Olivia Hart

Finding the right present that shows your favourite people just how special they are can be tricky. No need to make a list and check it twice when we’ve got the perfect idea already. This Christmas, gift a once-in-a-lifetime sunrise hot air balloon flight with Global Ballooning Australia.  The award-winning operator has been floating Melburnians sky-high since 1992, so your loved ones are in the safest hands imaginable. Choose between drifting over the Yarra Valley, just a 50 minute drive from Melbourne’s city centre, or take flight over Melbourne itself. It's the only major city in the world where you can balloon directly above the city centre.  Global Ballooning is spreading festive cheer with limited-time Christmas offers – you can save up to $75 if you book before 26 December. Each experience includes complimentary in-flight GoPro photos, a digital flight certificate, a luxe balloon magnet keepsake, and complete flight and ground insurance. Optional add-ons include a buffet breakfast and return transfers from Pullman on the Park Hotel for Yarra Valley flights. And here’s the cherry on top: when you purchase a Christmas hot air balloon gift voucher, your lucky recipient will also receive a pair of premium, limited-edition Global Ballooning sunglasses (valued at $80) – beautifully wrapped and ready for under the tree. Global Ballooning is a fourth-generation, family-owned company and Victoria’s only carbon-neutral operator. It's Australia’s most awarded ballooning company

This silly season, Sydney’s most-loved harbourside hotspots will melt even the Grinchiest of hearts. Whether you’re a carol-enthusiast, foodie or just here for the party, there’s something for every kind of Christmas-lover this summer. Here are the events topping our hit list. Kick back at the Homegrown Concert Head to The Rocks on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7, to tick off your Christmas shopping at the festive markets and grab a bite at one of more than 50 restaurants and bars. Then, reward yourself by kicking back while award-winning artist Gordi and the genre-defying Mo’Ju deliver beautiful renditions of Christmas classics at Tallawoladah Lawn from 3.30pm to 6.30pm. You can even bring your own boozy beverages. If that wasn’t the best bit – the Homegrown Concert is free. Watch jaw-dropping stunts at the Cockle Bay Christmas Spectacular  Darling Harbour is set to get hearts racing with its brand-new waterfront celebration. Brace yourself as jetpack elves battle the Grinch on a jet ski, followed by Santa’s grand entrance across the harbour. There’ll also be a roving Santa in Palm Grove so you can snap your annual Christmas card pics, live tunes, carols by the Golden Kangaroos Marching Band, and a Letters to Santa station for the kids. Our tip? Don’t miss the aerial water fight (it’s controlled chaos at its finest), or the firework finale at 9pm. Sing along to your favourite carols at the Christmas Festival Tumbalong Park is going all out this Christmas with rov

There’s no reason a regular weekend shouldn’t feel like an occasion, especially when the sun’s out and you live in one of the prettiest cities in the world. So skip the Euro summer and set sail on The Jackson Sydney, a boutique ship in a league of its own that's welcoming cruisers aboard for Superyacht Saturdays in the sunnier months.  Board the boujee boat down at Barangaroo’s King Street Wharf, and then embark on a three-and-a-half-hour journey on one of the luxury vessel's ticketed events. There are two standout packages on offer.  The Chandon Harbour Long Lunch from $189 per person delivers free-flowing Chandon Garden Spritz and NV, craft beer on tap and a range of non-alcoholic options. Then, a three-course menu curated by chef Nelly Robinson will be served. Each course champions seasonal produce and modern Australian flavours, with a scoop of gelato to finish. Expect a boatload of fun, soundtracked by live acoustic music.  Or, kick the party into gear with the Veuve Clicquot In The Sun from $159 per person, featuring two glasses of Veuve, a luxe oyster station, generous roaming canapés, a gelato cart, and one of Sydney’s top DJs keeping the party alive on the decks. Both experiences can be upgraded with add-ons including priority boarding, premium window seating and cocktail and wine packages. Bringing along the whole crew? Bookings of more than 10 will score a hefty 10 per cent discount, plus you have the option of reserving your very own private deck or if you’ve got

