Winnie Stubbs

2025 is coming to close, and Sydney is gearing up to celebrate this fact in major style. With an abundance of sexy new wine bars, unfathomably epic hotel renovations and some seriously swish rooftop venues, it's clear that this stellar run of new openings mean we can expect some pretty impressive debut NYE parties this year. To help you choose between the good and the great, we’ve put together a round-up of the best parties to book this NYE – so you can ring in 2026 with a bang (or an intimate dinner – pick your poison). Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: Want to watch the fireworks without the hefty price tag? Here's our guide to the best free spots in Sydney to watch the NYE fireworks. Ready for a celebration right now? Here are our picks of the best bars in Sydney.

Once the working-class home to Sydney’s rag trade and one of the most dangerous and vice-ridden neighbourhoods in the city, the streets of Surry Hills were the stomping grounds for nefarious underworld types like the notorious 'razor warrior' Kate Leigh. A century on, those gangsters would barely recognise the trendy heart of the inner Eastern Suburbs, with its classy cafés, five-star dining, thriving bar scene and culture hubs – not to mention the soaring property prices. Jump to a section: EAT DRINK COFFEE THINGS TO DO SHOPPING What's Surry Hills known for? For sheer variety, Surry Hills ranks as one of the top foodie destinations not just in Sydney, but nationwide. You'll find mum-and-pop outfits serving up dishes that punch well above their price tag, fine-dining establishments with exquisite service, and culinary pioneers changing the game, and that's just for starters. There's a rich mix of world cuisines on offer in the area, from Middle Eastern to Japanese, French to American barbecue, and more or less everything in between. Fans of Italian food are particularly well-served by multiple restaurants where you can find authentic wood-fired pizza and pasta dishes that any Nonna would be proud to call their own. A thriving café culture has also made Surry Hills one of the most popular weekend brunch destinations in Sydney, where many of the city's best baristas ply their trade. How do I get to Surry Hills? Whether you're travelling by bus, train, light rail or shiny new

When it comes to showing that you care, flowers are a pretty safe bet. Thankfully, Sydney is home to fantastic florists willing to deliver the goods – often at just a day's notice, and some even with same-day delivery. From locally-sourced seasonal blooms to customisable arrangements, our pick of the best in the city includes all the options to make sure you can give the best buds to your best bud, whatever teh occasion. Our team of flower-afficianados have put Sydney's flower delivery services to the test – these are our favourites. In romance mode? Here are Sydney's best date spots for a perfectly romantic occasions. 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. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

It's a truth universally acknowledged that Australia has beaches that are beyond beautiful. With a whopping 12,000 beaches fringing our island continent, it would take you a wild 32 years to see them all – if you tackle one beach per day. Assuming that your 32-year plan doesn't singularly involve beach hopping around Australia (although we can, of course, dream), we've put together a list of the best beaches in Australia that you should visit at least once in your life. Each beach on this list has been selected by our Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley for its remarkable beauty, prime swimming conditions (read: you won't see a beach with saltwater crocs on this list) and proximity to other incredible activities, so your adventure doesn't end with just one dip. Now, all that’s left for you to do is check out the best beaches in Australia for yourself. Editors' favourite beaches in Australia: 💙 Best of all time: Whitehaven Beach, QLD 🤍 Best hidden gem: Stokes Bay, SA 💚 Best views: Wineglass Bay, TAS QLD | NSW | WA | TAS | VIC | SA  🌊 The best nudist beaches in Australia🏄 The best surf beaches in Australia

Dreaming of sleeping beneath starry skies, swimming in secluded beaches and snuggling by a campfire – but without the spiders, dirt floors and lack of showers? Enter glamping – the perfect way to experience Australia’s wild side with a touch of luxury. Whether it's reclining in a private bubble bath beneath a rainforest canopy, dipping into a rainwater plunge pool with Uluru in the background, or sleeping on fresh sheets next to one of the world's most remote coral reefs, the best glamping spots in Australia are both epic and aplenty. All you've gotta do is hit the road.  Editors' favourite glamping spots in Australia: 💕 Best couples retreat: Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, WA ☀️ Best for families: Ingenia Holidays Byron Bay, NSW 💎 Best luxury: Longitude 131, NT WA | NSW | VIC | NT | TAS | QLD | SA ✅ The best caravan parks in Australia⛺️ The best free campsites in Australia

They might be tucked away in CBD parks, or a stone's throw from our beautiful harbour, or in quiet suburban parks. We're talking about outdoor pools around the city that 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. Take the plunge and make a splash at best outdoor pools in Sydney this summer.    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 

