Liv Condous

One of the many great things about Victoria is that it's a comparatively small state, meaning that most destinations are within a day's drive from the capital of Melbourne. And boy, are there a lot of amazing natural wonders to visit. From surreal pink salt lakes to misty rainforests and ancient mountain ranges, Victoria is replete in natural wonders that are worth travelling the distance for. Whether you've got a car or would rather train it, want a quick nature fix or are happy to hop off on a longer roadtrip, our local experts have something for you.  We've also got great ideas for day hikes close to Melbourne and these excellent scenic drives to take around Victoria.  Don't have a car? Here's the 5 best roadtrips you can do in Melbourne without your own wheels. 

Call us biased, but we reckon Australia is the most incredible and diverse country in the world. A sizeable place (you know, continent-sized), deciding where to go on your first, fifth or 50th trip can be overwhelming – but that's where our expert travel writers come in. From turquoise beaches and ancient rainforests to flaming red deserts and buzzy metropolitan cities, our Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley (who has visited every Aussie state and territory) has picked out the best places to visit in Australia. First-timers should start with iconic destinations, like the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and Whitsundays, while seasoned travellers can uncover hidden treasures in the Scenic Rim, Kangaroo Island and Ningaloo Reef. No matter who you are or what you like – be it art, wine, sports or festivals – rest assured, there's something on this list for everyone. Here's your official guide to the best places to visit in Australia. Editor's favourite places in Australia: 🪸 Best natural wonders: Great Barrier Reef, QLD 😍 Best iconic landmarks: Uluru, NT 💎 Best hidden gem: Adelaide Hills, SA Jump to list:  QLD | NT | WA | NSW | SA | VIC | TAS 🇦🇺 The best tourist attractions in Australia🚘 Regional towns worth visiting

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

Brisbane is spoilt for choice when it comes to the flavours of India. Whether you crave the smoky flavours of the tandoor, the fiery heat of a North Indian curry, a South Indian delicacy or some lip-smackingly good street food, we’ve got the place for you.   There's a huge range of Indian restaurants in Brisbane offering dishes that cover the array of flavours and dishes the nation is known for, like beloved family-run eatery Taj Bengal, the vibrant Jaipur Palace and the spirited Curryville. With so much choice, Time Out has enlisted the help of a local expert foodie writer to pull together a guide on the top places for an Indian feast. Round up your curry-craving pals and start working your way through this list of the best Indian restaurants in Brisbane.  🥩 The best steaks in Brisbane🍣 The best Japanese in Brisbane 🍽 The best restaurants in Brisbane

Ramen, sushi, okonomiyaki, gyoza... Japan's food culture is a phenomenon, and luckily, Brisbane is blessed with plenty of great Japanese dining options. From bustling little yakitori and izakaya bars to splurge-worthy multi-course omakases, there are plenty of places to make your dreams of moving to Tokyo come true. Whether you're looking for a venue to splurge at on a special occasion like Komeyui, a quick affordable lunch at Sushi Kotobuki or an all-out omakase experience at a sleek eatery like Takashiya, this city has plenty of options. To narrow down the best places, Time Out has tasked an expert food writer with compiling a guide on the best Japanese restaurants Brisbane has on offer – and we suggest you start eating your way through it. 🥘 The best Indian eats in town🥩 Brisbane's best steaks🍽 The best restaurants in Brisbane

If you’re looking for next-level dumplings, noodles with actual stretch or Peking duck so crisp it could shatter on impact, well, congratulations – you’ve come to the right city. Thanks to a vibrant Asian-Australian community and a collective obsession with wok-fried everything, Brisbane punches well above its weight when it comes to Chinese cuisine. And while Sydney and Melbourne may hog the culinary spotlight, Brisbane quietly plays its hand, offering up dishes that rival anything found south of the border.  From Cantonese institutions still spinning lazy Susans to new-gen spots that wouldn’t look out of place in Shanghai, the choices here are plentiful and, frankly, overwhelming. There are long-standing institutions like Enjoy Inn, spots where dinner turns into a night out like Central Restaurant, as well as special occasion venues like The Fifty Six. To make life easier, Time Out has teamed up with a local Brisbane writer and food expert, Alli Forde, to bring you this ultimate list of the best Chinese restaurants right now. Gather your people, order with abandon and prepare for a food coma of your own making. 🥘 The best Indian food in Brisbane🥩 The best steaks in Brisbane🍣 The best Japanese restaurants

