Leah Glynn

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

June 28, 2023: No plans for this weekend? Now you do. If you love a good ol' snag, don't miss the Builders Arms Hotel's three-day Sausage Festival. Still hungry? Head to Grazeland for its Winter Wonderland activation or the Society Social for a luxe lunch that features a roving dessert trolley. There are also a bunch of festivals happening: Firelight Festival in Docklands, Eynesbury Winter Festival, Ballarat Winter Festival and East Gippsland Festival. And if glowing lights are your thing, don't miss Moama Lights, which is transforming the Murray River into an illuminated paradise. 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. 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.

Wondering what to do in Melbourne in July? We can help. Check out our curated guide to all the fun things to do in Melbourne, including exhibitions, theatre productions, winter festivals, light shows and tasty food and drink events. Wet weather on the horizon? Here are the best things to do in Melbourne when it's raining. Feeling the chill? Here are 23 ways to stay warm in Melbourne this winter.

June 26, 2023: If it's glowing and illuminated you're after this week, we've got you covered. Firelight Festival in Docklands, Lightscape in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Puffing Billy's Train of Lights and Moama Lights on the Murray River are all happening. Feeling hungry? Head to Grazeland for its Winter Wonderland activation or the Builders Arms Hotel for its annual Sausage Festival. And for the kids, you can't go past Disney on Ice, 'Midnight: the Cinderella Musical', Winter Glow at Adventure Park or the Melbourne Magic Festival.  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. 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.

When it comes to taking action on climate change, it can feel overwhelming to figure out where to start. But the thing is, any action, no matter how small or imperfect, is better than no action at all. So for World Environment Day on June 5, let’s take a look at three actions you can take to make a difference. Like to shop second-hand? These are the best op shops in Melbourne. Make ethical purchases by shopping from these sustainable fashion stores and sustainable beauty brands.

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 May specials are taking things up a notch. It's been ten years since Kate Reid sold her first fantastically flaky croissant from a tiny kitchen in Elwood, and Melburnians have been basking in the buttery goodness ever since. March is chock-full of heavenly creations, so you'll need to be speedy to get your hands on one. You'll find the specials below, and because they vary between locations make sure to check out what is available at each store beforehand to avoid disappointment when you finally get to the front of that never-ending line.  Need more buttery goodness in your life? These are the best patisseries in Melbourne.

Some things in life feel too good to be true, like winning free flights (both domestic and international) for a whole year. In this instance, however, the chance to jump aboard one of Jetstar's big white and orange planes for a year's worth of adventures could soon be your reality. In celebration of its 19th birthday, Jetstar is holding a competition – and as part of the grand prize one lucky person will score free flights to more than 86 destinations over the course of one year. Plus, you get an extra seat on all the flights to bring a mate, a date or your mum (prepare to become extremely popular).  The comp is called 'Feel 19 Again' (although anyone can enter, no matter what your age), and there are 12 domestic and six international return flights up for grabs. Jetstar is advertising this as a journey of self-discovery, self-reflection and world exploration for anyone who feels like their lives need it. Keen to get your youthful, 19-year-old sparkle back? You’re not alone.   Photograph: SuppliedYou could be here, on this tropical island (for free) So, how does the competition work?  As of 6am on May 25, 2023, you can now head over to Jetstar’s Instagram and answer in 19 words or less ‘If you could try any job for a day, what would it be and why?’. Jetstar wants you to call on your inner 19-year-old for the most peculiar, bizarre and funny answer as humanly possible with this, so think radical ghost hunting in Tokyo, not accountancy in Brisbane's CBD (although no shade, ei

Want to make 2023 the year you travel somewhere new? Well, we’ve got some pretty spectacular suggestions for you. We asked our global network of travel writers and editors to tell us what they think is the world’s most overlooked travel destination. The resulting list spans everything from tiny islands and seaside towns to massive lakes and whole countries – and makes for some serious travel inspo.  What, exactly, makes a destination underrated? Are we talking about places that don’t regularly appear on top travel lists? Places that don’t get their fair share of tourism? Places that are legitimate hidden gems, off-the-tourist-trail, or offer great (or quiet) alternatives to popular spots in the same region? The destinations on this list fall into at least one of those categories. From Bali’s overlooked neighbour to an untouched area of natural beauty in Zimbabwe, these are the world’s most underrated places to travel to this year. RECOMMENDED:🏰 The most underrated travel destinations in Europe💘 The most romantic places in the world🌈 The most colourful places in the world

