Leah Glynn

It’s that time again. Every year, we ask thousands of city-dwellers to tell us the coolest spots in their cities. What are the places locals love and visitors flock to? Where are the exciting new openings across food, drink and culture? Where are people going out, hanging out and having fun? For the sixth year running, the results are in. Over 12,000 people had their say in this year’s shortlist, naming the neighbourhoods in their hometowns where everyone wants to be right now. Then, we narrowed down the selection with the insight and expertise of city editors and local experts who know their cities better than anyone else. To create and rank the final list, we considered factors including community and social ventures, access to open and green space, and thriving street life. In 2023, our neighbourhoods are more global than ever before. The rise and rise in post-pandemic digital nomadism has led to an explosion of brand-new community spaces, multi-purpose culture centres and more cafés than we can count on two hands. But while most of these neighbourhoods have experienced a transformation over recent years, they remain resolutely local at heart. Slick new developments and cool cafés might bring in new crowds, but neighbourhood stalwarts – from old pubs to family greengrocers – keep it real.  The world’s coolest neighbourhoods this year are, therefore, places with big personalities. Each area’s diversity is reflected in its food, culture and festivals. Community is key: local

Summer holidays are the time for family, friends, feasting and forgetting to buy presents until the last minute. Lucky for you, Melbourne has a number of festive-themed markets happening in December, giving you ample opportunity to grab gifts that will make your loved ones smile. Once you're sorted, don't forget to make the rounds and check out our city's Christmas light displays and get festive with our guide to celebrating Christmas in Melbourne. Still stuck? We've rounded up some foolproof gift ideas here. Forgot the tree? Here's where you can buy a real Christmas tree in Melbourne.

Across the city, Melbourne's Christmas lights get bigger and better every year. After you've finished putting up your own tree and decorations, it's time to hit the town in search of our best displays. There are plenty of locations throughout the CBD that will make you stop and gawk with wide-eyed wonder at the giant Christmas trees and glittering lights. But it’s not just the city that get bedazzled at this time of year. We’ve scoped out the suburbs where the residents have clearly been planning their decorations months in advance and who could give Clark Griswold a run for his money. Here are just a few of the biggest and brightest Christmas lights to gawk at this December.  We’ll be updating this page with info on Melbourne’s Christmas lights in 2023 as soon as details are announced. Here's where to find the perfect Christmas tree in Melbourne, and here are our city's best Christmas markets.

The convenience of a plastic Christmas tree can be very alluring, but why not get into the festive spirit and opt for a real Christmas tree this year? String it up with fairy lights and ornaments, then hit the town in search of the city's sparkliest light displays. The scent of natural pine will have you feeling more festive than ever, plus real trees are less flammable when fresh and are often a greener alternative than artificial trees. Christmas tree farms are scattered throughout Melbourne and Victoria, so your options for purchase or delivery are plentiful.  Once you've got your tree sorted why not wander through the city's festive lights? Plus, check out out ultimate guide to Christmas in Melbourne.

During the warmer months, Melbourne's long days and balmy nights make for the perfect backdrop for an outdoor cinema. This is exactly why our fair city has so many of them. From 1950s-style drive-ins to outdoor rooftop cinemas scattered across the suburbs, Melbourne has plenty of locations to catch an al fresco film – these are just a few of our favourites.  Love the comfort of an air-conditioned movie theatre? These are Melbourne's best cinemas. Interested in a drive-in cinema instead? Here are the best ones in Melbourne. 

It's been a funny old year, but one thing never changes: we still get a public holiday for a horse race. Whether you want to score tickets to the Melbourne Cup itself, frock up and watch the race that stops the nation at home or you're firmly nup to the Cup, here are some things to do with your precious day off. Just want to chill out? Here are our favourite parks in Melbourne to enjoy the gorgeous weather.

Every day is a special day at Lune, purveyor of the world’s best croissants (well at least many people believe this to be true – this writer included), and Lune's September specials are taking things up a notch. It's been ten years since Kate Reid sold her first fantastically flaky croissant from a tiny kitchen in Elwood, and Melburnians have been basking in the buttery goodness ever since. September is chock-full of heavenly creations, so you'll need to be speedy to get your hands on one. You'll find the specials below, and because they vary between locations make sure to check out what is available at each store beforehand to avoid disappointment when you finally get to the front of that never-ending line.  Need more buttery goodness in your life? These are the best patisseries in Melbourne.

