Melissa Woodley

Over the past half-decade or so, much has changed in the way we live, work and play in our cities. It wasn’t too long ago that lockdowns rendered the city centre all but obsolete and brought to the fore the vital role of our immediate neighbourhoods and communities.  Now, the balance has been restored. Our local neighbourhood remains fundamental: mini-villages where the barista knows your order, where local restaurants, bars and indie businesses thrive, and where communities continue to band together for all sorts of cool stuff, from art walks and day festivals to creating greener streets and pedestrian-friendly spaces. And six years on from the pandemic, the city centre is seeing a renaissance, with brand-new music venues, galleries, coffee shops and more opening up and welcoming a new generation of hybrid workers and the back-to-the-office crowd (and, of course, city-breakers and tourists).  On this year’s list of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods, you’ll see this mix play out. There are downtown hubs and seaside strips, homely enclaves and warehouse districts, all nominated by our global network of on-the-ground experts. This lucky lot spends their time exploring every corner of their hometowns to discover the best places to eat, drink, shop and hang out right now, so you can trust we know what we’re talking about. To decide the final ranking, a panel of Time Out editors vetted each neighbourhood against a range of criteria, including food and drink, nightlife, unique loc

There’s never been a quiet year for theatre in Australia. From the bright lights of Broadway and the West End to our very own stages, Australia is lucky to host some of the world’s most spectacular musicals. We’re also a hotbed for homegrown gems, with fresh and experimental shows lighting up stages across the country every month.  From the grand return of the world’s #1 musical, The Lion King, to the Aussie premieres of A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical and Fiddler on the Roof, this year’s theatre line-up is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. Here are all the biggest and best shows to see in Australia, listed in order of what's currently showing/hitting the stage next. 👀 The best art exhibitions in Australia🎉 The most exciting events of 2026

Canberra’s Italian dining scene is thriving. Whether you're craving simple yet sublime antipasti, woodfired pizzas with a char-ry base or secondi that leave you fully satisfied, the capital's top Italian restaurants deliver authenticity, ambience and exceptional flavour. Our Editor Melissa Woodley has teamed up with freelance food writers to bring you this list of the best Italian restaurants in Canberra. Want a lakeside setting for your pasta? Try La Rustica. Want to savour a long lunch that’s loud and lively? Go to Pronto, pronto! After some sun-kissed Mediterranean vibes and vino? Olive at Hawker is our recco. Yes, Canberra’s best Italian restaurants have something for every palate. Editor's favourite Italian restaurants in Canberra: 🍝 Best local gem: The Italian Place 🍸 Best for special occasions: Italian & Sons ⭐️ Best for old-school charm: La Cantina For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍕 The best pizza in Canberra🍣 The best Japanese in Canberra

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

Searching for the best weekend getaways across Australia? Look no further. When you're exploring the Great Southern Land but have limited time, you're going to want to keep it short, sweet and close to a major city. Our experienced travel writers have picked ten of Australia's best weekend getaways covering every state and territory – each of which offers up something different. From world-class wineries and cute country towns to World Heritage wilderness, these are the best places for a weekend mini break.  Editor's favourite weekend getaways in Australia: 🌊 Best beach getaway: Rottnest Island, WA 🐮 Best country escape: Southern Highlands, NSW ☀️ Best wine weekend: McLaren Vale, SA 🚗 Best road trip: Great Ocean Road, VIC 🥾 Best hiking holiday: The Grampians, VIC 😱 The best places to visit in Australia☀️ The best day trips in Australia

Want to witness Australia’s rarest natural wonders? Beyond our iconic beaches lies a world of bucket-list phenomena – from the mystical Aurora Australis and the world's largest wildflower show to the giant red crab migration and bioluminescent plankton. When you're caught up in living the city life, it's easy to forget the unmistakable jolt of electricity you feel when encountering these otherworldly landscapes and events. In this guide, we've mapped out some of Australia's best natural phenomena that are worth travelling to the far corners of our country for. But be warned: natural phenomena are fickle and they don't play by the human calendar. So, you'll have to let go and give in to the universe's mysterious natural rhythms – surely that's part of what makes seeing them so incredibly special? Editor's favourite natural phenomena in Australia: 🌊 Best for adrenaline: Horizontal Falls, WA ✨ Best for stargazers: Aurora Australis 😱 Best for illusions: Staircase to the Moon, WA 📸 Best for photographers: Lake Hillier, WA 🦀 Best for wildlife: Red Crab Migration, Christmas Island 🌅 The most spectacular sunsets in Australia✨ Where to go stargazing in Australia

