Leah Glynn

Fancy yourself a bit of a general knowledge whiz? Put your brains to the test at these pub trivia nights, where questions on anything from film to sport are supplemented by cool beers and food specials. Nearly all of them are free to join, and fun prizes like bar tabs or jugs are up for grabs. Pub trivia isn't the only fun you can have while drinking – check out our top bars for dancing, first dates and live music.

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 April specials are as tempting as ever. Yes, even after that post-Easter sugar coma, we're still craving our Lune fix.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.

The venerable American theatre critic Jonathan Kalb once remarked that the only way to really enjoy theatre was in large doses. The playwright Terrence McNally recommends three nights a week at a minimum. Excellent advice! But what about your precious doubloons? That much theatre doesn't come cheap – not unless you strategise. And we're here to help in that endeavour, with tips and tricks to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to seeing the best theatre, musicals and plays. Want to roll on after a show? Check out the best nightclubs and late-night bars in Melbourne.

Prahran – and that's Pran not Praahn – might be best known for its stretch of Chapel Street, but there's plenty more to love about the inner south suburb. It's here you'll find some of Melbourne most exciting restaurants, fun bars and quirky shops. Not to mention the spectacular Chapel Off Chapel performing arts space and the beloved den of sin that is Revs. New to the area? Here are the best things to do in Prahran. Nearby make sure you check out the best things to do in South Yarra or Elsternwick.  Looking for more fun? Here are the best things to do this weekend.

Technically, The Man says that buying takeaway booze on Good Friday is not on. But unlike our strict friends in NSW, we have a little more wiggle room down here. We've put together a list of bottle shops that are open on Good Friday to ensure your long weekend is well lubricated.  Looking for more things to do this long weekend? Check out the best things happening in Melbourne this Easter.

Ticking off the main tourist attractions on a city break is all well and good, but it’s only when you veer off down a side street or stumble across a leafy avenue that you really get a glimpse of a city’s true character. Streets are the heart of local life; they’re where communities come together, where new local businesses become go-to staples and where urbanites go out, hang out and have fun.  So what are the world’s coolest streets worth a stroll right now? To find the answer, we reached out to our global team of local expert editors and contributors, who each made a case for the coolest street in their city. We then narrowed down the selection to create a definitive ranking of the best avenues, thoroughfares, backstreets and boulevards on the planet. And so you have it: the coolest streets in the world’s best cities. Over the last few years, street life has gone through something of an evolution. Outdoor drinking and dining, at one point a temporary measure, has become a staple on many of the streets on our hotlist; only bolstered by green initiatives like pedestrianisation and low-traffic avenues. In other words, these streets have become much more walkable and pleasant places to spend our time. On every street on this list, there are bold, creative new ventures in food, drink, nightlife and culture: from listening bars to repurposed heritage buildings, these streets are where you’ll find a city’s most exciting cultural trends. Ready for a wander?  RECOMMENDED: 🏘️ The w

What makes a city great? Some would say it’s all about buzzing neighbourhoods, affordable food and drink and a mighty selection of things to do, from art galleries and museums to live music and theatre. Others might highlight things like the happiness of its locals, access to green space and strong community vibes. We factor in all that and more in our annual survey, which asks city-dwellers around the world to tell us what it’s like to live, work and play in their hometowns right now. Thanks to the opinions and insights of locals on the ground and our global network of city experts, we’re able to create a global ranking of the world’s best cities – and the 2024 results are in. As in previous years, the basis of the ranking remains our global survey of the people who know their city best: the locals. Working with research company Potentia Insight, we surveyed thousands of city-dwellers about the quality and affordability of food, culture and nightlife in their city. We also asked locals how their city makes them feel: are they happy there? Is it a beautiful place? Is it easy to make social connections? Their thousands of responses gave us a unique insight into the reality of living in the world’s greatest cities right now. Now that international travel is forecast to bounce back to the highest levels since 2019, many travellers will be planning a city break this year – so in 2024, we added a little extra weight to a city’s global appeal. Each survey respondent was asked which

It’s that time again. Every year, we ask thousands of city-dwellers to tell us the coolest spots in their cities. What are the places locals love and visitors flock to? Where are the exciting new openings across food, drink and culture? Where are people going out, hanging out and having fun? For the sixth year running, the results are in. Over 12,000 people had their say in this year’s shortlist, naming the neighbourhoods in their hometowns where everyone wants to be right now. Then, we narrowed down the selection with the insight and expertise of city editors and local experts who know their cities better than anyone else. To create and rank the final list, we considered factors including community and social ventures, access to open and green space, and thriving street life. In 2023, our neighbourhoods are more global than ever before. The rise and rise in post-pandemic digital nomadism has led to an explosion of brand-new community spaces, multi-purpose culture centres and more cafés than we can count on two hands. But while most of these neighbourhoods have experienced a transformation over recent years, they remain resolutely local at heart. Slick new developments and cool cafés might bring in new crowds, but neighbourhood stalwarts – from old pubs to family greengrocers – keep it real.  The world’s coolest neighbourhoods this year are, therefore, places with big personalities. Each area’s diversity is reflected in its food, culture and festivals. Community is key: local