Believe it or not, summer school holidays are here. And if the thought of keeping the kiddos entertained for the next two months sends you into a spiral, we've got you covered. There’s something here for the explorers, the budding scientists, the mini athletes, the musical prodigies, the artist and just about everyone in between. You'll find the ultimate round-up of activities and experiences happening in Sydney for kids and families this summer. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Looking for somewhere affordable to eat out with the kids? Check out our guide to the best cheap eats in Sydney. Or visit these kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Whoever coined the phrase “nothing in life is free” has clearly never set foot in Australia – a country where some of the best experiences come with a $0 price tag. Our Great Southern Land is full of bucket list experiences that won’t hurt or even touch your bank account. Hiking through some of the world’s most beautiful national parks? Free! Spotting fairy penguins on the beach? Free! Sampling your way through a world-class market? You guessed it – free! Our Travel and News Editor, Melissa Woodley – a woman who has backpacked, bused and budget-airlined her way across the planet – knows the art of stretching a dollar without sacrificing the fun. With intel from a crack team of Aussie travel writers, she’s pulled together the definitive list of the best free things to do in Australia. Whether you’re an outdoor person (swims, coastal walks and picnic rugs) or more of an indoor creature (air-con, art galleries and free chocolate samples), consider this your cheat sheet to feeling inexplicably wealthy on a budget of exactly zero. Editors’ favourite free things to do in Australia: 🍫 Best for families: Haigh's Chocolate Factory, SA 🌳 Best outdoor adventure: St Kilda Beach, VIC ☀️ Best for a hot day: Berry Springs Nature Park, NT NSW | VIC | SA | QLD | WA | ACT | TAS | NT 🌊 The best things to do in Australia🎢 The coolest things to do with kids⭐️ The best tourist attractions in Australia

Planning your travels for the new year? You should absolutely factor in those long-standing bucket list entries, but if you’re looking for some fresh inspiration, 2026 promises a world of brand-new travel experiences.  From sleeping over in an open-air museum to journeying through ancient landscapes on e-bikes, ziplining over glorious wildlife reserves and partying through a solar eclipse – yes, really – there’s a shedload of off-the-beaten-track, out-of-the-box stuff happening over the next 12 months. Scroll on for our handpicked selection of the 26 coolest, weirdest and most exciting things to do in 2026.  RECOMMENDED:🎶 The biggest and best music festivals in 2026🛍️ The coolest streets in the world🏘️ The coolest neighbourhoods in the world🌃 The best cities in the world right now Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.

As a city bursting with attractions, it’s an unavoidable fact that some of the things in your Sydney guidebook are bound to suck. Long queues, ridiculous prices and crowds of tourists are hardly going to make your trip to Sydney a memorable one – so ditch them all for these top-notch, local-approved sights and activities.  Below we’ve laid out a full range of tried-and-tested tourist stops around Sydney that are guaranteed not to be a let-down; they'll see you surfing at Bondi Beach, jetting across the harbour on a speedboat and watching humpback whales in the wild. Read on for our pick of the very best tourist attractions in Australia’s Harbour City. 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:These are the best restaurants in Sydney.These are the city's best bars.And these are the very best places to stay the night.  This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

The Blue Mountains region – the stunning, World Heritage-listed national park on the western edge of Sydney – is a go-to weekender destination for Sydneysiders looking for a nature reset, an indulgent spa escape, or an adrenaline-fuelled adventure. And for good reason. The magnificent prehistoric valleys are home to some of the best hiking trails in the state, as well as magical swimming spots and spectacular waterfalls. In the charming towns that punctuate the region, you’ll find cute cafés, perfect pubs, stacked vintage stores, and a good selection of day spas and bathhouses to help ease your mountain-weary muscles. If you’re looking for somewhere to rest your head after all that exploring, we’re here to help. From a gorgeous rustic cottage to an ultra-luxurious boutique hotel, the Time Out Sydney team (including Editor-in-Chief Alice Ellis, who has a house in the region) have tried and tested the best Airbnbs and hotels in the area. Time Out Sydney's Travel and Hotels Editor (and self-confessed Blue Mountains enthusiast) Winnie Stubbs has overseen the list to make sure it's up to scratch – read on for our definitive guide to the best places to stay in the Blue Mountains. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants and cafés in the Blue Mountains.  Time Out makes a small commission from the affiliate links included in this article. These links have no influence on our editorial content, but they do help us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our a

In a country that buzzes from sunrise to sunset, you’re guaranteed to find new and exciting things happening no matter where you wake up (or wind down) – and 2026 is shaping up to be a blockbuster year for Australia. As Time Out's Travel and News Editor, it’s my job to hunt down all the newest happenings across every Australian state and territory. From highly anticipated restaurants and hot new hotels to world-first hikes and blockbuster exhibitions, here’s our ultimate list of the 26 best new things to do in Australia in 2026. How many will you tick off? Editors' top picks for 2026: 🥾 Best new hike: Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk, NT 🦁 Best new show: The Lion King, NSW 🖼️ Best new exhibition: Monet to Matisse: Defying Tradition, SA 🦘 The best places to visit in Australia🇦🇺 The top tourist attractions in Australia

