Leah Glynn

We sadly don't get to experience a picture-perfect white Christmas like our friends in the Northern Hemisphere, so for the past few years the DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne has turned some of its rooms into a cosy winter wonderland. And it's been so popular that the boutique CBD hotel has decided to do it all over again in 2023. The King Federation View Loft Room has had a Christmassy makeover, and is now lovingly dubbed 'Candy Cane Lane'. Visitors can expect to be completely immersed in the festive spirit, with the room decked out with stockings, candy canes, baubles and a resplendent tree. It was created in collaboration with Ugg Express, so you'll also score an exclusive key chain and a 15 per cent discount code to put towards your very own pair of plush slippers. Settle in with a hot chocolate and one of DoubleTree's signature gooey chocolate chip cookies and watch as the sun sets over Flinders Street Station, the Yarra River and the MCG. And if you've been bursting to let Santa know what you want for Christmas, during your stay you can write a letter to the man in red and pop it into the provided miniature Australia Post mailbox.  The package, which starts at $496 per night, is available for bookings between November 24 and December 27. Your stay also includes complimentary parking and a buffet breakfast for two. For more information and to book, visit the DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne website.  Looking for more ways to be festive in the city? Check out our guide to cel

Despite complaints about the fickle weather, Melbourne does deliver when it comes to its pools. So the next time it hits 25 degrees, hit up one of these urban oases and drag your towel to a spare bit of premium pool real estate to soak up some rays. Alternatively, see if you've got the guts to become one of the Iceburgers at Brighton Baths, and swim your heart out come rain, hail or shine. Prefer sand in your toes? Head to one of the best beaches in Melbourne. Alternatively, check out the best places to swim in Melbourne.

The festive spirit is in the air and Melbourne is full to the brim with a merry line-up of fun and exciting Christmas events, including opportunities to take photos with Santa himself. It's a great chance to update your family photo, so to help you out we've compiled a comprehensive list of places in Melbourne where the man of the hour will be ready for his close-up.  Have a scroll and get planning – but remember, bookings are essential at a lot of these places, so don't delay or you'll miss out. Need help with the rest of your Christmas checklist? Don't forget to pick up your tree, hit up the Christmas markets and check out the city's best festive light displays.

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

Space: the final frontier. While we can't all be Jeff Bezos-ing up to space on a joyride, we can still admire the majesty of the universe from afar. Sure, you could just head outside anywhere after dark and look up. But if you're ready to take stargazing to the next level, these Melbourne locations and organisations can help you get the most out of your astronomical endeavours. And for something truly spectacular, consult our guide on where to see the Aurora Australis in Melbourne. Feeling peckish after a long stargazing session? Track down our favourite late-night eats or warm up at one of these late-night bars. 

Christmas is over, New Year's Eve is approaching, and you've just realised that you've got heaps of time to fill in between. These couple of days can be a little awkward; some places have shut up shop for summer, and others have new holiday hours. But never fear, because we've compiled a list of the best things to do between December 25-31. It's been a helluva year, so enjoy your time off! No plans to ring in 2024 yet? We've rounded up the best events happening on New Year's Eve, and the best spots to catch the New Year's Eve fireworks.

If you’re one of the many who doesn't hang your holly and participate in the December holiday – or you're just looking for something to do after you open your presents – there are still plenty of activities to enjoy in Melbourne on December 25. And the fun doesn't end on Christmas Day, either – find out what to do on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Looking for a festive feast? Check out the restaurants and cafés open on Christmas Day.

While public sentiment toward the Melbourne Cup has certainly shifted in past years, one thing remains true in 2023: we still get a public holiday for a horse race. Whether you want to watch the race that stops the nation at home or you're firmly nup to the Cup, here are some things to do with your precious day off. Just want to chill out? Here are our favourite parks in Melbourne to enjoy the gorgeous weather.

Summer holidays are the time for family, friends, feasting and forgetting to buy presents until the last minute. Lucky for you, Melbourne has a number of festive-themed markets happening in December, giving you ample opportunity to grab gifts that will make your loved ones smile. Once you're sorted, don't forget to make the rounds and check out our city's Christmas light displays and get festive with our guide to celebrating Christmas in Melbourne. Still stuck? We've rounded up some foolproof gift ideas here. Forgot the tree? Here's where you can buy a real Christmas tree in Melbourne.