With its sunny climate and impeccable wine and produce offerings, Perth could lay claim to being Australia’s answer to Italy. It’s no surprise, then, that Perth’s Italian dining scene is rich and extensive. From wine bars offering aperitivo and pizza to intimate restaurants where you can share pasta over candlelight, the city's Italian restaurant scene is bustling with exciting venues. There are fresh, innovative takes on beloved classics to try at every turn, so to narrow down where to go for your pasta fix, Time Out has asked a Perth-based foodie writer for her top Italo picks. Whichever one you choose, you’re guaranteed to be saying saluti to a stellar meal at Perth's best Italian restaurants. Editor's favourite Italian restaurants in Perth: 🍝 Best for hand-rolled pasta: Lulu La Delizia 🍸 Best for special occasions: Post Osteria & Bar ⭐️ Best for wine and snacks: Mummucc 🍽 The best restaurants in Perth🥘 The best Indian in Perth

Australia is widely regarded as one of the world's best places for thrilling adventures, and skydiving here is as good as it gets. Whether you're an adrenaline junkie who lives for throwing yourself out of tiny planes – or kind of terrified of skydiving but keen to do it anyway – we see you, and we've got your back. In this list, we've found the most spectacular (and safe) places you can solo or tandem skydive in Australia. From free-falling over the Great Barrier Reef to soaring over green vineyards and ending your jump with a wine tasting, each location has something pretty incredible to offer. Now, all you've got to do is jump. The best skydiving spots in Australia: 🪂 Best coastal jump: Mission Beach, QLD 🌆 Best city skyline: Wollongong, NSW 🍇 Best vineyard vibe: McLaren Vale, SA 😱 The best things to do in Australia🥾 The best hikes in Australia

What are the best restaurants in Australia? With one of the world's most diverse and exciting dining scenes, narrowing down the absolute greatest places to eat across the country is no easy task – but don't worry, we've done the hard work (and plenty of eating) for you. Our expert editors, including resident foodie Melissa Woodley, have curated this list of the best places to eat in Australia, spanning fine-dining institutions to hidden neighbourhood gems. So, what’s the secret recipe to an exceptional dining experience? When compiling Time Out’s guide to the best restaurants in Australia, we considered a mix of ingredients: talented chefs, stylish decor, lively ambience, top-notch drinks and, of course, unforgettable food. Luckily, the local culinary scene is sizzling with world-class venues that check all these boxes, plus so much more. Here are the best restaurants in Australia right now. Editor's favourite restaurants in Australia: ⭐️ Best bucket-list: Saint Peter, NSW 💎 Best hidden gem: Scholé, TAS 🥂 Best new opening: Omada Bar & Grill, SA 🌊 Best views: Rick Shores, QLD 🌍 Best experience: The Agrarian Kitchen, TAS Jump to list: NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | TAS | ACT | NT For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍹 The best bars in Australia⭐️ The best hotels in Australia

Craving a taste of la dolce vita in Hobart? You’re in luck. Hobart’s Italian dining scene serves up a delicious blend of traditional and contemporary dishes, celebrating not just pasta and pizza, but hearty mains and delish desserts. Local chefs hero the freshest Tassie produce while putting that inimitable Italian spin on each dish, of course.   Our local writers have curated a list of must-try spots for the best pizza, pasta and Spritz. From cosy neighbourhood trattorias and intimate wine bars to old-school institutions where the servings are as generous as the hospitality, here's our list of the best Italian restaurants in Hobart. Buon appetito! Editor's favourite Italian restaurants in Hobart: 🍝 Best for wine bar vibes: Sonny 🍸 Best for date night: Pitzi Pasta Bar ⭐️ Best for special occasions: Peppina 🍷 Best for old-school charm: Don Camillo For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines.  🍕 The best pizza in Hobart🍣 The best Japanese in Hobart

Adelaide owes much of its flavour to its thriving Italian community that's been shaping the city’s culture and cuisine for well over a century. From bustling pasta bars to elegant trattorias, Italian dining is woven into the fabric of the city. Adelaide loves Italian food – and the locals do it exceptionally well.  Whether you’ve got a hankering for the legendary woodfired pizzas at Amalfi, want to celebrate in style at Fugazzi (MasterChef’s Laura Sharrad is a founding owner), or (re)visit a beloved neighbourhood institution, the best Italian restaurants in Adelaide have it all. Take your pick from our favourites below.  Editor's favourite Italian restaurants in Adelaide: 🍝 Best for hand-rolled pasta: Osteria Oggi 🍸 Best for special occasions: Fugazzi ⭐️ Best for old-school charm: Luigi Delicatessen For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines.  🍷 The best restaurants in Adelaide🍕 The best pizza in Adelaide

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.