Whether you're a first-time visitor to Melbourne or have lived here all your life, there are some absolute must-do Melbourne bucket list items that just can't be missed. And yes, we may be slightly biased in saying that Melbourne might be the greatest city on Earth – but we have the stats to back us up, with Melbourne consistently ranked among the world's most livable cities. But we reckon if you give a few of these experiences a whirl, you'll agree with us.  Melbourne's food, drink, coffee, art, theatre and sport culture are among the best in the world, and we reckon you should try to experience every single one of them at least once before you die. So here is our ultimate bucket list: 100 amazing things to do in Melbourne right now, plus attractions, great restaurants, bars, fun festivals and everything in between. Enjoy, and thank us later. For a deeper look into two of our greatest pastimes – eating and drinking – browse our guides to Melbourne's best restaurants and best bars.

We get it. Sometimes there's actually TOO much to eat, drink and do in little ol' Melbs (what a good problem to have). Lucky for you, the Time Out Melbourne editors are out on the front lines sipping, snacking, seeing and playing – all so you don't have to. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it. Here are our favourite things we ate, drank, saw and did this month. Want a weekly update on what's new in Melbourne? Make sure you're getting our newsletter.

Have your plans for tonight fallen through, or are you simply the type to live on the edge and wait until the last possible moment to plan your day? Luckily, Melbourne is the type of city where you can always count on finding something fun to do on short notice.  From five-star musicals and warm-weather activations to cool gigs and nearby day trips, we've got you covered with our curated guide to everything fun happening right now. Have a scroll, lace up your shoes and prepare to hit the town.  Want more? Check out these great free things to do, or head outside on a hike or bike ride. 

The Melbourne International Film Festival is back in 2023 for its 71st year, with a bursting program of more than 260 films on offer for budding cinephiles. In fact, there's so much to see, it's hard to whittle it down to a manageable list of can't-miss movies. So, where to start? More than ever, our local film industry is making waves overseas with a fresh batch of fascinating films hitting the festival – including a bunch of world and Australian premieres. In 2023, MIFF is jam-packed with plenty of awesome Aussie options, and these are our top ten. Buy a ticket and thank us later. Want more? Here's our guide to the ten best films to catch at MIFF. Plus, a new cinema with rooftop is opening in Moonee Ponds this spring.    

Looking for ways to maximise your minimal budget? You've come to the right place, because Melbourne is full of awesome things to do that hardly cost a dime. From free world-class art and the latest films on the cheap to frugal feeds and a late night out on the town, we've put together nine amazing itineraries for under $50. Here's our guide to spending the day (or night) in Melbourne on the cheap. Crack out your lone piney and enjoy! Don't want to spend a cent? These are the best free things to do in Melbourne. Plus, here are 25 things to do under $25. 1. From world-class art to local laneways Looking for a cultured day out that doesn't cost the price of a Picasso? We've got the arty scoop. Start your weekend with a wander through the NGV International (a selection of their exhibitions are free), then take a photo at the famous water wall. For your second injection of affordable art, head across the bridge to Fed Square and explore the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia (the exhibitions here are also mostly free). After your cultural awakening, it's time to eat – head down to the iconic Degraves Street for a coffee ($5), grab a bánh mì at Heartbaker Bun Mee in Scott Alley ($8), then take in the laneway aesthetic in gritty Centre Place. Walk through the arcade, and out onto Collins Street, where you'll find the escalator to Dymocks’ huge underground bookstore at Collins 234. Pick up a fresh read and while away the afternoon ($30). 2. Vino and a cheap movie The iconic Palace Wes

It’s hard to believe that it’s only been five years since Mamma Mia! The Musical last voulez vous-ed its way to Melbourne – but it seems fitting for it to return once again to the magnificent Princess Theatre, where it was the last production to tread the boards before the historic venue underwent an extensive refurbishment to accommodate the juggernaut that was Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.  A lot has changed since the heady days of 2018. Still, it’s safe to say that post-pandemic audiences are craving a joyous, uplifting theatre experience – even a sense of comfort and familiarity, if you will. And this is precisely what Mamma Mia! The Musical delivers. Here we go again. Director Gary Young has the insanely fun job of bringing Catherine Johnson’s book to life, which tells the now-beloved story of Donna Sheridan (Elise McCann) and her daughter Sophie (Sarah Krndija) as they prepare for Sophie’s upcoming wedding to the sweet and devoted Sky (a charming, if slightly underused Lewis Francis). Throw in a picturesque Greek Island setting, three potential fathers showing up unannounced, and dot, dot, dot – well, you know how the story goes. Woven not-so-subtly through this – dare we say – paper-thin plot are the real stars of the show: the 22 featured ABBA songs, with words and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, of course. The line-up of bangers reads like a roll call of the band’s biggest hits: ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Super Trouper’, ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’ and ‘SOS’.

