Winnie Stubbs

When city life feels a little too full-on, it’s natural to crave a moment in nature: a glass of wine with uninterrupted sunset views, a bath beneath the stars, birdsong as your alarm clock.For the past few years, the tiny home movement has been responding to that need, with architecturally beautiful tiny homes and cabins popping up all across the state – waiting to welcome you for a weekend (or weekday) reset. To help you decide which cabin escape is best for you, our team of local editors (including Travel and News Editor Winnie Stubbs) has tried and tested the most beautiful tiny homes and cabins close (and close-ish) to Sydney – from six-person cabins on the outskirts of the city to cosy retreats for two hidden in the mountains.Most are home to alfresco hot tubs or baths, and many are pet-friendly, so you can bring your doggo to frolic with you in the fields. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, event listings and travel inspo, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:These are the best campsites close to SydneyThese are the best motels in NSW worth the road trip And these are the best luxury stays in the state for a super special staycation

Sometimes you just need to take a time out – and here at Time Out, we’re experts at doing just that. We’ve scoped out the very best health and wellness retreats in Australia, where you can soak away your worries and be pampered like absolute royalty. From an award-winning natural hot spring with 50 bathing experiences to the Southern Hemisphere’s largest spa with rare Somadome meditation pods, these places will cater to all your relaxing needs. Make a day trip of it or sneak off for a dedicated week-long detox – whatever you choose, you’ll leave feeling like a whole new person. These are the best health retreats in Australia right now. Editor's favourite wellness retreats in Australia: 🥰 Best wellness experiences: Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, QLD 🧘🏽‍♀️ Best yoga retreat: Billabong Retreat, NSW  ✨ Best luxury hot springs: Alba Thermal Springs & Spa, VIC JUMP TO:QLD | NSW | VIC | | WA | TAS ✨ The best luxury hotels in Australia🌳 The best resorts and lodges in Australia

Sydney is no slacker when it comes to Italian food (just take a look at all these red-hot places here). And our pasta game is very strong. But when it comes to our pizza restaurants, we reckon they may be a slice above the rest. Whether you're a sucker for traditional Neapolitan pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven and topped with beautiful produce, get around NY-style slabs so big you can fold them in three, or you're hungry for a Sicilian-style slice with a thick and fluffy crust, Time Out Sydney's local food writers, including Sydney Editor Avril Treasure, have pulled together the best places to get your fix – and these are the venues that are topping the class. 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. Hungry for more? Here's our pick of the very best restaurants in Sydney right now. Love Greek food food? Us too. Check out the finest Greek eateries in Sydney.

As a city known for its healthy way of life, Sydney is unsurprisingly home to dozens of spas and skincare salons offering facial treatments to keep the signature sun-kissed glow alive even through the winter months. And while we can’t list them all, we can shine a light on a solid list of the top wellness sanctuaries offering fantastic skincare rituals to help you feel like your glowiest self, all year round – special mention has to go to Fayshell, whose membership option has totally changed the game (and improved my own skin immeasurably). Read on for our round-up of Sydney’s best facials. Need a new hair do? These are the best hair salons in Sydney.Want head-to-toe treatment outside of the city? These are the best day spas 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.

Let's face it: in a city surrounded by salt water and flooded with sunshine, looking after your locks can be a delicate dance, and choosing the right salon for you is a sacred act. Getting your hair done can be one of the most expensive (and delightful, if done right) moments of your month – and we're here to help you find the best people to entrust with your crowning glory. Our team of local editors (including Travel and News Editor Winnie Stubbs) has rounded up the very best hair salons in the Harbour City – from celeb-approved spots in Surry Hills and Paddington to an award-winning sustainable salon on the Northern Beaches. Read on for our top picks of the very best hair salons 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. Need some me-time? These are the best day spas in the Harbour City.And these are the best facials in Sydney.

