Alice Ellis

We love NSW. Here at Time Out Sydney, we're this state's biggest fans. But if you’re dreaming of steam, you’re going to have to go south. Truth is, Victoria is where it’s at if you want to follow an epic hot springs trail. And the hottest bathing destination of all right now? That’s the Mornington Peninsula. I flew to Melbourne from my hometown of Sydney, hired a car, and drove 90 minutes to this stunning stretch of coastline to experience the ultimate three-day bathing itinerary. Can you OD on bathing? I gave it a red-hot go. I may have turned a little pruney, but I also got the most solid stretch of R&R and thinking time that I’ve had for years. Bliss.  Try it solo, like me – or take your mum, your partner, a mate, or go as a group. Based on my experience, here’s my advice for where to bathe and stay. Do one, or go all in over a few days.Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. If you do want to bathe closer to home, these are the best hot springs in NSW.

July 2024 update: Let’s face it: life is expensive. But the good news is that you don’t need to stay home every night and survive on frozen pizza, thanks to our city’s incredible cheap eats. The best bit? Often they rival any dishes you would find in a fancy fine diner. We’ve rounded up the top places with prices that won’t burn a hole in your wallet, including our current faves Mami's, Spicy Joint and Albee's Kitchen. Because life’s too short to eat bad food. 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. Time Out Sydney critics, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have eaten their way around town to bring you this list, and while cheap isn't what it used to be, there are still lots of excellent affordable venues to check out. These are the ones well worth their salt. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want to spend less at the big-ticket players? Check out our cheap fine-dining hacks.

In Sydney, sport is a big deal. The year starts with cricket, and once the test commentary has faded we move on to the tennis, followed by the AFL, NRL, and Union, with some basketball, soccer and netball thrown in for good measure.  Now Australians have also developed a taste for international leagues and tournaments, we try to follow the NFL, the NHL, the NBA and the English Premier League. Throw the highly anticipated 2024 Olympics in there and we're at no shortage of blood-pumping athletics to gaze upon. What we're trying to say is that there's a whole lot of excellent sport to be watched, and if you don't have cable, or are in search of the atmosphere that only fans en masse create, then use this ultimate guide to find your way to the very best sports bars in Sydney.  Want more? Check out our list of the best pubs in Sydney.

There’s no doubt about it, Sydneysiders can’t get enough of Italian food. And who can blame us? There’s something about a bowl of perfectly al dente pasta paired with a luscious, rich ragu that just hits the spot. And white Italian cuisine differs throughout the 20 incredible regions – broadly speaking the northern regions eat more rice and polenta, and down south they feast more on seafood – Italians share a love of beautiful, seasonal produce, choosing simplicity rather than overcomplicating dishes, and cooking food with soul. No wonder we love it so much. Luckily, there are a wealth of excellent options to choose from when it comes to Italian dining in Sydney. Time Out’s editors and critics, including our Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have picked our favourite eateries covering all bases – from casual red-sauce joints and classic pizzerias to fine dining restaurants – so no matter what mood you're in, there's something here for you. 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. Not in the mood for pasta? Here are our picks of the best spots for Greek and French food in Sydney.

People are choosing plant-based eating for its softer step on the Earth, concerns about animal cruelty, and the health benefits of vegetable-rich diets. Plus, there's been a rise in flexitarian diets – you might not be a full-time vegan, but where you can, you opt for more plants on your plate. Only a few years ago, vegan dining meant a whole lot of pulses and sprouts, but now Sydney is home to plant-based burger shops, classic Italian pizzerias that showcase cheese and meat alternatives, gelato shops that favour coconut bases, and a growing contingent of fine diners offering fancy degustations for vegans. Below, we've rounded up the best vegan restaurants in Sydney. Cool with eggs and dairy? Check out the best vegetarian restaurants in Sydney. Got a mixed group? Head to one of the best restaurants in Sydney. On a budget? Have a look at the best cheap eats in Sydney. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want to shop sustainably? Check out our guide to ethical shopping in Sydney here.

Sydney can be a pretty exxy place to live, but if you keep your bargain hunting eyes open, you’ll find heaps of free and cheap things to do on any day of the year. Some of the best things in life really are free. Here's where you can find them in Sydney. Stay thrifty with one of these 25 fun (and delicious) things to do in Sydney for under $25. Looking for cheap places to eat? Here's our pick of the best cheap eats in Sydney.

