Winnie Stubbs

There’s a lot of creative fun to be had in the Harbour City this week – with Sydney Film Fest still screening some festival highlights at cinemas across the city, two major winter exhibitions now live at the MCA, a stunning photography exhibition live at the State Library,  the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes showing at the Art Gallery of NSW and a whole lot of excellent plays and musicals showing at theatres across the city. This week also marks the launch of Nightshift – a magical winter festival taking over Redfern’s new Wunderlich Lane precinct – and Qtopia Pride Fest is lighting up Oxford Street for a few more colourful weeks.If you’re low on funds but still want to find some fun, we’d suggest catching happy hour, then settling in for a free show – there’s free jazz in The Rocks this Thursday night, and these bars and pubs across the city have live shows most nights. Keen to keep moving? These are the best running routes in Sydney, and these are the city’s best gyms if you’d rather work out in the warm.  Scroll on for our full list of the best things to do in Sydney this week. Wether not looking so hot? These are the best indoor activities in the city. Mapping out your weekend? These are the best things to do in Sydney this weekend. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox.

We might be a little biased, but we don't believe there's a better place on earth to spend a day than in our beautiful waterside city. And while Sydney shines in the summertime, there's a lot of delight to be found in the colder months.From coastal walking tracks to secret swim spots to swanky sky-high bars, Sydney is home to the kinds of settings that play host to magical memories every day of the year – from ordinary Wednesdays to the most important days of your life. Want to witness some world-class creativity? These are the city's best galleries, and these are the best plays and musicals on in Sydney right now. Feel like a spa day? These are the best day spas in Sydney. Want to get moving? This list of our favourite walks should help.Scroll on for our full list of the best things to do in Sydney today. Want to get your weekend plans in order, right now? Check out our pick of the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.Rain putting a dampner on your plans? These are the best things to do indoors. On a budget? These are the Time Out team’s pick of 25 things to do in Sydney for under $25. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. 

Winter is well and truly here, and there’s a lot of indoor fun going down in the Harbour City this weekend – with Wunderlich Lane hosting a magical winter festival, Bubble Planet bringing a super immersive dreamscape to Olympic Park and Sydney Film Festival screening its highlight movies at cinemas across the city. There’s also a heap of excellent exhibitions live at our city’s galleries – our top picks include the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prize exhibition, the first solo museum exhibition by Kamilaroi artist Warraba Weatherall, the incredible Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition and a futuristic new exhibition at Artspace.Want to warm up? These are the best pubs with fireplaces in the city, these are Sydney’s best Sunday roasts, and these are the best day spas and bathhouses if you’re keen to get steamy.If you want some air this weekend, our round-ups of the best day hikes close to Sydndey and the best places to camp close to the city should help. Weather not looking so hot? Check out our list of the best things to do indoors in Sydney. Looking for weekday fun? These are the best things to do in Sydney this week.Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox.

June is here, and although winter isn’t known as Sydney’s prime time, there’s so much keeping the sunny city’s sparkle alive through the cooler months. With Vivid running until June 14, Sydney Film Festival lighting up screens across the city, and an excellent theatre line-up, this month is set to be pretty glittery, ice-cold temperatures aside. For the ultimate magical evening this month, we’d suggest hitting one of the city’s best happy hours before catching a show at the Opera House and then refuelling at one of the city’s best restaurants. Plus, whale watching season is setting in – these are the best spots to see them from Sydney.There's also a huge wine fest taking over The International, a laneway party lighting up the alleyway behind the Ace Hotel and a magical winter ceramics market (with free coffee) going down at ClayGround. Want to live a Euro-summer style life on a budget this month? Eight top Sydney venues are offering a wild 50 per cent off (yep, you're reading that right), the Boathouse venues are serving up $12 Aperols and Margs all month long, and Bondi's Mediterranean gem Ikaria is running a Greek-style happy hour with $10 Spritzes and $10 dip plates.Keen to get out of town? Our guides to the best cosy cabins and glamping spots should help. Scroll on for our full round-up of the best things to do in Sydney this month. 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 inb

There are plenty of exciting new restaurant openings to add to your hit list. My current favourites include a charming new Italian housed in a former butcher's shop in Newtown called Osteria Mucca, a yum new Turkish and Middle Eastern mezze bar in Redfern called Mezepotamia, Newtown’s charming new fisherman’s den, Mister Grotto; a fire-powered Mediterranean diner from the Bar Copains team called Bessie’s; and Marrickville’s new Greek grill house that’s 100 per cent worth the hype, Olympic Meats. Oh, and the five-star Neptune's Grotto. Below, you’ll find Sydney’s best new restaurants. Hungry? I am too. Let’s dig in. 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.