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to treat yourself, Shangri-La Sydney is offering up the perfect one this Black Friday. The five-star hotel is joining in on the shopping holiday tradition with exclusive deals to two of its luxurious dining experiences. Perched high above the harbour on level 36, Altitude Restaurant offers dining in the clouds with panoramic views and a menu celebrating Australia’s native ingredients. This November, you can enjoy a three-course meal with wine pairings for the price of two courses — that’s $164 per person, down from $202. Or, indulge in the signature five-course experience featuring coral trout, seafood pasta, honey-glazed duck breast, Australian wagyu and a frozen honey nougat dessert for the price of a three-course meal at $202 per person, down from $260. Scoring a fine dining meal for more than 20 per cent off? That's a deal that doesn't come by everyday.  If you’re more about celebrating the festive season with fluffy scones and free-flowing bubbles, head to Shangri-La’s renowned high tea. Set on the same floor, it’s one of Sydney’s highest high teas, complete with sweeping harbour views. This Black Friday, you can book in for 25 per cent off, bringing the price down from $125 to $99. Have a special three-tiered snack tower which comes with seasonal items including berry rose shortcake and spanner crab and leek tartlet, topped off with sparkling wine to toast the occasion.  All Black Friday offers must be booked between November 27-30 a

Long gone are the days when caravan parking was reserved for the Aussiest of ockers. What was once the domain of tinnies, thongs and tinned spaghetti has quietly become one of the country’s best ways to holiday. Across the country, the humble holiday park has seen a new wave of revival – from luxe glamping tents and beachfront tiny homes to full-blown waterparks that make the kids lose their tiny minds.  And who better to steer you than Time Out’s roving contributors, a crew of expert wanderers who’ve clocked more kilometres (and mozzie bites) than most people. From coast to desert and everywhere in between, they’ve rounded up the best caravan parks in Australia worth unhooking the van for.  Editor’s favourite caravan parks in Australia 👪 Best for families: Big4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, QLD 🐶 Best pet-friendly: Aspen Holidays Darwin FreeSpirit, NT 💲 Best budget: Alivio Tourist Park, ACT  QLD | NSW | VIC | SA | TAS | WA | NT | ACT 🌞 The best family-friendly resorts in Australia🚘 The best day trips in Australia ⛺️ The best camping spots in Australia

The silly season is well and truly here. Calendars are jam-packed, to-do lists are growing and everyone’s racing to get everything sorted before jetting off. Before you turn on your Out Of Office, DoorDash is stepping in to make things a little less chaotic (and a lot more delicious) with a free meal on them. If the words ‘free feeds’ didn’t already grab your attention – or you just need a little more convincing – here’s the deal. From Wednesday, November 26 to Saturday, November 29, Aussie DoorDash users can place an order from 4pm daily and score free burgers, burritos, pizzas and meal bundles from local and national restaurants.   The full list of participating venues is still under wraps, but we do know that go-tos like Guzman y Gomez, Betty’s Burgers and Grill’d are locked in. Across the four days, DoorDash is giving away up to 60,000 beloved menu items (that’s 15,000 per day). Things kick off on Wednesday, November 26 with free burgers; Thursday is dedicated to burritos; Friday is all about pizza; and Saturday wraps it up with a bang, serving a mix of epic meal deals. A little fine print: while the food might be free, service and delivery fees still apply. The offer is valid for one selected menu item per order while supplies last and every customer is entitled to one redemption per day. Most importantly, it’s first come, first served, so plan ahead. Now that dinner’s sorted, cue up a Christmas film and settle into the most wonderful time of the year. You can find out m