Broome is arguably most famous for one landmark: Cable Beach, and this sprawling 26-hectare resort occupies its best real estate. As the only accommodation directly fronting the iconic beach, it delivers front-row seats to Western Australia’s famous sunsets.  First opened in May 1988, Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa trades snobby high-gloss luxury for laid-back, character-rich charm – and comes loaded with an adults-only pool, lush tropical gardens, a breezy ocean-facing bar and a luxe day spa. It's an architectural ode to Broome’s multicultural roots, with East-meets-West design paying tribute to the town’s deep Asian and colonial heritage. Chinese lions guard the entrance and stone horse statues act as maps, while green and red accents, lattice balconies and polished jarrah floors nod to Broome’s historic pearlers’ cottages. Where is Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa? Located just a two-minute stroll from the northern end of Cable Beach, this resort commands the best real estate in town. It’s roughly a ten-minute drive to both Chinatown and Broome International Airport, with a public bus stop outside for those without a car. What are the rooms like at Cable Beach Club Resort? Given its sheer size, finding your room at Cable Beach Club feels like a mini treasure hunt. There are roughly 225 rooms, suites, bungalows and villas spread across the property’s lush grounds, catering equally to solo explorers, romantic getaways and big family trips. I stayed in one of the Pool View Studi

Set right on the edge of the sparkling Swan River at Elizabeth Quay, this ritzy, five-star stay puts Perth’s best dining and drinking right at your doorstep – but trust us, you’ll barely want to leave the grounds. The Ritz-Carlton, Perth opened with a bang in 2019, making its mark as the luxury hotel brand’s 100th property globally. The lobby is as impressive as any Australian art gallery, featuring 10,000 pieces of Kimberley sandstone and a 13-metre-high chandelier with 275 hand-blown, tubular lights. It sets a high standard for what lies above. Up on the fifth floor, the heated infinity pool overlooking the city skyline and Elizabeth Quay is pretty spectacular, trumped only by the panoramic waterfront views from the level 17 and 18 suites. Where is The Ritz-Carlton Perth? This 18-storey tower is situated on the edge of Perth’s CBD at Elizabeth Quay, overlooking the calming waters of the Swan River and The Bell Tower – one of the world’s largest musical instruments. The Ritz-Carlton, Perth is a short stroll from Elizabeth Quay train and bus station, connecting you to all of the city’s coolest neighbourhoods and cultural landmarks. Plus, getting to Rottnest Island is a breeze, with the Barrack Street Ferry Terminal just seconds from the lobby. What are the rooms like at The Ritz-Carlton Perth? Standing 18 floors high, The Ritz-Carlton’s shiny glass facade ensures every single one of the 205 rooms and suites captures a view – whether it’s the city skyline, the Swan River, Eliz

Picture a classic Aussie outback holiday, and your mind likely envisions campervans cruising down red-dirt tracks, swags set up under star-studded skies, instant noodles on repeat and drop toilets you’d rather erase from memory. Arkaba Homestead is one of a few boutique outback properties in Australia rewriting that narrative. Travellers who make the 4.5-hour journey from Adelaide to this all-inclusive retreat managed by Stay Intrepid come for many reasons: to disconnect in nature, sleep under star-filled skies, spot native wildlife on twice-daily safaris, and witness real conservation in action. Many also come to explore these ancient landscapes on the three-day Arkaba Walk – one of the 15 Great Walks of Australia that culminates right here at the homestead. No matter how you spend your time, this isn't just an outback getaway; it's a bucket-list trip that stays with you long after the dust settles. Where is Arkaba Homestead? Arkaba Homestead offers one of the most accessible – and luxurious – ways to experience the Ikara-Flinders Ranges, an ancient 430-kilometre mountain range in South Australia that earned a spot in Lonely Planet’s hotlist of the 25 best places to visit in 2026. It’s a scenic 4.5- to five-hour drive north from Adelaide to Arkaba via the Clare Valley wine region or Port Augusta, though guests can also opt for a 90-minute charter flight direct from Adelaide's General Aviation Terminal. What is included in a stay at Arkaba? A stay at Arkaba includes everythin

“I would argue that this is the most significant hotel opening in Australia this year,” a Sunshine Coast local tells me about the new Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel. At 13 storeys high, it might not be the largest in scale, but its opening sure is a landmark event for one of Queensland’s most unpretentious beach towns, marking the region’s first internationally branded hotel to launch in almost four decades. Given that reaction, I check in with high expectations – and 48 hours later, I can confirm this new five-star stay is well worth the wait. Set just a block back from the shimmering shores of Mooloolaba’s main beach, this 180-key property isn’t trying to steal the spotlight from its natural surroundings. Instead, its rippled, greenery-draped facade mirrors the waves, setting the tone for a slow-paced getaway where everything worth doing and seeing is just a stroll away. That said, you could happily spend hours hiding upstairs: stretched out on a daybed by the infinity pool, lapping up the coastal breeze from your private balcony, melting your stress away in the private sauna, or sipping sundowner cocktails at the stylish rooftop bar. Avani is both the place to be seen and not be seen – and it feels like the missing piece in Mooloolaba’s puzzle to becoming Australia's next coastal hot spot. Where is Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel? The Avani is tucked away on a side street just one block back from Mooloolaba Beach, and a short stroll from the esplanade’s buzzing restaurant and s