Once the working-class home to Sydney’s rag trade and one of the most dangerous and vice-ridden neighbourhoods in the city, the streets of Surry Hills were the stomping grounds for nefarious underworld types like the notorious 'razor warrior' Kate Leigh. A century on, those gangsters would barely recognise the trendy heart of the inner Eastern Suburbs, with its classy cafés, five-star dining, thriving bar scene and culture hubs – not to mention the soaring property prices. Jump to a section: EAT DRINK COFFEE THINGS TO DO SHOPPING What's Surry Hills known for? For sheer variety, Surry Hills ranks as one of the top foodie destinations not just in Sydney, but nationwide. You'll find mum-and-pop outfits serving up dishes that punch well above their price tag, fine-dining establishments with exquisite service, and culinary pioneers changing the game, and that's just for starters. There's a rich mix of world cuisines on offer in the area, from Middle Eastern to Japanese, French to American barbecue, and more or less everything in between. Fans of Italian food are particularly well-served by multiple restaurants where you can find authentic wood-fired pizza and pasta dishes that any Nonna would be proud to call their own. A thriving café culture has also made Surry Hills one of the most popular weekend brunch destinations in Sydney, where many of the city's best baristas ply their trade. How do I get to Surry Hills? Whether you're travelling by bus, train, light rail or shiny new

We might be a little biased, but in our humble opinion, Sydney's got it all. Can you think of many other cities in the world that rival its natural beauty, rich heritage and history that dates back thousands of years, and its creative, culinary and cultural offerings by world-class pros. In fact, there's so much to see, do, sip and ponder here, you could be forgiven for feeling a little overwhelmed. Worry not, dear reader – we're making it simple for you. Our team (including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, Lifestyle Writer Winnie Stubbs and Editor in Chief Alice Ellis) sifted through every good time the Big Smoke has to offer and put together a Sydney bucket list for the ages. The activities we've chosen will give you a super varied experience of the city – everything from the tourist attractions that are actually worth your time to secret swimming spots that locals know and love.Whether you're a new arrival or a born-and-bred local, this 2025 Time Out Sydney round-up of the city's must-do activities will help you experience Sydney from every angle. After all those great activities you're bound to be thirsty. We suggest you head to one of the best pubs in Sydney right now.  Need somewhere to stay? Check in to one of Sydney's best hotels or Airbnbs. 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.

For many Sydneysiders, it is an undeniable truth that the weekend market is one of our most beloved cultural institutions. However, when looking for the most amazing market to hit up in Sydney, it can be hard to know where to begin.   Our city has a whole lot of options for the market-savvy explorer. Whether it's walking away with farm-fresh produce, unearthing vintage and antique treasures, snaffling fried brunchy fare on the grass, or jiving to a live saxophone player before 10 am, this city has something for everyone.  A market jaunt is an affordable way to have a great time in this city. With our round-up of the city's best, we have you covered on where to go, where to look, and when to do it when the craving calls.  Happy hunting.  Mapping out your Friday to Monday? Find out what's on with our guide of things to do in Sydney this weekend, or keep it simple and take your market finds to one of our city's best beaches. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox.

You know the landmarks and the laid-back culture, but there are plenty more top things to do in Australia than kissing koalas and yelling ‘g’day mate’. We're a nature lover’s paradise, with highly sought-after food experiences and an impressive cultural heritage to boot. Our team (including Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley) have sifted through every attraction, experience, event and landmark our nation has to offer and put together the only Aussie bucket list you'll ever need. Whether you want to get amongst art parties in small coastal cities, see fairy penguins scurry across sandy beaches or watch the sunrise over Sydney Harbour from a kayak, there’s so much to explore across this incredible country. Here's our guide to all the best things to do in Australia right now. 🇦🇺 The top tourist attractions in Australia🌈 Australia's most beautiful destinations🌊 The best beaches in Australia

Let’s face it: while New South Wales has some spectacular ski resorts and snow fields, taking a trip to the snow isn’t the cheapest of holidays. Mostly, that’s because we have a much shorter snow season than our European cousins – and scarily, Australia’s snow seasons are getting shorter. All that being said, you need to be rolling in dough to hit the slopes; many alpine destinations offer sweet deals during the winter months, you just need to know where to look.We've rounded up everything from accommodation packages to majorly reduced day passes and student specials. Check out our ultimate snow-on-a-budget guide before you hit up the slopes this winter. 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. Want more winter getaway action? Check out our list of the best trips you can take to warm up your life this chilly season.Craving something super cosy? These are the best tiny homes and cabins in NSW.

The paramount rule in any spooky situation is to not be the denier. The jock who says, “ghosts aren’t real” is always the first one to get throttled by an angry apparition. So with open minds and willing spirits, we invite you to explore Sydney’s most haunted sites. These former insane asylums, abandoned roads, converted gaols and chilly tunnels may not appear to be the stuff of nightmares in the sensical light of day, but one too many shadowy coincidences coupled with gruesome histories have inspired us to get our ghost-hunting gear together and investigate.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: If you want some wraith-watching advice from a pro, check out these spine-tingling ghost tours operating in Sydney. If you need a moment of reprieve from the manic hunt, forget all these grisly tales while you get pampered at Sydney’s best spas. Want more spooky stuff? Check out how many of these classic Sydney landmarks used to be cemeteries.

