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.  For more al fresco drinking try one of Sydney's best beer gardens or waterfront bars Looking for another top-notch watering hole? Check out the best bars in Sydney

Sure, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but lunchtime is arguably the most exciting. You shouldn’t have to settle for soggy sandwiches and last night’s leftovers when there are fresh and fun eats existing in all pockets of the city. Whether you’re craving elevated sandwiches on oven-fresh bread, inspired savoury pastries, hearty bowls of laksa or build-your-own bentos, there’s something delicious on for lunch in Sydney every day of the week. We've rounded up our favourite places to grab a lunch on-the-go in Sydney's CBD. Whether its old, new, tucked away in the city's heart, or sitting on the fringe, we've got you covered when it comes to making the most of your lunchbreak, every day of the week.  After a liquid lunch instead? Here are the best bars in the Sydney CBD right now.

There is a lot to get excited about on the streets of Sydney at the moment. The calibre of restaurants making their grand debuts is nothing short of awe-inspiring. And while there are more openings than you could poke a stick at, Time Out Sydney's Food & Drink Writer Avril Treasure has rounded up her picks of the ones she thinks should be at the top of your hit list, including stunning French restaurant Charlotte Bar and Bistro, top chef Opel Khan's new Bengali spot Khanaa, and Amalfi Coast-inspired trattoria Nico. Happy eating, Sydney. 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

Spring 2023 update: It’s no secret that while beautiful, Sydney sure is exy. The good news is that we’re lucky to have a huge amount of cheap eats. And often they rival any dishes you would find in a fancy fine diner. We've rounded up our favourite places with prices that won’t burn a hole in your wallet. Happy eating. Going out for a meal is sometimes a big occasion, worth the splurge. But it doesn't have to be that way. From banh mi to tonkotsu ramen, biang biang noodles to vegan burgers, and pretty much everything else in between, some of Sydney's greatest culinary hits are the cheapest. These are the ones well worth their salt. Want to spend less at the big-ticket players? Check out our cheap fine-dining hacks. Looking for a café to sit down at for coffee and brunch? Here's our guide to the best cafés in Sydney

Spring 2023 update: Can you feel the buzz in the air? We sure as hell can. Maybe it’s spring, maybe it’s just a great time to be alive. One thing’s for sure – whether you’re heading out on a date, want an after-work tipple, or in for a long session, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to ace bars in Sydney. Below, you’ll find the very best ones. This list represents our picks of the best bars in Sydney right now, from fresh faces to tried-and-tested temples of great drinks, ranked by our local editors, critics and fellow booze hounds including Time Out Sydney's Food & Drink Writer Avril. We’re looking for quality above all, with fun, flavour, atmosphere, creativity and options at every price point. Cheers to you, Sydney. After a watering hole that's a bit more casual? See our list of the best pubs in Sydney, here After a meal? Check out our best restaurants here

Spring 2023 update: Good morning, are you hungry? We sure are. Whether you like sunny fried eggs, bacon and avo, fluffy ricotta pancakes with honeycomb butter, or a full English fry-up for brekky, we’ve rounded up the best places in Sydney where you can get your morning fix. Two things these places all have in common? Killer food – and coffee. Head outside for brekkie at one of the places below – and enjoy this glorious spring weather. Sydneysiders are café people. We're constantly on the hunt for the city's best coffee, we won't bat an eyelid over shelling out $30+ a head for brunch, 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. But cafés aren't just for weekends. This is a city powered by caffeine and many a Sydney worker depends on a reliable go-to barista for a double shot and a bacon sanger to set them up right on the daily. So, whether it's a reward for tackling one of Sydney's most beautiful walks, a quick caffeinated catch-up, 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 editors. Is it lunch time? Check out our guide to Sydney's best restaurants right now

Spring 2023 update: Happy spring! The sun is out and the beers and calling your name. From refreshing pints in sunny courtyards to a rocking schnitty at the local, Sydney’s charming pubs are the place to be right now. We’re on our way. There's a lot that goes into making a great pub. They need to furnish you with an excellent meal and friendly service, and a game of pool or darts doesn't go astray. On a sunny day, it's all about having a welcoming beer garden. There are a lot of rock-solid pubs in this city, and these are our picks of the bunch. For something a bit less pubby, a bit higher end, see our picks of the best bars in Sydney Hungry? Check out our ultimate guide to Sydney's best restaurants 

It's one of the first places you'll visit as a tourist, a pre-theatre go-to and has some of the most iconic views in the world – but being a tourist hotspot means Circular Quay is not without its pitfalls. Skip the over-priced traveller's traps and check out these restaurants and bars that'll ensure the food and drink are as good as the view.  After restaurants in other parts of Sydney's city? Check out our guide to the best restaurants in the CBD.