Forget worrying about check-in times. While you can officially unlock your room at the Mövenpick Hotel Hobart from 2pm, the only clock that actually matters is the one ticking down to 3.30pm. That’s when the hotel’s famous free daily ‘Chocolate Hour’ begins, where all guests can enjoy exclusive, house-baked cocoa-infused desserts. Making its grand debut in 2021, the Mövenpick Hotel Hobart officially marked the brand’s first opening in Australia. If the name rings a bell, you’re likely thinking of the gourmet ice cream brand. The two businesses share the same sweet DNA, both created by Swiss entrepreneur Ueli Prager in the mid-1900s, though they operate as independent brands today. As the city’s third-tallest building, the hotel’s sweeping views are serious postcard material, or perhaps Insta-worthy, in this day and age. It sits on the fringe of the CBD, right near the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and steps from the waterfront precinct – ideal if you’re all about that city life. But if you’re planning on staying in, Mövenpick has you covered with a fitness centre, a vibrant Italian restaurant – Tesoro – where you can expect tableside cheese-wheel pasta, afternoon antipasti and an excellent hot breakfast offering. What are the rooms like at Mövenpick Hotel Hobart? All of the hotel’s 221 deluxe rooms make the most of the building’s height with floor-to-ceiling windows – some impressing with guaranteed water views. Inside, each room is designed for comfort with plush beds, l

Had I woken from an afternoon nap at Jamala Wildlife Lodge without context, I could easily have believed I was lost in a dream at a South African safari retreat. Two giraffes grazed quietly outside my room, while lions, cheetahs, zebras and rhinos all wandered nearby. The only giveaway that I was actually in Canberra was the faint silhouette of Black Mountain Tower in the distance. Tucked away in the heart of Australia’s capital at the National Zoo and Aquarium, Jamala Wildlife Lodge is without a doubt Canberra’s most unique accommodation – an award it’s won eight times, in fact. Here, the luxury bungalows and suites are dispersed within the animal enclosures, offering you the chance to sleep, dine and even bathe next to some of the world’s most dangerous and endangered species. Think cheetahs, lions, sun bears and giraffes! While the animals are naturally the headline act of any Jamala stay, the five-star luxury of the accommodation is a very close second. Paired with fine dining, private zoo tours and intimate animal encounters, it’s honestly one of the most immersive and incredible safari experiences you can find outside of Africa. Where is Jamala Wildlife Lodge? Jamala Wildlife Lodge is located inside the National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra, close to the banks of the Molonglo River. It’s just a ten-minute drive from the CBD and 15-minutes from the Canberra Airport. Reachable via an easy three-hour drive from Sydney or a short flight from Melbourne, Adelaide or Brisbane, J

Choo choo! The Train of Lights is back on the tracks for 2026 and ready to captivate passengers with a magical winter journey through the Dandenong Ranges for a fifith year. Australia’s favourite steam train Puffing Billy will be your conductor for this trip that illuminates the natural beauty of the region with thousands of dazzling lights. But if you want to join this glowing journey, you'll have to be quick – tickets sell out quickly every year. Here's everything you need to know to secure your spot. When is Puffing Billy Train of Lights on for 2026? This enchanting winter journey is on from June 26 to July 19, 2026.  What to expect for Puffing Billy Train of Lights? The whole experience is a two-and-a-half hour round trip. Departing from Lakeside Station, you’ll be immersed in a spectacle of neon colours that brighten up the countryside with sparkles, rainbows and hypnotic patterns. The historic train will also be adorned with stunning visual effects, which will light up the trees, tracks and passing towns along the way.  Puffing Billy will chug along the historic narrow-gauge track to Gembrook Station where guests will disembark for a 55-minute stopover. Here, you can warm up by the crackling open firepits with hot chocolate and live acoustic music, and enjoy a sausage sizzle by the Emerald and Gembrook CFA (with all money going towards their respective brigades).  How to get tickets for Pufffing Billy Train of Lights 2026? Tickets go on sale at 10am on Thursday, May 28

There is magic in both the old and new, and the secret is to find a way to unite the two. Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane has done exactly that with its beautifully restored heritage-listed building, constructed almost a century ago. Over four years, the incredibly caring Adina team transformed the former George Street banking chamber into a grand 220-room hotel. The ground floor strikes the perfect balance of cool and classic, celebrating the building’s Art Deco origins with chequered marble floors, timber doorways and glistening chandeliers. As you ascend to your abode – ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments – you’ll find all the modern comforts of home. There’s also a ground-floor gym and swimming pool, plus on-site parking for $30 per day – a rare gem in the city! What are the rooms like at Adina Brisbane? Inside the artfully restored Adina Brisbane, you’ll find 220 spacious apartments, ranging from sleek studios to one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments. Each abode is designed to feel like a home away from home, complete with a fully-equipped kitchen, laundry and separate lounge/dining areas. The pièce de résistance is the premier balcony rooms, which boast sweeping views of the Brisbane River just a short stroll away. I recommend cooking up a feast or ordering room service, then settling on the balcony for golden hour with a bottle of bubbles (when in Brisvegas, right?). When it’s time to switch off, you’ll easily drift into a slumber thanks to plush king beds