If it's the wow factor you’re after, you’ve come to the right place. Located on the 40th floor of Oakwood Premier Melbourne, Strato is a sleek and sophisticated venue that's home to a modern Australian restaurant, two VIP function areas, a bar and an outdoor lounge. And yes, if there's one thing this sky-high space delivers on, it's spectacular views across Port Phillip Bay, the Yarra River and the CBD skyline. Entry is via the glamorous hotel lobby – fancy, right? Upon arrival you'll see the main bar and lounge, which boasts seven-metre-high windows, an al fresco terrace and a 16-metre glass bar. It's the perfect spot to indulge in some snacks and a pre- or post-dinner tipple; the menu features seasonal cocktails, an impressive selection of wines and locally crafted beers.   The vibe at the 100-seat restaurant is refined elegance, with luxe touches like plush velvet banquettes, sheer curtains and a central bar with an enormous stone benchtop – it’s the type of establishment that wouldn’t look out of place in New York City. The seasonal fare on offer is a celebration of locally sourced Victorian produce from places like King Island and Mount Zero. And while the menu evolves depending on what ingredients are available, a snapshot of the current dishes includes Wagyu steak tartare, fig-glazed chicken and goldband snapper. We're drooling already. But wait, there's more! Strato hosts a midweek mixology special on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5-7pm, which allows you to enjoy five

Ever wondered where Melbourne florists get their gorgeous peonies from? There’s a good chance they get them from Romswood, a working peony farm that you'll find in the picturesque town of Kerrie in the Macedon Ranges. Located about an hour from inner city Melbourne, Romswood Peony Farm is currently in the height of blooming season and the farmers have decided to hold a couple of peony-picking days for the general public. Visitors will be able to explore the gardens and wander through fields and fields of gorgeous peonies, picking your own bunch to take home with you. There's a limit of 100 people for each two-hour session, and a $50 ticket gives you access to the garden and peony fields so you can pluck 15 of the most beautiful stems. Not partaking in the floral forage? General admission is $20 and children under 18 are free.  Romswood Peony Farm will be open for peony picking on Nov 17, 18, 25 and 26 between 11.30am and 3pm. For more information and to book your session, head to the website. Obsessed with florals? These are the best places to see spring flowers near Melbourne.

If you had 30 minutes to spend with yourself surrounded by nothing but darkness and the rain, what would you do? This is something the Rain Room by luxe hotel Jackalope and London-based collective Random International wants us to consider. The exhibition has reopened its sliding doors for its third season and invites us to all take a moment for ourselves to practice mindfulness and embrace the present in the rain. For those who aren’t familiar with it, the Rain Room is an immersive artwork by Random International that fills the ceiling of a darkened room with motion sensors and little droplets of recycled water that imitate rain. The result? An experience that you can walk through slowly without getting a single drop of water on you, even though you’re surrounded by what feels like a storm. The experience stimulates your senses and if you’ve ever been caught in the rain in Southeast Asia, this evokes a similar feeling. It’s slightly warm as the sound of falling rain crescendos but if you walk an inch too quickly you’ll feel the sensation of getting tapped on the head by water.  ‘Rain Room’ is one of Random International’s most famous works and has previously been shown at the Barbican in London, MoMA in New York and at the Yuz Museum in Shanghai.  Also, a word to the wise: make sure not to wear heels or shoes that you will slip in or you might end up wearing a pair of Crocs that the team hands to you instead.   Rain Room will be open until the end of January, 2024. Book your

Calling all serious cinephiles (and those who just love kicking back in a comfy recliner and catching a good flick) Palace Cinemas – aka purveyors of fine film establishments like the Astor Theatre and the Como – has announced that an exciting new entertainment complex will launch in Moonee Ponds this summer. Opening on December 21 (just in time for all the Boxing Day blockbusters) with a grand red carpet event, Palace Penny Lane Cinema will be located within the vibrant Penny Lane development on Puckle Street. It will feature 11 indoor screens, state-of-the-art 4K laser projection, fully reclining leather lounges and an extensive menu (and yes, before you ask, you’ll still be able to grab one of Palace Cinemas’ famous double-feature pours). But the cherry on top of this delightful cinematic sundae is the rooftop area, which will boast spectacular views of the suburb and an outdoor screen that will show everything from new releases to cult classics and kid-friendly favourites. Guess that’s your summer sorted, right? "We have listened to our customer’s desires and recognised the need for a premium cinema experience in Melbourne's west," said Benjamin Zeccola, CEO of Palace Cinemas. "Palace Penny Lane Cinema aims to bridge that gap by delivering quality films in a luxurious setting." If you’re keen to score exclusive offers, see-it-first invitations and complimentary birthday tickets, be sure to sign up for the Palace Move Club ahead of the launch. For further information head

