Liv Condous

When visiting a new city, it’s highly likely that, at some point, you’ll find yourself standing in front of a big and beautiful museum or gallery. Come rain, hail or shine, these brilliant buildings are the place to brush up on historical happenings and learn a thing or two about local heritage.  Inside you’ll find some of our country’s greatest treasures and a huge diversity of subject matters too, ranging from natural history and cultural artefacts to science marvels and sporting achievements. Don’t wait until the next rainy day to explore Australia’s best museums with this ultimate guide.  RECOMMENDED: The 18 best art galleries to explore in Australia.

There's always something happening in this fair city of ours, so don't let the week pass you by without popping a few fun events into your social calendar. To help you plan, we've rounded up all the best activities happening this week, so all you have to do is scroll, pick and embark on your adventure. Some of the best things to do in Melbourne this week include architectural festival Open House, which will grant Melburnians exclusive access to unusual buildings, and a celebration of the local music scene at Leaps and Bounds Festival. Plus, for a magical winter night out,  check out the dazzling illuminated experience Lightscape before it finishes up soon. In the theatre world, classic play Streetcar Named Desire and beloved Disney production Beauty and the Beast are both on stage. The NGV's much-anticipated, major winter exhibition Pharaoh recently opened, and a showcase of famed street artist Banksy has also landed. Plus, the Queen Victoria Night Market is back on Wednesday nights for more wintery goodness.  When in doubt, you can always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of 101 things to do in Melbourne before you die.   Looking for more ways to fill up your calendar? Plan a trip around our beautiful state with our handy travel guides.

There's always something happening in this fair city of ours, so don't let the week pass you by without popping a few fun events into your social calendar. To help you plan, we've rounded up all the best activities happening this week, so all you have to do is scroll, pick and embark on your adventure. Some of the best things to do in Melbourne this weekend include architectural festival Open House, which will grant Melburnians exclusive access to unusual buildings, and a celebration of the local music scene at Leaps and Bounds Festival. For a dose of (sustainable) retail therapy, shop at Revamp Market for your next thrifted outfit. Plus, for a magical winter night out,  check out the dazzling illuminated experience Lightscape before it finishes up soon. In the theatre world, classic play Streetcar Named Desire, a rockin' musical all about Elvis returns, and beloved Disney production Beauty and the Beast are both on stage. The NGV's much-anticipated, major winter exhibition Pharaoh recently opened, and a showcase of famed street artist Banksy has also landed. When in doubt, you can always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of 101 things to do in Melbourne before you die.   Looking for more ways to fill up your calendar? Plan a trip around our beautiful state with our handy travel guides.

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 her line of work, Bonnie Dukakis is often the youngest person in the room, and she’s often surrounded by politicians and government officials. But she doesn’t find this intimidating. Instead, she finds strength in knowing that the vast community of other young Indigenous Victorians who she advocates for in those rooms are behind her.  “I know, sitting in those spaces, that I'm not there to represent myself and what I think,” Dukakis says. “It’s because of the people around me, who I've worked with, that I actually can sit in those spaces and challenge how things are done.” When recounting the stories of the young people she’s worked with, Dukakis reveals she’ll often imagine them being in the room with her to spur her on.  It’s powerful. Dukakis, a Gunditjmara woman, is the executive officer of the Koorie Youth Council (KYC) – a representative body dedicated to advocating for Indigenous Australians under the age of 30. This is no small feat for the team of ten staff (who are all also under 30), especially considering that more than 50 per cent of Aboriginal people are in that demographic.  Alongside her team, Dukakis works to develop strategies and positions that will influence how organisations and government departments respond to the needs of young Aboriginal people, pertaining to areas like justice, health, housing, family violence, education and more.  “Generally speaking, we represent the voices of young people broadly in all those spaces… we get a lot of access to k

Fascinatingly, it takes four generations of monarch butterflies to complete their annual migration. The brightly coloured insects spend entire lifetimes travelling thousands of kilometres, pollinating flowers along the way, on a mission to further the collective journey of their species.   Nevo Zisin approaches their advocacy work with the monarch butterfly’s ethos. They’ve accepted that it’s work that will last a lifetime.  “I think it's so amazing that these monarch butterflies start this migration knowing that they're never going to finish it, but they do it anyway because that's part of their journey,” Zisin says.  “That's how I've been treating this life… how can I get as far down the migratory pathway as possible so that my descendants can carry on the baton?” Zisin is a social justice advocate who works as a public speaker, author and educator across a variety of spaces, including their own social media platform. As a transgender, non-binary person, they’ve dedicated much of their life to outspokenly raising awareness of issues that impact their community, as well as creating spaces to support and uplift trans and queer people.  Their identity is part of what inspires them to take on this butterfly approach to their work, as they know that the systemic changes that have propelled society this far have already spanned generations.  “There's no way I would have been able to make a life as a trans public speaker and author if it weren't for our many, many LGBTQIA+ communi