The people of New South Wales are an outdoorsy bunch – and can you blame us? With our fantastic beaches, glorious national parks and stunning natural attractions, it’s no wonder we’re crazy for camping, hiking and generally being out amongst all that nature. And although a cold dip in the ocean is a delightful addition to a balmy spring or summer's day, the weather in this state is anything but reliable, which is why our naturally heated hot springs make for the perfect adventure. Here, you can stay blissfully warm in the great outdoors, regardless of what's happening in the skies. The majority are quite a drive from Sydney, mostly in the state’s far north, so why not make them the focal point of a getaway? Now all you have to do is choose which of the best hot springs and bore baths in NSW to visit first. Our editors (including self-proclaimed ocean addict Winnie Stubbs) have hopped between them to suss out the best spots for an open-air soak. We've removed the spots that are near-impossible to book, and have spotlighted instead cheap and free options – they're a bit of a drive from Sydney, but the journey will be worth it. Stay warm this winter with one of these magical winter escapes that are close to Sydney. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox.

On Surry Hills’ Kippax Street, you’ll find Edwards and Co: the Sydney outpost of a salon known for its "future-proof" colour techniques. Time Out Sydney’s Food and Drink Editor visited a few months ago, and the shine is still strong on her buttery blonde highlights – so we can personally vouch for their excellent, long-lasting colour treatments. The minimalist, warehouse-style space is big and beautiful, and home to a talented team of stylists on hand for on-point cuts, rich colour treatments and luxe, bouncy blow drys. 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: Need some me-time? These are the best day spas in the Harbour City.And these are the best facials in Sydney.

Sydney’s market game is strong, but with the launch of Darlo Night Markets, it’s getting even stronger. After a hugely successful launch event back in May, this night-time celebration of fashion and food is coming back to Darlinghurst – here’s what to expect.  From 5pm until 9pm on the third Saturday of the month, St John's Church Grounds at 120 Darlinghurst Road will come alive with a vibrant alfresco market. The focus here is on sustainability and community connection, bringing together a heap of vintage and pre-loved fashion stalls and local street food vendors. The evening will be soundtracked by live DJs, and doggos are welcome.  Wondering what’s on the menu? The street food stalls will be selling everything from Korean pocket burgers to Spanish paella. Want more in your mouth? There will also be an onsite tooth gem station giving sparkle to the smiles of Sydneysiders. While the foodie offering sounds delicious, the main appeal here is the vintage threads, with vendors including Goldtone Vintage, Blu Cosmos, House of Rei, Responsibly Gorgeous and more. Entry is free, and if you want to get involved as a vendor, you can register here.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:  Want fun now? Here’s what’s on in Sydney this weekend. And these are the best markets in the Harbour City.  In the mood for a show? Here’s our list of the best theatre to see in Sydney this month.

Looking for affordable winter entertainment? We’ve got you. From Thursday, June 26 until Saturday, July 19, Barangaroo’s architecturally spectacular Pier Pavilion is playing host to a series of magical alfresco concerts, and they’re totally free to attend. Curated by Musica Viva Australia, Nocturne will comprise a series of transporting soundscapes – brought to life under the stars by talented Sydney instrumentalists.Running every Thursday to Sunday from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, the free shows are the perfect pre-, post- or mid-date experience – with stunning contemporary chamber music and classical interpretations of modern songs performed in the open air by artists including Trio Histoire, Continuum Sax, Alma Moodie Quartet and The Song Company.  Just steps away from Barangaroo metro station, Pier Pavilion is easy to reach from around the city. If you’d rather stay in the area, Barangaroo is home to some excellent restaurants (A’mare and Anason, to name a few), and some of the most charming old-world bars in Sydney (including Henry Deane and The Lord Nelson) are within easy walking distance. Keen? You can learn more over here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:  Want fun now? Here’s what’s on in Sydney this weekend.In the mood for a show? Here’s our list of the best theatre to see in Sydney this month.And these are the best bars and pubs for live music in Sydney.

Winter is well and truly here, and if you’re keen to embrace festive energy in Sydney, you don’t need to look too far. Just across the bridge in North Sydney (steps away from Victoria Cross Metro Station), a very wintery fiesta is going down for ten magical days – complete with a 20-metre toboggan slide and 50 tonnes of real snow. Yes, you’re reading that right. Kicking off on Friday, June 27, the Greenwood’s Snow Festival will see the sprawling North Sydney venue transformed into a winter wonderland – with a program of seasonal events to transport us into (even) colder climbs. This year’s snow-themed event line-up includes an Aspen-themed launch party (Friday, June 27), poutine-fuelled Canada Day celebrations (Saturday, June 28), Winter Night Markets (June 30 - July 4), a Mario Kart racing event (Wednesday, July 2) and a very special appearance from a Shania Twain tribute band (Tuesday, July 1).Keen to get involved in the cold? You can learn more over here. Want to be the first to know about what's on in Sydney? Sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter, delivered direct to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:  Want more winter fun? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Sydney this winter.Or get cosy at one of these cabins close to the city.Or transport yourself to Paris at this epic festival of all things French.