Melbourne is a city full of surprises, but while we've become used to the unexpected, there are a few things you'll never catch Melburnians saying. We've rounded up 33 phrases below, and after having a scroll, check out our guide to the things that make you a true Melburnian.  "I just felt like dressing in the colours of the rainbow today."  "Oh, this old thing? I bought it at Chaddy."  "I just prefer drinking closer to the ground." "Sure, I'm happy to work a shift the morning after Meredith!" "Holy shit, it's Tony Armstrong! Do you think he'll get a selfie with me?"  "Are you kidding me? For $22 I could've made this Negroni at home!"  "I've saved up enough money for a home loan!"  "Don't stress, I'm sure we'll have no problem finding a table at the Queen Vic Night Market."  "I reckon we'll pass on the burrata, but thanks!" "Sorry, I don't drink skin-contact wine." "Those Extinction Rebellion people have a fair point, and I respect their right to protest." "I'm so sick of deli sandwiches." "Let's have a massive one in Travancore tonight." "I miss Stereosonic." "Mel-born." "I love that mullets are back in style." "I don't like to dress like everyone else, so I buy my clothes from Gorman."  "Look! Melbourne Skydeck!"  "Do you have anything with gluten?" "I'm so glad that the ugly old pub at the end of my street is turning into apartments."  "Who buys a house these days?" "I've got this revolutionary idea to open a burger joint on wheels! A truck that sells food, if you will!"

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. Knead more dough? These are the best bakeries in Melbourne.

If you're looking for a break from the inner-city grid, there's no better cure than a day trip from Melbourne. The state of Victoria is full of friendly neighbourhood towns, whether you're in the mood for a winery tour, a road trip or a national park to explore. These one-day escapes are just what the doctor ordered, so get out there and explore Melbourne's beautiful backyard.  Keen to stretch your legs? These are the best day hikes from Melbourne. Looking for somewhere to stay? Here are five road trip-worthy motels.

Since its inaugural celebration more than a century ago, International Women's Day has become an annual rallying point for women around the world to come together in solidarity. It's a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, but also to recognise the challenges that women continue to face to this day.  This year, the theme is Inspire Inclusion – it's all about working to inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, in order to forge a better world. Because when women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment. To help you celebrate and support female-identifying persons in our community and worldwide, we've selected our pick of the best businesses to shop at, seminars to catch and events to attend. Looking to read empowering stories about women in Melbourne? Check out our chats with Flex Mami and Kic founders Laura Henshaw and Steph Claire Smith.

It's baaack! After two hugely popular winter seasons, Melbourne's favourite illuminated event is returning in 2024. From June 14 to August 4, take a nighttime stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens and experience luminous pathways, lit-up tree canopies, soothing soundscapes and brand new installations. "We are thrilled to see Lightscape returning for its third year. The Gardens provide an exquisite canvas for us to create a magical world of light, nature and wonder," said David Harland, director and chief executive of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. "In 2024 we have a few surprises up our sleeve as we build on the experience to make it exhilarating for both returning and first-time visitors." For the upcoming season, you can expect a reimagined 2.2km trail accompanied by stunning lakeside reflections, large-scale illuminated sculptures and other wonders, with more than 100,000 tiny lights on display. New in 2024 is 'Submerged', an immersive work where you walk through thousands of suspended lights as the installation changes colour in response to the movement. Also making its Australian debut is 'Lily' by French artistic studio Tilt – it's a series of abstract, three-metre-tall glowing flowers that will captivate people of all ages. Most importantly, you'll also be able to grab a bite to eat and warming drinks at the Welcome Zone or along the trail. They say that Melbourne is at its best in winter and events like Lightscape, where you can rug up and join friends for a m

When revolutionaries stormed and captured the Bastille fortress – which was used to imprison political and religious dissidents – on July 14, 1789, it was considered the start of the French Revolution and the beginning of the end for the French monarchy. That fateful day became known as Bastille Day, and celebrations are held annually all across France. If you're keen to join in on the fun, swap your beanie for a beret and head over to Queen Victoria Market on July 13 and 14.  Sheds C and D will transport you to a wintery French town square complete with vendors peddling cheeses, crêpes, Champagne and pastries (it wouldn't be a Gallic celebration without the scent of croissants in the air). While you feast, live entertainment like acrobatic performances, dancers and jazz musicians will take over the main stage.  Ticketed talks, walking tours and masterclasses will also run over the two days – and if you can't make it in person, you can still tune into some Bastille Day-themed online events. Best of all, think of it as an opportunity to practice your French language skills amongst French expats, Francophones and Francophiles – oui, oui! For more information, visit the Bastille Day French Festival website. Craving French food? Consult our guide to the best French restaurants Melbourne has to offer. Plus, here are Melbourne's best patisseries.

