops, live musical performances and excellent lunch deals. On the music line-up, performers include electronic artist and producer GabZak, live DJ and saxophone player SaxBeatz, genre-bending indie artists BLOKBSTR and more. On the food front, you can score a heap of lunchtime deals for less than $30 – with Bottega Coco serving up $18 Panuozzos (plus a soft drink), Love.fish offering $28 lunch specials, Zushi offering 10 per cent off bento boxes and Rivareno Gelato serving up free scoops to the first 50 people who spend $20 or more at The Canteen.Barangaroo’s springtime celebrations will run every Thursday until October 30. You can learn more here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:These are the best beaches in Sydney These are the best gardens in the city. And these are our favourite outdoor pools. 

The state’s largest independent arts festival, Sydney Fringe Festival, is back for 2025 – with more than 460 events hitting our stages for one very entertaining month. Presented across the city throughout September 2025, the dynamic program spans theatre, music, comedy, visual art, film, musical theatre, dance, circus, street festivals, literature and poetry – and it's going to be ace. Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney, says: “The Fringe is as diverse as our city – and I’m very proud of that.” This year, Sydney Fringe Festival is presenting a city-wide playground of entertainment, with ten key hubs hosting immersive theatre shows, boundary-pushing cabaret, comedy galas, dance shows, live music performances and so much more. Time Out's picks: 10 of the best shows to see at Sydney Fringe Festival 2025Spanning a full four weeks from now until September 30, the Sydney Fringe program includes a heap of interactive, community-focused events, including a free street party taking over The Rocks on Thursday, September 4 and a child-friendly ‘Kids Fringe’ popping up in The Entertainment Quarter for the school holidays.  You can learn more and plan your Sydney Fringe experience over here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:  Want fun now? Here’s what’s on in Sydney this weekend. In the mood for a show? Here’s our list of the best theatre to see in Sydney this month.

Spring is springing, and Sydney’s events schedule is kicking into gear. And after a very fun summer of day parties for the 2023-2024 season, there’s a new kid on the block in Sydney’s Inner West daytime dance scene. Enter: The Grifter Brewing Co. On the last Sunday of every month (starting on Sunday, August 31 – the last day of winter), Grifter will play host to an afternoon of dance music in partnership with their neighbours, Fanático Records.  Fanático Sundays will run from 3pm until 8pm at Grifter’s beloved Marrickville brewery, with a line-up of local DJs playing all-vinyl sets. You can stay fuelled with wood-fired pizza and Grifter beer on tap (plus other tipples including natty wine from Doom Juice).The first event will be curated by Fanático selectors Hosca and Andres,  with the line-ups for the September and October events yet to be announced. You can learn more here, and you can keep up-to-date via the Grifter Insta account. Winter, it’s been a pleasure. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:  Want fun now? Here’s what’s on in Sydney this weekend.And these are our favourite pubs in the city. Beer fiend? These are the best breweries in Sydney.

There are many women in Sydney who’ve dreamed of leaving the corporate world to create an oasis: a space dedicated to joy. Meghann Nikola, founder of Annandale’s Rêve Skin and Beauty, has done exactly that – establishing a carefully designed, women-only space that offers a hugely impressive (hugely restorative) range of expert beauty treatments, all under one beautifully curated roof. “We have so little time to dedicate to self-care. I wanted to make sure that the time people do have is spent in a place that feels safe and enjoyable,” Meghann explains. And it’s true – you’re struck by the design of the space as soon as you arrive: mirrored walls framed by curved shelving, designer furniture thoughtfully positioned, and statement lights casting a warm, welcoming glow. But it’s not just the energy and design of Rêve that make this a uniquely special self-care sanctuary. It’s the holistic, accessible expertise on offer, with a range of treatments that are rarely found together in one place. With the aim of streamlining self-care, Meghann designed Rêve as an all-in-one destination, combining cosmetic treatments, advanced science-backed beauty therapies and wellness rituals – so women can get their self-care done in one warm, delightfully unintimidating place. Treatments span from manicures to hydrofacials, lash lifts to injectables, and Meghann has built a team of therapists who are each experts in their fields. After a few hours at Rêve, you emerge glowing onto Annandale’s buzzy