James Parr wears the responsibility of being an intersectional role model much like he wears the designer clothes he models on runways – with seemingly effortless ease. As a First Nations queer man with a disability, he provides representation in the fashion industry for a vast scope of marginalised people. But behind his rise as an in-demand model, is a core dedication to advocacy. Parr’s flourishing career in fashion is a relatively new development in his life, which he found as a somewhat unexpected passion after becoming an amputee. In 2019, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, otherwise known as bone cancer, which led to the sudden amputation of one of his legs below the knee. In the short time since, Parr has not only worked as a model, but also as a passionate advocate for representation of people with disabilities. He was just named in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for the Asia Pacific region, and to top it all off, he also competes in para-triathlons on the side. Impressive doesn’t begin to cover it.  But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Parr to reach this point. After his cancer diagnosis, he spent a year receiving treatment and feeling like he’d lost his grip on what was left of the life he knew before.  “In that year, you've lost control of any aspect of your life. So I couldn't make plans, I couldn't do anything,” Parr says. “Throughout that, I would constantly have people telling me what I could and couldn't do or how long it would take me to be able to do this or

There's a lot to love about spring, like enjoying spring festivals and events, planning a spring getaway, or visiting one of Melbourne's many beautiful gardens to see spring flowers –especially cherry blossoms.  Cherry blossoms are a beloved part of Japanese culture, and the Japanese celebrate the spring blossoms, known as sakura, by picnicking beneath the blossoming trees. The blooms are so beloved that they've become Japan's national flower, and they're seen as a symbol of renewal and hope. Luckily for Melburnians, there are several places near our city where you can see blossoming cherry blossoms. We've rounded up our top picks below, so have a scroll and plan a trip to some of these spots – it'll be a perfect opportunity to capture some lovely photo memories, with the pretty blooms as the backdrop.  When do cherry blossoms bloom in Melbourne? Cherry blossom season usually starts in the last week of September and runs until around the end of the first week of October. That means that there's only a two-week window for you to see these gorgeous blossoms; in this way, the flower embodies the ancient Buddhist wabi-sabi philosophy of appreciating beauty that is fleeting or impermanent.  "The cherry tree loses its leaves over autumn and goes dormant over winter, and in spring it produces the blossoms that are then pollinated by bees," says Krys Barker of CherryHill Orchards. "From the pollination, the blossom petals drop off and leave the ‘baby’ cherry. The cherry then grows b

A picnic is the ideal way to relax while enjoying warm weather, because what could be better than sunshine and tasty snacks? So dig out your tartan rug, it's time to go picnicking. There are loads of green pockets throughout Melbourne just perfect for a picnic. After all, there's just something about eating outdoors that makes the food taste that much better. From inner-city parks to secluded riverbanks and even historic homesteads, these are some of the best places to picnic in Melbourne. Need some help planning your picnic? Check out our list of picnic essentials. Want to stretch your legs? These are Melbourne's best walks.     

NAIDOC stands for 'National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee', and NAIDOC Week is all about celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements. First Nations Australians are custodians of the world's oldest living culture, and that's something to be immensely proud of. This year, it's taking place from July 7 to 14 with the theme 'Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud'. The theme aims to highlight the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture. For First Nations people, fire is a symbol of connection to Country, to each other and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define them.  RECOMMENDED: First Nations organisations and social justice campaigns you can support An introduction to Boon Wurrung language from Aunty Fay Stewart-Muir

Joyeux Quatorze Juillet! July 14 is Bastille Day, and it marks the start of the French Revolution and the beginning of the end of the French monarchy. In France, it's a huge cause for celebration. For Australians, it's a bit like St Patrick's Day — it doesn't matter if you're not French, you can still participate in the festivities.  We've put together a list of the best events happening this Bastille Day, so whether you want to celebrate July 14 because it's part of your heritage or if you're just in it for the croissants and Champagne, here's where you'll find the best festivities. Just want the best croissants in Melbourne? You need to go here. Or find out what else is going on in Melbourne in July.