If you were under the impression that Sydney’s summer fun peaks in December, you stand corrected. Every summer, right after the dust settles from the Harbour City’s sparkling NYE fireworks display, Sydney Festival is waiting to take over the city with a hefty helping of fresh arts and culture. This is your chance to get in on an almost-month-long program overflowing with avant garde performances, immersive art installations, phenomenal live musicians and parties that rock on well into the night. This year, the annual event is turning 50 – and if you were expecting a quiet midlife moment, think again. This summer, from January 8 to January 25, the city is throwing itself into a full-blown cultural block party, cracking open five decades of artistic history and inviting everyone in for a look at what’s next. Under the direction of Kris Nelson, who’s stepping up for his first year at the helm, the 2026 program is a sprawling, joy-sparking mix of theatre, music, dance and art.  At the heart of this anniversary edition is a deep dive into connection across generations, playing out through a (delightfully off-the-wall) theatre program. There’s the world-premiere roller-derby spectacular Mama Does Derby, which will see Virginia Gay and Clare Watson transform Sydney Town Hall into a full-scale rink for a tender, sweaty mother-daughter story. There’s Dear Son, bringing Thomas Mayo’s powerful collection of letters to the Belvoir stage with music, dance and theatre-makers Isaac Drandic

Calling all Sydney-based cinephiles. Flickerfest – Australia’s biggest competitive short film festival – is coming back for 2026, taking over Bondi Pavilion with more than 200 short film screenings across a glittering ten-day program. Known for spotlighting some of the country’s best-received short films, with heaps of Academy® and BAFTA winners among its alumni, Flickerfest is returning for its 35th year, with films screening by the beach from January 23 until February 1, 2026. The carefully selected curation of short films will be chosen from a pool of more than 3,600 entries – and based on what we've seen in previous years, we're expecting big things.As well as the shortlisted films, the program features a celebration of young Aussie filmmakers (FlickerUp), a showcase of LGBTQI cinema (Rainbow Shorts), a series of films about relationships (Love Bites) and exploring films about relationships, Short Laughs (a comedy series) and FlickerKids: a special program of kids and family-friendly films. After the Bondi-based festival, Flickerfest will go on tour – taking selected films to more than 40 venues across Australia from February until October.You can check out the full program and learn more 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.And these are the best outdoor cinemas in the city.In the mood for a show? Here’s our list of the best thea

It’s imperative that you do not eat before you visit the Carriageworks Farmers Markets. You’ll want to save maximum belly space for your personal version of The Bachelorette where you decide who gets your dollars and what delicious produce gets to come home with you. Maybe you like something soupy and savoury first thing? In that case head to Bar Pho for a traditional Vietnamese start to the day. On the veggie train? Hit up Keppos St Kitchen for a falafel breakfast, or head to Food Farm for a classic bacon and egg roll.Once the hounds of your hunger have been quieted it’s time to prepare for your next meal, or seven. Stock up on artisan cheese from Leaning Oak, smoked salmon from Brilliant Foods and Sydney’s favourite sourdough from AP Bakery and brunch is sorted. You can spend a whole lot of money if you want to here, but equally you could just grab a kombucha on tap from Herbs of Life and find a chair for some of the best dog-watching in the city.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel tips and city insights, straight to your inbox. Hungry for more? Look at our list of the best markets in Sydney – produce or otherwise. 

If drinking Champagne while dancing on a superyacht fits on your 2026 vision board, we’ve got you. Following two super successful seasons at the start of 2024 and 2025,  The Jackson (arguably Sydney’s most Instagrammed luxury superyacht) is teaming up with Veuve Clicquot for another sparkling summer party series. The string of harbour parties will see the huge, sparkly-af boat play host to a stacked line-up of DJs across two expansive decks, with dancing fuel (read: Champagne and canapés) provided by Veuve Clicquot. Oysters, Champagne and hours of dancing to the backdrop of Sydney’s glittering harbour – it’s a pretty solid recipe. Kicking off on Saturday, January 10, The Jackson's Veuve Cliquot in the Sun will see DJs from Sydney and beyond take to the decks (pun intended) for high-energy, Champagne-fuelled afternoons. The events will run from 12pm until 4pm on Saturdays throughout January, February, March and April, and your $159 ticket will score you two glasses of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, free-flowing canapés and oysters, plus four hours of dancing and a gelato for the journey back to dry land. Keen? You can learn more and secure your ticket over here. RECOMMENDED: Want fun now? These are the best things to do in Sydney this weekend And these affordable picnic boats are a more low-key boating optionWant the boat-owner life without the price tag? This subscription service might be the answer

Carriageworks Farmers Markets – one of Sydney’s favourite weekly markets – is putting on a special festive affair on Saturday, December 20, with more than over 120 stalls, extended trading hours (8am to 3pm) and live music.Expect glorious seasonal additions to the usual farm-fresh produce, and Christmas favourites such as hocks of ham, puddings and mouthwatering fruit cake for sale, plus vegan alternatives such as meat-free roasts and non-dairy cheeses. In addition to the regular weekly stallholders like AP Bakery, Oz Harvest and Kepos Street Kitchen, there'll also be offerings from guest stalls like Gelato Messina, Plate It Forward, Wildflower Brewing & Blending and heaps more.  Alongside the foodie offering, you’ll be able to grab a few final gifts from stalls selling food-related presents like ceramics and cookbooks. Plus, there’ll be booze stalls from local bars, breweries and distilleries, and live music to soundtrack your shopping.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 this weekend. And here’s what’s on this week. Want to take your foraged goods into the great outdoors? These are the best picnic spots in Sydney.

