Adena Maier

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

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 2 to 9 with the theme 'For Our Elders'. Across every generation, Elders have played a significant role and hold a prominent place in communities and families. They are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors and leaders. Now's the time to pay respects to the Elders that have been lost, draw strength from their experiences and support those who continue fighting across the nation RECOMMENDED: First Nations organisations and social justice campaigns you can support. An introduction to Boon Wurrung language from Aunty Fay Stewart-Muir.

There’s no shame in being hopeless in the kitchen, but if you’re tired of falling back on the few things you can cook without burning the house down, maybe a Melbourne cooking class is in order. We've rounded up some of our favourite classes in Melbourne where you can learn to make Spanish paella, Tamil curries, Korean banquets and so much more.  Classes range from those led by professional chefs to those run by great home cooks who can share a thing or two about creating delicious dishes for the dinner table. Want more ways to get hands-on? Check out Melbourne's best pottery classes, or DIY some fromage at Melbourne's best cheese-making classes. 

Nobody can deny the allure of a thick, green forest. Here in Victoria, we’re surrounded by them, whether it’s the drier inland bush like at the Grampians or the beachside heath of Wilsons Promontory. But did you know you can find Californian redwood forests right here in Victoria. There are three distinct redwood species: dawn redwood, giant sequoia and coast redwood. And while all three are breathtaking to behold, there are a few reasons why Californian (or coast) redwoods are extra special. They're distinguished by their extreme height (they can reach up to 115 metres tall), forests of them can store up to three times as much carbon as any other type of forest and the oldest coast redwood is around 2,200 years old, making them the dinosaur of trees.   So how on Earth did they end up way over in Australia? And where can you find them? Here's everything you need to know about the Californian redwoods in Victoria. RECOMMENDED: Go hunting for more nature with our guide to Victoria's best waterfalls.  Discover the most amazing natural wonders to visit near Melbourne.

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.

If you've ever Googled 'the best hotels in Melbourne', you've probably been overwhelmed by the sheer volume of suggestions; doesn't everyone consider themselves to be the best? As a popular tourist destination with plenty of things to do, it only makes sense that our city is home to hundreds of hotels encompassing heaps of different styles, costs, and amenities.  After a luxury hotel bursting with five-star amenities, a stylish budget hotel or a quirky boutique hotel? We've done all the hard work for you, so sit back, relax, and pick one of these best hotels in Melbourne to visit. It'll be a hard choice.  Looking to get out of the city and hit the great outdoors? Here are our favourite glamping sites in Victoria. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Coming to Melbourne for the first time? Welcome to Australia's cultural capital (sorry, Sydney)! But where should you stay? What should you pack? How should you spend your time and money? There's a lot to see and do in our city — and there's a lot that you can probably give a miss. To help you sort the wheat from the chaff, here are 20 tips every first-time visitor to Melbourne needs to know for a successful trip. Looking for more tips on what to do? Consult our guide to 101 things everyone should do in Melbourne at least once and make sure at least one of our city's best restaurants makes its way onto your itinerary.

School's out, so if you don't want bored kids on your hands, it's time to start planning. We've put together a list of the best family friendly things to do right now, catering to a range of price points and ages. There are even a few that you can do from the living room, too.  Need the kids to burn some energy? Here are the best playgrounds in Melbourne. Looking for more things to do? Here’s what’s happening across Melbourne this week. 

While it doesn't get quite cold enough to go skating on the Yarra, Melbourne still has a number of ice skating centres across the city. Perfect for embracing winter (or denying summer) these ice skating venues allow you to hire skates and hop on the ice for a graceful – or not so grateful – skating experience for all ages and skill levels. For more fun during the colder months, check out our ultimate guide to winter in Melbourne. Keen to hit the slopes? This is our comprehensive guide to Victoria's snow season. RECOMMENDED: 101 things to do in Melbourne before you die.

