Adelaide
Ground zero for live music in Adelaide, 'The Gov' hosts some legendary local and international acts. The odd Irish band fiddles around in the bar, while…
Must-see entertainment in Australia & Pacific
Darwin
During the Dry, the Darwin Film Society runs this fabulous outdoor cinema below the southern end of the Esplanade. Watch a movie under the stars while…
Sydney
During the cricket season (October to March), the stately SCG is the venue for interstate cricket matches (featuring the NSW Blues), family-friendly Big…
Adelaide
Adelaide's riverside stadium (capacity 53,000) hosts major sporting events through the year, including national AFL (www.afl.com.au) and state-based SANFL…
Melbourne
Melbourne's original outdoor cinema hits the Royal Botanic Gardens from the end of November through March, screening current releases and retro classics…
Cradle Country & The West
Billed as Australia's longest-running play (it celebrated its 25th anniversary in Strahan in January 2019), this 1¼-hour, two-actor performance tells the…
Surry Hills & Darlinghurst
In what was once the Sydney HQ of Paramount Pictures, a heart-warming small cinema occupies the former screening room downstairs. It shows old favourites,…
Hobart
The Republic is a raucous art-deco pub hosting live music every night (often with free entry). It’s the number-one live-music pub around town, with an…
Sydney
The action at Sydney's most famous racecourse peaks in April with several high-profile races, including the Queen Elizabeth Stakes; check the online…
Hobart
Saved from the wrecking ball in the 1980s, the 11-screen State (built in 1913) shows independent and art-house flicks. There’s a great cafe and bar on…
Newtown & the Inner West
Roomy and decadently decorated with erotic ceiling paintings, Lazybones has live music nightly and a decent line in cocktails and food. At weekends it…
Cairns & Far North Queensland
For a piece of real country nostalgia, head to this old-school drive-in cinema, the only one left in Far North Queensland. It screens two mainstream…
Surry Hills & Darlinghurst
In a quiet corner of Surry Hills, this intimate venue, with two small stages, is the home of an often-experimental and consistently excellent theatre…
Wellington
Wellywood’s cinema mother ship is an art-deco darling, built in the 1920s. Today she screens mainly mainstream films with state-of-the-art sound and…
Victoria
Ballarat’s best original live-music venue showcases local and touring rock and indie bands in its grungy band room.
Adelaide
In semi-industrial Thebarton 3km west of the city centre, the everlovin’ Wheatsheaf Hotel draws an offbeat, arty crowd of students, lesbians, gays, punks…
Victoria
In operation since the 1850s, the Theatre Royal is a Castlemaine landmark that hosts a fantastic range of cinema as well as touring live bands. Recent…
Hobart
This venerable old stager is Australia’s oldest continuously operating theatre, with actors first treading the boards here back in 1837 (the foundation…
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
Brisbane
Known locally as QPAC, Brisbane’s main performing arts centre comprises four venues and the Tony Gould Gallery, the latter a small exhibition space…
Tathra & Around
Tathra is a beautiful coastal town which was rocked by bush fires back in 2018. The town is often bypassed by travellers, but its beach is a beauty,…
Sydney
Home to local heroes the Sydney Roosters rugby league team (www.roosters.com.au), the NSW Waratahs rugby union team (www.waratahs.com.au) and the Sydney…
Newtown & the Inner West
Deep within the leafy grounds of Sydney Uni, this former women’s college now houses a 950-capacity venue with multiple levels and spaces. Check the gig…
Rotorua
Modestly proclaiming itself one of the 10 best experiences in the world, Tamaki offers a 3½-hour twilight Māori cultural experience in its recreated…
Melbourne
At the back of a car park near the train tracks is not usually a great spot to hang out, but here you'll find a street-art-covered warehouse facade…
Victoria
The new owners of this much-loved grungy band room have made food a big feature, but thankfully they're still booking quality Aussie indie bands: there…
Queenstown & Wanaka
This is what a cinema should be like: wide, ultra-comfortable seating with fine local wine, cheese boards and olives available to accompany the mostly art…
Sydney
Since 1975 the ACO has been making chamber music sexy and adventurous, especially under the tutelage of artistic director and lead violinist Richard…
Sydney
Musica Viva is the largest presenter of ensemble music in the world, providing over 2000 concerts around Australia annually in a number of musical styles …
Brisbane
What was a 1920s power station is now a hub of nationally and internationally acclaimed theatre, music, comedy, dance and more. The complex also hosts a…
Surry Hills & Darlinghurst
Focusing on jazz, roots, reggae, funk, gypsy and Latin music, this small, relaxed venue is run by artists and thoughtfully programmed. The space features…
Sydney
The Melbourne-based Australian Ballet performs a wide repertoire of classical as well as contemporary works. See them twinkle their toes at the Sydney…
Surry Hills & Darlinghurst
Indie kids party against an arty backdrop at this two-room multipurpose venue modelled on Andy Warhol's NYC creative base. There's a gallery, a bar and a…
Sydney
Opera Australia is the big player in Oz opera, staging over 600 performances a year. The company's Sydney shows are performed in the Sydney Opera House,…
Christchurch
This century-old dear survived the quakes and emerged restored to full glory in 2014. Its heritage features are enjoyed by patrons venturing inside for…
Canberra
Canberra's longest-running live-music venue has been spruced up a little, but remains the city's same old darling of dirty rock. There are pool tables and…
Sydney
Take a picnic and join the bats under the stars in magnificent Centennial Park; enter via the Woollahra Gate on Oxford St. A mix of new-release…
Adelaide
In summer pack a picnic and mosquito repellent, and sprawl out on the lawn to watch old and new classics under the stars. 'Gold Grass' tickets, which cost…
Darwin
This venue is Darwin's leading place for live music. A not-for-profit venue for musicians run by musicians, you won't hear cover bands in here. Original,…
Napier
A vision in purple, this boutique 45-seat cinema screens art-house flicks in a sumptuous lounge, with ready access to pizza and dumpling snacks from a…
Sydney
Australia's Shakespeare specialists stage their Sydney performances in the Opera House. Their repertoire occasionally deviates from the bard to the likes…