Scoops Troop, do you copy? Rumour has it things are about to get strange in Sydney – and we’re talking Hawkins-level strange. Red-tinted skies, flickering street lights, and eerie vines growing over bikes, shopfronts and bus shelters across the city. It’s almost as if the Upside Down has breached Down Under… As Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas and the gang gear up for their final showdown, Sydneysiders will get the fright of their lives this week when a major spectacle dawns on Sydney Harbour. To see it up close, head to Northern Wharf at the Overseas Passenger Terminal from 8.30pm, November 25. Still feeling brave? The next night, along with the same spectacle, you can also wander over to the Harbour Bar at Squire’s Landing, where Hawkins-themed photo ops will be popping up on November 26. Keep your eyes peeled, just in case Vecna and his legion of demogorgons make an appearance.  This epic stunt coincides with the new (and sadly, final) season of Stranger Things, Netflix’s smash-hit show created by the Duffer Brothers. The fifth and final season is set to debut in two volumes with the first four episodes premiering on November 27 at 12.00pm AEDT. You’ll have to wait until December 26 for volume two and then the season finale – which is expected to be a whopping two hours long – will drop on New Year's Day.  Since premiering in 2016, Stranger Things has become one of Netflix’s biggest global phenomena, with season four alone racking up more than 140 million views. Rooted in nosta

Melbourne is full of great coffee spots. Still, few have shaped the city’s coffee culture quite like Seven Seeds. With four venues and a dedicated roastery, the business has become a local institution, raising the bar for Melbourne’s coffee scene over the last 18 years. It all started with co-founders Mark Dundon and Bridget Amor, who met while working at St Ali. In 2003, they opened their first joint venture Brother Baba Budan. Named after the legendary figure who smuggled seven coffee seeds out of Yemen in the 17th century, the hole-in-the-wall espresso bar was a bold move at the time. Though the concept of a stand-up espresso bar was unfamiliar to Melbourne in the early ‘00s, Brother Baba Budan eventually won over the locals. In the years since, Dundon and Amor have expanded with sibling venues: Seven Seeds Carlton, a dine-in café; Traveller, a CBD narrow espresso bar with a takeaway window; and most recently Suburbia in Fairfield, a bakery café turning out croissants, scrolls, sourdough and more.  Rather than roll out a carbon copy of their original venue, the duo made a conscious decision to give each space its own personality. “All our venues are fairly different,” Amor told Square. “They all have unique vibes and cater to different parts of the city.” With each venue offering something distinct, Dundon and Amor rely on a few key tools from Square to provide guidance. Using Square’s tracking features, they’re able to see what’s resonating with customers and adjust accor

If you really want to experience local life at its most authentic when exploring a new city, the best thing you can do is take to the streets. And no, not that one major thoroughfare with the samey high street megastores and generic coffee shops. We’re talking about the neighbourhood backstreets and lively avenues that locals love; the places packed with independent shops and creative people, where a brand-new hi-fi listening bar will share the space with an old-school grocer or a centuries-old pub.  This year, to create our annual ranking of the world’s coolest streets, we asked our global network of local editors and experts to nominate the street that epitomises the very best of their city. Time Out’s global travel team then narrowed down the list and ranked each street against criteria including food, drink, culture, fun and community spirit.  From Saturday samba sessions in Rio de Janeiro to a shapeshifting shopping street in Osaka, every avenue, alleyway and side street on this year’s ranking is unique to its hometown. Walking their length is like taking a stroll through the city in miniature, getting a taste of what makes life there brilliant – from food and culture to shopping and nightlife.  Did your favourite street make the list? Read on to find out. RECOMMENDED: 🏘️ The world’s coolest neighbourhoods in 2025🌆 The world’s best cities in 2025 Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for the latest travel news and the best stuff happening a

Not only does Sydney lay claim to one of the world’s best cocktail bars, but the city is also stacked with intimate speakeasies and popular neighbourhood haunts. Safe to say, the bar in this city is high. Among the standouts? Mucho Group. This crew is behind some of Sydney’s most beloved bars – and the perks don’t stop at excellent drinks. Mucho venues also deliver some of the city’s best happy hours and plenty more reasons to stick around – think disco balls, throwback playlists and complimentary (highly addictive) popcorn. Because let’s face it, sometimes the best place to end your night is exactly where you started it. So skip the bar crawl and settle in: with killer deals and places you can stay put. These 6 venues have you covered from happy hour to last call: Bar Herbs  This underground haven is an ode to Martinis and classic cocktails, served up with Mucho's signature psychedelic twist. Swing by between 4-6pm for a pre-dinner tipple and snap up happy hour specials like the $13 Herbs Martini and $7 beers.  Stick around for free “New York deep-dish pizza”-flavoured popcorn (yes, really) and a late-night playlist that channels early Y2K New York Martini bars, a la Carrie Bradshaw. There’s a giant glitterball to dance under – and the place is open until 2am Thursday to Saturday, and midnight Wednesday and Sunday. Cantina OK! It’s one of Sydney’s tiniest bars, but Cantina OK! punches well above its weight, serving benchmark Margaritas regularly ranked among the best in the