Standing in a McLaren Vale vineyard on a hot summer afternoon, gazing across the vines to the shimmering Gulf St Vincent, this place could be Tuscany... But that’s just the wine-tasting talking. McLaren Vale is definitively South Australian – and at just 45 minutes south of Adelaide, it’s also one of the most easily accessible wine regions in the country. Backed by the rippling topography of the Willunga Scarp, McLaren Vale’s agrarian landscape is a gorgeous patchwork of vineyards that was, at one stage, nominated for a World Heritage listing. Shiraz grows ridiculously well in the Vale’s deep terra rossa limestone soils – but with 80-plus cellar doors to visit, you’ll also find grenache, sangiovese, fiano, vermentino and other Med styles with which to blur your afternoon. With so many world-class wineries in the region, it can be a little baffling to choose where to visit. There's a wide array of estates here, from the heritage of Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards to modern, inventive makers like Mollydooker Wines and Alpha Box and Dice. No matter what your palate prefers, there's a drop to suit your tastes. To make the decision easier, Time Out has tasked a passionate wine lover to bring you the best wineries in McLaren Vale. So grab a map at the visitor centre, get someone else to drive and start tasting. 🍷 Best wineries in Australia🍇 Best wineries in Barossa Valley🌳 Best wineries in Clare Valley

Take Main North Road out of Adelaide and keep driving for 1.5 hours. As you roll into Ngadjuri Country, photogenic little Auburn marks the southern bookend of the Clare Valley. There’s a real shift in the landscape here: the silos and rolling wheatfields of the Mid North district give way to vineyards, historic stone villages and sheltered creek beds studded with huge old redgums. Clare itself, the valley’s northern bookend, is just 24 kilometres further on: in between are 50-plus wineries (around 35 cellar doors), bottling up mineral-rich reds, semillon and riesling to rival the world’s best. Snaking through it all is the 33-kilometre Riesling Trail, a disused rail line that’s been converted into a bike/hike path, taking you past some of the valley’s top cellar doors. In an area so rich with top-notch drops, how does one thirsty visitor choose which wineries to visit? To narrow it down, Time Out has enlisted an avid quaffer and wine enthusiast to bring you a list of the best Clare Valley wineries. This guide spans everything from some of the very first estates that defined the region, like Jim Barry Wines, tucked-away contemporary cellar doors like Jeanneret Wines, and biodynamic pioneers like Grosset Wines. So there's nothing left to do but get sipping. Here are our picks of the best Clare Valley wineries. 🍷 Best wineries in the Barossa Valley🍺 Best bars in Adelaide🌳 Best things to do in Adelaide

There’s not a lot that beats a classic steak dinner (unless you’re a vegetarian, of course). The classic dish features on menus across the city in all different variations. Whether you’re after some good old pub grub with the usual fixings of chips and salad, or a classy chargrilled affair, these steakhouses and restaurants will satisfy your hankering for red meat. Indulge in some of the finest steaks money can buy at The Kitchen, go for hearty pub fare at Oakbank Hotel, or try fresh flavours at La Boca Bar and Grill. No matter where you go, there's delicious, tender steak waiting for you. To help you choose which will satiate your carnivorous craving, Time Out has tasked one of our expert writers to update this list of Adelaide's best steak spots. Carve right in!  🍷 The best bars in Adelaide🍔 Adelaide's best burgers🍕 Adelaide's best pizza joints

There’s no better feeling than your sinuses getting a well-deserved cleanse, and we’re happy to report that a feast at any of Perth's best Indian restaurants will do the trick. Yep, there are venues for every kind of curry craving, Indian street food and fusion fare in the world's most isolated major city. To help find the spot that's right for you, Time Out has enlisted Dale Anninos-Carter, a food writer who loves her dosas and hot samosas, to come up with a list of the best Indian restaurants in Perth that will knock your socks off. Her top pick is Sauma, a contemporary Northbridge eatery serving up Indian street food with elevated flair. Other favourites include  Chutney Mary’s, an Indian institution in Subiaco that has stood the test of time, or no-frills GamaGama, which specialises in South Indian cuisine (love that goat parotta!). Ready to hit flavourtown? Here are the best Indian restaurants in Perth. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍽 The best restaurants in Perth🍕 The best Italian in Perth🍷 The best Japanese in Perth

You’ll be hard-pressed to find an Aussie who doesn’t love Japanese food. Whether it’s a piping hot bowl of miso soup with slippery noodles, a perfectly arranged platter of sashimi and sushi rolls, or a comforting chicken katsu curry to-go, the best nights are often those spent in the company of this cuisine.  In Perth, we’re no doubt spoilt for choice when it comes to Japanese dining. There's every kind of eatery for this kind of cuisine, whether it be venues for special occasions like Marumo, go-to wallet-friendly joints like Taka's Kitchen or spots that make for a fun night out like Goody Two's. This city has truly got it all, so Time Out has enlisted an expert Perth-based foodie writer to guide you on where to find Perth's best Japanese restaurants. Kanpai! 🍽 The best restaurants in Perth🍕 Where to find the best pizza in Perth🍷 Perth's greatest bars