As one of Australia's southernmost cities, Melbourne tends to get a little chilly during the winter months. Yes, we know that in a global context our weather really isn't that bad, but we would also argue that many homes and buildings in Melbourne (and Australia we might add) are famously not designed for anything other than cardigan weather. But you don't have to stay home and rack up a huge heating bill to stay toasty. Here's how to keep warm in Melbourne during winter and still have fun. 1. Hang out in the hot houses at the Royal Botanic Garden and Treasury Gardens and pretend you're somewhere tropical. 2. Beginning at Flinders Street Station, see how far you can make it underground and undercover through the CBD. Start with the Degraves Street Subway and get exploring. 3. Knit yourself a woolly scarf. Thread Den and Wool Baa can help you brush up on your skills, and many wool merchants host in-store stitch'n'bitch classes so you can buddy up with fellow knitting nerds in the process. Or if you're already confident with the basics, order a knitting kit from Cardigang. 4. Hot water, hot water, hot water. When you’re chilled to the bone nothing beats a hot soak or sauna. Try Sense of Self or Alba Thermal Springs if you fancy a day trip.  5. Rug up, whack on your waterproof gear and go on a hike to stay warm by moving. 6. Sweat the sads away at hot yoga. Try One Hot Yoga or for those in the east head to Bikram Yoga Richmond.  7. Make like a fancy lady or gent and have a spot

Whether you're a first-time visitor to Melbourne or have lived here all your life, there are some absolute must-do Melbourne bucket list items that just can't be missed. And yes, we may be slightly biased in saying that Melbourne might be the greatest city on Earth – but we have the stats to back us up, with Melbourne consistently ranked among the world's most livable cities. But we reckon if you give a few of these experiences a whirl, you'll agree with us.  Melbourne's food, drink, coffee, art, theatre and sport culture are among the best in the world, and we reckon you should try to experience every single one of them at least once before you die. So here is our ultimate bucket list: 101 amazing things to do in Melbourne right now, plus attractions, great restaurants, bars, fun festivals and everything in between. Enjoy, and thank us later. For a deeper look into two of our greatest pastimes – eating and drinking – browse our guides to Melbourne's best restaurants and best bars.

What’s not to love about a doughy, spicy, fruity, buttery ball of joy, warmed to perfection in the toaster or the microwave, and slathered liberally with salted butter? Melbourne has a wealth of brilliant bakers, all of whom have been elbow-deep in flour, sugar and spice, perfecting their recipes for Easter. We’ve rounded up our favourite floury heroes and how to get them below. Kneed more dough? These are the best bakeries in Melbourne.

Summer has come and gone, so you might be thinking that your opportunity to get a natural sun-kissed glow has passed, too – especially if you've had bad experiences with self-tanners leaving your skin streaky, stinky and orange. We get it, but there are some fabulous products out there, and to help you out, our team risked looking like Oompa Loompas to separate the wheat from the chaff.  We trialled products from Spray Aus, St Tropez, Isle of Paradise, Three Warriors and EleEffect – scroll for before and after photos and read about factors like ease of application, scent, longevity and colour outcome.  Spray Aus Clear Self-Tan Mousse Photograph: Leah Glynn Leah Glynn, Melbourne editor Ease of application: I used the Spray Aus mitt and it was the perfect buff for applying the thick and fluffy mousse. Despite my husband (and go-to tanning support person) being unavailable, I still managed to evenly apply the tan to some hard-to-reach sections of my back – mostly because the mousse spread so smoothly. The only tricky part is because the tan solution is clear, you can’t actually see on your skin where you’ve applied it. This leaves you at risk of missing spots or creating streaks, but I just made sure I was super thorough in my application: when in doubt, just go over your skin again with another layer. How did it feel on your skin: Really nice and light; I’ve been fake tanning (both at home and in-salon) for years now, and hate anything that leaves my skin feeling sticky, wet

Just when you thought there wasn’t a corner of the city left to illuminate, along comes Rialto Aglow – a brand new winter lights festival featuring large-scale installations, public artworks, live performances and tasty bites.  Running for ten days from July 19-29, the event will completely transform the Rialto Piazza (the public entertainment and retail precinct at the base of the Rialto Towers) into a kaleidoscopic world of neon-lit beauty. Highlights include two enormous works by acclaimed arts studio Amigo and Amigo: Accordion and Lunar Lamp Posts. The first is a multi-sensory installation inspired by the traditional instrument of the same name. The piece comprises six vibrant archways, each with an interactive pad that can be jumped on to create waves of colour, light and music. Lunar Lamp Posts has been designed in a circular pattern to represent the moon's cycles and features more than 40 musical sounds and interactive lighting animations. “The Rialto Piazza has so many wonderful bars, restaurants and retailers, which have proven to be vibrant destinations for city visitors and office workers,” said Sarah Herbert, general manager of Rialto. “We are excited to celebrate how the Piazza activates at night with this inspiring and playful new winter festival, creating a sense of illumination and connection in our corner of the city.”  Alongside these dazzling public art displays, there will also be nightly live music from 6pm onwards, and festival-themed cocktails and food