It can be tempting to skip eating before a show, but that's a rookie error. There’s nothing quite as embarrassing as your stomach growling during a particularly silent scene, or being too hungry to appreciate your favourite band. And there’s nothing unusual about wanting to take the edge off your day before the show goes on. Save yourself the pain of having to buy plastic cups of beer or survive on box office peanuts: hit up one of these restaurants or bars before your next show. Spent all your money on the show? Here are some of Melbourne's best cheap eats. 

We’ll just come out and say it, Melbourne’s queer scene is one of the most thriving in the country. Sure, Sydney has that hallowed reputation from the legacies of Oxford Street and the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. But Melbourne, the alternative sister, has gone on and grown a winning personality – and we can prove it, having been named the fourth most LGBTQIA+-friendly city in the world. Northside is arguably the queer social epicentre, but all throughout the city you’ll find welcoming enclaves.  With the bulk of Australia’s queer festivities taking place at the start of the year during our summer season, World Pride Month in June is often overshadowed Down Under – and the weather is not very conducive to booty shorts, chaps and mesh singlets. However, in spite of this, and everything else going on in the world, Melbourne’s community is determined to fly the rainbow flag and promote unity.  Scroll for our top picks of Pride events and places to have a queer boogie this Pride Month. Did you know that Melbourne is home to the first purpose-built centre for Australia's LGBTIQ+ communities? Read about the Victorian Pride Centre here.

Whether you have niggling muscle pain or you're simply keen on a bit of pampering, a massage session is sure to do the trick. There are heaps of styles to choose from, ranging from traditional Japanese shiatsu treatments designed to relieve blockages of energy in your body, to hot stone massages that alleviate soreness and induce relaxation. Some spots even offer remedial massage for treating injuries, and massages for expectant mothers to help reduce the pains in their back, stomach and abdomen from carrying a baby.  We've rounded up our top picks for dreamy Melbourne massages below, so have a scroll and see which treatment is best suited for you.  Need a more thorough scrubbing down? Head into one of Melbourne's best spas and bathhouses. Want a relaxing soak? These are Melbourne's best hot springs.

Celebrate all the best things about winter – like moody skies, crisp nights, hearty feasts, the warmth of an open fire and a good glass of vino – at Fireside Yarra Valley. From July 8 to 23, embrace the colder conditions with a jam-packed roster of events, including over 30 culinary experiences, all-star collaborations, special winter-themed menus and much more. Also returning for its second year is the Fireside Winter Twilight Market. Happening on July 8 from 4-8pm, it will focus exclusively on local food and drinks, and take inspiration from Europe's famous Christmas markets. Held at the historic Yarra Valley Railway in Healesville, tickets cost $45 (or $55 on the night) and include a branded Bettercup to take home, wine tastings and a glass of wine, beer or cider.  This year, participating wineries include TarraWarra Estate, St Hubert's Winery, Rob Dolan Wines and Helen's Hill Vineyard, among many others. Visit some of your favourite Yarra Valley cellar doors, or take this opportunity to find new wineries to fall in love with.  Head to the website for more information and to purchase tickets. On the hunt for winter adventures? Check out our guide to the best cold-weather getaways from Melbourne. Want to get lit? Here's where to see winter lights in regional Victoria.

Round up your partners in wine and cheers to the grape times because Grapevine Gathering is returning to the picturesque Rochford Wines on October 7. Sip on some of the finest wine from the Yarra Valley region while enjoying a line-up that's chock-full of homegrown and international talents. This festival is brought to you by the team behind beloved music events like Pitch Music and Arts, Beyond the Valley and For the Love, and as you would expect, it has rounded up an insane roster of performers. This year, boogie to the likes of Spacey Jane, Hayden James, the Wombats, King Stingray, Cannons, the Rions, Teenage Joans, Bella Amor and Aussie pop legend herself, Vanessa Amorosi. The festival has also recruited podcasters, fashion designers and winemakers Lucy and Nikki (from the Spotify Exclusive Happy Hour podcast) to host and lead the crowd in various other shenanigans.  The chardonnay, shiraz, merlot, beers and ciders will be flowing, so to help line your stomach there will also be woodfired pizzas, gourmet burgers and smoked treats on offer. Presale registration is now open, with tickets going on sale at 6pm on Wednesday, June 21. Any remaining tickets will be released to the general public at 6pm on Thursday, June 22. Need to get your live music fix? These are the best gigs to see this month. Feeling the pinch? Here are our cheap hacks for Melbourne's winter culture.

