The Bathurst region is stepping confidently into the national spotlight with the launch of Bathurst & Backroads — a dynamic new digital platform that brings the culture, creativity and character of this unique part of New South Wales to life.

Backed by high-profile ambassadors Edwina Bartholomew and Matt Moran, the initiative offers a compelling invitation to Australians to slow down and rediscover the charm and richness of regional life — from artisan food producers and boutique stays to historic townships and breathtaking backroad journeys.

Wrexham AFC have announced this year’s pre-season tour will take the men’s first team to Australia and New Zealand in July, with matches confirmed in Australia versus Melbourne Victory on 11 July (Marvel Stadium), Sydney FC on 15 July (Allianz Stadium), and Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand on 19 July (Sky Stadium).

The Wrexham Down Under Tour this summer follows the Club’s promotion to the Championship in the English Football League marking a record-breaking three promotions in a row for manager Phil Parkinson’s side.

Producers of the Tony®, Olivier®, and Grammy® award-winning production THE BOOK OF MORMON, have announced the final casting for the production which is opening in Sydney in July 2025. 

Following the announcement of 2025’s sensational main stage line up, the Deni Ute Muster is thrilled to announce that The Wiggles will be making their Muster debut on the Main Stage.

The Wiggles will be joined by all their wiggly friends (Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, Captain Feathersword and TikTok sensation, The Tree of Wisdom) with a show that will have all our little Musterers, as well as some of our big ones, on their feet singing and dancing along.

After more than 300 Céline-belting, wig-snatching, laugh-out-loud performances, TITANIQUE is preparing to leave the dock one last time. This June, the outrageous and award-winning musical parody will unberth from Sydney’s The Grand Electric, sailing off into the sunset—never to return to Australian shores (unless, of course, an iceberg demands an encore).

Elite Energy Events is thrilled to announce the inaugural Run Wagga Wagga Running Festival, set to take place on 7 March 2026. This exciting community event invites runners of all abilities to experience the scenic beauty of Wagga Wagga with race distances ranging from a 42.2km marathon, 21.1km half marathon, 10km, 5km, and 2km courses. Run Wagga Wagga promises an unforgettable race day, designed to unite the community and showcase the best of the region. 

Celebrating Community and Local Charm

South by Southwest Sydney® (SXSW Sydney®) has today revealed the first look at the 2025 official Music Festival lineup. SXSW Sydney will this year be held from October 13-19, with early bird pricing now available. 

From some of music’s most buzzworthy new innovators to soon-to-be-discovered artists,  SXSW Sydney’s Music Festival is the ultimate Asia-Pacific destination for uncovering the future of music. 

Excitement is building ahead of the return of UKG IRONMAN Australia this weekend, with athletes from across Australia and around the world making their way to the Port Macquarie-Hastings region for the iconic event.

More than 2,700 athletes will be in action on Sunday 4 May, taking on either the IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 triathlons on the New South Wales mid-North Coast. 

With less than six months to race day, the City of Wollongong, Australia, is already buzzing with excitement, as it prepares to host the prestigious 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals between the 15-19 October, 2025. 

The 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show (the Show) ends after 12-days of food, fun and farmtastic experiences, welcoming over 850,000 people through the gates. 

The Show got off to a bang on April 11, breaking a decades old attendance record for the opening day with over 60,000 heading to Sydney Showground. 

Through the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS), the Show brought the country to the city and connected millions of Australians with the people and the produce behind the nation’s agriculture industry.

Proudly supported by Destination NSW, the NSW Government's tourism and major events agency, the 36-hole championship at Binalong Golf Club in the NSW Southern Tablelands was a world-first for professional men's golf globally last year.

Olivia Wilson, General Manager of Golf at Golf NSW, said the inaugural tournament was a resounding success that attracted enormous interest.

"The concept of playing a men's professional tournament on sand greens was a first in Australia and captured the imagination of the players."

The NSW Sapphire Coast will once again provide a stunning backdrop for one of the country’s most distinctive cultural celebrations, as the Minns Labor Government investment has ensured the return of the Wanderer Festival at Pambula Beach over the October long weekend, 4-5 October 2025.

On Friday, 11 April, Hunter St Hospitality launches The Collective, a vibrant hospitality precinct blending the timeless charm of Sydney's heritage-rich The Rocks district with contemporary dining and drinking experiences. With a vast footprint of 1,800 square metres, the precinct combines established icons like Saké and The Cut Bar & Grill with fresh, inventive venues - The Dining Room, The Garden, and Tailor Room - creating a lively destination that invites exploration from relaxed mornings to bustling evenings. 