Meow Meow – the internationally adored theatrical powerhouse – is bringing her latest spectacle to Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre this November, following a hit season in Sydney. Having bewitched and bewildered audiences the world over with her distinctly un-Disney reinventions of famous fairytales, including The Little Mermaid and Little Match Girl, the queen of late-night cabaret is set to turn another one of Hans Christian Andersen’s tales on its head with Meow Meow's The Red Shoes.  Whether you know the story best for the original fable or its Oscar-winning 1948 adaptation, both versions punish its protagonist with a curse, forcing her into an endless dance. Meow Meow’s version asks: can she be saved from her fate? What does this punishment mean?  Directed by Kate Champion (Force Majeure, Black Swan State Theatre Company), Meow Meow is joined on stage by Kanen Breen (The Black Rider), plus and multi-instrumentalists Mark Jones, Dan Witton, and Jethro Woodward (musical director). Expect Meow's signature blend of chaos and genius. Bold, hilarious and unexpectedly heartfelt – it's the kind of show that makes you leave in love with life again. Catch Meow Meow’s The Red Shoes at Malthouse Theatre from November 19 to December 6. For more information and to book tickets, visit Malthouse Theatre’s website. 

There’s something special about NSW’s Central Coast. Golden beaches, a laid-back energy, ever-developing food scene, hot live music offerings and the fact that it’s just a breezy 90-minute drive north of Sydney. And spring is the perfect time to pack the car and head up the M1 (or take the train). With a stacked calendar of events – many of them free – and a coastline in all its springtime glory, there’s never been a better excuse for a weekend escape. Think markets, outdoor gigs, delicious food and plenty of spots to soak up the sunshine. So, whether you’re fresh off a whirlwind Euro trip and feeling the post-holiday blues, or keen for an affordable local getaway before the silly season kicks off, grab your sunnies, queue up your road trip playlist, and roll those windows down. Here’s your guide to the best things to do on the Central Coast this spring and summer:

Combining acrobatics, aerial artistry and truly spectacular visuals, Duck Pond pulls apart one of the world’s most famous ballets and rebuilds it into a one-of-a-kind production, sparkling with wit and wonder.  Presented by homegrown circus innovators Circa in collaboration with House of Oz, the show fuses Swan Lake withThe Ugly Duckling, borrowing the magic of both stories before turning them inside out. Audiences can expect a dazzling production of swans and hapless princes, with traditional ballet broken up by moments of body-contorting acrobatics, slapstick comedy and an original score by Jethro Woodward, remixed with a heavy trap beat. Libby McDonnell’s costumes infuse the production with flair and whimsy, transforming the beloved characters into sequinned ducks and a burlesque black swan. The show has lifted curtains in Brisbane, London, Vancouver and wowed audiences at the Sydney Opera House where it comes directly from. Now, it’s taking over Melbourne’s majestic Princess Theatre for a limited run this January, with Circa’s artistic director Yaron Lifschitz at the helm.  Experience the romantic ballet like never before as it plays from January 14-25 with 2pm and 7pm showings. Tickets range from $69.90 to $174.90. Get yours here. Duck Pond is presented by House of Oz and Circa.

Whether you’re a cheery Who from Whoville or a self-proclaimed Grinch, there’s no denying the festive season is upon us. And to kick things off in true Christmas spirit, Dr. Seuss’ most memorable villain is set to steal the stage at Hamer Hall, as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra brings the holiday classic to life in concert from December 5-6. Across three special performances, revisit the iconic anti-hero on the big screen as Leonard Weiss conducts the sweeping score from James Horner, the Oscar-winning composer behind Titanic, Braveheart and Avatar. The music will be played live-to-picture, giving you the perfect excuse to swap your annual sofa watch for a night at one of Melbourne’s most magical venues.  Directed by Ron Howard, the 2000 live-action film of Dr. Seuss’ 1957 book stars Jim Carrey as the potbellied, green yeti with an attitude problem who ultimately learns the true meaning of Christmas in a wildly imaginative adaptation that honours the Seussian universe. Expect your heart to grow three sizes with a night at Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas in concert. Tickets range from $49 to $134. Get yours here. 

