Melissa Woodley

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

Spring 2025 update: Spring has sprung so heading out early in the morning for a yum brekkie feels less chilly and more fun. Our current fave picks include sandwich and coffee spot Angus Marrickville, Potts Point's Room Ten, and Parramatta’s Middle Eastern-inspired go-to Circa Espresso (it's the people's fave, too – it took the title of People's Choice Favourite Café in this year's Time Out Sydney Food & Drink Awards). 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.  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.

There’s never been a quiet year for theatre in Australia. From the bright lights of Broadway and West End to our very own stages in Australia, we’re lucky to play host to some of the world’s biggest and best 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 a British “mega-musical” starring cats to the Aussie premiere of a musical based on Pretty Woman, this year’s theatre line-up is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. We highly recommend nabbing tickets to The Book of Mormon, which just opened in Sydney and will hopefully announce more cities soon. Or, hold out for tickets to Broadway hit Anastasia, which is making its long-awaited Aussie debut in Melbourne this December. Here are all the biggest musicals playing in Australia – in order of when they hit/are hitting the stage. 🖼 The best Australian art galleries🔍 Australia's greatest museums 👀 The best art exhibitions in Australia

Don't let the political reputation of Australia's capital city fool you; there are plenty of diverse and exciting things to do in Canberra. Over the last five years, the city has undergone a hospitality glow-up, with world-class wine bars, trendy restaurants and stylish boutique hotels opening in the rapidly developing cultural precincts of New Acton and Braddon. Although once only visited by eye-rolling schoolkids, culture vultures drawn to the National Art Gallery and political wheelers, Canberra’s now a perfect weekend getaway spot, regardless of your interests. Our Travel and News Editor, Melissa Woodley, lived in the capital for four years and has carefully curated this list of the best things to do in Canberra. Her ideal weekend here involves catching up with friends over a lap of Lake Burley Griffin, a big wander in the National Portrait Gallery, hunting for pastries at the Capital Region Farmers Market, and of course, watching the sunset from the top of Mount Ainslie – a non-negotiable too.  🍽️ The best restaurants in Canberra🥾 All the best hikes to conquer in the capital🖼️ Canberra's best museums and galleries

Believe it or not, school holidays is on right now in NSW. And if the thought of keeping the kiddos entertained for the next two weeks sends you into a spiral, we have you covered. Below, you'll find the ultimate round-up of activities and experiences happening in Sydney for kids and families this spring. When is the spring school holidays in NSW?  The spring school holidays for 2025 run from Monday, September 29 to Friday, October 10 –this applies to both the Eastern and Western divisions of NSW. What to do in Sydney in the school holidays? There’s something here for the explorers, the budding scientists, the mini-athletes, the musical prodigies and just about everyone in between. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Looking for somewhere affordable to eat out with the kids? Check out our guide to the best cheap eats in Sydney. Or visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

It feels a little lazy to say that eating yourself silly is one of the best things to do in Perth, but it would be disingenuous to suggest otherwise. The culinary scene here is exquisite, with each eatery bringing its own quirks and flavours to the table. And you're in safe hands when it comes to choosing one of the best restaurants in Perth to dine at – our contributing food enthusiast and writer, Dale Anninos-Carter, has lived in The West for 17 years and keeps a keen eye on the hospitality scene for all your devouring needs. She's teamed up with our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, who regularly visits the WA capital, to bring you this list of the best restaurants in Perth. From a charming European bistro tucked inside a heritage hotel to Australia’s very first Hokkaido soup curry house hidden down a laneway, these restaurants are well worth visiting. So, put that appetite of yours to good use and get feasting. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍷 The best bars in Perth🍝 Perth's best Italian restaurants☕️ The best cafés in Perth

Perth more than proves its prowess when it comes to world-class bars. Here, neighbourhood wine joints and rustic beer houses are so much more than their humble exteriors suggest. Hiding behind doors are extensive and thoughtful drinks lists, gourmet tapas and aperitivo bites, and creative collaborations. This guide to Peth's best bars represents our picks of the coolest spots to grab a cocktail or a wine, whether that's in Foxtrot Unicorn's 1800s bank vault, within Sneaky Tony's secretive speakeasy walls, or perhaps curbside at Madalena's seaside watering hole. Whichever you choose, know that you're in safe hands thanks to Perth local and Time Out contributing writer, Dale Anninos-Carter, who has given these brilliant bars her seal of approval. Where to first? For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍹 Perth's coolest rooftop bars🍽️ The best restaurants in Perth right now⭐️ Perth's top hotels to rest your head

