Activities & Itineraries

Whether you're a seasoned BTV camper or a first-timer ready to enter your festival era, here’s everything you need to know before packing the car and hitting the road.

From hotel slumber parties to sprawling private estates, these are the best group stays for max relaxing.

Melbourne, brace yourself: a fitness revolution is rolling into town, and they’re ready to do things differently.

Katie Muirhead initially came to New York for only a few months. Nine years later, this Sydney-raised model and copywriter has well and truly found her place. 

Where heart-thumping adventure meets slow, sun-drenched relaxation, Lake Macquarie is the under-the-radar coastal destination that strikes the perfect balance. 

We've handed the mic to Paramount+'s The Goat to share his must-watch shows for summer. 

Perth Festival is back with an unmissable 2026 lineup—here's how we're making a trip out of it. 

Square has teamed up with local chef Joel Bennetts to create Good Neighbours, a video series spotlighting the legends behind some of the city’s most-loved spots.

Sydney has seen its fair share of wild nights, but nothing quite like this.

Lacoste is bringing its global Le Club Lacoste experience to Australia for the very first time, and they’re doing it by building a 20+ metre floating tennis court on the Yarra.

Turns out you don’t need a plane ticket to feel worlds away from Melbourne—a short drive to the Yarra Valley will do it.

Whether you’re planning a honeymoon or anniversary, massive family reunion or fun getaway with the crew, Singapore delivers for every special occasion

So where does she go to recharge? Escaping the hustle and bustle of New York is a must for Emma Mannswirth, and she loves heading to both central New York State and the Finger Lakes.

We’ve uncovered a luxurious lineup of local road trips that feel like a slice of Italy, the Alps and beyond.

New York is a state of great escapes, and Pam Hendry knows it well.

Ever wondered what chefs dream of whipping up when they’re not plating your usual order? Well, the kitchen curtain’s finally lifting. 

Australia’s flagship celebration of queer film, Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF) has announced a jam-packed special anniversary program for the summer of 2025. 

Looking for the best things to do in Melbourne this weekend? From blockbuster food festivals and pop-up markets to immersive art shows, live music gigs and family-friendly events, the city is heaving with must-see happenings.

Steeped in culture and brimming with world-class hotels, Michelin-starred street eats, a vibing nightlife and sun-kissed islands, Singapore is worthy of so much more than just a few hours between flights.

Get ready to rock, Melbourne: Amyl and The Sniffers are back for a surprise hometown show this Friday. And it’s entirely free. For one night, they’ll bring their infamous and unapologetic raw rock spirit to the heart of Melbourne to electrify the stage at Fed Square. 

It's that glorious time of year when the days get longer, the scent of fresh flowers tints the breeze, and a fresh set of activities hits the CBD. So what's on the menu this season?

From multi-sensory art installations to a music festival in a quarry, there’s a whole world of wonderful experiences just waiting to be discovered beyond the city.

We've teamed up with RedBalloon to curate exclusive experiences for mates, dates and everything in between. 

If you haven’t had the chance to catch Cirque du Soleil live yet, take this as your cue—their KOOZA tour is landing in Australia in 2026.

 Just 60 minutes from Melbourne, the Goulburn Region is serving up some seriously impressive eats. 

We’re saddling up and showing you how to ride the wave of the country revival, Aussie style.

If you’re planning a Singapore sojourn soon and want to truly dive into the island’s vibrant culture, epic eats and bucket list-worthy experiences, we’ve got the ultimate hit list for you. 

 From meticulously designed neighbourhoods to world-class eats, buzzing cultural hubs, and effortless transport, every moment in Singapore counts. 

To celebrate the launch of their slick new wine cabinet range, Vintec are giving you the chance to host the dinner party of your dreams with Decant and Dine. 

From the usual suspects like Gardens by the Bay and Universal Studios Singapore to more unusual offerings like Haw Par Villa and Changi Jurassic Mile, here are the best things to do in Singapore.

Get ready to twirl your fork as a heap of eateries across Melbourne celebrate World Pasta Day (October 25).

When life’s going at full pelt, the sweetest escapes are the ones that turn everything down a notch. These slow-down towns turn rest, stillness and a wander to the local bowlo the whole itinerary.

Clear your calendars and charge your cameras, crew—the biggest photography festival of the year is back.