If you’ve driven past Rooty Hill’s West HQ lately, you’ll know the Coliseum Theatre doesn’t exactly do subtle. With its sweeping curves, cathedral-like acoustics and spectacular staging, the venue has quickly cemented its name as one of Western Sydney’s cultural calling cards.This summer, the venue’s offering is dialling up – with the Coliseum Theatre rolling out its biggest program ever – the inaugural Coliseum Summer Festival, a two-month celebration of blockbuster entertainment running from December 6 until January 24. Over the peak summer season, the venue will be serving up everything from smash-hit comedy sessions to mind-bending magic shows and big-ticket family theatre productions. Here are the seasonal highlights you won’t want to miss. Sooshi Mango: Home Made Encore  One of Australia’s favourite comedy trios are back with their wildly popular show – a lovingly chaotic celebration of family, culture and questionable DIY projects. Expect outrageous accents, impeccable timing and a whole heap of belly-laughs to kick-start your silly season.Dates: December 6 Cosentino – Tricked For one night only, master illusionist Cosentino will bring his high-stakes magic to the Coliseum stage. This is sleight-of-hand with serious swagger: escapology, illusions and unbelievable stunts. Dates: December 13 Cirque Alice Christmas Eve at the Coliseum is getting curiouser and curiouser. Cirque Alice is a reimagination of Lewis Carroll’s famously wacky world through acrobatics, aerial arti

Sydneysiders don’t need many excuses to roll out a picnic rug, pop a bottle of pét-nat and spend a balmy evening under the stars – but this summer, Moonlight Cinema is making an especially solid case. Australia’s most well-established outdoor movie night is officially turning 30, and to celebrate, it’s handing the programming reins over to the people. Yep: for the first time ever, you get to help shape the season’s line-up. Since its debut back in 1995 – opening with a now-iconic screening of Pulp Fiction – Moonlight Cinema has become a staple of the Sydney summer. More than five million people have sprawled across the lawns since then: first dates, proposals, celeb sightings, and countless delighted doggos who’ve come to expect their own bean bag and biscuit as standard. This year, the beloved Belvedere Amphitheatre in Centennial Parklands will once again transform into one of the Harbour City’s most picturesque open-air theatres, with films running throughout the summer from Friday, November 21, 2025 to Sunday April 5, 2026. And while the November–December program is already on sale, the real thrill lies in The People’s Program – a nationwide vote to decide which nostalgic favourites will hit the big screen from January through March. Voting is now open, with film choices including Shrek, Dirty Dancing, The Castle, Jurassic Park and more. Everyone who casts a vote gets 30 per cent off General Admission to People’s Program screenings – plus a shot at winning a Double Season

The north-of-the-bridge iteration of Bondi's Sunset Cinema is taking over North Sydney Oval again this summer, bringing three months of alfresco flicks to the open-air location. Sunset Cinema North Sydney will kick off a new season of outdoor popcorn delights from December 18 through to March 14. Pack your blankets and lawn chairs or hire a bean bag for an additional $15. Or level up with a Fever Tree lounger seating with popcorn and a Fever-Tree drink for an additional $30. Gates open at 6.30pm with films commencing at sundown. There will be a food truck onsite, but you're more than welcome to pack a picnic. Note: you can BYO food but not alcohol. The screenings kick off with a string of Christmas movies like The Holiday, Love Actually and even Home Alone on Christmas night(!). Kids will love Zootopia 2 and The Spongebob Movie, while families can join in a singalong for Mamma Mia!  Screenings take place Wednesday to Saturday (with a few exceptions). Early bird tickets are $20 per adult, which can be  and tickets (from $27 for adults, kids $15) are on sale now. Want more? Check out the best outdoor cinemas in Sydney. 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. No cash to splash? You can catch an alfresco movie every Wednesday this summer in The Rocks.