For devotees of genuine Mexican fare, it's a great relief that Sydney is no longer only served by the tacky Tex-Mex, stand-and-stuff, burrito-centric eateries there were once the sole expression of the cuisine readily available here. There's now an exciting new wave of Mexican diners sweeping Sydney, with nary a pinata, sombrero or lucha libre mask in sight. We're not saying there isn't a time and a place for a bowl of liquid queso and a dorito or two - there really is - but with a culture and cuisine that spans thousands of years and dozens of regions, it's a crime to assume that Old El Paso and a cartoonishly large frozen Margarita is anything close to 'authentic'. Prime your palate for the true flavours of Mexico with our guide to the best Mexican eateries in Sydney, curated by Time Out Sydney's Food & Drink Writer Avril, and fellow critics. Keen to get around some killer spots for an arvo tequila or two? Check out Sydney's best rooftop bars right now Love spice? Check out our guide to Sydney's hottest Thai restaurants Thirsty? Have a look at the best bars in Sydney right now

If there’s one thing that’ll convince us to hit up a yoga class, it’s a room full of fluffy puppies. Yes, a type of exercise this cute really does exist, and it is just as adorable as it sounds.  You don’t have to be a master yogi to join a Puppy Yoga class. All you need is an appetite for a little me-time with a side of endless puppy snuggles.  Wondering how a 'doga' class works? You’ll be guided through 45 minutes of stretches, deep breaths and relaxation, but with a furry twist: mischievous puppies get to roam and sniff around the studio as they please.  A quick heads-up: you can’t BYO pup to this paw-some party. Big, small, wrinkly or furry, you’ll be surprised with a brood of utterly adorable eight to fourteen-week-old puppies on the day.  Taking cuddle breaks is recommended throughout your ‘doga’ session, with 15 minutes of dedicated puppy playtime at the end. Not only will this totally fill your cuteness cup, but it’ll immediately lift your mood and slay any stresses away. (Finding your inner zen while surrounded by playful fluff balls might be a stretch though). Puppy Yoga is a win for our four-legged friends too, with the furry babies getting a crash course in socialising and maybe even meeting their forever families. (You can’t adopt a puppy on the spot, but Puppy Yoga’s team can link you up with their trusted breeders post-session). Fancy signing up for this tail-wagging workout? Doga classes run most weekends in surprise spots within 10km of Sydney CBD. The exact

Long gone are the days when mushroom risotto was the only option on Sydney menus for vegetarians. Okay, so a few places are still championing that veggo staple, but if you know where to go you need never set eyes on it again. Not all of these restaurants are exclusively vegetarian, but everyone on this list is serving the kind of exciting, delicious vegetable-based fare that will make you reconsider meat in favour of a whole head of cauliflower, a perfect pizza or a totally plant-based degustation. If you're a dedicated herbivore, you can find Sydney's best vegan restaurants.  

If you’re competing for the prize of favourite child this year, then it’s time to get cracking with your Father’s Day festivities – Father's Day in Australia is on Sunday, September 3, 2023. Forget the silly socks or the six pack of beers and opt for some good ol’ quality time with the man instead – or grandpa, uncle, step-dad, brother, or any fatherly figure out there.  What are the best things to do on Father's Day in Sydney?  Whether it’s a long pub lunch, an ocean swim at the crack of dawn, a lunchtime trip to the fish markets, an afternoon craft brewery tour, or the best parent-friendly restaurants for a stellar dinner where nobody asks "why is it so dark" 89 times, we’ve got the ultimate playbook for winning dad over. PSA: Most of these things to do are free and cheap, because, we all need that kind of energy right now, and so does your dad.  And while you’re at it, make sure to remind him that having you as a child is the greatest gift he could ever wish for. Want more fatherly things to do, eat and buy in Sydneytown? We've got a hefty guide for you.