Ah, lovely Launceston. Tasmania’s second city might not get quite so much love as more famous cities on the Australian mainland (or, for that matter, the island’s capital city, Hobart), but it most certainly should. This home of just over 75,000 people teems with stuff to see and do, from gorgeous sights and majestic nature to underrated restaurants. Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, explored the city like a true local on a campervan trip and visited all of Launceston's top attractions. Here’s her guide to the best things to do in Launceston, combined with a few insider tips from the locals. 🌳 The best things to do in Hobart😱 The top places to visit in Tasmania🚘 The coolest day trips from Hobart

Hobart’s food scene is undoubtedly one of the best in Australia, and the locals will happily back that up. As will Time Out Australia’s Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, who after dining across every state and territory, can confidently vouch for it.  Tasmania’s food scene is spectacular for a number of reasons. In recent years, spiking rent prices on the mainland have prompted chefs to flock to Hobart to launch their own restaurants. This influx of talent, combined with Tasmania’s naturally bountiful fresh produce, has led to Hobart becoming quite the destination for food lovers.  From tiny hole-in-the-wall bars with 20 seats to a bustling Tokyo-inspired eatery and a French restaurant that sits at the front of MONA, Hobart’s best restaurants are wildly varied, and there’s a plate to suit every palate. Eating out is truly one of the best things to do in Hobart, so here’s our list of the best restaurants in Hobart to score a reservation (or a walk-in table) at. Update August 2025: Since our March update, we've added newcomer Ranita Ramen – an intimate nine-seater spot serving just two noodle soups – along with long-time favourites, The Point Revolving Restaurant and Suzie Luck's For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍷 The best bars in Hobart☕️ Hobart's cutest cafés🌳 All the best things to do in Hobart

When most people think about visiting Darwin, food likely isn’t the main motivating factor. But with steaming bowls of laksa and uniquely Territorian bites, Larrakia land gives plenty of reasons to linger. By day, you’ll come across intimate cafés with creative cross-cultural fare and bustling weekend markets serving some of the nation’s best noodle soups. As the sun sets, Darwin’s dining scene heats up with harbour-front restaurants showcasing tropical fruits and upscale pubs featuring local wildlife, like crocodiles and kangaroos. Our Travel and News Editor, Melissa Woodley, along with NT-based contributing writer, Leah McLennan, keep a weather eye on every nook and cranny of the wee but mighty city – and have curated this list of the best restaurants in Darwin right now. Now, all that’s left for you to do is eat up. Update August 2025: Since our last update in April, we've added two beloved local institutions and a standout newcomer. Cathy's Place still reigns supreme for the best chilli mud crab in town, Lazy Susan's serves up punchy Asian flavours and fresh-faced Junoon shines a spotlight on the NT's finest produce. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍕 The best pizza joints in Darwin🌳 The top things to do in Darwin🍻 Darwin's best bars

Australia takes its baked goods very seriously. Between our sourdough-centred meals, we all need a little sweet treat (trust us, you deserve one). Luckily, Aussie bakers are giving Parisian pâtissiers a run for their money, creating their own takes on classic baked goods that taste as good as they look. You’ve undoubtedly heard of the big players (hello Lune Croissanterie), but there are plenty of neighbourhood gems to spend your hard-earned dough. While we wish we could shower love on every flaky croissant, pie and sausage roll, our expert food writers have narrowed it down to 30 of the best bakeries in Australia right now. Find the best bakeries in:Adelaide | Brisbane | Canberra | Darwin | Hobart | Melbourne | Sydney | Perth

Sometimes, all you need is a mammoth mouthful of deliciousness. Flame-grilled. Dripping in sauce. Oozing with cheese. With or without beetroot – oh yeah, we’re talkin’ about burgers. Once the cravings hit, there’s just no going back. From proper American classics to novel vegan offerings, our food writer Dale Anninos-Carter has sunk her teeth into these juicy numbers to round up the very best burgers in Adelaide right now. All you need to decide? Do you want fries with that?    Editor’s favourite burgers in Adelaide 🥗 Best vegan burger: Two-Bit Villains  🕺🏻 Best late-night burger: 99 Gang Social 🍔 Best cheeseburger: Cheeseburger Adelaide For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍕 The best pizza in Adelaide🍽 The best restaurants in Adelaide🍣 Adelaide's best Japanese restaurants