Ready to book your next holiday on miles? Download the app and discover all the ways you can get the best bang—and miles—for your buck. 

From 1 October to 31 October, six of our favourite restaurants across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are dusting off the dishes they’ve been keeping under wraps.

Melbourne is filled with experts who know their stuff. They’re creatives, enthusiasts and artists who’ve honed supreme skills over time and are now keen to share their secrets.

PowerPlay has just opened its newest electric go-karting track in Braybrook, Melbourne, and it's waiting for you to take the wheel.

Be still, our emo beating hearts. Good Things Festival has released the full playing times for its 2025 tour.

The vibes in Noosa are immaculate and the dishes are bucket list-worthy.

Whether you have a couple of hours airside transiting to your next destination or you’re lucky enough to make a day of it in Jewel, we’ve sorted your next layover at Changi Airport in Singapore.

Never mind the rides and the showbags. The main reason to get excited about the Melbourne Royal Show is the food. And no, we’re not talking toffee apples and fairy floss, but the smorgasbord of street eats from some of Melbourne’s best-known food trucks, cafes and diners that gets bigger and more diverse every year.

Melbourne is getting a little taste of Tasmania, with the city’s very-own Sauna Boat set to open this weekend.

CMC Rocks QLD’s back for 2026, and boy, are we geared up for this one.

A suburb that suits everyone from city slickers and young families to uni students, North Melbourne is a diverse cultural precinct with a rock solid sense of community.

Keen to sip without spending a cent? Here’s where you can score your free cup of joe in Melbourne.

Dogs love water just as much as we do, from chasing garden hose streams to splashing in shallow pools. Watching your pup frolic in the waves at Melbourne’s best dog-friendly beaches is pure joy. However, not all beaches welcome furry friends. We've curated the top dog beaches in Victoria for 2025 so you and your best mate can enjoy the coast together. Here are Urban List's picks for the best dog-friendly beaches in Victoria.

Book in your tix for this single-screen, 64-seat charmer with daily sessions from 11am, late shows on weekends, a licensed bar—and house-made choc tops plus Pat & Stick’s ice-creams.

We live in spa country. We’ve got some of the best day spas in Melbourne and beyond with Daylesford and Sorrento bringing the goods. Breathe in, breathe out, relax your shoulders, and get booking. Here is Urban List's guide to the best days spas Melbourne and Victoria have to offer.

“Get a room,” they said—so we did.

With a forecast of crisp sunny days and good times on the agenda, there’s endless places to play and stay in this literal slice of paradise.

Meredith Music Festival is back for 2025, and they’ve just dropped a banging line-up to follow the events of last year.

Dig out the CamelBak you bought in 2001, invest in some super tough band aids, and drop your adventure pin on any of Australia's best hikes and walks. 

 Next-gen artists lighting up the city, tropical islands, ancient rainforests and sun-soaked afternoons await.

You don't have to be a sailing fanatic to head to Hamilton Island Race Week. 

Whether you’re a literature buff swooning over the likes of Mr Darcy, wading through the mysteries of Hill House, or simply a sucker for a good antipasto, this unique bookclub is unrivaled in Melbourne’s current novel landscape.

Sydney night owls and thrill-seekers get ready. This is one party you won't want to miss.

Grab your sunnies (and perhaps a seasickness pill) ‘cause whale watching season is upon us. 

If there’s one guarantee in this life, it's that there's always something to do in Melbourne—even when the temps start dropping offensively low.

Bendigo has seriously diversified its portfolio since its opulent gold rush era. Now with an impressive food scene, buzzing creative community and regional charm aplenty, it's the weekend getwaway from the city you need to take. 

Geelong, it's only an hour away from Melbourne but it's a whole new world and there's plenty of things to get around. Here's the local inside scoop on where to eat, drink, play and stay when you're in The Pivot.

Whether it's Dolly Parton hitting the Comedy Theatre stage bootstraps and rhinestones in tow, or the awaited return of Lightscape’s epic winter trail, Melbourne’s serving up another weekend of top-tier happenings. 

Arguably Melbourne’s most picturesque regional city, Ballarat was founded in 1838 and was the centre of the gold rush in Victoria—and very briefly one of the wealthiest cities in the world. It’s come a long way since then and it’s not just about gold rush history anymore—there’s more things to eat, drink, do and see than ever before.