If you’ve ever wanted to submerge yourself in another (considerably more frightening) world of plane crashes and ghostly séances, look no further. The terrifyingly brilliant alt-universe of Darkfield is making a grandiose return to Sydney with two new multi-sensory experiences – and boy, are we shivering in our wee little boots already.  A record-breaking 32,000 people flocked to the sell-out season of Darkfield earlier this year. So, a comeback made sense, this time with two wild new experiences – Coma and Euology – and at the brand new location of Harbour Park in Barangaroo from November 23, 2023, to January 21, 2024. Darkfield is an experience that straddles technology, theatre and horror movies, with punters made to sit inside a pop-up shipping container in total darkness while an immersive audio experience (through headphones, shall we add) takes them far, far away to a scary someplace else. Séance and Flight were the original spine-tingling experiences that Sydneysiders had the chance to experience, and each of them brought their own brands of eeriness for those willing to take the ride. They’ll both return for this upcoming season of Darkfield, along with the Sydney premiere of UK-based creative directors Glen Neath and David Rosenberg’s newest experiences, Coma and Eulogy. What is Coma at Darkfield? What if the sleep clocks were reversed and the moment you wake up is when your actual dream begins? That’s the type of out-of-body experience waiting for you in Coma. Don’

Game on, Sydney. This summer, Australia’s very first interactive gaming rooms will open in Darling Harbour, offering full-scale, immersive versions of Squid Game, Angry Birds, Ghostbusters and a whole lot more. You can think of this new gaming experience as a happy marriage between the highly addictive virtual games you play at home (no clunky headset required) and the challenging escape rooms dotted across the city. Players will be able to book one of eight free-standing Gameboxes, which can each host two to six people per session. As you enter the high-tech pod, you’ll be whisked straight into a vivid virtual world with touch screens, motion-sensing technology and surround sound.  You and your crew will have more than 13 exhilarating games to pick from, which range from 30-minute speed sessions to epic 120-minute extravaganzas. You can choose to enter the spine-chilling universe of Squid Game, face off with life-size Angry Birds, or dare to take on the thrilling new ‘AI Nightmare’. Little ones can come for the adventure, too, with light-hearted games featuring beloved characters from Paw Patrol and Shaun the Sheep.  These first-of-its-kind Australian game boxes are an exciting collab by Merlin Entertainments, the team behind iconic attractions like Sea Life Aquarium and Madame Tussauds, along with Immersive Gamebox, a trailblazer in interactive group gaming. The Immersive Gamebox will open next door to Sea Life in December 2023, with bookings available here soon. Can't w

Australia’s leading annual photography event is back for its 14th edition, with a record 110 exhibition locations featuring more than 700 photographers. You can catch an eye full for yourself as it lights up various places in Sydney from November 10, through to December 3.  Just like in previous years, you can explore outdoor exhibitions in the beautiful, subterranean Paddington Reservoir Gardens, as well as along the beautiful Bondi Beach Promenade – where Head On is taking up an increased physical footprint, packed with more works than ever before. There is also a multitude of eclectic indoor photography showings at the Muse in TAFE Ultimo and other venues.  With emerging and professional photographers from across the globe taking part, you can expect Head On's selections to reflect the biggest global issues that have had our attention over the last 12 months. There are five exhibits that capture life in Ukraine, including American photographer and veteran Gary Ramage’s 'The Consequences of War', and Italian-born photojournalist Diego Fedele’s 'East of the Dnipro River', both picturing the heartbreaking aftermath of Russia’s invasion.  Among the global highlights there's the incredible 'Lonka project', showcasing 455 individual portraits of Holocaust survivors decades on from World War Two; along with American lifestyle photographer Barbara Peacock’s unfiltered 'American Bedroom', capturing what goes on behind the doors of American dwellings, paired with poetic statements f

Tempura prawn maki, chicken karaage, miso toothfish and a lavish omakase platter. It’s not Tokyo, it’s Parramatta. There’s no shortage of restaurants to pick from in Sydney’s super underrated ‘second CBD’, but we reckon you should add this new Japanese fine diner to your list. You know that saying “trust the chef”. We strongly suggest you take up that advice at Oribu, considering head chef Harry Cho boasts more than two decades of experience, including a stint at the world’s most recognised Japanese restaurant, Nobu.  If sushi is the first thing you think of when someone says Japanese food, then it's time to broaden your palate. Cho gives the artful cuisine a fresh twist with share plates including tempura enoki mushroom with truffle oil; hiramasa kingfish carpaccio; and his signature popcorn prawns with creamy spicy sauce and yuzu juice. Of course, there are maki rolls, sashimi and nigiri, but Oribu also takes the classics for a Western spin like the fusion tacos filled with Wagyu beef, salmon jalapeño tartare or spicy tuna guacamole.  If you’re prepared to go all out, there's Oribu’s $250 omakase platter that includes a grand 60-piece spread of top-quality seafood including scallops, oysters, cooked tiger prawns and seafood ceviche for a bright and citrusy touch. You can amp it up with a 30g side of black pearl caviar for $550, and refresh the palate after with yuzu sorbet or green tea tiramisu for dessert. Signature cocktails get a cheeky twist too including the Japanese-i

