Winnie Stubbs

Looking for a fab new restaurant to check out? You’ve come to the right place. The other week I went to Trattoria Da Orazio – a new Italian restaurant from chef Orazio D’Elia in Rushcutters Bay – and it was excellent (order the bombetta pugliese and whimsical dessert platter). Surry Hills fine diner Arthur has reopened after a big reno – still serving a 100 per cent Aussie menu across food and drinks, now in a more accessible way (and a happy hour with $3 prawns!). And you need to make a booking at Ashe – the new Southeast Asian grill from the Bentley Group, led by talented chef Khanh Nguyen. It’s my pick of the new openings of 2026 so far. Enjoy. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Looking for something to wash it all down with? These are our favourite bars in Sydney right now. Keen to eat your way around the city? These are the best restaurants in Sydney, from hot newcomers to the OGs.

Planning a trip Down Under? You've come to the right place. For almost six decades, Time Out has been inspiring people to get off the couch and discover the world's best experiences – and Australia is packed with them. Sure, you know the land Down Under for its pristine beaches and laid-back culture, but there's so much more to do beyond kissing koalas and yelling ‘g’day mate’. To help you plan the ultimate trip, our team (including Australian Editor Melissa Woodley) have curated the ultimate Aussie bucket list. It covers must-see attractions, experiences, events and landmarks across the country, tried and tested by our team. So, whether you’re chasing art and nightlife in the city, spotting native wildlife on secluded beaches or hiking in remote national parks, here's your guide to the best things to do in Australia. Editor's favourite things to do in Australia: ⭐️ Best city landmark: BridgeClimb, NSW 🖼️ Best for culture: MONA, TAS 🍷 Best food + drink: Adelaide Central Market, SA 🌊 Best outdoor adventure: Whitehaven Beach, QLD 🐿️ Best wildlife encounter: Rottnest Island, WA Jump to list: Landmarks | Outdoor Adventures | Culture | Food & Drink | Wildlife 🇦🇺 The best tourist attractions in Australia🌊 The best beaches in Australia

There's a lot that goes into making a great pub. They need to furnish you with an excellent meal and friendly service, and a game of pool or darts doesn't go astray, and we're fans of weekly trivia. On a hot day, it's all about having a welcoming beer garden, and on a Sunday, it's all about a cracking roast. Top-notch drinks are a must, obvs. There are a lot of rock-solid pubs in this city, and these are our picks of the bunch, pulled together by Time Out Sydney's local writers. Cheers! Editor's picks: 🍠 Best for a Sunday roast: The Bat & Ball ☀️ Best for a sunny beer garden: Courthouse Hotel 🍽️ Best for a delicious feed: The Dry Dock 🎸 Best for live music: The Duke of Enmore 🔖 Best for mid-week trivia: The Lord Gladstone 🍻 Best for a Sunday jazz : The Old Fitz Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. For something a bit less pubby, a bit higher end, see our picks of the best bars in Sydney. Want more? These are the best steaks in Sydney for $25 and under. Hungry? Check out our ultimate guide to Sydney's best restaurants. 

No shocker here, but Australia is home to some of the most spectacular walking trails on the planet. From multi-day treks through red deserts and family-friendly coastal day walks and lush rainforest hikes, the land Down Under offers every kind of landscape imaginable – and trust us, they’re all bloody good.  If you’re ready to lace up your boots, we’ve rounded up the best hikes in Australia to tackle this year. We've categorised them by state, complete with distance breakdowns, trail difficulty ratings and expert local tips. See you on the trails! Editor's favourite hikes in Australia: 🥾 Best multi-day trek: Larapinta Trail, NT 🌊 Best for incredible views: Three Capes Track, TAS 😍 Best hidden gem: Scenic Rim Walk, QLD ❤️ Best outback adventure: Ormiston Pound Walk, NT 🌳 Best for serious hikers: Thorsborne Trail, QLD JUMP TO:NT | NSW | TAS | QLD | WA | VIC | SA | ACT 🥾 The best national parks in Australia🌊 The best coastal walks in Australia

Whether you’re a Sydneysider planning a special-occasion staycation, or a visitor mapping out your first trip to the Emerald City, finding the right hotel in Sydney is a very important task. If you’re looking to book a stay that’s extra indulgent – willing to splash the cash on a high-end experience – choosing the right spot is even more crucial. Luckily for you, we’ve got a team of hotel aficionados who are committed to trying and testing the very best luxury stays in the city, and deciding which ones are worth your hard-earned cash (it’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it). Our expert team includes connoisseur of fine things Time Out Sydney Editor Avril Treasure and Sydney-based travel whizz Melissa Woodley (Time Out Australia’s News and Travel Editor). Each hotel has been checked for its luxe credentials by Time Out Sydney's Travel and News Editor (and self-confessed hotel obsessive) Winnie Stubbs. From a celeb-approved harbourside palace (Park Hyatt Sydney) to a stunning beachside stay with a rooftop magnesium pool (Elysium Manly), these are the best luxury hotels in Sydney for a super-special stay. Editor's quick picks: Best for beach lovers: Elysium Manly Best for harbour views: Park Hyatt Sydney  Best for indulgent spa breaks: Capella Sydney Best dog-friendly luxury stay: Pier One Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:Want more options? Here's