Sydney sits on Gadigal Country, part of the wider Eora Nation, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived for tens of thousands of years. And you can call us biased, but we reckon it’s one of the greatest cities in the world. Yes, Sydney is ridiculously beautiful – with cracking beaches, a wow-worthy harbour and bushland parks. But the city doesn’t rest on its good looks, with a thriving cultural and arts scene, a world-class dining offering spanning acclaimed restaurants and diverse, affordable eats, and a melting pot of cultures. The truth is, like any great city, there’s so much to see and do in Sydney it can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in. The activities we've chosen will give you a varied experience of the city – everything from tourist attractions that are actually worth your time (hello, Taronga Zoo, Bondi Icebergs and Luna Park) to secret swimming spots that locals know and love. Whether you’re a just-hopped-off-the-plane tourist or a long-time local ready to fall back in love with Sydney, this 2026 Time Out Sydney round-up of must-do activities will help you experience the city 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 insp

    There’s no denying that camping is a glorious way to get out into nature, but – let's face it – the traditional tent-pitching method isn't for everyone. If the idea of lugging a heap of camping gear into the wilderness doesn’t sound like your idea of fun,  sounds like the opposite of a fun time to you, then glamping is definitely the answer. Thankfully, Victoria is home to a wonderful line-up of glamping spots offering spacious, comfortable and (importantly) already set-up tents for outdoor-loving comfort seekers to hire out.  Amenities can vary from site to site, but glamping tents often feature everything from proper beds and gourmet hampers to air-con and fully functional plumbing systems. To help you on your glamping adventures, our team of local editors (including Melbourne Editor Leah Glynn) have journeyed into nature to try and test the best high-end alfresco getaways in the state. Whether your ideal outdoor getaway involves exploring gorgeous gardens, waking up to ocean views or even glamping at a zoo, there's something for everyone on this list of the best glamping sites in Victoria. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Staying in the city? These are the best hotels in Melbourne

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

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

The word sustainability gets thrown around a lot – and so it should. We know our oceans are filled with plastic, the Earth is warming each day, and weather conditions are becoming more and more destructive. The good news is that Sydney’s restaurants, bars and cafés are taking sustainability seriously – not just talking the talk by posting an Instagram tile, but doing the hard, often more costly and time-consuming work to do their bit to care for our planet. From cutting down on emissions to drastically reducing waste, reusing water, working with local suppliers, cooking with whole animals and using biodegradable packaging, Sydney’s top spots are paving the way for a greener future. Below, you’ll find some of our favourite sustainable venues in Sydney. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED READ: These are the best vegetarian restaurants in Sydney.

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

Alongside its beautiful beaches, world-class restaurants and excruciating rental costs, Sydney is a city known for its active lifestyle. From super-sleek wellness studios to alfresco gyms, outdoor swimming pools and kooky fitness classes, there are heaps of ways to stay active in the Harbour City. And despite the myriad palaces built for the sole purpose of moving our beach-going bodies, good old-fashioned running still seems to reign supreme. Our city’s largest running events are growing exponentially (the City2Surf is the biggest fun run in the world, and Sydney Marathon is now one of the world's "Major Marathons"), and so are the clubs helping Sydney’s running enthusiasts train for the big days.We’ve rounded up 14 of the best run clubs across the city, with a little info on what to expect from each. As Sydney's running scene continues to grow, so too will its catalogue run clubs. This is by no means an exhaustive list, just somewhere to start if you're ready to stop running solo.  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 things to do in Sydney this weekendThese are our favourite day hikes close to the city And these are the best outdoor swimming pools in Sydney

It’s 5pm on a Saturday afternoon, and as Balmain’s bookstores and cafés close their doors, a queue begins to form on the corner of Darling Street. If I hadn’t been aware that the neighbourhood pizzeria had just been crowned one of the best in the Asia Pacific region, I could have guessed by the hoards of hungry pizza fiends gathering on its doorstep. Sydney has never been short on great pizza, but Gigi’s Balmain is playing a different game. At this long-running fave, owner and pizza maker Daniel Semrani has spent more than 15 years perfecting what he calls “Crunchy Contemporary Neapolitan” – a style that swaps the usual floppy base for a crisp, structured crust with a soft, pillowy interior. The technique leans heavily on fermentation science and dough hydration, creating a lighter, fully cooked pizza that delivers big flavour without the gumminess that can plague under-fermented bases. Ingredients get the same meticulous treatment. Expect carefully sourced tomatoes, seasonal produce and a curated lineup of extra-virgin olive oils chosen to complement specific pizzas – a level of detail that’s helped land Gigi’s serious international cred. In 2026, the Balmain institution was crowned Australia’s No.1 pizzeria by 50 Top Pizza, with Semrani also taking home Pizza Maker of the Year Asia Pacific. While the awards are impressive, the Gigi’s team aren’t resting on them – with Semrani consistently experimenting with new recipes and formats. The big name pizza is the twice-cooked “Ve