From butter-soft Wagyu to flame-grilled sirloin, there are many ways to enjoy a great cut of beef. And here in Perth, carnivores are spoilt for choice with places to get their daily serving of protein.  To narrow down where to make a beeline for to satisfy your meaty cravings, Time Out has tasked an expert foodie with a passion for Western Australian produce to highlight the best steakhouses across the city. There are more traditional high-end steakhouses like 6Head, restaurants blending fire-grilled cuisine with foreign flavours like Venezuelan spot Angel Falls Grill, and even an eatery offering customised whisky and steak pairings, namely Samson's Paddock. There's truly a steak for every carnivore in town – here's our pick of the best steaks in Perth. Knives at the ready! 🍽 The best restaurants in Perth🍕 Where to find the best pizza in Perth🍷 Perth's greatest bars

Summer and sunflowers are basically synonymous, so if you're keen to get your hands on a bunch of bright yellow blooms before the season ends, we've got the scoop. Surf Coast Sunflowers is located on Victoria's Surf Coast, just a stone's throw from Geelong – it's about a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, but we recommend combining it with a beach stop for the ultimate summer day trip. The sunflower field opens on January 9 for approximately two weeks (depending on bloom time), and it's the perfect opportunity to pick your own flowers or take some Insta-worthy snaps. Admission prices are $10 for adults and $5 for kids (or $25 for a family of four). Once in the field, you can nab sunflowers for $3 per stem or $25 for ten – you just need to bring something to cut the stems (secateurs should do the trick), wear closed-toe shoes and it's helpful to bring a bucket to carry your prized blooms in.  Surf Coast Sunflowers is open daily from 10am-5pm, with additional twilight sessions from 5-8pm on Friday and Saturday nights. To find out more and book your spot, head to Instagram. Happy sunflower season! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Can't make the trip? Find some of Melbourne's best florists here.

The first weekend of December marked the annual convergence of thousands of music lovers to a tiny rural Victorian town for the return of Meredith Music Festival. It had big shoes to fill after a ripper event in 2024, featuring big-name headliners that generated even bigger hype. But this year, the anticipation in the lead-up had a different energy, with speculative rumblings that the line-up didn’t quite meet the high standard of previous iterations. For some festivals, this might spark a drop in ticket sales – but for those in the know, Meredith isn’t like the others. Once again, as is the case every year, it had completely sold out. In fact, Meredith continues to sell out almost instantaneously, completely unaffected by the turbulence that has perturbed so many Aussie festivals recently. Outsiders might be baffled by this, especially as it's a totally indie event, but Meredith has a genuine cult following. The loyal attendees that snap up tickets each year understand the ethos of the festival and wholeheartedly embrace it, star-studded line-up or not. It has a culture that encourages punters to be open-minded, curious and lean into the new or unknown. The 2025 edition was another shining example of this. Early in the first evening, Folk Bitch Trio captured the crowd by opening their set with an a capella cover of Talking Heads’ ‘This Must Be The Place’ before soaring through an emotive set. The band hail from Northcote and found the limelight this year with their debut alb

Melbourne loves its tattoos. Heck, there are some parts of this city where we swear you can’t walk down the street without seeing a sleeve or two. If you’re one of the thousands of inked Melburnians (or you're thinking about taking the plunge), check out the Australian Tattoo Expo when it rolls into town from Friday, December 5 to Sunday, December 7. For three days the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre will be hosting more than 350 tattoo artists from Australia and across the world. Look out for international stars from as far and wide as as Japan, Taiwan, China, South Korea, USA, Indonesia and Sweden.  The full line-up of artists is available online now with the whole scope of tattoo genres covered: traditional, neo-traditional, realism, black and grey, dotwork, linework, Japanese, new school, tribal, script, watercolour and even cosmetic tattooing. If you’re all about filling in every square inch of your skin, there'll be plenty of opportunities to get some spontaneous ink at the expo. From free tattoo moments and free massages, to an on-site photo booth and kid's art corner, plus a live DJ and cage dancers, there's something curious going on for just about everyone.  As well as getting info on the latest tattoo trends there will be demonstrations of what not to do at the Shittest Tattoo competition. Because if you’ve got a bad tattoo that you regret you might as well try to win something with it, right? Tickets are on sale now – purchase yours or find more info

The Koorie Heritage Trust is bringing back its one-of-a-kind Christmas celebration with a fun-filled free event in the heart of the city. Koorie Krismas is a jam-packed party with live music, DJs and dance performances, as well as a special, magical appearance from Koorie Klaus. There's a huge line-up of First Nations performers, including musicians Charlie Needs Braces, The Deans of Soul, The Violet Summers, Isabelle Skye, Sascha Astrid, Barry Gilson and lots more.  If you’re needing to get your Chrissy shopping ticked off, Koorie Krismas has you covered. There'll be a wide array of Indigenous-owned businesses selling their creations, including Melbourne faves like Clothing the Gaps and Haus of Dizzy, as well as art and crafts that would look perfect under anyone’s tree. Or you can make your own handmade gift, with workshops on wreath-making with Indigenous flora, customised cards and paper tree decorations. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for a sighting of Koorie Klaus himself, with one of his snazzy elves on hand with a polaroid camera to capture a pic with your family.  It's all happening on Saturday, December 13 at Fed Square, from 10am to 3pm. Find out more via the website.   After more fun events? Check out our round-up of the best things to do in Melbourne this week.