In Australia, we've got boundless stars to share. When you combine vast stretches of national park, deeply dark skies and a dash of pure air, you've got yourself the ideal recipe for a quality stargazing session. In Australia, there are countless hidden (and obvious) amazing stargazing spots that perfectly hit this formula. We've found the best, so you don't have to.  RECOMMENDED: These are the most beautiful islands in Australia.  When is the best time of year to go stargazing in Australia?  Generally, the experts say winter, for the crispest air and sharpest visuals. This being said, anytime from February to October should deliver the goods in any one of the spots we've listed across the nation.  What should you take stargazing in Australia? Just like if you're going outdoors at night, anywhere, you need to be prepared. Even though the Land Down Under has a rep for hotness, at night, temperatures do plummet – so bring plenty of warm clothes, insect protection, and ample food and water. Depending on your stargazing level (one being – "I like looking up occasionally and saying 'wow!' while eating marshmallows, and pro being – "I prefer seeing my constellations through the Hubble"), you should bring binoculars, night camera equipment or a portable telescope.  Also, a good attitude and a healthy appreciation for celestial fun. Those two? Essential. 

NAIDOC Week is a big week for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians alike. It’s all about celebrating the richness and resilience of First Nations history and tradition, and drawing much-needed attention to the world’s oldest living culture and all the beauty that comes with it. This year, NAIDOC Week will run from Sunday July 7 to Sunday July 14. NAIDOC stands for 'National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee', and was created in 1956 as a means of organising national events celebrating Indigenous culture. What is the 2024 NAIDOC Week theme? The theme for 2024's NAIDOC Week is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’. The fire represents the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations cultures, passed down through generation despite enormous challenges. Fire is also a symbol of Indigenous culture's connection to the land, each other and traditions. It's about kindling the sparks of pride and unity, and igniting a renewed commitment to acknowledging, preserving and sharing this cultural heritage that enriches this nation. What NAIDOC Week events are on in Sydney? Sydney’s Eora Nation will be coming alive this week with live music, art and cultural festivities and free events. Everybody, regardless of where they come from, is warmly welcomed to come along in celebrating what has always been, and always will be, Aboriginal land. Check some of it out, below... RECOMMENDED: How does the head of Bangarra keep the fire burning? Read our interview with Fr

A burger is a simple premise, but doing them well is truly a dark art. Do you go with the classic sesame seed or the more gastronomic potato, milk or brioche buns? Do you prefer American cheese, blue or cheddar? How about caramelised onions, pickled or raw? Lettuce and tomato, or cheese and pickles? Is your protein power chicken, fish, beef, or mushroom? And we haven’t even gotten to the question of fries yet.  There are a thousand variations on a burger, but Time Out Sydney's critics, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have tried all the top buns in town – and these are the best in Sydney. 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. RECOMMENDED: These are Sydney's best pizza joints. Want more carbs? These are Sydney's best pasta spots.

We’re all too aware that Sydney isn’t a cheap place, but if you know where to look, you can find dinner any night of the week for $20 and under. From tasty burgers at your local pub to steak and chips and fish tacos, Sydney has a bunch of budget-friendly eats. Time Out Sydney's critics, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have pulled together our hit list for frugal dining. We'll see you on Tuesday. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want to know which cheap restaurants we rate most? Here's Time Out's guide to the best cheap eats in Sydney. Plus, check out our guide to 25 things to do for $25 or less in Sydney here.

Yes, we know it’s tempting to spend your winter nights bundled up in bed like a burrito. But it’s time to strip off the Oodie and step outside because there’s a whole world of magical, colourful light displays waiting to enchant you.  In Australia, it seems every capital city has its own winter light festival, brought to life by twinkling fairy lights, illuminated artworks and showstopping fireworks. From the Southern Hemisphere’s largest multi-platform festival, Vivid, to Uluru’s award-winning Field of Light, these are the best winter light festivals worth travelling to in Australia. RECOMMENDED: These are the best festivals for music, art and culture in Australia.

Sometimes when you go to a restaurant, all you want to do is kick back and let the food come to you – without even thinking about it. Enter, set menus. Not only do you get to taste a bunch of great dishes, but it often works out to be cost effective – and that's a win win in our books. We've eaten our way around Sydneytown to find the best set menus – from fine diners to casual eateries – at three price points: $65 and under; $85 and under; and $100 and under. Time Out Sydney's Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure is currently loving the $50 set menu at Dimitri's Pizzeria, the $49 ‘Mate’s Rates Menu’ at Three Blue Ducks, and the Southeast Asian feast at Mumu for $65 per person. From birthday celebrations with the family to a long boozy Saturday lunch with the gang – we've got you covered.  So, round up your mates, make a booking, and get ready to eat. We sure have.  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. ALSO RECOMMENDED: Work your way through Time Out's guide to the best cheap eats in town Check out our ultimate guide to the best happy hours in Sydney Eat well and save with Sydney's cheap meal specials for every night of the week