Once you set foot onto Rottnest Island, you simply won’t want to leave – so you might as well stay a couple of nights. The eco-glamping tents at Discovery Resorts are a total dream for anyone who loves the idea of camping but doesn’t want to give up all the comforts of a luxe hotel. While the property is a short one-kilometre stroll or cycle from the ferry jetty, the team will deliver your bags straight to your accommodation. That means you can literally head straight to the golden sands of Pinky Beach. When it’s time to check in, simply follow the boardwalk past the sand dunes to the 83 eco-tents that will become your temporary home for the next few blissful days. Even the Standard Tents here come fitted with all the creature comforts you actually want – think an ensuite bathroom, pillow-topped bed, fly-screened windows and a furnished deck. If you’re travelling with kids or friends, the Duplex Family Tents can sleep up to ten guests, featuring a shared barbecue, kitchenette and massive outdoor deck. But the absolute crème de la crème has to be the adults-only Deluxe Oceanside Tents, boasting romantic sunset views stretching across the Indian Ocean. Waking up to the sound of waves and falling asleep (almost) under the stars are bound to be core memories. Once you’ve had enough DIY barbecues, you can hit up Pinky Rottnest Island for relaxed pub fare. Expect seaside favourites such as fish and chips, burgers, steaks and seafood salads, alongside local wine and classic cocktail

You can imagine how giddy I was when I found out I’d be escaping to Australia’s most famous private island resort. InterContinental Hayman Island Great Barrier Reef sits on a 294-hectare island right in the heart of The Whitsundays, reachable only via private charter, luxury boat or a helicopter ride from Hamilton Island Airport. The moment you touch down, you’re fully cut off from the real world – in the best kind of way. This ultra-luxe resort is everything your dreams are made of – and trust me, it delivers. During my stay, I swam in the Southern Hemisphere’s largest pool, took advantage of complimentary morning beach activities and melted away my stress with a deep tissue massage before eating my way through the resort’s top-tier restaurants. But if you want to do absolutely nothing? Say no more. You’re on island time now. What are the rooms like at InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef? After suffering damage from Cyclone Debbie in 2017, the resort underwent a major $135 million redevelopment before reopening as the InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef in 2019. Now, more than seven decades since it launched, the high-end property is home to 182 uber-fancy guest rooms split across four wings – each boasting incredible views of the rainforest, beach, lagoon or pool. Some rooms, like the Pool Ocean View Suite I’m staying in, even offer direct swim-out access to the iconic Hayman pool from a private beach-facing balcony. As I stepped into my room, the lights slowl

There’s no better way to soak up the magic of Mooloolaba than with a Sunset Cruise aboard Saltwater Eco Tours’ beautifully restored 114-year-old sailing vessel. As you glide along the glistening Mooloolah River, local artists set the mood with live acoustic tunes. When the sun begins to dip below the horizon, you’ll be treated to a seasonal grazing box featuring native bush tucker ingredients, while cocktails and Champagne are available from the bar across the two-hour voyage. If you’re keen to sample more native ingredients, Saltwater Eco Tours’ Bushtucker Cruise serves up native bush tucker-inspired canapés that beautifully connect culture to coast. Think fresh oysters with finger limes, creamy bunya dip with native flatbread and a wattleseed brownie. For a deeper connection to Country, the relaxed 1.5-hour River Cruise weaves in fascinating commentary on local First Nations history, local ecology, and river ecosystems. Meanwhile, the Saltwater Canoe Tour, led by a First Nations guide, lets you uncover the secrets of Mooloolah River beyond the main channel. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do on the Sunshine Coast

With minimal light pollution and high elevation, Alice Springs offers some of the best, darkest night skies on Earth. You can witness the wonders of the incredible cosmos at Earth Sanctuary, an award-winning astronomy park run by Joe Falzon and his three sons. Their engaging 90-minute Astro Tour is a perfect taster for budding stargazers, where you’ll marvel at the moon through powerful telescopes, learn to find your zodiac in the eclipse, hear celestial stories about the Milky Way, and maybe even catch a shooting star. Given Alice Springs is located in one of Australia’s darkest regions, you may never see so many stars again. For the ultimate outback night out, Earth Sanctuary also serves up an award-winning dinner experience where you can tuck into a home-cooked gourmet barbecue as the sun dips below the majestic Eastern MacDonnell Ranges. Better yet? You can even stay until sunrise by booking one of their futuristic, intergalactic-style geodesic glamping domes.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Alice Springs

Spooky season is here! And no, we’re not talking about Halloween; we’re talking about magpie swooping season in Australia. This year, thousands of attacks have already been logged on Magpie Alert, including hundreds leading to serious injuries. And it gets worse...there are still two months to survive. If the thought of being pecked on the scalp sends your heart racing, you're not alone. We’ve put together a bunch of handy hints to help you survive magpie swooping season in Australia (without being stabbed in the eye). When is magpie swooping season in Australia? In Australia, swooping season typically runs from late August through early November, peaking in September. But keep in mind that each magpie will only swoop for around six to eight weeks after laying their eggs. Why do magpies swoop? Cyclists and runners (aka anything moderately-sized and fast-moving) are prime targets for the six to eight weeks when the daring black-and-white birds build nests, incubate eggs and raise their young. They’ll stop at nothing to protect their chicks from suspicious passers-by, even if it ends in a bloody gash or swollen eye.  In good news, only eight to ten per cent of magpies actually swoop people. Even rarer are dive bombs that cause injury rather than just scaring you off. Can magpies remember human faces? Yes, magpies can recognise and remember up to 100 individual human faces for several years. They'll categorise each as a friend, neutral local or perceived threat. Once a magpie