May the 4th is a special date for any Star Wars fan, but this year is one to remember. A brand-new Lego Star Wars exhibition made its world premiere, and not in a galaxy far, far away but right here in Melbourne.  Lego Star Wars: the Exhibition at Melbourne Museum comes from revered Lego genius Ryan 'Brickman' McNaught, who's back with his latest mind-boggling project of massive Star Wars brick creations – some standing at a whopping four metres tall.  There are Lego replicas of many of the iconic characters, fan favourite scenes, spacecraft and more, from both the classic films and newer releases. Plus, the exhibition includes interactive brick-based activities inclusive of all ages.  It took more than 25,000 hours to finish the exhibition and it features a wild 8 million Lego bricks. One of the most monumental creations is a three-metre-tall red X-wing spacecraft, made of an astonishing 64,759 bricks, taking 382 hours to build.  "Fans will be blown away by the scale of the experience," Brickman says. "Building these iconic scenes and characters in Lego Star Wars form is an extremely complex task – taking the humble Lego brick and using it by the millions to translate into Star Wars builds and models at an epic scale the world has never seen before.  "My team and I are super excited to launch this mind-blowing experience right here in Melbourne. My inner 7-year-old self still can’t quite believe this is happening. I can’t wait till May the Fourth to be able to share this in

As you step out of the elevator and walk into the lobby on the 80th floor of the Ritz-Carlton Melbourne (greeted by friendly staff, of course), prepare to do a double take. The views of the city and beyond from the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows are simply stunning – and set the tone for what's a truly amazing hotel experience. Why stay at Ritz-Carlton Melbourne? If you’re seeking somewhere to celebrate a special occasion, feel utterly pampered or just want to treat yourself to a luxe experience, you can’t go past this hotel. The Ritz-Carlton is an American-born chain that has become synonymous with the height of luxury, operating more than 100 opulent hotels and five-star resorts worldwide – with the Melbourne edition opening its doors in March 2023. Boasting 80 storeys, 257 stylish rooms, an infinity pool, regionally inspired spa packages and signature fine dining experiences, this is the place to stay if you desire to sit in the lap of luxury. What are the rooms like at Ritz-Carlton Melbourne? Walking into your room, you'll be swept away again by the wow factor. The automatic blinds provide a dramatic reveal as they rise to show another angle of the sweeping panoramic views overlooking Port Phillip Bay and far beyond. But thankfully, the astonishment wears off just enough for you to relax while enjoying all the luxurious elements of your room. These include a super-soft king-size bed, and an expansive bathroom from which you can take in the views while relaxing in the

In case you hadn't heard, social bathing is the hottest new wellness trend sweeping Melbourne. It's essentially an opportunity to get together with your friends for a yap and a soak (a matcha afterwards is optional). And now, a beautiful new bathhouse has opened where you can do exactly just that – and best of all, it's open until midnight on weekends. Clubbing who!? The award-winning Soak Bathhouse has opened its latest iteration in the heart of South Yarra. The lush oasis offers mineral bathing in huge pools, hot spas, a dry cedarwood sauna, a steam room and cold plunge pools, all nestled amongst leafy greenery. Plus, you can also treat yo' self to additional wellness treatments like infrared saunas, LED facials and full-body massages. We can feel the tension melting away from our shoulders already.  Soak has already opened two bathhouses in Brisbane and the Gold Coast (where it was awarded the Best of Queensland Experience Award by Tourism Queensland), along with another one in Alexandria in Sydney. The Melbourne location is one of the largest bathhouses yet, spanning 700 square metres.  Soak Bathhouse owner Niki Dean said with the Melbourne venue located just behind Chapel Street, it will offer a relaxing oasis to escape the busy city.  “Our goal is to provide a space where people can come together, relax and build meaningful connections,” says Dean. “Whether it’s a solo visit to unwind after a long day or a social outing with friends, Soak Bathhouse offers a versatile e

Ho, ho, ho! Meblbourne's beloved Christmas Wonderland event is back, bigger and more festive than ever. This family-friendly event is running from November 28 to December 24 at Caulfield Racecourse. The tinsel-filled extravaganza will delight the littlies, with a line-up of fun activities to enjoy, including a roller skating rink, carnival games, jumping castles, a craft village, gingerbread house decorating, storytelling and even a live Care Bears show. Kids will also be able to write a letter to Santa, and post it at the North Pole Post Office. There will be all kinds of characters to meet and grab photos with, including elves, Rudolph, the Grinch, Mrs Claus and even the big man in red himself (so you better make sure you've been on his nice list!). This immersive, walk-through experience runs for three hours and refreshements (both hot and cold food) will be available on-site. For more information and to purchase tickets, head to the website. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Looking for more ways to celebrate Christmas in Melbourne? Check out this festive guide. 