Peninsula Hot Springs is the Mornington Peninsula’s OG hot springs. It’s like a wonderland of geothermal baths – more than 70 baths set over 42 acres (i.e. HUGE). Basically, take a compass to navigate the maze of springs and saunas and bushland and hill tracks, because it’s like a suburb in itself – with a restaurant, two cafés and a coffee hut, sun lounges and hammocks, relaxation domes, a little food farm, areas where you cover yourself in clay, luxe glamping (more on that later)… you name it, they have it. The vastness of Peninsula Hot Springs means that, despite the popularity of this place, you won’t feel cramped.  There are shared thermal mineral pools, wet and dry saunas, a hydrotherapy pool, Turkish and Moroccan hammams and the frequently Instagrammed hilltop pool, which boasts 360-degree views over the farmlands of Fingal. The tranquil Spa Dreaming Centre also offers communal bathing in a variety of thermal pools, including a barrel bath, grotto pool and an indoor pool that overlooks the lake. Pampering options at the in-house spa include massages, facials and body treatments. You can also book private bathing pavilions, and there are yoga classes, body clay workshops and mindful walks. Decades after opening, the Hot Springs continue to expand – some of the more recent additions include the ice cave and deep-freeze chamber, a food garden that services the onsite café and restaurant, and there are always new pools in the works. View this post on Insta

I’m from Sydney, and one of my favourite things about Melbourne is the way the city has preserved its heritage architecture and old-world charm. The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street exemplifies this. The Hilton has taken a heritage building that was formerly the Melbourne Equity Chambers, built in 1931, and turned it into a new hotel with mod cons, but maintained its divine Italian Romanesque and Gothic architectural detailing.  Not only did the designers, Bates Smart (who also designed the State Library), respect and work around the existing features – they also restored certain aspects of the Chambers so there’s a sense of the building’s former life in every corner of the heritage wing. Then they added a six-level extension and new 16-level tower that also pay homage to the building’s past, and give you views of the nearby Supreme Court and law firms. This old-world charm contrasts nicely with the huge, colourful mural on the wall opposite the hotel, on Little Queen St, which the hotel commissioned local graffiti artist Kitt Bennett to create. Together, the contemporary urban wall of bright colour and the grand old building sum up this city. If you want a very 'Melbourne' experience from your stay, you’ll get it here on Little Queen Street.  It also helps that the hotel is located in a great spot – not far from the cool restaurants and bars of Hardware Lane and surrounds, and easy walking or public-transport distance to pretty much anywhere else you want to go.  The hot

Cherry blossom season will land in Sydney this winter, and with it, Auburn's beloved Cherry Blossom Festival, one of the most Instagrammable events on the NSW calendar. Running from August 17-25 2024 in the Auburn Botanic Gardens, this pink-hued festival is all about celebrating Japanese traditions, music, pop culture and food, with visitors able to wander through fields of fluffy pink sakura blossoms in a traditional Japanese garden. As always, this year’s program is brimming with food, activities, workshops, live music, dance and taiko drumming performances. Catch a live DJ set from Andrew Levins, get festive with the fun percussive sounds of YuNiOn Taiko!, or witness acrobatic wonder thanks to hula hoop master Shiho Sparkle Hooper. Hello Kitty fans can catch themed performances every day at noon and 2pm, or get up close and personal with Hello Kitty herself at a meet and greet (daily at 1pm). If you’re keen to get creative, you can join one of the many workshops on offer – with the opportunity to learn everything from belly dancing to origami. The Japanese Food Village will be back in full swing, slinging creative Japanese-fusion delights ranging from Mochi donuts to pink-hued burgers, and the Cherry Blossom Bar will be serving up a selection of Japanese-inspired drinks.To secure a spot, you’ll need to book tickets – they're free for all residents of the Cumberland area; otherwise, out-of-area adults pay $15.55, and kids aged 5-16 pay $6.60 each.  Want more flower power? C

When you pull into the driveway of Hotel Sorrento, set on a clifftop with sparkling views of Port Phillip Bay, you feel like you’ve arrived somewhere exclusive. There’s a heritage Hamptons vibe to the original limestone building, which was built and has been well preserved by the family who owns and runs it as a hotel, with restaurants and bars. But when you enter, the mood is far from exclusive and snobby. The styling is coastal chic, but the place is warm and welcoming. As mentioned, it’s family owned and run, and that shines through in their customer service, the little details, and everything they do. You can just come in for a feed or a drink but, lucky me, I’m staying. I’m in a Sunset Suite, and I have a round, black-stone bath outside on my room’s private terrace. This will do. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alice Ellis (@alicecellis) The room is all earthy tones: timber floating floorboards, pale stone finishings in the bathroom and on the terrace, and a round yet modern armchair by the window. I have an outlook of huge Norfolk pines – they peep up above the ivy-covered stone wall that shields me from onlookers while I take an outdoor bath with a glass of bubbles.  The hotel is an easy two-minute stroll from the pretty-as-a-picture town of Sorrento as well as the beach, but there’s no real reason for you to ever leave the hotel grounds. There are six different areas throughout the property where you can eat and drink. There’s