Ah, the sunrise – a gentle, daily reminder that the days start coming and they simply don't stop coming. It’s as certain as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. That being said, Australia is a wonderland for sensational cracks of dawn along the eastern and western seaboards alike.  From glowing coastal horizons to dramatic mountain lookouts, watching first light hit our landscapes is worth every lost minute of sleep. So here are the best sunrises in Australia that'll have you saying ‘top of the mornin’ to ya’, indubitably. JUMP TO:NT | SA | WA | NSW | QLD | VIC | TAS | ACT 🌅 The best sunsets in Australia✨ The best stargazing spots in Australia

Spring has sprung – and, somehow, so have the school holidays. Again. (Seriously, where has 2026 gone?) If you haven’t lined up anything to keep the kids entertained and out of your hair, fear not. We’ve rounded up plenty of things to do across Sydney, from big-ticket shows to fun, free activities the entire family will enjoy. With Daylight Saving Time about to kick in, there’s plenty to do around our Harbour City. Make the most of those longer days with a picnic to see the spring blossoms and jacarandas in bloom, a day spent at any of our beautiful beaches (hello, fish and chips followed by a dripping icy pole), or a visit to the all-new Wild Things Kids’ Festival at the Sydney Opera House, with loads of free events. So, slip-slop-slap on that sunscreen – and your sense of adventure. Let the school holidays begin. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Looking for somewhere affordable to eat out with the kids? Check out our guide to the best cheap eats in Sydney. Or try any of these activities that are absolutely free to do.

Sydneysiders are café people. We're constantly on the hunt for the city's best coffee and we love nothing more than donning our finest sport-luxe activewear and catching up with mates on a weekend morning over eggs, fritters and crusty artisan sourdough. So, whether it's a reward for tackling one of Sydney's most beautiful walks, an indulgent hangover fix after a night at one of the city's best bars, or a workday coffee stop, these are the best Sydney cafés, according to our in-the-know Time Out Sydney writers, including Editor Avril Treasure. We'll have one B&E roll, please.  Editor's picks: 🍳 Best for scrambled eggs: Piña 💚 Best for matcha: Parami 💥 Best for trying a new café: Adelaide’s Kitchen 🥞 Best for pancakes: Happyfield ☕️ Best for on-point coffee: Primary Coffee Roasters 🐶 Best for breakfast with your dog: Havenstone Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Is it lunch time? Check out our guide to Sydney's best restaurants right now.

Looking to stay in style on your next Australian getaway? You've come to the right place. Our Great Southern Land is packed with exceptional stays, from new boutique hotels with heated infinity pools to revamped classics boasting buzzing rooftop bars and close proximity to our country's best attractions. But with so many options, finding the best hotels in Australia requires a bit of insider knowledge. That's where we come in. Our expert team of travel writers, including Time Out Australia's Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley, have visited every state and territory to bring you this ultimate guide to the best places to stay in Australia. Whether you’re looking for a photogenic city staycation or a coastal resort away from the crowds, these are the top-rated hotels to book in Australia right now. Editors' favourite hotels in Australia: 😍 Best for harbour views: Park Hyatt Sydney, NSW 🌊 Best for urban escape: The Calile Hotel, QLD 🤩 Best for heritage glamour: Capella Sydney, NSW ⭐️ Best hidden gem: COMO The Treasury, WA 🏝️ Best bucket-list stay: InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef, QLD JUMP TO:Sydney | Byron Bay | Perth | Melbourne | Gold Coast | Brisbane | Adelaide | Hobart ☀️ The best resorts & lodges in Australia🤩 The best things to do in Australia🌏 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

Choosing the best hotel to book in Sydney is a delicate art – whether you’re a visitor experiencing the Emerald City for the very first time or a local on a wintery weekend staycation. With so many options to choose between – from beachside boltholes (like the boutique hotel overlooking Watsons Bay) to a trendy converted brewery with a rooftop pool – it can be tricky to decide which hotel is right for you. At Time Out Sydney, we’ve dedicated a good few years to making that task a little easier – picking out the very best hotels in the city based on location, design creds, facilities and that undefinable something that can take a hotel from good to great. Whether you’re looking for a celeb-approved escape with uninterrupted views of the Opera House, a boutique guethouse by the beach, or an old-school luxury palace that will have you feeling like a princess, our team of writers (including Editor-in-Chief Alice Ellis and Sydney Editor Avril Treasure) have tried and tested the best hotels in Sydney. To confirm that they should make the cut, this list has been carefully edited by self-confessed hotel addict Winnie Stubbs, Travel and News Editor APAC for Time Out. Read on for our definitive guide to the best hotels in Sydney. 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 be

We're all about a secret underground dive bar or two – but in a city as beautiful as Sydney, it seems like a damn shame to retreat into the depths for every tipple. From a sundowner by the harbour to a sunny rooftop in the Inner West, our town is awash with sky-high watering holes. So we've rounded up the best spots in the city to sip a cold one under a gorgeous open sky. But drinkers beware: Sydney's rooftop bars play host to some of the most contested seats in the city, so get in early for a spot in the sun.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. For more al fresco drinking try one of Sydney's best beer gardens. Looking for another top-notch watering hole? Check out the best bars in Sydney.