Across the city, Melbourne's Christmas lights get bigger and better every year. After you've finished putting up your own tree and decorations, it's time to hit the town in search of our best displays. There are plenty of locations throughout the CBD that will make you stop and gawk with wide-eyed wonder at the giant Christmas trees and glittering lights. But it’s not just the city that get bedazzled at this time of year. We’ve scoped out the suburbs where the residents have clearly been planning their decorations months in advance and who could give Clark Griswold a run for his money. Here are just a few of the biggest and brightest Christmas lights to gawk at this December.  We’ll be updating this page with info on Melbourne’s Christmas lights in 2023 as soon as details are announced. Here's where to find the perfect Christmas tree in Melbourne, and here are our city's best Christmas markets.

The convenience of a plastic Christmas tree can be very alluring, but why not get into the festive spirit and opt for a real Christmas tree this year? String it up with fairy lights and ornaments, then hit the town in search of the city's sparkliest light displays. The scent of natural pine will have you feeling more festive than ever, plus real trees are less flammable when fresh and are often a greener alternative than artificial trees. Christmas tree farms are scattered throughout Melbourne and Victoria, so your options for purchase or delivery are plentiful.  Once you've got your tree sorted why not wander through the city's festive lights? Plus, check out out ultimate guide to Christmas in Melbourne.

During the warmer months, Melbourne's long days and balmy nights make for the perfect backdrop for an outdoor cinema. This is exactly why our fair city has so many of them. From 1950s-style drive-ins to outdoor rooftop cinemas scattered across the suburbs, Melbourne has plenty of locations to catch an al fresco film – these are just a few of our favourites.  Love the comfort of an air-conditioned movie theatre? These are Melbourne's best cinemas. Interested in a drive-in cinema instead? Here are the best ones in Melbourne. 

Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight is landing at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl for another glorious Christmas Eve celebration. And yes, that means it's time to start practicing the words to 'Silent Night'. Pack a picnic and expect to hear all the Christmas classics belted out by the likes of Casey Donovan, Marina Prior, Denis Walter, David Hobson, Silvie Paladino, Simon Gleeson and plenty more.  The annual Christmas concert started in 1938, which makes the 2023 concert a celebration of the event's 86th year of festive fun (wow!). Gates open at 4pm with family-friendly activities and food stalls before the main event begins at 8pm. All proceeds from ticket sales will go towards supporting children with little or no vision. Find out more about booking your tickets this year at the official website. Looking for more festive fun? Don't miss Melbourne's month-long Christmas festival – and it's mostly free!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas here in Melbourne, and to help us ring in the festive season, the City of Melbourne has announced the return of its epic, month-long Christmas Festival. From November 25 to December 25, our city will come alive with family-friendly (and mostly free!) events that are sure to turn any Grinch into a believer.  This year, you can look forward to exciting attractions like a Christmas-themed roller-skating rink in Carlton's Argyle Square; a full-size maze filled with giant presents and interactive games in Docklands; sound and light shows nightly from 9pm at Christmas Square; and a festive line-up of flicks showing at the Capitol Theatre. You won't want to miss the inaugural Christmas River Show, which will illuminate Southbank every night, dazzling onlookers with water fountains, lasers, lights and projections set to a soundtrack of festive tunes. Howey Place will be transformed into Santa's Workshop where you can snap plenty of jolly pics, while the Christmas Carnival will return to the banks of the Yarra River with treats, rides and arcade-style games. The Christmas Quest and Treasure Hunt is also back (and there are plenty of prizes to be won), and there will be mesmerising projections illuminating buildings like Melbourne Town Hall and the State Library Victoria. And it wouldn't be the Christmas Festival without the return of the iconic 17.5 metre Christmas tree at Fed Square, so rest assured that it'll be lit up and on display.  Oh,

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 what they call a seasonal display garden, meaning it’s only open for a very short time throughout the year. The 2023/24 water lily season will run between December 26 and March 31.  For more information and to plan your trip, visit the website. Psst... want more? These are the best secret gardens in Melbourne.

