Melbourne Museum will open its latest permanent gallery, Our Wondrous Planet, this Saturday, offering visitors the chance to explore more than 800 animals across four of Earth’s most vital ecosystems. Covering 1800 square metres, the exhibition marks one of the museum’s most ambitious projects to date, bringing four billion years of life and evolution into a single immersive experience. The gallery is designed to transport audiences through four interconnected environments – reef, rainforest, ice and soil – showcasing how each plays a crucial role in sustaining life on Earth. Visitors will step into the action, from gliding on ocean currents and…
Author: Melbourning
Melburnians have a chance to step inside the jury box as The Jury Experience: An Immersive Courtroom Case opens at St Kilda Town Hall this October. Created by global live entertainment platform Fever, the 60-minute theatrical production transforms audiences into jurors in a trial where the verdict is in their hands. Set in a meticulously designed courtroom inspired by the American legal system, the show blurs the line between theatre and reality. Participants are not passive spectators – they hear witness testimonies, scrutinise evidence, and deliberate as a collective before casting the final vote: guilty or innocent. Each session plays out differently,…
Victoria’s live performance sector reached record highs in 2024, generating $1.1 billion in ticket revenue and drawing 9.9 million attendees, according to Live Performance Australia’s latest Attendance and Revenue Report. The figures represent a 14.9 per cent rise in revenue and a 7.4 per cent lift in attendance compared to 2023, marking the strongest results ever recorded for the state. Victoria secured the second-largest market share nationally, accounting for 33.7 per cent of total industry revenue and 31.4 per cent of attendance—well above its population share. The state’s results significantly contributed to Australia’s overall industry revenue of $3.4 billion and…
Kilmore’s beloved Red Lion Hotel has reopened its doors after almost five years, welcoming back locals and visitors with a fresh look and a strong community focus. The Sydney Street landmark, first built in 1856, has undergone a major refurbishment, breathing new life into one of Victoria’s oldest country pubs. The revival includes the refreshed 1856 beer garden, now dog-friendly and complete with a large screen for summer gatherings, alongside updated dining spaces featuring artwork from the Kilmore Art Society. Venue manager Kim and her team have retained the character of the Red Lion while adding modern touches, creating a…
Machine Gun Kelly has confirmed his long-awaited return to Australia and New Zealand, with the hip-hop and pop-punk star set to perform across both countries in April 2026 as part of his American Dream World Tour. Melbourne fans will be able to catch him at Rod Laver Arena on 11 April 2026. The tour marks mgk’s first Australian shows since 2018’s The 27 Tour, which brought him to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Before that, he last visited in 2013. This time, the U.S. artist – born Colson Baker – will take on arenas, underscoring his rise as one of the most…
St Jerome’s Laneway Festival has unveiled its 2026 lineup, with American pop sensation Chappell Roan leading a bill packed with international stars and homegrown talent. The announcement follows confirmation of the festival’s return earlier this week, with organisers promising a milestone year as Laneway celebrates its 21st anniversary. Alongside Roan, the festival will feature indie rock favourites Wet Leg, genre-bending producer Alex G, British pop innovator PinkPantheress, Swedish hip hop duo Yung Lean and Bladee, and U.S. indie act Role Model. The lineup also boasts Wolf Alice, The Dare, Lucy Dacus, Cavetown, Wisp and Mt. Joy. Australian artists are set…
Melbourne’s northern suburbs are set for a major boost in public transport, with the addition of 641 extra bus services each week across Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Kalkallo and Roxburgh Park. The upgrades, starting Sunday 5 October, will expand eight key routes to deliver more frequent trips, longer operating hours and stronger links to train stations and shopping centres. Route 543 will see the biggest uplift with 183 new weekly trips, including earlier starts, later finishes and 20-minute peak services connecting Greenvale and Greenvale North to Craigieburn Central and Roxburgh Park Station. Route 524 will add 173 weekly trips and extend along…
Style is set to sweep across Melbourne this spring as Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW) takes over the city from October 20 to 26 with runways, exhibitions, talks, and more than 100 events. This year’s theme, Come As You Are, celebrates individuality, community and creativity, inviting everyone to be part of Australia’s fashion capital. Six premium runways will transform landmark venues into fashion destinations: the sustainable new 1 Hotel Melbourne, artisanal dining hub il Mercato Centrale, the Melbourne Recital Centre, 101 Collins Street, Younghusband in Kensington, and a return to Little Bourke Street with Emporium Melbourne. More than 600 designers and retailers…
Two cabaret worlds collide at Chapel Off Chapel this Melbourne Fringe, offering audiences a rare double bill of glamour and grit. For three shows only, Smoke and Mirrors Productions presents Magical Mancini, followed by Piera Dennerstein’s award-winning Pursuing Pleasure. Together, they deliver a cabaret journey from Hollywood nostalgia to raw, contemporary storytelling. First up, Magical Mancini celebrates the life and music of Henry Mancini, one of cinema’s most prolific composers. With four Oscars, 20 Grammys, and classics like Moon River, The Pink Panther Theme, and The Days of Wine and Roses, Mancini’s legacy is brought to life by cabaret artist Josh Sanders, also known as Ziegfeld Boy.…
British pop icon Sophie Ellis-Bextor is bringing her glossy disco pop to Australia in February 2026. Fans will be treated to a mix of noughties favourites and new anthems from her latest album, Perimenopop. In Melbourne, you can catch her at The Forum on 6 February 2026. Hailed as “the queen of disco pop” by DIY, Ellis-Bextor has been a defining voice in pop music since the early 2000s. She first emerged with Brit-pop band Theaudience, whose debut album reached #22 on the UK charts. Following the band’s breakup, she launched a solo career, producing iconic hits like “Murder On…
The Palace Hotel in Camberwell has reopened its doors following an extensive $7.5 million renovation, blending the venue’s historic charm with modern hospitality offerings. The ground floor retains the classic pub atmosphere locals love, while upgrades create a warmer, more comfortable space for post-work drinks, watching the footy on big screens, or enjoying live music. Upstairs, Josephine’s Lounge offers a more refined experience, with share-plates and expertly crafted cocktails designed for relaxed gatherings. Executive Chef Tony Moss said: “Upstairs, at Josephine’s Lounge, you can’t go past the smoked barramundi brioche. It’s a playful snack which showcases iconic Australian barramundi with…
Melbourne is set to sparkle as Barbie The Movie: In Concert brings the magic of Barbie to the stage at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. On Saturday 17 January, fans of all ages can experience the record-breaking feature film accompanied by a live orchestra performing both the cinematic score and the film’s beloved pop soundtrack. Barbie and Ken are at the heart of the story, enjoying the colourful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. But when the duo ventures into the real world, they quickly discover the joys and unexpected challenges of life among humans, leading to both…