Having had the pleasure of catching Mel O’Brien and Samantha Andrews’ High Pony at last year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival (a completely unhinged hour of queer energy and catchy musical bops), I returned once again to the Toff in Town, fully prepared for whatever insane magic this powerhouse pair has cooked up. And with The Platonic Human Centipede, it’s clear they didn’t come to play it safe. The opening number quickly sets the tone for the evening, taking things from zero to 100 real quick. ‘Eat My Ass’ is a nod to the show title’s filmic inspiration and features the instantly quotable lyrics: “Eat my ass, not like yum but more like I love you”. Add a choreographed high-kick moment, and there’s not a person in the room who isn’t going feral for these two.  The show's overarching theme is unsung duos of the modern world – we’re talking Bart and Lisa Simpson, Willy Wonka and Charlie Bucket, and Santa Claus and Mrs Claus. The latter feature in a hilarious couples therapy skit that unpacks their love languages. Spoiler alert: ol’ Saint Nick is a words of affirmation guy. But it’s an especially cheeky duet starring Mel and Sam as Robert and Bindi Irwin singing to their dearly departed father up in heaven (RIP) that elicits a can’t-believe-they-went-there response from the shrieking faux-horrified audience. Oh, they went there alright, and we’re all the better off for hearing them belt out “Is it slay? Do they play The Crocodile Hunter on Blu-Ray?” in perfect unison.

Julian O'Shea cuts a striking figure at his debut Melbourne International Comedy Festival show. The popular online content creator, university lecturer and one-time participant in Moomba’s Birdman Rally strides onto the stage at the DoubleTree by Hilton wearing a brightly coloured road map jumper that resembles those cartoon rugs once found in playrooms across the country (IYKYK). This playful attire, combined with O’Shea’s palpable enthusiasm at the prospect of performing in front of a sold-out crowd, sets the scene for an hour of fun facts, chaotic anecdotes and plenty of laughs. The premise of O’Shea’s show, M is for Melbourne: The World’s Mostly* Liveable City, is simple: it’s an A to Z of Melbourne, highlighting all that is cool, quirky and kinda weird. It’s also a roll call of reasons why Melbourne is worthy of snatching back its World’s Most Liveable City crown from Vienna (cue a couple of cheeky jabs at the Austrian capital littered throughout the set).  All the obvious topics are present: F is for the free tram zone, H is for hook turns and M is for the Montague Street Bridge (a “true Melbourne icon”, according to O’Shea). But it’s the slightly left-of-field inclusions that allow for O’Shea’s truly comprehensive local knowledge to shine. A deep dive into the City of Melbourne’s decision to assign email addresses to all 70,000 of its trees (E is for emailing trees) is as genuinely intriguing as it is funny, and provides O’Shea with an opportunity to tell any audience

If you had 30 minutes to spend with yourself surrounded by nothing but darkness and the rain, what would you do? This is something the Rain Room by luxe hotel Jackalope and London-based collective Random International wants us to consider. The exhibition has reopened its sliding doors for its third season and invites us to all take a moment for ourselves to practice mindfulness and embrace the present in the rain. For those who aren’t familiar with it, the Rain Room is an immersive artwork by Random International that fills the ceiling of a darkened room with motion sensors and little droplets of recycled water that imitate rain. The result? An experience that you can walk through slowly without getting a single drop of water on you, even though you’re surrounded by what feels like a storm. The experience stimulates your senses and if you’ve ever been caught in the rain in Southeast Asia, this evokes a similar feeling. It’s slightly warm as the sound of falling rain crescendos but if you walk an inch too quickly you’ll feel the sensation of getting tapped on the head by water.  ‘Rain Room’ is one of Random International’s most famous works and has previously been shown at the Barbican in London, MoMA in New York and at the Yuz Museum in Shanghai.  Also, a word to the wise: make sure not to wear heels or shoes that you will slip in or you might end up wearing a pair of Crocs that the team hands to you instead.   Rain Room will end its season on April 14, 2024. Book your sessio