If there’s one thing Sydney does spectacularly well, it’s slow summer evenings – the kinds that see the sky turn sherbet-pink and the whole city look a little softer around the edges. This summer, Cockatoo Island/ Wareamah is handing us a very solid excuse to make the most of it: Sunset Sessions is back, taking over the lawn of historic Biloela House with a weekly dose of live music in the open air. Running on Saturday evenings from January 10 2025 to April 4 2026 (except from Saturday, March 7), the island’s curated open-air gig series is one of those annual events that reliably sells out – and for good reason. The formula is foolproof: pack a picnic rug, stretch out on the grass and let a line-up of emerging local artists soundtrack the slow fade into night as the sun sets behind the city. RELATED READ: These are the best sunset spots in Sydney This year brings a particularly juicy mix of genres and rising talent to Sydney Harbour’s largest island. Expect lush vocals from Charlie Collins, dreamy pop by Mia Lovelock, and globe-spanning grooves courtesy of Immy Owusu and Dom Diaz. You’ll also catch Bella Amor, Mina Siale, PA777IENCE, Skyscraper Stan, Lady Lyon and Lucienne – with more artists still to be announced. If you’re not the type to pack your own snacks, Biloela House will have refreshments ready to go – or you can pre-order a hamper of treats when you book your ticket. And if you’ve ever entertained the fantasy of running away to an island for the night, Cockatoo Isl

It’s 2pm on a Sunday, and the DJ is blowing bubbles into the air over the beach club that thrums with a Nu-disco soundtrack and a sun-soaked, distinctly holiday-coded energy. Beside the pool, couples lounge on sun beds with glasses of pale rosé and plates of freshly shucked oysters, and friends gossip by the bar with goblets of Aperol. Next door, in the ocean-facing restaurant, families celebrate birthdays and engagements with plates loaded with slow-roasted lamb and sizzling saganaki. We are, unbelievably, not in Mykonos – but at a recently revamped hotel on the shores of Sydney’s Brighton-Le-Sands beach. Following a multi-million-dollar renovation, the former Novotel property reopened in October 2025 under the M Gallery brand. And I’m calling it: this is the most transporting staycation you can book in Sydney this summer. What is The Brighton like? Right in the beating heart of one of Sydney’s buzzy multicultural coastal suburbs, The Brighton is as close as you’ll come to a European beach resort without leaving the Harbour City. The huge bayside retreat – complete with a Mediterranean-inspired beach club and a show-stealing outdoor pool – has all the polish of a global boutique hotel, ignited by the soul of its tight-knit Greek-Australian neighbourhood. Design-forward and deeply connected to its location, The Brighton is a playful, vacation-mode stay where seaside serenity meets a very Greek sense of swagger. What are the rooms like at The Brighton? Spread across 14 floors,

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:  Badu Gili: Healing Spirit, a stunning illumination of the sails This dynamic projection will light up the Eastern Bennelong sails with First Nations artwork five times a night, every night until Friday, December 12.Dates: DailyTickets: Free Backstage tours, 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 On The Steps, open-air summer shows The magical On The Steps open-air performance program is set to bring 50,000 music lovers to the Opera House forecourt for two magical weeks this summer. Highlights from this year’s line-up include Chet Faker, Franz Ferdinand, Loyle Carner, Parcels, Ruel and Boy & Bear. Dates: From December 2 - December 15Tickets: From $81.50 Perfume Genius, intimate album show  Grammy-nominated art-pop visionary Perfume Genius will light up the Concert Hall for one night only, bringing his singular, shape-shifting songcraft and emotionally charged anthems to the Harbour City, with a special guest performance by hyper-talented guitarist Hand Habits. Dates: December 9Tickets: From $49

It’s a Wednesday evening in early November, and the promise of summer is ripe in Sydney’s sun-soaked streets – outdoor tables filling with friends as colleagues clock off for the day and beeline for the closest happy hour. The group of strangers I’m about to spend an evening with is just wrapping up days defined by unique challenges and triumphs: break-ups and promotions and setbacks and excitement. But moments after stepping into the Ace Hotel’s warmly lit lobby, the outside world vanishes into the abyss. This is the effect that conversation can have – real, deep conversations that help us discover sides of ourselves that we didn’t know were there. Hosted by psychologist and wellbeing lead Dr Ash King, Neurotica is the kind of dinner party that I wish took place every week – the kind of event I’d clear my diary for at a moment’s notice. With a mission to help Sydneysiders explore bold topics in a safer, more intimate setting than what she describes as “our fraught digital ecosystem”, Ash launched Neurotica as the city’s “dinner party for deep thinkers”. “Neurotica is Sydney’s new cultural salon where psychology, art, and pop culture collide over candlelight and cocktails. No icebreakers, no polite chit-chat, no show-boating. Just provocative prompts, big ideas, and conversations that cut deeper than ‘So, what do you do?’” Ash explains. The launch event – exploring the topic of “bad ideas” – was a sold-out success story back in October, but I’m lucky enough to score a seat at