If you’re looking for a magical night out in the city, the neon-lit Maho Magic Bar is back after sold-out shows and rave reviews from their 2023 season in Chinatown, and this time it’s found a new home at Melbourne’s new entertainment hub, Spiegel Haus. Inspired by Japan’s rich history with magic, this immersive 60-minute experience comes from Broad Encounters (the team behind A Midnight Visit) and brings a line-up of magician superstars direct from Japan, performing a mix of brand-new tricks and audience favourites.  From November 25, step into the whimsical cocktail bar and be whisked away to Tokyo where expert magicians perform up-close magic alongside delicious cocktails. There's no stage for the performers here as the intimate show will take place right at your table, where you'll assist the magicians in their bamboozling sleight-of-hand magic. Japan’s best magicians will surprise and delight visitors, incorporating debonair storytelling, mind-blowing illusions and kawaii charm. While you enjoy the show, you can order from a menu of bespoke cocktails mixed by a Japanese master mixologist. Or if you're after a more traditional libation, try authentic Japanese sake, whisky, shochu and rare spirits like umeshu.  If you're prepared to be dazzled, this experience will surely do the trick. Maho Magic Bar is performing multiple shows a day between Tuesdays and Sundays with adult shows (recommended for ages 12+) in the evening and family-friendly matinees. Book a ticket, a tabl

As every Aussie knows, summer equals festivals – and luckily, there’s no shortage of options. Joining the pack this year is the inaugural Eton Mess Music Festival, which is here to kick off summer early.  Taking over the leafy Peace Park in the coastal haven of Sutherland (recently dubbed Australia’s friendliest neighbourhood), this small but mighty event is set to bring the vibes of a big festival, complete with a killer line-up, food and drink vendors and an inclusive setup that’ll keep you going from day to night. On the bill? Brisbane DJ and producer sensation Young Franco will be spinning tracks from his debut album, supported by a line-up including electronica duo Hellcat Speedracer, DJ and TikTok star MAD.DAY, pop-leaning muso Harry Hayes and Triple J presenter turned DJ Lucy Smith.  Just a 30-minute train ride from the CBD (and two-minute walk from Sutherland station), the open-air party will take over Peace Park’s The Pavilion on Eton Street — and yes, that’s where the festival gets its witty name from. Because whether you’re team pav or not, it all ends up in an Eton Mess.  Tickets to this 18+ event are on sale now for $55. Time Out readers can score two-for-one tickets with the booking code: ETON2FOR1. Grab yours here. 

Ballarat is bursting with colour this spring as a new art experience, Sunnyside, takes over the historic Mining Exchange and city streets from November 6-23.  Presented by The Social Crew, the centrepiece of the event is ‘Chasing Sunbeams’, a bold new art installation from London-based artist Morag Myerscough. Renowned for her playful interactive style and large-scale, fantastical works that have transformed public spaces around the globe, this marks her first ever major installation in regional Australia. And boy, is it colourful.  The program is packed with highlights – you can join the artist in conversation on November 8 and 15, or book into one of the many hands-on workshops, from neon block printing to stitching granny squares. In one of the workshops, budding artists will experiment with bold colours, patterns and forms as Wadawurrung Traditional Owner and Aboriginal artist Jenna Oldaker guides participants in creating their own artwork. Outside the walls of the Mining Exchange, Sunnyside spills into Ballarat’s laneways with the free Wandering experience. At the Unicorn Hotel, pick up a freshly made zine or pull up a chair and create your own. As you continue exploring, discover something surprising from local makers, vibrant artworks at Alfred Deakin Place and a colourful takeover of Hop Lane in collaboration between Myerscough, Oldaker and the Ballarat community. Ballarat is just a 90-minute drive or V/Line train from the city so why not turn it into a weekender? Aft