From the lounge space on the 21st floor of Sheraton Grand Hyde Park, the Sydney evening stretches out below me in intricate detail. Above the commuters walking home through the park, the fig tree canopies stretch like cities of leaves, and the towers of Kings Cross blink to life as the stone spires of the cathedral are cast in a buttery glow. Beyond the Woolloomooloo Finger Wharves pushing their historic silhouettes into the harbour, the banks of the eastern suburbs greet the water – green meeting blue – and the ocean horizon cuts a deep navy line into the sky. Sydney’s most iconic landmarks might be out of sight, but there’s so much in this view that speaks to the fabric of the city, from a hotel situated deep within its buzzing heart. What is Sheraton Grand Hyde Park like? The Sheraton Grand Hyde Park is a hotel whose name reflects its offering: it’s opulent and old-school in the very best way. And though it would be easy for this hotel to rest on its laurels – with its super-central location guaranteeing its popularity – the team manages to deliver something that’s at once intimate and awe-inspiring, with an endearingly old-school energy. With 558 rooms and 48 suites stretching above the city for 22 expansive floors, this is a hotel that reminds you that you’re in one of the world’s major cities. Arriving into the grand, gold-trimmed lobby, you’ll be struck instantly by its scale. Marble pillars stretch up into the ceiling and a thick, slowly-sloping staircase wraps up the

Didn’t make it to Rome this Euro summer? Us neither. And in excellent news for art enthusiasts of the Harbour City, one of Europe’s most famous and beloved cultural sites is coming to us. From Friday, August 29, the Sistine Chapel will come to life in Sydney thanks to an immersive multisensory experience. For context, the Sistine Chapel is a world-famous Renaissance chapel in the Vatican City, celebrated not only as the Pope’s private chapel but also as an artistic masterpiece – with Michelangelo’s famous painting The Last Judgment framing the ceiling, and other masterpieces lining the walls. The 15th century chapel attracts millions of visitors every year, but if you’re not up for facing the crowds in Italy, you can get a taste of the space right here. Opening soon in Sydney’s Fever Pavilion, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition will bring the Renaissance masterpiece to life. Inside the Sydney Showground Pavilion, 34 of Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel will be recreated in true-to-size scale. Masters of immersion Fever will use a specially developed printing technique that mirrors the texture, colour, and detail of the original works. While nothing quite compares to the real thing, the Sydney-based iteration of the chapel comes without the crowds and access-restricting scaffolding of the Roman version, allowing up-close encounters with the artwork. So far, the exhibition has mesmerised art lovers around the world – popping up in Pari

Sleek, towering city hotels have their place, but personally, my preference is always for staying somewhere small: a place with heart and soul and décor that feels like it’s a person’s pride and joy. Sitting beside the water in a sun soaked corner of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel is very much the latter. From the low, linen-draped sofa in the warmly lit dining room, you can watch ferries trace lines across the harbour and families set up picnics in the park. Nostalgic songs play through the speakers and groups of happy travellers gather on the downstairs terrace with a pizza and a pint in the sunshine. This is a hotel that you won’t want to leave – a comfy, easy-breezy beach house within walking distance of some of the city’s most beautiful beaches. What is Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel like? First up, it’s worth noting this beachside stalwart’s historical significance – it’s been serving up good times in the Harbour City for well over a century. In 1793, the pocket of land where the hotel now stands (on the traditional lands of the Cadigal people, a smaller clan within the broader Gadigal peoples of the Eora nation) was granted to Edward Laing, as one of the very first land grants in Australia. The first hotel was built on the site in 1886, initially named The Palace Hotel. Fifty-one years later, Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel was built, and in 2002 it underwent a major renovation to become the aspirational stay it is today. For Sydneysiders, the hotel is bes