In 1945 the canny Hammon family took the old mining railway originally used to haul shale up the cliff and converted it into a Scenic Railway for the use of visitors. The ride passes down a hair-raising 52-degree incline through a rock tunnel into the Jamison Valley and the rainforest below. These days, just to get you into the mood, they play the Indiana Jones theme while you descend at a rate of four metres per second. At the bottom there is a series of raised boardwalks called the Scenic Walkway. Partly wheelchair accessible, these platforms take you on a pleasant, dirt-free walk around the valley going past interesting examples of plant life as well as enormous pieces of old mining equipment. There are museum-style exhibits about the old mine down there as well. If you want to take a really special walk, Scenic World is now offering new Buunyal Tours, where you can explore Gundungurra Country with an Indigenous guide who will share their heritage and provide everyone – from kids to adults – with a deeper, more meaningful connection with this beautiful part of the world.For those who are adventurous, get up high. The Scenic Cableway is a glass-walled cable car that makes the same trip but with a more spectacular view of the valley. Decide whether you want to descend or ascend in the Cableway; most choose to ascend, because the Scenic Railway is more fun going down. The Scenic Skyway is a 720m-return ride across the valley in a cable car, suspended 270m in the air, with ast

I’ve always thought of Malaysian as the comfort food of Asia. You’ve got rich, coconut-creamy, flavour-packed curries and soups. Charred skewers of meat with moreish peanut sauce. Melt-in-your-mouth Hainan chicken with flavourful, stock-soaked rice. At Albee’s, a popular Malaysian eatery in Campsie, you’ll find all of this and lots more on the seemingly never-ending menu. It’s a whole 37 pages jam-packed with colourful photos of food that make you want to lick the pictures. The worst part is you’ll want to order it all (at least the prices are affordable, by Sydney standards, so you can go to town).  We start with some drinks from the rainbow-hued pages of iced coffees, milkshakes, fresh juices, mocktails and hot drinks. We go with a Malaysian iced coffee (just the perfect amount of sugar mixed with milk and what’s unmistakably Nescafé), as well as a coconut milkshake, which is like a thick, creamy, snow-white frappe topped with a big scoop of vanilla ice-cream. Then we pick some feel-good faves, starting with the chicken and lamb combo satay sticks. The chicken is decent, but it’s the lamb that I quickly reach back for before it’s all snapped up by my date. The little chunks of lamb have been cut with just the right amount of fat that a lick of flame has created a melt-in-your mouth caramel flavour. It pairs deliciously with the thick, slightly spicy peanut sauce that’s served on the side.  We have to try the laksa, but instead of going for the usual suspects (chicken or pra

It's arguable that the beautiful Sarah Bernhardt (the famous French actress) was the world’s first international celebrity, and when Czech artist Alphonse Mucha (1860–1939) painted her, the posters of the painting quickly became ubiquitous in Paris, and were ripped from the streets by collectors as soon as they were pasted up. Now, the work of this art nouveau maestro is on at the Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW) this winter, in a Sydney exclusive, Alphonse Mucha: Spirit of Art Nouveau. The most comprehensive exhibition of the artist’s work ever seen in Australia runs through to September 22. Alphonse Mucha: Spirit of Art Nouveau is the first exhibition of historical art presented in the Art Gallery's recently renamed Naala Badu north building, which opened at the end of 2022 as part of the Sydney Modern project. The exhibition explores his full oeuvre, drawn from the Mucha Family Collection and featuring 200 works from the artist's five-decade career, including paintings, illustrations, posters, jewellery, photographs, sculpture and even an immersive digital experience. Alongside Mucha’s work, the exhibition also features a selection of Japanese prints from the Art Gallery’s ukiyo-e collection, which were popular during Mucha’s time in Paris in the late 19th century, which influenced the art nouveau style. Plus more recent art inspired by the countercultural rediscovery of Mucha’s work. This major winter blockbuster leads AGNSW’s 2024 exhibition program, which brings the human fig

Best for: Those who like to do laps at the gym Elixr Health Club in Bondi Junction offers Pilates, yoga, cardio and weight-training areas, and a 25m indoor magnesium mineral pool. They're all about providing a refuge from the busyness of life outside, so they also provide meditation and personal development seminars, and Pilates teacher training through Elixr School of Pilates. From $43 a week, you can get access to unlimited Pilates, yoga and fitness classes, access to the pool at Bondi Junction, access to their dedicated weight-training and cardio areas, and access to member events and workshops.

