Caitlyn Todoroski

Ironically, despite its rugged surroundings, Canberra’s CBD itself is a very flat, walkable city. While this results in some highly scenic strolls around the famous Lake Burley Griffin, it means that only a short drive will take you to some fantastic locations for a more robust hike. There are hills and perches aplenty so that all your walking results in the reward of gazing out across our nation’s capital. Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has tried and tested almost all of these trails, with her favourites including Black Mountain, Mount Painter and Gibraltar Peak. Lace up and hit the trail on one of the best hikes in Canberra.  🌳 The best things to do in Canberra🥐 Canberra's best bakeries🚗 The best day trips from Canberra

When it comes to sharing good food and drink with all of Sydney, the saying ‘the more the merrier’ never rang more true. It’s certainly the case for the City of Sydney’s Access Means Business campaign. Two in three people with low vision or blindness don’t feel confident heading out, and this campaign is targeting that. When was the last time you considered how accessible your business was? Maybe on the surface it seems to tick boxes, but there are so many small changes you can make to welcome people with low vision and blindness, who you didn’t even realise were bypassing your venue. We’re counting down five simple ways you can make a better dining experience for all the people walking through your doors, and for people with friendly Guide Dog companions, you can access a fantastic self-advocacy toolkit here.

With the line-up out for the 2025 Sydney Film Festival, analysis paralysis is really doing its thing. There are too many good films to choose from, and so little time to watch them all. We’re offering you the answer with the chance to get a hot little ticket (well, two) in hand and have the guesswork taken out of things.  Time Out is taking over a SFF screening this year, and boy is it a special one. Slanted is Amy Wang’s first feature film – we’ve got a soft spot for the director given she grew up in Sydney.  Wang’s experience of going through school as a Chinese-Australian in Sydney’s Inner West fuels the plot of Slanted, with an American twist. Protagonist Joan Huang (Shirley Chen) dreams of one thing: being prom queen. When she thinks she needs to be white to have a shot at winning, ‘racial transformation surgery’ looks like her key to the crown, and so begins the journey to being ‘Jo Hunt’ (Mckenna Grace). While Slanted is Wang’s first feature film, she’s no stranger to the screen. Her short film Unnatural scored Gold in the Young Director Awards at Cannes Lions, and she’s been involved in the writing team for the upcoming Crazy Rich Asians 2. She’s also produced and written for television series with Oscar winners like Michelle Yeoh in The Brothers Sun and Zoe Saldaña in From Scratch.  There are five double passes up for grabs that not only give you access to the screening on Monday, June 9 at 5pm at the State Theatre, but also a Q&A with Wang on what goes into making a

You know you’re in for an artistic (and supremely Sydney) experience when the exhibition you’re visiting was once a power station (hello White Bay, Machine Hall and Powerhouse Ultimo). Liverpool Powerhouse (formerly Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre) is a member of this very exclusive club, with a past dating back to the 1950s. It’s a historic venue you should add to your weekend bucket list, stat.  With six galleries, two artist studios, a delicious restaurant, a 322-seat theatre, weekly growers markets, parklands and outdoor garden spaces scattered with public art; there’s really no contesting that it’s the place to be for an entertaining outing. Top it all off with free entry, free parking and a location directly opposite Casula Station, and you’ve got yourself the ideal family day. Here are six things to check out on your next visit to Liverpool Powerhouse.

With 19 public houses dotting the suburb, it’s not unusual for a Saturday night in Balmain (AKA Sydney's pub capital) to involve hopping from one pub to the other. Now, there's an official way to do it with Balmain Rozelle Heritage Pub Trail. So, how does it work? Out of the front of each of the 19 stops is a metal plaque in the sidewalk with a QR code that you can scan and log your journey. You can pop into one or two, but we reckon you should really make a night of it. And when we say there’s a pub for everyone, we really mean it – some of the venues even welcome children and fur babies with open arms.  Photograph: Supplied | Balmain Rozelle Chamber of Commerce | Royal Oak Hotel Balmain The itinerary starts with the pokie-free Merton Hotel before heading onto other live-music-loving venues like The Bridge Hotel, The Native Rose Hotel and The Garry Owen Hotel. You can party on at The Sackville who have DJs playing late into the night on Saturdays and dine on French delicacies at their bistro Chez Blue. The trail then meanders onto the sunny beer gardens at Dick’s Hotel, The Balmain and East Village Hotel. You’ve got rustic charm galore like at legendary Sunday roast-slinging Welcome Hotel, The Cricketers Balmain, The London Hotel and The Bald Rock Hotel, plus those that are heritage listed like The Riverview and Royal Oak Balmain. And then you can fancy it up a bit at The Dry Dock’s restaurant, which will be serving caviar and charcoaled goods, chef Manu Feildel’s (from My