In a city where culture is constantly evolving, the Powerhouse Museum has no problem keeping up. Spanning four sites – including Sydney Observatory, Powerhouse Castle Hill, the heritage-listed Powerhouse Ultimo site currently undergoing a $300-million transformation and a brand-new Powerhouse Parramatta location set to open in late 2026 – it’s officially the largest museum group in Australia. Now, Powerhouse Castle Hill is taking centre stage with its latest instalment Powerhouse Materials – a new series of exhibitions and events that showcase the Powerhouse Collection (home to more than half a million objects!) through the lens of a guest curator and a chosen material. Actor and activist, Chloe Hayden was the first to curate a colourful and quirky exhibition focused on textiles, and now Andy Griffiths is in the hot seat. The second iteration continues to embody imagination and eccentricity with Powerhouse Materials: Paper. Curated by best-selling children’s author Andy Griffiths (the mind behind the Just! and Treehouse series), this exhibition dives deep into the world of paper. From November 22 to March 8, this free exhibition features a quirky collection of paper objects from the Powerhouse Collection, ranging from the ordinary to extraordinary. Every visitor will receive a self-guided activity book packed with drawing and story prompts developed in collaboration with Griffiths – perfect for sparking young imaginations, and giving older ones a blast from the past. For its

Spice has long been the secret weapon in the kitchen, when just a touch makes every other flavour pop. When things really start to sizzle, nothing hits quite as well as an ice-cold bubbly drink. So, the news that Sprite and Nando's are teaming up for the Sprite House of Heat makes perfect sense. This October 30, Sprite is taking over Nando’s Richmond to transform it into the Thrill N Chill Arcade, a free one-night-only experience complete with exclusive guest list, arcade-style challenges and a whole lot of prizes. Prepare to feast on a multi-course Nando’s menu, where each dish gets even hotter than the last. There’ll be plenty of ice-cold Sprite and Sprite Zero Sugar to enhance all those spicy flavours as the night goes on. Each course also comes with a cheeky ‘Sprite Spice-Breaker’, a playful prompt to keep the conversation flowing. Between bites, take on arcade challenges like game-on basketball, king of the hammer and the giant claw. Winners won’t just walk away with bragging rights – there’ll be actual prizes, too. Want your PERi-salted chips with a side of comedy? You’re in luck. The one-off event will be hosted by comedy and radio favourites Jimmy and Nath. Keen to score an invite? Sign up now before October 23 for your chance to attend. Winner winner, chicken dinner.

With five Grammys, more than 160 million albums sold and a back catalogue packed with household hits, Billy Joel is a true music icon. And while the Piano Man himself rarely makes the trip Down Under – he’s only played one stadium show here in the past 15 years – Melbourne fans can still experience his biggest hits in a whole new way this November. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is celebrating Joel’s legendary discography in Piano Man: Celebrating the Music of Billy Joel, a symphonic tribute featuring fresh arrangements of classics like ‘Just the Way You Are’, ‘Only the Good Die Young’, ‘Vienna’ andl of course, ‘Piano Man’. Under the baton of Leonard Weiss, the show features powerhouse vocals from Human Nature’s Phil Burton and musical stars Alinta Chidzey, Jess Hitchcock and Josh Piterman. Directed by Mark Sutcliffe, you can also expect lush new orchestral arrangements by composer Nicholas Buc. Piano Man: Celebrating the Music of Billy Joel will play three shows only at Art Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall, from November 14-15. Tickets are on sale now from $78 to $146 for adults. Get yours here.

Sydney never slows down, but spring has a special way of cranking up the good times. And now, there’s a fresh new festival joining the party: the inaugural Culture Vibes festival is landing in Kensington Park on Saturday, October 18, from 3-10pm. Hosted by Randwick City Council, this one-day celebration brings a jam-packed program of global beats, eats and art. Expect cultural workshops, drumming performances from House of Rhythm, roving performers from puppeteers Curious Legends and an epic art installation from Amigo and Amigo titled ‘Unity’. There'll also be a pop-up bar slinging drinks all day long and plenty of prime picnic spots, all set to a live soundtrack of DJs and music from around the world.   Eat your way through the international food stalls serving up everything from empanadas and souvlakis to dumplings, Dutch pancakes, wood-fired pizza and Portuguese tarts. Then, hit the markets where you can find all kinds of homewares, clothing and accessories from global stallholders. Think Palestinian-inspired embroidered accessories, organic vegan Mexican chocolate, Parisian-designed fashion, African wax-fabric pieces and natural goodies made from native Aussie botanicals. The best part: it's completely free. Just bring your blanket or camping chairs and settle in for a few solid hours (or the whole day) of culture, community and sunshine.  Find out more here. 