Never had a hoagie before? We don’t blame you, they’re pretty rare to stumble upon in Sydney. Don’t even know what a hoagie is? Let Self Raised Bread Shoppe be your introduction. This retro bakery in South Sydney has already garnered a massive fan club for its legendary submarine-shaped sandwich since opening in early 2023. The OG hoagie is chock-a-block full of cold meats – a golden trifecta of mortadella, smoked beef and salami (all halal) – plus cheese, roasted peppers, lettuce and green sauce on a sesame ciabatta. Their chunky schnitzel is another heavy hitter with crumbed chicken breast, lettuce, mayo and cheese sandwiched between white bread; along with the thick smoked Wagyu beef sanga loaded with American cheese, pickles, mustard and house sauce on sourdough.  Owners and locals Amani Rachid, Huss Rachid and Sal Senan were hometown heroes before they opened Self Raised Bread Shoppe in Carlton. The trio are also the brains behind the highly popular New York-style pizzeria, My Mother’s Cousin, in Bexley North. Before that, they ran Rockdale’s cult Lebanese bakery café Nineteen43.  The name, Self Raised, goes far beyond the flour used to make their bread – it’s a subtle nod to their story of all being self-taught. The shop's 1970s-inspired fit-out pays homage to the retro milk bars of their childhood with chequered floorboards, dark timber panelling, and a retro orange-and-white awning. There’s limited seating inside and on the footpath, but most goodies are made to grab

There are some pretty big-name celebs in Sydney right now for SXSW Sydney. If you haven’t made it down to the world-famous festival, which has, until now, only ever been held in Texas, then this is your cue. In a nod to SXSW's OG hometown, flame-throwing chef of Firedoor and Gildas fame, Lennox Hastie, is tackling the Texan barbecue for a one-off event on Friday, October 20. And everyone's invited! This is from being Hastie’s first rodeo, but it’s the first time the fire master will use his award-winning grilling skills to master the Texan barbecue for hungry punters. Taking over Pumphouse from noon to 2pm, Hastie will fire up 100-day aged hickory roasted rump cap with smokey barbecue beans, grilled corn with jalapeno smoked butter, pickles, cornbread and native hot sauce. Sounds smokin'! Our mates at Messina will be scooping out a limited-edition gelato flavour – the Spicy Rita Rockstar, which takes inspiration from Dallas’ famed Margarita Mile. It’s almost like an edible, icy and spicy cocktail with flavours reminiscent of a firey mango Margarita and even a dash of habanero pepper and salt. Wash it all down with exclusive tastings of Texas wines and classic cocktails, including Soda Limes and American Mules. Y'all gonna want to stick around for line-dancing, cowboy hat making (yee-haw!), sets from Austin musicians Walker Lukens and DJ BoomBaptist – and a Song Confessional pop-up booth where you can record an anonymous story and have it turned into a song. Entry to the Texas

Paddock-to-plate takes on a whole new meaning at Penrith’s relaxed waterfront diner, Sinclair’s. Housed above the Log Cabin, a 100-year-old pub on the Nepean River, this underrated gem brings a taste of inner-city dining to Sydney’s west.  Sinclair’s has cracked the code of modern Australian cuisine with its produce-driven menu spotlighting producers, growers and farmers within a 50-kilometre radius of the venue. Every three months, the chefs source an entire steer from Hawkesbury Farm and leave almost no cuts behind, even churning the beef fat into butter to spread on fresh rye sourdough.  Sinclair’s leans on farmers in the Blue Mountains and Nepean countryside for its other juicy cuts, which meet their fiery fate on the in-house grill, sizzling over hot coals and ironbark. Splurge on the impressive 1.5kg tomahawk, and turn it into a spread by adding zucchini flowers stuffed with spring peas and ricotta; milk-fed veal with hen’s yolk, pecorino and crisps; and cow's milk stracciatella with heirloom tomatoes and zero-waste pesto, whizzed up from surplus herbs and greens.  Signature cocktails play by the same rules and embrace that fresh and seasonal hometown flavour. Kick back with a Sinclair’s Margarita featuring blanco tequila, agave, local citrus and activated charcoal; or take the sweet route with an Espresso Crèmetini featuring vodka, coffee liqueur, crème de cacao, caramel, espresso and sugar.  Sinclair’s has some playful desserts up its sleeve to round out the night. Tr