The Emerald City is peppered with a whole host of dreamy stays – from boutique boltholes with rooftop pools overlooking trendy city suburbs to sky-high towers with uninterrupted views of the Opera House. To help you choose which is right for you, our team of writers (including Lifestyle Writer Winnie Stubbs and Travel and News Editor Melissa Woodley) have shared their top picks for the best places to stay in Sydney – along with tips on how to make the most of your stay. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: These are the best glamping sites in NSW. These are the best camping sites near Sydney. And these are the best spots for a weekend away if you’re keen to get out of town. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Vivid may be the festival of lights, but it’s quickly become an extravaganza of food, too. From superstar international guest chefs to pop-up kitchens and special menus, the options are pretty much endless, and getting pretty pricey, too. Take the hassle out of choosing where to eat when you’re out and about for the night – Gateway is a bustling precinct in a convenient location with affordable options to savour. Being just across from Circular Quay Station and a stroll away from the Sydney Opera House and The Rocks, it’s the ideal pit stop for a quick feast that’ll fuel your illuminated expedition.  With a food court, heaps of takeaway options, sweet treats and fun bars, this place ticks all the boxes for a family. Here are six delicious cheap-eats spots to check out at Gateway while you’re exploring Vivid.

Looking to live it up on your next Aussie getaway? We’ve got you covered. Australia is practically swimming in great hotels, from new boutique stays with heated infinity pools to revamped classics boasting five-star rooftop bars and close proximity to our country's best attractions. But with so many options, choosing where to stay can be a bit of a challenge. That's where we come in – our expert travel writers have slept their way across every state and territory to bring you the ultimate list of Australia's best hotels. Whether you’re a local looking for a gram-worthy staycation or a tourist eager to be in the heart of the action, here are our top picks for a luxury stay in Australia right now. ☀️ Australia’s most incredible resorts🤩 The best things to do Down Under🌏 All the best places to visit in Australia 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 allow us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Melbourne and Sydney might hog the spotlight when it comes to Australia’s best baristas, but Canberra quietly brews up some of the finest cups in the country. Ona dominates the capital's coffee scene – that's right, their beans are proudly roasted right here in Canberra – while local favourites like Redbrick, Two Before Ten and Barrio serve up their own top-tier takes on liquid gold. Whether it’s your cuppa on the morning commute, a long brunch or a late-night craving, Time Out’s local writers along with our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley (who has spent a good hunk of time exploring the bean scene, mind you), have rounded up all the best coffee shops in Canberra. Get sipping! For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. ☕️ The best cafés in Canberra🥐 Where to find Canberra's best bakeries🍹 Canberra's best bars

It’s pretty amazing to see what was once an idea to attract visitors to Sydney in the wintertime turn into a mammoth collaboration across the Sydney community – the largest festival in the entire Southern Hemisphere, in fact. There is *so* much to do and see, to the point that it’s quite overwhelming trying to get around to 41 light installations. Luckily, a majority of them fall between the Darling Harbour, Barangaroo and The Rocks locales, making light-hopping between all of them a breeze. We’ve rounded up the 10 best Vivid activities to visit across these dazzling foreshore hubs. 

Ah, school holidays… so much to do and so little time. In the cost of living crisis, family holidays can fall to the wayside given just how many hotel rooms you need to book and meals you need to buy. Discovery Parks are making things a little easier on the wallet with a major competition where you could win a $1,500 voucher to use for accommodation across their 90 parks and resorts.  Care for an adrenaline-junkie adventure at Cradle Mountain, Tasmania, where you can hike, abseil and kayak? Or perhaps you’re after a scenic cruise down the riverbed on the Goulburn Explorer at the beautiful Nagambie Lakes, Victoria. For the culture vultures, a beachside stay in Eden gets you up close and personal with the area’s incredible whaling history and marine life.  Put simply, you can ‘Do It All’. The best part? Even if you don’t walk away with a hot voucher in hand, a stay at Discovery Parks and Resorts is an affordable way to show your family Australia. Like your chances? Enter before June 8 below.

What started as a humble self-serve frozen yoghurt brand has now turned into one of the top competitors for Australia’s local nightclubs. On a Friday night, a Yo-Chi outlet is the place to be, and the lines snaking well down the street are proof of it. Now the famed pick-n-mix dessert bar has a brand new açaí recipe on tap, and this is an incredible time to try it.  Why’s that? By simply pouring your own açaí cup and decorating with your favourite toppings in-store, snapping a photo of your creation and posting it on either Instagram or TikTok with the hashtag #newyochiaçaí (don’t forget the accents!) you’ll go in the running to win a brand new car. Yep, an actual car. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Yo-Chi Frozen Yogurt (@iloveyochi) The Hyundai Inster is the ideal spot for filming your dessert review with friends, and the paint job will match your eats. This car is the only one in the country with an acai-purple colourway – not to mention that the model is so fresh, it only landed in Australia this month. Plus it's an EV so it's super on brand with Yo-Chi's sustainable açaí. Yo-Chi’s new açaí is the lovechild of a recent expedition to the Amazon, where brand director Oliver Allis partnered up with 100% Amazonia for soft-serve açaí that’s as ethical and socially responsible as it is tasty. They work with Brazilian families along the river to make sure that the end product is authentic, organic, leaves the eco-system intact, and the hard-w