Park your butt on an outdoor seat at the completely alfresco Whalebridge at sunset and, as you look over towards the Harbour Bridge and Luna Park beyond it, it’s impossible not to understand why Sydney’s harbour is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Watch the ferries pull into Circular Quay's wharves, the sparkle of the last rays of sun reflecting off the water, the sky change colour, as people behind you wander over to the Opera House for an evening show. It’s a very Sydney experience.  What’s also very Sydney is ordering up a plate of Sydney rock oysters. We pair them with a glass of prosecco and Whalebridge's Piquant Margarita, made with white tequila, agave, lime, and some Ancho Reyes Verde liqueur that brings a touch of chilli. Then we have a think about what else to order once we can flag down the waitstaff, who were very responsive to start with but become a little harder to get the attention of once the place gets busier.  We’d love to spend hours exploring the French menu (classics like French onion soup with gruyère croutons; twice-baked soufflé with 18-month comté cheese; mussels with a cream, white wine and garlic sauce; the lobster with mustard and gruyere; and, of course, the steak frites). But, like many others, we’re here for a light dinner before an Opera House show, so we decide to stick with sharing a starter and a couple of light meals.  A lobster roll to start. The chunky portion of lobster meat is lightly battered and served with a mild c

From the earliest times, our society has revolved around food rituals. Before the agricultural revolution, days were spent hunting and gathering. Now that we don’t have to spend a whole lot of time on that, we instead spend our days working to earn money to buy necessities like food, and then shopping for it, preparing it, going out for it, deciding what to consume. The actual eating is just one of the few ways we expend time and thought and energy on food. That’s what Food, a show on at the Lawler, Southbank Theatre for Rising, explores.  And considering how big a part of our lives food is, frankly, we’re surprised this is the first show we’ve seen that’s revolved around the stuff.  It’s impossible to explain what Food is in a nutshell. It’s immersive theatre. A dinner party (one where you won’t get to enjoy any food, mind you). A magic show. A guided meditation. Absurdism at its finest. A one-man show (or is it?! There is a lot of hilarious audience participation. Sit in the back rows if you’re not in the mood).  The show starts in familiar territory – some audience members will gather around a massive square banquet table, while others will sit in the rows behind and to the sides. Your waiter for the evening is master New York illusionist Geoff Sobelle.  But before too long, the night descends into a visual history of the evolution of what we eat and how we produce it. There are herds of bison, fields of wheat, factories, train lines, plantations, supermarkets, restaurants

Get inside Australia's brightest minds in technology, culture, art, media and entrepreneurship at this huge summit, as they explore the future of the creative and cultural industries, creative cities and the creative economy. The multidisciplinary festival has popped up in cities across the world, bringing boundary-pushing talks and discussions to New York, London, Istanbul and Dubai before heading back to Sydney. Set across two days, Remix Summit Sydney is a festival of talks, debates, panels, workshops and social events led by innovators and changemakers. It's basically a field guide to what's next for us, our nation, and our world. What's not to love? The theme for this year’s tenth anniversary special is Ideas For The Revolution, with speakers covering everything from high street culture to immersive experiences. This year, over 50 speakers will be sharing their insights on stage – with highlights including Tony Broderick, Director of Marketing at Netflix, the NSW 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues (one of the Time Out Future Shapers for 2024) and our very own Kaylie Smith (former Managing Director at Instagram APAC, and current Managing Director at Time Out APAC). Among many others, you’ll also hear from John Hughes, CEO at Luna Park Sydney, Justine Simons OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture & Creative Industries and the founder of World Cities Culture Forum, Caroline Butler-Bowdon, CEO of the State Library of NSW, Daryl Karp, CEO of the Australian Nationa

Everyone loves Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden, which sits by our sparkling Sydney Harbour in the centre of the city – but did you know Australia’s biggest botanic garden (also in Sydney) is just under an hour’s drive from the CBD? The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan is just 60 kilometres from the middle of Sydney city. It’s part of Camden Council and Campbelltown City Council. This huge botanic gardens takes up a huge 416 hectares, which makes it bigger than Central Park in NYC. Who knew?!  The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan is one of the most important conservation sites in NSW, and it’s free to visit.  You can see native flora and fauna from across Australia, as well as lawns, lakes and landscaped gardens. Want to know more about the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan, how to get there, and what activities you can do when you're there? Get all your FAQs answered over here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. 🌿 Want more public gardens you can visit in and around Sydney? Click here for our guide to the best. 🤐 Here are 7 beautiful hidden places in Sydney that you probably don't know exist. 🍷 Prefer indoor activities? These are our favourite hidden bars in Sydney.