If you haven’t had your first gin and tonic of the season, then this is your cue. Chippendale’s cosiest small bar, Gin Lane, is embracing the sunshiny flavours of spring with a limited-time Spring Into Gin menu, created in collaboration with local distiller Poor Toms.   Expect a fusion of fresh flavours and captivating theatrics, as each cocktail draws inspiration from this season’s best blooms and locally foraged ingredients. We're most intrigued by the whimsical Flowerpot Sour with rose bud-infused gin, foraged lavender, citrus, cut grass and pine needle syrup, spruce foam and edible soil. It's as if Mother Nature herself mixed it up for us to sip in the garden. The Painted G&T is another artful masterpiece, served in a glass adorned with edible flavoured paint and revealing hints of cinnamon, lavender and apple. Its creativity rivals much of the art at the National Gallery of Australia. Gin Lane has also given classic cocktails a twist including the Lavender Honey Espresso, Ginacolada, Apple Chamomile Southside, and Cucumber Gimlet. Soak up the sunshine with a gin and tonic in hand on the beautiful spring garden terrace, featuring a vibrant flower wall. We’ll see you there for Spring Sundays happy hour from 3-5pm! Recommended: These are the best bars in Sydney right now This gin bar has one of the largest botanical collections in Sydney Looking for dinner after drinks? This is where to go in Chippendale's Spice Alley

You could lose yourself for a few solid hours, if not days, exploring the eclectic selection of retro goods at the Wilde Merchant. In good company on the colourful and chaotic King Street, this vintage clothing store is a go-to for one-of-a-kind treasures and accessories.  The clothing racks are full of personality and charm, stocking everything from your basic band tees and varsity knits to edgier racing jackets and embroidered denim vests. You’ll also discover a global selection of quality pieces from Japan, America and beyond, including Mexican ponchos, Aztec print pullovers and Japanese noragi jackets. Kick it old-school by picking up a pair of Western boots or one of the many Navajo-style bandanas, too. The Wilde Merchant drops new releases each week, sometimes featuring more than 150 one-off pieces. This means new surprises will be waiting for you on every visit.  Want more? These are the best vintage shops in Sydney. Looking for pre-loved items on a tight budget? You'll love these stylish secondhand stores. Find homewares to match at Sydney’s best antiques shops.

If you're after European summer vibes right here in Sydney, La Bottega needs to be on your hit list. This charming Italian café is more than just a place for brunch – it's an experience that'll transport you to the Amalfi Coast, without a plane ticket or budget (or the view, granted).  It’s only fitting that La Bottega found its home in the Inner West suburb of Leichhardt, which has long been known as Sydney’s Little Italy. The boutique spot carries forward the European café custom of welcoming four-legged friends, with a sun-soaked alfresco area that's shaded by cheerful yellow striped umbrellas.  La Bottega’s brunch menu ticks all the boxes for a classic Aussie breakfast, with açai bowls, corn and pea fritters, eggs Benedict and smashed avocado. The lunch offerings lean on the Italian side, with fresh prawn spaghetti, Tuscan burrata salad, and tomato bruschetta. For the ultimate slice of la dolce vita, order La Bottega’s Sicilian chargrilled seafood basket pot full of salmon, tiger prawns, calamari and black mussels in cocktail sauce with warm garlic focaccia.  Add an extra touch of Italian flair with an Aperol Spritz, Isle of Capri Mimosa, affogato or Peroni. Your furry friends are well looked after too with ‘pupcakes’ or chicken and rice from the doggy menu.  Pack your bags, pack your pups and head to Little Italy for your next weekend brunch. These are the best Italian restaurants in Sydney right now Bring your pups to the top dog-friendly pubs and bars in Sydney Here's

Sydney has a growing list of once-neglected heritage buildings that have been transformed into trendy eateries (Brasserie 1930, Prince of York and the Fenwick, to name a few). Parramatta North's Havenstone is the latest addition to this list, set in a lovingly restored sandstone building from 1888. Once upon a time, it was the Female Factory – a place that housed female convicts who arrived in New South Wales in the 1820s and '30s.  Interestingly, the Australian government is currently seeking to have the Parramatta Female Factory added to the World Heritage List, which would make it only the second standalone site in Sydney – along with the Sydney Opera House – to receive that honour. Today, part of this historic building and its sunny surroundings create a peaceful backdrop for all-day breakfast and lunch. Locals can cosy up inside the light-filled café, which was the Factory’s old hospital boiler room and dining area, refurbished with exposed brick pillars, a sparkling white barista machine, and pots and vases in all shades of cream and green. Havenstone’s head chef Anthony Doueihi brings a contemporary twist to classic flavours, using only the finest local produce. For brunch, savour orange and honey French toast dressed with mascarpone, honey and spiced macadamia; warm mushroom bruschetta croissants with goat’s cheese, tomato and prosciutto; and green sencha tea-smoked salmon served cool with brown rice, greens, heirloom tomatoes and poached eggs.  On weekends, bring you