Spring update: Sydney sure is fun in springtime. Locals shed their jackets, plan weekend picnics filled with soft cheese and chilled natural wine, and return to rooftop bars in need of Vitamin D and fruity cocktails. Whether you’re catching up with a friend, planning a date, or looking for a spot to celebrate, Sydney’s best bars are where it’s at. These spots offer great drinks, warm hospitality and good vibes. From exciting newcomers to long-time favourites, this guide is curated by our local editors and writers, including Time Out Sydney's Editor Avril Treasure. Grab your sunnies, Sydney – it’s bar season. Editor’s picks: 🍸 Best for Martinis: Bar Planet 🤫 Best for speakeasy vibes: The Cumberland ☀️ Best for views: Opera Bar 🍷 Best for vibey wine and snacks: Famelia 🥃 Best for whisky lovers: Banchō Bar 😎 Best for friend's catch-up: Old Mate's Place Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Our list of the best pubs in Sydney Check out our best restaurants here

One of Sydney’s favourite neighbourhood parties is coming back this October, and it’s celebrating its 15th birthday with a blow-out. From October 21–24, the laneways of Parramatta are on track to become one giant street party with Parramatta Lanes landing back in Sydney's second CBD. The free four-day festival will bring live music, immersive art, skateboarding and some of Western Sydney’s best street food to Parramatta CBD, with ARIA Award-winning icon Genesis Owusu, US poet Aja Monet, Japanese duo Stereo Champ and rising local acts among this year’s music line-up. As with any good party, there will be lots to eat, too – from woodfired pizza and handmade pasta to charcoal-grilled skewers and piping-hot dumplings. Alongside the food and music, you can check out illuminated sculptures, immersive installations, mini golf, DJ sets, karaoke and skateboarding activations.Parramatta Lanes will take over Parramatta CBD from October 21 until October 24. You can find out more and plan your weekend over here.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: Sydney's new Powerhouse Parramatta museum is throwing a 23-day opening festival Here’s a peek inside the new Western Sydney International Airport Construction on Sydney's new harbourside swimming spot is underway

There are few cafés that feel quite as woven into Sydney’s café culture as Paramount Coffee Project. Since first opening its (perfectly industrial-chic) doors back in 2013, this Surry Hills stalwart has helped shape the city’s increasingly design-conscious coffee scene – setting the standard for what we ask for from our breakfast spot. More than a decade later, it remains a neighbourhood institution – sitting pretty in the airy foyer of Paramount House and spilling out onto what we reckon is still one of the coolest streets in the city. The vibe Housed within the Paramount House precinct, steps from Surry Hills’ myriad design agencies and boutique architecture firms, this is the place you come to brunch with Sydney’s most stylish. The space is minimalist without feeling sterile, with cavernously tall ceilings, polished concrete, white subway tiles and timber details providing a very aesthetically-pleasing backdrop for the steady stream of trendy locals and coffee-devoted travellers who pass through each day.The food With an admirable commitment to sustainability (and giving the people of Sydney what they want on the brunch front), the menu changes with the seasons, with a few signatures (including the beloved house-made banana bread) staying put year round. The current spring menu is a mix of PCP signatures and newer seasonal plates, including crumbed eggs on A.P. sourdough with slow-braised ham hock and kale, fried chicken and waffles with maple bacon gravy, a spring salad w

In early 2023, the curtains came down around Manly Pacific: a stunning, design-forward reimagining of a huge, 200-plus-room hotel on the shores of one of Sydney’s most famous beaches. The $30-million renovation project, led by Australian designers Coco Republic, transformed the sprawling site into one of Sydney’s most lusted-after luxury stays, complete with a beautiful rooftop pool, a sophisticated cocktail bar, a playful all-day diner and an Italian restaurant that quickly secured its position among the city’s best. Now, the hotel has entered a new chapter under Elysium – the Aussie-born luxury hotel brand (launched by Manly Pacific's existing owners), which made its debut in Noosa last year. Fans of Manly Pacific (myself very much included) will be happy to hear that much of the experience remains: warm, exceptional service and a stay that makes a convincing case for barefoot luxury. Returning to the hotel post-rebrand, I was pleasantly surprised to find it even more note-perfect than I remembered: refreshed rooms and suites, new locally sourced artwork and floral installations, a signature Elysium scent that laces every moment with luxury, and a team that goes above and beyond to make every guest feel like a very well-cared-for friend. It's still every bit a high-end hotel, made even more delightful with a distinctly Manly energy: calm, confident and balancing wellness with all the pleasures of a great luxury hotel stay. The difference now is in the details, from person

The beating heart of the Central Coast, linking the quickly-growing coastal region to the centre of Sydney via a (pretty damn scenic) direct train line, Gosford is on the up and up. And Voco Gosford – a brand-new 28-storey tower in the centre of town – is leading the charge. There is, undeniably, something that feels a little strange about the presence of a sparkling metropolis in such a sleepy town, but after spending a night here, it’s hard to deny that this well-appointed mega venue is a huge boost to the area.  What is Voco Gosford like? Rising up into the sky in the heart of the small town, Voco Gosford is a coastal-inspired hotel overlooking Brisbane Water – home to 130 rooms, six food and drink venues and plenty of spaces for events. It’s a seriously polished base for exploring the Central Coast, with the foreshore, beaches and national parks all within easy reach, and a huge rooftop pool primed for slow holiday mornings. What are the rooms like at Voco Gosford? Ranging from King Standard and Bay View rooms to Premium Balcony rooms, Queen rooms and King Suites, there’s a whole lot to choose from on the rooms front – meaning it’s a really great option for big groups looking for a base on the Cenny Coast. Lots of the rooms have private balconies and water or mountain views, and the influence of the surrounding area is beautifully evident in the design: all sandy tones and touches of ocean blue. Designed by Melbourne-based interiors firm Hecker Guthrie, the simple aesthet