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 June 26.  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 130 performances of 30 different shows by local magicians and international stars.  This year, the headline international act is Mario Lopez – an award-winning sleight-of-hand master who makes everything he touches look like real magic. Other highlights include the Quizzical Mr Jeff (a fun family show that blends circus with magic), Unusual Objects (an intimate show of objects disappearing, appearing and transfiguring) 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.

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 special anniversary show, 100 Years of Wonder. See your favourite characters from films like Moana, Frozen, Coco, 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, following Captain Hook's treasure map for clues to find Tinker Bell. It's an action-packed expedition that traverses raging seas, snow-covered mountains and a bridge made of marigolds. You'll also travel to the wintry world of Arendelle and sing along with Elsa, help Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Jessie recruit the Green Army Men for a daring rescue in Andy’s room, and set sail with Moana to bravely encounter the fiery wrath of Te Ka. 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 Adelaide, Wollongong, Brisbane, Newcastle and Sydney, as well as Melbourne where they'll perform at Rod Laver Arena from June 28 to July 2. 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.

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 8 and 9.  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, jive dancers, choral singers and jazz musicians will take over the main stage.  Ticketed talks and masterclasses will also run over the two days, including sessions on French fragrances, techniques on how to become a mime (in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Marcel Marceau) and walking tours of local French icons. If you can't make it in person, you can still tune into some Bastille Day-themed online events, like a virtual French trivia night and live cross to a French chateau. 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 program information, visit the Bastille Day French Festival website. Craving French food?

LATEST UPDATE: Anyone who’s tried to snag tickets to this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup games will know they’ve sold faster than Sam Kerr can run – so you’ll be pleased to hear that FIFA is about to release more tickets to all 64 of the matches that are being held in Sydney, other states of Australia and even NZ from July 20 to August 20, 2023.   They’ll become available on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at noon (AEST). “Many matches in both host countries have experienced significant interest and sales demand,” says Sarai Bareman, FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer. “So we trust that this latest supply of tickets will enable some truly passionate fans to secure seats at matches that they may have missed out on so far.” Set your alarm for 12pm Tuesday and head over to FIFA.com/tickets to get your hands on some.  ***** From July 20 to August 20, the FIFA Women's World Cup will be taking over stadiums across Australia as well as our neighbours across the pond in New Zealand. Auckland will host the opening match at Eden Park, Sydney will host the final at Sydney Football Stadium. The cities and stadiums hosting this year's World Cup are Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide, Eden Park in Auckland, Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane, Dunedin Stadium in Dunedin, Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, AAMI Park in Melbourne, Perth Rectangular Stadium in Perth, Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney and Wellington Stadium in Wellington. On the Matildas website, Football Australia president Chris Nikou is quoted as sayi

Ladies and gentlemen, we're here to report that Elvis will officially be in the building when Elvis: A Musical Revolution takes over Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre from September 30. Brought to you by the team behind the saucy Cruel Intentions: the '90s Musical (awarded five stars by our critics), Elvis is set to feature dazzling choreography, incredible costumes and plentiful sing-along songs.  The man needs no introduction, but in case you need a quick reminder of what Presley and his legacy have achieved, here's a synopsis: Presley has sold more than one billion records, has been inducted into five Halls of Fame and holds the record for most hits in the Top 40. More than 60 years after his global debut, his legacy is stronger than ever, with a recent biopic by Baz Luhrmann proving a smash hit at the box office. The production will be led by award-winning producer David Venn and produced in partnership with Authentic Brands Group, which owns Elvis Presley Enterprises. So, who's the stud set to portray the king of Rock 'n' Roll himself? That remains to be seen, but we will be sure to update you as soon as the announcement has been made. The music catalogue includes bops like 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Hound Dog', 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'Blue Suede Shoes' and 'Can't Help Falling in Love', among other hits from Presley's legendary discography.  Feeling all shook up from this news? Grab your tickets now via Ticketmaster to ensure you score the best seats in the house.   After more must-see