Wednesday nights in Melbourne are known for one thing and one thing only: Queen Victoria Market’s legendary Night Market. With the summer night market officially finished for the season, Queen Vic has announced it will be bringing back its insanely popular Asian night market to tide you over until the warmer months return. The Hawker 88 Night Market brings Asian tastes, sights and sounds to Queen Vic’s sheds. Running every Wednesday night from April 10 until May 8, a tasty variety of stalls and trucks will be set up to sell authentic street food direct from China, India, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia and Japan. The line-up of vendors this year includes crispy Korean popcorn chicken from Lui Boss; charcoal Filipino skewers from Hoy Pinoy; pad Thai and sticky mango rice from Sabb Der; grilled momo from Nepal Dining Room; and authentic okonomiyaki from Okinami. Across the five-week stint there will also be lion dancing, traditional cultural performances, martial arts demonstrations, taiko drumming, eating competitions (where you can chow down on durian, dumplings and skewers), DJ sets and an epic full moon party. There will also be plenty of specialty retail stalls selling weird and wonderful wares. For more info on the event, check out the website. Craving a bargain feed? These are the 50 best cheap eats in Melbourne. Thirsty? Hit up Melbourne's 50 best bars.

From May 3 to 5, head to Federation Square for the Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festival, a three-day event celebrating the birth of Buddha and Melbourne's multi-faith community. This year, the festival boasts a huge line-up of traditional ceremonies, concerts, transformative digital activations, art, live music and immersive experiences. On the first night, visitors will be treated to the Light It Up Opening Ceremony featuring performances from the Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne, National Boys Choir, Taiko Drums, as well as guest speakers. The ceremony will conclude with an epic fireworks display and the lighting of all the festival's illuminated installations. Throughout the rest of the event you can visit the Lumbini Garden (home to giant-sized sculptures), which replicates the garden where Buddha was born and provides a calming oasis for prayer and mindful relaxation. Nearby is the Lotus Flower Sanctuary filled with 30 giant LED statues of lotus flowers and a Mindfulness Forest filled with illuminated columns for visitors to colour their way to calmness. Dance workshops on the main stage and guided Ch’an meditation classes will be offered. For the kids, there will be face painting, giant bubble blowing, mindfulness colouring and dragon dance workshops. The festival is free for all to attend and bookings are not required. Find out more at the Buddha's Day website.  Looking for more things to do? Check out our round-up of the best things happening in Melbourne this we

Gather by the sea for a four-day long festival where a talented line-up of Australia’s best authors, playwrights, journalists and academics will descend upon the coastal town of Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula.  Running from April 25-28, the Sorrento Writers Festival (now in its second year) is an opportunity for literary enthusiasts to come together and celebrate the power of storytelling.  The brainchild of award-winning journalist, podcaster, former bookshop owner and festival director Corrie Perkin, the event includes author meet-and-greets, keynote speeches, panel discussions, musical performances and an en masse book club.  The stacked program features the likes of Magda Szubanski, Christos Tsiolkas, Julia Baird, Hedley Thomas, Nick McKenzie and Caroline Wilson, plus Miles Franklin Award winners Alex Miller, Anna Funder and Amanda Lohrey – to name just a few. Day passes are available now for $130, or you can purchase tickets to individual sessions. The majority of the events will take place at the Continental Sorrento, or nearby venues like the Sorrento Portsea RSL and Sorrento Golf Club. For more information, head to the website. Feeling inspired? Check out the best bookstores in Melbourne.

From April 5-28, the picturesque region of the Macedon Ranges will play host to a huge celebration of all things autumn. The Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival features a program of events, markets, workshops and guided walks, plus plenty of opportunities to sample delicious local produce. Eat your way through 43 heavenly pastries as part of the Autumn Pie and Tart Trail. Both savoury and sweet pies will be available, including offerings like a lamb shank pot pie, Guinness pie, lemon meringue ice cream pie and an American cherry pie. Yum! Feeling thirsty? Take your pick from ten Tipple Trails, which will give you a taste of the best craft brewers, ciders, gin distillers, country pubs and winemakers. Or you could try the Edgy Veg Trail, which will see local pubs, cafés and restaurants create innovative plant-based dishes. Local musicians are set to take over community halls across the region as part of the Live and Local line-up, with Jarrod Shaw, the Whiskey Rogues and Shout Out To The Girls! scheduled to appear. And be sure to pick up your festival map and passport – collect all the stamps and you will go into the draw to win the highly sought-after 2024 Autumn Festival prize. Many of these events are free, but to find out more and book tickets where appropriate, head to the website. After more autumnal fun? Here are the best places to see autumn leaves in Victoria.