If you're planning on cosying up and leaving home only for the most impressive events this winter you're in luck, because Firelight Festival is set to return bigger and brighter than ever. 

This winter night market is the snow-dusted winter wonderland that Melbournians usually only dream about (or fly to Europe for). Here are all the reasons Queen Victoria Market's Winter Market is worth rugging up for. 

Consider this your Melbourne bucket list that covers both tourist attractions and local haunts. There are endless things to do, see, eat and drink but sometimes it's difficult to know where to start. Like all good city guides, we’ve divided our hit list into a compass-like fashion to help you navigate your way around Melbourne’s best activities. So this is your chance to discover something new in your suburb or dare to venture into an unfamiliar area.

Mighty MIFF (Melbourne International Film Festival) is back from Thursday 7 August to Sunday 24 August. We’ve deciphered the "First Glance" program into bite-sized pieces so you know what to watch without the hard work. 

Feeling like the Melbourne nightlife is looking a little samey-samey? Us too, there’s are only so many tucked away wine bars and eateries you can adventure to for date night, so why not try something a little different.

Stuck for unique date ideas in Melbourne? The sheer number of options is overwhelming, but don't worry we've got you. If you're looking for the best, fun, cute, cheap, cool, free or first date ideas we have something good for everyone.

No need for bowling shoes or chalked hands, axe throwing is the come-as-you-are pastime bringing infectiously good times to anyone who picks up a handle. 

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.

With no magical frozen lakes to skate on in Melbourne this winter (though it’s damn cold enough, am I right?), the closest thing we’re going to come to a winter wonderland is an ice skating rink. 

Looking for Melbourne's best mini golf? Whether you're after a glow-in-the-dark party, coastal views with your putts or the ultimate obstacle courses, we've teed up the city's top spots for unforgettable rounds. 

Netflix is bringing Squid Game to life with a spine-tingling activation at Federation Square this month. 

Sandy McIntyre is the actor, writer, producer and model making waves across Australia’s creative scene. We picked their brains on the best of what to do in Sydney this winter season. 

If there’s one person who knows how to make the most of a weekend in Sydney, it’s the powerhouse NRLW player, sharp-witted commentator, and podcast co-host Millie Elliott. 

With this year marking the event’s 20th anniversary and its biggest program to date, Sydney Comedy Festival is set to roll into town for a month of cracking jokes. 

Want an unfettered farmstay experience? Bluestone Ridge is the real deal, this 800 acre cattle farm is tucked away in Victoria's High Country and is the serene escape you're after.

No matter the season, it’s always prime time to pack the car and escape into Victoria’s wild backyard. From lush riverfront bushland to windswept coastal dunes (yes, you might spot a whale), the state is dotted with incredible free camping spots - some within just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne.

How far would you drive for some Sizzler-style cheese toast? 'Cos we're happy to spend an hour heading up to the Blackwood Hotel for a little slice of nostalgia and a frosty pint to match.

Whether you’re planning a first date, an anniversary, or a sweet surprise for your special someone, organising a date that makes them swoon (and scores you some serious brownie points) is always a win.

For those on the hunt for a cultural experience rich with all things history, people, stories, and nature, Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau) should be top of the list. 

Winter just got cheesier. From 15 May to 22 June 2025, Fed Square transforms into a snow-dusted French alpine village for Fondue Chalet—the city’s most indulgent winter pop-up from the team behind Melbourne’s cult-favourite Raclette Igloo.

This destination diner in the Southern Grampians is the very essence of local, Victorian dining. And it doesn't hurt that the surrounds are stunning.

Hint, it involves free entry, and we're here for that to send them off.

Singapore has so much to offer that even a short stopover becomes its own holiday. Uncover the hidden gems of this incredible country—you might just find that you want to stay longer. 

Tucked away on Japan’s southwestern island of Kyushu, Fukuoka thrives in the understated—a mix of old-world craft and neon-lit nights where every bite and every hidden corner convinces you to stay a little longer. 

The Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix 2025 is a pretty big deal for us Melburnians.

As the action revs up on the track, we'll show you how to ace the off-track scene

Expect a three-course meal, inventive minty cocktails, wine and conversation cards to get to know your new mates.