Calling all cost-conscious brides! If your wedding budget is blowing over, we’re here to help. From Saturday, April 18 until Friday, April 24, the Vinnies Waverley store will transform into a wonderland of discounted delights, with a huge selection of new and pre-loved wedding gowns, suits, bridesmaids’ dresses, formalwear, and accessories (including jewellery and shoes).According to Vinnies, the average Australian wedding now costs $38,000 – so any cost-saving measure to lighten that load is a welcome gift. Back in 2023, Vinnies launched their first ever bridal expo, attracting 674 customers over three days of shopping, and helping to raise money for the organisation’s charitable mission. Later this month, the mega sale is coming back – bigger and better than ever.This year’s event will feature more than 600 wedding dresses, a mix of brand new and pre-loved styles, plus a range of suits for grooms and bridesmaid dresses starting from $15, alongside accessories galore. Mapping out your budget? Dresses will start from $50. You’ll find the Vinnies Wedding Expo at Vinnies Waverley, 253–259 Bronte Road, Waverley. The store will be open from 9am to 5.30pm on Saturday, 10am to 4pm on Sunday, and 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday. It’s a first-in, best-dressed situation, with last year’s event attracting queues down the street as budget-savvy brides-to-be waited to snap up their cut-price finds.Our advice? Grab a coffee and a sambo from Frank’s Deli (a few doors down), and get in li

Need a new fun family photo? We’ve got you. One of the world’s biggest immersive experiences is landing in Melbourne – serving up a fun, surreal backdrop for your Instagram grid glow-up. Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience is opening in April at Fever Exhibition and Experience Centre, offering Melbournians a transporting, ultra-Instagrammable day out. Already experienced by more than two million visitors around the world, with sell-out runs in Milan, Los Angeles, London and Brussels, and a recent stint in Sydney, Bubble Planet is a fantastical world of optical illusions, cutting-edge virtual reality experiences, giant bubbles, and next-level immersive projections. Visitors to the Melbourne site can expect to embark on a dreamlike journey through 11 otherworldly rooms, home to giant bubble domes, LED underwater-style wonderlands, selfie hubs and VR dreamscapes. Sessions at this bizarre immersive world run for between 60-90 minutes, and the experience is suitable for people of all ages – with kids under four welcomed in for free. Keen? Bubble Planet Melbourne launches on April 1. You can learn more and snap up tickets over here.Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Want fun now? These are the best things to do in Melbourne this weekend.These are the best things to do in Melbourne this week.And these are the must-do activities to add to your Melbourne bucket list.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sydney’s south-west is about to get an adrenaline boost, with one of the country’s biggest ‘pump and jump’ tracks officially open in Bankstown’s Deepwater Park. Deepwater Pump Track officially opens today (Wednesday, April 15), transforming a once-underused patch of parkland into a full-throttle playground for cyclists, scooter riders and anyone keen to get their wheels off the ground. Built by City of Canterbury-Bankstown in partnership with the NSW Government, the circuit features more than 200 metres of up-and-down bike tracks – open to everyone from BMX bandits to total beginners. Photograph: Supplied | Julian Howard According to the plans, we can expect three distinct tracks catering to different skill levels: a high-energy run for experienced riders featuring jumps, switchbacks and tilted features; a novice-friendly loop with tabletops for safer landings; and a separate junior track designed just for kids finding their footing (or pedals). And it’s not just about the track. The surrounding precinct has had a glow-up too, with new pedestrian paths, shelters, bike racks, seating areas and extra green space – meaning you can turn a quick spin into a full morning hang. The project scored a $500,000 boost via the state’s Places to Play program, which is all about creating adventurous, community-first outdoor spaces. It also sits conveniently close to existing cycling routes, the M5 turnoff and local sporting hubs, making it an easy addition to the weekend rotation for loca

Celestial enthusiasts and star gazers – this one’s for you. Another astronomical spectacle is taking place right now in the skies above Sydney, just two weeks after the pink micromoon lit up our skies. Flying through the sky at lightning speed, the annual Lyrid meteor shower happens around the world from mid-to-late April each year. In Australia, it will peak between Wednesday April 22 and Thursday April 23, with roughly 15 shooting stars streaking across the atmosphere per hour. Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 Lyrid meteor shower.  When is the Lyrid meteor shower visible from NSW? The Lyrid meteor shower is visible for around two weeks every April. In 2026, the Lyrids will be at their most active between April 16 to 25, expected to peak just after midnight on April 22 or in the very early hours of the morning on April 23. Until April 25, you can expect to witness up to 20 shooting stars per hour above NSW, with sporadic flashes of light visible at night throughout the two-week period. This handy interactive map will tell you exactly when to look up based on your location in Australia.  What is the Lyrid meteor shower? Lyrids are one of the world’s oldest meteor showers, with their origins tracing back more than 2,500 years in Chinese texts. The celestial spectacle is created when the Earth makes its annual journey through the dust trail left by comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1). When the small chunks of debris collide with our atmosphere, they disintegrate, formin