The festive season is well and truly here, so what better way to celebrate than with a bit of good old-fashioned choir fun?  From November 24 to December 24, choir communities from across Melbourne will be performing all your favourite Christmas tunes at Fed Square. The diverse program has something for everyone, from gospel and Pasifika to acapella and voices from the queer community.  You can expect everything from Christmas classics to more contemporary festive tunes, with carols sung in English as well as other languages. For the full program, head to the Fed Square website. Looking for more ways to be festive in the city? Here's our guide to celebrating Christmas in Melbourne. Plus, where you can see all the Christmas lights.

Whether you’re a fan of the original ‘90s movie (starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell) or have ever wondered what it would be like to relive the same day over and over and over again, you’ll be thrilled to know that Groundhog Day the Musical is making its Australian debut in Melbourne for a strictly limited and exclusive season.  Direct from a record-breaking run at London’s Old Vic, the production will transform the Princess Theatre from January 24, 2024. The Tony-nominated and Olivier Award-winning musical-comedy tells the story of Phil Connors, a self-centered weatherman from Pittsburgh who is sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. When he becomes trapped in a time warp that sees him forced to replay one particular day on a loop, he embarks on a hilarious journey of enlightenment and redemption. The brainchild of Tim Minchin AM and director Matthew Warchus (who are teaming up again after collaborating on Matilda the Musical), as well as Danny Rubin, the film’s original writer, Groundhog Day the Musical is set to deliver a heart-warming experience that theatregoers are guaranteed to love.  “I have waited seven years for this moment!” said Tim Minchin AM. “Groundhog Day the Musical, like Matilda the Musical, has a unique mixture of darkness and light, of head and heart, and of complexity and joy, and I’ve been convinced since its first iteration that Australians will love it! I’m so excited that the run is going to be in Melbourne, th

The Big Design Market returns to Melbourne just in time for the festive season, with the Royal Exhibition Building set to be transformed into a shopper's haven for three big days. From December 1-3, you can browse more than 250 stallholders from Australia and New Zealand selling ethically made ceramics, jewellery, homewares, clothing, lifestyle products, stationery, limited-edition art prints, pet wares and so much more. All that shopping can be hungry work, so fuel up with treats from some of the country's best culinary connoisseurs, including the likes of Wonder Pies, La Tortilleria, Casa Nata, That's Amore Cheese, Claw and Tail, Wonderbao, Mork Chocolate and Billy Van Creamery. On the beverage front, St Ali will be slinging coffee to keep your energy levels up, while Pizzini Wines, Penni Ave Distillery, Marnong Estate Wines, Molly Rose Brewery and Archie Rose Distilling Co will be on hand to whip up something a tad stronger.  An exclusive installation by guest artist Georgia Perry will be on display to all marketgoers, in the form of a giant inflatable eye that harnesses colour and vibrancy in the most spectacular way. And if you’ve got kids in tow, a designated entertainment zone complete with cubby houses and creative activities is sure to keep them busy. The show bags are also back – these usually sell out within the first few hours and boast more than $200 worth of goodies (including earrings, stationery, socks and gourmet produce) for just $35. A different selection o

Ever wondered where Melbourne florists get their gorgeous peonies from? There’s a good chance they get them from Romswood, a working peony farm that you'll find in the picturesque town of Kerrie in the Macedon Ranges. Located about an hour from inner city Melbourne, Romswood Peony Farm is currently in the height of blooming season and the farmers have decided to hold a couple of peony-picking days for the general public. Visitors will be able to explore the gardens and wander through fields and fields of gorgeous peonies, picking your own bunch to take home with you. There's a limit of 100 people for each two-hour session, and a $50 ticket gives you access to the garden and peony fields so you can pluck 15 of the most beautiful stems. Not partaking in the floral forage? General admission is $20 and children under 18 are free.  Romswood Peony Farm will be open for peony picking on Nov 11, 12, 17, 18, 25 and 26 between 11.30am and 3pm. For more information and to book your session, head to the website. Obsessed with florals? These are the best places to see spring flowers near Melbourne.