Need a new profile pic? We’ve got you.  One of the world’s biggest immersive experiences has just landed in the Harbour City – serving up a fun, surreal backdrop for your Instagram grid glow-up . Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience is open now at Paddington Pavilion, Sydney Olympic Park, offering Sydneysiders a transporting, ultra-Instagrammable experience. Already experienced by more than two million visitors around the world, with sell-out runs in Milan, Los Angeles, London and Brussels, Bubble Planet is a fantastical world of optical illusions, cutting-edge virtual reality experiences, giant bubbles, and next-level immersive projections. Visitors to the Sydney site can expect to embark on a dreamlike journey through more than 10 otherworldly rooms, home to giant bubble domes, LED underwater-style wonderlands, selfie hubs and VR dreamscapes.  Almost 10,000 tickets were sold ahead of the official opening, so we expect this one will be another sell-out run for the people who brought the incredible immersive Van Gogh experience to Sydney back in 2020. Session at this bizarre immersive world run for between 60-90 minutes, and the experience is suitable for people of all ages – with kids under four welcomed in for free. Keen? You can learn more and snap up tickets over here.    Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, things to do and travel inspo, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: Want more activity inspo? Here’s what’s on in Sydney

Calling all whisky fans. This winter, whisky expert Matt Bailey (National Ambassador of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Australia) is hosting the dinner of your dreams: a five-course degustation with whisky pairings to match. Intrigued? Read on. On Thursday, June 26, Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour’s sky-high restaurant The Ternary will play host to the glorious whisky-fuelled dinner, with a five-course menu crafted by The Ternary Head Chef Robin Rana, and spectacular views across the city skyline. Each course will be served with a carefully selected dram of whisky to perfectly complement the flavours, and Bailey will be on hand to provide insights into each unique drop.The event will kick off with welcome cocktails from 5.45pm, and will run until 10pm. Tickets start at $175 for Accor Plus members, or $210 for the general public. Booking is essential – you can snap up your tickets over here. Want to stay the night? You can check out Novotel’s room options 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: These are the best bars in Sydney. And these are Sydney’s best restaurants. 

Winter is setting in in the Harbour City, and things are getting chilling in more ways than one. As a former penal centre, Cockatoo Island is one of Sydney’s most spooky sites at the best of times, and this winter they’ll be amping up the chill factor, with the launch of two immersive ‘Tunnels of Terror’ and a heap of other spooky experiences. It’s all kicking off on Friday, June 13 (the spookiest date of them all), with ‘Fear Island’ taking over Cockatoo Island all weekend long – here’s what to expect. From Friday through Sunday, Sydney’s brutalist industrial island will play host to spooky food stalls, a pumping bar serving up blood-bag cocktails (delicious) and a team of scare actors bringing the spooky stories of the island to life. There will also be makeup artists on site to get you looking scary, dance classes teaching Micheal Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ dance and an outdoor cinema screening scary movies under the stars.But the main event is taking place in the long, dark tunnels that run through the centre of the island. Dubbed the Tunnels of Terror, the two concrete tunnels that run through the island will be transformed into terrifying immersive scary experiences. Details on what to expect from the Tunnels of Terror are thin on the ground, but if you ask us, the names say it all. First up, ‘The Haunted’: we’re pretty sure we can do the maths on what that one might look like. The second tunnel experience, The Asylum, is named after one of Cockatoo Island’s former functions.

The Day Spa by Chuan at the Langham Hotel, formerly known as the Observatory Day Spa Sydney, is the spa you visit to step back in time. Housed on the very bottom floor of the timelessly grand hotel, this spa feels like it’s straight from the “girls trip” playbook.  The star feature here is the 20-metre indoor pool. And star is the operative word – the pool sits beneath a ceiling that mimics the night sky, quietly twinkling and inviting you to float into another realm. Gently heated and surrounded by a sandstone and marble lounging area this pool area is the kind of place you want to stay all day. On the far wall, there’s a beautiful mural of what looks like Bondi Beach in the 1920s. Treatments range from express facials to full-body re-sets, with the Chuan ritual epitomising the offering: a total escape of a treatment that includes a herbal salt scrub,  relaxing back, neck and shoulder massage and a detoxifying facial.But in my opinion, the most unique and incredible offering at The Day Spa by Chuan is the IV treatment from IV Nation  – Australia’s first in-hotel IV therapy experience. These intravenous treatments are designed to support hydration and wellbeing from the inside out, so the shine from your spa treatment isn’t just skin deep. My treatment included vitamins C and B12 as well as zinc, magnesium and other elements that our body needs to feel well.Need a total body reset inside and out? This is your place – just check the timings, as the IV treatments are currently