Mosman’s village scene is always abuzz with activity, and right in the thick of it you’ll find Bloom. Since opening in 2016, this bright and airy café has established itself as a Lower North Shore hot spot for classic Aussie brunch and exceptional coffee. The café has blossomed to new life, just in time for spring, undergoing a stunning transformation of its interiors and menu. Bloom at Mosman collaborated with a local designer on the revamped interiors, which blend modern elegance with the grandeur of the treasured heritage-listed building it’s housed within.  You’ll find locals dropping in for a cup of Joe, a fresh pastry and a friendly chat in the morning. Come brunch time and the café is in full motion, pumping out all-day brunch favourites including pea and zucchini pancake fritters; chilli scrambled eggs with chorizo; and baked eggs with tomato and capsicum fondue. Bloom’s new lunchtime menu welcomes back upgraded versions of its classics, in addition to new health-focused salads and sides. Early stand-outs include the za’atar roasted cauliflower salad; Wagyu cheeseburger; and smoked leg ham toastie, all of which are best enjoyed under the sprawling peppercorn tree outside.  In the coming months, Bloom plans to expand its trading hours and evolve into a charming wine bar at night. This is bound to be Mosman’s new summer hangout. Recommended: This is your ultimate guide of things to do in Mosman Check out our guide to the city's best cafés Avenue Road is a long-term loca

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

It’s time to say yes to the dress! Shopping for a special white gown is one of the most memorable moments for a bride-to-be. But it can easily turn into a nail-biting saga with an eye-popping price tag waiting at the end. If your big day is coming up (or if you just like playing dress-ups), then we’ve got some dreamy news for you. Vinnies NSW is throwing its first-ever bridal expo this weekend, at Vinnies Waverley. Hundreds of sparkly new dresses from big-name brands will be up for grabs for just $300.  White or coloured? A-line or mermaid? Strapless or sweetheart? There will be countless racks of designer dresses for you to sift through, with a large range donated to Vinnies by an anonymous bridal shop that recently closed down. Some of the dazzling new dresses retail for up to $4,500, but could be yours for 6 per cent of the original price (aka $300). Vinnies will also collect pre-loved wedding dresses from all of its metro op shops, with prices for these starting at $50. You know that saying “something borrowed” – this is your nifty and sustainable solution, and also means you’ll have more dollars to spend on the things that matter – aka food, booze and entertainment.  This really is a one-stop wedding shop with jewellery, shoes, veils, bridesmaid dresses and suits for grooms and groomsmen also on sale. Every purchase is extra special, as all funds will be donated to Vinnies in support of their mission to help people experiencing disadvantage in the community.  The Vinnies

Want a holiday but not the blow to your budget? Vietjet Air has just announced one of their massive flash sales, with one-way tickets from Sydney to the land of pho, banh mi and bun cha for just $222. You only have 72 hours to book your next getaway, with nifty flights to local Vietnamese hot spots, along with other international destinations like India, Japan and South Korea. There’s no need to set your alarms because Vietjet’s mega three-day 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, which 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 | Ho Chi Minh City If Vietnam has always been on your bucket list then you’ll be happy to hear that one of the cheapest flights out of Sydney starts at $222 one-way to the buzzing Ho Chi Minh City. Vietjet says the bargain deals start from $165 one way, and you can jet set off to other popular Vietnam locations like Ha Long for $243 one way or Hanoi for $364 one way, with lots of exotic coastal destinations on offer, too, including Phu Quoc and Nha Trang.  There are some other big-ticket international destinations included in the flash sale, too, including one-way flights to Singapore from $222, Hong Kong from $249, New Delhi from $262, Phuket from $338, Seoul from $391 and O