We're just as sad as you are that cherry blossom season is over, but the good news is that it heralds the start of the cherry-picking season. And if you can't get enough of those sweet and juicy red morsels, then make your way to CherryHill Orchards this summer to pick and eat as many cherries as your heart desires. This year, the cherry-picking season will kick off on November 8 at CherryHill's 40-hectare orchard in Coldstream. Then, on November 27, CherryHill's original orchard in Wandin East will also open its gates to eager pickers.  Sessions last for two hours, and cherries are charged per kilogram – trust us when we say these are some of the largest, sweetest cherries going around. And the fun doesn't stop at picking cherries; the orchard will host on-site food trucks and stalls hawking food and cherry-flavoured products. On top of the famed cherry ice cream, you can also shop pantry goods like cherry vinaigrette, cherry syrup, cherry barbecue sauce and cherry glaze. You can also bring your own picnic, or pre-order a box of goodies to enjoy on the orchard grounds. The sweet specialists at Mary Eats Cake have created three different-sized packs featuring treats like shakshuka quiche, cherry delight doughnuts and a selection of cheeses. And if you visit on a weekend or public holidays, you'll be treated to the sweet sounds of live tunes performed by a rotating line-up of local musos. The cherry-picking festival will run from November 8 to late December at the Coldstream o

Update November 9, 2023: Fever, the organisers of Dinos Alive, have released a statement in regard to the delayed opening: "Due to reasons beyond the production we cannot confirm an exact date, we expect to open doors in the coming months and we will communicate this as soon as possible." To submit a request for support, head to the website. Are you ready to be transported millions of years back in time, to when fearsome giant creatures roamed the Earth? If that’s a hearty yes, this is for you. Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience is a brand new exhibition featuring more than 80 life-size and hyper-realistic dinosaurs – we’re talking velociraptors, pterodactyls and, of course, the mighty T-rex. In addition to moving animatronics, there will also be a virtual aquarium (where you can get up close with some truly terrifying monsters of the deep), VR technology, incredible installations and even an interactive area where kids can pretend to be paleontologists in search of dino bones. It all kicks off on November 1 for a three-month run at the Fever Exhibition Hall in Brunswick. This ancient world is being brought to life by Exhibition Hub, the same crew responsible for the immersive Van Gogh and Frida Kahlo digital art exhibitions. You should allow at least 75 minutes to wander through and properly soak up the excitement of the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Buckle up, because it’s time to live out all your Jurassic Park fantasies (minus all the chompy parts, obvs).

If you were looking for an excuse to venture into the inner-north ‘burb of Moonee Ponds, here it is: the Mount Alexander Hotel has recently opened, and it could just be the watering hole of your dreams. At the helm of this pub project is part-owner Andrew Wright (formerly executive chef at the Speakeasy Group) and Noel Murphy (ex Mjolner and Rice Paper Scissors), who've created a welcoming venue that’s perfect for a midweek meal, Saturday night boogie or chilled-out Sunday sesh. The recently revamped interiors by Studio Y have injected a retro vibe into the space, with the colour palette now centred around warm tones of terracotta and cream, with timber accents and pops of lush greenery. The menu is chock-full of hearty classics – we’re talking a Wagyu burger, parma, market fish and some handmade pasta options. For the carnivores, there are five different steaks to choose from, while the snacks range from burrata and calamari to croquettes and tuna crudo nachos. If you pop in on a Wednesday you can treat yourself to the $45 crayfish special, and on Sundays you can get a roast with all the trimmings for just $35. When it comes to the drinks, there’s no chance of going thirsty here. The curated cocktail list is loaded with bevvies boasting fun names like Honey, I Shrunk The Highball and Spicy Little Devil, while the mostly Australian wine list has plenty of tipples that can be served both by the glass or bottles. For a froff, there are nine beers on tap and even more in a tinni

Been on a wildlife adventure lately? Just over an hour from Melbourne, located in Victoria's green Yarra Valley, is Healesville Sanctuary – home to a host of Australian animals living in their native environment.  Arguably the most thrilling experience at Healesville Sanctuary is the Spirits of the Sky show. Free with the cost of admission, the show is a spectacular demonstration of the beauty and power of Australia's birds of prey and parrots. Head to the flight arena and see fierce wedge-tailed eagles, falcons and owls, as well as colourful parrots as they swoop around the arena and show off their skills.  Spirits of the Sky runs twice daily at noon and 3pm. Children aged under 16 get in for free on weekends, public holidays and the school holidays (Mon-Fri $23), and adult tickets are $46. Want more family-friendly fun? These are the best activities for kids in Melbourne.