Did you miss out on an invite to Paris for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics? Don't worry, so did we. But that doesn't mean you can't still get behind the Australian athletes who have travelled to the City of Love for their chance at Olympic glory. With 460 talented athletes competing for 329 medal events across 32 sports, we’re pretty confident in the Australian squad’s ability to snag some gold medals (including Charlotte Caslick and her team, who we caught up with before they left).  So whether you’re a die-hard sports nut or just looking for an excuse to join the Olympic bandwagon, there's never been a better time to cheer on our Aussie legends. Here's where you can do just that. An Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oui, oui, oui seems appropriate right about now! First, though, we answer some key questions to help you watch… When is the Olympics Opening Ceremony in Sydney time? The Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony will take place tonight: Friday, July 26, 2024. The grand spectacle will begin at 8.24pm local time in Paris – that’s 4.24am AEST – very early on the morning of Saturday, July 27 (that's tomorrow morning). When does the Olympics start in Sydney time? The first Olympic events began two days before the Opening Ceremony (weird, yes, but it’s hard to schedule so many sports!) with preliminary rugby sevens,  handball, archery and football games on Wednesday, July 24, and Thursday, July 25. From tomorrow, Saturday, July 27, the Olympic games all officially kick off. You can che

The new NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership season kicks off on Thursday, July 25, as the buzz around the women’s game continues to increase. Following a record-breaking Women’s State of Origin series, superstars like Tamika Upton, Jaime Chapman, Millie Elliot and Ali Brigginshaw are ready to light it up for their clubs across nine rounds of unmissable footy. You can catch the action up close in the stadium, with games taking place across Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Canberra, Townsville, Wollongong and the Central Coast (Gosford), ahead of the Finals in September. When you can’t make it to games, you’ll be able to watch live on free-to-air TV with Nine once again showcasing every game of the 2024 NRLW competition live and free – and if you’re out or you miss a live game, you’ll be able to stream it from anywhere at any time on 9Now. The competition keeps growing – in quality, number of teams and popularity with audiences. Last year, more than a million viewers tuned in to watch the NRLW 2023 Grand Final. And the NRL recently confirmed that next year, in 2025, the NRLW will expand to 12 teams – with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the New Zealand Warriors joining the existing 10 teams. Photograph: Grant Trouville © NRL Photos | Newcastle Knights - 2023 NRLW Premiers Time Out editor Alice Ellis is a big women’s sports fan. As well as having previously led the Women in Sport Awards back in her role as deputy editor of Women’s Health magazine, she has also worked

Most people go to Paris to eat cheese and drink wine and marvel at the Eiffel Tower. Charlotte Caslick is going there to run really fast, score tries and do everything in her power to get to the top of that tri-level podium and make Australia proud. This will be the Rugby Sevens’ player’s third Olympics. In her first – eight years ago in Rio – she won gold and became an overnight celeb. The eyes of Australia were on our Women’s Rugby Sevens team – people marvelled at their speed and athleticism, realising that this fast, thrilling, seven-per-side rugby format is a blast to watch, even for non footy fans.  You could call 2016 and the aftermath this squad’s “Matildas moment”. Little girls and boys looked up to the Sevens girls, lined up for photos with them, and female registration in local Sevens competitions increased by 33 per cent. The moment helped increase acceptance around women playing footy across all codes. The very next year, the AFLW competition launched to great success, and a year later, the NRLW. Photograph: Anna Kucera for Time Out Eventually, though – despite the Women's Sevens team’s ongoing success in World Cups, World Series and Comm Games – the attention on the girls began to fade, simply because Rugby Union, and especially Sevens, doesn’t get much air time here in Australia. “We're constantly number one or two in the world, and Australia just doesn't really know that,” says the Sydney-based athlete. Caslick – who will captain her Australian team at the

Sydney's arts and culture scene is buzzing. From dazzling musicals to provocative indie shows, to blockbuster exhibitions and eye-opening visual art, the city is alive with a diverse array of cultural treats. And what better way to shine a spotlight on our vibrant industry than by launching the very first Time Out Arts & Culture Awards? The inaugural awards celebrate the best of performing and visual arts over the past 12 months (productions and exhibitions showing between May 17, 2023 to May 17, 2024 are eligible). Time Out's dedicated editors and reviewers in Sydney and Melbourne have been busy catching countless musicals, plays and exhibitions to give our readers what Time Out has long specialised in: independent critical reviews. And now, they're ready to share the findings – all of the nominees for our critics' choice awards have just been announced!  Presented in exclusive partnership with the Pinnacle Foundation, the 2024 Time Out Arts & Culture Awards will feature the following categories: Critics' Choice Awards: Best Musical Best Performance in a Musical Best Play Best Performance in a Play Best Art Exhibition Best Museum Exhibition The Impact Award  People's Choice Awards: People’s Choice: Best Musical People’s Choice: Best Performance in a Musical People’s Choice: Best Play People’s Choice: Best Performance in a Play People’s Choice: Best Art Exhibition People's Choice: Best Museum Exhibition A winner will be awarded for each award category, in both Sydney and