While we're used to celebrating Christmas over barbecues and beers while donning Hawaiian shirts and summer dresses, it's tough not to feel FOMO from the wintery festivities of our mates in the Northern Hemisphere. And while Melbourne rarely gets snow — if light dustings even count — we'll be damned if that stops us from trying to recreate our very own white Christmas in July.  Round up your mates (minus the Scrooges) and hit up these snow-covered markets, historic towns and decadent Christmas feasts. If the sky starts bucketing down, we've got you covered with ample rainy day activities. Keen for a break? These are the best winter getaways from Melbourne.

The tiny town of Mirboo North was devastated by a catastrophic storm at the beginning of this year. With thousands of trees struck down and the local pool totally destroyed, the community was devastated and had no access power for over a week. Even while more than thirty families are still unable to live in their homes, all of this hasn't broken the community spirit of the town's residents. The hilltop community are throwing a celebration of their beloved bushland home this winter, in a show of resilience and to help the town bounce back.  Mirboo North Winterfest will be two days of wintry festivities on the weekend of August 3 and 4, with a program filled with wholesome activities and entertainment. Best of all, the majority of the events throughout the weekend are free to attend, with lots of live music, dance and drumming workshops, a lantern street parade, live timber sculpting display and much more. The festival hub is inside a giant tipi, making for a memorable winter outing.  So pile into the car and in just two hours you'll be in Mirboo North to make some cosy winter memories. You can find out more about the festival and its program on the website.  Looking for winter festivities in regional Victoria? Here's our guide to festivals across the state. 

Fresh spring flowers are the perfect antidote to a long, chilly winter, and thanks to the return of the Tesselaar Tulip Festival, you'll be able to get them in spades. Now in its 69th year, the bloomin' good festival has become a must-visit destination for Victorians from far and wide, attracting around 100,000 visitors each season.  This year, the four-week festival will run daily from September 14 to October 13, with the added fun of themed events. Learn about Turkish, Irish and Dutch culture across three dedicated weekends, treat the tots to a day of floral fun during the school holidays with entertainment for kids, and eat, drink and be merry during the food, wine and jazz weekend. You can find the full schedule of events here.  The festival will run extra special attractions for kids between September 23 to 26 and September 30 to October 4, with a reptiles display, bubble show, drumming workshops, Dutch Findlay Fairground Organ performances, a fairy garden, treasure hunt, tractor rides and much more — making it the perfect family day out during school holidays. Plus, possibly the most exciting part of the festival, you can marvel at Australia's largest clog.  More than a million blooms will transform the fields into a vibrant kaleidoscope of colour, with everything from traditional buds to rare and exotic varieties on show. Fun fact: there will be more than 120 cultivars of tulips alone. Beyond the floral displays, the festival will feature an array of activities and ent

A massive, hyper-futuristic augmented reality entertainment complex has just opened in Melbourne, where you're greeted by a robot before taking off on an adventure across new worlds. Dreamskape utilises immersive light, sound, and movement to create new realities where attendees can play, watch and interact with advanced technologies.  The complex features six activity zones with more than 100 games and 50 different immersive experiences, being the first of its kind in the country. No headsets are required here – everything is visible to the naked eye.  It's fun and games for the whole family – with multiple game rooms, a 540-degree cinematic experience, an augmented reality rollercoaster, as well as super cool modern art and colourful, IG-worthy spaces.  The complex is a family-affair for two Melbourne entrepreneurs, who worked in consultation with their own kids to intricately design an experience jam-packed with excitement.  Located at District Docklands, you can find out more about Dreamskape or purchase tickets on the website.  Looking for more kid-friendly activities? Here's a list of the best activities for kids in Melbourne.

Consider yourself formally invited to the Bridgerton Ball, courtesy of the Queen herself. Step back in time to the Regency era in London and dance across a grandiose ballroom with other esteemed guests at this immersive experience based on the hit Netflix TV show. The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience is coming to Melbourne for its Australian debut, after smashing success across the United States (and plenty of viral TikTok moments). At the Queen's Ball, prepare to be entranced by beautiful period costumes, live music (straight from the show's soundtrack) and elaborate theatrical performances. You will also get to meet enchanting characters and witness a love story unfold before your eyes.  Bridgerton's mysterious columnist Lady Whistledown will be your guide for the event as you learn Regency dance steps, visit Madame Delacroix's modiste for a fitting, uncover secrets and try to win Her Majesty's favour as she looks to choose her 'diamond of the evening'.  Plus, there are recreations of the show's set that are perfect for photo ops and special themed cocktails to enjoy at the after-party when you cut loose on the ballroom dancefloor. The attraction's arrival in Melbourne is almost perfectly timed for the highly-anticipated release of Bridgerton's third season on May 16, so there's no better way to get around the hype.  The Queen's Ball will waltz into Melbourne on May 24, with a party every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening until June 23. You can sign up for the waitli