Every trip to Melbourne Zoo is different. Despite being Australia’s oldest zoo, this vibrant animal world is constantly evolving, with new exhibits, events and, of course, creatures great and small.  A trip to Melbourne Zoo done right takes a day. The largest exhibit is the majestic Wild Sea, where penguins and seals bask on land before slipping into clear waters and showcasing their elegant aquatic skills. Another highlight is the sprawling Orangutan Sanctuary, where a family of beautiful, intelligent orangutans swing from tree to tree, play with each other and feed high off the ground. Then there’s the Trail of the Elephant: an immersive Asian village and garden where five Asian elephants thrive.  We could go on and on about the lions, lemurs, meerkats, butterflies and native animals that you’ll encounter, but we’ll let you discover it all for yourself. Throughout your Melbourne Zoo experience, you’ll learn about all the conservation work that happens behind the scenes; saving wildlife, conserving habitats and raising awareness of initiatives like palm oil labelling. For children and adults alike, a trip to Melbourne Zoo is a way to reconnect with our animal friends and gain a closer understanding of the delicate ecosystems of the world. Can't see enough during the day? Melbourne Zoo also runs 'Roar 'n' Snore' overnight camp, where you can sleep at the zoo in the historical elephant exhibit. Drift off to sleep listening to the calls of the animals, and when you wake in the

Viva la vida! It's the news everyone in Australia has been waiting for: global music superstars Coldplay are returning Down Under in 2024, with dates just announced for their Music of the Spheres world tour. And while it feels like a long time to wait (the band last performed in Melbourne in 2016), tickets are set to go on sale very soon. When is Coldplay coming to Melbourne? Coldplay will perform at Marvel Stadium on October 30 and 31, 2024.   How can I get tickets to the Melbourne Coldplay shows and how much do they cost? The ticket pre-sale will start at 10am on Wednesday, November 29, via the Coldplay website – with prices ranging from the $32 Infinity Tickets (a limited number of these will be released at an undisclosed time) to next-level “Ultimate Spheres” VIP experiences. The general sale will begin on Friday, December 1 via the Coldplay website and Ticketmaster – we have a feeling they’ll sell out at the speed of sound (ahem). Where else is Coldplay playing in Australia as part of the 2024 Music of the Spheres tour? The only other city lucky enough to score a visit from Coldplay is Sydney, with the band locked into perform at Accor Stadium on November 6 and 7, 2024. Auckland is also on the bill, with a show scheduled for November 13 at Eden Park. Considering it's a pretty quick visit, us Melburnians should be feeling pretty lucky right now. Over the weekend, the globally adored kings of the power ballad sold out two reportedly spectacular shows at Perth’s Optus Sta

He's currently one of the world's most in-demand musicians, and now the Kid Laroi (aka the golden boy of Australian hip-hop) has just revealed the 2024 dates for his next Australian tour. To say we're excited is an understatement. The deceptively named The First Time Tour is a reference to his most recent album, which reflects on the journey of grappling with fame alongside the challenges of break-ups, grief and life as a young person in 2023. The massive stadium tour will kick off in Melbourne at AAMI Park on February 2, before heading to Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane. The Inner West-born artist came to global recognition in his early teens, and has gone on to win a slew of awards, collaborate with artists including Justin Bieber, and sell out stadiums around the world.  Fans will remember the chaos that ensued the last time the Kid Laroi visited Melbourne in 2022, when he was forced to cancel two performances at Rod Laver Arena due to illness. He returned nine days after the shows were originally set to take place, putting on an epic 23-track gig that blew audiences away – it’s safe to assume that the ARIA winner’s return to Melbourne will be an epic affair.The Melbourne pre-sales will run for 24-hours (or until sold out) from Wednesday, November 15, at 11am. If you don't qualify for a pre-sale, Melbourne-based fans will be able to grab tickets for The First Time Tour at 11am on Monday, November 20, via Ticketek.  RECOMMENDED: The Monolopy Dreams theme park has offi