Looking for a nearby winter getaway? Or need plans to keep your kids occupied over the school holidays? Eynesbury Homestead has got you covered with a two-week winter festival that's guaranteed to be snow much fun (see what we did there?!).  Entry to the festival won't cost you an icicle (aka it's free), and once you're on the property, you'll have an abundance of activities to choose from. Hit the ice-skating rink while listening to pumping tunes by a local DJ, test your general knowledge at the trivia night, shop up a storm at the market stalls and enjoy a mean feed from a variety of food trucks and stalls.  And you won't want to miss the Winter Solstice on July 1, which will feature a bonfire, African drumming, fire performers, glow walkers and fireworks. Other program highlights include cookie decorating classes, pony rides, reptile encounters, magic shows, circus performances and roaming Disney characters.  The festival will run until July 9, so check the website for more information and start planning your trip out west.  After more cold-weather activities? Check out our guide on Melbourne's best winter festivals and events. 

Mark your calendars and grab your warmest winter woolies, Melburnians: the Queen Vic Market's beloved Winter Night Market is back. From June 7 to August 30 you can spend cosy Wednesday evenings enjoying live entertainement, huddling around open fires and feasting on goodies from a selection of global street food stalls, carts, trucks and festival bars. This year, more than 35 traders will light up the open-air market sheds across a bumper 12-week season. Highlights include piping hot soup served in a bread roll by the Soup Factory, souvas by the Cypriot Kitchen, camembert croquettes by Frencheese, charred corn on the cob by the Happy Mexican, Portuguese tarts by Casa Nata and chocolate fondue with fresh fruit by Only Mine. When you get thirsty, warm up with sips of warm butter beer, mulled wine and gibnger beer. Antagonist Spirits will once again be serving up its spiked Milo cocktail, while resident brewers Brick Lane will be pouring its amber nectars. As always, you can expect roving performers, tarot reading, the famous silent disco and a rotating line-up of homegrown talent playing live music on the market's main stage. After sipping and snacking, be sure to explore the dozens of stalls selling locally sourced and handmade products including jewellery, art, skincare, books and homewares.  Looking for more things to do? Check out our round-up of the best things happening in Melbourne this week. Plus, these are Melbourne's best winter festivals.

Fun (kinda) fact: to get into the Legoland Discovery Centre in Chadstone, adults need to be accompanied by a child. But what if you don't have a kid, and just want to play with Lego without a gaggle of sticky littlies running amok? Thankfully, Legoland has heard our pleas and announced an adults-only night on May 26, no kids allowed.  This time around, it's space-themed – yes, we're talking all things celestial, cosmic and extraterrestrial. There will be a special Star Wars-themed silent auction, where you'll have the chance to use the force to outbid your rivals and score some out-of-this-world prizes. And if you come dressed up in your best space outfit, you could even be in with a chance to win a new Tales of the Space Age Lego set.   Wander through the vast playground and take a spin on rides or buckle in for a 4D movie. It's set to be a brick-tastic night, but places are limited so grab your tickets before they sell out.  Can't make it to Chadstone? Pick up a fun set from Melbourne's newest Lego store instead.

Alicia Millan founded her Fitzroy-based independent jewellery brand Aletheia and Phos in 2014 to craft sustainable fine jewellery. If you're a big fan of checking your horoscope, many of the pieces are based on constellations and zodiac signs. You'll find simple constellation stud earrings and pendant necklaces stamped with zodiac symbols. If astrology isn't really your thing, there are also hand-made friendship bracelets with metallic anatomically correct hearts and rings set with opals, topaz and moonstones. 