The majesty of whales has long been lauded far and wide, but for us city dwellers, these giants of the sea are fairly elusive. But whether you're a whale fanatic or have always wanted to see one in the flesh, Phillip Island's whale festival is the place to be on the first weekend of July.  With fascinating talks presented by experts, virtual reality and immersive experiences, doco screenings, aquatic-themed activities and craft workshops and of course, guided whale watching sessions – you'll feel like a whale expert yourself after spending the day or the weekend at Island Whale Festival.  Phillip Island's coastal waters play host to humpback whales, southern right whales and occasionally killer whales, typically from May to September. Wander along the Whale Discovery Trail for the best vantage points, or if you're a super keen whale watcher, you can even head out on a boat cruise.  There's a tonne of whale-themed fun happening across the three days, so head to the event's website to dive into the full program. A festival pass is $10 which allows access to most of the talks and activities, other events have tickets available for purchase.  Want to find out more about whale watching in Victoria? Check out our guide here.

The longest night of the year will soon descend upon us, and the township of Queenscliff will celebrate with a mid-winter festival that unites fire and ice.  Nightide returns to the Bellarine Peninsula on Saturday, June 22, with an event that's sure to spark intrigue. At this free festival located at the Queenscliff Ferry Terminal, you can expect the usual wintery trappings of mulled wine, roaring bonfires and live music – but revellers will also have the opportunity to take a plunge in ice baths under the stars, before warming up in seaside mobile saunas. That sounds like a very special way to mark the winter solstice, if you ask us. Once you've thawed out from an icy dip, enjoy bevs and bites from pop-up bars and food trucks, as well as entertaining performances by local acts. Plus, there'll be a dramatic fireworks display at the end of the evening, soundtracked by live opera.  The festival also has ticketed events, including a VIP party inside the ferry terminal's lounge, complete with endless canapes, cocktails, DJs and mystery entertainment. Plus, you can indulge in four decadent dessert courses crafted by chef Michael Demagistris from Tarra restaurant. Or if you're looking to really test your limits, at 3.30pm the inaugural Frostbite solstice swim invites attendees to dive into freezing waters, either for a 500-metre swim or a fancy dress float in the ocean.  To find out more about the festival, register for a free ticket or purchase a pass to one of the ticketed events

Venture out as night falls and immerse yourself in the many wonders of our world at Melbourne Museum, welcoming those of us with nocturnal tendencies after dark. The museum will open its doors after closing time for Nocturnal: Museum After Dark, a series of exclusive adults-only evenings, held on the second Thursday of each month. Explore the brand-new Victoria the T.rex exhibition (with a massive, real dinosaur skeleton!) or one of the museum's many other exhibitions, and be enlightened by tours, curator talks and trivia. Once you've satisfied your curiosity, enjoy a bev, play drag bingo and have a boogie with DJs soundtracking the night. Each monthly event has a different theme and activities, so there's always something new to discover.  Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for concession or $25 for museum members. To find out more about the Nocturnal event series or to buy tickets, head to the Melbourne Museum website. Want to explore more exhibitions? Take a look at our list of the best ones in Melbourne this month. 

While Melbourne has plenty of illuminated events across the city this chilly season, regional Victoria is also lighting up with glowing sights and cosy winter festivals. Bendigo is one of the many regional cities with an illuminated offering this winter, with a huge, immersive sound and light event taking over the town centre during the school holidays. Located in Rosalind Park, Electric Wonderland will feature thousands of fairy lights, lasers, interactive pathways and much more, making for a magical winter evening. Plus, there'll be musical stepping-stones, a luminous giant mushroom garden and a 40-metre-tall replica of Bendigo’s Sacred Heart Cathedral, completely covered in lights. To find out more and buy tickets, head to the website.  A pop-up ice rink perfect for family fun will also open up next to the glittering wonderland, offering even more winter frivolity. The Stars on Ice rink will be open for the entire school holidays. Learn more and book on the website.  Looking for more glowing experiences? Here is where you can find magical winter lights in regional Victoria