If jogging isn't your favourite activity, you could trick yourself into having a good time with this beer-fuelled fun run. The Beer Run is a guided journey that takes you to five Melbourne breweries for five beers over about two to three hours (depending on how long you spend at each brewery and how fast you run).  The route will bypass spots like the award-winning Bodriggy Brewing Company, the Mill, Carlton Brewhouse, the OG Moon Dog and Burnley Brewing. To commemorate your achievement, you'll receive a novelty bottle opener medal as well as an official Beer Run bib. Baubles, ugly sweaters, tinsel and fairy lights are encouraged, and there is a prize for best dressed. Tickets cost $60 per person and include five beers. You can purchase them here.  After more festive fun? Check out our guide to Christmas in July in Melbourne. Feeling frosty? Here are 23 ways to stay warm in Melbourne in winter.

Last year, the City of Yarra's annual Leaps and Bounds Music Festival was finally able to showcase an electrifying program of in-person gigs after the good ol' pandemic put a dampener on things back in 2021. With all of that far, far behind us now, this beloved local music event is back with another stellar line-up. Running from July 13-16, this year's festivities will showcase homegrown talent in venues right throughout the City of Yarra (the LGA that covers suburbs like Abbotsford, Carlton North, Fitzroy, Collingwood and Richmond). From electronic and hip hop to jazz and rock, all genres are covered – and if you're feeling the financial pinch, many gigs are free. The festival will be opened and headlined by Gumbaynggirr and Yamatji woman and renowned performer Emma Donovan, with a fundraiser gig for the Archie Roach Foundation. It will also feature local talents, Kiwat Kennell and Kee'ahn. Other program highlights include performances by Cash Savage, Thando, ZÖJ, Porpoise Spit, Ayebatonye and many more. Cinema Yarra will present a series of music documentaries (like Gurrumul), and the Smith Street Dreaming program is back, which celebrates Koorie history in Collingwood and Fitzroy and features some of the top Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. While many of the events are free, some do require a ticket and booking. Head to the website to check out the full program and figure out how to cram as many of these fun events into your schedule as possible. Want a bit

You might know Apollo Bay as a summer seaside haven (fun fact: it's the fourth-best beach in Australia), but in winter, things are very different in the town where the wild forests of the Otway National Park meet the Southern Ocean. The WinterWild festival launched in 2017 in response to the 2015 Colac Otway bushfires, which had a lasting impact on the region's coastal communities. It's essentially Victoria's answer to Dark Mofo, and it's well worth travelling down the Great Ocean Road for. WinterWild is back for 2023 with a packed weekend of music, live performance, masterclasses and feasting – plus a few events that don't quite fit into any category. The festivities kick off on August 25 with a welcome to Gadubanud Country by the Eastern Marr Aboriginal Corporation, followed by free performances from Wemba-Wemba rapper RidzyRay and other contemporary First Nations artists. You can also enjoy sets by the likes of Jen Cloher, Sid O’Neil, Outtatime and '80s legends Inked Factor. On August 26, rug up and head to the Apollo Bay Foreshore for the Wild Feast – expect mulled wine, local craft beers, low-and-slow smoked meats, fresh seafood and pans of paella. Also on the Saturday line-up will be a barbecue masterclass at the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse, ice bathing and breathing workshops with Mark Kluwer (who has trained with Wim Hof) and plenty of music at both the Apollo Bay Sailing Club and the Apollo Bay Mechanics Institute Hall. The final day will commence with a surreal dawn

Ice, ice, baby! Previously located on Brunswick Street and now found in Federation Square, IceBar is the only venue of its kind in Australia. Drinks come in the form of cocktails (housed in glasses made of ice) and shots served via luge, and there is a giant avalanche jenga and a rotating collection of ice sculptures to keep you entertained. Lest you find the arctic temperatures intolerable (it can get down to -10 degrees), the staff provide warm snow capes, gloves and even ugg boots. Guests are free to stay as long as they please, however most manage a maximum of 30 minutes at a time. Children under the age of 18 are welcome to visit every day, provided they are accompanied by a legal guardian. Love this wacky concept? Here are Melbourne's weirdest drinking experiences.