Are you ready to be transported millions of years back in time, to when fearsome giant creatures roamed the Earth? If that’s a hearty yes, this is for you. Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience is a brand new exhibition featuring more than 80 life-size and hyper-realistic dinosaurs – we’re talking velociraptors, pterodactyls and, of course, the mighty T-rex. In addition to moving animatronics, there will also be a virtual aquarium (where you can get up close with some truly terrifying monsters of the deep), VR technology, incredible installations and even an interactive area where kids can pretend to be paleontologists in search of dino bones. It all kicks off on November 1 for a three-month run at the Fever Exhibition Hall in Brunswick. This ancient world is being brought to life by Exhibition Hub, the same crew responsible for the immersive Van Gogh and Frida Kahlo digital art exhibitions. You should allow at least 75 minutes to wander through and properly soak up the excitement of the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Buckle up, because it’s time to live out all your Jurassic Park fantasies (minus all the chompy parts, obvs). Tickets start at just $34.90, and can be purchased via the website. Want more? Don't miss the Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature exhibition at the Melbourne Museum.

There’s no denying the world of wine can be intimidating (what exactly does a sommelier do? Does anyone know what full-bodied even means?), but now there’s an event that proves learning about quality drops can actually be fun and approachable. And guess what? You’re invited to come along and experience it for yourself. Brown Brothers is teaming up with Club Sup to roll out a four-part supper club along the East Coast dedicated to exploring new wines, forging connections and making memories. The Melbourne leg of the series will take place on October 19 at Pipis Kiosk in Albert Park, and will coincide with the launch of two new Brown Brothers wines: the Prosecco NV and Prosecco Rosé NV.  These light, vibrant tipples pair perfectly with seafood and an al fresco dining setting – both of which you can expect to find at Pipis, where the head chef has curated an exclusive menu for the event.  “Learning about wine and what you like about wine is supposed to be an adventure, it’s what makes it fun, which is why we are so excited to team up with Club Sup,” says Katherine Brown, fourth generation family member and Brown Brothers wine ambassador. “The relaxed and informal nature of supper clubs provide the perfect setting for young people to dip their toes into the world of wine.” Superb sips, stunning seafood and the potential to make a new friend (which we all know is so hard as an adult) – what more could you want? Tickets are $120 per person, so to secure your spot at the dinner par

We're just as sad as you are that cherry blossom season is over, but the good news is that it heralds the start of the cherry-picking season. And if you can't get enough of those sweet and juicy red morsels, then make your way to CherryHill Orchards this summer to pick and eat as many cherries as your heart desires. This year, the cherry-picking season will kick off on November 13 at CherryHill's 40-hectare orchard in Coldstream. Then, on November 27, CherryHill's original orchard in Wandin East will also open its gates to eager pickers.  Sessions last for two hours, and cherries are charged per kilogram – trust us when we say these are some of the largest, sweetest cherries going around. And the fun doesn't stop at picking cherries; the orchard will host on-site food trucks and stalls hawking food and cherry-flavoured products. On top of the famed cherry ice cream, you can also shop pantry goods like cherry vinaigrette, cherry syrup, cherry barbecue sauce and cherry glaze. You can also bring your own picnic, or pre-order a box of goodies to enjoy on the orchard grounds. And if you visit on a weekend or public holidays, you'll be treated to the sweet sounds of live tunes performed by a rotating line-up of local musos. The cherry-picking festival will run from November 13 to late December at the Coldstream orchard, and from November 27 to early January at the Wandin East orchard. The orchards will be open daily, excluding Christmas Day, and entry starts at $21.50 for adults, $

Love it or hate it, Christmas is almost upon us. And just as you can be sure that Michael Bublé is slowly defrosting and getting ready to croon the festive season away, and Mariah Carey is counting the fat stacks that pile up on cue as ‘All I Want for Christmas’ goes back on high rotation – you know that the battered DVD of one particular British rom-com at your mum’s house will also be back on steady rotation, actually.  Love Actually is the festive flick that never gets old – can you believe 2023 marks 20 years since the now legendary film first hit big screens around the globe? (Yes, we feel ancient now.) But to fall in love with it all over again, you’ll want to grab a ticket for this special live viewing experience. Following sell-out tours across the UK and in Australia the last few years, Love Actually in Concert is coming back to Melbourne just in time for Old Saint Nick’s next whip around.  Pack the tissues, as this experience features a full live orchestra performing the hit soundtrack as the film is projected onto a screen. Love (and Christmas) will be all around you, and so the feeling grows. Get ready to question how many lobsters were present at the birth of Jesus Christ, get mad at Alan Rickman and his saucy secretary all over again (Emma Thompson’s cry to Joni Mitchell will really slap with an orchestral backup, to be fair), and question if in 2023 we would still be calling PM Hugh Grant’s love interest slash employee ‘fat’ – with live music!  Melburnians can

