A bold new investment from the state and Commonwealth governments will see $24 million funnelled into critical environmental restoration efforts aimed at protecting Victoria’s iconic platypus and other threatened species. The landmark Platy Patch project will restore habitat at 14 key sites across the state over the next four years, guided by the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research (ARI), Victoria’s premier ecological research centre. Platypus populations are in decline across Victoria and are listed as vulnerable, largely due to habitat degradation. The species depends on stable riverbanks for burrowing, rich vegetation for food, and woody debris for shelter. The Platy Patch project will…
Author: Melbourning
Melbourne’s sky-high bar Good Heavens has swapped sunny cocktails for frosty fun as it unveils Heavens Above – a bold winter takeover transforming the city’s largest rooftop into a vibrant, alpine-inspired escape. At the heart of the experience? An icy new-age Kurling rink where competition, cocktails and camaraderie collide. Whether you’re chasing bragging rights or belly laughs, the rink is open for nightly play, inviting Melburnians to slide into winter. The transformation blends the venue’s Palm Springs soul with lush textures, rich colour, and a fabric-draped ceiling installation by textile artist Oscar Lake, curated by Georgia Harvey, delivering a dreamy, cocoon-like…
Leaps and Bounds Music Festival is back for 2025, bringing four days of non-stop live music and community celebration to the City of Yarra from Thursday 24 July to Sunday 27 July. Set across more than 20 beloved venues in Fitzroy, Collingwood, and Richmond, the festival transforms pubs, clubs, bars and band rooms into dynamic spaces pulsing with creativity, energy, and sound. A highlight of Melbourne’s cultural calendar, the festival is proudly presented by Yarra City Council and curated by the very people who live and breathe its music scene—local bookers, promoters, and record labels. This year’s lineup reflects the…
One of Victoria’s most beloved winter events is set to sparkle once again as Sovereign Hill’s spectacular Winter Wonderlights returns from July 4 to 27, promising an even more magical experience with breathtaking new projections and enchanting installations. This year’s event will transform the historic goldfields site into a luminous wonderland, featuring wrapping paper projections that dramatically “unwrap” buildings following a countdown clock, alongside sophisticated new displays of corsets, cocktails, and intricate Victorian printmaking. The Wadawurrung Cultural Precinct will glow with the return of Richard Thomas’s striking Fire Towers – sculptural works crafted from reclaimed mine machinery that provide a…
This weekend iconic St Kilda pub The Prince will turn wine lovers into bargain hunters with an unmissable EOFY wine sale. On Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June there will be more than 4000 bottles and 300+ unique wines up for grab. This is no ordinary cellar clear-out – expect steep discounts on premium producers like Penfolds, Vasse Felix, Yarra Yering, Montalto, and more, both local heroes and international favourites. Snag a $5 lucky dip, a $100 mystery dozen, or get expert picks from Group Sommelier Matt Skinner, who’ll be on-site to share top tips. Every purchase also scores you an entry to win a coveted Penfolds Grange 2018,…
New York-based Australian artist Cj Hendry, renowned for her hyper-realistic drawings and immersive large-scale exhibitions, is returning home to present Lost & Found at Chadstone from June 19 to July 20. The highly anticipated showcase marks Hendry’s first Australian exhibition in four years, transforming the shopping center into an unconventional art space that blends her signature hyperrealism with playful, boundary-pushing design. With over 20 million annual visitors, Chadstone provides the perfect high-traffic setting for Hendry’s work, which thrives in unexpected public spaces. The exhibition will span three carefully curated locations, each offering a different aspect of the artist’s vision. The Maze invites visitors…
The irresistible aroma of peri-peri chicken is now available on-the-go as Nando’s launches its very first Australian drive-thru in Roxburgh Park, Victoria. The flame-grilled favourite is making it easier than ever to satisfy cravings without leaving your car, marking a major shift for the 35-year-old brand. The move taps into booming demand for convenience, with drive-thrus now generating 60-70% of revenue for quick-service restaurants. “We’ve been part of the Aussie restaurant scene for 35 years, and this is another big step in how Nando’s is evolving,” said Nando’s Australia and New Zealand CEO Amanda Banfield. The Roxburgh Park launch saw…
Celebrating 21 years in music, acclaimed Australian singer-songwriter Sarah Blasko has revealed The Double Feature Tour for 2025 – a unique concert experience where she’ll perform her debut album The Overture & the Underscore (2004) and follow-up What The Sea Wants, The Sea Will Have (2006) in their entirety. The three-time ARIA winner will be accompanied by her longtime band members David Hunt, David Symes, Laurence Pike and Neal Sutherland for these special shows. Melbourne fans can catch them at the Melbourne Recital Centre on 12 September. The announcement coincides with the first-ever vinyl release of both albums on September 5, featuring bonus tracks including rare…
A beloved Melbourne CBD landmark is set for a grand rebirth. The Crafty Squire, a staple at the corner of Russell and Little Collins Street since 2015, will reopen this winter as Hickens Hotel – a four-level hospitality hub blending heritage charm with modern energy. The $6.5 million transformation will introduce a rooftop bar, Australia’s first dedicated Carlton Draught bar, and a dynamic sports and entertainment floor, reviving the building’s 1870s identity. Spanning ground to rooftop, Hickens Hotel promises to be Melbourne’s next go-to social destination. The ground-floor Carlton Lounge will serve Brewery Fresh Carlton Draught Tank Beer straight from a gleaming copper tank, surrounded by retro…
Melbourne will once again roar to life as the world watches on, with the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix locked in as the season opener for the 2026 calendar – racing into town from Thursday 5 March to Sunday 8 March, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos today confirmed the 2026 dates, following a record-breaking 2025 event that saw a total estimated attendance of more than 465,000 fans across four days – smashing previous records and cementing Melbourne as the natural home of the first Formula 1 race of the season. The 2025 race day crowd reached…
American musician, writer, visual artist, and filmmaker, David Byrne will return to Australia and New Zealand in January 2026 in support of his new album Who Is The Sky? Melbourne fans will be able to catch him at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on 22 January 2026. Last in Australia and New Zealand in 2018 for his critically acclaimed American Utopia tour, David’s brand-new live show will comprise of 13 musicians, singers and dancers, including members of the American Utopia band, all of whom will be mobile throughout the set. Byrne is best known as the founding member and lead vocalist of the influential new wave…
Kendrick Lamar has announced he is bringing his Grand National Tour to Australia, performing in stadiums in Sydney and Melbourne this December. Fresh off the success of his chart-topping 2024 album GNX, the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper has announced the tour that spans 19 stadiums across North America and Australia, marking Lamar’s most ambitious live production to date His Australian headline shows are locked in for Melbourne’s AAMI Park on 3 December and Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on 10 December. These shows are being performed while he is in Australia headlining the Spilt Milk Festival in Ballarat and Perth. Known for his electrifying performances and thought-provoking lyrics,…