As far as shopping sprees go, there’s nothing quite like rummaging through pre-loved goodies at a garage sale. Part of the joy is never knowing what bargain you’ll find – and not realising how badly you wanted a pair of neon pink parachute pants until you rescue them from a cardboard box. These days, a good garage sale is as rare as an original 1960s troll doll – which is where the Garage Sale Trail comes in. What started on the front lawns of Bondi in 2010 is now a nationwide campaign during which thousands of garage sales run across the country for two massive weekends. The aim is to reduce waste and encourage reusing among local communities, to stop tonnes of perfectly good stuff from ending up in landfill. To run your own garage sale, it's totally free to register. The Garage Sale Trail team will then send you promo materials to help put the word out, plus they’ll list your sale on the official website. If you're looking to score a pre-loved bargain, you can then use the website as a guide to all the sales in their area. So far, it looks like there's almost 300 garage sales registered in Melbourne alone, which is a whole lotta shopping. Plus, there are also group sales where multiple stallholders band together to make a one-stop-shop mega sale. Whether you're selling or buying, it's truly a win-win: finally declutter your wardrobe and make some extra moola, or get your hands on some new-to-you, sustainable treasures.  This year, there will be garage sales across Melbourne

Some people visit the show for the thrilling rides, others come to marvel at award-winning cakes, the incredible woodchoppers, the pavilions filled with cute baby animals… or maybe we’re all just united in a mutual love of sugar-filled showbags.  This year’s Melbourne Royal Show is set to be bigger and better than ever, running from September 25 until October 5. It will feature everything from escape artists and FMX stunts to DJ sets and an exclusive Lego playzone. The animals have long been the stars of the show, and this year you can get up close with cows, sheep, poultry, dogs and even alpacas. There will also be pony rides, showjumping competitions and working dog demonstrations, plus plenty of family-fun farm experiences at the rural pavilion. And for those just looking to cuddle a lamb or baby chicken, the animal nursery is the place to be.  Foodies at the show are certainly looked after. Sure, you could go for the traditional dagwood dog or cloud of fairy floss, but there are far more gourmet options to devour. Vendors such as Stix Waffles, Royal Burger, Banh Mi Runner, Son In Law and Sushi Hub will all be serving up tasty bites, or you can head to the Country Women's Association Café for the show's famous scones with jam and cream. The good times won't stop after the sun sets, with a jam-packed after-dark program featuring fireworks and the incredible Night of the Horse arena show. Tickets are on sale now – those in the know buy them early to score a discounted

Preston Market has long been known as one of the most prolific market precincts in Melbourne's north, serving the ever-growing and diverse neighbourhood for more than 50 years.  And to celebrate its devoted Italian community, the market will host a free, one-day festival on Sunday, August 31, with a jam-packed line-up of tastings, entertainment and fun activities for bambinos and nonnas alike. The festa stage will feature performances from Lorenzo + Co, the lively Tarantella dancers and the soulful Veneto Choir. Radio Italiana 531 will also be broadcasting live from the market all day. Of course, there will be a smorgasbord of authentic Italian dishes to feast upon. You can try zeppole doughnuts from Sorelle Catering, panzerotti by Il Panzerotto, meatballs by Mama's Polpette and tasty scoops from Destination Gelato. Thirsty? Gindu will be serving up bespoke gin cocktails. There's even something for the kids: from 10am until 1pm they can take part in a pasta necklace workshop. Preston Market’s Italian Day will run from 8am-3pm on Sunday, August 31. Entry is free and you can find out more at the website. Craving pizza and pasta? These are the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne right now. 

The Yarra River is a beloved centrepiece of Melbourne, so it makes perfect sense that there's a festival dedicated to celebrating it in all its glory. After growing into one of the city's most beloved cultural and environmental events, Birrarung Riverfest is returning for a third year, with three weeks of events that inspire connection to Country and highlight the importance of our main waterway and all the things Melburnians love about it. The festival will run from September 6-28 (which also happens to be World Rivers Day), with more than 60 events happening all across the 242 kilometre stretch of the river, from Westgate Park at its mouth to Warburton at its source. This year, the aim is to raise awareness of stormwater pollution and the threat it poses to the health of the river. Highlights include everything from platypus spotting and sunset paddles, to gig nights and art-led sensory walks, plus talks, exhibitions, guided nature walks, tours and more. Many of these communty-led events are free to attend, too. It will conclude with the World Rivers Day Finale – a community celebration at Fed Square, with music, art, ceremony and a flotilla of boats along the river.  “After a cold Melbourne winter, Riverfest comes at the perfect time to spring us back to life,” says Janet Bolitho, president of the Yarra Riverkeepers Association. “From educational and cultural events to outdoor adventures, the Riverfest program has something for everyone.” Birrarung Riverfest is run by the