Vivid is doing things differently this year. For Vivid Sydney 2025, it’s not all watching the Opera House turn technicolour and wandering around The Rocks looking at the lights (though that’s still very much worth doing). This year, sparkly season is going beyond the big, CBD landmarks and lighting up one of Sydney’s trendiest inner city neighbourhoods: the Hollywood Quarter. First up, let there be light. From now until the closing night of Vivid (Saturday, June 14), the streets of HQ will glow with neon-toned nods to the world of cinema. Wander the neighbourhood and trace luminous movie soundtrack lyrics and famous quotes; this one’s a Vivid light display for cinephiles.  Then, there’s the event program – which is taking over venues across the neighbourhood with ongoing and one-off events. Every Saturday of Vivid, the Hollywood Hotel will be hosting live music and DJs in its moody ‘Vivid After Dark Lounge’, with snacks catered by nearby Butter served until 11pm. Around the corner, Golden Age is transforming into a dreamlike realm for the duration of the festival, with live music, performance art and kooky, obscure installations inspired by the beloved late director David Lynch. The Vivid line-up at Golden Age includes a performance by Marcus Whale and Nini Voss covering Lynch originals, and they’ll be screening dream-inspired movies in the next door cinema throughout sparkly season. The Soda Factory is also stepping up its entertainment game for the duration of Vivid, hostin

For a lot of Sydneysiders, the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth building – the Art Deco tower that cuts its distinctive curve into the heart of the CBD – is part of the furniture: an historic red-brick stalwart that’s stood 20-storeys tall in the city’s beating heart since 1966. If you’ve passed it in recent months though, you’ll have noticed something different – a warmly-lit, distinctly modern energy pouring onto Philip Street. In October 2024, Sydney’s oldest five-star hotel reopened its doors after a $77-million makeover. After staying the night, I can confirm that the site-wide reimagining involved so much more than a surface-level polish. With A-grade dining options, a sexy-as-hell (and surprisingly affordable) bar and 436 beautifully redesigned bedrooms, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is reclaiming its place among the best high-end stays in the city. Why stay at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth? When it opened its doors back in 1966, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth was Sydney’s very first five-star hotel – welcoming a glittering guest list that ranged from royals to movie stars. As time ticked by, the historic hotel began to lose a little of its sparkle – with age taking its toll. After the mega site-wide refurbishment, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is back in a big way – firmly securing its position as one of the city’s best hotels. And while the hotel’s historic standing and famous alumni would be reason enough to add this one to your staycation hit list, there are so many other factors that make thi

Just as winter begins to rear its head in the Emerald City, the annual festival of lights, music, ideas and more rolls around: lighting up the city with a multidisciplinary program that gets bigger and brighter every season. Vivid Sydney 2025 is no exception, with a glittering program of lights, music, food and ideas that’s not only sparkly, but surprisingly subversive. Inspired by the theme of Dream, Vivid Sydney 2025 will use art and experience to interrogate and expand our understanding of what it means to dream: literally and figuratively. From Friday, May 23 until Saturday, June 14 2025, expect the city to be transformed into a glittering wonderland of art, inspiration and ideas – with Vivid’s signature light displays acting as a vehicle to usher in a boundary-pushing series of events. This year’s program features thought-provoking discussions, insightful film screenings, immersive street kitchens, interactive artworks and so much more. This year, Vivid-goers can expect a redesigned festival footprint, with the (totally free) light walk being presented across five distinctive zones including eight buildings and landmarks that have never been illuminated before (as well as the return of some old favourites, like Martin Place). For Vivid Sydney 2025, there’s also an expanded Vivid Music program (with Vivid Live returning to the Opera House with big names including Sigur Ros, Marlon Williams and Ezra Collective. We can also expect an interactive Stranger Things experience a

For a few special days every year, Sydney comes alive with writers, journalists, public intellectuals and book lovers – who gather for the Emerald City’s long-standing celebration of literature, reading and ideas: the Sydney Writers' Festival. This year marks the 28th birthday for our city’s most beloved celebration of words, and the festival’s 2025 theme is In This Together: a theme that emphasizes the power that literature has to connect us. Featuring more than 200 events, and welcoming more than 40 international guests as well as more than 100 Australian authors, this year’s festival will bring fascinating conversations to Sydney from Monday, May 19 until Tuesday, May 27. The beloved Inner City arts centre Carriageworks will act as the hub for this year’s festival, with additional events  popping up at Sydney Town Hall and The State Library of NSW.Big names taking to the stage for this year’s event include David Nicholls and Liane Moriarty (who will appear in-conversation), Jeanette Winterson (who will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of her landmark novel Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit), Marian Keyes and the incredibly insightful philosopher A.C. Grayling.If you’re on a starving artist budget, fear not: the program features more than 50 free events (with 30 taking place at Carriageworks) including a lecture series examining topics ranging from China’s cultural revolution to the shape of Australian politics.  For budding writers and readers, there’s a whole day dedicate