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 24 to July 8, 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. The festival will include more than 40 events, and it's anticipated around 100,000 visitors will visit the city during the three-week festival.  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. Kryal Castle will be hosting Knights of Fire, which tells the story of Snow Queen Neva’s battle to save the kingdom. Expect jousting with flaming sticks, magical potions and axe throwing. For music and art lovers, Be_Hear/Now will showcase some of Ballarat's best artists and performers, including electro-western duo Confetti Western and rapper Sami Regague. But wait, there's more: the Ballarat Wildlife Park is celebrating the arrival of Akasha –Ballarat’s newest tiger. While there, you can also hand-feed kangaroos, seekoalas and emus, meet a wombat and admire the little penguins.  Phew, talk about a jam-packed line-up! You can check out the full program on the Ballarat Winter Festival's website.  For more frosty fun, check o

Winter seems like the time to hide under the doona and get reacquainted with your Netflix queue, but that is absolutely the wrong approach. Cold weather brings with it a kind of magic in the form of frosty air and clear, still views that seem to go on forever, and this is especially the case in regional Victoria.  If you're keen to head on a cool-climate caper but aren't sure where to begin, you're in luck: the East Gippsland Winter Festival is returning for its third iteration. Rug up and hit the road for a month-long celebration packed with lavish winter feasts, fantastical art installations, live music, lantern parades, creative workshops, wellness experiences and much more. This year, the festivities kick off on June 9 and coincide with the winter solstice, Victorian school holidays and the King's Birthday long weekend. Highlights include live ice sculpting and a spectacular fire show in Metung on June 10, and the Deep in the Weeds Festival (headlined by C.W. Stoneking) in Orbost, also on June 10. On June 24 head to Bruthen for the Medieval Winter Fire Festival, which will feature sword fights, bonfires, music, roving performers, costumes and feasting. And on July 1 the small stretch of land between Gippsland Lakes and 90 Mile Beach will transform into a glittering lightscape thanks to a community-led lantern parade. Finally, head to Bairnsdale's CBD on July 8 for a laneway party that will include projection art, music, street food, local craft beer and wine, and the Foun

Since its inception nine years ago, the annual Glow Winter Arts Festival has brought loads of after-dark fun to the City of Stonnington. From June 15 to 18, 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 a series of newly commissioned outdoor illuminations from acclaimed Australian artists, plus special live performances and food trucks.  Highlights include Escape To The Alps, a neon-lit winter wonderland where you can ski the slopes, ride a toboggan and play with giant snowmen. At the centre of this alpine forest is a dazzling light installation depicting ice skaters twirling on a sandstone fountain. Monsters Love You... But Might Eat You is a giant, brightly coloured inflatable artwork that explores the joyous and powerful spirit of human beings, as well as the 'monster aspects' aka the parts we don't like and want to hide. Tree Man – another illuminated, inflatable sculpture – explores the importance of humans connecting with and nurturing the environment via references to the glowing lights of our devices. And be sure to head to the Conservatory each night (start times vary) for a mesmerising live performance that follows a lone animal-human creature on a journey into the unknown. Set within a plant-filled biosphere, it dives into themes of absence and presence, joy and loneliness. The lights come on at 5pm each night, and the festival is completely free to attend. And becaus

The cutest event on the calendar has finally arrived: Good Dogs of Brunswick is a pup-friendly event that is open to all doggos big and small (oh, and their humans, too). Follow the sound of woofs, barks and howls to Welcome to Brunswick on Saturday, May 27 from midday and you’ll find food trucks, corn dogs and plenty of beer – all of which can be enjoyed in the undercover, heated beer garden (because you never know what kind of waether Melbourne will deliver). There will also be a community keg raising money for the Lost Dogs Home. While we think all doggos deserve an award, there will be special prizes handed out for the waggiest tail, old timer and best rescue story. Market stalls featuring merch from brands like Urban Woof, Pet Central and Manny Dog Café will also be on-site, so you can stock up on treats, leads and all kinds of cute pup accessories. If you and your pooch are ready for a paws-itively good time, this is one party you won’t want to miss. For more information, head to the event page. More of a feline fan? Here are the best cat cafés in Melbourne. Want to add to your fur family? Here's where you can adopt a pet.