Public transport is a contentious topic, especially in Melbourne. And it's not unusual for it to spark a heated debate – Airport Rail Link, anyone? But now, the state government has made a decision that we're sure everyone will agree is good news: public transport in Victoria is now free for kids.  There's no caveat here – this change applies to anyone under 18 across the whole state, on all forms of public transport. It came into effect on January 1.  It's an effort from the government to ease the pressure of the relentlessly rising cost of living for Victorian families, as it's estimated that public transport fares can cost around $1,000 a year per child.  A new youth Myki has been introduced, so that children can still tap on through ticket gates at train stations. The youth Myki costs $5 (once this is purchased, there are no additional fees) and will stay valid until the child turns 18. Young Victorians living in regional and rural areas where Mykis aren't used will also be able to use public transport for free.  Victoria's older generation will also benefit from a change to public transport fares from January 1, as anyone with a seniors card will be able to travel for free on weekends. This also applies to all forms of public transport, anywhere in the state. So passengers who use a senior Myki won't be charged when they touch on – how good.  Add in the bonus of Victoria's entire public transport network being free to use on weekends until February 1 (to celebrate the op

If the three-day heatwave we've just experienced is any indication, Melbourne's summer is officially in full swing – and we couldn't be happier about the extra sunshine. So if you’re also a fan the long, warm days and balmy nights, you’ll want to mark your calendar for the summer solstice – aka the longest day of the year – which is happening on Sunday, December 21.This year in Melbourne, the summer solstice is set to bless us with 14 hours and 47 minutes of sunshine. Here’s a rundown of how long the daylight will last and the exact timings of sunrise and sunset. What is the summer solstice? The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year, bringing the most daylight hours between sunrise and sunset. In the Southern Hemisphere, this happens when our side of Earth is tilted closest to the sun. As a result, the sun's rays hit the Earth more directly, leading to extended daylight hours and the sun appearing higher in the sky. At the same time, the Northern Hemisphere will experience the winter solstice, due to the North Pole being at its farthest tilt away from the sun. Photograph: Mitchell Luo via Unsplash When is the summer solstice in Melbourne 2025? The summer solstice occurs annually across the Southern Hemisphere between December 21 and 23. In 2025, Melbourne’s longest day falls on Sunday, December 21, with 8.41pm marking the exact time of the solstice. From December 22, our days will gradually become shorter than our nights until the winter solstice in Australia on

Does the name Rone ring a bell? We’d expect that it does, as it’s the moniker of one of Victoria’s most renowned street artists. Known for creating gigantic, captivating murals, the internationally acclaimed artist was behind the captivating exhibition Time, which took over Melbourne’s illusive Flinders Street Ballroom space in 2022.  The prolific, Geelong-born artist has now moved onto another major work, one so massive that simply calling it large-scale seems diminishing. This mural will be truly gigantic.  Spanning almost 90 metres in width, the piece will feature the faces of 14 Geelong locals, including figures from the seven Wadawurrung family lines, with the aim of celebrating the region’s history. It will also incorporate the use of blue ochre, a natural art material also used by local Traditional Owners.  When it comes to major murals, this is not Rone’s first rodeo. Tyrone ‘Rone’ Wright has previously created pieces at the Powerhouse Station in North Geelong and Provenance Wines in Fyansford.  The new piece will decorate the southern wall of a huge new waterfront development in Geelong, the Nyaal Banyul Convention and Event Centre. The name ‘Nyaal Bangul’ means ‘open your eyes to the hills’, which reflects Geelong’s Western Beach cliffs that are of deep cultural significance for the Wadawurrung People.  When it opens in mid-2026, this development will form a whole new precinct for the city, as a home for retail, dining and a large public plaza. The centre will also

Seeing a movie at IMAX Melbourne is a rite of passage for local cinephiles. It is, after all, the largest cinema screen in the Southern Hemisphere – trust us, you can’t fully comprehend just how massive the screen is until you’re inside and witnessing it in real life. Now, even more people across the country will get to have this eye-boggling experience, as IMAX is partnering with Hoyts Cinemas to open four new screens across Australia. And lucky for us, two of them will be right here in Melbourne. A new IMAX is set to open in Chadstone by mid-November, and another in Melbourne Central in mid-December. Melbourne was actually the first city in the country to get an IMAX cinema, with the one at Melbourne Museum leading the way Down Under. Since 2022, four more have opened in Australia, with ten more planned for the future – including one at Fountain Gate Shopping Centre's Village Cinemas in Narre Warren, which is also set to launch in November.  The new Hoyts IMAX cinemas will be equipped with advanced laser technology, creating a truly immersive experience. It’ll have crystal-clear 4K images, precision audio and state-of-the-art projection technology. It’s in a league of its own, compared to your average run-of-the-mill movie outing.  The two new Melbourne locations will open in time for the release of Wicked: For Good (November 20) and Avatar: Fire and Ash (December 18). So mark your calendars if you want to experience this exciting new addition to Melbourne’s cinema scene, b

The weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer and everyone is suddenly sneezing – that means spring has officially sprung in Melbourne! And with the change in season comes everyone's favourite annual event: daylights savings. Funnily enough, even though it comes around every year, we're always wondering when it starts and just how exactly it all works. So if you're a teeny bit confused about whether we're about to gain or lose an hour of sleep (spoiler alert for sleepyheads: it's the latter), here's a guide that answers all your 2025 daylight savings questions. When does daylight savings start in Victoria for 2025? Daylight savings starts on the first Sunday in October. So this year, on Sunday, October 5, clocks will jump forward an hour – that means we skip an hour at 2am and go straight to 3am.  Do we gain an hour or lose an hour when daylight savings starts in Victoria? When daylight savings kicks in, our clocks will jump forward, meaning we will lose an hour. However, what we lose in time we will make up for in light at the end of the day – more hours to go out for a twilight walk, get a drink with friends or try that new restaurant.  Do I turn the clock back or forward for daylight savings in Victoria? Look, if you have a smartphone or laptop connected to the internet, the time change happens automatically. But to help you get your head around it, you have to move your analogue clocks and watches forward by one hour when you wake up on Sunday, October 5. Wha

Many of us know and love the CherryHill Blossom Festival, where millions of buds bloom into beautiful flowers on countless rows of cherry trees, making for a truly stunning sight. And for the second year running, you can appreciate the blossoms at night as part of this glowing after-dark event.  Photograph: Supplied At Blossom By Light, the cherry blossoms will be transformed into an enchanting display of light and colour. It's a special experience for lovers of the pretty plant, enhancing the beauty of the blooms in a way you'd never usually get to see them. And the lighting design is by the same team behind beloved glowing events Lightscape and Puffing Billy's Train of Lights, so you know it's going to be magical.  Photograph: Neisha Breen There will be food trucks, local vino, live entertainment and you can even toast a marshmallow or two. Visitors can arrive by sunset to kick back on the lush lawns and enjoy a picnic, cherry-themed drinks or dinner from one of the on-site food trucks. Once the sun has fully set, the light show will begin. Blossom By Light is running from September 19-22 at the CherryHill orchard in Wandin East, located about an hour's drive from Melbourne's CBD. Tickets are now available to buy on the website.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:  This surprising Melbourne suburb has been tipped as the fourth best spot in Australia to buy a home this spri

Victoria is lucky enough to be home to plenty of top-notch campsites, with beloved locations like Tidal River and Lake Catani popular for good reason. And while these tried-and-true spots are great, it’s always a joy to pitch a tent somewhere new. So if you're a camping enthusiast, you’ll want to add this just-opened campground in central Victoria to your list of where to go for your next outdoor adventure. Located in Bendigo Regional Park, the new campsite is called Larni Yirrip – which means ‘home of the ironbarks’. It’s a fitting name, as it’s located by the Box Ironbark Forest on the outskirts of Bendigo. This area is one of the most diverse woodlands in the country, filled with flowering eucalypt trees that can grow up to 25 metres in height.  The new campground is also right next to Crusoe Reservoir and Number 7 Park, providing easy access to swimming holes, walking trails, birdwatching spots and more. There are 12 designated walk-in sites immersed among the forest for campers, as well as toilets, picnic facilities, two shelters, cultural artworks and even a frog pond.    Photograph: Parks Victoria It also offers a chance to connect with the Dja Dja Wurrung People’s history and learn more about the traditional culture of the region. The campground was built by the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, who have interwoven cultural elements and storytelling into the campsite design.  You can find out more about the Larni Yirrip campground and make a booking via

In what's sure to be music to the ears of the avid outdoor lovers among us, a historic bridge on a popular walking and biking trail in regional Victoria is finally being repaired, meaning the track will be restored to its former glory. Dee Slip Bridge, which makes up part of the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail near Warburton, will soon reopen to the public after falling into disrepair.  Located in the Yarra Ranges National Park, the timber bridge was originally used to access the O’Shannassy Aqueduct and the 30 kilometre trail that runs alongside it. It was constructed back in 1947 when the aqueduct collapsed, and was used by cyclists and walkers alike to get to the popular mountainside track that runs from East Warburton to the Don Valley.  But in 2021, the bridge was badly damaged when a big pine tree fell onto it, and it had to be closed off to the public, with a temporary bypass created instead.   Photograph: Nick Esser Now, the state government has announced plans to restore the heritage bridge, preserving the structure by keeping the same design and retaining much of the original wood.  Dee Slip Bridge is expected to reopen in early 2026, meaning it won’t be long before there’ll be direct access to the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail once again. If you’ve never visited the trail, it’s certainly worth a visit. Set in the mountain ranges, it’s surrounded by lush greenery, with tall trees and ferns lining the track. Plus, it offers incredible views of the picturesque Yarra Ranges.