Imagine getting to cuddle puppies all day, every day, for an entire year. It’s quite literally our dream job – and it could be yours! Guide Dogs NSW is currently searching for Australia’s cutest volunteers to help raise their new spring litter of labradors.  The life of a ‘puppy raiser’ is more than just hugs, hang-outs and hairballs. It’s a 12-month gig where you’ll nurture and train an eight-week-old fur baby until it’s ready to graduate as a trainee guide dog. The lucky pup parents will need to attend weekly puppy pre-school sessions where their tiny labs can socialise and learn basic skills like good house manners, obedient toileting, proper feeding and sleeping routines and walking on a lead – everything to set them up for a life of incredible service for those living with blindness and vision impairment across Australia.  Guide Dogs will be there to hold your hand every step of the way and will provide the food, vet care and ongoing guidance on how best to look after these adorable munchkins. The only requirements for this dream job are that you have a car and have a fully fenced yard, and will be away from home no more than four hours at a time.  If you think you’re up for the job then you should book a session at Guide Dog’s puppy raiser open day on Saturday, October 28 from 10-11am. They’ll share more about what’s involved in the magical role and will also provide a puppy training demo to give a behind-the-scenes look at how they train the pups.  The open day will be

There's no shortage of amazing places to stay across Australia – from remote cabins and tiny homes to farm houses and beachfront oases – it's never been easier to have a truly memorable holiday in idyllic surrounds. Airbnb has crowned the best of the best in its third annual host awards and two Victorian stays have been named among the six winners, as the best spots to stay in the country. A 1920s converted train carriage won the award for the most unique stay and an 1860s homestead picked up the prize for the best nature stay. Clear your calendars, because these stays truly have wow factor.  To decide the winning stays, Airbnb crunched the numbers (such as guest scores) and consulted with an expert panel to determine the six winners. The prize categories are Best Design Stay, Most Unique Stay, Best Nature Stay, Host of the Year, Best New Host and Best Room Host. And considering there are more than 100,000 properties on Airbnb Australia, just making it to the finalist round is an impressive feat.  If you seek out a vacay that's outside the norm, this authentic 1920s train carriage turned accommodation should be on your radar. Located in the tranquil surrounds of the Otway Ranges, it picked up the prize for the Most Unique Stay, and staying there is truly a first class journey. Steam is a three-bedroom accommodation with steampunk themed decor and luxe interiors, the product of a nine-month renovation to transform the carriage. Host Fleur Leslie intended the stay to be a rom

Sydney gets a lot of hype for its sparkly blue waters and soft golden sands, but we’re also home to a surprising amount of lush parks and gardens. In fact, last year our outdoorsy city ranked fourth in a study of places with the most public green spaces per capita. Soon, we’ll be able to add another big, beautiful and breezy park to our resume – and it’ll be located smack bang into the centre of town. This week, the NSW Government announced plans to transform part of Moore Park Golf Course into a thriving new park. The existing golf course currently sits on 45 hectares of public land, and plans are underway to repurpose up to 20 hectares into an expansive green space that will cater to grassroots sports and recreation needs.  Premier Chris Minns said: “Over the past century, Sydney has changed significantly. When the golf course was first established, the surrounding areas were largely industrial lands.” Major urban renewal has already transformed the once concrete jungle into a vibrant community, with increased housing density around Green Square and Zetland. This is just the beginning though, with more than 80,000 people predicted to live within two kilometers of Moore Park by the year 2040.  “As we work to tackle the housing crisis facing NSW by building up, we know that delivering public infrastructure including parks is more important than ever before," explained Minns. The NSW Government committed $2.2 billion of its latest budget to provide infrastructure, which will s

Scream and shout! Last night news broke that the Princess of Pop *might* be making a surprise appearance in Sydney this week. Sadly, it’s been confirmed that Britney Spears will not be making an appearance IRL. However, there is still some good news to this story. If you’re a Britney fan, you will want to be at the Sydney Opera House in the middle of the day on Wednesday, October 25.  Here’s what we’ve been told: At midday, a ‘Britney Bus’ will be rolling into town for the launch of Britney Spears’ highly anticipated memoir, The Woman In Me.  The bus is scheduled to stop at the Opera House between noon and 1pm – and the first 50 mega fans to find and arrive at the bus will be rewarded with a free copy of The Woman In Me.  We’ve been told that you’ll be able to “Capture a glimpse of ‘Britney’” (as in an impersonator, or her image emblazoned on the bus, we don’t know – but we're betting on a drag queen) from 12pm – and that there will be “plenty of photo opportunities to be had as ‘she’ shares the news of her eagerly anticipated memoir”. In her memoir, Spears unveils her personal truth.  Sydney was last graced with Spears’ presence back in 2009 during her first and only Australian tour of Circus. We think it’s high time for an encore, but we might just have to wait a little bit longer. In the meantime, dig out those Juicy Couture tracksuits, whip your hair into pigtail braids and start practicing your best Britney moves for her memoir release on Wednesday. RECOMMENDED: The Rea