Back in August of 2025, the NSW Government’s plans to open a Scandi-coded swimming spot in Callan Park (along the beloved Bay Run) were revealed, and residents of Sydney’s Inner West went wild. Now, we’ve got updates – with a full 10 year plan for the harbourside park now out in the open. The newly finalised Callan Park Plan of Management 2026–2036 lays out an ambitious vision for the 61-hectare pocket, promising more open green space, better access and –  you guessed it – that fabled harbour swim spot. Let’s start with the headline act: tidal baths are officially on the way, with an expected opening in summer 2026–27. Paired with upgrades along the ever-busy Bay Run (currently clocking around 5,000 daily users), this stretch of Sydney Harbour’s foreshore is on track to become an even bigger drawcard for runners, walkers and sunset enthusiasts. But it’s not just about the water. The plan also includes the removal of nine derelict buildings, freeing up 1.6 hectares of fresh open space – aka: more room to picnic and play. Elsewhere, an old Repatriation Ward is being reimagined as a new community sports facility, and there’s even talk of a potential café down the track. Photograph: Supplied | NSW Government   A big focus of the plan is unlocking parts of the park that have been off-limits or underused, opening them up to the more than 2.4 million people who visit each year. With the population within five kilometres of the park expected to hit 415,000 by 2041 (according to gov

Summer’s balmy alfresco evenings might be wrapping up, but Melbourne is about to welcome a very special new bar designed to make your garden drinking dreams come true. Hiding in a heritage-listed 1885 building in the CBD (above 7 Alfred), the 21-seat cocktail bar is designed to feel like a moody Victorian-era drinking den with an enchanted garden ethos. If you're not quite sure what that will look like in practice, read on.Brought to life by Hunter St Hospitality (whose other venues include Spice Temple, Rockpool and 7 Alfred – to name a few), Bar Ferdinand is led by beverage director Ali Toghani and bar manager Greg Thompson (whose résumé includes heavy-hitters like Gimlet and Dinner by Heston). Together, they’ve created a cocktail menu that reads more like a map of the Botanic Gardens than a drinks list. Each section – Rose, Fern, Camellia, Eucalypt, Oak Lawn, Arid and Herb & Medicinal – acts as its own ecosystem, with drinks designed to capture a feeling rather than just a flavour. Think less literal infusions, more sensory storytelling. A Fern cocktail, for example, channels the cool, earthy energy of a rain-soaked fernery, while Eucalypt leans into those unmistakable Aussie bush notes with eucalyptus soda and nashi pear wine. Two house signatures sit outside the garden path (pardon the pun): a crisp, apple-mint-laced Martini and a playful rework of the Japanese Slipper – a nostalgic nod to the building that the bar calls home, where the neon-green original was first crea

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that metro services are stepping up in response to rising fuel prices. And now, Sydney’s public transport is about to get a whole lot smarter – and for nearly a million commuters, a whole lot cheaper. In a long-awaited overhaul of the city’s ticketing system, the NSW Government has announced that concession, pensioner and senior Opal users will soon be able to tap on using their phone, watch or debit card – without losing their discounted fares. Yep, no more frantic wallet rummaging for that elusive physical Opal card. Right now, if you’re eligible for concession or Gold Senior/Pensioner fares, you have to use a specific Opal card to access the discount. Which means plenty of savvy commuters have been opting for the convenience of contactless payments instead – but forfeiting those cheaper fares in the process.  Rolling out gradually from April 16 as part of the Opal Next Gen overhaul, the new ‘next gen’ system will allow eligible passengers to link their concession status directly to a credit or debit card. The result? Seamless tapping on and off, with all the discounted perks intact. According to the NSW Government, around 970,000 people are set to benefit, including 800,000 seniors and pensioners, 130,000 uni students and jobseekers, and 40,000 TAFE students and apprentices. Modelling by the Transport for NSW team suggests that about 70 per cent of younger concession holders will make the switch to contactless, alongside 30 to 40 per cen