There’s always a lot going on at Sydney’s favourite house. So much so that it can be hard to keep track – with new headliners dropping every other week, and huge events taking over the various venues seemingly out of nowhere.  Keen to go to a show under the sails over the next few months? We’ve rounded up a few top picks in the Sydney Opera House winter to spring season:  Backstage tours give you a peek behind the curtain Explore the inner workings of Australia's most famous buildings on one of these expert-led tours. Dates: DailyTickets: From $48  Table Top Shakespeare will turn pantry items into Shakespearean stars Forget actors – this delightfully bonkers production has vases, jars, Dettol bottles and salt and pepper shakers taking centre stage. Six performers from acclaimed UK theatre company Forced Entertainment will retell Shakespeare’s most iconic tales using whatever they can find in the pantry, with plenty of relish, marmalade and dish soap along the way.Dates: September 22–27Tickets: $75 Curious will bring some of the world’s biggest thinkers to the Opera House Keen to expand your mind? The Sydney Opera House’s ideas festival, Curious, will reurn with a line-up of influential thinkers, comedians, creatives and chefs exploring everything from the mysteries of consciousness to family drama, the past and what the future might hold.Dates: October 4 & November 4Tickets: From $39 A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen will serve up a family story with a side of curry Part theatr

Art enthusiasts, assemble. Australia’s biggest contemporary art event is back at Carriageworks in Redfern from September 3-6. Sydney Contemporary has returned with a Champagne-fuelled bang, featuring stunning works by more than 500 artists from 33 countries, represented by 100 galleries. The ambitious program is made up of large-scale installations, impressive works, photographs, performances and talks. And for the first time ever, Sydney Contemporary has spilled beyond the walls of Carriageworks, with public artworks popping up across the city. Fair director Zoe Paulsen says this year’s massive 10th edition is filled with “celebration and discovery, the familiar and the unexpected.” While the fair itself will take over Carriageworks as usual, this year's highlights extend to two beautiful waterfront spots. Kamilaroi artist Reko Rennie has a striking new installation at Sydney Fish Market, while Joan Ross's bold video work will transform Pier Pavilion at Barangaroo – inviting passing Sydneysiders to engage with contemporary art outside the traditional gallery setting. Inside Carriageworks, expect everything from monumental sculptures and immersive textile installations to kinetic works and live performances. Melbourne duo The Huxleys will debut a joyous new performance piece, and Mike Hewson (the visionary behind AGNSW's universally loved exhibition The Key's Under The Mat) will transform the Carriageworks café with his signature immersive approach. Other headline names exhib

It’s been a big twelve months for Sydney on the art front – with the 25th Biennale of Sydney being named the best exhibition in the world worth travelling for, the beloved Brett Whiteley Studio re-opening in Surry Hills, and Mike Hewson’s Key’s Under the Mat changing the way we think about galleries. Mercifully, we’re not stopping there. This spring, one of Australia’s most celebrated artists is getting the blockbuster retrospective treatment that only the Art Gallery of NSW can offer, with Nolan: Origins landing this spring, exploring the formative years of Sidney Nolan’s career. Bringing together more than 150 works from public and private collections, the exhibition traces the period from the late 1930s to Nolan’s departure for the UK in 1953 – the years in which he developed the bold, distinctive style that would help redefine Australian art. According to the gallery, the major drawcard will be Nolan’s iconic Ned Kelly series, with all 27 paintings reunited in Sydney for the first time in more than 60 years. The series sees the bushranger transformed into a mysterious, almost mythical figure, and remains one of the defining achievements of Australian art. But there’s plenty more to discover, from Nolan’s early modernist works developed at Melbourne’s Heide to his vivid paintings of the Wimmera, K’gari, outback Queensland and Central Australia. The exhibition will also explore his fascination with Australian legends, including the Burke and Wills expedition, as well as his

It’s hard to name a more iconic Australian live music venue than the Sydney Opera House. In fact, I dare you. And while the Concert Hall, Utzon Room and other architecturally stunning indoor spaces have their merits, a show on the Opera House forecourt – out in the air, with views across the harbour – is beyond special.Last year, the Sydney Opera House On The Steps series brought some of Australia’s most beloved musicians to the Opera House forecourt, with Parcels, Ruel and Jimmy Barnes all performing outside of the country’s most famous building, as well as global acts including Franz Ferdinand, Loyle Carner and Boy and Bear. This year, On The Steps will return to the Sydney Opera House Forecourt from December 1 to 12, bringing nine nights of live music to what we think is the country’s most magnificent stage. Now in its fifth year, the Live Nation series has become something of a Sydney summer fixture, pairing big-name acts with that crazy-good Harbour Bridge-and-Opera House backdrop. For 2026, the headliners are particularly stacked. American punk-rock heavyweights Rise Against will kick things off on December 1, joined by fellow genre legends Dropkick Murphys, before Mercury Prize-winning electronic artist James Blake takes over the Forecourt on December 2. Then it’s over to Sydney’s own DMA’S on December 3, bringing their indie-rock anthems home, followed by British alt-rockers Wolf Alice on December 4. Fresh from taking home Group of the Year at the 2026 BRIT Awards, th

