Leah Glynn

July 2024: 'Tis the season for melty cheese fondue goodness and mulled wines galore, cosy roast lunches (preferably in pubs with roaring fireplaces) and venturing out in our puffiest puffer jackets to bask in the wonder of Melbourne's seasonal light shows. But let's be real – all that winter fun can get a little exxy. So if your wallet needs a break, try one of these cheap eats instead the next time you're out and about in town.  The late and great respected chef Anthony Bourdain once famously said: “I'd rather eat in Melbourne than Paris." It goes without saying that Melbourne has long been revered as one of Asia Pacific's most exciting food cities, but that status isn't just attributed to our fancy restaurants – special as many of those upper crust institutions may be. Our laneaways and hidden alcoves are brimming with cheap street eats, smashable pub deals and dinner options you can enjoy for $20, $15 or even under $10, so you can stop counting your hard-earned pennies and start eating instead. Looking for a drink to wash it all down? These are the best happy hour deals right now. Curious about other yummy specials? Here's how to get a cheap meal in Melbourne every night of the week.

Here at Time Out, we're all about spotlighting the individuals and organisations that are making lasting change in the city's arts, hospitality, community and culture sectors.  So let us introduce Melbourne's Future Shapers for 2024 – a group of creative types, clever thinkers, risk takers, boundary pushers and legendary locals who are dedicated to making our beloved city a better place to work, live and play. Read on to find out more about these seven remarkable people. Melbourne's future really is looking bright. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.

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. 

1. Travel by public transport. Not only will you save carbon emissions created by individual cars, but Melbourne’s tram network is entirely offset by solar power. 2. If you do need to travel by car, consider joining a car share service, like GoGet. After all, most cars are parked 95 per cent of the time. 3. Walk or cycle when you can. Melbourne has just been ranked one of the best cities in the world to live car-free. 4. Buy (and use) a reusable cup for your takeaway coffees. See responsiblecafes.org for a list of cafés that will give you a discount for using a reusable cup. Need more than one coffee in a day? Consider a Huskee cup, made from coffee plant husks – bring your cup into a participating café and you can swap it for a fresh one. Or you could drink your coffee on premises – what’s five minutes? 5. Learn about urban beekeeping at Somers Bees or Rooftop Honey, then start your own hive on your balcony, backyard or roof to encourage biodiversity. Plus you’ll get free, delicious honey. 6. Buy your fruit and veggies from an accredited farmers’ market. 7. No time to get to the market? Ceres Environment Park will deliver fresh, seasonal, organic fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy items, as well as bakery goods, home and beauty products and pantry staples. All items are sourced locally and support local farmers. 8. Buy your dry goods in bulk at the Source Bulk Foods, in BYO containers. 9. BYO containers and get your cleaning products from Roving Refills. These folks travel

Getting the chance to dip into the steamy waters of a thermal spring is a joy that we reckon everyone deserves to experience at least once in their lifetime. The healing powers of naturally occurring hot springs have been celebrated, worshipped and enjoyed by humans across the world for millennia, and today, this is one human thing that we can say has absolutely not changed. Ancient Romans, we feel you.  In Australia, there are countless natural thermal hot springs available for the soaking. From the staggering turquoise waters of the Northern Territory, to oasis-like bathhouses, to the wild far reaches of the Kimberley, the land Down Under has some of the most epic hot springs on Earth. In this list, we have gathered the best of them – and tell you exactly where to find them.   Want more wild and wonderful Aussie adventures? These are the best hikes to do Down Under before you die.

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.

‘Overtourism’. It’s more than a buzzword – in the world’s most popular destinations, it’s a problem that affects almost every aspect of local life, from the environment to the cost of renting, transport and eating out. And when a place is overwhelmed by people, it’s not only locals’ quality of life that suffers; the quality of your holiday does, too.  But, with baby steps, it looks like things could be changing. Destinations like Italy and Japan are coming up with ways to redistribute tourism from densely crowded hotspots to lesser-visited regions. Among travellers, overtourism has given rise to the ‘destination dupes’ trend, where overrun holiday destinations are swapped out for less crowded, less expensive, but just-as-good alternatives.  On our newly updated list of the world’s most underrated travel destinations, you won’t find your Bangkoks or your Balis, your Amalfis or your Amsterdams. What you will find is a Yosemite dupe, Morocco’s overlooked neighbour, a place where penguins outnumber people, and plenty more travel inspo where that came from.Chosen by our network of expert editors and globetrotting travel writers, these overlooked spots offer great (or quiet) alternatives to the classics. And in many cases, they’re places that actually really want visitors. In other words, travelling to any of these 24 criminally overlooked destinations is a win-win situation. See you out there? RECOMMENDED: 🏰 The most underrated travel destinations in Europe🚞 12 ways to be a bett