If anyone ever complains about Canberra’s nightlife, just nod quietly and then laugh all the way up the stairs to Bar Rochford, where you will be enjoying a glass of the grippy, slightly volcanic Rami wine from COS in Sicily. This is undoubtedly the best little wine bar in the ACT, and once you’re here, you’ll never ever want to leave. You know how they talk about some venues being timeless? Well, this place is locationless. Once you’re up in the cosy confines of this first-floor bar, you could be in Melbourne, Berlin or deepest Darlinghurst. There’s a stack of records on the wall, a roll-down specials list on brown paper, early hip hop on the stereo and super lovely staff wearing vintage shirts. Big arched windows at one end let in light and brighten the space, but a real log fire keeps things toasty on a bracingly cold Canberra evening, and they have enlisted a team of excited young guns to run the joint. Let them guide you on a vinous adventure that traipses the world, but if you don’t order food too, it’s a lost opportunity. The $90 set menu isn’t a cop-out; it’s more like a tour of their latest and greatest seasonal hits. Think smoked beef tongue with anchovy mayo; lamb ribs (or cauliflower for vegos) with black bean and honey; and crème brûlée tart, if you’re shooting for the stars.  RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Canberra

Every city should be so lucky as to have a bistro like Gerard's. The new-look restaurant offers a beguiling mash-up of Middle Eastern and modern Australian cuisines, with dishes designed to share. The game plan is simple: breads and dips, raw and fermented plates, seafood and meat mains, then desserts. You could also easily opt for one of Gerard's set menus, featuring signatures like the fresh barbari bread with a side of goat's curd, the crisp 'awamat' savoury doughnut with green mango, and the hero Margra lamb collar with special spices. And it ain’t just whacked on the plate either – Gerard’s artful kitchen staff carefully curate each dish with love, and heaps of verdant and vermillion coloured ingredients too. Think cute little tarts, stacked desserts, silky sauces, and beds of yoghurt. Wines are in focus at Gerard’s Bistro too, hailing from every corner of the world, like the white Domaine Disznoko Dry Furmint from Hungary, the orange Radikon Ribolla from Italy, and the red Alain Graillot ‘Syrocco’ Syrah from Morocco. Seasonal cocktails are a huge hit too. As for Gerard’s ambience, the rustic-contemporary dining room is licked with earthy tones and the overhead lighting radiates softly through a mega perspex – they’ve even won awards for the design. There's also an open kitchen for all your perusing needs.  Time Out tip: Gerard’s Bistro gives big date night energy – it’s sleek, it’s sexy and the food is equally as divine. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Brisbane

Wildflower’s innovative fare is headed by the Indigenous culinary calendar, meaning ingredients are harvested and foraged according to the Noongar six seasons. As your dining experience unfolds over a four-, six- or eight-course degustation dinner, you can discover pockets of Swan River views between the city’s highrises, along with a bird's eye perspective over the neighbouring cathedral. More importantly, the transitional menu never fails to delight curious diners and you can expect to come across dishes with the likes of the Manjimup marron with bush tomato, dhashi and coastal succulents, as well as the Berkshire pork with cauliflower, Geraldton wax and black pudding – both peculiar and inspiring, if you ask us. It’s worth playing with Wildflower’s cocktail list too, where native Australian ingredients steal the spotlight, including Davidson plum, strawberry gum, fingerlime and quandong. Time Out tip: A floor-to-ceiling window seat offers a tableside dramatic drop if you’re down for elevating your Wildflower experience even further. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Perth

Set inside a heritage confectionery shop – no larger than your average sauna – this cosy Liverpool Street diner is the latest venture from acclaimed chef Luke Burgess (ex-Garagistes). Scholé takes its name from the Greek word for leisure, which is fitting for a space that encourages creativity and conversation, all centred around a communal ten-seater table. The share-style menu sways with the seasons, featuring biodynamic and local produce in elegant snacks like steamed wild angasi oysters from St Helens with fresh wasabi oil and hemp seed froknäcke (cracker) topped with salt-cured pike and pink radish. Larger plates are seafood-centric, where you could enjoy anything from smoked eel and raw scallops to albacore tuna and grilled swordfish. Complete the experience with a natural wine, a considered cocktail or a pour of premium Japanese sake. Time Out tip: On Tuesday nights, Scholé transforms into a buzzy tachinomi – a casual Japanese-style standing bar serving a tight selection of snacks and drinks. It’s walk-in only, so rock up early to secure a spot.