The Queen Victoria Market precinct has been undergoing a major facelift recently. A brand-new library opened and the old food hall got an impressive makeover. Now, the site of the market is about to undergo a massive transformation, with the construction of a billion-dollar development. Before you panic, don't worry, the beloved sheds of our market will remain as they are and the market isn't going anywhere. But, the land to the south of the main sheds – where the open-air car park and Franklin Street shops are – will be turned into a public square and three high-rise towers. It'll be called Gurrowa Place, with the City of Melbourne working with Lendlease to bring about the $1.7 billion development. The heritage permit has been approved by Heritage Victoria, and final federal heritage approval has also been granted, which means construction is likely to begin in 2026. The high-rise buildings will be located at the south end of the Queen Vic car park, where the disused Franklin Street shops currently are. The plan is to fully restore the Franklin Street retail space and build on the area with three towers, the tallest of which will be 28-storeys (but the permit allows for up to 49 levels to be built). These towers will be used for residential apartments, student accommodation, affordable housing and office spaces. This will be a fairly long process, with construction expected to take five years. Down on the ground, there's another component of the new development, with the cur

After the legalisation of pill testing back in November last year, and a successful summer of trialling a mobile testing service at festivals across the state, the next step in the drug-checking trial has arrived in Melbourne.  Victoria's first-ever fixed site for pill testing has just opened in the centre of Melbourne's inner north. The service is located at 95 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy – close to one of our city's busiest nightlife hubs.  The site offers testing of most pills, capsules, powders, crystals and liquids, all in an effort to reduce drug harm. It is run by a consortium of Youth Support and Advocacy Service, the Loop Australia and Harm Reduction Victoria. It also offers free, confidential and non-judgmental harm reduction advice from health professionals, medical support and social services when needed.  The legalisation of pill testing doesn't mean that any drugs will be decriminalised outside of being tested at the service, but does mean that people won't be breaking the law by bringing in drugs to be tested. According to information released by the state government, consultations with police will establish an arrangement that doesn’t deter people from using the service. Victoria was the third state in the country to legalise drug-checking, following the ACT and Queensland, and the first to create dedicated legislation to support pill testing.  The motive behind the permanent testing site is ultimately to save lives and change behaviour around drug use, with pl

Head to Melbourne’s west and you’ll now find a world of pure imagination. Ok, so you won’t get to meet Willy Wonka, but you will find the largest Cadbury chocolate factory in the whole wide world.  The gigantic $130 million distribution centre is located in Truganina and opened in July, and it’s officially the national hub of all things chocolatey in our country.  At a whopping 47,000 square metres it spans twice the size of the MCG, and it will ship out 500,000 chocolate bars every day, or four million blocks each week. Seems like there must be quite a few of us with some pretty strong chocolate cravings.  The high-tech facility has 17 levels of automated storage, 11 robotic cranes and 500 metres of conveyor systems. It’s powered entirely by renewable energy, with solar panels, rainwater harvesting and modern recycling systems. But we haven’t got word yet on whether or not it has a chocolate river.  Cadbury is owned by a parent company called Mondelēz International, which also owns snack brands like Pascal and the Natural Confectionery Company. So this new centre is a very, very important place for the sweet tooths among us.  The centre has created 200 new jobs in Melbourne’s west, with 90 per cent of those jobs filled by local residents. We’d certainly like to get a taste of those work perks.  We’re not sure if they’ll be hiding golden tickets in Cadbury bars for a chance to visit, but watch this space and we’ll let you know if that changes.  Stay in the loop: sign up for

From “Mel-born” to “Cans” and “Briz-bin” to “Can-bra”, Australia is full of suburbs and cities that are quite the mouthful. Even if you’ve spent your entire life Down Under, there’s a good chance that you’re still stumbling over the correct pronunciation of some of them.  For our entertainment, language learning platform Preply recently published a list of the top 20 most mispronounced Australian place names, using an analysis of Google search data to find out which places had the most travellers making a faux pas. Topping the list of confusing names was Cairns (we totally get it), followed by Melbourne’s Prahran and Victoria’s capital city itself in third (don’t worry, Melburnians will be quick to correct you if you say “Mel-born”). Admittedly, it makes sense that Americans have an extra tough time when trying to get a grasp of how the heck the Aussie accent works. Mainly because we pronounce the letter R in words totally differently, which explains why the top three places have caused foreigners some strife.  It’s not surprising that Tasmania’s Launceston (LONN-ses-tun) came in fourth place, while NSW’s Gloucester (“gloss-ter") ranked in fifth spot and Canberra (CAN-bra) was the sixth biggest tongue twister.  Coogee and Bondi join the ranks as Australia’s most mispronounced beaches, and you can’t do the iconic coastal walk connecting the two without hearing them both: “Coooo-geee” and “Bond-dee”. It’s hard not to chuckle each time. There are heaps more places in Oz that are