It’s no secret that Vivid grows every year, gaining new hot spots around the city for glowy light installations, ridiculously yummy food and an all-round vibrant atmosphere. This year, the 25 Martin Place building and surrounds will have all three of those things going on – it’s back in the Vivid line-up for the first time since 2018.  Here’s our pick of what you have to check out if you’re in Martin Place during Vivid (which we reckon you should be):  Aalia X Moët Hennessy Check out the luxe plaza area of 25 Martin Place for a glamorous collab between Middle Eastern fine-diner Aalia and opulent beverage label Moët Hennessy. They’re opening a pop-up bar where the cocktails and tasty bites will be plentiful. Catch them from 3pm for a warm-up tipple or ’til 10pm when the city is alight and in the full Vivid swing. BioDream Walk the line between your subconscious and reality with this mind-bending projection of mangroves, rippling water and flying albatrosses projected onto the futuristic looking mushroom-shaped building at the entrance to 25 Martin Place. Stunning, and it's part of the Martin Place Vivid Trail. Affordable nibbles With the packed crowds, restaurants that book out weeks in advance and so much ground to cover, sometimes a cheeky takeout from the food court is the best option on a Vivid night out. 25 Martin Place even has dessert covered with a Gelato Messina on site – so you can spend more time hopping between Sydney’s light shows with a dessert cone in hand.  Di

If you ask any Australian, Japan is so hot right now. The country seems to be a magnet for Aussie tourists at the minute, but let’s be realistic for one second – how is our whole Instagram feed affording to jet-set away from these cost of living woes? Lucky for locals, South Melbourne Market is bringing a slice of Japan to town this June so you don’t need to step foot in an airport to try wildly delicious and creatively authentic Japanese eats. So what is Flavours of Japan? It’s a niche concept so stick with us here. The self-guided degustation takes you around South Melbourne Market where vendors have created Japanese dishes specially for this foodie affair. A hot little ticket for $79 gets you more than ten dishes to sample, plus immersive experiences at the market stalls, a map and stamp card to tick them all off, and an adorable market bag. What’s on the menu, I hear you asking? It’s a stellar line-up. There’s a hojicha (a popular roasted green tea) infused mini croissant and torched salmon sashimi to whet the appetite; two different types of dumpling; calamari with togarashi (Japanese chilli pepper) and yuzu aioli; a burrata with Japanese fix-ins like bonito flakes, green onion, soy and a side of edamame; and a panko-crumbed eggplant katsu curry to boot. You can also look forward to some gorgeous desserts like an award-winning matcha gelato and a black sesame cookie with a gooey centre. Are you drooling yet? That’s not even all the dishes. You can check the rest out here

Take one glance at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks and it’s obvious the big brick structure is dripping with history. It started out as a place that housed male convicts in the early 1800s, but Japanese-Australian artist Hiromi Tango is shining a light (literally) on its lesser-known significance as a site of women’s history this May and June. Watch the Barracks become a canvas for larger-than-life projections showcasing the stories of the women who passed through the building that was once the Female Immigration Depot and Hyde Park Asylum from 1848 to 1887. Recorded voices offer deeply personal stories of hope, and a visual collage that appears after dark until 10pm gives passersby a peek into the Barracks’ archaeology including its rich collection of textiles and fabric fragments inside.  Being a Japanese immigrant, and now a resident of Northern NSW, Tango was inspired by the “voices of those who are often left out of history”. Watch as the site also transforms into the ‘Hope garden’ with large ‘hope flowers’ and a collaborative installation of upcycled textiles that will keep growing.  Hope is on until June 15 at the Hyde Park Barracks, projected nightly until 10pm. Visitors can check it out for free. Find out more info here. The Hyde Park Barracks museum is also open daily from 10am to 6pm with free entry and includes an immersive self-guided audio experience which takes about an hour and a half to complete.

Meet the rock ’n‘ roll inspired saloon that’s sure to appeal to everyone in the friend group for the ultimate night out. Northbridge’s Mustang Bar (just a couple of minutes’ walk from the Perth CBD) is your go-to joint for all things live music, local and international sports, dancing, cheap meal deals, drink specials and pool tables, plus there’s free entry from Tuesday to Thursday and before 8pm on Friday and Saturday.  If you’re looking to spice things up, pop in on a Tuesday for Salsa Night. It’s the place to be in Perth for a fiesta, and this event’s been popular since kicking off in 2006. Salsa and bachata aficionados Danza Loca Salsa are your hosts who run all three sessions on the night: a free beginner’s class, plus bachata and salsa slots that tailor to all abilities. With live percussionists, it’s kinda hard not to get into the rhythm.  Let’s not get started on the meal specials. Actually, let’s, because they’re damn good. Wild Wednesday and Thumpin’ Thursday offer a jaw-dropping $5 burger and drink combo. Can you even buy the ingredients from the grocery store for less than five bucks? We say no. Who knew going out was the way to save? On top of all that, your $5 meal deal is also your ticket to a lucky door prize of $100. If you don’t get so lucky, take matters into your own hands with free entry to the pool comp for a $100 first-place prize. From 8pm, Mustang Bar cranks up the volume with a weekly roster of Perth’s best bands & DJ’s ’til 1am. Fridays feature gre