In news that should come as no surprise to savvy motorists who make regular journeys across Sydney’s many toll roads, since January 1 2024, toll fees in NSW have been capped at $60 per week. Keen to cash in on your toll rebate for the last quarter? You’ll need to claim before Monday June 30. Since the $60 toll cap was introduced in January 2024, more than $139 million has been distributed. A further $130 million, covering the period from January 1, 2024 to March 30, 2025, remains unclaimed. The toll cap was introduced to make Sydney’s toll system fairer for drivers in the city’s west where the majority of the city’s more expensive toll roads are located. The Sydneysiders set to benefit most from the rebate scheme are those based in Blacktown, Baulkham Hills, Auburn and Merrylands, with Western Sydney suburbs dominating the list of eligible claimants. According to Transport for NSW, 6,392 drivers based in Blacktown have already claimed back their rebate, with Blacktown-based drivers receiving an average rebate of $358 for the most recent quarter.“These are the parts of Western Sydney where paying a toll is not a choice and in many cases relying on public transport is not a viable choice either,” explained Minister for Transport John Graham. From now until June 30, account holders can begin to reap the benefits of the toll cap, with $130 million waiting to be claimed. Photograph: Supplied | Transport for NSW | James Lauritz   To be eligible for a rebate, account holders must

Calling all hiking fans: One of the most stunning coastal hikes in NSW has just received a major $14.9 million upgrade, including the addition of two elevated campgrounds and new stretches of boardwalk.  The Light to Light walk – named for its route from the historic Boyds Tower to Green Cape Lighthouse – traces a beautiful, dramatic stretch of the NSW Far South Coast through dreamy eucalypt forests and coastal heathland. The walking route has been a favourite in the area for decades, but the new upgrades have made it even better – with two new purpose-built hike-in campgrounds and improved tracks connecting walkers with rock platforms and taking walkers further onto the cliff edge for spectacular views. Photograph: Supplied | NSW National Parks and Wildlife The two new campgrounds are located by the ocean at Mowarry Point and Hegartys Bay, each home to 10 elevated hardwood sleeping platforms and toilet facilities. The positions of the new campgrounds make for the perfect three-day, two-night hiking adventure, with day one involving a nine kilometre hike, day two taking in a 10-kilometre route and day three taking hikers on a final 13-kilometre hike to the beautiful Green Cape Lighthouse.Seasoned hikers can just book their camping spots and set off, but if you’d like some extra support, local operators offer tour guides, gear transfers and meals so all you have to worry about is putting one foot after the other. Don’t have the time or strength to take on the whole thing? Yo

Winter is well and truly here, and it seems as though as soon as it arrives, it’s on its way out. On Saturday, June 21, we’ll experience the winter solstice: the shortest day of the year, meaning Sydney's days will soon start getting longer. Just a few weeks left on the downhill slope, then it’s back on a one-track road to summertown (kind of). What is Sydney's winter solstice? Caused by the Earth’s annual orbit around the sun, the winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year – occurring in Australia when the South Pole has its maximum tilt away from the sun. This astronomical event happens on the very same day every year – though on opposite times of year for the two different hemispheres. As Australians experience the shortest day of the year, our friends in the Northern Hemisphere celebrate their summer solstice with the longest day of the year, and vice versa. What causes Sydney's winter solstice? The solstice is caused by the tilt of the Earth’s axis in relation to the sun. During the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, the tilt is such that the sun follows its lowest and shortest path through the sky, resulting in the least amount of daylight and the longest night of the year.  When is the winter solstice in Australia?  The winter solstice in Australia falls on June 21 every year – this year, it’s falling on Saturday, June 21. What does the solstice mean?  As well as being something of a turning point on the calendar of sunshine-seekers, the

Luxury travellers, this one’s for you. NSW is home to some incredible high-end hotels and next-level glamping sites. But for a group getaway, nothing quite beats booking out a big house and making it your own. We spoke with the team at Luxico – Australia’s largest curated collection of luxury villas and estates – to find the five most popular luxury stays in the state. Wagstaffe Tropics, Wagstaffe Set on a lush waterfront property with uninterrupted views out to Brisbane Water, Wagstaffe Tropics is a beautiful, light-flooded waterfront home complete with heated pool, multiple entertaining decks and a private jetty onto the water with kayaks and paddleboards for guests to use on a whim. The best news? It’s under two hours’ drive from Sydney. This one sleeps ten guests across five bedrooms. Photograph: Supplied The Surrey Luxe, Sydney This sophisticated urban sanctuary is right in the heart of Surry Hills – the go-to luxe home for an inner city staycation. The architecturally striking home features expansive living spaces including a designer kitchen, an open-plan living space and a media room. There’s also a plunge pool and a magical rooftop terrace with sweeping views across the city – and plenty of the city's best restaurants are within walking distance.   Photograph: Supplied | Luxico Luana Estates, Byron Bay This private resort-style estate in the heart of Byron Bay is a dream coastal getaway – home to tropical gardens, a tennis court, a yoga pavilion, a lagoon-style p