Millbrook Restaurant's ever-evolving, seasonal menu takes its cues from the estate’s sprawling one-acre garden, where 100 varieties of heirloom vegetables are grown. Creativity and colour are served up lakeside, whether that’s on the deck or inside the stone walls of its grand cellar door – you’d almost mistake it for a vista across the Italian countryside. The winery restaurant's pretty plates sound a little like rump steak with confit eggplant, pan-seared market fish alongside a zucchini medley, plus a fresh plum tart atop lemon pastry cream, decorated with plum gel and meringue. There’s also a thoughtful vegan menu, too. Millbrook’s premium wines lean strongly on lesser-known grape varieties, such as viognier, tempranillo and a sublime GSM blend. Time Out tip: Millbrook Winery is located a 50-minute drive south of Perth, so it’s best to book a minibus with a designated driver to haul you around the region.  RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Perth

First built in the 1830s as a flour mill and water supplier, this historical building at the mouth of Cataract Gorge has gone on to become Launceston's premier destination for fine dining and boutique accommodation. With a strong focus on sustainable local produce like Cape Grim beef, abalone and wallaby, it’s a firm local favourite as well as a national award winner. The hyper-seasonal menu evolves to hero the region's freshest local produce, and the wine list is considered one of the best in the state, featuring many gems from the cool climate Tamar Valley.  Time Out tip: The earlier you book, the better the view – seats with water views are given to those who book first. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Launceston

When it comes to Canberra’s best restaurant views, Lunetta takes the cake – or the torta, considering it’s Italian. After a dramatic three-year hiatus, this spaceship-like dome atop Red Hill Lookout has been reborn, with a young superstar chef, Tristan Rebbettes (ex-Mona Farm, Saint Peter, Café Paci), leading the charge. In true Italian style, you must start with spuntini – may we recommend the gnocco fritto with honey and pecorino? Then make way for woodfired flatbreads with antipasti, including a selection of cheeses, salumi and cured fish. For secondi, share baked vodka pasta, a rich duck ragu or a whole market fish with puttanesca sauce. Celebrating a special occasion? Go big with the one-kilogram bistecca alla fiorentina. A lovely little torta caprese with dark chocolate, crème fraîche and orange will finish your night off nicely.  Time Out tip: Swing by Lunette during aperitivo hour from 3pm to 6pm for $18 cocktails and snacks starting at $6.50.  RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Canberra

If the sweeping oceanic views haven’t already sold you, the food and finesse at Gibney surely will. This sophisticated brasserie ticks all the boxes, with plush banquette seating and a glam bar all softened by a coastal colour palette. With a menu that reads as a who’s who of Australia’s most premium producers, you can’t go wrong. Start with fresh seafood and snacks, before moving on to premium mains, including a grilled O’Connor 3+ sirloin, Shark Bay clam spaghetti and Fremantle swordfish cooked in cider beurre blanc – don’t forget to mop up the to-die-for sauce with a buttered slice of sourdough. Since its inception, Gibney has proven to be one of the best restaurants in Perth for both lunch and dinner services, seven days a week. Time Out tip: For ultimate comfort, book a booth for your group and sit back, relax, and let Gibney do the hard yakka, with a side of the Fremantle Doctor, of course. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Perth

Ondeen is a love letter to farm-to-table dining, marrying locally-sourced ingredients with botanicals foraged from the property’s very own garden. The super sustainable restaurant is housed in a former 1850s homestead, located just three minutes from Hahndorf and 25 minutes from Adelaide CBD. Culinary director Kane Pollard and head chef Julian Peek source 95 per cent of ingredients from South Australia, serving them fresh or briefly kissed by charcoal. Expect housemade focaccia served with living cheese and brined green tomatoes, whole pork terrine cooked over fire, ash-rolled chicken with malted-grain mushroom risotto, and hearth-baked pies topped with fresh herbs and flowers from the garden. Time Out tip: Bookend your feast with a visit to the adjacent wine room, featuring four small-batch, cool-climate wines from Artis, Jericho, Silver Lining and Turon. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Adelaide