Update March 28, 2024: Make the most of the Easter long weekend and head to Blue Water Lotus Garden for a spectacular program of events. From March 29 to April 1, visitors can enjoy face painting and an Easter egg hunt with entertainment by storybook characters like Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter and Queen of Hearts. Also on display will be Australia’s largest installation of hanging baskets – it stretches over half a kilometre and features 180 baskets containing thousands of colourful begonies and petunias. Blue Lotus Water Garden is more than 50,000 square metres in size and is covered by a multitude of water lilies and lotus flowers that are spread across dozens of picturesque ponds and two lakes. Take a stroll around the gardens and peek inside the four greenhouses that grow rare plants – including the Giant Amazon Lily, the world’s largest lily species.  Even though it's only a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, the gardens feel thoroughly tropical thanks to the palms, lagoons and waterfall (yep, there's even a waterfall). Aside from the huge water lily display, Blue Lotus Water Garden also features a colourful selection of perennial flowers, a highly 'grammable bridge walk over the largest lake, plenty of native plants and wildlife, a café and barbecue area. It's all a bit magical, an element amplified by the fairy garden and dragon sculptures that the kids are guaranteed to love.  This top-notch garden is a seasonal display garden, meaning it’s only open for a very s

From May 3-5, the Grampians Grape Escape is taking over the beautiful foothills of Mount William with a weekend-long program of world-class wines, gourmet food and live music.  The festival will kick off with a 'feel-good Friday' session, which will celebrate local music talent from homegrown bands like The Settlement and Orange Whip.   The weekend program will feature more than 100 exhibitors, including wineries, food trucks, creators and makers. There will be cooking demonstrations by guest chefs like Karen Martini, Nornie Bero, Tim Bone, and Matthew Evans, plus a wine auction (which will raise money for Pomonal, a township significantly impacted by the recent bushfires), masterclasses, grape stomping, free tastings and entertainment. In a festival first, TikTok sensation Chefs and Dogs will hit the stage to demonstrate fresh pet food recipes, continuing their mission to globally promote fresh pet food. If you're bringing the kiddos along, there will be plenty of activities to keep them going including rock climbing, herb and flower planting, table tennis and a giant cubby house building competition. And you'll be able to shop up a storm with stalls showcasing everything from candles and jewellery to art and condiments. There are a variety of ticketing options available now (including single and multi-day passes), and you can find out more at the Grampians Grape Escape website.  Want to make a whole weekend out of drinking wine? Check out our ultimate travel guide to the

In London it's the Chelsea Flower Show and in Canberra it's Floriade. In Melbourne, the event that gets plant enthusiasts and floral fanatics excited is the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. This spectacular celebration of all things horticulture is once again taking over the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens for five days of world-class landscape designs, breathtaking floral displays, educational talks and family friendly workshops. More than 100,000 people are expected to check out the Southern Hemisphere's biggest flower festival, which is running from March 20 to 24. The program is set to include more than garden displays with dazzling designs, main stage discussions with industry experts and plenty of backyard inspo. The beloved Show Garden installations competition will feature some of the world's best landscape designers – like Peter Donegan and Japan’s Koji Ninomiya – vying for the winner's title. This year will also feature the first Indigenous show garden, offering an immersive visitor experience that reflects the rich connection between the land and its custodians. Then follow the scent of fresh blooms into the Royal Exhibition Building as it transforms into the Great Hall of Flowers thanks to some of Victoria’s leading floral designers, including a new aerial flower display exhibition. Plus, there'll be a brand-new entertainment precinct in the forecourt, with food trucks, DJs and workshops.  Gardens by Twilight will return on Friday, Mar

It’s official – Australia is officially home to the coolest street on the planet right now. Every year, Time Out releases our annual ranking of the Coolest Streets in the World. The list is chosen with the help of our global network of local experts and contributors, who each made a case for their city’s most happening street.  There are thousands of streets in Australia that make our country the best. However, some just rise above the rest for their exciting new ventures in food, drink, nightlife and culture, making them the coolest spots you’ll want to hang out this year. It’s no secret that Melbourne’s inner north is dominated by some pretty epic thoroughfares (both Smith Street and Gertrude Street have landed on this list in the past – in first and second place, no less), but in 2024, there’s another contender nipping at their heels. Enter High Street, which weaves through the ultra-trendy suburbs of Northcote, Thornbury and Preston, and steals the crown from Hollywood Road in Hong Kong, East Eleventh in Austin, Guatemala Street in Buenos Aires and Commercial Drive in Vancouver (which rounded out the top five, respectively).  So what makes High Street so damn cool? This is a strip that has cemented its gold medal status thanks to an abundance of offerings that appeal to both locals and visitors alike. Craving the best lasagne of your life? You need 1800 Lasagne on speed dial. Keen to take in sweeping views of suburbia at sunset with a Spritz in hand? Head to Gigi Rooftop,