The time-honoured tradition of celebrating the September/October full moon – also known as the Harvest Moon or Hunter’s Moon – has played an important role in many Asian cultures for centuries, offering a moment to honour the magnificent moon at its brightest. Harvest Moon-related festivals have been celebrated across Sydney for years, but in 2025, the celebrations will take over one of the city’s most iconic celestial landmarks. From Tuesday, September 30, to Thursday, October 2, Sydney Observatory will host its first-ever Moon Festival, featuring lion dances, lantern parades, live musical performances, and Vietnamese street food. Traditionally, Moon Festivals focus on the theme of gratitude, with mooncakes shared among guests, lion dances performed, and feasts enjoyed under the glowing moon. The Sydney Observatory event will follow this tradition, with interactive lantern-making workshops led by renowned visual artist Truc Truong, alongside other traditional activities – and the added bonus of the city’s best view of the moon through the observatory's powerful telescope. The Moon Festival will take over the observatory grounds for three consecutive days at various times, with the main event – including a lantern parade, lion and dragon dances, and a live set by Asian-Australian DJ Small FRY – taking place on Thursday, October 2. Workshops will be free to attend, but a (free) ticket will be required for the Thursday evening main event. Keen? You can check out the full progra

If you’re missing the sparkly lights of Vivid, we’ve got good news. For a full month this spring, a beautiful heritage-listed property in Sydney’s northwest will be illuminated by an immersive light show that will transport you back in time. Transforming the grounds of Bella Vista Farm, Echoes – Luna Light Journey will recreate the sights and sounds of the 1700s working farm, taking Sydneysiders on a magical immersive journey. Celebrating the stories that form the area’s complex history – from the Dharug people’s study of the stars to the seeding of the citrus orchard by early settlers – Echoes will momentarily transport you away from 2025. Keen? Read on. Brought to life by Dural-based international events company Laservision (the people behind some of the world’s most spectacular immersive light shows, including Imagine in Dubai, Wonder Full in Singapore, and Nocturnal in the NSW Blue Mountains), the multi-sensory experience will feature reimagined convict roads and fluorescent flower fields. To keep you energised, food trucks will be on-site offering street food-style eats all evening long. You’ll find some parking on-site, but the organisers suggest catching the metro to Bella Vista or Norwest metro stations and walking to the farm (the walk to the farm from each station is around 15 minutes). Kicking off on Friday, September 5, the event will run every night until Monday, October 6. Entry times will run every 15 minutes from 6.15pm, and the organisers suggest allowing at

There’s a widely held belief that the “W” in W Hotels stands for “wow”. A few minutes into your stay at W Melbourne, you’ll be convinced that the theory is true. From the abundant breakfast buffet (complete with Bloody Mary station and a roaming tray of smoothie shots) to the sky-high rooftop pool, every element here has been considered – and delivered with shameless, main character pizzazz. Why stay at W Melbourne? Primarily: the wow factor. This isn’t an everyday hotel, and if you’re looking for neutral tones and elevator jazz, look elsewhere. Instead, you’ll find matte black walls emblazoned with red graffiti-style writing, bold design features and a contemporary soundtrack spanning Erika de Casier to Loyle Carner. W is a young, playful brand – appealing to Generation X with its creative tone of voice and ultra-Instagrammable design. But W’s youthful approach isn’t a gimmick, and quality isn’t remotely compromised – resulting in a luxury stay that feels friendly and full of heart. What are the rooms like at W Melbourne? Again, the key here is the wow. Through a heavy black door, I found a funky space with curved, brass-trimmed wardrobes in a style that mimics Melbourne’s streetside kiosks. Though W is a global brand, each hotel nods to its neighbourhood through city-appropriate design features and art by local artists. In Melbourne, that means street art-style interiors and a trendy sensibilty. Crawling into the feather-down bed, I’m reminded that the playful aesthetic doe