African cuisine isn’t super common in Australia’s dining scene, but award-winning South African-born chef Duncan Welgemoed’s Africola is nothing short of legendary. It’s one of those restaurants that makes you consider booking a flight to Adelaide just for dinner. The super buzzy restaurant serves South African-style barbecue with the addition of North African flavours and ingredients, like pickled vegetables, hummus and flatbreads. The meat comes from animals bred and raised exclusively for the restaurant, which is then rubbed in aromatic spices and grilled or smoked in a woodfire oven. Good times are guaranteed! Time Out tip: Try to nab bar seats so you can watch the open kitchen in action.  RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Adelaide

At Adelaide’s first open-flame restaurant, main character energy comes from a three-and-a-half-tonne wood-burning oven that sizzles everything from local figs and spiced cauliflower to Murray cod with sweet corn sauce, as well as the dry-aged wagyu T-bone. Michelin-trained chef Jake Kellie heads this sleek barbecue restaurant, which is housed inside a heritage-listed sandstone building. You can dine à la carte from Arkhé’s seasonally-driven menu, or try for a seat at the exclusive chef’s table, located in the heart of the restaurant. Sip on enticing cocktails with the likes of a Wattleseed Negroni and Watermelon Fizz, which sit atop Arkhé’s extensive drinks list. Time Out tip: We quite like the seating at the very back of the restaurant, which backs onto a leafy courtyard – it’s like you’re outside but you’re inside all at the same time. There’s something rather calming about it. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Adelaide

Named after a Japanese style of pottery, Raku blurs the lines between art and sustenance. The menu is extensive, showcasing seafood in all its rainbow glory. You can have it raw in the kingfish served with truffle yuzu, cold in a spanner crab sushi roll, or hot as king prawns doused in XO butter. Masters of the blades, the chefs expertly slice up fresh snapper, tuna belly and scallops into sashimi or nigiri; add crunch with popcorn shrimp on the tempura menu; and grill high-grade Wagyu on a robata charcoal grill. The carefully adorned plates are a spectacle in themselves, never mind the super sleek, monochrome fit-out to boot. From the $60 express lunch to the $170 royal tasting degustation, Raku will leave you wishing you had the moolah to dine here daily – or maybe you do, but that’s none of our business. Time Out tip: Gluten-free, gang, rejoice. There’s a five-page menu dedicated to you, featuring treats like chargrilled cauliflower with miso-butter mayonnaise and soft shell crab tempura. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Canberra

Anyone who’s part of the Costco fan club knows it’s an absolute treasure trove of bulk brilliance. Think toilet paper mountains, cheese wheels the size of your head, frozen pizzas by the dozen, five-kilogram peanut butter tubs and pet food sacks heavier than your dog – all at way lower prices than your typical Woolies or Coles run. If you love a bulk-buy bargain, perhaps it’s time to become a member – Costco is expanding across Australia, with two new stores set to open in 2027. The beloved American bulk retailer made its Aussie debut in 2009 and remains the country’s only subscription warehouse chain, raking in an estimated $5 billion in annual sales. Costco currently operates 15 stores across Australia, including four each in Victoria and NSW, three in Queensland, two in Western Australia, and one in both South Australia and the ACT. Earlier this year, the membership-based giant unveiled its newest $118 million warehouse in Melbourne’s western suburbs, with eager shoppers queuing for hours to be among the first inside. And Costco is showing no signs of slowing down.  Photograph: Zidane Hartono via Wikimedia CommonsCostco Perth Airport In August, it revealed plans for its fifth Victorian warehouse – a $74m superstore and mega fuel station in Pakenham, slated to open in 2027. Now, the bulk-buy giant has just confirmed plans to open its 17th store in Perth’s northern suburbs at the new $33 million Alkimos Central Home X Trade Hub. Construction on the first stage of the homem