If you’ve ever been lucky enough to find yourself in the Supernatural Amphitheatre in mid-December, you’ll be familiar with the magic of Meredith. The beloved three-day, two-night music festival is an annual pilgrimage for a lot of music-loving Victorians (and beyond, myself included), and the recently-dropped line-up for this year’s event is looking seriously stacked. Meredith 34 will take over the famous pocket of countryside on Wadawurrung Country near Meredith from December 11-13, with a genre-hopping bill that runs from indie rock and punk to electronic, soul, hip-hop and (in true Meredith form) everything in between. Topping the bill this year is the shape-shifter that is Dijon, making his Australian debut with his cosmic blend of soul, R'n'B and rock, while hyper-pop provocateur underscores will bring her gloriously chaotic live show to the festival for the first time. We can also expect a very welcome return from Melbourne legends Eddy Current Suppression Ring, back at the 'Sup a decade after their last appearance.Elsewhere on the line-up, we can expect indie anthems from The Dandy Warhols, genre-bending neo-soul from Hiatus Kaiyote, and a big dose of dancefloor euphoria courtesy of DJ Seinfeld. New York hardcore outfit Show Me The Body, South London chaos merchants Fat Dog, electronic pioneer Suzanne Ciani and Detroit dance heavyweight Marcellus Pittman are among the other headline acts. Aussie favourites Killing Heidi are back too, alongside D Train, Ella Thompson,

The Adina tagline is Living Made Easy – and based on the rooms, facilities and thoughtfully location-specific aesthetic of the Adina properties I’ve stayed in, it totally checks out. Stepping into the designer lobby of Adina Bondi, you’d be forgiven for mistaken you were heading to your friend’s luxe new beachside home. Right in the beating heart of Bondi, home to 111 apartment-style suites, Adina Bondi is the perfect base for anyone who wants a commitment-free sample of life in Australia’s most famous beachside ’burb. What is Adina Bondi like? Sitting right in the heart of Bondi’s buzzy Hall Street, within the 33,000-square-metre complex known as The Hub, Adina Bondi Beach is a breezy, beachy hotel-apartment hybrid in a next-level location. It’s the sort of place where you can wake up, grab a top-tier coffee (our rec is Makuto), spend a day in the waves, then wander home with a bottle of wine for balcony drinks without ever needing to get in a car.  What are the rooms like at Adina Bondi? As per the Adina ethos, the vibe here is apartment living with hotel service. The 111 studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are designed to give you a heap more elbow room than your average hotel room, with kitchens and laundry facilities making them perfect for longer stays and multigenerational trips. There are sofa beds and rollaway beds for larger groups, while various studio and one-bedroom apartments can be interconnected to create bigger spaces with extra bedrooms and b

There’s a lookout on the edge of the Jamison Valley called Sublime Point, and I’d argue it’s the most aptly named spot in the Blue Mountains. In its philosophical sense, the sublime describes something so vast and beautiful it borders on overwhelming – even terrifying. Stand here, gazing across an endless sea of knotted eucalypts framed by towering sandstone escarpments, and the meaning becomes pretty immediately clear. In my opinion, it’s not the only place in the BMs that inspires that feeling, either. You’ll find the same heart-stopping sense of wonder at Echo Point, where the Three Sisters rise from the valley to your left and bright red parrots swoop between the trees. And just a few steps away from Echo Point, you’ll encounter the word's other, less philosophical meaning. Fresh from a multi-million-dollar refurbishment, Lilianfels represents the sublime in the more familiar sense: impeccably designed and luxuriously appointed, it’s a note-perfect countryside escape. What is Lilianfels like? Grand, glamorous and gloriously old-world. Originally built in 1889 as the summer residence of Lieutenant-Governor of NSW Sir Frederick Darley, the heritage-listed estate has been serving as a mountain getaway mainstay for decades. Now, after a multimillion-dollar makeover, the appeal goes far beyond the hotel’s historic bones and immaculately manicured grounds. Service is first-rate, rooms are Instagrammable-as-heck, and the Martini trolley is ready for your post-hike hang by the fi

There’s a lot of incredible art to see in Sydney, but if you’re open to a getaway this springtime, we’d suggest heading up the coast to Newcastle – the coastal city that’s transforming into a creative wonderland for its multidisciplinary contemporary arts festival, New Annual. Across 10 days (from September 25 until October 4), the festival will bring together 402 artists, 40 events and seven new commissions – celebrating the stories, landscapes and creative energy that make Newcastle (traditionally known as Muloobinba) so special.This year, the coastline will take centre stage – with sunrise theatre, open-air exhibitions and works that (actually) shift with the tides. At Dixon Park Beach, acclaimed theatre-maker Roslyn Oades will present Sea Stories, an intimate sunrise experience exploring friendship and life by the ocean, while Penelope Green’s Ocean Rituals will turn the Bathers Way into an outdoor photographic exhibition. At Canoe Pool, Izabela Pluta’s monumental new commission Cavitation will evolve with the changing light, weather and waves, accompanied by live dance performances from Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub.Come sunset, Newcastle Ocean Baths will once again become one of Australia’s most spectacular gig venues for SOAK: Live at the Baths. Curated by Urthboy, the free concert series will feature performances from Hermitude, Claire O’Brien, 92Wrld, Kobie Dee and Karen Lee Andrews. Beyond the beach, the city’s pubs, parks and cultural spaces will come alive with