It’s time to let the gouda times roll! Australia’s biggest cheese festival is celebrating its momentous 21st birthday this spring with a massive two-day fromage fiesta. Set in the lush surrounds of Adelaide’s Rundle Park on October 17 and 18, CheeseFest will bring together more than 100 of South Australia’s finest artisans for a weekend of sunshine, free tastings, celebrity cooking demos, live music, top-notch drinks and, of course, enough cheese to melt your heart.  Whether you’re craving cheddar, eyeing off Emmental or goggling over gooey raclette, CheeseFest promises more dairy than you can handle (consider that a challenge). Last year, festivalgoers devoured more than 18 tonnes of cheese, and 2026 is tipped to crack a massive 20 tonnes. You can eat your weight’s worth with free samples and stalls serving up every cheese-loaded dish imaginable.  Photograph: SuppliedCheeseFest Beyond the dairy, festivalgoers can chat with both established local artisans and passionate newcomers – from cheesemakers, chocolatiers and farmers to winemakers, distillers and brewers. Expect big names like Vannella Cheese, Milawa Cheese Company, Coal River Farm and Project Burrata, alongside Two Hands Wines, Never Never, Kimbolton Wines and Threefold Distilling. In a CheeseFest first, celebrity chef Miguel Maestre will bring his trademark Spanish-Aussie flair to the RAA Cooking Demonstration Stage alongside local restaurateur and MasterChef 2025 winner Laura Sharrad. To round it out, you can soa

Melbourne has done it again! Time Out has just dropped its list of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods for 2026, and one of our city’s oldest suburbs has claimed its place in the top 40. Before we reveal exactly where, let’s run you through how we chose the coolest neighbourhoods. Each spot was nominated by an on-the-ground expert from our global network – someone who spends their days exploring the trendiest spots to eat, drink, shop and hang out in their hometown. A panel of Time Out editors then vetted each neighbourhood against a range of criteria, including dining, nightlife, unique local businesses, liveability and community. Topping the list was Seoul’s dynamic hub of Jongno 3-ga, followed by L’Ocean District in Rabat, Neos Kosmos in Athens and Chinatown in Los Angeles. Three Australian neighbourhoods made the cut this year, including Brisbane’s leafy suburb of New Farm (#29), North Hobart (#32) and our very own South Melbourne at number 39. Photograph: Michael PhamUpper Middle in South Melbourne It may be one of the city’s oldest suburbs, but South Melbourne’s cool cred stands the test of time. It’s home to the legendary South Melbourne Market – this historic site (it opened in 1867!) is a gastronomic delight with 150+ traders. But the neighbourhood’s culinary tendrils extend far beyond its namesake market: there’s charming café Juniper, elegant Greek restaurant Aegli, swanky fine diner Lucia, and all-day Euro eatery Upper Middle.  South Melbourne is fast becoming qu

Question: what do you think is the average Sydneysider's biggest fear come springtime? Is it the imminent onslaught of pollen about to hit our nostrils? The realisation that it’s already three-quarters of the way through the year and we haven’t made a dint on those new year’s resolutions? Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the fact that aggressive, dive-bombing magpies have it out for the tops of our unsuspecting heads this time of year.  Yep, welcome to magpie swooping season, my friends.  Unfortunately, magpie season isn’t anything new – even Time Out’s Editor-in-Chief Alice Ellis has been subjected to unwanted attacks. “When we were kids, during swooping season we had to wear empty ice-cream tubs on our heads when we were playing in the backyard, to protect ourselves from the magpies,” she says. Read on for everything you need to know about magpies – and how to dodge a swoop. Photograph: Estelle Dragan for Time Out Sydney When is magpie swooping season in Sydney? Swooping season kicks into gear from late August to early October, which coincidentally ties into magpie breeding season. Because of this they’re ferociously protective of their nests and will stop at nothing to ward off any suspecting passers-by.   Why do magpies swoop? Cyclists and runners (aka anything moderately-sized and fast-moving) are prime targets for the six to eight weeks when the daring black-and-white birds build nests, incubate eggs and raise their young. They’ll stop at nothing to protect their chicks f