Every day is a special day at Lune, purveyor of the world’s best croissants (well at least many people believe this to be true – this writer included), and Lune's July specials are as tempting as ever. You'll find all the latest specials below, and because they vary between locations make sure to check out what's available at each store beforehand to avoid disappointment when you finally get to the front of that never-ending line.  Need more buttery goodness in your life? These are the best patisseries in Melbourne.

There’s no denying it – Australia is one of the world’s most incredible destinations for travellers. We might be biased, but you can’t argue with our stunning turquoise beaches, ancient tropical rainforests, flaming red desserts and buzzy metropolitan cities. Choosing where to go and what to see on your next trip around Australia is as challenging as finding a shady spot at Bondi Beach on a warm, summer’s day. But don’t worry, our editors at Time Out are here to help with their personal recommendations of the best places to visit in Australia.  RECOMMENDED: How many of Australia's most popular travel spots have you ticked off this list?

Looking for something fun to do now the temperature is dropping? There's an illuminated collection of winter light festivals spread across regional Victoria. See glowing sculptures, arty light installations and more at some of your favourite regional destinations. Hop in the car, plan a weekend away, and check out the best our great state has to offer at night. Here is our list of gorgeous, glowing, winter light events in regional Victoria this cold season. Want to see the winter lights in Melbourne instead? Here's our list of everything illuminated and glowing in Melbourne this month.

Do you love anything sparkling, glowing or illuminated? You've come to the right place – there are plenty of gorgeous light-up events to discover in Melbourne. From digital exhibitions and sparkling light shows to a Harry Potter-themed immersive experience (complete with a life-size hippogriff), it's time to get your glow on. Want to explore regional Victoria? Here's our list of winter light festivals outside of Melbourne.

Have your plans for tonight fallen through, or are you simply the type to live on the edge and wait until the last possible moment to plan your day? Luckily, Melbourne is the type of city where you can always count on finding something fun to do on short notice.  From five-star musicals and warm-weather activations to cool gigs and nearby day trips, we've got you covered with our curated guide to everything fun happening right now. Have a scroll, lace up your shoes and prepare to hit the town.  Want more? Check out these great free things to do, or work your way through our 100 best things to do in Melbourne before you die bucket list.

The annual Glow Winter Arts Festival is celebrating its tenth year of bringing after-dark fun to the City of Stonnington. From July 18 to 21, Central Park in Malvern East will be glowing up with a dazzling program of immersive light, colour and art. This year, the festival will feature another series of entrancing outdoor illuminations from acclaimed Australian artists, plus special live performances and food trucks.  Highlights of the artworks will include a 14-metre inflatable light sculpture integrating video and music, gigantic 16-metre bubble clusters, 42 towering, luminous flowers rising from a watering bed, a shimmering installation of over 1,000 light-transmitting flowers and an interactive music-making playground. It sounds like a truly magical, glowing wonderland.  The lights come on at 5pm each night, and the festival is completely free to attend. And because it wouldn't be a winter festival without hot chocolates and delicious warming feeds, there will be a variety of food trucks on-site each night. Find out more here. Want more glowy lights? Discover everything illuminated in Melbourne this month. Keen to hit the road for a cosy vacation? Here are the best winter getaways from Melbourne.