Melbourne’s most iconic ‘little’ street is about to get a glow-up – and if you’ve ever tried to dodge a taxi while strolling down Flinders Lane, you’ll know it’s been a long time coming. As first reported by The Age, the City of Melbourne is pushing ahead with a $5 million plan to transform Flinders Lane into a pedestrian-first zone later this year. Translation: fewer cars, more ice cream-fuelled wanders and a whole lot more room for outdoor dining. According to The Age, the upgrade will see the road raised to footpath level, alongside the addition of cobblestone traffic-calming features. The aim? Slow vehicles to a crawl and make the space feel like one continuous, walkable strip. And Flinders Lane is just the beginning. Melbourne Council has its eye on the rest of the CBD’s beloved little streets, including Little Collins Street, Little Bourke Street and Little Lonsdale Street, plus laneways like Crossley Street and Liverpool Street. Some changes are already in motion – Little Collins Street, for instance, currently shuts to traffic during weekday lunch hours – but a broader rollout is now firmly on the agenda. According to Lord Mayor Nick Reece, the shift is about more than just aesthetics. Pedestrian-friendly streets have been shown to boost foot traffic, which in turn fuels retail, hospo and nightlife – aka the lifeblood of Melbourne’s CBD. There’s also a safety angle. Despite being designated “shared zones” back in 2020, many of these streets still see cars dominating t

If you’ve ever watched the Sydney skyline glow during Vivid and thought: “I could do that,” – now’s your chance to prove it.RELATED READ: Here’s everything we know so far about Vivid Sydney 2026 For 2026, the technicolour takeover is handing the creative reins to the public with Your Connected City, a new interactive program that lets anyone, anywhere, design their own slice of Sydney’s famous light show. Yes, that means your handiwork could soon be splashed across the city’s most recognisable icons, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Overseas Passenger Terminal and the Cahill Expressway. The concept is simple: jump online, play around with colours and lighting patterns using an easy design tool, and submit your vision. If selected, your creation will be projected onto Sydney’s skyline for a 30-second spotlight moment during the festival (which runs from May 22 to June 13, 2026). Want to see your name in lights? Chosen participants will have their name displayed alongside their work – so when your masterpiece lights up the harbour, you’ll have bragging rights (and a v Instagrammable moment, if you're quick enough) to go with it. Photograph: Supplied | Vivid 2024   The interactive element is a clever evolution of what defines Vivid: bold visuals and a sense that the whole city is in on an undeniably fun winter tradition. With millions flocking to the Harbour City for Vivid each year, it’s also a chance to quite literally put your stamp on one of the world’s most famous

It’s 7am on a Monday morning, and I’m standing on the banks of a river, just me and a wallaby in a who’s-moving-first stand-off. Weak autumn sun is leaking like lava through the leaves, and the Rainbow Lorikeets’ dawn chorus is melting into the icy morning air. In less than an hour, I’m back at my desk in Darlinghurst, pretty convinced that I’ve just discovered (pardon the pun) the ultimate Sydney life hack. If you’re craving an escape into nature but can’t quite commit to a three-hour drive, Discovery Parks – Lane Cove is your cheat code. Hidden inside one of Sydney’s most underrated pockets of wilderness, this leafy holiday park serves up crackling campfire energy, kookaburra wake-up calls and actual stillness – all just a short zoom via public transport from Sydney’s CBD. It’s affordable, wildly accessible and feels a world away from city life. Consider it your low-effort, high-reward nature reset. Where is Discovery Parks Lane Cove? You’ll find Discovery Parks – Lane Cove nestled inside Lane Cove National Park, around 10 kilometres north-west of Sydney’s CBD. It’s genuinely one of those “how is this still Sydney?” spots. How do you get to Discovery Parks Lane Cove by public transport? Surprisingly easily. Jump on the Metro to North Ryde Station, then it’s roughly 900 metres to the park entrance via Delhi Road and Plassey Road. If you’re light on luggage, the walk will take around 15 minutes, or an Uber will set you back around $12.RELATED READ: This magical car-free islan