For less than the price of a fancy dinner and a round of cocktails in the city, you could be boarding a flight to Asia. Scoot has just launched an ‘Everywhere Sale’, offering super cheap fares to Southeast Asian hotspots from just $165. From favourite Aussie holiday spots like Phuket, Osaka and Seoul to hidden gems like Fuzhou, Belitung and Labuan Bajo, the list of destinations on offer is massive. The sale runs until Sunday, September 20, covering travel out of Sydney, Melbourne and Perth between October and November 2026, then again from January to August 2027 (blackout periods apply). So, where can you go? The cheapest one-way fare is from Perth to Singapore ($165), with bargain flights to the Garden City also running out of Melbourne ($215) and Sydney ($235). For less than $300, you can also fly to major hotspots like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ho Chi Minh City, Denpasar and Manila. Photograph: Worachat Sodsri via UnsplashBangkok, Thailand Beyond these familiar destinations, Scoot is also offering cheap fares to lesser-known cities, including Amritsar and Coimbatore in India (from $280), Kota Bharu and Kuantan in Malaysia (from $185), Pekanbaru (from $215) and Semarang (from $235) in Indonesia, and its newest destination, Guiyang in China (from $280). Keep in mind that these budget-friendly economy fares exclude checked baggage, meals and entertainment. If you’re happy travelling light, you can explore more destinations here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free 

The wait is over –Time Out’s official list of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods is back, and it’s full of surprises (which we love). This year, three Australian suburbs secured spots in the top 40: an artsy waterfront enclave in Brisbane, a hip Hobart strip and a historic Melbourne gem. Before we reveal exactly where, let’s run you through how we chose the 40 coolest neighbourhoods. Each spot was nominated by an on-the-ground expert from our global network – someone who spends their days exploring the trendiest spots to eat, drink, shop and hang out in their hometown. A panel of Time Out editors then vetted each neighbourhood against a range of criteria, including dining, nightlife, unique local businesses, liveability and community. Drumroll, please… In 2026, Seoul’s Jongno 3-ga claimed the title of the world’s coolest neighbourhood. Driven by an after-dark revival, this dynamic hub sees narrow alleys packed with pochas (late-night street food stalls), while independent craft workshops, jewellery studios and sophisticated bars line its quiet lanes. Photograph: Sean StreckerBrisbane Powerhouse Narrowing in on Australia, Brisbane’s leafy suburb of New Farm took the title of the coolest neighbourhood Down Under – landing 29th globally, just behind New York’s Financial District. Perched right on the Brisbane River and seamlessly linked to the city by walking and cycling paths, New Farm has it all. The suburb's creative crown jewel is the Brisbane Powerhouse – an avant-garde r

The biggest summer touring news of the decade has landed: global electronic powerhouse Calvin Harris is bringing his first-ever headline tour to Australia. Next February, the Grammy Award winner and multi-platinum DJ and producer will light up stadiums across the country with his biggest global anthems, like ‘One Kiss’, ‘This Is What You Came For’, ‘Summer’, ‘Feel So Close’ and ‘Sweet Nothing’. Literal banger after banger! Along with his record-breaking albums – such as 18 Months, Motion and Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 – The Calvin Harris - Australia Tour 2027 will celebrate his latest chart-topping collaborations and his recent compilation album 96 Months. The global hitmaker last graced Aussie shores for Festival X back in 2022, making this his first dedicated headline tour Down Under. Here’s everything you need to know about getting tickets to Calvin Harris’ 2027 Australian tour.  When is Calvin Harris coming to Australia? Calvin Harris will bring his bangers to four Australian cities in summer 2027, including: Perth: Langley Park – Thursday, February 18 Brisbane: RNA Showgrounds – Friday, February 19 Sydney: The Domain – Saturday, February 20 Melbourne: Flemington Racecourse – Friday, February 26 Look, there’s not much wiggle room between the first three shows, but we’re crossing our fingers that he might add extra Sydney and Melbourne dates. How to get tickets to Calvin Harris in Australia? Mark your calendars: general public tickets drop at 1pm local time on Th

What springs to mind when you picture IKEA? For most of us, it’s a toss-up between Swedish meatballs and that bright blue storage tote. Instantly recognisable, the Frakta bag is practically an Australian household staple – so much so that one in three Aussies already owns one. But if your home stash could use a fresh twist, there's big news: IKEA is bringing custom Frakta bags to Australia for the very first time this weekend. For four days only, customers can add their initials to IKEA's reusable carrier bag during IKEA Open House – a nationwide celebration of smart storage and organisation running from Friday, September 18 to Monday, September 21. With more than 680,000 Frakta bags sold across Australia in the last financial year alone, we have no doubt these custom keepsakes will fly off the shelves. Photograph: SuppliedPersonalised IKEA Frakta bag First, you’ll need to purchase a Frakta bag for just $1.75 (bargain!), then head to the personalisation station. There, you can choose up to two capital initials to be heat-pressed onto your bag in trademark IKEA yellow felt at no extra cost, transforming the everyday storage hero into a limited-edition souvenir. We all know a trip to IKEA is a full-on adventure. Throughout the weekend, you can sample fave snacks from IKEA’s Swedish food range, including their famous meatballs and cinnamon buns. You can also get hands-on with Paint & Sip sessions, join family treasure hunts, score giveaways or attend storage workshops. The Fra