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 16 to July 16) features large glowing installations, fire twirling, ice sculptures and lights that will twinkle all around the park. 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!).  A number of 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, cookie decorating and marshmallow toasting will be on offer for the kids, while adults can enjoy a mug of hot chocolate, mulled wine or spiced cider. The park's standard food items will be available to purchase, plus there will be some more warming options (like sticky date puddings) on offer too.  Winter Glow festival is on at Adventure Park from June 16 to July 16. Find out more here. Keen to see more glowy things? Here's where you can see winter lights in regional Victoria. In Melbourne? Here's everything illuminated this

If you needed another excuse to visit the Mornington Peninsula (you know, aside from the incredible wineries, restaurants and beaches), here it is: Alba Thermal Springs, a sustainable, $90 million wellness sanctuary that boasts a collection geothermal pools within its perfectly manicured 15-hectare grounds, is now open. Located in Fingal, just an hour’s drive from Melbourne, this relaxation destination has been meticulously curated to evoke calm and tranquility from the moment you enter through its curved, concrete entranceway complete with a moat-like water feature. Fluffy robes and slippers greet you upon arrival (don’t worry, there are secure lockers to store all your belongings – this is a phone-free zone, after all), and then it’s time to leave your worries behind and enter the open-air bathing complex. There are 31 pools dotted among the undulating landscape – some intimate and private, others large and more social – and they range from geothermal pools and cold plunge pools to herbal-infused botanical pools and invigorating rain pools. There’s also a private rooftop salt pool that allows you to experience total weightlessness, plus steam rooms and saunas. Wandering along the snaking path to find each pool is almost (almost) as fun as immersing yourself in the restorative waters – and trust us when we say it’s way too easy to spend hours hopping from pool to pool. Alba uses 100 per cent geothermal water that is heated between 37-degrees Celsius and 43-degrees Celsius, a

It’s one of the golden rules of seeing a comedy show: don’t be tardy, lest you want to find yourself in the firing line. Thankfully, after sneaking in five minutes late to Alex Ward’s show ‘Saving For A Jet Pack’ at the Comedy Republic, we stragglers were spared a spray of accusatory questions and instead caught the end of the happy news that Ward recently got engaged. Is there an actual wedding on the cards though? It's a maybe, according to Ward, who would rather “spend our money on anything else, like eating burrata three times a week”. Ward is in a queer relationship, so she has thought of ways to cut down on the matrimonial costs, including telling potential vendors that the big event is simply “two sisters having a joint birthday”. Ward’s nonplussed delivery, deadpan stare and storytelling panache are a deadly comedy combo, and she breezes through wild tales of being mistaken for Ricky Ponting in India to pretending to be her mother’s new husband after her parents divorced with an easy nonchalance that you can’t help but be charmed into a hearty laugh. She talks about being at that “worst level of fame”, where she can (mostly) go about her normal routine but every now and then encounters a “person that thinks they know me”. Not for her comedy prowess though, more that she looks like she works for the “Boroondara Council”. Her mum gets another mention for doing “Boomer shit” on Facebook and wanting Ward to “run her account”, and a bit about quitting coffee only to abando

We’re back, baby! The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index just dropped, and Melbourne has done us proud, soaring up the list and landing a bronze medal.  Once the darling of this annual inventory (remember when Melbourne was crowned the world’s most liveable city for seven years in a row?), the Victorian capital fell to tenth in 2022, with the prolonged effects of Covid-19 to blame. But it’s only taken one year to shake off those pandemic blues, with Melbourne coming in hot behind Vienna and Copenhagen, both of which retained their positions in the number one and two spots. Melbourne’s main local rival, Sydney, also recovered well – coming in fourth, a solid upswing from 13th in 2022. And the strong rankings were shared right across the country, with Perth and Adelaide at equal 12th (up from 32nd and 30th) and Brisbane 16th (up from 27th). “From the most locked-down city to the world’s third most liveable city is pretty darn good,” said lord mayor Sally Capp. “It’s cute to see Sydney nipping at our heels, and we’ll leverage this competition to push us to do better, work harder and achieve our rightful position at the top once again.” The annual report evaluated the best and worst living conditions of 173 cities based on five major categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. Melbourne scored extremely high in education and culture (100 and 95.8, respectively), giving it the edge over Sydney. Both cities achieved