There's nothing quite like the joy that comes with some retail therapy, especially when you’re supporting local artisans and mindful makers at Finders Keepers. This year, the massive design and art market will feature more than 250 stalls selling everything from slow fashion and jewellery to homewares and stationery. With dates confirmed for both a winter and spring event, we can't wait to shop up a storm.   The winter line-up will feature visual artists like Alejandro Lauren, Irina Nazarova and Oh Jessica Jessica; ceramicists like Alessia E Art and Public Holiday; jewellery makers like Peppy Chappette, Mecino and Coral Covey; and clothing brands like Frske, Quirkie Su and Amble. Plus, there'll be plenty of yummy food and drink options to ensure you're fuelled for optimal browsing of all the fabulous stalls.  The market will take place at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton, and entry is just $6 (free for kids under 13). The winter event kicks off on Friday, July 12, and the spring event is locked in for October 11. Want to keep shopping? Check out the best markets in Melbourne. Love a quirky find? Here are eight weird and wonderful stores in Melbourne.

If you've been needing a bit of magic in your life, then we've got good news for you: Disney on Ice is returning with a new show, Road Trip Adventures. See your favourite characters from films like Moana, Lion King, Aladdin, Toy Story and more come to life and skillfully navigate the rink with a flurry of special effects like fake snow and pyrotechnics.  Embark on a quest with Mickey and Minnie Mouse as your guides, as you embark on a wild ride to famous Disney destinations. It's an action-packed expedition that traverses to the sun-soaked Motunui to help Moana restore the heart of Te Fiti, before setting of a safari through the Pride Lands with Simba, Timon and Pumbaa, and lots more.  As you watch characters navigate challenges, there will be many teachable moments that are perfect for inspiring children around the world to discover their inner heroes. Learn about strength and determination from Moana, and teamwork from the Toy Story gang. The six-city tour will take the troupe through Perth, Adelaide, Wollongong, Brisbane, Newcastle and Sydney, as well as Melbourne where they'll perform at Rod Laver Arena from July 4 to July 8. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketek.  Looking for more things to do? Check out our round-up of the best things happening in Melbourne this week.

Ever wondered what it's like to be hypnotised, or if it's possible for someone to read your mind? Or maybe you're fascinated by sleights of hand and trying to figure out how they were accomplished. Whatever form of magic you're interested in, the Melbourne Magic Festival is sure to cast its spell on you when it arrives in Melbourne on July 1.  Since its launch in 2008, the festival has grown to become the largest festival of its kind, attracting more than 8,000 magic fans from all over the country last year. This year, enjoy two weeks packed full of more than 250 performances of more than 40 different shows by local magicians and international stars.  This year, the headline international act is Hector Macha – a Spaniard who has previously been crowned with the dazzling title of magic world champion. Other highlights include the Quizzical Mr Jeff (a fun family show that blends circus with magic), Cotidiano (contemporary illusionist who uses everyday objects) and Josh Staley (one of card magic's top practitioners). The list of performers and shows is about as long as one of those colourful scarves magicians pull out of people's ears, so check the website and prepare to be amazed.  Keen for more wintery fun? Check out our guide to the best winter festivals and events. Love to get lit? Here's everything illuminated in Melbourne this month.

While we may not see snow in Melbourne during winter, that doesn't mean we can't live out our winter wonderland dreams. A new frosty pop-up is opening this June and it's perfect for a dose of festive fun during the dreary colder months.  Frosted: A Winter Spectacular is a huge celebration of Christmas in July, with heaps of themed attractions that your little ones will love all under a big top tent. There's an inflatable Snow Land playground, live circus performances, a polar bear ball pit, an icy toboggan slide, skating rink, a reindeer barn, elf village and heaps more. Take adorable family photos with colourful characters and beautiful themed sets, enjoy warming bites to eat and even make craft creations to take home.  This seasonal celebration is happening in Narre Warren (opposite Westfield Fountain Gate) from June 21 to July 21, lining up nicely with the school holidays. General admission tickets are priced from $32.50 for a two-hour session, and are available for purchase via Ticketmaster.  Looking for more things to do in Melbourne? Check out our guide to what's on.