Just when we were beginning to settle down after the news broke that Brunswick East is officially the sixth coolest neighbourhood in the world, it’s time to pop the champers again, because National Geographic’s annual ‘Cool List’ has been revealed for 2024, and Victoria is the only Aussie destination to make the cut. Has someone checked on NSW yet? The 30 must-visit hotspots on the revered travel magazine’s round-up include a whopping 15 European locations (like the Albanian Alps, Belfast in Northern Ireland and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pompeii), while the Americas were featured nine times with places like the Atacama Desert in Chile, the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and the good ol’ US state of Texas – yee-haw, indeed. Africa and Asia scored three mentions apiece with places like Akagera in Rwanda and Sikkim in India, with Victoria being the sole representative for all of Australasia. Now that’s not bad company, if you ask us. So what exactly makes Victoria so cool right now? According to Nat Geo, the southern state made the cut thanks to having “the country’s steamiest new road trip”. The Great Victorian Bathing Trail is a new tourism route that will link up thermal pools, hot springs and sea baths from across the state to create the ultimate 900-kilometre wellness road trip. Six sites are already included on the trail: Metung Hot Springs, Alba Thermal Springs and Spa, Peninsula Hot Springs, Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa, Geelong Eastern Sea Baths and Deep Blue Hotel an

Dust off your puffy shirt, folks – we have some exciting news. Comedian and actor Jerry Seinfeld is coming to Melbourne for not one but two exclusive stand-up shows. And yes, we're ready to forgive him for that time he called our fair city the "anus of the world". Having last visited our shores back in 2017, the comedy legend is returning to Australia in 2024. He’ll be taking over Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on June 22 and 23. Prior to his 2017 arena tour – which took the master of the deadpan one-liner from Perth to Adelaide – Seinfeld hadn’t performed in Melbourne since 1998. And while he might make us wait a hot minute between shows, it’s fair to say it’s worth it. The 2017 tour was a sell-out success, and we suspect the 2024 iteration will be the same. The American comedian is best known for the acutely observational (often neurotic) version of himself that was broadcast to the world through the hugely successful self-titled comedy series Seinfeld. Since the show first aired in 1989, the globally adored comedian/writer/producer has turned his hand to a wild variety of visual comedy – from talk shows, to Netflix specials, to that Obama skit. Details on what to expect from Seinfeld’s 2024 Australia tour are thin on the ground, but we’re willing to bank on a whole lot of laughter. Melbourne-based Seinfeld fans will be able to snap up tickets at noon on Friday, November 17, via Ticketek. Lucky Telstra Plus members will have access to pre-sale tickets from noon (local time) on

Missed out on Taylor Swift tickets back in June? Didn't feel like the Eras cinema experience was enough for you? Haven't registered for the Swiftposium? Never fear, because our queen has announced that she's dropping a fresh batch of extra tickets for her Australian tour, including Melbourne. Yes, our wildest dreams have come true. The new tickets will be released on Friday, November 10. 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. And when the three-hour spectacle that is the Eras Tour came to cinemas, it became the most profitable concert film in history, breaking box office records even before it was released and banking a hefty $3.8 million during its opening weekend in Australia. Now Aussie fans are getting another chance to experience Tay Tay's magic in person. The new tickets for the Melbourne shows will be made available via Ticketek at 4pm AEDT on Friday, November 10, with prices starting at a glittering $79.90 (full disclosure: some of these tickets are for seats with partially obscured views). Make sure to clear your meetings and set an alarm – these extra tickets aren't going to last long. RECOMMENDED: Yes! There’s a way to see Taylor Swift's Eras Tour for only $19.89 Melbourne is set to host an academic conference dedicated to Taylor Swift Everything you need to know about Taylor Swift's Eras Tour coming to Australia