Whether you’re a fan of the original ‘90s movie (starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell) or have ever wondered what it would be like to relive the same day over and over and over again, you’ll be thrilled to know that Groundhog Day the Musical is making its Australian debut in Melbourne for a strictly limited and exclusive season.  Direct from a record-breaking run at London’s Old Vic, the production will transform the Princess Theatre from January 24, 2024. The Tony-nominated and Olivier Award-winning musical-comedy tells the story of Phil Connors, a self-centered weatherman from Pittsburgh who is sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. When he becomes trapped in a time warp that sees him forced to replay one particular day on a loop, he embarks on a hilarious journey of enlightenment and redemption. The brainchild of Tim Minchin AM and director Matthew Warchus (who are teaming up again after collaborating on Matilda the Musical), as well as Danny Rubin, the film’s original writer, Groundhog Day the Musical is set to deliver a heart-warming experience that theatregoers are guaranteed to love.  “I have waited seven years for this moment!” said Tim Minchin AM. “Groundhog Day the Musical, like Matilda the Musical, has a unique mixture of darkness and light, of head and heart, and of complexity and joy, and I’ve been convinced since its first iteration that Australians will love it! I’m so excited that the run is going to be in Melbourne, th

What’s new pussycat? Oh, not much – just that esteemed music icon and living legend Sir Tom Jones is officially coming to Sydney as part of his national Ages and Stages tour, that’s all.  Widely considered one of the greatest singers and recording artists of all time, with a remarkable career spanning more than six decades, Jones has announced he will be returning to perform in Australia for the first time since 2016. In addition to his Sydney show, Jones will perform dates across March and April in Perth, Adelaide, Newcastle and Melbourne. People in NSW have a couple of regional options too, with Jones playing in Bowral on March 23 (as part of Day on the Green, with special guest Delta Goodrem) and also as a headliner at Bluesfest in Byron Bay on March 30, 2024. The Welsh crooner will grace Sydney fans with his presence on Thursday April 4, 2024, with an exclusive one-off performance at at the Aware Super Theatre in the ICC, Darling Harbour. If his UK shows are anything to go by, you can expect to hear classic bangers like 'It's Not Unusual', 'Delilah', 'What's New Pussycat?' and 'She's A Lady'. And if you ask us, we're hoping to hear 'Burning Down The House'. Jones is one of the few artists whose profession began at the dawn of modern pop music, yet still continues to have a thriving recording and performing career. He has been awarded numerous accolades and honours, including multiple Brit Awards, a Silver Clef Award and a Hitmaker Award from the US Songwriters Hall of Fa

What’s new pussycat? Oh, not much – just that esteemed music icon and living legend Sir Tom Jones is officially coming to Melbourne as part of his national Ages and Stages tour, that’s all.  Widely considered one of the greatest singers and recording artists of all time, with a remarkable career spanning more than six decades, Jones has announced he will be returning to perform in Australia for the first time since 2016. His run of 2024 dates includes shows in Perth, Bowral (as part of Day on the Green, with special guest Delta Goodrem), Adelaide, Newcastle and Sydney. Jones will also headline Bluesfest in Byron Bay on March 30, 2024. The Welsh crooner will grace Melbourne fans with his presence on March 28, 2024, with an exclusive one-off performance at Margaret Court Arena. If his UK shows are anything to go by, you can expect to hear classic bangers like 'It's Not Unusual', 'Delilah', 'What's New Pussycat?' and 'She's A Lady'. And if you ask us, we're hoping to hear 'Burning Down The House'. Jones is one of the few artists whose profession began at the dawn of modern pop music, yet still continues to have a thriving recording and performing career. He has been awarded numerous accolades and honours, including multiple Brit Awards, a Silver Clef Award and a Hitmaker Award from the US Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2006, Jones was also knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. A Live Nation pre-sale commences on Wednesday, September 20 at 3pm, running until Friday, September 22 at 1pm.