If you live in Melbourne and have TikTok, chances are you’ve heard of Stefanino Panino. That’s how the deli-style shop first landed on my radar, via multiple drool-worthy videos showing loaded sandwich cross-sections and lines snaking out the door. It was salivation through the screen at its finest, and I knew as a dedicated sliced bread specialist that I had to find out whether this family-run business (founded by mother-son duo Diana and Stef Condello) lived up to the hype. I visit the new-ish digs (Stefanino Panino moved from its OG location on the Brunswick East end of Lygon Street in November 2023) in Collingwood Yards with my husband on a chilly Saturday morning. We skipped brekky in favour of starting the day with a carb-loading sesh, and have arrived early to snag our sanga of choice, lest it sells out – which, on the weekend, is not unusual. Having already studied the menu before arriving, our choices are clear: the Bologna (mortadella, stracciatella, pickled peppers and olives) and the L’Australiana (prosciutto, provolone, tomato, rocket, onion, mayo and dijon mustard). But with 12 sandwiches on offer, plus rotating specials and the option to build your own, this is a place that demands a return visit or two – after all, who doesn’t want to say they clocked Stefanino Panino’s sandwich line-up? True to form (aka all the TikToks I’d seen), there was already a line out the door upon our arrival mid-morning. We poke our heads inside the busy venue and glimpse the wood-p

If spending the day in the sun listening to electro tunes sounds like your idea of a good time, you're in luck. After making its Aussie debut in 2023 following huge international success, Palm Tree Music Festival returns with an epic line-up of global artists. Headlining the festival (and visiting Down Under for the first time in five years) is the Grammy Award-winning duo of Drew Taggart and Alex Pall, aka The Chainsmokers. They will be joined by Swedish DJ and producer Alesso, who's best known for hits like 'Heroes' and 'Under Control'. Also on the line-up are Gryffin, Austin Millz and Daya, with more to be announced. This massive music event will hit Sydney on December 6, Brisbane on December 7, and finally Melbourne on December 8. Taking place at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, audiences can expect a day of good vibes and even better music. The Telstra Plus presale starts at noon on July 8, while the TEG Live presale begins at 3pm. General public tickets will go on sale at 3pm on July 12. For more information and to purchase your tickets, head to the website.   Want more live music? Check out our Melbourne gig guide.

It’s time to slip on your flares and dust off your mirror ball, because the annual Bastille Day Soirée is back, and it’s shaping up to be the party of the year. From the talented team behind So Frency So Chic (Melbourne’s annual summer picnic event), this adults-only affair will take place at Meat Market in North Melbourne on July 20. Revellers can expect a French discothèque vibe complete with dancers, fine wine, surprise performances and a whole lotta sequins.  The six-hour dance party will be spinning the best of French disco and ‘90s electronic French touch throughout the night to keep you moving.  This year, the dress code is sparkle, shimmer and shine. Think sequins, diamantes glittery eyeshadow and metallic fabrics – or you can never go wrong with a sparkly pair of shoes or necklace.  Sustenance comes in the form of a complimentary cheese grazing station, courtesy of L'Artisan Cheese. A bistronomy menu loaded with French delicacies from L'Hotel Gitan will also be available for pre-order. Keeping you hydrated will be a selection of Champagne and cocktails. For a night of decadence, debauchery and dancing – all in the name of France, of course – look no further than the Bastille Day Soirée. For more information and to secure your tickets, head to the website. Want to keep celebrating? These are the best things to do on Bastille Day in Melbourne. Craving a Gallic feast? These are the best French restaurants in Melbourne.

It's baaack! After an extended hiatus Ability Fest has announced its return in a huge way, dropping a red-hot line-up that is guaranteed to have music fans pumped. Across two massive stages, you'll be able to catch the likes of Ocean Alley, Cub Sport, Bag Raiders, Kita Alexander, King Stingray, Middle Kids and heaps more. It's an eclectic array of artists from both Australia and abroad, with all musical tastes catered for. Ability Fest will return to Naarm/Melbourne’s Birrarung Marr on October 19, and revellers can party the day away against sweeping skyline vistas in the spirit of diversity and inclusivity. A not-for-profit event, Ability Fest is Australia’s first all-accessible music festival and one of the leading torchbearers for inclusive events, using music as a platform to normalise disability.  Founded by the Dylan Alcott Foundation and Untitled Group, the event has hosted some of the biggest names in the industry and all proceeds go toward supporting young Aussies with disabilities through scholarships, sports initiatives and entrepreneurship programs. The venue is specifically designed with infrastructure that caters to people of all levels of ability, with elevated platforms and ramps, Auslan translators on stage, a dedicated sensory area, quiet zones, accessible toilets, guide dog accessibility, companion ticketing and more.  This year, the festival has also announced new initiatives such as reduced ticket prices ($60 – talk about bang for your buck), free entry f