Ever wondered what Sydney would have looked like without all the clustered skyscrapers, scenic foreshores and sprawling suburbs? Seeing Sydney, Knowing Country strips the Harbour City right back to reveal the land as it once was. Running until November, the exhibition at the Museum of Sydney shows how the British colony took shape — and how knowledge of Country has continued to shape Sydney across generations. Travel back to the late 18th century when Governor Arthur Philip drew Sydney’s first boundary line in the sand of what we call Manly Cove. This marked the beginning of dispossession from the First Nations peoples after 60,000-plus years of custodianship of the land. The first land grant issued in the colony is one of many artefacts, sketches, plans and objects in this fascinating collection.  This free exhibition was created in collaboration with artist and designer Alison Page, a proud descendant of the Dharawal and Yuin peoples. Through her Aboriginal design agency and roles on numerous cultural boards, Page is a leading voice in contemporary Indigenous art and storytelling. Her innovative artistic intervention runs throughout the exhibition, layering First Nations understandings of Country over the colonial view of Sydney’s past. The exhibition was also developed in collaboration with the Sydney Coastal Aboriginal Women's Group.  Seeing Sydney, Knowing Country is open seven days a week at the Museum of Sydney until November. Find out more about this free exhibition h

 The Sydney Film Festival has long been entertaining local movie buffs and global travellers alike – for 72 years, to be precise – and this year is your invitation to ‘See the Bigger Picture’ with a stacked program of more than 200 films screening across various venues from June 4 to 15.  From the major Hollywood blockbusters the whole world is talking about to disruptive arthouse gems, and it’s time to find out for yourself why these flicks are making waves. Whether you’re a film industry professional or a casual popcorn muncher, you’re guaranteed to find a film that’ll change the way you see the world.  So what *is* on offer in this year’s program? We’re excited to see debut Aussie director and SXSW-winner Amy Wang's teen prom satire Slanted, plus two new Australian features – Fwends, the debut feature from two-time Dendy Award-winner Sophie Somerville and Lesbian Space Princess, a Berlin Teddy Award-winning animated feature. There's also spectacles direct from the Cannes Film Festival including the suspenseful duo of crime films The Mastermind starring Josh O'Connor and Secret Agent from Kleber Mendonça Filho, a former Sydney Film Prize winner.   There are 12 films in the running for the ‘Official Competition’ prize – which awards a whopping $60,000 in cold harsh cash for “courageous, audacious and cutting-edge” filmmaking. For the first time in SFF history, the festival is also collaborating with Vivid Sydney 2025 – groundbreaking artistry will burst beyond the screen fo

You know you’re adulting when you find joy in browsing through homewares and furniture stores. Supa Centa Moore Park is like a massive playground for adults and it’s just been made even more of a great day out thanks to an immersive sculpture trail throughout the centre's public spaces.  This autumn, more than 25 contemporary sculptures crafted by renowned Australian artists will be arranged throughout the space in the Supa Sculpted Moments exhibition. The free, public collection includes work from artists Stephen Glassborow, Sonia Payes, Michael Vaynman, Margaret Sheridan, Mela Cooke and Hugh McLachlan, whose works have been displayed in some of Australia’s best galleries and prestigious exhibitions like Sculpture by the Sea.  There’s even an opportunity to get the scoop from the artists themselves, with a Meet the Makers series. For $10 (which includes a coupon for The Depot Cafe – so it’s basically free, right?) you can snag a limited spot for insight on the creative process (hello, home decor inspo).  Like what you see? Tell Supa Centa Moore Park which work is your favourite and you’ll go in the running to win a $2,500 art curation package including a discovery session, site inspection with an art curator and digital mock-up of suggested artworks for your home, bringing the spirit of Supa Sculpted Moments into your everyday living spaces. Supa Sculpted Moments is showing at the Supa Centa Moore Park from May 3 to July 20. It’s free to check out. You can find out more here

Glass Brasserie on George Street in Sydney’s CBD is truly something else. Happy diners cosy up in plush circular booths and stacked wine bottles are suspended front and centre. Our favourite part amongst all the glitz and glamour? The suspended restaurant is the perfect posse for people-watching busy QVB shoppers below. Glass Brasserie exudes old-world charm and the appointment of new head chef Natalie Murphy brings even more exciting European touches to the dining experience.  Murphy has introduced a new concept to Glass Brasserie where the menu is designed to be served ‘family-style’. Shareable, generous plates instead of strict and formal courses call for more laughs, more connection through food and opportunity to try one of everything that looks good. For us, that’s the charcoal Yamba king prawns, pork tomahawk steak with apple butterscotch and mustard jus, and some skin-on chippies. Murphy visits some of the best Sydney markets and local suppliers on a weekly basis to source ingredients that are fresh and super in-season. Heading up the drinks space is sommelier Mauro Bortolato who has been at the establishment for 20 years. He has hand selected the wine menu, which features more than 3,500 bottles – including everything from Australia’s best vinos to rare drops from around the world – making it one of Sydney’s most extensive collections. A Coravin allows the team to pour wines without removing the cork, so the world is your oyster. If you’re short on time, Glass Brasse