Hands up if you get to this time of the year, with Christmas just around the corner (terrifying, right?), and all you want to do is book a holiday and escape overseas. Us too, which is why we couldn't be more stoked that Vietjet Air has just announced one of its massive flash sales, with one-way tickets from Melbourne to the land of pho, banh mi and bun cha for as little as $166. There’s no need to set your alarms because Vietjet’s mega sale is already going down and will end at midnight on October 27. Tickets are up for grabs for holidays taken between November 21, 2023 and March 31, 2024, with nifty flights to international destinations like Vietnam (of course), India, Japan and South Korea. That means you could literally be trawling through the Vietnamese street food markets, zipping through town on a motorbike, or cruising down the Mekong in less than a month.    Photograph: Supplied/Vietjet Air     If Vietnam has always been on your bucket list then you’ll be happy to hear that one of the cheapest flights out of Melbourne starts at $166 one-way for a base fare to the buzzing Ho Chi Minh City. There are some other big-ticket international destinations included in the flash sale, too, including one-way flights to Singapore from $166, Hong Kong from $306, New Delhi from $205, Phuket from $338 and Seoul from $349. One important thing to note: these discounts are applied to the base fares only, and are exclusive of taxes and other applicable charges. Sometimes the best dec

ICYMI, the Queen Victoria Market precinct is undergoing a major redevelopment (we're counting down the days until the new food hall is revealed), and soon you'll be able to devour books at the historic hub, too. Australian construction firm Buildcorp is leading the project of the brand new 3,100-square-metre community library, which is part of the $500 million Munro development on Therry Street. Three floors will be used for the library (which will have a dedicated children's library), and there will also be a family services centre (with maternal health consulting rooms and a playgroup area), podcast and audio recording studios, community spaces, meeting rooms and a creative makers' hub complete with 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines and paint booths.   Best of all, the library's rooftop terrace will feature lush lawn areas, native plants and stunning views of the market precinct. "Using the lure of literature, we’re attracting more city workers and residents to the Queen Victoria Market precinct – with a library, community spaces and essential family services in the heart of the city," said Melbourne lord mayor Sally Capp. "We’re expecting 24,000 new residents in the area by 2040, so we want to provide additional community facilities to meet the needs of a growing population." The Munro development forms part of the renewal project for Queen Victoria Market. In addition to the new library, the site will also feature a community hub, underground car park, retail

If you can cast your mind back to the dark days of Melbourne's lockdowns (sorry, we promise this story is heading in a positive direction!), you'll remember there was a beacon of light giving us something to get excited about. Providoor, which first launched back in 2020, was a life-saver for the hospitality industry, delivering more than half a million meals to hungry customers desperately missing that restaurant experience. And now, Providoor is officially back, relaunching in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane on October 23. Best of all, there are some big names involved – we're talking Matt Preston, Silvia Colloca, Anna Polyviou, George Colambaris, Manu Fiedel and Luke Nguyen. Consider us famished. The gourmet home delivery service is now split into two parts – Providoor Local and Providoor Frozen – with the chef-prepared meals available to order online or via Uber Eats. Picture yourself biting into Preston’s juicy mushroom burgers, Colloca’s hearty lasagna, Feidel’s traditional coq au vin and Polyviou’s super smooth white chocolate cheesecake – all from the comfort of your couch.  Each meal will be prepared in the new Providoor kitchens located in the Sydney suburbs of Homebush, Five Dock, Neutral Bay and Moore Park, with more to open in Melbourne and Brisbane. Orders in Melbourne will be delivered twice a week with a three-day lead time. So if you're planning a weekend feast, best to get organised early. Then, all you have to do is assemble and heat the meals before serving

It’s that time of the year, folks: Time Out has just released its annual ranking of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world, and we Melburnians have an extra special reason to celebrate, with Brunswick East taking out sixth spot (yes, really!) on the list.  It’s a pretty major achievement for the Northside ‘burb, which beat out some stiff competition – including hip hotspots in Tokyo, New York, London and Berlin – to land firmly in the global top ten. Best of all, Brunny East polled higher than Enmore in Sydney (the only other Aussie entry), which means it’s also the coolest neighbourhood in all of Australia. We love to see it! The rankings were determined via the Time Out Index survey, which this year polled more than 12,000 people on their favourite local suburbs. To come up with the final list, Time Out’s global network of city editors narrowed down the selections – considering factors like community and social ventures, access to green space and thriving street art – ultimately delivering Brunswick East as the top spot Down Under. Previous years have also seen Melbourne ‘hoods dominate, with Fitzroy at #27 in 2022, Richmond at #10 in 2021 and Yarraville at #5 in 2020.  Supplied But what is it about Brunswick East that makes it so cool? Sandwiched between Lygon Street and the lush trails of Merri Creek, it has fast emerged as a vibrant go-to hub for multicultural eateries, live music venues and cosy bars that you’ll find yourself returning to again and again.  To really