After two successful launch seasons, the Texas-born multidisciplinary festival of music, tech, film, games and innovation is coming back to the Harbour City, with SXSW Sydney 3.0 set to be a biggie. Alongside the line-up of talks, panels, workshops and showcases open to SXSW pass holders, this year’s event also features a huge free program which is open to the public. Here’s the lowdown on SXSW Unlocked. Running throughout the festival (from Monday, October 13 until Sunday, October 19), the official public program for SXSW Sydney will transform Tumbalong Park into a (free-to-access) cultural playground, with more than 85 hours of live performances, talks, film screenings, gaming sessions and fashion and tech-focused events.  Highlights of the public program include lunchtime talks, an incredible First Nations creative showcase and a series of live performances spanning multiple genres: from J-Pop to country. Plus, this year will see the festival’s impressive Innovation Expo and immersive Games Expo open to the public for the first time on Saturday, October 18.  While most of the events mainly appeal to Sydney’s adult population, there’s a lot of family-friendly fun scheduled throughout the week too – from kids rock gigs to interactive exhibitions.If you’re keen to nab a freebie (on top of the free entertainment), you can explore the interactive brand hubs which will be offering giveaways throughout the week.You can learn more and plan your free SXSW experience over here. Keen

Victoria is home to its fair share of excellent wineries, from the rolling vineyards of the Yarra Valley to the cool climate drops from the Grampians. And while we all have our personal favourites, it’s always interesting to see which wineries take the critic’s pick. Every year, the Halliday Wine Companion Awards are released – Australia’s most respected celebration of wine, recognising the nation’s top talent across winemaking, viticulture and wineries. In the 2026 awards, Victorian vineyards cleaned up – with our grape-filled state winning more varietal award categories than any other. The major winner from Victoria in this year’s awards was Elanto Vineyard on the Mornington Peninsula, which took home gold in the Best New Winery category. This beautiful high-density vineyard was planted among the Mornington Peninsula hills in 2019, with its first crop in 2023, and was described by Halliday’s head of tasting Katrina Butler⁠ as “a future icon in the making”. Elanto Vineyard is open for visits by appointment only. Keen? You can book here. Although Elanto was the key winner from the state, there were plenty of other Victorian wineries that received recognition in this year’s awards. In the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards, Victorian winners include Tar and Roses (which won pinot grigio of the year), Yarra Yering (which took home gold in the Cabernet and Blends of the Year category for their Dry Red Wine No. 1 2023), Sutton Grange Winery (which won in the Rosé of the Year cat

From the StandardX and the Ritz Carlton to Melbourne Place and 1 Hotel, there’s no shortage of shmick stays in the city right now, and Melbourne’s hotel scene is showing no signs of slowing down. Back in 2023, we shared the designs for the city’s newest boutique hotel: Hannah St Hotel. Now, the team behind the hotel (property developers Time & Place, in partnership with TFE Hotels) have confirmed the timeline – with the boutique new stay on track to open this summer. Sitting on the banks of the Yarra in the heart of Southbank, Hannah St Hotel will be home to 188 uniquely styled rooms, designed by Melbourne-based design firm Flack Studio (the same people behind Sydney’s perfectly moody, tastefully trendy Ace Hotel). When describing the feel of the new hotel, Flack Studio’s David Flack explains how the team “wanted to create a building that feels like it’s always been here. Something that’s part grand hotel, part underground bar, part cultural clubhouse – with spaces that feel layered and nostalgic, but completely of now.” Photograph: Supplied | Hannah St Hotel Alongside the 188 boutique bedrooms, the $150 million hotel will be home to a 25-metre lap pool and extensive wellness spaces, including a steam room, sauna and designer gym. The beating heart of the hotel will be The Clubhouse: a “hub for creativity” featuring co-working spaces, meeting rooms, social lounge spaces, a sun-drenched terrace for evening drinks, an intimate Izakaya-style dining room and even a podcast rec

