Things to do
A guide to Sydney events, attractions, outdoor adventures and more
What to do in Sydney
The best of Sydney
20 things to do in Sydney at least once in your life
Sydney’s a beautiful place to live and a glorious city to visit. We’ve picked out 20 things to do that show off our best side, from kayaking on the harbour and cocktails with a view to our favourite weekly markets, the best underground restaurant in the city and where to get your culture fix.
Escape rooms in Sydney
Puzzle rooms are taking Sydney by storm. Every time we check, another two seem to be popping up out of nowhere – and each one raises the bar with new ideas inspired by the hundreds of escape rooms found across the world. (Apparently Hungary is the place to go for the ultimate mystery room binge – there are more than 100 rooms in Budapest alone). The concept is simple: solve a variety of puzzles placed in and around the room before your allotted time runs out. Each room has a different theme and stimulates all senses, demanding a variety of problem-solving skills. Time Out took the challenge of visiting nine rooms in the city. Whether we got out in time? Well, that's a different matter.
The Sydney tourist hit list
Fairs and festivals
Sydney Science Festival
The Sydney Science Festival returns for the third year this August.
Surry Hills Festival
Returning for its 15th year, Surry Hills Festival draws an impressive crowd of 50,000 people for free family-friendly entertainment from 10am to 10pm. It’s one of the biggest local festivals in spring, stretching from Ward Park to Shannon Reserve and from Crown Street to Hill Street, with live music performances, kids’ activities, art trails, food and produce and market stalls. You'll also get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what makes Surry Hills tick in walking tours of the area. Entry is by donation and all funds raised on the day go to towards the community programs of the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre.
Sydney Tea Festival
Time to par-tea: a celebration of specialty loose leaf tea is coming to Sydney this August. Hitting Carriageworks on Sunday August 20, this enormous tea party will feature tea purveyors from Sydney and beyond, showcasing new blends, rare teas, brewing equipment and techniques. There will be a series of ticketed workshops hosted by specialists on tea tasting, food pairing and blending as well as the history and benefits of tea. If you’re after something a little bite to go with your cuppa, there will also be a range of food stalls offering treats both savoury and sweet.
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Little Creatures Live
You might already enjoy their beer – including Pale Ale, Rogers' and Dog Days – but did you know there's a way to take your Little Creatures love a little deeper? This year the brewery is taking their show on the road with a series of parties that feature live performance art, food and beer at various on-premise locations and festivals across Australia. They're calling it Little Creatures Live – inspired by the original moniker of their very first Pale Ale, brewed their own way with fresh hops flowers and live yeast. Little Creatures Live will be back in Sydney very soon. Curious as to what to expect? Check out our recaps below. Or if you can't wait, why not pay a visit to Little Creatures' Fremantle or Geelong breweries?
Win a three-course dinner for two at Parramatta’s hottest new restaurant
In case you haven’t noticed, the west’s restaurant scene is thriving at the moment. The latest exciting addition is Husk & Vine Kitchen and Bar, with ex-Flying Fish chef Stephen Seckold at the helm. Paying homage to Parramatta’s Middle Eastern and Mediterranean communities, Husk & Vine’s menu offers flatbreads and pides made in a custom Beech oven, lamb shoulders with harissa, okra and chickpea stew and large cuts of meat designed to share. Drinks-wise, expect drops from boutique wineries across Australia, plus cocktails using native ingredients like eucalyptus and lemon myrtle. Husk & Vine Kitchen and Bar – which is housed in V by Crown Group – will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. To be one of the first to try it (along with a guest, of course, to the total value of $400), enter our competition by filling out your details below before 10am on Friday July 21. Name: Email: Gender: Female Male Non-binary Year of Birth: Postcode: Do you have a lot of opinions? We're keen to know what our readers think, so we've created an insider's club to find out. Join, and we'll email you surveys and questions from time to time. It's a great chance to have your thoughts heard, and we'll reward you with treats too. Tick this box if you'd like to join our insider's club. Tick this box if you would like to hear more about this exciting new venue. Enter now! Terms and conditions in full. By entering this competition you agree to receive relevant communications
The Perth Hitlist: What to do and where to go on a three or five day stay
It’s the only capital city in Australia where you can watch the sun set over the ocean, but that’s not the only reason Perth is now one of the coolest places to visit. Once known only for its pristine beaches, Perth’s love of food and culture is capturing the attention of tastemakers. Blame it on Instagram or the perfect weather – no one can explain how WA’s capital city made its way onto the international radar – but the latest frenzy of new hotel openings, a statewide culinary scene that is booming and a string of new urban projects may provide some clues. Stay a little longer and you can explore ancient caves and award winning wineries just three hours ‘down south’ around Margaret River. // var axel = Math.random() + ""; var a = axel * 10000000000000; document.write(''); //
The highlights of Sydney Science Festival
Running from August 8 to 20, Sydney Science Festival brings some of the most exciting names in science together for a spectacular exploration of our world. With 150-plus events on the roster, punters can get amongst a range of talks, events, exhibitions and workshops for science fiends young and old. While it’s going to be impossible to see everything, we’ve curated a bunch of top events to keep an eye out for.