Let's be honest – it was actually a pretty mild winter in Melbourne, and although we haven't had any super hot spring days yet, the weather conditions have been (mostly) calm and consistent. Which would bode well for a pleasantly warm summer, right?  Well, no. At least not if La Niña has her way. This month, the US Climate Prediction Center (CPC) declared that a La Niña event is officially underway, with the cool, rainy phase expected to stick around until early next year. While it’s probably not the news anyone was hoping for, it’s not all doom and gloom Down Under. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) hasn't declared La Niña here – yet. But it's safe to say we're on high alert here in Melbourne. This is everything you need to know so far. What is La Niña? La Niña is one of three phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate cycle. It happens when stronger-than-usual trade winds push warm water westward across the Pacific Ocean, leaving cooler-than-average waters along the equator. The result? Wetter weather, more cloud cover and a greater chance of storms across Australia. Are we in La Niña or El Niño? Australia experienced three consecutive La Niña years – from late 2020 through to early 2023 – which is pretty rare (only the fourth “triple-dip” since records began). This led to record-breaking rainfall and cooler temperatures across much of the East Coast, with widespread flooding in parts of QLD and NSW. However, Australia has been in a neutral climate phas

Virgin Australia has been making headlines lately! In late September, the full-service airline launched a new “neighbour-free” seating option, letting passengers enjoy the luxury of an empty seat beside them. Then, just this week, it made history as the first Australian carrier to let pets fly in the cabin on domestic routes. Now, Virgin has announced a shake-up of its carry-on baggage rules – here’s what you need to know. In mid-October, Virgin Australia quietly updated its website to reveal new luggage allowances coming into effect on February 2, 2026. The airline, which serves most major domestic cities and short-haul international destinations, said the changes “will help improve overhead space availability to reduce delays, enhance safety and create a smoother travel experience for guests.” Currently, economy passengers can bring two carry-on items weighing up to seven kilograms combined, plus a small personal item (max L45cm x W33cm x H20cm) – like a handbag, laptop bag or small backpack – that fits under the seat in front. Under the new rules, that allowance increases to eight kilograms, but is limited to one single carry-on item (max L56cm x W36cm x H23cm). So while you’re losing a bag, you’re gaining weight – enough to sneak in an extra pair of shoes, a silly souvenir or all your snacks for the trip. Those flying Economy X and Business Class, plus Gold, Forever Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus Velocity members, will be entitled to bring two carry-on bags weighing up

Eurosummer has wrapped up for another year, but the lure of a white Christmas still has many Aussies packing for a European getaway in 2025. If you’re one of those lucky jetsetters, you should be aware of the new registration system now in place for anyone entering the Schengen zone. Here's the lowdown on the European Union (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES). What is the EES? From October 12, the new digital EU Entry/Exit System (EES) will register all non-EU nationals, including Australians, for short stays of 90 days or less when entering or leaving the Schengen area. The system aims to streamline border crossings and enhance security. The EES will be gradually rolled out across European countries, with full implementation by April 10, 2026. It applies only at the external borders of the Schengen zone – AKA when travelling between a non-Schengen country and a Schengen country – and does not affect travel within the Schengen area. Note: the EES is not a visa. If you needed a visa to travel to the EU before, you’ll still need to apply for one before arriving. How does the EES work? When you enter or leave a Schengen border, you must provide personal information at a kiosk or counter, including: Passport details Date and place of each entry and exit Facial image and fingerprints Whether you have been refused entry before If you return to the Schengen area within three years of creating your digital record, you'll only need to provide your fingerprint and/or photograph at the bord

Spring has well and truly arrived in Sydney, and if the past few weeks are anything to go by, we’d be pretty confident in predicting an epic summer ahead. But if you thought summer was going to be all beach days and sun-soaked Spritzes at rooftop bars, La Niña might have other plans. This month, the US Climate Prediction Center (CPC) declared that a La Niña event is officially underway, with the cool, rainy phase expected to stick around until early next year. While it’s probably not the news anyone was hoping for, it’s not all doom and gloom Down Under. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) is yet to declare La Niña here – this is everything we know so far. What is La Niña? La Niña is one of three phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate cycle. It happens when stronger-than-usual trade winds push warm water westward across the Pacific Ocean, leaving cooler-than-average waters along the equator. The result? Wetter weather, more cloud cover and a greater chance of storms across Australia. Are we in La Niña or El Niño? Australia experienced three consecutive La Niña years – from late 2020 through to early 2023 – which is pretty rare (only the fourth “triple-dip” since records began). This led to record-breaking rainfall and cooler temperatures across much of the East Coast, with widespread flooding in parts of QLD and NSW. However, Australia has been in a neutral climate phase since then. When was La Niña declared? On October 9, the US Climate Prediction Cent