Cyclists of NSW, we’ve got good news. Today, the first lucky bike riders will take to the trail on the Illawarra’s newest purpose-built mountain bike path – a scenic trail stretching for almost 20 kilometres through the Illawarra Escarpment. The incredible new trail is stage one of the $13.4 million Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Network, which is due to comprise 70 kilometres of trail once it’s complete. The new Kembla Mountain Bike Trails, open today (Friday, September 5), cater to riders of all abilities, with family-friendly stretches as well as challenging black runs for the adrenaline-fuelled cycling fans among us. Photograph: Supplied | NSW National Parks and Wildlife Brought to life by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service in partnership with Wollongong City Council, the trails have been designed through close collaboration with the local community – to offer exciting, challenging rides that showcase and protect the Escarpment’s natural beauty and cultural significance. Starting at various points in the Illawarra Escarpment (around an hour and a half south of Sydney), the routes vary in length and difficulty, with four green runs, 13 blue runs and 8 black runs. The trails are free to access, so all you need to do is pack your bike and your helmet (and some snacks and water to keep you fuelled). Approval on stage two of the Kembla Mountain Bike Trails and the Balgownie Trails is due over the next few months, with construction expected to start in early 2026

Sydney drivers, we’ve got good news. Big progress is being made on the Warringah Freeway Upgrade, and from tomorrow (Friday, September 5), 10,000 motorists a day will have a new southbound route to the city via the Cahill Expressway. The new 46-metre underpass will provide a dedicated citybound connection for motorists travelling from the Warringah Freeway to the City East, Airport and Eastern Suburbs. Here’s what we know so far.   For context, the Warringah Freeway is an enabling project for the major Western Harbour Tunnel project – the first new harbour crossing to be built in Sydney in 30 years. Once they’re both complete, the roads will create a game-changing link between Sydney’s north and west, and both airport precincts (including the new Western Sydney Airport). In its current form, the Warringah Freeway is one of the busiest roads in Australia, with around 250,000 vehicles and 150,000 bus passengers using it each day.  A new key link in the city, the Mount Street underpass will reduce a whole heap of congestion on the Waringah Freeway, with a dedicated southbound bus lane (opening next year) on track to help even more – giving buses an uninterrupted journey down the freeway to the city. Photograph: Supplied | NSW Government The 46-metre underground tunnel came to life thanks to advanced engineering technology, which allowed the space to be excavated in just 22 days (a project of this scale would usually take upwards of 60 days, according to Minister for Roads Jenn

We know it’s a cliche, but this year really does seem to have vanished into thin air. It feels like just last week that we were changing the clocks for the end of daylight savings, marking the start of the cooler seasons. But, believe it or not, spring is now upon us, and we’re almost back in daylight savings season. Here’s everything you need to know about daylight savings in NSW, including when to turn your clocks forward, and what it will mean for your sleep pattern. When does daylight savings start in NSW? Daylight savings kicks off on the first Sunday of October at 2am local time. In 2025, this falls on Sunday, October 5. So you'll get an extra hour of daylight on the evening of Sunday, October 5 (which is also NRL Grand Final night, incidentally). Do we lose or gain an hour when daylight savings starts in NSW You’ll lose one hour of sleep when our clocks wind forward on October 5, with 2am turning into 3am daylight savings time. Losing an hour of sleep sucks for a second, but we’d happily trade it in for an extra hour of evening sunlight any day of the week. Bring on the sunset picnics!  Do I turn the clock back or forward for daylight savings in NSW? Your smartphone will surely do the job for you, but if you still use an old-school alarm or need to reset your grandfather clock, remember to move your analogue clocks and watches forward by one hour when you wake up on Sunday, October 5. Or: do it the night before so you’re not late for your Sunday morning coffee date. Wh

In news that will shock precisely nobody, Melbourne’s house prices are on the up. According to property experts, Melbourne is on track to become a $1 million city by the end of spring, meaning the median price of a house will surpass $1 million. Wondering which suburbs are pushing up the house prices? One surprising hotspot has been tipped as the place that will drive the city's next property boom. Enter, Frankston. At the start of this week, real estate appraiser PropTrack released their latest Housing Price Index – and the stats show that house prices in Melbourne rose 0.3 per cent in August, and are now just 0.6 per cent below their previous 2022 peak. According to the data, the average house price in Melbourne has risen by $23,500 in the past 12 months, with median house prices in Melbourne now sitting at $830,000. While house and unit prices across the city are on the up, there are some locations where prices are rising faster than others. According to the PropTrack data, the median house prices in the City of Frankston have almost doubled since 2015 – rising from $422,500 in 2015 to $800,000 in 2025. Property expert Terry Ryder has named the City of Frankston as Australia’s fourth best spot to buy a home this spring, with the waterside LGA’s coastal location, growing number of apartment approvals and major infrastructure projects (including a huge hospital redevelopment) helping boost its desirability. As part of his Hotspotting report, Ryder labelled Frankston as “prob