In news that is sure to make every Melburnian swell with pride, it has just been revealed that none other than High Street in the city’s inner north has been crowned the coolest street in the world right now. Yes, you read that right: lil’ old High Street, which weaves through the suburbs of Northcote, Thornbury and Preston, has landed in the number one position, stealing the crown from Hollywood Road in Hong Kong, East Eleventh in Austin, Guatemala Street in Buenos Aires and Commercial Drive in Vancouver (which rounded out the top five, respectively). Excuse us while we go shout it from the rooftops. To determine the rankings, Time Out reached out to its global team of local expert editors and contributors, who each made a case for the coolest street in their city. The selection was then narrowed down to create a definitive list of the best avenues, thoroughfares, backstreets and boulevards on the planet. Every street to make the cut represents a destination with exciting new ventures in food, drink, nightlife and culture, aka the coolest spots you’ll want to hang out this year. So what makes High Street so damn cool? This is a strip that has cemented its gold medal status thanks to an abundance of offerings that appeal to both locals and visitors alike. Craving the best lasagne of your life? You need 1800 Lasagne on speed dial. Keen to take in sweeping views of suburbia at sunset with a Spritz in hand? Head to Gigi Rooftop, a teeny spot accessible only via an espresso bar.

Need more proof that Melbourne is one of the best cities for culture right now? The public artworks set to adorn the new stations that make up the Metro Tunnel have been unveiled, and they’re pretty darn spectacular. The permanent works have been created by some of Australia’s leading artists, who were chosen by an expert panel comprising key figures from Victoria’s creative industries. The line-up of artists includes Abdul Abdullah (Arden Station), Patricia Piccinini (Parkville Station), Danie Mellor (State Library Station) and Raafat Ishak (Anzac Station).  The large-scale creations range from two giant aluminium hands reaching out for one another, to eight-metre-high etched glass panels starring historical photographic portraits of Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung women. Other designs include a colourful abstract piece that celebrates the cultural landmarks of the St Kilda Road precinct, and a ceramic tile installation that will (hopefully) provide a moment of calm during your hectic commute.   Render: Department of Transport   Each of the artists collaborated with the architects to ensure their works would complement the design of the individual stations. That means the particular location of the pieces will vary – some appearing above ground at the entrance, others found down below on the platforms. Celebrated Victorian First Nations artist Maree Clarke will also have her vast floor mosaics featured in all of the new stations. ‘Tracks’ is a collection of 35 footprints of native

Deep breaths, everyone – today is the day Blondie officially kicks off the Aussie leg of her Eras Tour, and if you're anything like us, this week has been a blur of making friendship bracelets, memorising the setlist and lining up for official merch. But, it's also time to fine-tune all the important details – like planning your route to the MCG, and figuring out exactly where your seats are. So pop on your heart-shaped sunnies, add a coat of red lippie and grab your bag (with a maximum of two compartments, and smaller than A4 size), here's everything you need to know if you’re headed to see Swift at the MCG. What’s the Taylor Swift MCG seating plan?  The MCG has issued a colour-coded map illustrating the seating plan for Swift's three concerts. There are seven key areas across the arena floor and stadium seating bays. It will remain the same for all shows.  A Reserve – Red B Reserve – Pink C Reserve – Orange D Reserve – Blue E Reserve – Purple F Reserve – Green G Reserve – Yellow Every single seat at the Melbourne nights of the Eras Tour is assigned, so there's no need to line up early to score a front-row spot (anyone having flashbacks to last year's Harry Styles concerts can breathe a huge sigh of relief). What’s the MCG's capacity?  The MCG is enormous, with capacity for 100,000 people. It's expected that 260,000 Swifties will pour through the gates over the three dates– that's an average of 86,000 a night. The current record holder for the biggest concert crowd at the '