The South Coast commute just got a glow-up. This morning, the first passenger service of the brand-new Mariyung train fleet rolled out of Kiama Station at 7.56am, bound for Sydney’s Central Station – marking a long-awaited milestone for Illawarra travellers who’ve spent years watching this upgrade inch closer to reality. While the inaugural journey is a headline moment, the real win is what’s coming next. Later this year, commuters between Wollongong and Sydney can expect trains every 15 minutes during peak hour (a noticeable jump from the current three-per-hour situation), alongside a new timetable that promises smoother, more frequent services across the board. According to the NSW Government, these trains are built for the long haul – literally and figuratively. The Mariyung fleet (already chugging between Sydney and Newcastle) is the first new intercity rollout in nearly two decades, designed with the reality of extended commutes in mind. Passengers can expect roomier two-by-two seating, proper tray tables for working on the go, USB charging ports, high seat backs and quieter, air-conditioned carriages. There’s also space for luggage, bikes, prams and wheelchairs, plus upgraded digital screens and CCTV for improved safety. The rollout on the South Coast Line will happen in phases, starting with a handful of four- and six-car sets this month, before expanding to longer eight- and ten-car trains by 2027. It’s all part of a broader push to modernise the network and improve r

Melburnians don’t just love a good laneway bar or late-night bowl of pasta – this is a city famously devoted to it’s top-tier gardens, too. And now, it’s official: Melbourne has been ranked the fifth-best city in the world for green space in Time Out’s 2026 global survey, making it the highest-ranking city in Australia when it comes to access to nature. Not bad for a city that also just nabbed the title of best in the world overall. Each year, Time Out surveys tens of thousands of city-dwellers (in 2026 it was 24,000 people) to get the lowdown on what really makes a city tick – from food and culture to dating, nightlife and – crucially – how easy it is to find a patch of grass to flop onto. For this year’s green rankings, locals across 150 cities were asked to rate their access to nature, and Melbourne came in swinging with an impressive 87 per cent approval score. So, what makes Naarm such a standout? For starters, there’s the sprawling, much-loved Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria – 38 hectares of manicured lawns, ornamental lakes and shady trees just a stone’s throw from the CBD. Just across the road, the wide-open expanse of Kings Domain serves up even more room to roam, with its leafy avenues and sweeping city views. Photograph: Visit Victoria RELATED READ: Melbourne is scoring a $26 million boost to its gardens and green spaces Then there’s the wild, river-hugging beauty of Yarra Bend Park – the city’s largest natural bushland park, where you’re as likely to spot flying

We all know that we shouldn’t need to wait for a specific day to show our mum (or any motherly figure in our life) just how much we love her. But that being said, you’ll be on track to become the favourite child if you go that extra mile to make her feel extra special on Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 10). Here’s everything you need to know about the big day in Australia in 2026. When is Mother’s Day 2026 in Australia? In Australia, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. In 2026, it lands on Sunday, May 10. Time to get planning! Is Mother’s Day a public holiday in NSW? Mother’s Day isn’t a public holiday in Australia, so most shops, cafés and businesses will be open as usual. What is the history of Mother’s Day? Mother’s Day has its roots in the United States, thanks to social activist Anna Jarvis. After her mum passed away in the early 1900s, she created a special day to honour the sacrifices mothers make around the world. The day was first recognised with a memorial in 1908, made an official national holiday in 1914 and adopted by Australians in the mid-1920s.  Best Mother’s Day gift ideas in Sydney? Whether it’s a handmade card, breakfast in bed or just a heartfelt phone call, there are plenty of easy ways to express gratitude for the most important woman in your life. If you want to make her feel extra special this year, take her for dinner at one of Sydney’s best restaurants, book her a spa day at one of the city’s most exquisite retreats (Escape Bathhouse in

Fuel costs got you ditching the car in place of public transport? We hear you. And so, apparently, does Transport for NSW. In very welcome news for commuters, Sydney Metro is rolling out a temporary service boost that means shorter wait times and more trains zooming across the city. Here’s what you need to know before you tap on. From this week until June 7, three additional trains (originally earmarked for the upcoming Southwest line) are being thrown into the mix, delivering 166 extra weekly services along the Tallawong to Sydenham stretch. That’s good news for the roughly 1.5 million passengers who use the line each week – aka, a very large chunk of Sydney. RELATED READ: The designs for Sydney's next round of metro stations have been revealed Photograph: Winnie Stubbs | Time Out Sydney Peak-hour commuters will notice the biggest difference. Peak-time services, which already run every four minutes, will tighten to a breezy three-and-a-half-minute frequency during weekday peaks (specifically for 90-minute windows in the morning and afternoon rush). Weekend plans are also getting a glow-up. From now until June 7, trains will arrive every seven minutes instead of every ten between late morning and evening – meaning an easier journey to long lunches, big nights out and spontaneous city adventures.RELATED READ: Here’s where Sydney Metro will go once it’s complete Come June 7, the extra trains will head back to the Southwest Metro project for final testing ahead of its long-aw