While growing up in New Zealand, Julian Polglase was surrounded by a family of doers who taught him that if you can think it, you can do it. He came to live by this creed, and in 2015, he began honing his jewellery-making craft from his Melbourne studio. Polglase's style came to be characterised by raw, rustic and earthy designs that play with natural reactions like oxidization and showcase the qualities of the metals he's working with. Most importantly, everything is hand-crafted using sustainably sourced materials — in a world of fast fashion and mass-produced baubles, it's easy to lose sight of the value of a high-quality piece that can be treasured for a lifetime. With the help of his partner Alejandra Barrantes, Polglase launched Blackstone Bespoke in 2020. The range features rings, pendant necklaces, cuff bracelets and chain bracelets, with choker necklaces and earrings joining the collection by mid-2023. Perfect for gifting (or for treating yourself!), the collection includes a mix of everyday jewellery and pieces strong enough to work as statement jewellery for holidays and nights out. Think silver pendants reminiscent of wax seals and etched with rustic details, oxidised metal made to look like striking pieces of onyx and rings for every finger.  Plans are currently underway to craft a premium range featuring gold and precious stones like diamonds, sapphires and emeralds. Best of all, many of the pieces in this collection will be one-of-a-kind. And if you can't wait

The House of Mouses's famous family-friendly cruises have been setting sail across the globe for decades now, and they're finally slated for a run in Australia.  The first season of Disney Magic at Sea (which sets sail this October) was so popular that Disney Cruise Line has now announced a new season of cruises departing Australia and New Zealand in 2024 and through to 2025. You'll be able to embark on two to seven-day cruises filled with Disney magic, and hang out with characters like Captain Mickey Mouse, Captain Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Pluto, as well as characters from the Star Wars and Marvel universes. As you'd expect with Disney, there will be plenty of entertainment, including musical performances and original theatrical shows. Of course, there will be plenty for small Disney fans, with the Disney Oceaneer Club taking small sailors on a Frozen-themed adventure. Kids can also play in a multi-level replica of Andy's room from Toy Story or learn to save the world at the Marvel Super Hero Academy. And while the kids are busy, adults can relax in the adults-only Quiet Cove pool, get pampered at the Senses Spa and Salon or enjoy fine dining (and adult conversation) at Palo restaurant.  The first of these magical cruises will set sail from Sydney Harbour on October 28, 2023. Bookings are now open for the 2024-25 season, which will visit ports in Noumea, Hobart and Eden. We recommend getting in quick, considering how far in advance the first season sold.  For more info or t

Does talking about Monopoly simultaneously elicit feelings of rage while also bringing back fond childhood memories? If so, you're not alone. The bestselling board game critiquing the follies of capitalism has been the main character at countless family game nights over the years – and we'd wager at least half of those sessions have ended with a table being flipped over in a fit of rage.  With the current state of Sydney's real estate market, playing a round of Monopoly is probably also the only chance most of us have at owning any property. But instead of dwelling on that, pack your bags and book your trip to Melbourne this spring because a $20 million, 1650-square-metre Monopoly-themed indoor park is opening in Melbourne Central in spring 2023.  It's only the second of its kind in the world, and it'll be twice the size of the original location that landed in Hong Kong back in 2019. After passing go at the entrance, visitors will get to explore two distinct areas: Monopoly City and Monopoly Mansion.  “The keys to Monopoly City and Mr. Monopoly’s Mansion are due for handover in September 2023," said Mark Connolly, general manager of Monopoly Dreams Melbourne. "We are excited to be able to officially give Aussies an opening day for the most anticipated attraction of 2023." Across the two zones, which are inspired by Melbourne and feature trams and street art, there will be a total of 15 attractions including a 4D theatre and a chance wheel. Punters can win Monopoly money that