Spring is springing, and just in time for our beach days to well and truly arrive, St Kilda’s hospitality scene is officially welcoming back a familiar face – in the form of The Saint Hotel, set to reopen on Fitzroy Street in November 2026. Taking over one of the beachy suburb's most recognisable addresses, the two-level venue is being brought back to life by Refinery Group – the team behind the recently reborn The Angel of Malvern. Like its Malvern counterpart, the plan is to transform the St Kilda institution into a modern local – this time with Detroit-style pizza, a sun-soaked beer garden, upstairs bars and a solid line-up of late-night music. On the ground level, Public Bar will be the main gathering spot, alongside Santos Pizzeria and an outdoor beer garden. Upstairs, we can expect to find the Balcony Bar, private dining spaces and a cocktail and listening lounge complete with a vinyl set-up for a curated line-up of DJs.  The food offering is being developed by executive chef Justin North, with a menu built around generous pub classics and Detroit-style pizzas – the kind of food you crave when you’re 1-3 beers in. Behind the bar, expect local and international wines, cocktails inspired by St Kilda’s aperitivo culture and a house Saint Lager. Photograph: SuppliedThe Saint Hotel St Kilda   As mentioned above, the building itself has a whole lot of history. First built as a State Savings Bank in 1914, the Fitzroy Street landmark has since served as a pub, nightclub and r

We can’t believe it either, but we’re officially in October – which means summer is just about ready to burst onto the scene. Along with jasmine-scented streets, jacaranda blooms and the first truly warm days of the season, one of the best things about almost summer in Melbourne is daylight saving. And good news for post-work barbecue fiends: it starts this weekend. From Sunday, October 4, Melbourne’s evenings are about to get a whole lot lighter. Here’s what you need to know. When does daylight saving start in Victoria? Daylight saving begins on the first Sunday in October, which this year falls on Sunday, October 4. Yep, the same day as the NRL Grand Final. At 2am, our clocks will jump forward to 3am, meaning we lose an hour overnight but gain more glorious evening light. Post-work walks, sunset drinks, beach trips and rooftop dinners in the sunshine – we’re coming for you. Do we lose or gain an hour with daylight saving? The sad news is, we lose an hour in bed. When the clocks skip from 2am to 3am on Sunday, we lose an hour of sleep – but in exchange, we get months of longer, light-filled evenings. Do I turn the clock back or forward in Victoria this weekend? Forward. Your phone should do it automatically, but analogue clocks will need a little manual intervention. What are the best things to do once daylight saving starts in Melbourne? Where do we begin? Once the evenings start drawing out, there’s finally time to make the most of Melbourne after work. Go for a wander thr

Try to find me someone who doesn’t love a public holiday. For the majority of us, it means a glorious, guilt-free day off work – and usually a long weekend to match. For casual staff and shift workers, it means scoring double-time-and-a-half penalty rates. Half of Australia is about to head into a Labour Day long weekend, but I suspect you probably don’t actually know why we get the day off in the first place, or why states mark the occasion in different months. Here are all your questions, answered… What is Labour Day? Labour Day commemorates the labour movement’s historic fight for the eight-hour workday – a reform that changed life as we know it. On April 21, 1856, stonemasons working on the University of Melbourne put down their tools and marched from the campus to Parliament House, demanding “eight hours labour, eight hours recreation, eight hours rest”. Remarkably, they won – without losing pay. And at a time when 14-hour days and six-day working weeks were common (with zero sick leave or job security), this was revolutionary stuff. It wasn’t until 60 years later that the Eight Hours Act was passed in Victoria and NSW. Much, much later, in 1948, Australia's Commonwealth Arbitration Court approved a 40-hour, five-day working week for all Aussies. What is the 888 principle? The philosophy behind the eight-hour workday is that it gives people the ability to split the 24-hour day into three eight-hour periods: 8 hours for sleeping 8 hours working 8 hours playing, eating an

We can’t believe it either, but we’re officially in October – and summer is literally seconds from bursting onto the scene. Along with the sweet sweet scent of jasmine and purple pops of jacardana flowers punctuating our suburbs, one of the best things about almost summer in Sydney is daylight saving. And good news for post-work picnic fiends: it starts this weekend. From Sunday, October 4, Sydney’s evenings are about to get a whole lot lighter. Here’s what you need to know. When does daylight saving start in NSW? Daylight saving begins on the first Sunday in October, which this year falls on Sunday, October 4. At 2am, clocks jump forward to 3am, meaning we lose an hour overnight but gain more glorious daylight in the evening. Think post-work beach walks, sunset drinks and dinners outside. Do we lose or gain an hour with daylight saving? The sad news is, we lose an hour in bed – but thankfully, we’ve got a long weekend to recover. When the clocks skip from 2am to 3am on Sunday, we’ll lose an hour of sleep, but we’ve got a whole lot of light-filled evenings to look forward to.  Photograph: Supplied | Destination NSWSun rising over Maccallum Seawater Pool at Cremorne Point with view of Sydney harbour. Do I turn the clock back or forward in NSW this weekend? Forward. Your phone should do it automatically, but analogue clocks will need a little manual intervention. Best things to do once daylight saving starts in Sydney? The list is endless. Once the evenings start drawing out,