Fans of sneaky street art, rejoice! The acclaimed works of Banksy, the mysterious master of graffiti, are coming to Australia, and you won't even need to scour the city's laneways to see them for yourself. The Art of Banksy: Without Limits is a blockbuster exhibition that will feature murals, sculptures, photos, mapping shows (aka images or animations projected onto irregularly shaped surfaces), installations (including an “infinity room” filled with mirrors) and a simulation of ‘Dismaland Bemusement Park’ (for those who’ve never heard of it, it’s a gritty, dark theme park that was created by Banksy in 2015). It will also include a mix of replicas and originals of some of the artist's most famous works, like 'Rude Copper', 'Flower Thrower' and the instantly recognisable 'Girl with Balloon'. But wait, that's not all: Banky's recent Ukraine murals will be referenced, and there’s even a space that pays homage to the MV Louise Michel, the high-speed boat that Banksy financially keeps afloat in the Mediterranean Sea to rescue refugees. The exhibition began in Brisbane, before heading to Adelaide and Sydney. Soon, the exhibiton will finally reach Melbourne in June 2024, with ticket sales commencing on Thursday, April 18 (you can join the waitlist here for tickets). The exhibition will take place at The Disctrict Docklands, but we're still waiting in suspense of the exact dates to be announced. Will Banksy be in attendance? Is this the moment Banksy's real identity will be revealed

Score vintage treasures, designer items, crafted goods and op shop finds at the Round She Goes vintage market at Coburg Town Hall. The market features more than 60 stallholders selling handpicked and vintage clothing (1950s onwards), jewellery and accessories for cheap.  Stallholders are carefully handpicked by the Round She Goes team so that quality is ensured, sizing is diverse and prices start from just $10. In the past, shoppers have been able to snap up preloved designer goods from the likes of Zimmerman, Miu Miu, Versace, Scanlan Theodore, Marc Jacobs, Romance Was Born and so many more.   The market is held several times annually, with the next market taking place on July 14 from 10am to 3pm. Entry is $4, payable by cash or card, and there's plenty of free parking. Go early to fetch a good bargain and don't worry, there's coffee and baked goods inside to keep you going. Keen to snag more clothing? Here are Melbourne's best fashion markets. Alternatively, get a greener wardrobe with these sustainable fashion brands.

Eight years ago wine-loving mates Alex Byrne and Cam Nicol joined forces to create Noisy Ritual, a winery in Brunswick East. Championing a "grape to glass" philosophy, the venue serves a multi-purpose role, where visitors can learn about winemaking from Byrne (who has years of winery experience), have a glass of vino at the bar, or buy a bottle to take home for a dinner party. The winery makes a few sparkling wines, a few whites, a rosé and a range of reds. Byrne overseas their production, and you'll often find the man himself on one side of the bar or the other.  Feeling peckish? The winery offers grazing platters, sharing plates and larger meals to enjoy alongside your glass. You can also hire the space for a special occasion. For more info, head to the website. Still thirsty? These are Melbourne's best wine bars.

Something that Vivid Sydney has proven year after year: bright lights will bring people out on winter nights, which is why we're thrilled about the return of this regional festival held on the banks of the beautiful Murray River. The NSW/Vic border community of Echuca Moama is throwing a magical night fest, Moama Lights – and it's set to be pretty magical. Running from July 5-28 (across Thursday to Sunday nights), Moama Lights is an immersive sound and light trail comprising state-of-the-art installations, projections and cutting-edge moving light technology.  This year's theme is Enchanted Nights: A Celebration of Light, and it will honour the captivating beauty of Horseshoe Lagoon and the surrounding bushland. Using Banjo Paterson's evocative poem 'The Daylight is Dying' as inspiration, the trail will shine a light (quite literally) on the elements of nature that come to life when the sun sets. Visitors can expect to see illuminated ripples on the lagoon's surface, projections of children's art, glowing red gums and incredible indigenous works by First Nations artists Warrick Keen and Alkina Edwards. Also returning is the ice skating rink and the American Hotel beer garden, where you can load up on hearty food and drink options. There will also be additional food trucks and kids' entertainment. Tickets are on sale now for this glowing wonderland, you can book them via the website. Want to be the first to know about what's on in Sydney? Sign up for our free Time Out Sydney