We’ve already been told that we are one of the best places in the world to live, but now that’s been even more confirmed with the drop of the The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index, where Sydney has done us proud – ranking the fourth most liveable city in the world.  The EIU’s liveability index list happens every year, but as of 2023, Sydney’s ranking has shot up to 4th, levelling up from 13th place in 2022. This year, Sydney and Melbourne (who got third place) have claimed top global spots previously held by Frankfurt and Amsterdam, proving that Australia is truly on its way up in the world. Plus, strong rankings were shared right across the country, with Perth and Adelaide at equal 12th (up from 32nd and 30th) and Brisbane 16th (up from 27th). The reason for this shift? After a few years of horrible pandemic vibes, Sydney has been able to bounce back, with our healthcare category scores improving since last year. Sydney scored 95 for stability, 100 for healthcare, 94.4 for culture and environment, 100 for education, and 100 for infrastructure, with us totalling in at a hefty 97.4 overall.    Photograph: Destination NSW The ten most liveable cities are: Vienna, Austria Copenhagen, Denmark Melbourne, Australia Sydney, Australia Vancouver, Canada Zurich, Switzerland Calgary, Canada Geneva, Switzerland Toronto, Canada Osaka, Japan Although we acknowledge that Sydney isn't as lushly liveable for everyone (here's looking at you, cost of living...), there

First, we lost Starburst. Then it was Arnott's Classic Assortment variety pack. And now, in sad news for snack lovers and lolly fanatics everywhere, it's just been announced that Allens is discontinuing Fantales forever.  After being in production Down Under for a hefty 93 years, the iconic teeth-testing chocolate-caramel lolly will be, in Allen’s words, “deleted” from our shelves from July 2023. Ooft, that's way harsh.  Allens released a statement via Facebook acknowledging how nostalgic Fantales are for so many Australians, with these little chewy blocks of extremely sweet confectionery having long been an edible component of so many road trips, movie sessions and general jolliness. The experience of unwrapping those tiny little trivia sheets doesn’t get (that) old, despite the answers almost 9 times out of 10 being a) Hugh Jackman, b) Kylie Minogue or c) Nicole Kidman. Variety is the spice of life. Allens and manufacturer Nestlé have said that they are ditching the ‘tales due to a lack of sales and the fact that the equipment used to make them is starting to malfunction, which makes sense – but just because it makes sense, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. They have reiterated that they will continue producing classics like Red Frogs, Snakes, Party Mix and Minties (why Minties get to stay is beyond us). But for all Fantales fans, we have until the end of July to stock up on as many packets as our vehicles, hands and loved ones can carry.  At the end of the day, the chocol

Here’s some roar-some news to brighten your day: Werribee Open Range Zoo is celebrating the arrival of a bouncing bundle of lion cubs, born on June 4 to 11-year-old mother Nilo and five-year-old pride male Sheru. The furry threesome – each weighing around 1.5 kilograms – are the first of this threatened species to be born at the zoo in almost six years. African lions are officially listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, and their population has dropped to somewhere between 23,000 and 39,000 in the wild. “The safe arrival of these lion cubs is really exciting. It's wonderful to have three more healthy African lions in the Australasian zoo breeding and conservation program,” said Werribee Open Range Zoo director, Dr Mark Pilgrim. “Unfortunately their wild cousins are facing increasing threats including human-wildlife conflict, poaching and habitat destruction.” Veterinarians and zookeepers monitored third-time mother Nilo carefully during her three-month pregnancy, and she and the cubs will remain in a secure, private area for at least eight weeks until they're ready to meet the public. In the meantime, Zoos Victoria members and donors are encouraged to keep an eye out for a voting competition to name the trio.  If you’re still keen to experience some real-life Lion King action, father Sheru and adult lioness Asali can be spotted along the zoo’s African River Trail. To stay on top of the cute cub-related developments as they come

Pies are serious business, just ask the Baking Association of Australia. The team of experienced and well-respected experts just held their annual competition in search of Australia's best pie and pastie, and Kyneton's very own Country Cob Bakery has once again come out on top – which makes it three wins in a row.  In 2021 it was the caramelised pork and pepper pie that was deemed the best, while last year's winner was an Aussie classic: the plain meat pie. But what took the pastry crown in 2023, we hear you ask? The fish amok pie – a slightly unconventional, but undeniably tasty Cambodian-style creation made with barramundi and curry sauce.  The wins kept coming for Country Cob Bakery, with the fish amok pie also taking out the best seafood pie category, the black forest pie winning in the best mushroom pie category, and the pepper beef pie triumphing in the best flavoured beef pie. Phew, talk about a mouth-watering line-up. "We finally did it," said owners Chan and Ryan Khun on Instagram. "We have just won the title of the 2023 Australia's Best Pie. After a tough three days of competition amongst 340 other bakeries across the nation, our fish amok pie took out the top gong for this year's competition." The stakes are high when it comes to finding Australia's best pies and pasties. Winners are chosen from 348 bakeries, with more than 1,500 products presented for judging across three days. Other Victorian champions include Rolling Pin Pies in Ocean Grove, which took out the b