Whether you’re a fan of the original ‘90s movie (starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell), Tim Minchin's sardonic musical comedy stylings, or you have ever just wondered what it would be like to relive the same day over and over and over again – you’ll be thrilled to know that Groundhog Day The Musical is finally making its Australian debut in January.  But if you're a Sydneysider who wants to see it, you might need to start booking flights to cross the border – the musical is heading to Melbourne for a strictly limited season, and they're saying that it's gonna be exclusive to Naarm (we're crossing fingers that changes!) Direct from a record-breaking run at London’s Old Vic, the production will settle in at Melbourne's majestic Princess Theatre from January 24, 2024. The Tony-nominated and Olivier Award-winning musical comedy tells the story of Phil Connors, a self-centered weatherman from Pittsburgh who is sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. When he becomes trapped in a time warp that sees him forced to replay one particular day on a loop, he embarks on a hilarious journey of enlightenment and redemption. Photograph: GWB Entertainment/Manuel Harlan The brainchild of Tim Minchin and director Matthew Warchus (who team up again on this after collaborating on Matilda the Musical), as well as Danny Rubin, the film’s original writer, Groundhog Day the Musical is set to deliver a heart-warming experience that theatregoers are guaranteed to

Are you ready for it? An international academic symposium – aptly titled ‘Swiftposium’ – will transform the University of Melbourne into an arena of friendship bracelet-wearing experts keen to engage in discussions about Swift’s popularity and her influence on gender, fandom, the economy, the music industry and much more. The first-ever event of its kind has been organised by scholars from seven universities across Australia and New Zealand and will coincide with the Melbourne leg of Swift’s sold-out Eras Tour, which begins on February 16 at the MCG. Academics from across Asia-Pacific (particularly postgraduate researchers and early career researchers) are invited to submit proposals for the conference, with traditional and non-traditional approaches encouraged. Suggested themes include “If I was the man, then I’d be the man”, which unpacks Swift in relation to gender and sexuality; “You know I adore you, I’m crazier for you”, which dives into the phenomenon of fandoms; and “I can read you like a magazine” which explores all the literary representations of Swift. “I think it’s very important to look at how celebrities or artists impact on our lives and the different facets of our life,” said Dr Jennifer Beckett, a senior lecturer in media and communications at the University of Melbourne, and a co-organiser of Swiftposium. “Taylor Swift has such an outsized impact on elements of everyday life. For example, she’s been credited with drawing attention back to public transport in

What do you get when T-Swift and academia combine? A ‘Swiftposium’ – yep, an actual Taylor Swift conference is in the works, and it will be hosted in Australia. Friendship bracelet-wearing scholars keen to engage in discussions about Tay Tay’s influence on gender, fandom, the economy, the music industry and more will unite at the University of Melbourne (and online) in February, 2024, to coincide with the Melbourne leg of Swift's sold-out Eras Tour.  The academics come from seven universities across Australia and New Zealand, and others from across Asia-Pacific (particularly postgraduate and early career researchers) are invited to submit proposals for the conference, with traditional and non-traditional approaches encouraged. Suggested themes include 'If I was the man, then I’d be the man', which unpacks Swift in relation to gender and sexuality; 'You know I adore you, I’m crazier for you', which dives into the phenomenon of fandoms; and 'I can read you like a magazine', which explores literary representations of Swift. “I think it’s very important to look at how celebrities or artists impact on our lives and the different facets of our life,” said Dr Jennifer Beckett, a senior lecturer in media and communications at the University of Melbourne, and a co-organiser of Swiftposium. “Taylor Swift has such an outsized impact on elements of everyday life. For example, she’s been credited with drawing attention back to public transport in a post-pandemic era. A lot of the cities s

It’s hard to believe that just two years ago, Victorians were battling through the world’s longest Covid-19 lockdown. And while there’s no doubt things have returned to normal with 'rona just a distant memory for many, the fight against this infectious disease continues behind the scenes.  And now, in promising news from the Doherty Institute, it has been revealed that two Melbourne-made Covid-19 vaccines have shown great potential in protecting against the many deadly mutations of the Omicron variation. A phase one trial of the vaccines as fourth-round boosters returned solid results that were considered positive enough to kick-start discussions with an international manufacturer about rolling the vaccine out across the globe. “A total of 76 people took place in the vaccine trial, with 12 people receiving a placebo of water and the others receiving the vaccines at different doses,” said Professor Terry Nolan. “Both vaccines show very, very encouraging results against the targeted variant and also against other variants which have subsequently evolved.” There was no evidence to suggest adverse reactions from any participants, with the vaccine provoking the preferred immune responses.  While Australia and the rest of the world are far better prepared to handle another pandemic than back in 2020, the need to prepare for any potential outbreaks means ongoing research like this is critical. And let’s be honest, we’ll take an extra booster shot over another 262 days locked in our