Victoria has a plethora of picturesque regional towns, boasting everything from world-class galleries to fine-dining restaurants. But with so many to choose from, which ones are truly worth a visit? Well, the verdict is in: the best of the best spots have competed for gold medals at the TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards, and three very deserving destinations have taken out the top prizes. Bendigo was named Victoria’s Top Tourism Town (for places with a population over 5,000), Daylesford took gold for the Top Small Tourism Town Award (for places with a population between 1,500 and 5,000) and Timboon (of ice cream fame) came out a winner for the Top Tiny Tourism Town Award (population under 1,500). You can read more about the winning towns here.  These annual awards – hosted by the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) – recognise and reward Victorian towns that go the extra mile to create an amazing experience for visitors by working together with local businesses, tourism operators and the local community. Seventeen outstanding finalists were competing for the prize this year, with townships like Warrnambool, Sorrento and Arthurs Seat earning silver medals, and Ballarat, Heathcote and Koondrook achieving bronze recognition. The three Victorian winners will now go on to compete for the coveted title of Australia’s Top Tourism Town in their respective categories, which will be announced on September 10 at Parliament House in Canberra. We’ll absolutely be cheering them o

In a very hot 'n' cold move from the AFL, Katy Perry is performing at the AFL Grand Final. To be honest, we're not sure how to feel about it.  After much speculation, the sporting giant revealed the entertainment headliner for the flagship event as the pop star, famous for stacks of chart topping hits like 'Teenage Dream', 'Roar' and 'Firework'. It's a pretty big get for the AFL, especially considering that the number of big music names journeying to Aussie shores has somewhat dwindled in recent years.  But the announcement was met with a very mixed reception, with many footy fans clapping back that they wanted to see Aussie talent in the spotlight, rather than an international superstar. For the last couple of years, the AFL have been on a streak of booking famous faces over local acts, like Kiss and Robbie Williams, which suggests they might be trying to emulate Super Bowl vibes and create more hype.  And with this latest announcement, hype is what they've got – although it's unclear whether it's the good kind. Perry has been the subject of some negative press lately, with her latest single 'Women's World' being critically slammed, after a four-year hiatus from releasing music. Plus, she's been criticised for working with producer Dr Luke (who was accused of alleged sexual assault by fellow pop star Kesha). The controversy is particularly ironic seeing as the theme of the song is female empowerment.  Her new album 143 is set to drop on September 20, which conveniently lines

When you think of thriving business centres in Australia, the first places that are most likely to pop into your head would be our biggest metropolitan cities, like Melbourne and Sydney. But what if we told you that the ideal place to start a fledgling business has been named as a town deep in the countryside of regional Victoria? A leading Australian accounting service has crunched some numbers and determined which towns across the country are the best for budding entrepreneurs to turn their big business ideas into reality, and Shepparton in northern Victoria came out on top. Who would've thought?  Bristax have published a list of the best entrepreneurial cities in Australia, naming the places that are thriving hubs for nascent businesses, after analysing 50 cities across the country. The top towns were based on a variety of factors, like the survival rates of new businesses, the growth rates of startup businesses, number of people who have founded businesses and the density of small businesses compared to the number of residents. The report states that location is an important factor for hopeful startup founders, and somewhat unbelievably, Shepparton topped the rankings in leading Australia for entrepreneurship.  According to the data, Shepparton has the highest density of small businesses in the country, with a significant rise in this number in the last three years, and also one of the top growth rates for new businesses in Australia. The humble country town with a popula

For those who call the western 'burbs of Melbourne home, it's likely that 'west is best' is a common catchphrase. And there's a strong case for it – from beloved pockets like foodie paradise Footscray to wholesome Yarraville, and exciting additions like this huge seaside pier and coastal trail – the west has a lot going for it.  Now, a new project will add another feather to the west's cap – with a proposal for a massive parkland to be developed in the area. But this isn't just any old park, it's something of a mega-park, featuring a stadium, solar farm, a lookout and lots more.  Sunshine Energy Park will be a sprawling 74 hectare site that'll transform the suburb of Albion (right next to Sunshine), adding a whole lot more for the community to enjoy. The area will be divided into eight different precincts, each with a different focus, from sustainability to sport.  Photograph: Brimbank City Council One of the most exciting new elements will be a huge, multi-purpose stadium – which will have the capacity to host major events, like professional sports and concerts. The business case for the stadium is being based off CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, located in Sydney's outer west, which has a capacity of 30,000. So it's a big deal.   But this is only one small portion of the whole plan, with the rest of the parklands including several sports fields, mountain bike trails and a pump track, playgrounds, a skate park and a dog park. Plus, one precinct of the park will be dedicated