When you think of top experiences in Australia, you tend to think of something around our photogenic harbour, like the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. But another New South Wales’ activity has topped Australia’s ‘Top Experiences’ list in Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travellers’ Choice Awards. The Small Group Blue Mountains Day Trip has been crowned the Top Experience in all of Australia. The tour visits Scenic World, but it's run independently by family business Anderson’s Tours.   Scenic World, at the Three Sisters in Katoomba, is the Blue Mountains’ main hub of mountainy attractions, and it's one of the attractions you'll visit as part of this small-group day trip from Sydney. As part of the 10-hour round trip, you’ll go on the Scenic Railway (the world’s steepest rail trip), ride the glass-bottom Scenic Skyway cable car, walk through the valley, get up close and personal with animals like kangaroos and wallabies at Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, and cap off the day with a relaxing river cruise and meal. Not a bad day out at all.  The experience topped the pops because it’s so highly rated on Tripadvisor – it has a perfect five-star score, with a total of 3,307 reviews.  In the words of someone who’s taken the trip: “Fantastic day trip to the Blue Mountains! Rin, our tour guide, was brilliant. From the start Rin was very friendly and welcoming. She was knowledgeable, organised and has a great sense of humour. This day trip was one of the highlights of our trip to Sydney. It’s a must-

If you utter the phrase 'most liveable city' to a Melburnian, you might notice them slightly wince, or perhaps imperceptibly shudder. The annual worldwide ranking has become a bit of a touchy subject. Once upon a time, our city was the darling of the Global Liveability Index – Melbourne was crowned the world’s most liveable city for a whopping seven years in a row. But much has changed since then (after current reigning champion Vienna dethroned us in 2018), and post-pandemic, our city shockingly slumped to tenth place on the list. Thankfully, we've still got a top five spot in 2024, although but the bad news is we've been usurped of our third place ranking from last year by yet another European country.  If you have no idea what we're talking about: each year, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) releases its Global Liveability Index, ranking 173 cities around the world from the best to worst living conditions. It looks at five key metrics, including healthcare, culture, education, infrastructure and the environment. The results have just dropped for 2024, with Vienna, Austria retaining its title as the most livable city for the third year running. Denmark’s Copenhagen secured the second spot, followed by Switzerland’s Zurich in third place.  Melbourne has dropped from being ranked in third place last year, to fourth this year, being overtaken by a mere 0.1 of a point. Honestly, rude. But there is valid, important reasoning behind our city dropping in the ranking. In the

In news that will surprise no Sydneysider who has brought up the cost-of-living crisis in the last convo they had (so, pretty much all of us): Sydney has fallen in the global rankings of “most liveable cities”. After all, it was just confirmed we’re living in the second most expensive place in all of the world to buy a home. What may surprise you, though, is that our city has also maintained its status within the top-ten most liveable cities, comparative to other places throughout the world. Last year, Sydney placed fourth in the world in this same Index – and this year, we’ve dropped down to equal seventh with Vancouver (another city with a drop-dead gorgeous harbour), due to a decreased infrastructure score. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU’s) annual Global Liveability Index results are in for 2024, and this year Melbourne has settled in to Sydney’s previous fourth position (they also dropped from last year – but by just one spot from their 2023 ranking). "We have downgraded overall infrastructure scores for Australia, owing to an ongoing housing crisis that has led to an all-time low availability of rental properties in many of the cities," the Economist Intelligence Unit said. We don’t need an intelligence unit to tell us that. RECOMMENDED: Here are our readers' hacks for saving money while living in Sydney The infrastructure scores for Melbourne and Sydney were equal: at 96.4 out of a possible 100. Sydney and Melbourne also had the same scores for healthcare (100), e

Seven years ago, I went stargazing in one of the world’s officially recognised “Dark Sky” zones – Takapō in New Zealand’s South Island. In the dark of night, I lay back in a steaming hot bath at Tekapo Springs and gazed up at trillions of twinkling (and shooting) stars, brighter than I’d ever seen them before, thanks to a lack of light pollution. As you’d expect, there are a fair few of these Dark Sky zones in NZ, and scattered across regional areas of the world; what there are far less of are “Urban Night Sky Places”, in cities. Until this week, there were only nine of these throughout the world – now a tenth location has been designated, and it’s here in Sydney. Palm Beach Headland, where Barrenjoey Lighthouse lives, has been officially recognised as Australia’s – and the whole Southern Hemisphere’s – first “Urban Night Sky Place” (UNSP). It has been named by the international body that looks after this stuff, DarkSky International. The 62-hectare designated area is at the northern end of Palm Beach, incorporating Barrenjoey Headland, which is part of the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park – as well as Governor Phillip Park (which, hot tip, is probably a safer place to be after dark than the headland and its rocky walking tracks). So now, the filming location of TV show Home And Away won’t just be famous around the world for the antics of Alf Stewart and his mates in Summer Bay. Photograph: Destination NSW | Barrenjoey Headland, Palm Beach “We’re extremely proud to be the fi