If you thought summer was going to be all sunshine and rooftop spritzes, La Niña might have other plans. This month, the US Climate Prediction Center (CPC) declared that a La Niña event is officially underway, with the cool, rainy phase expected to stick around until early next year. While it’s probably not the news anyone was hoping for, it’s not all doom and gloom Down Under. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has yet to declare La Niña here – this is everything you need to know so far. What is La Niña? La Niña is one of three phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate cycle. It happens when stronger-than-usual trade winds push warm water westward across the Pacific Ocean, leaving cooler-than-average waters along the equator. The result? Wetter weather, more cloud cover and a greater chance of storms across Australia. Are we in La Niña or El Niño? Australia experienced three consecutive La Niña years – from late 2020 through to early 2023 – which is pretty rare (only the fourth “triple-dip” since records began). This led to record-breaking rainfall and cooler temperatures across much of the East Coast, with widespread flooding in parts of QLD and NSW. However, Australia has been in a neutral climate phase since then. When was La Niña declared? On October 9, the US Climate Prediction Center (CPC) issued an alert confirming that La Niña conditions are present and expected to persist through December 2025 to February 2026. They currently estimate a 55 per c

Australia is famous for its melting pot of cuisines, and our bar scene is just as diverse. From New York-style speakeasies and Parisian wine bars to Japanese izakayas and Mexican cantinas, you can explore the world of cocktails without leaving our major cities. And it’s not just variety on offer – Australia’s bars are world-class, with two beloved drinking dens recently making the prestigious World’s 50 Best Bars list for 2025. Now in its 17th year, this annual event is regarded as one of the world’s most influential bar awards, celebrating the top bartenders and drink enthusiasts on an international scale. The winners are voted on by an esteemed global academy made up of drink experts, bartenders and other top dogs, and were recognised at a live ceremony in Hong Kong earlier this October. Bars from 29 cities across the globe were featured in this year’s top 50, including Bar Leone in Hong Kong – the 2025 winner and the first Asian bar to ever claim the top gong. But who are our local heroes? Photograph: Supplied | Caretaker's Cottage The title of Australia’s best bar goes to Caretaker's Cottage – a tiny, highly lauded CBD venue that landed 19th on the global charts. The news comes after we crowned it our Bar of the Year at the Time Out Melbourne Food & Drink Awards in March, proving once again we can spot a good bar when we see one. Caretaker's Cottage climbed two spots from 21st in 2024 to 19th this year, and honestly, we're not surprised. Our reviewer called it “quintess

Victoria has no shortage of incredible places to stay – from glittering city palaces to charming farmstays and playful revamped motels. And while we all have our favourites, it’s always interesting to hear what global travellers think about our local hotels. Earlier this month, the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards – the world’s longest-running and most prestigious travel awards – were announced. More than 750,000 travellers voted in the 38th edition, and two Melbourne properties ranked among the top ten favourite stays in Australia and New Zealand.The two Victorian hotels featured in the top ten are both city stays, with the Langham claiming third place and last year’s number one property, the Ritz-Carlton, close behind in fourth. The Langham is at the grand, traditional end of the hotel spectrum, featuring chandeliers, signature lobby florals, marble bathrooms with generous-sized tubs and pops of signature Langham pink. Meanwhile, at 80 storeys, the Ritz-Carlton is the tallest hotel in the country, boasting 257 stylish rooms, an infinity pool, regionally-inspired spa packages and fine dining experiences.  Photograph: Ritz Carlton Melbourne RECOMMENDED READ: This stylish Melbourne hotel is officially one of the 30 best hotels in the world for 2025Claiming the crown as Australia’s best hotel for 2025 is Silky Oaks Lodge in Queensland, scoring an almost perfect 99.67. Under the lush and leafy canopy of the Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, this ‘hotel’ is home t