There’s something a bit magical about this historic regional town in the dark, cold months – and this is exactly what the Ballarat Winter Festival seeks to capture. From June 29 to July 21, the Gold Rush town will come alive with food and wine events, gigs and performances, an ice rink, a huge market and (our particular favourite) Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill.  More highlights of the program include the pop-up ice skating rink, which will host child-friendly, sensory and disco-themed skating sessions, and the Design Exchange Market, which brings together a number of independent designers, artists and creators. For music and art lovers, a special late-night event called Art Late will takeover the Art Gallery of Ballarat with a California-inspired party featuring a curated music line-up from regional festival experts OK Motels. Plus, two candle-lit classical music concerts featuring the music of rock legends Queen and cinematic favourites from composers like Hans Zimmer will take place at the Ballarat Mining Exchange.  Phew, talk about jam-packed! You can check out the full program on the Ballarat Winter Festival's website.  For more frosty fun, check out our guide to Melbourne's winter festivals and events. Want to get lit? Here's everything illuminated in Melbourne this month.

Looking for something to do this King's Birthday long weekend? Head up to the charming village of Woodend, located just an hour's drive from the CBD, for its annual Winter Arts Festival (WWAF) from June 7 to 10.  This year, the festivities will kick off with a night filled with vibrant fireworks synchronised to popular classical music, plus a performance by Spanish flamenco pair Paco Lara and Deya Giner. The rest of the diverse program features some of Australia’s leading classical musicians and greatest literary minds. Join in on discussions about big topics like the rise of AI, understanding the importance of scientific methods, city living versus bush life and an exploration of war versus peace For music fans, there's a wealth of sound to consume. Catch Jazz great Paul Grabowsky, London-based pianist Piers Lane, twice ARIA-nominated pianist and composer Nat Bartsch, and Woodend’s own Jacqueline Ogeil as she leads Accademia Arcadia’s performance of the 'Early Solo Concertos' on the Cristofori piano. Across the four-day feast of music, words and ideas there will also be book signings, workshops and exhibition openings to explore. The program features both free and ticketed events, and you can find out more via the WWAF website. Love exploring during the colder months? Check out our guide to the best winter getaways from Melbourne. 

You might think water parks and winter don't mix (especially down here in Victoria). But Geelong's Adventure Park isn't letting a little cold weather stop them from providing Victorians with a good time – in fact, it's given them a little inspiration.  Adventure Park's Winter Glow festival is bringing lights, fire, ice and snow to the amusement park this winter. The festival (which runs from June 22 to July 21) features more than 1000 glowing installations, fire twirling, ice sculptures and 3.3 million lights that will twinkle all around the park along a 2km trail. While real snow might be a rare sight in Geelong, there will be a big snow play zone where kids can make snowmen and snow angels (warm gloves, gumboots and jackets are recommended!).  Eight theme park rides are included in entry to Adventure Park's Winter Glow event, including the Tea Cups, Air Balloon, Crazy Coaster, Wave Swinger, Carousel, Red Baron, Little Buggy and Ferris Wheel (what a way to see the park all lit up). Face painting and marshmallow toasting will be on offer for the kids, while adults can enjoy a spiked hot chocolate, mulled wine or spiced cider. And lots of delicious novelty food items available to dine on, too. Kids will also love Adventure Park's loaded hot chocolates. Picture: decadent loaded hot chocolate drinks with silky liquid milk chocolate topped with fairy floss, chocolate bars, Tim Tams, sprinkles, cream, marshmallows, musk sticks and other sweet goodies. Yum. Winter Glow festival is

Did you miss out on an invite to Paris for the 2024 Olympics? Don't worry, so did we. But that doesn't mean you can't still get behind the Australian squad 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 of the team's ability to snag some gold medals. 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. When is the Olympics Opening Ceremony in Melbourne time? The 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony will take place on the evening of Friday, July 26, 2024. The grand spectacle will begin at 8.24pm local time in Paris. For Melburnians, that’s 4.24am AEST – very early on the morning of Saturday, July 27. When does the Olympics start in Melbourne time? The Olympic games all officially kick off from Saturday, July 27. You can check out the competition schedule here. The Paris Olympics will continue for 19 days, ending with the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, August 11. The Paralympics will actually continue for longer – running from August 28 to September 8. How can you watch the Olympics on TV from Melbourne? You can watch the Olympics on free-to-air TV via the Nine Network, and catch up on 9Now. Stan Sport will also broadcast all events. Spots to watch the Olympics in Melbourne Fed Square Get amongst the sea of gr