Summer in the city is pretty hard to beat, but a nature hit now and again is always welcome, and new research shows that a whole heap of Sydneysiders are making a beeline for the bush this Christmas. New data from Hipcamp – the world’s top app for finding and booking independent campsites – shows that nationwide Christmas bookings are up 14 per cent year-on-year, with NSW seeing a solid 10 per cent lift. RELATED READ: These are the best camping sites near hikes in NSWOn the camping train? You’re not alone. Destination NSW’s 2025 Travel Trends Report found that 77 per cent of travellers now view camping and caravanning as better value than other holiday types, reflecting a nationwide shift toward more affordable, back-to-nature getaways. According to Hipcamp, pet-friendly sites and those near fishing spots are this season’s hottest filters, while tents and swags remain the top camping setups. To make things easy for last-minute planners, Hipcamp has rounded up six award-winning NSW stays still open for Christmas. Heads up: you’ll want to act fast, and don’t blame us if you’re too late to the game. Canoelands Orchard Camping, HawkesburyBest Farmstay, 2025 Hipcamp AwardsLess than an hour from Sydney, this working orchard is the perfect stay for aspiring hobby farmers. Pick your own fruit, grab a coffee at the farm café, or say hi to the resident alpacas. Nestled among eucalypt forest and rolling hills, it’s a peaceful base for exploring Marramarra National Park and the Canoeland

The silly season is upon us, and for all the fun of this time of year, there’s a fair dose of stress that comes with the hyper-social energy – with 49 per cent of Australians ranking November to December as the most stressful time of year. According to research by AllTrails, more Aussies are turning to the great outdoors to help with stress than ever before, with 55 per cent saying the mental lift is the biggest appeal of exercising outside. To help us access the ultimate hit of nature therapy, the AllTrails team put together a guide to the nine most peaceful hikes in the country, and the number one route is right here in Victoria. Winding through the eucalypt forest of Warrandyte State Park for 6.5 kilometres, this riverside stroll just outside of Melbourne has taken the crown as Australia’s most zen-inducing stroll. We feel relaxed already... Where is the Black Flat via Blue Tongue Bend Loop? The Black Flat via Blue Tongue Bend Loop circles through Warrandyte State Park in Melbourne’s leafy northeast, hugging a quiet stretch of the Yarra River just beyond the bustle of suburban Warrandyte. How long is the Black Flat via Blue Tongue Bend Loop? The circuit comes in at around 6.5 kilometres, making it one of those Goldilocks-length walks – not too short, not too long, just right for a cruisy morning out in nature. How long does it take to complete? Most walkers knock it over in about two hours, with a little extra time if you stop for photos, river-gazing or a breather on one

Melbourne’s coffee culture is world-class, as is our design offering, but according to recent research, the city’s record store scene is even stronger. For The Record, a new study commissioned by the Victorian Music Development Office, has found that Melbourne boasts more record shops per capita than any city on Earth: 5.9 stores per 100,000 residents, beating Tokyo, London and Berlin. With 119 independent record stores, the city is home to half of Australia’s independent vinyl outlets. The research, delivered by Ethan Holben and Audience Strategies, took a deep dive into Victoria’s vinyl ecosystem, from pressing plants (Victoria produces 66 per cent of Australia’s total) to distributors and retailers who keep local music alive. The findings reveal a city that spins a whole heap of records, and seriously champions Australian music: Victorian stores stock 25–50 per cent local artists, well above the mere 8.4 per cent of Australian tracks that dominate streaming charts. That being said, the research found that there’s a paradox at play. While Victoria’s record store count has grown 18 per cent since 2023, national vinyl sales have only nudged up 5.6 per cent to $44.5 million, and most stores describe themselves as “just getting by”. Behind the vinyl boom headlines lies a fragile landscape: high setup costs, uneven access for regional Victorians, and rising prices that can put records out of reach for young listeners. While this presents a challenge, Victoria’s vinyl community i

Update Thursday, December 11: The latest alert from the Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre (ASWFC) today confirms a geomagnetic storm is in progress. According to the alert, the "Aurora may be observed during local nighttime hours in good observing conditions at high altitudes." The Aurora has been spotted over the past few nights across the country – with a stunning display spotted in Victoria's very own Torquay. As if this year's series of supermoons haven't been enough of a celestial spectacle, today, the Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre (ASWFC) issued another Aurora alert. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Southern Lights from Victoria. Where in the world can you see the Aurora? Bright, beautiful and bedazzling, the Aurora Borealis is a big-ticket bucket list item for pretty much everyone on Earth. Only those who have witnessed the Northern Lights with their naked eyes can truly understand its ethereal magic. But you don’t need to fork out on a ticket to Scandinavia to see the dramatic natural light display IRL. Australia has its very own version, called the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights – and this year, we could be in for the brightest display in 20 years. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Aurora Australis in Australia. Will the Aurora Australis be visible tonight from Victoria? Australia’s first big Aurora Australis of the season occurred on Sunday, June 1, sparked by a severe geomagnetic storm. Another recen