Next week is the first week of the (financial) year, and to celebrate, Transport for NSW is increasing your Opal fares (sorry). In light of the release of the NSW State Budget, the cost of using NSW’s public transport network will rise by an average of 3.6 per cent (in line with inflation) as of Monday, July 1, 2024. This comes after a rise only last October.  The only bright side: the weekly travel cap will remain unchanged. More on this in a sec. How much are Opal fares rising by?* Train trip fares for adults will rise by up to 49c; Bus and light rail fares for adults will rise by up to 27c;  Ferry fares for adults will rise by up to 43c; Train fares for children, youths and concession-card holders will rise by up to 24c Bus and light rail fares for concessions will rise by up to 14c; Ferry fares for concessions will rise by up to 22c.    *All of the above increases are dependent on distances and whether travel is peak or off-peak periods. To put this in real-life context: the increase will see a one-way train journey from Penrith to the CBD at peak hour jump from $7.65 up to $8.03, and a trip from Chatswood to North Sydney from $4 to $4.20.  ALSO RECOMMENDED: Here’s everything we know about the new Sydney Metro fast-rail network, opening in August So, those who live furthest from their destination will be most affected. While those who take short bus and light rail journeys (up to 3 kilometres) will continue to pay the same as they have in the first half of this year. Ho

Auburn Botanic Gardens, in western Sydney, comes alive each winter. Thanks to its 250 cherry blossom trees, this public park is the star attraction of Sydney's cherry blossom season. To celebrate the blooming of millions of fluffy pink buds, Auburn Botanic Gardens hosts a big annual Cherry Blossom Festival. This year, the popular event will be held from August 17 to 25. The festival isn’t just pretty – there’s a heap of fun Japanesey stuff to do while you’re there. Last year, some of the highlights included a Japanese Food Village, featuring cherry blossom-themed food, ramen, a barbecue and sweets; an Izakaya Cocktail Bar; ikebana and origami workshops; Harajuku Mini Golf; and Japanese-inspired hula hoop workshops. Photograph: ELT | Auburn Botanic Gardens Thanks to the beautiful display of pink at Auburn Botanic Gardens, the travel experts over at Travelex have actually rated Sydney as one of the top places (after Japan, South Korea and other wintery wonderlands) in the world to go for cherry blossoms. So if you’re not going to get overseas any time soon, this is your next blossomy bet. You do have to buy a ticket to the Cherry Blossom Fest – it’s super popular, attracting more than 100,000 people over nine days, so start planning when you want to go. Watch this space and we’ll let you know when you can book.  Want to know more about the Cherry Blossom Festival? Head over here. Be the first to know about what's on in and around Sydney by signing up for our free Time Out Sy

There's no denying that Melbourne is generally regarded as a great place to be – our city recently cracked the top ten in a new global economic index, and was also dubbed as the third most 'chilled out' city worldwide. But, that's not to say our city isn't without its flaws (Melbourne was also named as the seventh most unaffordable city in the world to buy a home earlier this month) – the cost of living has been creeping higher and higher for the last couple of years, and many residents are definitely feeling the pinch.  So considering the various pressures that Melburnians are under, it's not a complete surprise that our city barely made it into the top 50 cities worldwide in this year’s Happy City Index.  This annual review of 250 cities across the world takes into account thousands of quality of life factors across five categories: citizens, governance, environment, economy and mobility. Cities are then ranked by their total score and awarded gold, silver or bronze status.  Melbourne ranked 41st in the world, just claiming a spot in the top 50. Our city did place higher than other Australian capital cities, trumping Sydney (ranked 116th, yikes), Perth and Hobart. While the 41st spot may sound a bit grim, taking into account that there were a total of 250 cities being considered, it's still a positive result.  But when it comes to Aussie cities, Brisbane (with its laid-back charm, good weather and lively music scene) took the highest spot – ranking as the 21st happiest city

In news that might not surprise Sydneysiders struggling to make ends meet and finding the housing market a major pain (in other words, a huge portion of us), Sydney didn’t crack the top 100 in this year’s Happy City Index.  This annual review of 250 cities across the world takes into account thousands of quality of life factors across five categories: citizens, governance, environment, economy and mobility. Cities are then ranked by their total score and awarded gold, silver or bronze status.  When it comes to Aussie cities, Brisbane (with its laid-back charm, good weather and lively music scene) took the highest spot – ranking as the 21st happiest city in the world. Other Australian capital cities to trump Sydney were Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. ALSO RECOMMENDED: Here are 22 hacks to save money while living in Sydney So which city topped the whole list? The happiest city of all was found to be Aarhus in Denmark, followed by Zurich in Switzerland and Berlin in Germany.  This year, 37 cities earned the prestigious title of 'Golden Happiness Cities', with European cities claiming the entire top 15. Minneapolis in the US was the only non-European city to make it into the top 20 (followed by Brissy). Sydney ranked decently in environment areas (which looked at factors such as natural resource management and renewable energy) and governance areas (involving residents in the decision-making processes), and lower when it came to mobility (which looks at factors such as getting arou