Hiding in central Victoria’s magical Macedon Ranges region, Turpins Falls Scenic Reserve has long been a local secret worth the detour. And after a five-year closure, the beloved falls has officially reopened to the public, complete with a new viewing platform, upgraded track and safer access. It’s a glow-up that makes revisiting (or discovering it for the first time) all the more tempting – here's everything you need to know for your next weekend escape from the city. Where is Turpins Falls? You’ll find Turpins Falls in Langley, about a 15-minute drive from Kyneton. It sits within the scenic reserve along the Campaspe River, surrounded by bushland and rolling countryside. What is Turpins Falls like? This isn’t a dainty trickle situation. Turpins Falls is a wide, dramatic cascade spilling over a basalt rock wall into a deep, billabong-style pool. The surrounding waterhole is bigger than an Olympic swimming pool, with a mirror-like surface that amplifies the falls’ beauty. It’s also considered one of Victoria’s most striking examples of a natural basalt “cathedral”, with towering rock formations framing the scene. How tall is Turpins Falls? The falls drop roughly 20 metres over a broad rock face – not the tallest in the state, but certainly one of the most spectacular thanks to its width and geological drama. Can you visit Turpins Falls? Yes – and now more safely than ever before. As mentioned above, the reserve has recently reopened with a new lookout, staircase and walking t

Believe it or not, we’re already three-quarters of the way through the year, which means it’s time to start plotting your 2027 holidays. If maximising your time OOO is high on your priority list, we’ve got good news: with a little strategic annual leave, you can turn 23 days of leave into 56 days off in NSW. From Easter long weekends to a very generous Christmas break, 2027 has plenty of opportunities to stretch your annual leave. Bookmark this public holiday cheat sheet, pick your next getaway and get those leave requests in before your coworkers do. January: Australia Day Take four days of annual leave and score nine days off between January 23 and 31. January 23-24: Weekend January 25: Annual leave January 26: Australia Day public holiday January 27-29: Annual leave January 30-31: Weekend Annual leave used: four daysTotal time off: nine days March: Easter Take four days of annual leave and score 10 days off over the Easter long weekend. March 26: Good Friday public holiday March 27: Easter Saturday public holiday March 28: Easter Sunday public holiday March 29: Easter Monday public holiday March 30-April 2: Annual leave April 3-4: Weekend Annual leave used: four daysTotal time off: 10 days Photograph: Supplied | Destination NSWhills of NSW   April: Anzac Day Here’s an especially handy one for NSW in 2027. Anzac Day falls on Sunday, April 25, and the NSW Government has confirmed an additional public holiday on Monday, April 26.  Take four days of annual leave and scor

Let's be honest: everyone loves a public holiday. But do you really know why NSW gets a long weekend in October? If the answer is no, you're not alone – a lot of New South Welshmen have no idea what Labour Day actually is. So whether you’re curious about why we have this day off, or you want to know what’s happening over the long weekend, read on. Here are all your FAQs, answered… When is the Labour Day NSW public holiday in 2026? Labour Day is a public holiday celebrated in NSW on the first Monday of October each year – meaning Labour Day will always give you a long weekend in October. This year, 2026, Labour Day falls on Monday, October 5.   What is NSW Labour Day? Why do we have an October long weekend? Labour Day NSW is a day dedicated to commemorating the Labour movement's long fight – and eventual victory – to get the eight-hour work day (that we've all benefitted from) over the line. It was a huge victory for workers at a time when “workers’ rights” were not a thing.  Yep, we might feel like we’ve got it tough at work now, and no work-life balance now – and yep, in some weeks the overtime does blow out. But once upon a time, the idea of work being capped at eight hours a day, five days a week didn't exist. In the 1800s, Australians often had no option but to work 14 hours a day, six days a week. There was no sick leave, no annual leave, and bosses could sack you at any time with no reason.  So how did workers eventually wrangle an eight-hour day? On April 21, 1856, sto

We don’t believe it either, but it’s true: we’re already well on our way through 2026, which means it’s time to start plotting those 2027 holidays. If maximising your time OOO is high on your priority list, we’ve got some good news: with a little strategic annual leave planning, you can turn 28 days of annual leave into 66 days off in Victoria. The trick is to make the most of Victoria’s public holidays, from Labour Day and the King’s Birthday to the AFL Grand Final Friday and Melbourne Cup Day. There are also some particularly generous Christmas and Easter configurations in 2027. Bookmark this cheat sheet, pick your next long-weekend escape and get those leave requests in before your coworkers do. January: Australia Day Take one day of annual leave on Monday, January 25 and you’ll get four days off from January 23 to 26. January 23-24: Weekend January 25: Annual leave January 26: Australia Day public holiday If you want to stretch this one further, you can take January 27-29 off too, giving you nine days off for four days of annual leave, from January 23-31. March: Labour Day Victoria’s Labour Day falls on Monday, March 8, making this one of the easiest long weekends to stretch. Take four days of annual leave from March 9-12 and you’ll get nine days off from March 6-14. March 6-7: Weekend March 8: Labour Day public holiday March 9-12: Annual leave March 13-14: Weekend March-April: Easter Easter is already a four-day weekend in Victoria, thanks to Good Friday, Easter Satu