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

Everyone loves a comeback story. Especially when there's food involved. The main character in today’s story is none other than fine-dining meal delivery service, Providoor, which started during lockdown to help people continue to get their fix of food from their favourite restaurants. Providoor is officially back in biz in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane from today, with big names like Matt Preston, Silvia Colloca, Anna Polyviou, George Colambaris, Manu Fiedel and Luke Nguyen involved. We’ve already set the dining table. 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 Homebush, Five Dock, Neutral Bay and Moore Park, so if you're in Sydney, orders taken by midday will be ready for next-day delivery. All you have to do is assemble and heat the meals before serving (oh, and take care of the dirty dishes).  RECOMMENDED: Sydney just scored its first restaurant subscription service – and dining might never be the same Fancy going out? These are the best restaurants and bars according to Time Out Sydney Why not make dinner and take it for a picnic at these beautiful spots in Sydn

Secret treehouses, secluded beach shacks, off-grid yurts and adorable tiny homes… Airbnb really does have it all. The best of the best have just been crowned in the annual Airbnb Host Awards – and two NSW properties too out major awards. A beautiful historic – and affordable – house in Crookwell (in NSW's Southern Tablelands) won the Best Design Stay category, while the owner of a Forest Lodge terrace was awarded Best Room Host. Airbnb crunched the numbers (such as guest scores) and consulted with an expert panel to determine the six winners across these categories: Best Design Stay, Most Unique Stay, Best Nature Stay, Host of the Year, Best New Host and Best Room Host. And considering there are more than 100,000 properties on Airbnb Australia, just making it to the finalist round is a Pretty Big Deal.  If you’re a fan of Grand Designs, then you should strongly consider booking your next getaway at the super 'grammable Mister Munro property, which won gold in the Best Design Stay category. Host Elise Croker lovingly restored the 1890's house, even restoring its original French doors and kauri pine flooring. Mister Munro takes its name from William Munro, the tailor who lived and worked in the residence 120 years ago, and it’s dripping with stories from way back when. You can book a stay for a ripper deal of just $150 per night.   Photograph: Supplied NSW host Skye Lancer also won Best Room Host for Sinjin, her renovated 100-year-old terrace in Sydney (near Glebe), filled wi

You can subscribe to pretty much anything these days – streaming services, gyms, meal kits, pet food, wine clubs and yes, even toilet paper. So, it makes sense that you should be able to do the same for your favourite restaurant. Enter: Calle Rey. This 100 per cent plant-based Mexican diner has just introduced Australia’s first restaurant membership program, and we reckon it’s well worth the bang for your buck. For just $50 per month (or $42 if you sign up between now and December), members unlock the door to two all-you-can-eat experiences each month, with unlimited tacos, tartare, wings, churros and more. There's gotta be some fine print, right? The only condition is that one booking must be made on a weekday, but the other can be scheduled whenever you fancy. Members can even bring family and friends along for the ride for just a one-off $50 food charge. The perks keep rolling in year-round – members also get access to exclusive tasting dishes and VIP events like new menu previews and masterclasses. Honestly, we’d pay just to attend one of chef JC Miranda’s cooking classes alone. The restaurant subscription idea really took off in America after the pandemic – so it seems Australia is late to the party, with Calle Rey the very first to jump on it here. Calle Rey co-owner Madi Cohen said, “We were looking for ways to avoid continuous price increases in line with our quite significant cost increases and, at the same time, we really wanted to provide an even better customer e

The NSW government has announced new drug laws that are aimed at keeping tens of thousands of people caught in the possession of small quantities of drugs out of court. From early 2024, NSW Police will be given the power to issue up to two on-the-spot $400 fines to adults for personal drug use and possession of a small quantity of illicit drugs, instead of them having to enter the criminal justice system. People issued a fine would be encouraged to complete a drug and alcohol intervention program – if the program was completed, they would have their fine waived.   A similar law is already in place for marijuana, and will now stretch to apply to other drugs, including cocaine, MDMA, and ice.   NSW attorney general Michael Daley said the new laws are about helping people receive the health support they need, rather than them getting caught up in the criminal justice system. “Formal contact with the criminal justice system only increases the likelihood of reoffending, and this has knock-on effects on people’s employment, their housing and their relationships.” Last year, about 32,000 drug use or possession incidents occurred in NSW, with more than 19,000 of these cases ending up in court. The dual-strike scheme will take some serious weight off our police and crowded courts, diverting thousands of people from the court system each year. This also allows more resourcing for law enforcement to tackle serious matters, like tracking down where the drugs came from in the first place