Local Escapes
16 Of The Best Daylesford Stays For Dreamy Getaways In 2025
We’ve hand-picked some of the best Daylesford accommodation options for 2025, including all the epic Airbnbs.
Lara Torcello
Melbourne Deputy Editor | Urban List, Melbourne, VIC
Before joining the Urban List crew in January 2024 as Melbourne Deputy Editor, Lara’s former work life was steeped in Melbourne’s culinary dining scene as a pocket rocket publicist and, before that, a social media queen working for global food and bev brands. Harnessing that agency energy, when the Dep Ed role came up at Urban List, it just made sense to throw her hat in the ring. She jumped at the opportunity to stretch her literary wings and lean into her love for all things Melbourne.
She’s best known as the resident Rotten Tomato critic in the office, so you better believe anything film related that pops up, Lara is the first to jump on the news. If she’s not banging on about Darren Aronofsky or attending first-look preview screenings, she’s probably sweating over gig tickets in the dreaded Ticketek lounge or chucking on her heels to dine at Melbourne’s latest restaurant opening. You’ll spot Lara’s name plastered across a myriad of Urban List articles from things to do, food and drink, music, and more—not to mention heading up a good chunk of socials with a knack for short-form video.
If you’ve talked to Lara for more than 60 seconds, you’ll know her current mission in life is finding her signature cocktail. At the moment, she’s found a soft spot for pisco sours and is on the quest to uncover Melbourne’s best. Previous missions include discovering the best cafe-wine bar hybrids (her favourite), and finding the perfect glass of chilled red for a summer’s evening. Who knows what’s next?
The Good Life By Lara
Pisco Sours + Film Debriefs + Pillowy Focaccia
Connect with Lara
Articles
Food & Drink
Budget Ballin’: Melbourne’s Best Cheap Coffee For $4 Or Less
Welcome to our shiny new series, Budget Ballin’—a curated collection of Melbourne’s best eats and drinks that will have you living the good life without the hefty price tag. We’ll be covering all bases from midweek bites and fancy chef menus to call-in-sick-worthy happy hours.
Best Of
The Pickleball Lowdown: What Is Pickleball And Where You Can Play In Melbourne
Pickleball is a cocktail of racket sports. It uses a rubber paddle similar to table tennis, played on courts just like badminton, and has major squash vibes. You can play it indoors or outdoors, with two or four players, and if you did a double take passing by a game, you might almost mistaken it for tennis. In 2025, Pickleball in Melbourne is popping off, so we did some digging.
Local Escapes
13 Of The Best Airbnbs With Fireplaces In Victoria
For family holidays, staycations with the gals, romantic weekends and solo travels in 2025, Urban List has rounded up the best Airbnbs with fireplaces in Victoria.
What's On
Unmissable Things To Eat, Drink And Do At The Melbourne F1 This Year
This year is a real biggie for Formula One. Melbourne has returned as the coveted season opener, host to the world’s first look at seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton debuting his new Ferrari red get up while Spain-born Carlos Sainz embraces a fresh Williams blue. And arguably one of the best parts of the AusGP weekend—the end of race track walk—is also back on the cards. Winning.
Best Of
The Best Restaurants In Carlton Right Now
Carlton restaurants extend far beyond cherished Lygon Street—although the historic strip is still home to a massive concentration of Italian joints. With that being said, over the years Carlton has grown to become one of the most vibrant culinary hotspots in town. Here are Urban List’s recommendations on the best restaurants Carlton has to offer in 2025:
Restaurants
What’s Open In Perth On Boxing Day 2024
Stuck in the Christmas Day food coma? How about washing it down with an ice-cold beer? Or pile on some more food to keep the Christmas spirit alive into the new year. Either way, we don’t want you sulking on Boxing Day, so get out, check out the lucrative shopping deals and keep celebrating with delicious drinks and eats. Here’s what’s open in Perth on Boxing Day 2024.
Food & Drink
What’s Open In Melbourne On Boxing Day 2024
Stuck in the Christmas Day food coma? How about washing it down with an ice-cold beer? Or pile on some more food to keep the Christmas spirit alive into the new year. Either way, we don’t want you sulking on Boxing Day, so get out, check out the lucrative shopping deals and keep celebrating with delicious drinks and eats. Here’s what’s open in Melourne on Boxing Day 2024.
Restaurants
What’s Open In Perth This New Year’s Day 2025
If you want to celebrate the new year minus the crowds and claustrophobic raves, then look no further. We've rounded up all the places you can head to on New Year’s Day 2025 while everyone else is busy nursing their hangovers
What's On
Here’s What’s Open On Cup Day In Melbourne 2024
There are plenty of ways to make the most of the Melbourne Cup public holiday. It starts with a coffee at your local, then the day could likely mosey into a meal at the pub, followed by a cocktail and bite at one of the many watering holes open on Tuesday 5 November.
Food & Drink
First Look: Winston’s Is The City-Coded European Bistro In Black Rock
Winston’s is the very reason Baysiders can start reconsidering the hike into the city for an elevated dining experience, because primo dining with a Euro flair has officially landed in Black Rock.
Health + Wellness
A Beginner’s Guide To Running The Melbourne Half Marathon, According To A Pro Running Coach
There’s a ton of information out there on how you should best tackle your first half marathon with comprehensive training schedules and intense diet plans. But with less than one week out from the Melbourne Marathon festival, we sat down with a pro in the space to let us in on her tips and reccs on how a first-timer should approach the daunting 21km run.
What's On
Dylan Alcott’s Ability Fest Is Making Its Triumphant Return This Year
The world would be a far better place if there were more festivals like Ability Fest, but for now, we can relish in the fact that the country’s most inclusive event is making a triumphant return this October, taking over not just Melbourne but making an exciting debut in Brisbane.