Between the butchers, bakers, grocers, fishmongers and snack stands, South Melbourne Market is one of the city’s best-loved spots for a bite to eat. This November, its popular food trail, A Foodie Affair, returns with a brand-new theme and the perfect excuse to drop by. Running every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday between November 5-15, A Foodie Affair: Cultured and Cured is a self-guided degustation celebrating all things pickled, fermented, cured and cultured — with ten specially created dishes on offer across the market. Make a start at Agathé Pâtisserie where you can try a Korean kimchi, bacon and corn cheese melt mini croissant, followed by a kimchi pancake served with mozzarella and a caramelised black chilli soy vinaigrette from Bambu Asian Eating House. Also on the menu is K-SEIN Fromagerie's raw milk cheese with mountain bush pepper, the grilled loukaniko Greek salad at Greek'n Out, and Spanish white anchovies on grilled sourdough topped with caramelised onion and bitter dark chocolate at Simply Spanish. Still hungry? Opt for the fried pickle spears at Smithburg, burrata bao at UGO Burrata Bar or the piccolo salumi misti focaccia at Pizzateca Lupa. And while cultured and cured doesn’t exactly go hand-in-hand with dessert, Fritz Gelato has crafted a creamy mango lassi frozen yoghurt and Cobb Lane Bakery does a black garlic and miso pastry for any sweet tooths (the pastry is surprisingly sweet!).  Tickets are $85 and can be booked for either the 11am or 1pm session. Pl

Tucked away in Western Sydney’s suburb Rooty Hill, The Woodstock (formerly Carousel Inn) is a long-standing local favourite. After being snapped up by the family-owned Sydney hospo group Solotel (The Norfolk, Paddo Inn, Aria, The Clock) as they expand out west (joining the likes of Paramatta's Albion Hotel), the pub's been rejigged into a new, state-of-the-art community hub, complete with a bistro, sports bar and events centre. Add to that a stellar new menu and a kids' area and you’ve got the ideal spot for Sunday lunch, knock-offs on a Friday or just somewhere to catch the game – all under the one roof.  If you’re heading down for a feed, you can expect a Mediterranean-inspired menu of pub classics at the family-friendly bistro. Order up one of the wood-fired pizzas, grilled meat dishes or large-plate offerings which are designed for sharing.  If you’ve brought the whole fam, your little wriggly ones can keep busy in the dedicated kids' area where they can slide down the slippery dip, draw on the chalk walls, play rounds of ping pong or have a go at the climbing frame. Or, invite your friends along too and take advantage of the venue’s 250-person event centre which is the perfect place to host your next party, be that a birthday, wedding or a big ole family reunion.  Sports fans are also welcome and can expect mega screens showcasing the latest matches, TAB, a poker room and even a bottle shop in case you want to take some cold ones to go.  The Woodstock is set to reopen on

There have been plenty of reasons to dust off your camera recently. From cherry blossom season to the return of Sony’s photography and filmmaking festival stacked with community-hosted events for all skill levels. Whether you use your digital camera, smart phone or you’re old school and capture moments using film, there’s never been a better time to start snapping. Channel your inspiration into Sony’s two-day photography, videography and content creation expo. Returning from September 20-21, under the new name SceneScape (previously Scene Tradeshow), the epic event will take over Sydney’s revamped cultural space, White Bay Power Station.  Set to be an epic weekend celebrating the creative medium, get hands-on with Sony’s latest cameras, lenses and accessories and brush up on your skills with a curated selection of talks, panels and masterclasses. Topics covered include how women are redefining visual culture, the future of the screen industry, storytelling in travel photography and shooting on the move. Want a squiz at the full program? You can check it out here. A powerhouse lineup of industry experts, including photographers James Day, Julia Trotti, Jayson Robertson, Kate Newman and Sony Digital Imaging ambassadors Colin Jeffs and Craig Parry will be there. You can explore the whole lineup here. Tickets are on sale now from $39 for adults for one-day access or $59 for two-day access across the weekend. You're in luck if you're a student: score tickets from $29. Time Out rea