There's another addition to the list of swish developments coming to the Great Ocean Road, alongside a new hot springs resort, swanky visitor centre at the 12 Apostles and a huge sculptural lookout at the Blowhole landmark. Next up on the agenda for upgrades to the famed coastal region is a makeover for the beloved seaside spot of Apollo Bay, with a multi-million dollar development slated for the town.  The surroundings of the town's harbour are getting a major facelift, with a $12.61 million project set to transform the waterfront area, which was named the fourth best beach in Australia last year. This will include the construction of a boardwalk that'll be perfect for seaside strolls, and an extension of the existing building at the base of the harbour, which is currently home to the town's fishermen's co-op – one of very few left in the country. This extension is designed to reinvigorate and improve accessibility to the harbour. Plus, the beloved (and highly acclaimed) fish and chip shop will get a spruce up, too. So there'll be plenty more for residents and visitors alike to enjoy at the popular tourist destination.  The redevelopment plans will be spearheaded by Antarctica Architects, in consultation with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation and the Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op. The overall project is being funded as part of a $500 million deal to transform Geelong and the Great Ocean Road, with the federal and state governments teaming up with the local council with

If the influx of Euro summer posts on your Instagram feed is tempting you to remortgage your home in order to get your own taste of the Mediterranean life, think again. Etihad Airways – one of the world’s most well-renowned airlines – is slinging super-cheap return flights to Europe later this year, so you can sip on spritzes to your heart's content and warm up for Aussie summer.  Thanks to Etihad’s flash sale, Melburnians can score super-affordable flights across the Etihad network – with reduced flights to more than 30 global destinations across Europe, Asia and beyond.  Between Sunday, September, 1 and Saturday, November 30, 2024, Melburnians can fly to Amsterdam and back for as little as $1,839, Paris and back for as little as $1,848, or to Barcelona and back for as little as $1,845. Craving an Aegean escape? Return flights to Athens start at $1,767, and return flights to Istanbul start at $1,470. If Euro autumn isn’t your thing, you could fly from Melbourne to Doha and back for as little as $1,701, or to Beirut and back for $1,893.And though the prices are low, flying Etihad is anything but budget – the airline scored the awards for Best Customer Experience, Best Economy Class and Best First Class Lounge in the 2023 World Travel Awards, and if you’ve flown with them before, you’ll understand why. As airline food goes, dinners on board an Etihad flight are pretty damn delicious, and the team are beyond hospitable, so you won’t feel like you’re skimping. In fact, if you’re

As Sydneysiders, we’re well aware of the trials and tribulations that come with living in our city – excruciating house prices being just one of them. But all things considered, we think spending time in Sydney is pretty good, and are generally happy to proclaim that we feel relatively safe wandering the (mostly) sun-kissed streets. But what about visitors whose home base is one of our city’s hotels, and for whom Bondi Beach is the only known stretch of sand? Well, they're in safe hands too – as our city has been dubbed one of the top ten safest in the world for tourists. Global consumer platform Forbes Advisor has put together a guide with its latest travel tips and recommendations, including a list of destinations ranked by variables that impact safety for tourists. The publication reviewed a total of 60 cities, basing the rankings on risks like the overall level of crime; the impact of crime, violence, terrorist threats, natural disasters and economic vulnerabilities on personal security; the level and quality of healthcare services and infrastructure; the availability and quality of city infrastructure; and digital security risks. Each risk factor was given a ranking to determine a total overall score for each location – so the lower the score, the better the safety. Photograph: Destination NSW Sydney ranked as the fourth least-risky city for tourists across the globe, with a score of 22.28, and was the top-scoring Aussie destination to make the top ten, with Melbourne

Unless you're totally out of touch with reality, you'd know that Melbourne (and also pretty much the entirety of Australia) is currently experiencing a housing crisis. Amid increasing interest rates, rising inflation and a severe lack of affordable housing, more and more people are facing housing insecurity and financial pressure. It's a grim state of affairs. And now a new report has unveiled the cherry on top: there were 100,000 homes sitting unused and empty last year. If there was ever a time to utter your expletive of choice, it's now.  Prosper Australia, an independent not-for-profit that focuses on land waste and inequity, has just released its latest Speculative Vacancy report and uncovered some truly harrowing information. Through analysing water meter data to see how much each house used across metropolitan Melbourne between 2019 to 2023, the report revealed there were a staggering 97,861 vacant dwellings last year. The term "vacant" means either totally empty, or barely used – either using no water at all, or an extremely low amount. Of those vacant homes, 27,408 were completely empty and unused. That equates to 1 in twenty homes in Melbourne being vacant. According to Prosper, this number of vacant homes is equivalent to two and a half years of new construction, which would be enough to house everyone on Victoria's public housing waitlist, twice over. The number of vacant homes has spiked in the last three years, with less than 70,000 recorded in 2019.  Prosper Au