As if we needed further proof that Australia really is the lucky country, a secluded beach in Western Australia has just been named the very best on Earth – not that we're really surprised. According to a recent list based on the votes of an array of travel influencers, journalists, editors and agents, the sun-safe folks over at Banana Boat have released a list of the 50 Best Beaches in the World – and Lucky Bay in WA was ranked at the very top.  Lucky Bay is a slice of paradise that’s tucked away in the Cape Le Grand National Park in the Goldfields-Esperance region. Known for its blindingly white sand and bright turquoise water, this hidden beach took out the top spot for being a wildlife sanctuary, a dreamy swimming spot and an overall pristine beach that deserves a visit.    Photograph: Tourism Western Australia Lucky Bay wasn’t the only Aussie beach to crack the list. Crowd favourite Whitehaven in the Whitsundays ranked at number four, Turquoise Bay in Exmouth came in at number 17, and finally, Little Hellfire Bay (also in WA – there must be something in the water) landed at a healthy number 28. Not bad, Australia.  RECOMMENDED: these are the best beaches in Melbourne. The beaches were selected based on a five-step criteria of remoteness, untouched nature and wilderness, how swimmable they are, average days of sunshine, and annual average temperature.  The 50 best beaches are:  Lucky Bay, Australia Source D'Argent, the Seychelles Hidden Beach, the Philippines Whitehave

Were you woken by a thunderous roar and the ground shaking last night? You weren't alone. Parts of Melbourne have been rocked by a strong tremor overnight, with a magnitude 3.8 earthquake hitting the city at approximately 11.41pm.  The north-west suburb of Sunbury, 35 kilometres from the CBD, has been recorded as the epicentre. The quake had a depth of just three kilometres (which is why it felt particularly powerful), and it's believed to be the largest earthquake to hit the metropolitan area in more than 100 years. A magnitude 3.8 earthquake has been recorded with an epicentre near Sunbury, Victoria. The earthquake occurred at 11:41pm with widespread felt reports. No injuries or damage has been recorded at this time.For more information, visit, https://t.co/BfEDYftW36 pic.twitter.com/JKxxl4J10y — VICSES News (@vicsesnews) May 28, 2023 According to Geoscience Australia, more than 20,000 people reported feeling tremors, some as far north as Bendigo and as far south as Hobart. Residents across Melbourne have described the shaking lasting for almost 20 seconds, accompanied by a sonic-like boom. At this stage, no major damage or injuries have been confirmed.  "While it's stronger shaking that travels a decent distance throughout the region, we don't expect damage from an earthquake of that size," said Geoscience Australia seismologist Hugh Glanville. "You don't tend to get minor damage until around magnitude 4.5 where you'll get things like plaster cracking and things rattlin

Some things in life feel too good to be true, like winning free flights (both domestic and international) for a whole year. In this instance though, the chance to jump aboard one of Jetstar's big white and orange planes for a year's worth of travelling could just be your reality. In celebration of its 19th birthday, Jetstar is holding a competition – and as part of the grand prize one lucky person will score free flights to more than 86 destinations over the course of one year. Plus, you get an extra seat on all the flights to bring a mate, a date or your mum (prepare to become extremely popular).  The comp is called 'Feel 19 Again' (although anyone can enter, no matter what your age), and there are 12 domestic and six international return flights up for grabs. Jetstar is advertising this as a journey of self-discovery, self-reflection and world exploration for anyone who feels like their lives need it. Keen to get your youthful, 19-year-old sparkle back? You’re not alone.    Photograph: SuppliedYou could be here, on this tropical island (for free) So, how does the competition work?  From 6am on May 25, 2023, head over to Jetstar’s Instagram and answer in 19 words or less ‘If you could try any job for a day, what would it be and why?’. Jetstar wants you to call on your inner 19-year-old for the most peculiar, bizarre and funny answer as humanly possible with this, so think radical ghost hunting in Tokyo, not accountancy in Melbourne's CBD (although no shade, either way).  O