Update November 3, 2023: Live Nation has just announced that due to "unforeseen circumstances" the Weeknd has had to postpone the upcoming Australian and New Zealand legs of his After Hours Til Dawn tour. All tickets remain valid for the rescheduled shows, and patrons who are unable to attend the new dates will be offered a refund. New dates will be announced next year – watch this space for more info as it comes in. Has the Weekend cancelled his Australian tour in 2023? Due to "unforeseen circumstances", all of his Australian shows – including his Melbourne dates – have been postponed. New dates are set to be revealed in 2024. Is the Weeknd touring Australia in 2023? Not anymore. On November 3, Live Nation announced the Weeknd would be rescheduling all of the 2023 dates of his After Hours Til Dawn tour and moving them to 2024. When is the Weeknd coming to Melbourne? The Weeknd was originally set to perform in Melbourne on December 1, 2, 4 and 5, 2023. These shows have now been postponed.  How much are the Weeknd tickets for Melbourne?  Ticket prices will range from $102.87-$306.75, but prices may be subject to change.  What stadium will the Weeknd play at in Melbourne?  The Weeknd was scheduled to play at Marvel Stadium in Docklands, near the CBD.  Where else is the Weeknd playing in Australia as part of the 2023 After Hours til Dawn tour? In addition to his Melbourne show, the Weeknd was scheduled to perform at Accor Stadium in Sydney on November 24, 25 and 27, and Suncorp

Update November 3, 2023: Live Nation has just announced that due to "unforeseen circumstances" the Weeknd has had to postpone the upcoming Australian and New Zealand legs of his After Hours Til Dawn tour. All tickets remain valid for the rescheduled shows, and patrons who are unable to attend the new dates will be offered a refund. New dates will be announced next year – watch this space for more info as it comes in. Has the Weekend cancelled his Australian tour in 2023? Due to "unforeseen circumstances", all of his Australian shows – including his Sydney dates – have been postponed. New dates are set to be revealed in 2024. When is the Weeknd coming to Sydney and Australia? The Weeknd was due to play three shows in Sydney on November 24, 25 and 27, 2023. These shows have now been postponed.  How much are the Weeknd Sydney tickets?  Prices for the rescheduled dates in 2024 are subject to change, but here are the prices from the initial announcement for 2023: The cheapest tickets are the 'D-reserve' seats in the top tier of the stadium, starting at $106.55. C-reserve through to A-reserve seats range from $157.55 - $259.50. General admission standing tickets start at $239.10, and golden circle general admission standing tickets (which are closer to the main stage and walkway) start from $310.45. VIP packages start from $493.95 and go all the way up to $810. What Sydney stadium will the Weeknd play at?  The Weeknd will still play at Accor Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park when the

Ahh Melbourne’s public transport network – there are so many things we love about it (the free city circle tram! 24-hour services on the weekend! The new accessible G Class trams!) and so many things we don’t (an outdated Myki system! Vertigo-inducing escalators at Parliament Station! When you get dinged by an angry tram driver!). And now we’ve got another gripe to get fired up about: the train lines with the most delays and no-shows have been named, with Craigieburn and Werribee faring the worst out of Melbourne’s 17 routes. According to data from Public Transport Victoria, one in ten trains on these two lines were five minutes late in the past year – that’s a lot of people missing their 9am morning meetings.  And it’s not much better for commuters on the Frankston, Sunbury and Belgrave lines, with these trains delayed more than eight per cent of the time. Pakenham also takes the (unwanted) crown for the most cancellations, with 2.2 per cent of trains total no-shows. So what’s the cause of these (hugely annoying) delays? Metro Trains blames a growing number of trespassers, vandalism and graffiti for the rise in disrupted services. Overcrowding is also a huge concern as it takes longer for passengers to board and alight at stations, and some older trains still running on the network are more susceptible to breakdowns.  Metro Trains' current multi-million dollar contract includes a 92 per cent punctuality target and a 98.5 per cent reliability target – and while those benchmar

Hands up if you get to this time of the year, with Christmas just around the corner (terrifying, right?), and all you want to do is book a holiday and escape overseas. Us too, which is why we couldn't be more stoked that Vietjet Air has just announced one of its massive flash sales, with one-way tickets from Melbourne to the land of pho, banh mi and bun cha for as little as $166. There’s no need to set your alarms because Vietjet’s mega sale is already going down and will end at midnight on October 27. Tickets are up for grabs for holidays taken between November 21, 2023 and March 31, 2024, with nifty flights to international destinations like Vietnam (of course), India, Japan and South Korea. That means you could literally be trawling through the Vietnamese street food markets, zipping through town on a motorbike, or cruising down the Mekong in less than a month.    Photograph: Supplied/Vietjet Air     If Vietnam has always been on your bucket list then you’ll be happy to hear that one of the cheapest flights out of Melbourne starts at $166 one-way for a base fare to the buzzing Ho Chi Minh City. There are some other big-ticket international destinations included in the flash sale, too, including one-way flights to Singapore from $166, Hong Kong from $306, New Delhi from $205, Phuket from $338 and Seoul from $349. One important thing to note: these discounts are applied to the base fares only, and are exclusive of taxes and other applicable charges. Sometimes the best dec