Does talking about Monopoly simultaneously elicit feelings of rage while also bringing back fond childhood memories? If so, you're not alone. The bestselling board game critiquing the follies of capitalism has been the main character at countless family game nights over the years – and we'd wager at least half of those sessions have ended with a table being flipped over in a fit of rage.  With the current state of the real estate market, playing a round of Monopoly is probably also the only chance most of us have at owning any property. But instead of dwelling on that, focus on the good news: a $20-million dollar, 1650-square-metre Monopoly-themed indoor park is opening in Melbourne Central in September, 2023.  Photograph: Supplied It's only the second of its kind in the world, and it'll be twice the size of the original location that landed in Hong Kong back in 2019. After passing go at the entrance, visitors will get to explore two distinct areas: Monopoly City and Monopoly Mansion.  “The keys to Monopoly City and Mr. Monopoly’s Mansion are due for handover in September 2023," said Mark Connolly, general manager of Monopoly Dreams Melbourne. "We are excited to be able to officially give Aussies an opening day for the most anticipated attraction of 2023." Across the two zones, which are inspired by Melbourne and feature trams and street art, there will be a total of 15 attractions including a 4D theatre and a chance wheel. Punters can win Monopoly money that can then be sp

Sydney. If getting starstruck by celestial happenings is your thing, prepare to have your mind blown by the annual Lyrid meteor shower that’s coming at us in April 2023. In April every year, a torrent of blazing meteors whiz across the sky and burn in the atmosphere, creating otherworldly flashes of light. This annual shower will be visible across the world from April 16 to 25, 2023, and will be at its peak for Australian (and Sydney-residing) stargazers from April 22 to 23.  The Lyrids are one of the oldest recorded meteor showers in human history, with some historical Chinese texts mentioning their existence more than 2,500 years ago. The fireballs you see in this shower are created by debris from the Comet Thatcher, and at their most active, you’ll see up to 20 shooting stars per hour. But, even if you’re looking up outside of peak time, it’s highly likely you’ll see the occasional flash of light illuminating the sky.  Sadly for all us Southern Hemisphere dwellers, the Lyrid shower will not be as radiant and intense as it is for our Northern Hemisphere brethren. This being said, we’ll still get a pretty good look at it all (weather conditions dependent) after midnight on April 22, or a few hours before sunrise on April 23. You’ll get the best vantage point if you turn your feet towards the northern part of our sky, and look 45 degrees above the horizon. If you’re lost, this interactive map can tell you exactly where to look.  The best part about the Lyrids? You don’t need

Last year, we reported on how Melbourne Airport was crowned Australia's worst airport for delays and cancellations. We don't want to point any fingers at which airlines may be behind that unsavoury title, but we will say this: research conducted by S Money has found that Jetstar Airways is Australia's most hated airline. Not surprised? Neither are we.  Although Jetstar does offer some ridiculously good deals, lost and damaged luggage is a common theme for Jetstar customers, which is a bummer because who doesn't want to travel with their stuff intact?  So how was the research conducted? S Money unpacked thousands of Tweets that had tagged airline handles and analysed the volume of posts with negative and positive sentiment for each airline. The airlines with the most negative Tweet scores were determined to be the ‘Most Hated’, and vice versa. Because, of course, when travel turmoil arises, people turn to social media to grumble. Tweets tagging Jetstar were 67.5 per cent negative. Qantas better hold onto their tray tables, too, because the study results will also shake them up – their detours and cancellations have left a lot of people with some serious travel headaches, and a lot of people regard Qantas as greedy. They ended up with a 60 per cent negativity rating.  Virgin Australia came out as the third most common airline to peeve Aussies off (with a 50.7 per cent negativity score). But, considering Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin are the three most commonly flown airlines Down

In February, a bright green, two-tailed comet blazed through our skies; if you missed it, we're sorry to say you probably won't ever see it again (unless scientists perfect cryogenics) as it only comes around every 50,000 years. But don't be too sad: we come bearing news of another fascinating astronomical occurrence. From February 20 to March 10, Jupiter and Venus will appear close together in the sky in a phenomenon known as planetary conjunction. What exactly is a planetary conjunction? Well, it's a term for when two planets appear to meet in the same part of the sky. Jupiter and Venus are known as the brightest planets in our sky, and they've been slowly inching towards each other. For Australians, they are expected to appear closest together on Thursday, March 2. Afterwards, they'll begin to go their separate ways again.  It's not the rarest conjunction to spot in our night sky; Venus and Jupiter align with each other every 13 months or so. In comparison, Jupiter and Neptune had a conjunction in 2022 for the first time since 1856. Regardless, it's still a marvellous nighttime spectacle, and it should be visible to the naked eye, so find a primo stargazing spot and look up.   