Update Thursday, December 11: The latest alert from the Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre (ASWFC) today confirms a geomagnetic storm is in progress. According to the alert, the "Aurora may be observed during local nighttime hours in good observing conditions at high altitudes." The Aurora has been spotted over the past few nights across the country – with a spectacular display in NSW's very own Anna Bay. As if this year's series of supermoons haven't given us enough of a celestial spectacle, today, the Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre (ASWFC) have issued another Aurora alert. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Southern Lights from NSW. Where in the world can you see the Aurora? Bright, beautiful and bedazzling, the Aurora Borealis is a big-ticket bucket list item for pretty much everyone on Earth. Only those who have witnessed the Northern Lights with their naked eyes can truly understand its ethereal magic. But you don’t need to fork out on a ticket to Scandinavia to see the dramatic natural light display IRL. Australia has its very own version, called the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights – and this year, we could be in for the brightest display in 20 years. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Aurora Australis in Australia. Will the Aurora Australis be visible from NSW tonight? Australia’s first big Aurora Australis of the season occurred on Sunday, June 1, sparked by a severe geomagnetic storm. Another recent storm w

Back in January 2024, the NSW Government introduced a new measure to cap toll fees at $60 per week – helping motorists based in Sydney’s most toll-heavy suburbs to save money on their commutes. Initially, the toll cap was introduced as a temporary measure, but in huge news for drivers, the toll cap has just been made permanent – putting hundreds of thousands of dollars back into the bank accounts of road-trawling Sydneysiders. RELATED READ: Here’s a deep dive into the NSW Government’s proposed toll reforms In an effort to help make Sydney more of an equal-opportunity city, the policy is aimed squarely at commuters in car-dependent suburbs of Western Sydney and the Central Coast, where public transport options are thin but toll bills are sky-high. Since the cap’s introduction, more than 680,000 claims have been lodged, returning a mega $211.4 million to motorists. In terms of reimbursements, Blacktown leads the pack – with more than $3.5 million already put back in the pockets of 9,400 drivers. With Western Sydney suburbs the main beneficiaries, Blacktown is followed closely by Baulkham Hills ($3.2 million) and Auburn ($3.1 million). Wondering how it works? The toll cap is designed to ensure that no motorist pays more than $60 a week on the city’s toll road network, meaning commuters who were previously bleeding money on daily trips now have a ceiling on their spending. It’s a measure that corrects a long-standing inequity: Western Sydney drivers were for years paying in both

If you were one of the people at last night's Kendrick Lamar concert in Sydney, you'll know that KDot put on one helluva performance complete with flames, fireworks and all his hits. 'Not Like Us' goes even harder IRL. If you live near Moore Park, you might also know! Local residents have reported the show was loud and sounded like a hoot. Perhaps grab some earplugs for tonight if you were one of those people?   Here’s everything you need to know about Kendrick’s final Sydney show tonight… When is Kendrick Lamar in Sydney? After two sold-out shows in Melbourne, the multi-Grammy Award-winning rapper is now in Sydney for his Grand National Tour. He played his first show at Moore Park’s Allianz Stadium last night (Wednesday, December 10, 2025), and his last show is tonight, Thursday, December 11, 2025. How to get to the Kendrick Lamar Sydney concert  Public transport is your best option for getting to Allianz Stadium (also known as Sydney Football Stadium), at 40 Driver Avenue, Moore Park. The cost of public transport is included in your ticket. If you have stamina, you can walk up to the stadium from Central Station. It takes about 25 minutes, but just a warning – it’s an uphill walk, so it’s not for the faint-hearted. If you want to get to the city early and make an adventure of it, you can have a bit of a pub crawl up to Moore Park – these are some of the best pubs on the way to and near the stadium. Most people opt instead to take the Moore Park Light Rail service from Centr

In huge news for animal welfare advocates and affordable housing advocates alike, Wentworth Park – the harbour-adjacent pocket of green wedged between Ultimo, Glebe and the ever-evolving Blackwattle Bay – will be wrapping up its greyhound racing operation in 2027, unlocking room for 7,300 new homes. This week, the NSW Government announced a sweeping plan to reshape the 14-hectare precinct into a green, community-focused hub. And in wonderful news for Sydney’s racing greyhounds (following the findings from an inquiry which found major welfare issues endemic to the greyhound racing industry), from 2027, no doggos will be hitting the race-track in the area.The plan, which will keep the site firmly in public hands, is part of the government’s push to tackle Sydney’s housing crisis by putting new homes where people actually want to live – close to jobs, public transport and places you’d happily spend a sunny afternoon. With Wentworth Park sitting just 1.5 kilometres from the CBD and directly linked to rail, light rail, ferries and the future Pyrmont Metro, the logic for this one is clear. Photograph: Supplied | City of Sydney   RELATED READ: Here’s an update on the station and housing development in Woollahra  A major part of this week’s announcement centres on the transformation of the Wentworth Park Sporting Complex. When the greyhound racing lease ends in September 2027, the existing facilities will be demolished, the land transferred to the City of Sydney, and the whole area