There’s a point along the road to Bundeena where the city skyline disappears from view and all you can see as you drop into the valley of the Royal National Park is sea, trees and sky. It’s the kind of view that fast-tracks you straight into holiday mode – slows your heart rate and reminds you how important it is to get outside. On the banks of Port Hacking in a quiet, sun-drenched corner of the Royal National Park, Bundeena is a village steeped in holiday energy. Wide, leafy streets are shaded by towering gum trees, coastal paths trace the coastline and the ocean sparkles on the shores of pristine, unspoiled beaches. An old-school RSL serves huge, hearty meals and affordable schooners with views across the water, and the gardens of holiday homes drop straight down to the river for magical morning swims. Believe it or not, this quaint, sleepy village falls within the Greater Sydney area, and though the drive from the CBD takes just over an hour, this is a place that feels worlds away from the buzz of city life. Where is Bundeena? On the traditional lands of the Dharawal people on the banks of Port Hacking, you'll find Bundeena on the very edge of the Royal National Park, opposite Cronulla in Sydney’s south. How do you get to Bundeena from Sydney? From Sydney CBD, drive south along the Princes Highway, entering the Royal National Park and following signs to Bundeena (the journey by car takes around one hour and fifteen minutes). If you don’t have access to a car, you can take

There are a few must-do items on every Melburnian’s Tasmania hit list. Visit MONA, hike a mountain, drink a glass of natty wine at Sonny and relax in a hand-built sauna floating on a lake. On Tassie’s Oyster Cove Marina, a beautiful timber-lined sauna invites visitors to warm up and then plunge into the water, for contrast therapy in its most natural, Instagrammable setting. And soon, you won’t have to board the Spirit of Tasmania to try it for yourself.From September onwards, the second hand-built sauna boat from Tassie-based boat builder and wellness enthusiast Dan Bush will open its doors in the heart of Melbourne. Based in Docklands, Sauna Boat Melbourne will have the same artfully simple eco-friendly design as its Tassie counterpart: fully electric and constructed by hand by a man who’s passionate about helping people slow down and reset.   Photograph: Supplied “In the rush of everyday life, we often forget to slow down. Sauna Boat Melbourne invites you to do just that – sweat, plunge, breathe. It’s wellness made simple, on the water, in the heart of it all,” explains Bush. While Sauna Boat Tasmania invites guests to cool off with an icy plunge in the lake, the Melbourne version will be home to ice baths waiting on the deck – complete with striking views of the city skyline. The contrast therapy that comes from warming up in a sauna then cooling off is a super effective mood-booster, and the ultimate winter reset.   The best news? It’s not just set to be a seasonal add

For many Melburnians, days can feel dominated by commutes and long days in an office – not necessarily activities that are known for their relaxing qualities. That said, outside the grind, new research has identified Melbourne as one of the most relaxing cities in the world. To determine the most relaxing cities in the world, international eSIM provider Holafly assessed a number of factors that make for a chilled-out day: everything from average sunshine hours to traffic congestion, and access to wellness centres and nature reserves. Of all the cities in the world, Melbourne ranked as the fifth best for relaxation. As experts in what’s happening in Melbourne, we’re unsurprised to learn that the city is getting recognised for its chill-mode potential – with luxe new wellness clubs and green spaces opening up regularly. Photograph: Supplied According to the data, Melbourne’s green spaces were the key reason for our sky-high spot on the list. The city is home to 215 parks and nature reserves, including the famous Royal Botanic Gardens, which recently ranked as one of the best attractions in Australia. With 2,360 hours of sunshine per year and great air quality, there’s a whole heap of time to relax in the city’s leafy pockets. Melbourne is also home to an impressive 249 spas and wellness centres, so you can still get your dose of self-care when the sun isn’t shining.  These are the most relaxing cities in the world for 2025: San Diego, US Singapore Vienna, Austria Sydney, Au