Here in Australia we’re pretty lucky to be home not only to multiple world-class wine regions, but some big-name labels, too. Penfolds got its start in Adelaide but has since become a major global player for its adventurous blends, a cracking shiraz, and winemaking in the USA (California), France (Bordeaux and Champagne) and China (Ningxia and Yunnan). And for a super limited time, you can sample top drops by the glass at the Penfolds Lounge in Sydney’s CBD at Pitt St Mall (from May 2-11).   Penfolds first dropped the news last month that their immersive wine tasting experience – Transcend by Penfolds – was landing in the Harbour City, but it’s since sold out. Lucky enough for local wine connoisseurs, the Penfolds Lounge is popping up alongside it, serving up gorgeous wines – and you can pop into the Lounge whenever you want, no booking needed.  Penfolds flagship, Grange 2020, is the drop everyone’s talking about, and this luxe bar is your chance to sample what might be Australia’s most famous (and opulent) shiraz.  For something a little more experimental, opt for the FWT 585, a blend of cabernet, petit verdot and merlot. The French Winemaking Trial (or FWT) is inspired by the curiosity that took Penfolds first chief winemaker Max Schubert to Bordeaux in 1950 with an idea to create a long-living red wine. The first experimental Penfolds Grange was released a year later, soon to become very well-known. Then there’s the Bin 600 cabernet shiraz. Its grapes are grown in Califor

A neat little parcel enclosed in a perfect pink box from Pandora is already a fabulous enough gift for your nearest and dearest women, but this Mother’s Day, you can get a piece of jewellery engraved and wrapped up extra nice so it’s even more meaningful. For a limited time, the flagship David Jones on Elizabeth Street is hosting a Pandora pop-up where you can get your piece of jewellery engraved with initials, special messages and even sentimental drawings just in time for Mother’s Day. Getting a special person in your life a personalised (and very thoughtful, may we add) gift can start from as little as $50. Purchase a delicate item from the Pandora engravable range at David Jones and you can get it engraved for free on the spot. Take a browse of engravable pieces, including everything from bracelet charms and necklace pendants to signet rings.  Just make your way to the top of the David Jones elevators and you’ll find the station set up on level one. Don’t leave this one ’til late – the pop-up is open now for a limited time. You can find out more about the pop-up here.

Despite the Holocaust occurring halfway across the globe 80 years ago, its lessons continue to be crucially important to Australians today. Melbourne Holocaust Museum’s Hidden: Seven Children Saved exhibition is focused on educating Melburnians on the Holocaust experiences of seven (now-local) children, to inspire greater understanding of these vital lessons. Interactive displays show visitors what it would have been like for a child to hide in such a volatile time, and how acts of kindness from the community made all the difference. Replica rooms, mini towns, soundscapes, moving images and projections make it an interesting and educational display for families (with kids ten years plus) to visit during the school holidays. The immersive storytelling of the exhibition is so powerful that it won the esteemed Victorian Museums and Galleries Award and the Social Impact Award from the Australian Museums and Galleries Association in 2024. You can find the Melbourne Holocaust Museum in the vibrant suburb of Elsternwick, just 15 minutes from Flinders Street Station. Child and concession tickets are just $10, and adults $12. Book yours here.

A brand-new festival is set to spark playful curiosity around Randwick’s hotspots – and everyone’s invited. The Randwick Creative Night brings vibrant markets and free interactive art activities to three easily walkable locations in Randwick on Friday, April 11, marking the start of the school holidays.  More than 40 market stalls will take over the Heritage Quarter of the hospital, right by the Randwick Light Rail stop, with local favourites like the traditional Portuguese custard tarts from House of Natas, handcrafted smoked meats from Bondi Smokehouse, and pizzas and focaccias from Gargano Pizzeria. Free creative workshops led by acclaimed artists and local talent will be going down from 3pm at Inglis Park at Newmarket (Barker Street) and The Spot (Perouse Road & St Paul Street). Be sure to bring your creative energy as NIDA Open will run several small group acting classes for kids and adults, while Gujaga Foundation will be hosting workshops on Indigenous shell art.  Our tip? Make use of the light rail and get there on a shoestring.  If you’re just passing through, there are plenty of ‘drop in and make’ sessions, including one led by celebrated artist Nadia Odlum, as well as a collaborative community canvas with Mindgardens and the Black Dog Institute. Rochelle Haley, the artist behind the dramatic ‘Lunar Sway’ artwork that lights up Randwick’s Nurses Drive every night, will also be doing an artist talk.   Randwick Creative Night is running on Friday, April 11 from 3-9pm.