Since the world has been a little heavy with bad news recently, here’s something to feel good about: a precious little platypus has been successfully returned to the wild following ten months of expert care.The young platypus was found underweight, alone and in the middle of the road on a hot summer's day back in February. The good samaritans who found him (while out cycling near Mt Baw Baw) quickly delivered him into the care of vets at Healesville Sanctuary, where his recovery was overseen by platypus specialist Dr Jessica Thomas. He needed to be rehydrated with fluid and underwent a full physical exam and radiographs. The results determined he had ticks, anemia, a low burden of blood parasites and a leech attached to his eye.  “He was a freshly emerged juvenile who likely became lost on his way to find water,” said Dr Thomas. “My current research and prior experience suggest that fresh juveniles may still need their mother, so we took care of him until he reached the age of one when he would normally disperse on his own.” Photograph: Jo Howell During his stay, Dr Thomas and the sanctuary team were able to teach the youngster basic survival skills and essential behaviours he needed to meet before returning to the wild, including swimming in different currents, diving to various depths, resting in burrows, foraging in tricky spots and searching for food. Following his recovery, the team called on the expertise of Baw Baw frog researchers to help identify a suitable stream

It’s not new news that Australia’s friend, the koala, is listed as an endangered species, due to the effects of things such as land-clearing, cars, dogs, feral cats, prolonged droughts, bushfires and disease. In fact, a parliamentary inquiry found they may be extinct in NSW by 2050 – a tragedy that conservation groups are working madly to help reverse. The latest, though, is that a new koala conservation centre is opening in south-west Sydney, backed by $5 million in funding.The NSW Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Penny Sharpe, announced the new koala care facility, which is set to open at the University of Sydney School of Veterinary Sciene’s Camden campus, to support koalas in the Macarthur region. The funding is set to be distributed across several key areas, with $500,000 dedicated to securing expert assistance and wildlife rehabilitators. The remaining funds will focus on three main areas: koala rescue, rehabilitation and conservation. Plus, the initiative aims to introduce on-call vet care and advice, access to facilities, upgraded clinical equipment and biosecurity seclusion areas. The new facility has been hailed as a “game changer” by Professor Jacqui Norris, Head of School and Dean, who says, “We want future generations to be able to step into bushland in south-western Sydney and see koalas in the wild.” Hear, hear. If you want to help support koala conservation efforts, you can buy merch or donate at Save the Koala. Stay in the loop: sign up for o

In case you haven’t noticed, Sydney’s speed limits have been gradually dropping in recent years. Nowadays, 75 per cent of local and regional streets in the City of Sydney have a 40 kilometre an hour speed limit or lower – up from just five per cent of roads in 2004. And now, even more roads are set to fall under this 40km/h mandate, as the NSW Government works with the City of Sydney to make the city safer.  The speed-limit changes are set to affect local and regional streets that currently have a 50km/h limit, in areas including Glebe, Forest Lodge, Beaconsfield and Waterloo. Some sections of roads in Annandale, Redfern, Alexandria, Zetland and Woolloomooloo are also set to drop, with larger roads such as motorways excluded.  The lower speed limits are all about reducing the number of crashes and increasing survival rates, as studies have shown survival rates for people hit by a vehicle drastically improve at lower speeds like 40km/h. “When people drive at safer speeds it reduces the number of crashes and their severity, improves safety for people walking and riding and helps to support better place-making,” says Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO. “Not only will our streets be safer as a result of these important changes, they’ll be quieter and have less exhaust emissions.” The Lord Mayor says the City of Sydney will continue to work with Transport for NSW to reduce speed limits even further – down to 30km/h – in the city centre and other high-activity areas where there