The accommodation offering in the Blue Mountains is on the up. This week, the owners of the historic Lilianfels Resort and Spa announced the details of a rebrand under the Salter Brothers Hospitality Group, which will see the charming country house-style resort undergo a major multi-million-dollar renovation. Under the new brand category, Lilianfels will become the second estate to join Salter Brothers’ Ardour Collection (with Ardour Milton Park in Bowral joining the group earlier this year). So what can we expect from the revitalised Lilianfels? According to the team, the multimillion-dollar refurbishment will include upgrades to the reception and lounge areas, a reimagined bar (extended to include a wine wall and intimate private dining room), and renovations to the 89 guest rooms and suites. Photograph: Supplied | Salter Brothers Aiming to maintain the heritage charm and opulence of the historic hotel, the redesign will blend heritage features with contemporary prints and colours, with Salter Brothers describing the design approach as “playful sophistication.” Acclaimed design firm Luchetti Krelle has been tasked with the interior transformation, and they’ll be drawing inspiration from “eccentric English garden estates” while honouring the 1880s heritage of the original building. Sandra Kloprogge, Regional General Manager overseeing the project, explains that the renewal of the hotel will be “a thoughtful transformation that respects its history while setting a new sta

Melbourne’s green spaces are growing. Earlier this month, Parks Victoria announced the launch of a 2.5-kilometre lakeside trail and a magical five-kilometre bushland track in Jells Park, and now they’ve revealed the details of a huge new urban park in the city’s east. Due to open in mid-2026, the $10.5-million public parkland will occupy the 35-hectare stretch of land known locally as the Healesville Freeway Reserve – a meandering pocket of land equivalent in size to 18 MCGs. Coming to life on the lands of the Wurundjeri people, the park will be titled ‘ngarrak nakorang wilam’, a name chosen by the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, meaning ‘Mountain Meeting Place’. The name celebrates Wurundjeri Traditional Owner connections to Country, and the role of parks in bringing communities together. To transform the unused stretch of land into public parkland, the Victorian Government is investing $10.5 million into land restoration and construction. The key feature of the park will be a 3.5-kilometre shared-use walking and cycling trail running the length of the park, which will be lined with dedicated activity spaces including sheltered seating areas, playgrounds and barbecues. Construction will also involve lighting along the path, as well as accessible toilets and drinking fountains. To support the local ecosystem, a vegetation strategy will be put into place to enhance the area’s biodiversity, with new plantings providing habitats for local wildlif

For many of us, most days in Sydney are dominated by commutes and office hours – not necessarily activities that are known for their relaxing qualities. But look outside the 9-to-5, and you’ll find a whole lot of ways to relax in the Harbour City. In fact, new research has identified Sydney as one of the most relaxing cities to visit in the world. To determine the most relaxing cities in the world, international eSIM provider Holafly assessed a number of factors that make for a chilled-out day: everything from average sunshine hours to traffic congestion, and access to wellness centres and nature reserves. As experts on things to do in Sydney, we’re kind of unsurprised. Every week we share stories about magical nature-immersion experiences and dreamy bathhouses from all across Sydney, and it seems like our city’s focus on experiences that foster a sense of zen is only on the up. As for traffic...no comment. All that’s to say, Sydney is a much more relaxing place to be than most metropolitan hubs around the world. If you were looking for an excuse for a spa day, this might just be it. Photograph: Supplied | Soak Alexandria   According to the data, Sydney ranked as the fourth most relaxing city in the world to visit, and the most relaxing in Oceania. Our city’s (mostly) sunny weather played a major part in scoring us fourth position, with Holafly recording 2,468 yearly hours of sunshine. Those sunny days mean people in Sydney spend more time outdoors than most city dwellers,