We gon’ be alright. Actually, we gon’ be more than alright because Kendrick Lamar is bringing his sold-out Grand National Tour to Australia in December. When Spilt Milk dropped the impressive line-up for its 2025 comeback, Kendrick fans across the nation went wild. The multi-Grammy-winning rapper will hit the stage with global superstars like Doechii, Dominic Fike and Schoolboy Q as the festival tours the country. Then, he’ll perform solo shows in Sydney and Melbourne – woohoo! Here’s everything you need to know about getting Kendrick Lamar tickets. When is Kendrick Lamar’s Australian tour? It’s time to get wild on a Wednesday! The rap icon will bring his Grand National Tour to two Aussie cities: Melbourne’s AAMI Park – Wednesday, December 3 Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on Wednesday, December 10 This will mark the first time Lamar has performed in Australia since his 2022 The Big Steppers Tour. When do Kendrick Lamar Australia tickets go on sale? The general sale kicks off on Monday, June 16 via Ticketek at 9am local time in Sydney and 11am in Melbourne. Is there a Kendrick Lamar pre-sale for Australia? For a legend like Lamar, you'd better believe it! The Vodafone pre-sale goes live on Thursday, June 12 at 9am in Sydney and 11am in Melbourne. Not a Vodafone customer? Several other pre-sales go live on Friday, June 13, with options for Visa holders, Live Nation members and My Ticketek members. How much are Kendrick Lamar tickets in Australia? Exact ticket prices are yet to be r

It's safe to say we all lost our collective minds when Kendrick Lamar was announced as the headline act for Spilt Milk (alongside Doechii, Dominic Fike and Schoolboy Q), but when tickets sold out immediately, many of us who missed out were left devastated. Thankfully, the multi-Grammy Award-winning rapper heard the cries of local fans and has just confirmed he'll be performing a massive show in December.  The Grand National Tour will take over Melbourne’s AAMI Park on Wednesday, December 3 – and we could not be more excited. Here’s everything we know so far.  When is Kendrick Lamar in Melbourne? The beloved artist will be bringing his Grand National Tour to AAMI Park on Wednesday, December 3 – it will be the first time he’s been in the Melbourne since his 2022 The Big Steppers Tour. When do Kendrick Lamar Melbourne tickets go on sale? The general sale kicks off at 11am on Monday, June 16 via Ticketek. Is there a Kendrick Lamar presale for his Melbourne show? For an icon like Lamar, you better believe it! The Vodafone presale goes live on Thursday, June 12 at 11am. Not a Vodafone customer? Several other presales go live on Friday, June 13 at 9am, with options for Visa holders, Live Nation members and My Ticketek members. How much do Kendrick Lamar tickets cost? Start rustling those money trees! Exact ticket prices are yet to be released, but we don’t expect them to come cheap. Real committed Kenfolk can get in on the VIP packages – which include premium reserved seats and VIP

When Spilt Milk dropped the wildly impressive line-up for their 2025 comeback, Kendrick fans across the nation rejoiced. The multi-Grammy winning rapper will join global superstars including Doechii, Dominic Fike and Schoolboy Q on the Spilt Milk stage as it tours the country. And now, Kendrick has confirmed he’ll be treating Aussie fans to two solo shows. The Grand National Tour will take over Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Here’s everything we know so far.  When is Kendrick Lamar in Sydney? The beloved artist will be bringing his Grand National Tour to the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday, December 10 – it will be the first time he’s been in the Harbour City since his 2022 The Big Steppers Tour. When do Kendrick Lamar Sydney tickets go on sale? The general sale kicks off at 9am on Monday, June 16 via Ticketek. Is there a Kendrick Lamar presale for his Sydney show? For an icon like Lamar, you better believe it! The Vodafone presale goes live on Thursday, June 12 at 9am. Not a Vodafone customer? Several other presales go live on Friday, June 13 at 9am, with options for Visa holders, Live Nation members and My Ticketek members. How much do Kendrick Lamar tickets cost? Exact ticket prices are yet to be released, but we don’t expect them to come cheap. Real committed Kenfolk can get in on the VIP packages – which include premium reserved seats and VIP merch designed by Kung Fu Kenny himself (the prices for those packages are also currently under wraps). Wh

Back in January, we got an exclusive sneak peek at Sydney’s brand new airport – an architecturally spectacular new complex that’s coming to life 41 kilometres west of Sydney’s CBD. Now, construction on Western Sydney Airport’s (WSI) state-of-the-art terminal is officially complete, and the airport is on track to start welcoming passengers in late 2026.   The initial design concepts by COX Architecture and Zaha Hadid Architects – awarded back in 2019 – have been brought to life through partnerships with Multiplex, Woods Bagot, Bechtel and WSI. Designed to honour its location on the land of the Darug, Dharawal and Gundungurra people, the new light-flooded terminal prioritises sustainable principles and new-age technology – and six years after the designs were confirmed, the terminal is officially complete. WSI (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport is the first new greenfield international airport to be built in Australia in more than 50 years, and its 24-hour licence is going to change the game – it’s predicted to eventually welcome 80 million passengers every year. Photograph: Supplied | Trevor Mein At the unveiling of the new terminal, WSI CEO Simon Hickey cited the economic benefit that the airport has already brought – and will continue to bring – to Western Sydney, with almost half of the workforce that have brought the airport to life hailing from Western Sydney, and the more than $500 million spent by the airport with businesses based in Western Sydney.  “WSI has been the cataly