Cyclists, runners and walkers, watch out. We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but magpie swooping season has begun. If your heart starts racing at the thought of being stabbed in the eye or pecked on the scalp, you’re not alone. Friend of Time Out Sydney, Estelle Dragan, experienced this horror first-hand: “As a Brit in Sydney, I thought magpie swooping szn was just a charming old wives’ tale. Nature quickly corrected me – the magpie swooped me not once, but TWICE. The ”Birds swooping” warning sign later confirmed that Sydneysider magpies take their swooping very seriously. My dignity is still in recovery.” Wanna dodge a swoop? Read on. Photograph: Estelle Dragan for Time Out Sydney Has magpie swooping season started in Sydney? Swooping season typically peaks in September, but thanks to global warming, our magpie mates have kickstarted their breeding ahead of time in August. Cyclists and runners (AKA anything moderately-sized and fast-moving) are prime targets for the six-to-eight weeks following winter when the daring black-and-white birds build nests, incubate eggs and raise their young. They’ll stop at nothing to protect their chicks from suspecting passers-by, even if it ends in a bloody gash or swollen eye.  In good news, only eight to ten per cent of magpies actually swoop people. Even rarer are dive bombs that cause injury rather than just scaring you off. What to do when a magpie swoops you? Firstly, experts say to give magpies space during the mating season. T

Whoever still thinks Canberra is lame might want to check the latest stats. Oxford Economics just released its 2026 Global Cities Index, and while Sydney and Melbourne slipped down the ranks, Canberra quietly climbed the ladder to claim the number one spot in the entire world for Quality of Life. Seven Aussie cities cracked the overall top 100 in this year’s global index, which evaluates the 1,000 most populous cities across five categories: Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment and Governance. However, Canberra was the only Australian city to improve its overall ranking compared to 2025. The nation's capital finally cracked the top 50, climbing seven spots to land in 45th place globally. That puts Canberra right on the heels of Australia’s top-ranking cities, following Sydney (13th), Melbourne (16th), Brisbane (36th) and Perth (44th). Photograph: John via Wikimedia CommonsAerial of Canberra Canberra’s greatest strength was in the Quality of Life category, where it claimed the top spot worldwide, beating all other 999 cities evaluated for the second consecutive year. This victory is driven by low income inequality and high salaries, thanks to an abundance of stable, high-paying government jobs. Canberra also benefits from the second-highest level of GDP per person in Australia, alongside some of the world’s longest life expectancies. To move up the overall rankings next year, Canberra will need to improve its Economics score (211th), with lower economic div

Every year, Time Out crowns the world’s best cities based on what local dwellers actually think – rating everything from nightlife and culture to walkability and green spaces. But what happens when you factor in hard data like economic power, governance quality and rental prices? To find the answer, we turn to Oxford Economics’ annual Global Cities Index. The comprehensive ranking evaluates the 1,000 most populous cities across 27 indicators spanning five categories: Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment and Governance. Those scores are then compiled to determine the overall ranking of the top cities worldwide. Wondering how Australia stacks up against the world’s 1,000 largest metropolises? Seven Aussie cities cracked the global top 100 in 2026 – however, all but one dropped in the overall rankings compared to last year. Both Sydney and Melbourne were bumped out of the global top ten, falling to 13th and 16th after sitting at sixth and seventh in 2025. Rising metropolises like Dublin, Tokyo, Boston and Zurich overtook them, with New York, London and Paris claiming the top three spots for yet another year. While Australia’s two largest capitals remain premier hubs for top-tier education, low crime rates and economic strength, their overall scores were dragged down by high housing costs and ageing populations. Regardless, landing in the top 20 of 1,000 global cities is no small feat – placing both Sydney and Melbourne within the top two per cent worldwide. B

Drumroll, please… After months and months of waiting, Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards have finally revealed its 2026 winners. Now in its sixth year, this prestigious national competition crowns the Top Tourism Town, Small Tourism Town, Tiny Tourism Town and Top Tour Guide across the country – shining a spotlight on the regional gems that should be at the very top of your holiday hit list. Finalists from all states converged on Parliament House in Canberra this morning (September 15) for the official ceremony, where a combination of public votes and scores from an expert industry panel decided Australia's top regional escapes for 2026. Photograph: Southern Downs Regional CouncilFarlay St Piazza, Stanthorpe Taking out the biggest win of the year for Top Tourism Town (population over 5,000) was the charming Queensland Country town of Stanthorpe. Tucked away in the Granite Belt region just 2.5 hours southwest of Brisbane, this cool-climate spot is made for cosy weekend escapes, with enough wine, cheese, walks and waterfalls to fill your itinerary. It edged out NSW’s coastal jewel Kiama (second place) and the historic riverside town of Echuca in regional Victoria (third place). Photograph: Richard Lin via UnsplashCoral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach Having secured Queensland's state title for five consecutive years, Airlie Beach finally clinched the national crown for Top Small Tourism Town (population between 1,500 and 5,000). With 74 breathtaking islands, the world-famous Whit