The lights at The Velvet Glove are real low – all except for those illuminating artworks. Panels of Vincent van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci and Claude Monet’s works have been carefully curated and artfully backlit for the watering hole of your artsy dreams. At this new Darlinghurst bar and restaurant, you can sip on cocktails and enjoy snacks on an Italian marble table, sit yourself down at the bar on a handcrafted Greek bar stool, or relax on the open-air terrace. Photograph: David Li The Velvet Glove is where European luxury meets Kings Cross glamour – and doors are open to all. At the wheel is hospitality professional Haley Gooley, who has worked across ski chalets and dining spaces in Perisher. She wanted to make an opulent space that signals a warm welcome to anyone and everyone off the streets of the eclectic precinct. And at The Velvet Glove, there are no set seating times – and tipping is not expected. Photograph: David Li Don’t expect anything less than luxe from the menu: crisp-skinned duck à l’orange; Black Angus eye-fillet with blistered vine-ripened cherry tomatoes; and line-caught New Zealand snapper are all on offer. If you’re just popping in for a tipple, the bar menu offers some equally glam nibbles, like tuna sashimi with oxheart tomato and finger lime pearls. Photograph: David Li Drops on the drinks list hail from France, Italy and Austria, plus some local Australian labels. If the décor has you feeling like a baller, splash out on a cocktail topped with

Ruma is warm. It’s in the ochre-hued walls, the massive abstract painting of family enjoying food together and the hearty breakfast plates. The Double Bay joint dishes up brunch four days a week, plus dinner from Thursday to Sunday. Plush booths and scenic alfresco seating await. Ruma, which opened at the end of 2024, is helmed by chef Faheem Noor, the brains behind nearby Bartiga. A love letter to his Malaysian heritage, his menu features brunch classics like pancakes, big breakfast plates and avo toast, all with Asian-inspired twists like the addition of ‘kimchimimchurri’ (a mix of kimchi and chimichurri) and crisp chilli oil. The star of the show is the Korean-style fried chicken bite dish. Order them as they come with a dollop of Kewpie mayo on each piece, or opt for a bougie caviar add-on.  Photograph: Caitlyn Todoroski for Time Out Sydney If you’re looking for a long-lunch experience, check out the bottomless menu. Fill up on a big breakfast platter with all the fix-ins like sourdough toast, scrambled eggs, grilled peppers, plus a sweet plate with whatever’s fresh in the pastry cabinet and fruit. The novelty is the bottomless matcha that you can get iced, hot, cloud-like or with strawberry.  Photograph: Supplied | Pat Stevenson Come dinnertime, the menu looks a little more like kingfish crudo with ponzu, steak frites with sarawak pepper jus, and coconut and turmeric barramundi curry. It’s all about fusing subtle Asian flavours with modern Australian dining. Breakfas

Imagine a pub from 1980s Australia – and then imagine it never got a refurb. Sounds a little outdated, but at Baptist Street Rec. Club – Redfern’s new bar found at Wunderlich Lane, home to Olympus, Lottie and The Eve, among others – it’s nostalgic, and also a little bit edgy. Retro posters and pop art adorn the walls, and drinks are served in glasses that look like they’re straight outta your nan’s good glassware collection (you know the ones). Speaking of tipples, booze aficionados Dan Cramsie (ex Clam Bar, Pepito’s and Double Deuce Lounge) and House Made Hospitality (Island Radio, Apollonia, Bar Mammoni) beverage director Jason Williams have teamed up to create a refreshing bar menu. Fun takes on nostalgic cocktails are the norm here at the latest venue from House Made Hospitality (the team behind Sydney favourites Grana, Apollonia and more). Think a Breakfast Martini with spiced pineapple marmalade, and a Strawberry Daiquiri flavoured with strawberry cordial. Photograph: Steven Woodburn Monthly specials stay on rotation, with the opening stars including the Bloody Mary’s savoury and down-to-earth cousin: a Beetroot Negroni. The wine list spotlights small-batch producers, and the brews are mostly local, including the house-made Reccy Lager. When you get the munchies, Thai-inspired eatery Bangkok Dreaming offers salty specialities galore. Its share platters feature all the Aussie-fied favourite nibblies like spring rolls, money bags and fish cakes. All of which are a nod t

Calling all chip-on-a-stick fans and aspiring farmers! Sydney’s favourite agricultural festival, carnival ride mecca and baby animal pat-fest is back for 2025. When is the Easter Show Sydney? This year's Easter Show will kick off on Friday, April 11, and run for 12 full days until Tuesday, April 22. How much are Easter Show Sydney tickets?  The early bird gets the worm when it comes to tickets – if you purchase your passes before the show kicks off on Friday, April 11, you can hook cheaper tickets, and if you purchase online in advance of your arrival, you’ll also be doing yourself a favour.  Early-bird pre-show tickets (Before April 11): $45 per adult $27 per child (4-15 years old + 16-18 year olds with a student ID card) $33.50 for concession  $118 for a family pass (two adults, two children).    Online purchase once the show has started (April 11 onwards): $48.00 per Adult $29.50 per child $36.00 for concession Children under 3 are allowed in for free. Note that these tickets just include entry for the show – rides, showbags and food are all at various additional costs.  Where is the Easter Show Sydney?  The Sydney Royal Easter Show takes place at the same beloved location each year: Sydney Showground at Sydney Olympic Park is the prime possie for the show’s elaborate agricultural displays and competitions, plus a whole heap of rides.  How to get to the Easter Show Sydney? Sydney Showground is located right next to the Olympic Park Train Station. Limited stops and express