As locals, we'll happily proclaim we feel safe living in Melbourne. Of course, like many big cities, it's important to have street smarts and use common sense to avoid precarious situations. But as residents of the fourth most liveable city in the world, we haven't felt like safety is an issue (cost of living, however, is another story). But what about people who are new to Melbourne, for whom the Hoddle Grid is an unfamiliar maze? Well, they're in safe hands too – as our city has been dubbed one of the top ten safest in the world for tourists.  Forbes Advisor has put together a guide with its latest travel tips and recommendations, including a list of destinations ranked by variables that impact safety for tourists. The publication reviewed a total of 60 cities, basing the rankings on risks like the overall level of crime; the impact of crime, violence, terrorist threats, natural disasters and economic vulnerabilities on personal security; the level and quality of healthcare services and infrastructure; the availability and quality of city infrastructure; and digital security risks. Each risk factor was given a ranking to determine a total overall score for each location – so the lower the score, the better the safety.  Melbourne ranked as the ninth least-risky city for tourists across the globe with a score of 26.17, and was the second Aussie destination to make the top ten, with Sydney coming in fourth after scoring 22.28. Singapore topped the list as the safest city in th

Melbourne’s public transport system has a world-famous reputation – our city is home to the largest light rail network in the world, thanks to our beloved trams. But despite this wow-factor, it turns out that our public transport system also has some significant downfalls.  We never thought we’d see the day, but a new report from a major not-for-profit organisation has put Sydney above Melbourne in a ranking of Australian cities with the most accessible public transport systems. How did this happen?! Of all the things Sydney could trump Melbourne on, we truly didn’t expect it to be something related to public transport. But the Climate Council’s Next Stop Suburbia report lays it out in black and white – and it’s stacked with stats, so we can’t argue with the numbers. The report is advocating for better accessibility to public transport across the country, after research revealed that around 50 per cent of residents living in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth lack convenient access to the minimum level of public transport services. This minimum level was defined as having “an address within 800 metres or a ten-minute walk or a service that runs at least every 15 minutes between 7am and 7pm”.  Without convenient or reliable public transport, Aussies have little choice but to rely on expensive and polluting private cars to get them from point A to B – which is far from ideal considering transport is Australia’s biggest contributor to climate pollution after energy.

The mystique of rare celestial events never fails to excite, from dazzling comets to huge blue supermoons, Sydneysiders are always keen to know which cosmic phenomenon will be lighting up the skies above the Harbour City. If you share in this enthusiasm, then hold onto your hats, because an unusual occurrence is set to happen above our city very soon. The stars have aligned for two dazzling meteor showers to coincide, with both expected to simultaneously peak on one very special night. It's time to dig out your binoculars and telescopes!  Tuesday, July 30 is the date to mark on your calendars for the double meteor shower event. The two annual celestial events in question are the Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids showers, which occupy the southern sky and are both most visible in the Southern Hemisphere – so we're in luck! With the combination of the two showers, you could see up to a whopping 30 meteors streaking across the sky per hour (providing the sky is totally clear).  In order to spot this sparkly sight, it helps to have a little bit of astronomic know-how. Being able to locate various constellations and celestial bodies helps a lot, as these meteor showers will radiate from the Aquarius and Capricornus constellations. Fortunately, there are plenty of astrology resources online to help you with this. Other tips to bear in mind for meteor-spotting are heading to your chosen stargazing spot in the early hours of the morning (around 2am-3am) and ensuring you wait

If you've ever spent a sun-soaked spring afternoon sprawled on the lush lawns, or perhaps caught a flick at Moonlight Cinema or taken magical evening stroll through the colourful Lightscape – you'd know that Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens is very special. And now, our city's beloved landmark is getting its flowers, as a recent analysis has just ranked all of the best gardens to visit across the globe, and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria was named as as the fourth best in the world. That's pretty bloomin' great. Travel insurance provider InsureandGo, analysed data from around the world to compile a list of gardens that flora-fanatics should visit. Taking into account the size of gardens, range of plant species, volume of related Google searches, traveller ratings and Instagram hashtags, the study ranked the world’s most visit-worthy gardens. Melbourne's very own made the top five, with 96.9 per cent of traveller reviews sitting at four stars or higher.  Photograph: Carmen Zammit The study also used the garden-related data to determine which countries should be on the bucket list of garden lovers, and with its abundance of beautifully curated green spaces (Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden came in at number 12 and the Adelaide Botanic Garden came in at number 15), Australia ranked as the sixth best country overall for flower fans. According to the study, the garden most worthy of a place on our bucket lists is Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Arizona, and the UK ranked as the best