There's nothing we love more than a staycation at one of Melbourne's best hotels, or hitting the road to experience the most luxe regional accommodation in Victoria. But now that we've heard the news about the Calile Hotel in Brisbane landing on the World's 50 Best Hotels list, we're suddenly very interested in a cheeky visit to the Sunshine State. The swanky hotel went up against some seriously luxe competition – we're talking resorts, chalets and even palaces (yes, really!) – to score 12th place on the global list. To say we're seriously impressed is putting it lightly. While you might not immediately associate Brissie with luxury (no shade, guys), the Calile Hotel has made its mark since opening in 2018, drawing in well-heeled clientele from all over the world to the River City. There’s a lot to love about the Calile, with its distinct architecture that perfectly marries curved concrete with pops of tropical lushness. You’ll find a palm tree perched against sleek brickwork at every turn, courtesy of the genius design acumen of firm Richards and Spence. Not to mention that pool you would have seen on Instagram, or the Hellenika restaurant. The top spot on the global list went to 18th-century villa Passalacqua in Moltrasio, which sits on the edge of Lake Como and sounds appropriately lush. Second place went to the Rosewood Hong Kong, which towers sky high in the hustle and bustle of Kowloon. Coming in third is the epic Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, which is know

After a mild winter and an unusually warm start to spring (26 degree days in September? In Melbourne? Unheard of), the news we had both been dreading and anxiously anticipating has arrived: the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has just announced Australia has entered into an El Niño weather pattern. It seems like only yesterday that El Niño’s soggy sibling, La Niña – a cold weather phenomenon characterised by cooler temperatures, damp conditions, increased rainfall and flooding – was run outta town, and now we’re facing a summer of severe heat. So what exactly does it all mean? And just how bad are things (potentially) going to get? Here’s everything you need to know about El Niño. What is El Niño? El Niño – which translates to ‘little boy’ in Spanish – is a naturally occurring climate pattern that results in warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean, a weakening of trade winds and a shift in atmospheric circulation. In Australia, this results in hotter temperatures (and more individual days of extreme heat), plus an elevated risk of drought and bushfires. It’s also a key factor driving climate change. Now for the double whammy: the BoM has also declared that a positive Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) event is happening. This is a climate phenomenon that usually unfolds in late autumn or winter, and results in decreased rainfall. Essentially, when these two weather patterns combine, it creates conditions similar to what we experienced during the devastati

After a mild winter and an unusually warm start to spring (35 degree days in September!), the news we had been anticipating has arrived: the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has announced Australia has entered into an El Niño weather pattern. It seems like only yesterday that El Niño’s soggy sibling, La Niña (a cold-weather phenomenon characterised by cooler temperatures, damp conditions, increased rainfall and flooding) was run outta town, and now we’re facing a summer of severe heat. So what exactly does it all mean? And just how bad are things (potentially) going to get, especially when it comes to things like bushfires? Here’s everything you need to know about El Niño. What is El Niño? El Niño – which translates to ‘little boy’ in Spanish – is a naturally occurring climate pattern that results in warmer-than-average sea-surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean, a weakening of trade winds and a shift in atmospheric circulation. In Australia, this results in hotter temperatures (and more individual days of extreme heat), plus an elevated risk of drought and bushfires. It’s also a key factor driving climate change. Now for the double whammy: the BOM has also declared that a positive Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) event is happening. This is a climate phenomenon that usually unfolds in late autumn or winter, and results in decreased rainfall. Essentially, when these two weather patterns combine, it creates conditions similar to what we experienced during the devastating summer

What’s new pussycat? Oh, not much – just that esteemed music icon and living legend Sir Tom Jones is officially coming to Sydney as part of his national Ages and Stages tour, that’s all.  Widely considered as one of the greatest singers and recording artists of all time, with a remarkable career spanning more than six decades, Jones has announced he will be performing in Australia for the first time since 2016. Here's everything we know so far: Is Tom Jones touring Australia in 2024? Yes, it’s confirmed that the Welsh crooner – best known for hits such as ‘It’s Not Unusual’, ‘Sex Bomb’, ‘Delilah’, ‘She’s A Lady’, ‘What’s New Pussycat?’ and ‘Burning Down The House’ – will headline Bluesfest in Byron Bay over Easter and play a number of shows across the country in 2024. When is Tom Jones coming to Sydney? Better give your mum a buzz asap, because Tom Jones will perform one exclusive show at the Aware Super Theatre on Thursday April 4, 2024. How much are tickets for Tom Jones in Sydney? At this stage, ticket prices are still to be confirmed. What stadium will Tom Jones play at in Sydney? Tom Jones will play at Aware Super Theatre, which is located in the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Darling Harbour,  Where else is Tom Jones playing as part of Ages and Stages tour? In addition to his Sydney show, Jones will perform dates across March and April in Perth, Adelaide, Newcastle and Melbourne. People in NSW have a couple of regional options too, with Jones playing in Bowral