Hughes Street in Potts Point is anticipating its annual shutdown on December 25 to make way for the Wayside Chapel Christmas Day Lunch and Street Party for homeless members of the community. Thanks to over $1,400,000 in donations from the public, the Wayside Chapel will provide over 1,000 Christmas lunches “with all the trimmings” to people who’d otherwise have nowhere else to spend the public holiday. While they've met their fundraising target for 2024, demand for the service grows each and every year, so you can still donate to support the cost of keeping their kitchens, programs and support services open across the festive season. Not only is their aid in the Christmas spirit — they provides daily support for thousands of homeless people living in Sydney. Last year, they provided over 86,000 meals to vulnerable community members who walked through the doors at the Kings Cross shelter in need of nourishment. The Christmas community event that's been running for over 40 years encourages anyone who is living on the street, lost or lonely, on Christmas Day to join the free party. There’ll be a Christmas breakfast at 9am, a service at 10am and lunch at 11.30am followed by a street party full of DJ's, live music, dancing and activities until 5.30pm. More than 100 volunteers help out on the day, serving up 100kg of prawns, 50 hams and 500 Christmas puddings.   Guests can look forward to a visit from Santa Claus, alongside Christmas songs, kids’ activities, (fake) tattoo stati

Sydney is a very doggo-friendly city. There are countless parks, beaches and pubs that welcome your fur babies with open arms. That’s not to mention the Santa Paws event, dedicated entirely to canine Christmas cheer. As it turns out, Sydneysiders take the term “fur babies” quite literally. We're facing a (human) baby recession (with birth rates lower than they've been in 18 years) – this, coupled with an increase in companion animal registrations leads us to a city where pups outnumber kids aged under 15 in 16 out of 34 Sydney councils.  The Sydney Morning Herald uncovered that in the City of Sydney, there are more than two dogs for every child. Woollahra and the Inner West come in a pretty close second, with around 1.7 dogs for every child. Mosman and the Northern Beaches sit at around 1.25 dogs per child, and even the Sutherland Shire is up there, with the same figure.  From 2019 to 2023, pet numbers grew by over 20 per cent in a third of Greater Sydney’s councils. While we may have calmed down a little post-pandemic, it seems dog children aren't going anywhere. People love their pets.  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:  There’s $638 million unclaimed by NSW residents. Here’s how to cash in. Rental hacks: how to get ahead in Sydney’s competitive property market. Sydney has ranked among the top 10 best cities in the world for 2025.

The Ramadan Nights food market has become a Western Sydney institution during the holy month of Ramadan. More than one million Sydneysiders flock to Lakemba’s eat street – Haldon Street – after dark to enjoy an abundant array of halal dishes from a range of different Muslim cultures to break fast. While the month-long event has its way of bringing the Muslim community together, and sharing the Islam religion with the rest of Sydney, Canterbury-Bankstown Council and Muslim leaders have some concerns with how big the event has grown.  Their concerns boil down to: the sheer size of the event causing congestion, the event commercialising a holy tradition, and the costliness of the event (it cost the council $3 million dollars this year).  So, there was a unanimous vote by councillors to implement four changes to the markets from 2025 onwards. These changes are:  Moving stalls from the footpaths to the road; This means that instead of stallholders paying local businesses $6,000 total to rent out the space at the front of the restaurant for the whole month, they will pay $600 per night to the council; Renaming the event from ‘Ramadan Nights, Lakemba’ to ‘Lakemba Nights’ to separate the increasingly commercial event from the Islamic tradition of Ramadan; Reducing the number of days the stall is run from seven nights a week to four (Thursday to Sunday). This equals less nights for council staff and contractors to work and be paid, helping reduce costs.  At the moment, the changes a

Aside from Music of the Spheres being an arena spectacular of a show to witness live, it’s also produced some very epic stage design. The bright lights, big bouncing spheres, spectrum of colours and galactic themes are all features of Coldplay’s merch drop for the tour, and we can’t get our hands on the stuff fast enough. Here’s your guide on how to buy it.  When are the Coldplay Sydney shows? The four sold-out shows at Accor Stadium started on Wednesday night (November 6), then continue through Thursday, November 7, Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10.  Where to buy official Coldplay merch in Sydney? Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park held a merch pre-sale day in Sydney (on Tuesday, November 5), but that’s done and dusted now. At the moment you can purchase Coldplay merch from their official website. That being said, of the few items that aren’t sold out, or on pre-order, there are pretty limited sizes available. Never fear because you can buy from stalls at the stadium. Those stalls included stock that is sold out online, and some items that can’t even be purchased from the website.  What Coldplay merch can you buy in Sydney?  T-shirts, drink bottles, posters, caps, bucket hats, programmes, hoodies, CDs, keychains, drawstring bags and more. There goes a week’s pay. Wondering how to get to the Coldplay Sydney concerts? Here's all the public transport info you need. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, things to do and tr