Hands up if you were late to work this morning because you needed to chisel ice off your car’s windscreen? Yep, us too. In case that wasn’t a dead giveaway, it was pretty damn fresh this am – in fact, it was Melbourne’s coldest morning in two years. And this is after the city shivered through its chilliest day in more than five years just two weeks ago. Melburnians woke up to freezing conditions, with Olympic Park recording a temperature of just one degree at 7.29am. It was even chillier in the ‘burbs, with Frankston hitting 0.5 degrees and Melbourne Airport only reaching -0.9 degrees. And spare a thought for our friends living in regional Victoria; the temperature in locations like Ballarat, Rutherglen, Wangaratta and the Latrobe Valley was below minus two degrees. Taking the icy crown was Mount Hotham, which only managed -5.2 degrees. The winter blast can be blamed on a combination of cold air mass, light winds, clear skies and a strengthening high pressure system hovering over southern Australia.  And in bad news for those who struggle to get out of bed when the mercury drops, the cold snap looks like it will continue – Melbourne is set to experience a week-long run of chilly mornings, with temperatures peaking no higher than five degrees. If this actually eventuates, it will be the coldest week since June 2013.  “Clear skies and light winds [have allowed] the temperature to drop right down each morning,” said Helen Reid, a meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology. “The

In 2024, Melbourne's arts scene has never felt more exciting. From world premieres of award-winning musicals and blockbuster exhibitions to indie productions and wildly talented performers, the city is alive with a diverse array of cultural offerings. And what better way to shine a spotlight on the industry than by launching the very first Time Out Arts & Culture Awards, which aims to celebrate the best of the arts over the past 12 months from May 2023 to May 2024. Time Out's dedicated critics have been busy catching countless musicals, plays and exhibitions across Melbourne and Sydney to give our readers what Time Out has long specialised in: independent critical reviews. And now, they're ready to share with you the findings – all the nominees for the 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 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 Melbourne. The People’s Choice Awards are where we need yo

Hands up if the whole cozzie livs thing is weighing pretty heavily on you right now? Yep, us too – and it doesn't help to hear news about Melbourne being named one of the most unaffordable cities in the world to buy a home, or how it has one of the highest populations of millionaires in the world (it ain't any of us, in case you were wondering). Well, we hate to add to the pile on, but a recent report released by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has revealed the richest suburbs in the country, and Melbourne made the list with two of the top ten located right here. Surprised? Us neither.  Landing fourth on the list is the bougie postcode of 3142 – aka Toorak and Hawksburn – where the average income for the 2021-22 financial year was $266,020 (must be nice!). Considering the average Australian income for the 2021-2022 financial year was $72,327, that’s a pretty big paycheque. In fact, all of the Melbourne postcodes ranking among the top richest in the country have an average income that’s more than twice the average national income. The next Melbourne postcode to make an appearance on the list at seventh is 3944, also known as Portsea. We gotta say, this one was a bit surprising – but also, have you seen some of the houses down on the Peninsula? With an average income of $221,867, it makes sense for the exclusive coastal enclave to earn a mention. But spare a thought for Sydneysiders, with the Harbour City taking out seven of the ten spots – including the number one positio

Lights, camera, action! While Vivid Sydney and Melbourne's Rising have dimmed their lights for the winter, the Murray River is gearing up to dazzle with its own luminous nighttime spectacle. After being cut short last year due to flooding, the spectacular Moama Lights festival is returning to the Echuca-Moama region bigger and brighter than ever. To celebrate, we're giving away a family ticket to Moama Lights (two adults and two children), including a two-night stay in a two-bedroom premium villa at Moama on the Murray, a $200 voucher for the Rich River Golf Club, and a Moama Lights merch pack (four scarves and four beanies).  To enter: Follow @TimeOutAustralia on Instagram Tag a friend in the comments of the competition post before entries close on June 27 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Australia (@timeoutaustralia) What you're in for? Running from July 5-28 (across Thursday to Sunday nights), Moama Lights is an immersive sound and light trail comprising state-of-the-art installations, projections and cutting-edge moving light technology. This year's theme is Enchanted Nights: A Celebration of Light, and it will honour the captivating beauty of Horseshoe Lagoon and the surrounding bushland. Using Banjo Paterson's evocative poem 'The Daylight is Dying' as inspiration, the trail will shine a light (quite literally) on the elements of nature that come to life when the sun sets. Photograph: Keith McInnes Visitors can expect to see ill