In another blow to Australia's music festival scene, it's just been announced that Groovin' the Moo (GTM) has been cancelled for 2024 – only two weeks on from the initial line-up reveal. The festival was due to kick off in Adelaide in April, followed by massive shows in Canberra, Bendigo, Newcastle, Sunshine Coast and Bunbury. Headliners originally slated to perform included Sporty Spice herself, Mel C, as well as indie rockers The Kooks, electronic producer Mura Masa and GZA from Wu Tang. On the local front, DMAs, Hot Dub Time Machine, The Jungle Giants, Mallrat and San Cisco were also set to appear. Organisers have singled out poor ticket sales as the major deciding factor in cancelling the festival, which haven't been strong enough to support the costs associated with running the nationally touring event. "We are extremely disappointed to announce that the Groovin' the Moo 2024 tour has been forced to cancel," said the GTM team. "Ticket sales have not been sufficient to deliver a regional festival of this kind. All tickets will be refunded automatically. "Thank you to everybody who has supported the festival. We hope to be able to bring Groovin' the Moo back to regional communities in the future." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Groovin the Moo (@groovinthemoo) The beloved musical extravaganza first began in regional New South Wales in 2005, and quickly established itself as a hugely popular event on the local festival circuit. It ran annuall

Missed out on Taylor Swift tickets back in June? Haven't got your hands on any official merch yet? Never fear, because our queen has just announced that she's dropping a fresh batch of extra tickets for her Melbourne shows. Yes, our wildest dreams have come true – and just in the nick of time. The new tickets will be released today (Tuesday, February 13). The Melbourne shows initially sold out within hours – it was estimated four million fans jumped online with hopes of getting up close and personal with the sequin-studded sensation. But now Melbourne Swifties are getting one last chance to experience Tay Tay's magic in person. The tickets will be made available via Ticketek at 2pm AEDT until the allocation is exhausted, with prices starting at a glittering $65.90 (full disclosure: some of these tickets are for seats with restricted views). All three of Swift's shows will be held at the iconic MCG, and it's expected that she will break the MCG’s record for the most tickets sold by one artist at the venue. So make sure to clear your meetings and set an alarm – these extra tickets aren't going to last long. RECOMMENDED: How to buy official Taylor Swift merch ahead of the Eras Tour Taking public transport to the concert? Here's everything you need to know Plus, your guide to all the Swift-themed events happening in Melbourne

Hands up if you’ve ever lost hours scrolling through Airbnb’s Insta feed, daydreaming about all the incredible properties you’d like to stay at. Us too. Well, among the feed of cosy snow-capped chalets, luxe waterfront mansions and jungle hideaways, a little Aussie accommodation has made its mark.  Airbnb has released a list of homes that accumulated the most likes on its Instagram page in 2023, and an uber chic, minimalist refuge in South Gippsland was the only Australian property to rank in the top ten. How good is that?! The private residence (named Jacky Winter Waters) is located in Walkerville North, and is hidden among limestone cliffs with jaw-dropping coastal views across Waratah Bay and Wilsons Prom. With room for just one to two people (and a pooch – it’s dog friendly!) and private access to the beach, it’s the ideal oasis to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. It was designed by Imogen Pullar Architecture, and the brief was to create a space that left very minimal impact on the natural surroundings. In challenging conditions (steep terrain, site erosion and no supply to town water or sewerage) it was a big ask – but the house now boasts low toxicity materials, complete insulation, a heat recovery ventilation system that provides fresh filtered air to the building and a total timber construction. Not to mention a huge outdoor deck for relaxing, reading and wistfully staring off into the distance. Essentially, it’s the self-sufficient hideaway of your dreams.

Ask any Melburnian what makes this fair city of ours so great, and you’ll receive a looong list of valid reasons: a renowned dining scene, rich and diverse cultural offerings, a showstopping schedule of major events and (arguably) the best coffee in the world. But hey, we’re biased – so what does everyone else think? Well, thanks to Time Out’s annual survey, we have an answer. According to ​​thousands of city-dwellers from around the world, and a global network of editors and experts, Melbourne has landed at number 20 on the list of the best cities for 2024. Top 20, baby – we’ll take it! Especially considering Sydney (the only other Aussie representative) only scraped in with a ranking of 31.  The 2024 list was curated with help from research company Potentia Insight, and city-dwellers were asked about everything from the quality and affordability of food, culture and nightlife to how happy their city makes them feel and how easy it is to make social connections. The responses provided a really valuable snapshot of city life, and what makes a destination such a great place to live or visit. So, which city beat out Melbourne for the coveted crown? None other than New York City. And look, we get it – it’s pretty hard to top the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. Rounding out the rest of the top five were Cape Town, Berlin, London and Madrid.  But back to Melbourne; according to the data, a whopping 97 per cent of locals would describe the city as beautiful – who says we need a