Silly season has arrived, and if you’re spending a weekend in Melbourne, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to things to do, shows to see, pubs to visit and dancefloors to tear up. But if you're craving a hit of nature, we’re here to help. If you ask us, the best way to get a fix of country air is by taking a hike then sleeping under the stars, and some of the most incredible hikes in Australia are right here in Victoria. Need further proof? AllTrails has just revealed the ten most popular overnight hikes in Australia, and the number two track is right here in Victoria. Where is the Mount Feathertop via the Razorback Walk? In the heart of Victoria’s High Country, the Mount Feathertop via the Razorback Walk stretches between Mount Hotham and Mount Feathertop – two alpine icons linked by a dramatic ridgeline that feels purpose-built for bushwalkers looking for a bit of scenic theatre. How far is the Mount Feathertop via the Razorback Walk? The walk clocks in at around 22 kilometres return, give or take a few zig-zags as you dodge wildflowers or pause for your fifteenth photo of the day. Photograph: Supplied | Visit Victoria How long does the Mount Feathertop via the Razorback Walk take? Most hikers allow 7-9 hours to complete the return trek – long enough to feel like you’ve absolutely earned your post-walk pub feed and a good night’s sleep under the stars. How do you get to the Mount Feathertop via the Razorback Walk? The trail kicks off at the Mount Hotham village area

There’s a scene in Eat Pray Love where Elizabeth Gilbert (played by Julia Roberts), freshly freed from the shackles of married life, sets down her slice of Margherita pizza and tells her new friend: “I’m in love. I’m having a relationship with my pizza.” It’s a scene that stays with you if you’re a foodie – the sincere, passionate proclamation that this pizza from a low-key Neapolitan pizza joint is, without question, the best pizza in the world. Since its origins in Napoli back in 1870, the family-run pizzeria (L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele) has expanded beyond its original base. Thankfully though, the pizza base has stayed the same, and hooly dooly – Liz was onto something. Photograph: Supplied | Scott Ehler   After opening more than 80 branches across the world, L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele opened the doors to its first Aussie outpost on December 5 in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, and it’s truly the silly-season blessing we didn’t know we needed. Located just steps from Circular Quay and flooded with light through floor-to-ceiling windows, the 400-person venue buzzes with energy and a loud, very Italian sense of community. We visited at 6pm on a Tuesday evening, and the place was already humming – tables busy with groups of all ages, tearing apart pizzas and clinking Limoncello Spritzes over plates of arancini balls and fried polenta. In the corner by the window, a group of Italian men roar with laughter and clap wildly at intervals. “We wanted to bring the energy of Napoli

Sydney’s Mexican food scene is having a moment, with Mami’s Casa Latina setting the gold standard for wildly affordable family-style cooking, Redfern’s Lottie bringing on-point (entirely gluten-free) Mexican share plates to one of the city’s best new hotels, and Chippendale’s Radio Taco accruing queues around the block for its moreish tacos. Now, just in time for summer, the rooftop space crowning the multi-level Potts Point Hotel has been reborn as Sweethearts Terraza – a breezy Yucatán-inspired oasis serving up more than just exceptional Margaritas.Designed as an open-air homage to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, the 120-seat space has been reimagined with warm, terracotta tones and bursts of greenery. If you’ve spent enough time in Sydney, you’ll have found yourself up on this rooftop in one of its previous iterations, but the new look makes it so much more than a convenient spot for a sky-high Spritz. The summery makeover and impressively creative menu make this a seriously solid venue in its own right, with the super central location in the heart of Potts Point an added bonus. Photograph: Supplied | Sweethearts Terraza In the kitchen, chef Roberto García – whose résumé includes Marrickville’s beloved San Pancho Taqueria and beloved Greek eatery Alpha – plates up a menu he describes as “fire, citrus and celebration.” Beyond the Mexican-eatery musts (chips and guac), expect colourful, shareable dishes that tow the line between authenticity and contemporary flair: a picture-p

It’s been a big year for Hong Kong on the world stage – with the harbour city laying claim to the best hotel and the best bar in the world. Now, we’ve got a new title to add to the trophy cabinet – with Euromonitor International’s Top 100 City Destinations Index ranking Hong Kong as the second-most visited destination on the planet, pulling in an estimated 23.2 million international arrivals in 2025. For a city that’s equal parts steadfast and ever-evolving, the ranking serves as a very welcome reminder that Hong Kong is firmly back on the world stage, and travellers can’t get enough. Euromonitor’s annual index crunches everything from tourism and sustainability to economic performance and health and safety. While Europe dominated the overall top ten (with Paris, Madrid, Rome, Milan and Amsterdam all taking prime real estate), the Asia-Pacific region made serious waves. Tokyo hit number three globally, Singapore landed at number nine, and Seoul climbed confidently into number ten. But when it came to people power – the actual number of travellers flocking in – Hong Kong stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Asia’s biggest hitters. The only city ahead of us? Bangkok, which retained its long-standing number one title with a staggering 30.3 million international arrivals this year. London, despite its historic pull, slid to number three with 22.7 million. Even Macau – the glitzy gambling enclave just across the delta – followed behind with 20.4 million. What’s driving the surge? With