Plant-based eating has been on the rise, with the Food Revolution Network reporting that plant-based dairy and meat sales are projected to soar from $29 billion in 2020 to $162 billion by 2030. While that's great news for inclusivity and access in grocery stores, it's also important for vegans to have access to plant-based meals when eating out. And lucky for vegan Melburnians, gone are the days of ordering hot chips and a sad salad consisting of just greens, red onion and tomato; in 2023, vegan eateries are practically a dime a dozen, and Happy Cow has ranked Melbourne as the fourth most vegan-friendly city in the world.  The results were based on criteria including the number of fully vegan restaurants within a ten-kilometre radius of the city centre; the number of fully vegan businesses including shops and bakeries; the density of vegan businesses per capita; and qualitative factors like how active the city's vegan community is. Based on that criteria, Melbourne came in fourth just below London, Berlin and New York City, and ranked ahead of Singapore, Los Angeles, Bangkok, Amsterdam, Warsaw and Barcelona. The news should come as no surprise to vegan and non-vegan Melburnians alike; you'd have to live under a rock to not be familiar with entirely or predominantly plant-based eateries like Parcs (Time Out's Best Innovation winner in the 2022 Food and Drink Awards), Smith and Daughters, Red Sparrow Pizza and Patsy's. In fact, Happy Cow reports that based on 2022 data, Melbour

If you haven't watched season two of The White Lotus yet then, one, what are you waiting for?! And two, there are spoilers ahead.  While season one still holds a very special place in our hearts, we have to admit that the breezy Italian setting of season two has swept us off our feet – and the luxe villa Tanya and Portia visit plays a large part in that. If you watched and imagined yourself partying in its glorious halls, then you're in luck: you can book a stay at the villa through Airbnb. Located in Palermo, the estate dates back to the 1500s and features stately neoclassical architecture, trompe-l'oeil frescoes, Murano chandeliers and gilt-framed paintings. It's surrounded by eight hectares of lush gardens complete with citrus groves, a greenhouse and a pond that several swans call home. There's also a furnished terrace, billiards room, music room, bar, TV, ample Wi-Fi and, of course, the infamous swimming pool. A full staff will also be at your service, ensuring you have everything you need to enjoy your holiday. Photograph: Stefano Corso When staying at a place this nice, we doubt you'll want to leave – but when you do, you'll be just seven minutes from the golden mosaics of the Cappella Palatina and ten minutes from the Palazzo dei Normanni and Cappuccini Catacombs. When you tire of your life of luxury, you can spend an arvo walking along Monreale's scenic port, checking out the historic cathedrals, visiting a nearby family-friendly waterpark or exploring the colourfu

In February, a bright green, two-tailed comet blazed through our skies; if you missed it, we're sorry to say you probably won't ever see it again (unless scientists perfect cryogenics) as it only comes around every 50,000 years. But don't be too sad: we come bearing news of another fascinating astronomical occurrence. From February 20 to March 10, Jupiter and Venus will appear close together in the sky in a phenomenon known as planetary conjunction. What exactly is a planetary conjunction? Well, it's a term for when two planets appear to meet in the same part of the sky. Jupiter and Venus are known as the brightest planets in our sky, and they've been slowly inching towards each other. For Australians, they are expected to appear closest together on Thursday, March 2. Afterwards, they'll begin to go their separate ways again.  It's not the rarest conjunction to spot in our night sky; Venus and Jupiter align with each other every 13 months or so. In comparison, Jupiter and Neptune had a conjunction in 2022 for the first time since 1856. Regardless, it's still a marvellous nighttime spectacle, and it should be visible to the naked eye, so find a primo stargazing spot and look up. And if you're after more astronomical phenomena, here are Victoria's best observatories and planetariums.  Say what? These are the most random Guinness World Records held by Melburnians. Cha-ching! These are the ten most expensive suburbs in Melbourne. ICYMI: Melbourne was ranked as one of the best cit