Well, Sydney, a Hymn for the Weekend is finally this week. Coldplay took to the stage on Wednesday, November 6 and Thursday, November 7, and they're back again on Saturday and Sunday nights. The tour is one of the most highly anticipated music events of the year. Actually, event, period. With more than 300,000 fans expected at the four sell-out shows, the experience is up there with T-Swift’s Eras Tour earlier this year – and Sydney Trains is accommodating for this in the same theatrical way. Leave the car at home and start the party early with these public transport options... How to get to the Coldplay Sydney concert at Accor Stadium  Accor Stadium is situated very conveniently near Olympic Park Station. It’s less than a ten-minute walk away and has regular buses and trains passing through. On the nights of the Coldplay Tour, Transport NSW is running 568 extra trains and 650 extra buses. Not only are there all these extra options, but they’ll be decked out in the spirit of the Music of the Spheres tour. The trains will be playing Coldplay hits. And the L1 light rail will also be running for a little later than usual, until 1am, to make getting home easier for people on that line.  Which trains go to the Coldplay Sydney shows?  To get to the concerts, express trains from Central to Olympic Park will run every three to four minutes. You’ll know exactly which trains to catch, because ‘Coldplay Music of the Spheres’ will be displayed on the boards marking your destination. On t

After a mad scramble to snag tickets to witness the arena spectacular that is a Coldplay Sydney concert, 80,000 lucky Sydneysiders get to watch the global superstars work their magic live for four nights. Shows started on Wednesday, November 6, and run through to Sunday, November 10, 2024. We went on Thursday night, and it was everything and more than we hoped. Tears streamed down our faces – as did the rain – but nothing could dampen the experience. It was a magical experience, a stadium full of stars. Here's everything you need to know... When is the Coldplay Sydney Music of the Spheres Tour? Coldplay is taking the stage at Accor Stadium in Sydney for four nights: Wednesday, November 6, Thursday, November 7, Saturday, November 9, and Sunday, November 10, 2024.  How to get to the Coldplay Sydney concert The 10,000 car parking spaces at Olympic Park are expected to be booked out well in advance. It can also get pretty congested leaving the carpark at the end of the night. So public transport is often the best option for getting to Olympic Park. Olympic Park Station is less than a ten-minute walk from the stadium, hundreds of additional trains and buses will run to and back from Olympic Park during the Coldplay concerts, the cost of travel is already included in your concert ticket – just show your Coldplay concert ticket to board. Plus, Sydney Trains are putting on a bit of a show for fans on the trains, playing music to hype everyone up. Here's everything you need to know ab

There are so many wonderful things about living in Melbourne – but affordable property is definitely not one of them. In fact, our city recently ranked seventh on a worldwide list of the most expensive cities to buy a home in. So if you're a hopeful home buyer despairing about your chances of snagging a decent property, here's some good news: there are still a few hidden gems across the city where you can buy a home at a (more) reasonable price and also see it quickly appreciate in value, you just need to know where to find them. Real estate expert John McGrath recently released his annual list of suburbs to keep an eye on, so you can get insider tips on the spots with the best potential.  Melbourne's west is fast becoming a super popular area for people cracking into the property market, and one suburb in particular is shaping up to be the next hotspot. Due to its proximity to the West Gate Tunnel (slated to open in 2025), Altona North will soon have a direct connection to the CBD and broader Melbourne, which will add value to properties in the neighbourhood in the future. While it's considered more of an up-and-comer right now, it's very close to some beloved parts of the western 'burbs like Yarraville and Williamstown, but its properties aren't as expensive.  Further north, another suburb that's ripe with potential is Keilor East. This area is also set to gain transport connections, with a new train station slated as part of the future Melbourne Airport rail link (although

Metallica has been going strong on their hectic world tour ever since April 2023, and the hallowed heavy metal giants are showing no signs of slowing down. On the record-breaking M72 World Tour, the band has played to around three million fans across the globe, with the LA Times saying they're “as tight and furious as Metallica has sounded in ages”. Now it’s time for OG Aussie metal fans to get pumped because the M72 World Tour is officially coming to Australia, including Sydney. Better yet, it has been confirmed that the much-loved ‘snake pit’, which allows fans extremely close to the action, will make an appearance Down Under. Read on for everything you need to know about the Metallica Sydney and Australia tour....  What dates are the Metallica Sydney shows? The tour will hit Sydney next Spring, for a single show at Accor Stadium on November 15, 2025.  When do Metallica Sydney tickets go on sale? General sales are happening this Friday, November 1, at 2pm local time. You can tickets over here.  Is there a Metallica Sydney presale? There are so many presales that we need dot points to keep track. Here they are: Mastercard Presale (Sydney/Adelaide/Brisbane): Wednesday, October 30 from 1pm until Friday, November 1, 1pm Vodafone & One NZ Presale: Wednesday, October 30 from 1pm until Friday, November 1, 1pm Live Nation Presale: Friday, November 1 from 12pm until Monday, November 4, 11am Stadium Presale: Friday, November 1 from 2pm until Monday, November 4, 11am How much will