Is there anything worse than settling in on the sand for a beach day and hearing someone else's terrible playlist blasting out from a nearby speaker? Ok, so maybe we're being a tad dramatic but it's still not an ideal situation. And apparently, we're not alone: according to Spotify, 78 per cent of Australians think playing “loud or offensive music” at the beach should be banned, with 57 per cent of us thinking fines or penalties should be applied to annoyingly noisy beachgoers. The concept of imposing a fine for playing music too loudly at the beach isn’t new, with countries across Europe introducing beachside etiquette rules, and some (such as Portugal) introducing fines of up to €36,000. Portugal’s approach might be a little draconian, but it looks like Aussies aren’t opposed to a degree of regulation around the soundtrack to our days on the sand. Spotify’s recent survey found that, on average, 62 per cent of Aussies are happy with other beachgoers playing their tunes as long as their playlist is kept at a reasonable volume. Here in Victoria, half of us don't even play music on the beach – but when we do, 42 per cent are considerate of the surroundings. However, when the volume goes up (or “offensive” songs are added to the mix), 78 per cent of Victorians are in support of a ban or fine.  So, when we do decide to whip out the UE Boom, what's on the playlist? The top ten summer beach songs in Victoria include 'Brazil' by Declan McKenna, 'Cruel Summer' by Taylor Swift, 'Lost'

It's officially that time of year when your Christmas and New Year break starts to feel like a distant memory and you realise you don't have a single holiday to look forward to (*screams internally*). Well, here's your chance to change that. Scoot – the low-cost little sister of Singapore Airlines (SIA) – is here to help, slinging reduced-rate flights across its network from today (Tuesday, January 16) until Monday, January 22. With flights starting at $190 to more than 55 destinations, Melburnians can line up a trip to Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, China, India, the Philippines, South Korea and Vietnam for a fraction of the price of a typical journey. So if you’ve been saving up, you can dedicate some of that holiday budget to to a shopping spree or cocktail by the pool. Scoot’s top routes in its January sale include Osaka (with one-way flights starting from $345), Ho Chi Minh City (from $225) and Bangkok (from $215). If you're craving a Bali break you can travel to Denpasar or nearby Lombok for as little as $225, and if it's a Euro trip you've got your heart set on, you could hop over to Singapore for $190 and fly forth from there (perhaps with a brief stopover for a night or two in a sky-high hotel – not an unreasonable option with your extra spending money). The sale is discounting more than 150,000 seats, and with airfares inclusive of 10kg of luggage, you won’t need to worry about coughing up for carrying extra. You can learn more and snap up your thr

The moment we’ve all been waiting for is here: Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium has officially unveiled its brand new $9 million exhibition, Night on the Reef. The Oceanarium originally closed in early 2023, with works commencing to completely upgrade the space and transform it into a breathtaking ocean floor landscape. After a dry period that lasted nine months, a remarkable 34 tonnes of sand, 2.2 million litres of water and 74 tonnes of premium salt were carefully used to fill the marine environment and create a magical slice of coral reef in the heart of Melbourne. Night on the Reef takes you on a journey into the glowing world of bioluminescence under the water’s surface. With 360-degree views, you’ll be able to get up close with all the creatures who call this world-class exhibition home – including sea turtles, tropical fish, ocellated eagle rays, reef sharks and giant guitarfish.  Photograph: Alex Frank The habitat will also be alive with corals of all colours, shapes and sizes that mirror what thrives in reefs across the world, and there’s even a bioluminescence beach complete with digital projections you can walk along.  Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is committed to delivering a groundbreaking experience that entertains visitors, educates on conservation and sustainability, and fosters appreciation for the world’s oceans. Night on the Reef is an important element in raising awareness about preserving our oceans and the marine life within them. Night on the Reef is now ope

There's no denying the property market is pretty insane right now – have you seen how expensive it is to rent in Melbourne right now? But if you're lucky enough to be in a position to buy, we've got some info you may find useful. Victoria is home to 20 of the nation’s 'Hot 100 suburbs to watch in 2024’, as deemed by Australia’s leading property experts at realestate.com. What locations are on the list, we hear you ask? It's a mixed bag of inner-city hubs, growing outer-suburban areas and regional hot spots, like Altona Meadows, Ferntree Gully, Mickleham, Watsonia and Rippleside (yeah, we had to look that one up). Buyers agents, researchers, investors, agency leads and academics nominated suburbs across every state that they identified as having the best economic and local growth prospects in 2024 and beyond. These were based on several factors, including affordability, location, population growth, family appeal, amenities, investment prospects and infrastructure.  “Family friendly suburbs dominate, especially those with excellent access to schools, parks, and shopping precincts,” said PropTrack economist, Anne Flaherty. “Most of these suburbs also boast excellent transport infrastructure, whether that be access to road networks or public transport such as trains or buses.” While the median house price in featured suburbs like Burwood and Cheltenham tops $1 million, you can still live in hot regional areas like Churchill, Delacombe and Ballarat East for under $525,000. A bran