There's a lot we love about visiting London: going for a ride on a double deck bus, enjoying a traditional Sunday roast with all the trimmings at a cute little pub and spotting squirrels in Hyde Park. The worst part? The soul-destroying, almost 24-hour plane journey to get there. Well, what if we told you that could be a thing of the past? Welcome to the future, folks. A ground-breaking new plan to cut the travel time between the UK and Australia to just two hours by flying via space (yes, you heard that right – space) has just arrived on the aviation scene – and it could become a legitimate reality for travellers in as little as ten years time.  Suborbital flights are a cutting-edge transport revolution that work by taking travellers up into space for a period of time, and then dropping suddenly back into the Earth’s orbit. For people making the huge globe-crossing trek between the UK and the land Down Under, this technology would mean slashing a wild 20 hours off the travel time – and would probably change the world in the process. This isn’t just a science fiction plot line, either. The UK Civil Aviation Authority is currently in the process of hard testing to see how people would respond to being on a long-haul suborbital trip, with the findings currently being that most should be able to cope with the ‘G-forces’ of a space flight. Suborbital flights currently exist (believe it or not) – but admittedly, there's not a lot of them. Virgin Galactic is operating flights into

In what is sure to be music to the ears of Victorian commuters, it has just been confirmed that the much-maligned Myki system will be undergoing a complete overhaul, with Conduent Business Services awarded a $1.7 billion, 15-year contract​​ that will commence at the end of the year. The US-based service provider will take over from NTT Data, which has run the system since 2007 and faced many ongoing challenges, including issues surrounding a lack of ease when topping up (especially on buses and trams), card expiration and next to no feasible options if you leave your card at home. ​​“This is a very important moment for Victoria and public transport. For the past 16 years we have had a card-based ticketing system under Myki,” said public transport minister Ben Carroll. “We will now reach the 21st century, with account-based ticketing [that is] simpler and easier to use through your credit card, through your smartphone and through your smartwatch.” The upgraded features are expected to roll out across Victoria’s public transport system (including V-Line regional services) over a two-year period, and will allow commuters to touch on and off using bank cards or smartphones and smartwatches with digital wallets. While Android users have been able to access a mobile version of Myki since 2021, this has not been an option for Apple users, despite the Victorian government allocating $1 million to develop this feature back in 2019. Tourists will also no longer need an account to trave

With overseas travel well and truly back, it's time to dust off the ol' passport and hit the international departures terminal. And if Hong Kong is at the top of your holiday wishlist, you're in luck: the legends over at Cathay Pacific are giving away 6,020 adult economy round-trip tickets from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to visit the vibrant city. Yes, you read that right. This initiative is part of a massive Hong Kong tourism campaign called ‘Hello Hong Kong’, which is all about welcoming a new wave of global travellers, post-pandemic. The Airport Authority Hong Kong has been staggering the release of a hefty 500,000 free plane tickets worldwide, but for all of us in Down Under, there are just over 6,000 up for grabs – so if you’re keen, you better act quick.  The tickets themselves are being described as ‘discounted’ – the idea is that the flight tickets themselves will be free, but the related taxes, surcharges and re-booking fees are not. To put it plainly: it’s cheap – but you won’t be paying zero dollars.  But wait, how does this actually work?  Ok, so first up there's one catch: you need to be a Cathay Pacific member, and you’ll have to be logged in to buy the ticket. You can sign up (for free) to be a member here.  Secondly, the tickets will be released to Aussies who are aged 18 and over (so no kids, sorry) on Monday, May 29 at 12pm AEST and will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. And a reminder: you will have to pay for all taxes, surcharges and any re

Hands up if you love puppies, the iconic TV show Neighbours and supporting a good cause? If you're madly waving your hand in the air, this one's definitely for you. Guide Dogs Australia is on the hunt for a team of Puppy Raisers who can commit to looking after a new litter of good boys and girls. And here's the (cute) twist: they are all named after Neighbours references. That's right, you could be welcoming Toadie, Madge, Kylie, Margot, Kennedy, Ramsay or Harold into your home and heart. Seriously, with such adorable names it's gonna be hard to stop at fostering just one. Being a Puppy Raiser is a 12-month commitment where you take an eight-week-old fur baby into your home until it’s ready to become a fully fledged guide dog. The best part of this volunteer role is that it equals a free puppy, in addition to all the supplies and support required to bring it up. Does it get much better than that? Not only do you get the delight of playing with a puppy for a year, but you can take comfort in the fact that your efforts will provide invaluable aid to visually impaired individuals. Puppy Raiser duties include taking your pup to weekly training sessions at Guide Dog facilities near you, establishing their feeding and toilet routines, taking them for walks every day and giving them all the love imaginable (which shouldn't be too tricky).  If you can’t commit to the role for a whole year, you can still get in on all the tail-wagging action as a Temporary Carer where you fill in for