Since it burst onto the local hotel scene last year, Hyde Melbourne Place has quickly established itself as one of the hottest – and most stylish – places to stay for a city getaway. Well, turns out we're not the only ones who thought it was a pretty special spot, with National Geographic ranking it among the world's 30 best properties in its Hotel Awards for 2025. From Morocco to Madagascar, National Geographic’s annual awards celebrate the best new and renovated places to stay across the world. This year's winners were decided by an expert panel of eight travel writers and crowned across categories, including budget breaks, designer dens, wellness havens, eco retreats and one-of-a-kind stays. Hyde Melbourne Place was recognised in the 'Designer Den' category, with the judging panel calling it a “microcosm of local art and design” and highlighting the “circular motifs and warm native woods”.  Our former Food and Drink Writer, Lauren Dinse, stayed here when it first opened, and also praised its chic and modern style. “There’s much to love about Hyde Melbourne Place – its artfully warm design, local-made contemporary art works, world-class dining and a confident team of staff who’ll please every type of luxury-loving lodger,” she said.   Photograph: Sean Fennessy   Located smack-bang in the middle of the CBD, it boasts two excellent drinking and dining options on the ground floor: Marmelo and Mr Mills, by celebrated restaurateurs Ross and Sunny Lusted. And opening this Dec

Whether you're finishing up year 12 or considering a career change that requires you to hit the books (or maybe you're just curious to see how your alma mater is going), this grading of global universities is sure to pique your interest. Especially because two revered Melbourne institutions have made the list.  There are plenty of university rankings out there (including QS and CWUR), but the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Ranking is widely regarded as one of the most trusted. This year, it assessed almost 2,200 institutions across 115 countries and territories, evaluating performance across five key pillars: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry engagement. Each institution was then scored and ranked – and for the 2026 list, ten Australian universities earned a spot.  Photograph: Eriksson Luo via Unsplash Once again, The University of Melbourne retained its crown as Australia’s top university, ranking 37th on the global leaderboard. Home to more than 77,000 students and 13,000 staff, the university improved two places on its 2025 ranking and earned near-perfect scores in five metrics, including research excellence and impact, while making notable progress in its teaching reputation. The University of Melbourne also finished 16 places ahead of its closest rival, The University of Sydney, which rose eight spots to 53rd in 2026. It's another tassel in the graduation cap for Melbourne Uni, which also landed in the

It’s not just the weather that's heating up – Sydney is about to score some seriously hot and fabulously big shows next year, with The Lion King, Anastasia: The Broadway Musical and Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical landing in our Harbour City. Now, it’s been announced that something sweet is being thrown into the mix, with the Broadway smash-hit Waitress making its national debut in 2026, blending sweetness, sass and soulful songs into one heartwarming show. The Tony-nominated musical is set to premiere in Sydney next July – and fingers crossed more Aussie locations are announced soon. As one of the world’s newer Broadway sensations, Waitress made its debut in New York in 2016, where it ran for four fantastic years. Based on the late Adrienne Shelly’s cult 2007 indie flick of the same name, the musical has been whipped into a moving tale of self-liberation against the odds. The show is brought to life by a trailblazing, female-led creative team, featuring a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson, an uplifting score by Grammy winner Sara Bareilles – including the showstopper anthem, ‘She Used to Be Mine’ – and direction by Tony winner Diane Paulus. RELATED READ: The best shows and musicals to see in Sydney this month. “It’s been a dream of mine to see Waitress (finally) find its way to Australia,” said Sara Bareilles. “This story is about dreams, friendship and the courage needed to learn to love oneself, which feels so universal and so timely.” As the name sugg

Spring has well and truly sprung, and Aussies are taking flight. New data has revealed that more than two-thirds of Australians are planning on taking to the skies (or hitting the road) for a holiday this season, with a major trend towards domestic trips. Wondering where everyone’s heading? Our very own sunny state is the top domestic destination for travelling Aussies this springtime, with Sydney ranking as the most popular city escape for domestic travellers. According to the latest Tourism and Transport Forum (TFF) survey, 67 per cent of Australians are heading on a holiday between now and the end of October. Of those travellers, 35 per cent are travelling within their own state or territory, one-fifth are heading interstate and just 11 per cent are venturing overseas.RELATED READ: NSW scored more Michelin keys than any other state in Australia’s first-ever Michelin hotels guide With its sparkling coastline and endless sunshine, it’s no surprise that Australians are flocking to the East Coast this spring. Our very own state of New South Wales leads as the most popular state for travellers (29 per cent), followed by Queensland (25 per cent) and Victoria (22 per cent). A similar trend emerges for city rankings, with Sydney (13 per cent), Melbourne (ten per cent) and Brisbane (seven per cent) claiming the top three spots.RELATED READ: These are the best hotel pools in Sydney to hit up this spring Narrowing in on regional hotspots, the Gold Coast (seven per cent) and Sunshine