It’s finally happening. Melbourne’s long-awaited airport rail link is officially moving into its next phase, with work on the second stage of the project set to begin in the coming weeks. This is not a drill!RELATED READ: Melbourne Airport’s Master Plan has been revealed Yesterday (Wednesday, September 30) the Victorian and federal governments announced that site investigations, procurement and early development works will kick off soon on Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 2, which will eventually deliver a new 7.4-kilometre rail line between Albion and the airport precinct. As anyone familiar with the SkyBus knows, the project has been in the works for years – with Melbourne currently one of Australia’s major capital cities without a direct train connection to its airport. For travellers, getting between the CBD and Melbourne Airport generally means waiting for an Uber, a space on the SkyBus or a very good friend, with traffic making journey times pretty unpredictable. A direct rail link would mean easy access into the city, plus better connections to the CBD for Melbourne’s rapidly growing west. The full airport rail project is being delivered in stages, with the state and federal governments jointly committing $12 billion to the project. Stage 1, known as the Sunshine Superhub, is already underway. The $4.1 billion project will transform Sunshine Station into a six-platform interchange and untangle six kilometres of track between West Footscray and Albion. Once Stage 1 is compl

There's no denying that Sydney has well and truly embraced the bathhouse boom. From steamy social saunas to hyper-luxe wellness hubs, it seems every corner of the city has signed up to the hot-and-cold therapy club – and I’m a card-carrying member. Now, the Harbour City’s bathhouse obsession has hit the Hawkesbury – and this one comes with a Champagne bar and option to stay the night. Sign us up.RELATED READ: These are the best hot springs in NSWOpen now at Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley, Vela Spa and Bathhouse is firmly at the top of our springtime re-set hit list. Just an hour's drive from Sydney’s CBD, the ambitious new retreat is the first luxury bathhouse destination in NSW to combine a full contrast-therapy circuit, float therapy, spa treatments, wellness dining and resort accommodation all in one place. Set across eight hectares of landscaped gardens with views towards the Blue Mountains, it’s designed for both quick wellness fixes and longer restorative escapes. Translation? You can head up for a few hours of soaking and sauna-hopping (and maybe a nearby hike) before driving home, or turn the whole thing into a weekend away. Photograph: Supplied | Vela Spa and BathhouseVela Spa and Bathhouse   The centrepiece of the operation is a bathhouse circuit featuring mineral pools, an outdoor cold plunge, a barrel sauna, traditional cedar sauna, steam room and a dedicated fire-and-ice room featuring infrared sauna and cold-water therapy. There are also indoor and outdoor re

Let’s be honest – when you’re feeling a little low, there’s nothing quite like a spa day to totally re-set you. Whether you’re getting your glow back with a facial, soaking away any stress in a steaming thermal pool or treating yourself to a luxury hotel staycation, a little self-care does wonders. And while we reckon you don’t strictly need an excuse to book a pamper session, if you are looking for one, this might just be it. According to the experts, the very best day spa in the country is right here in Sydney. Australia’s best hotel and day spas have officially been crowned in the 2026 World Spa Awards. Now in its 12th year, this respected annual awards ceremony celebrates the country’s finest wellness experiences, with winners chosen based on combined votes from industry experts and everyday spa-goers. This year, the title of Australia’s Best Day Spa went to Gillian Adams – a hidden sanctuary in Sydney’s Upper North Shore. This pamper palace has been around for more than 30 years, combining a full-service salon, luxury spa and a leafy garden restaurant. You can begin your reset in the aesthetic aquamedic pool – set beneath a massive domed roof that gives the space a grand, Greco-Roman feel – before drifting over to the salon for a fresh cut and finishing your afternoon with Devonshire tea in the courtyard. Sounds like a pretty dreamy day out to us. Meanwhile, The Langham Gold Coast’s opulent Chuan Spa took out the title of Oceania’s Best Hotel Spa 2026 for the fourth year

It's back, baby! Laneway Festival is returning for its 22nd year, bringing a stacked line-up and massive summer vibes to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in February 2027. This festival's major draws include Irish post-punk favourites (pardon the pun – IYKYK) Fontaines D.C. and “The Hayley Williams Show”, marking the former Paramore frontwoman’s first Australian shows as a solo performer. The angsty teenage girl within us all is screaming with joy. The 2027 line-up also features Slayyyter, ADÉLA, Kim Petras, MUNA, Ninajirachi, Rico Nasty and a heap more buzzy names from the worlds of indie, punk, pop, hip hop and electronic music. Keen? Here’s how to get tickets to Laneway 2027 in Australia. When is Laneway 2027? Laneway will tour three Aussie cities, including: Sydney: Centennial Park – Fri, Feb 12 Brisbane Showgrounds – Sat, Feb 13 Melbourne: Flemington Park – Fri, Feb 19 Who's on the Laneway line-up? The two major headliners you need to know about this year are Fontaines D.C. and “The Hayley Williams Show” – a nostalgic epic brought to life by Paramore’s iconic (and we don’t use that word lightly) Hayley Williams. Joining them are Slayyyter, ADÉLA, Kim Petras, MUNA, Rachel Chinouriri, Ninajirachi, HorsegiirL, Rommulas, Danny L Harle, Daine, Jane Remover, Tiffany Day, Rico Nasty, DIIV, Automatic, Balu Brigada, Violet Grohl, Bleech 9:3, Florence Road, Gurriers, Ecca Vandal, Public Figures, Swapmeet and Trials. Also on the bill are 1TBSP and DJ_Dave, who will provide the soun