ICYMI, the Queen Victoria Market precinct is undergoing a major redevelopment (we're counting down the days until the new food hall is revealed), and soon you'll be able to devour books at the historic hub, too. Australian construction firm Buildcorp is leading the project of the brand new 3,100-square-metre community library, which is part of the $500 million Munro development on Therry Street. Three floors will be used for the library (which will have a dedicated children's library), and there will also be a family services centre (with maternal health consulting rooms and a playgroup area), podcast and audio recording studios, community spaces, meeting rooms and a creative makers' hub complete with 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines and paint booths.   Best of all, the library's rooftop terrace will feature lush lawn areas, native plants and stunning views of the market precinct. "Using the lure of literature, we’re attracting more city workers and residents to the Queen Victoria Market precinct – with a library, community spaces and essential family services in the heart of the city," said Melbourne lord mayor Sally Capp. "We’re expecting 24,000 new residents in the area by 2040, so we want to provide additional community facilities to meet the needs of a growing population." The Munro development forms part of the renewal project for Queen Victoria Market. In addition to the new library, the site will also feature a community hub, underground car park, retail

If you can cast your mind back to the dark days of Melbourne's lockdowns (sorry, we promise this story is heading in a positive direction!), you'll remember there was a beacon of light giving us something to get excited about. Providoor, which first launched back in 2020, was a life-saver for the hospitality industry, delivering more than half a million meals to hungry customers desperately missing that restaurant experience. And now, Providoor is officially back, relaunching in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane on October 23. Best of all, there are some big names involved – we're talking Matt Preston, Silvia Colloca, Anna Polyviou, George Colambaris, Manu Fiedel and Luke Nguyen. Consider us famished. The gourmet home delivery service is now split into two parts – Providoor Local and Providoor Frozen – with the chef-prepared meals available to order online or via Uber Eats. Picture yourself biting into Preston’s juicy mushroom burgers, Colloca’s hearty lasagna, Feidel’s traditional coq au vin and Polyviou’s super smooth white chocolate cheesecake – all from the comfort of your couch.  Each meal will be prepared in the new Providoor kitchens located in the Sydney suburbs of Homebush, Five Dock, Neutral Bay and Moore Park, with more to open in Melbourne and Brisbane. Orders in Melbourne will be delivered twice a week with a three-day lead time. So if you're planning a weekend feast, best to get organised early. Then, all you have to do is assemble and heat the meals before serving

It’s that time of the year, folks: Time Out has just released its annual ranking of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world, and we Melburnians have an extra special reason to celebrate, with Brunswick East taking out sixth spot (yes, really!) on the list.  It’s a pretty major achievement for the Northside ‘burb, which beat out some stiff competition – including hip hotspots in Tokyo, New York, London and Berlin – to land firmly in the global top ten. Best of all, Brunny East polled higher than Enmore in Sydney (the only other Aussie entry), which means it’s also the coolest neighbourhood in all of Australia. We love to see it! The rankings were determined via the Time Out Index survey, which this year polled more than 12,000 people on their favourite local suburbs. To come up with the final list, Time Out’s global network of city editors narrowed down the selections – considering factors like community and social ventures, access to green space and thriving street art – ultimately delivering Brunswick East as the top spot Down Under. Previous years have also seen Melbourne ‘hoods dominate, with Fitzroy at #27 in 2022, Richmond at #10 in 2021 and Yarraville at #5 in 2020.  Supplied But what is it about Brunswick East that makes it so cool? Sandwiched between Lygon Street and the lush trails of Merri Creek, it has fast emerged as a vibrant go-to hub for multicultural eateries, live music venues and cosy bars that you’ll find yourself returning to again and again.  To really