As if the prospect of owning a property wasn't daunting enough, a new global study has revealed the most unaffordable cities to buy a house – and we're saddened to reveal that Melbourne has landed at seventh on the list. Yep, in this era of cozzie livs, this is hardly a title we ever wanted or needed. For the past 20 years, the Demographia International Housing Affordability Report has analysed middle-income housing affordability across 94 major markets in eight countries, including Australia, Canada, China, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. The report ranks each city based on its median multiple score, calculated by dividing the average house price in a city by its gross median household income. A score of 5.1 or more is considered ‘severely unaffordable’, and this year, a new category, ‘impossibly unaffordable’, was introduced for those scoring nine or above.  The semi-good news is that nearly 90 per cent of cities in the world did not fall in the ‘impossibly unaffordable’ category. However, the bad news is more than a quarter of those cities deemed as ‘impossibly unaffordable’ are in Australia.  While Melbourne's ranking of seventh, with a median multiple score of 9.8 (which is up two spots from last year), is a shock, spare a thought for anyone hoping to buy a home in Sydney. Australia’s largest capital city is the second least affordable major property market in the world, with a staggering median multiple score of 13.8. This al

Did your morning commute feel extra icy yesterday? Did you spend the entire day huddling around the heater? Well, you weren’t alone – Melbourne just experienced its coldest day in five years, with a wintery blast hitting the city. A blanket of heavy cloud cover and a haze of drizzle kept the mercury low, with the city reaching a maximum temperature of just 10.1 degrees Celsius in the early afternoon – that’s four degrees below average for this time of the year. But the chill factor could’ve been much worse if the wind had picked up. Thankfully, calm wind conditions and some slight humidity (preventing the air from developing that icy, dry chill) kept us from feeling even colder. This current winter snap is the result of a cloud band crossing the country that’s blocking the sun and trapping cold air near the surface. And it wasn’t just Melbourne that needed a few extra layers – Ballarat only reached a top of nine degrees Celsius, while Geelong managed to hit 11 degrees Celsius.  Conditions are set to improve slightly over the weekend, with a few showers and maximum temperatures of 15 degrees Celsius on Saturday and 14 degrees Celsius on Sunday. Besides, weather forecasters have predicted this winter is on track to be the warmest on record – so fingers crossed we’ve seen the worst of the icy conditions. Now, how many more months of winter are left? Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED

There’s certainly no shortage of beautiful parks and green spaces in Melbourne, but that doesn’t mean we don’t get excited when another one springs up. (Re)introducing South Yarra Siding Reserve – a former sloping area of grass that has been transformed into a beautiful new inner-city park. It originally closed in 2018 as works commenced on the Metro Tunnel’s eastern entrance and a brand new underground railway substation (the first of its kind in Victoria).  The neighbourhood park now boasts more than 2,400 square metres of lawn, new pedestrian and bike paths, better lighting, improved accessibility and picnic areas. More than 160 trees have also been planted at the reserve and the nearby pocket parks on Arthur Street and William Street. Photograph: Victorian Government In another win for the local community, South Yarra Siding Reserve is now home to two First Nations artworks, by Barkindji man Kent Morris and Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Kim Wandin, with collaborating artist Christine Joy. They are part of the Legacy Artwork Program, which has already seen incredible public works by some of Australia’s leading creatives installed across the new Metro Tunnel stations. ‘Where We Walk’ by Kent Morris is a sculptural piece inspired by the flaked stone artefacts that were unearthed at the site, and is a cultural marker of knowledge, connection and respect. Aunty Kim Wandin’s ‘Murrup Biik’ (‘spirit country’), is a series of three brightly coloured sculptures that represent ‘Bilangs’,