Did you know that the City of Melbourne has more than 135 kilometres of on and off-road routes in its cycling network, and more than 2,700 parking hoops located across the municipality? It's clear that cycling is a favourite pastime and mode of transport for Melburnians, and if you're a pedestrian or drive a car, you're likely to be sharing the road and pathways with at least a handful of cyclists at any given time. In recognition of our city's love of two wheels, CNN ranked Melbourne in fifth place on its list of the top ten bicycle cities in the world. We share the list with famed bike-friendly cities like Copenhagen in Denmark, where around 70 per cent of residents own a bike and 45 per cent of commutes are by bike, and Antwerp in Belgium, which came in third place on the latest Global Bicycle Cities Index. Other cities on the list include Bern in Switzerland, Leipzig in Germany, Montreal in Canada, San Francisco in the USA, Strasbourg in France, Tel Aviv in Israel and Utrecht in the Netherlands.  If you're a two-wheel fanatic, you're probably already familiar with the cycling routes that make our city so special, but for those who aren't, here are some wheely great spots in our city to explore by bike. CNN highlights the Capital City Trail, a 29-kilometre path that circles the inner city and passes through some eastern and northern suburbs. If you want to bike by water, the Maribyrnong River Trail is good for beginners and will also take you past landmarks like the Flemin

You can book a stay at the Italian villa from The White Lotus and the quirky holiday house from The Castle, and now you can add the lavish Parisian opera house from The Phantom of the Opera to that list. To celebrate the global success of the film, which recently completed its residency at the Arts Centre here in Melbourne (a performance we gave four stars), Airbnb is opening up a booking lottery to stay at the majestic Palais Garnier. Photograph: Thibaut Chapotot The Box of Honour, an exclusive private viewing area within the opera house, is being transformed into a bedroom fit for two guests. It's a box that is usually reserved for visiting dignitaries, so it's pretty special to get to step inside, let alone have a snooze there.  Photograph: Thibaut Chapotot Your overnight stay will also comprise a tour of hidden areas in the Palais that are rarely seen by the public, including the Opera's private archives and the famous underground lake featured in the novel and play. Opera de Paris Ballet dancers will offer you a private ballet initiation, and the Paris Opera Academy will perform an exclusive recital complete with Champagne and hors d'oeuvres. When dinnertime comes round, you'll get to eat in the lavish Foyer de la Danse, a private rehearsal room behind the stage that's used for warming up before a show. Last but certainly not least, you'll get a rooftop tour of the building and enjoy picturesque views across Paris.  The stay is hosted by Véronique Leroux, the great-

So we've told you which suburbs are the most affordable, but what about the ones that are a bit exxy (unless you're on Real Housewives of Melbourne)? Whether you're hoping to one day be in the tax bracket where these homes are within reach, or you just enjoy doing a bit of real estate sticky-beaking, this list will give you some insight into how Melbourne's one per cent live.  According to data compiled by Metropole Property Strategists, these are the ten most expensive suburbs to buy a home in Melbourne. And if you want to pretend to be rich after reading this list, peruse our guide to the best oyster happy hours in Melbourne and how to make the most of $50 in a day in Melbourne. 1. Toorak Big surprise, right? Toorak has long been one of Melbourne's most affluent suburbs, with wealthy entrepreneurs and athletes calling it home. According to Real Estate, some of its residents include the co-owner of Chadstone – the Fashion Capital and former Essendon Football Club chairman (and owner of Port Phillip Ferries) Paul Little. Oh, and if you're a RHOM fan, Janet Roach and her partner (Chemist Warehouse boss Sam Grace) purchased a $40-million-dollar home here, too. So, how much does a house in Toorak go for these days? The median price is a cool $5.19 million.  2. East Melbourne Next up, we've got this 'burb that's just two kilometres from the CBD. Compared to Toorak, which is chock-full of modern luxury mansions, East Melbourne is known for its historical apartments and terraces. I