In partnership with NetflixWith its buzzing nightlife scene, cutting-edge cultural landscape and incredible cuisine, South Korea is quickly becoming a top holiday destination for Sydneysiders looking for an inspiring and delicious escape But if you don’t have the dosh to fund plane tickets all the way to Seoul, fear not. In the heart of Sydney’s CBD – specifically along the Haymarket stretch of Pitt Street – you’ll find Sydney’s very own Koreatown: home to a vibrant mix of Korean restaurants, shops and bars serving up Big Seoul Energy in spades. And Squid Game fans, listen up! To celebrate the final season of Netflix's hit series, Netflix will be putting on some very special Squid Game experiences in some of the following Koreatown venues: Sil Bi Jip The good times seriously roll at this lively, affordable Korean street food diner and bar. Our advice? Order a round of Somaek (soju and beer cocktails) and the owner Dennis will make them at your table – splashing Korean beer into soju with lively theatrics. Alongside a strong line-up of tasty street food-style dishes and affordable drinks, you’ll find retro games and live music every Saturday from 7pm. Butchers Buffet  The name of this beloved Korean BBQ spot tells you all you need to know. Pile your plate up high with unlimited fresh cuts of beef, pork and chicken, then get grilling – all-you-can-eat seatings last for 90 minutes, and you’ll fill your belly for less than $50 per person. Hama Film X Kono Karaoke This photobooth

It’s been a spectacular start to the winter in the skies above NSW, and we're not just talking about Vivid – a naturally occurring light display (the Aurora Australis) sparkled over regional parts of the state on the very first day of the new season. Now, the astro gods are delivering once again, with this month’s Strawberry Moon set to be the highest full moon over Australia since 2006. Here’s how you can catch the final full moon before the winter solstice in June When is the Strawberry Moon in NSW 2025? The Strawberry Moon will reach its full peak on Wednesday, June 11 at 5.43pm, Sydney time. While it technically peaks in the early evening, we expect viewing will be best after sunset – so rug up, head outside and admire the bright glow of the moon late into the night. You can find the exact time the full moon will peak where you live here. What is a Strawberry Moon? A Strawberry Moon is the name given to the full moon that happens in June each year. Despite the name, the moon doesn’t actually glow pink or red. The name originates from Native American traditions, where the June full moon signalled the start of wild strawberry harvest season in parts of North America. The 2025 Strawberry Moon is getting extra attention thanks to a rare astronomical event called the major lunar standstill. This event happens once every 18.6 years and causes the moonrise and moonset to occur at the most extreme northern and southernmost points. In the Northern Hemisphere, the moon will appear

Summer is officially over, and here in Sydney, the event calendar of the cooler months is dominated by one word: Vivid. The multidisciplinary festival of lights, music, food and ideas has returned to the Harbour City for 23 sparkly nights this winter, promising its most creative and boundary-pushing program to date. Reimagined for 2025, the festival is unfolding across five immersive zones – Circular Quay and The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, The Goods Line and Inner City, and Martin Place and the CBD – with a massive 75 per cent of the events program (and the entire Light Walk) completely free. Whether you’re travelling from overseas or interstate, or just a local keen to see what’s new, we’re here to guide you on the best things to see, places to stay and dining experiences to book at Vivid Sydney 2025. When is Vivid Sydney 2025? Vivid is on now, set to illuminate Sydney across 23 dazzling nights from Friday, May 23 until Saturday, June 14, 2025.  What to see at Vivid Sydney 2025? In 2025, Vivid Sydney is bringing us a reimagined program of light, music (you can check out this year's wildy-good music line-up here), ideas and food – all centred around the open-ended theme, ‘dream’. If you’re only in town for one night, the impressive Vivid Light Walk is a must, guiding you past all the biggest and best light projections from Circular Quay to Barangaroo and Darling Harbour. There's also a film-inspired light walk in Surry Hills' Hollywood Quarter, and some stunning imme

In case you missed it, Sydney is scoring a new international airport. Based in the suburb of Badgerys Creek, 41 kilometres west of Sydney’s CBD, the architecturally impressive new Western Sydney Airport (WSI) is set to be able to accommodate 10 million passengers every year when it opens in late 2026 – with plans to grow in line with Western Sydney’s growing population. With capacity to expand and a pre-approved 24-hour licence (unlike Sydney’s existing airport, which works on a curfew to reduce noise pollution for residents), WSI is set to eventually become Sydney’s largest airport, handling more than 80 million passengers every year (a similar size to London’s Heathrow). So where will all of those passengers be going? This week, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has authorised the preliminary flight paths for WSI – here’s what we know so far...The newly announced flight paths are due to arrive in Sydney over suburbs including Botany, Canterbury and Bella Vista, with departing flight paths flying over suburbs including Glenfield, Revesby and Bronte, and most flight paths flying over the Blue Mountains. You can check out the map below and via this link. The next stage in the planning process will involve a detailed design stage led by Airservices Australia, which will involve simulation testing, ongoing safety assessments and community consultation aimed at prioritising operational safety and noise management. WSI Aerlabs