Here’s some excellent news if you’re one of the many who commute daily into Melbourne’s CBD on two wheels: major works have officially begun on a brand new, entirely elevated cycling super-highway between Footscray and Docklands. The ‘veloway’ (aka a bike freeway) is part of the wider West Gate Tunnel Project, which is delivering a much-needed alternative route to the West Gate Bridge and (hopefully) cutting congestion on our already busy roads. Running from Shepherd Bridge in Footscray to the city side of the Moonee Ponds Creek, the new cycling passage will be four metres wide and contain two lanes.  Construction of this 2.5-kilometre super-highway will require 195 individual segments to be lifted into place, and once completed it will weigh 1,700 tonnes. It will be fully suspended between Footscray Road and the new elevated road above – making it the first of its kind in Australia. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jacinta Allan (@jacintaallanmp) But most importantly, it’s going to provide a much safer express route for cyclists as it will eliminate the need to cross over six busy road intersections (including some vital port entry and exit points). Other key safety features include emergency exits with alarms, full CCTV coverage, bright lighting and a mesh cover with perforated side panels to allow for sunshine and fresh air to stream in. “The new elevated cycling super-highway above Footscray Road will be a game changer for cyclists in the Wes

Melbourne has a lot of things going for it: great restaurants, stunning architecture and a pretty spectacular city skyline. But apparently, being cultured and cute doesn't necessarily equate to being clever. At least not according to the 2024 Smart City Index. The annual study of smartest cities around the globe has just dropped, and Melbourne has actually slipped two spots in the rankings to 33rd. Outrageous, right?! According to the study, being a ‘smart’ city isn’t just about having brainy residents. It’s about the whole package: a city’s economic and technological state, combined with “humane dimensions”, like its quality of life, environmental savviness and inclusiveness. To determine these rankings, the brainiacs at IMD analysed existing data and combined it with more than 20,000 survey responses from people in 141 cities worldwide. They quizzed residents on 15 key topics related to their life in their hometowns, including what issues they reckon are the most pressing (eg: affordable housing, security, public transport, fulfilling employment), along with how effective they think tech solutions and infrastructure are at tackling local problems and boosting quality of life. Just like last year, Zurich snagged first place, followed by Oslo and then Canberra. To be fair, this checks out – our nation's capital is home to the highest number of government institutions and one of the most educated populations. According to the report, Canberra excelled in its health and safety

Ahhh, the humble parmigiana (and before we get any further, let’s be clear: it’s parma not parmi). Comprising chicken breast with a layer of tomato paste and cheese – and maybe even a slice of ham, if you’re feeling fancy – it’s the fail-safe pub meal that you know will never disappoint. But where exactly can you find the best parma in all of Victoria? Well, at the recent 2024 AHA State Awards for Excellence, the winner of the highly coveted Parma of the Year award was revealed – and the result may surprise you. The Middle Hotel in Korumburra, South Gippsland has taken the crown, beating out 15 other finalists with a perfect score. The key judging criteria included the quality of the produce, tenderness and appearance, topping-to-meat ratio, presentation (Was it constructed well? Was the cheese grilled?) and the quality of the side dishes, aka crispy chips and a fresh salad. You know, all the things we hungry punters look for when smashing a parma at our local.  According to the Middle Hotel’s head chef, Mark Smith, the secret to the perfect parma is in the top-notch ingredients. “It’s got to be the quality of the chicken, the quality of the crumb, the Napoli sauce has got to be a nice, flavoursome Napoli, good quality ham, and the cheese we use is a cheese blend,” said Smith. If you ask us, we’d be making a booking – stat. With news of Victoria’s best parma starting to spread, there’s no doubt going to be plenty of people keen to sample the winning chook. Order it with a pin

Could the end of the Metro Tunnel project finally be in sight? Well folks, it certainly feels like it. Back in February, we brought you the news that Arden Station, the first of the five new underground stations, was finished. And in March we got a sneak peak of the public artworks that will be on display across the network. Now we can reveal that all major construction on Parkville Station is also complete – and it’s on track to be open to passengers by next year. Woo hoo! Located directly below Grattan Street​​ between Royal Parade and Leicester Street, the new transport hub will provide direct rail access to the University of Melbourne, the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. It boasts four entrances and a 44-metre-long pedestrian underpass, allowing for thousands of medical staff, students, teachers, families and tourists to pass through every single day. The key design elements include a 50-metre-long steel and glass canopy that will transform Grattan Street into a ‘grand promenade’ complete with lush landscaping and trees. There will also be a number of deep light wells, ensuring that natural light reaches all the way down to the station below ground.  Photograph: Department of Transport Then there’s the station’s landmark custom artwork: ‘Vernal Gland’. Created by acclaimed Australian artist Patricia Piccinini, it comprises a colourful array of handmade ceramic tiles that will (hopefully) evoke a sense of calm, optimism and warmth amidst a