Restaurants
If Caretaker’s Cottage Is The Beating Heart Of Wesley Place, Reed House Is The Humble Soul
Wesley Place is a happening little nook in Melbourne, best known as the home to Caretaker’s Cottage and Operator Diner. Now, it boasts a third drawcard, Reed House.
What's On
Perth’s Iconic Rooftop Cinema Is Officially Back—And Arriving Early In Time For Spooky Season
It’s time to whip out the mozzie repellent, because your fave pop-up cinema is back with another season of non-stop movie hits—this time, kicking off earlier than usual.
Food & Drink
Maker And Monger’s Chef Toastie Series Is Returning With This Korean Twist On A Vegemite Sando
Prahran’s specialty cheese shop Maker & Monger—which dispenses Melbourne’s best cheese toasties—is adding to its menu for September some seriously impressive sangas for its annual chef-led toastie series.
Bakeries & Delis
An All-Pink Rooftop Bakery Is Landing In Burwood With Berry-Loaded Croissants And Pink-Kissed Drinks
Baked goods are officially the flavour of 2024. But what if they were all pink? Baked Wonder in Burwood is the newcomer to Melbourne’s sweet scene is dousing their entire offering in a pastel pink, from buttery croissants loaded with creamy raspberry-strawberry filling to pink-kissed iced tea—and we’re here for it.
Bakeries & Delis
Brunetti Classico Is Going North With A Fancy Cake Boutique And Takeaway Deli
In all things good and sweet, the institution that brings authentic Roman Italian to Melbourne, Brunetti Classico, is taking on Coburg with its first cake boutique. The empire has been kicking around for almost four decades with six locations spread out around the city. It was only last year that we celebrated Brunetti Classico expanding to Moonee Ponds, and now we’ve back in your feed to say hip hip hooray to location number seven.
Local Escapes
These Completely Transparent Bubbles Are Primed For Some Of The Best Stargazing In Victoria
If you’ve been looking for a unique stay in Victoria, we think we’ve found the one—or two, to be exact. They’re called Bubble Retreats, hidden in the rolling hills of Wilson’s Prom in Gippsland.
Local Escapes
This Frozen-Inspired Winter Wonderland Airbnb Is Here To Up Your Melbourne Staycation Game
From summers filled with cold rainy days to bars made entirely out of ice, the chill runs through Melbourne’s veins. Little did we know there was a unique Airbnb hidden in plain sight that's everything your Frozen dreams could imagine, and more. Enter: Winter Wonderland.
Bars & Pubs
Moon Dog Is Going West And Taking Over The Ex-Franco Cozzo Site With A Multi-Level Beer Haven
Coming soon to Footscray is a three-storey beer haven from the gang behind Moon Dog. Not shy of a theme, Moon Dog this time are opting for a wild west aesthetic with the saloon doors swinging open in March—and it’s going to be twice the size of Preston’s Moon Dog World (AKA massive).
What's On
5 Things To Do At Brunswick Music Festival For 2024
Brunswick, or Bulleke-bek in Woi Wurrung language, is the inner-city suburb in Melbourne's northeast, and once a year the entire suburb lights up for the long-loved Brunswick Music Festival. Nine huge days, the festival stands to celebrate the people, place, culture and music of Brunswick. From compelling performances to free live music, here are five things to do this year at the Brunswick Music Festival for 2024:
What's On
It’s Official: Fred Again Is Coming To Melbourne Next Week
He sent Australia in a manic frenzy last year, selling tickets in a record 3.4 seconds to 'secret' warehouse raves alongside headlining at Laneway Festival, and now Fred Again is back with his pop-up shenanigans. After a surprise show in Sydney last night, Fred is gracing Melbourne and we couldn't be more hyped
Restaurants
Royal Stacks Is Opening A Huge Two-Level Flagship Store On Bourke Street
It’s stacks on Bourke Street with Royal Stack’s twelfth joint in Victoria, this time crowning their huge flagship store in the heart of Melbourne CBD at 670 Bourke Street.
Restaurants
Institution Status: Mesa Verde Is Home To 200+ Variations Of Tequila And Mezcal
An institution is a word that gets tossed around too often nowadays however there are only a select few around Melbourne who have truly earned this accolade. Cue, Mesa Verde.
What's On
More Tickets To Taylor Swift’s Sold-Out Melbourne Shows Are Going On Sale Today
Missed out on Taylor Swift tickets? It’s your lucky day—Ticketek is releasing a handful of limited tickets today (Tuesday 13 February) at 2pm on the dot, so get ready to feverishly hustle for a golden ticket to The Eras Tour in Melbourne.
Restaurants
JollyGood Diner Is Here With A New Digs, Nostalgic Key Lime Pie And Spiked Ice Tea
Sangas, bagels and everything that falls under the category of bread-filled-with-deliciousness have well and truly had their moment in Melbourne last year. No shade, we love it, and with plenty of newcomers and sibling venues on the cards for 2024, we’re tipping that moment ain’t over yet. And the latest? JollyGood Diner.
Restaurants
South Yarra Just Scored A Slick Izakaya—And There’s Head Chef With Nobu Cred At The Helm
Darling Group may ring a bell to you—the hospitality crew behind some of Melbourne’s best cafes including Top Paddock, Higher Ground and more recently The Terrace in Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens. Now, the team have jumped into Melbourne’s vibrant world of restaurants with the arrival of Token.
Things To Do
An All-New Movie-Going Experience Is Sweeping Melbourne With The Arrival Of FoMo Cinemas
In just a few days time, new-comer FoMo Cinemas in East Brunswick Village is set to pop corn for the first time to debut a new premium approach to the cinema-going experience that celebrates film nostalgia.