The 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS is set to be bigger than ever, with the return of the TCS Sydney Mini Marathon on Saturday, 30 August, and the TCS Sydney Marathon 10km on Sunday, 31 August.  In response to the surging demand for participation, the event will now span an entire weekend, giving more runners the chance to be part of this history-making occasion.

Returning to the Southern Highlands on Sunday, 19 October 2025, the cycling Gran Fondo offers three courses ranging from 85km to 150km. Starting on Bong Bong St in the heart of Bowral, the routes will showcase the best of the region’s idyllic scenery and challenging terrain that has made the event a staple in the Australian cycling calendar. 

Producers John Frost, Colin Ingram and the creators of the original film trilogy Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale are thrilled to announce that Tony Award winner Roger Bart will don the boiler suit and voice-activate the time travelling DeLorean for the Australian Premiere season of BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical, reprising the beloved role of Dr.

The TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS today announced a record-breaking prize pool of $135,000 AUD exclusively for Australian athletes, marking the largest ever domestic prize offering for a marathon event in Australia. This landmark investment underscores the marathon’s commitment to elevating Australian runners and fostering the nation’s elite running talent as the event officially joins the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM).

Sydney, get ready! Fresh off the plane from New York, Francesca has arrived and is taking over her cousin Georgie’s place in the heart of the CBD for one week only. From April 7-12, this gnocchi bar pop-up will bring the best-kept secrets of New York’s iconic Italian dining scene to Sydney.

Presented by the acclaimed Maybe Sammy team as part of the Maybe Cocktail Festival, Francesca is all about indulgence – serving up bowls of pillowy gnocchi and world-class cocktails in an irresistibly nostalgic setting. 

It’s with great pleasure that the Deni Ute Muster announces its excellent line up for 2025, featuring international and local country music superstars lighting up the stage on Friday, 3 October and Saturday, 4 October 2025.

This winter the Art Gallery of New South Wales will present Yolŋu power: the art of Yirrkala, a ma

Katoomba, Blue Mountains: After a sold-out debut season, Nocturnal returns re-imagined – holographic native creatures, projection mapping across ancient rock formations and an illuminated interpretation of the secret language of the forest will transform the rainforest into an unforgettable after-dark experience exclusive to Scenic World. 

Australia's best professional and elite amateur golfers will test their skills on some of our State's best regional courses, with dates and venues confirmed for six NSW Regional Open Qualifying tournaments in 2025.

With the Ford NSW Open Championship planned for mid-November, the six $50,000 lead-in events will attract competitors from across Australasia.

In addition to the lucrative purses at each event, three spots in the Championship are also up for grabs for the highest placegetters not already exempt into the November field.

Sydney, Australia: Today AFC Australian Fashion Week 2025 (AFW) was officially launched, with a Designer Breakfast in celebration of the participating designers for 2025, held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

The presenting partner of AFC Australian Fashion Week 2025 is Shark Beauty and the event will take place in Sydney from 12-16th of May at Carriageworks and other iconic Sydney locations. 

Rugby Australia (RA) will today release the final ticket allocation for this year’s eagerly-anticipated Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Series, which begins in Perth in 100 days’ time.
 
RA is also pleased to confirm the final nine-game tour schedule for the Lions, which will include an historic clash with the First Nations & Pasifika XV at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on Tuesday, July 22. 

The TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS has today announced that legendary marathoner Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) will race in the 2025 event, marking the first time in history that the global icon will compete on Australian soil.

The Rainbow Festival will be held in Orange from March 19-23 celebrating inclusion and acceptance within our community.

 This year the city’s LGBTQIA+ festival will build on the success of last year’s inaugural celebration with a five-day program of events, including signature events, the Rainbow Walk and Community Gathering, and the Rainbow Festival Pride Party, hosted by Orange City Council.

Orange Mayor Tony Mileto encouraged residents to get involved in the celebration with our local LGBTQIA+ community.

Sydney Writers’ Festival (SWF, 19-27 May) and Vivid Sydney (23 May-14 June), today announce two significant literary events, part of Vivid Sydney’s Ideas program: Why We Sleep, featuring Professor Matthew Walker, and Firetalk.

Sydney, Australia: Carriageworks, on Gadigal Country, has unveiled a dynamic program of live music and food spearheaded by Australian talent for Vivid Sydney 2025, Australia’s largest festival and major showcase of our creative industries.

This winter, Sydney Film Festival (4–15 June 2025) in partnership with Vivid Sydney (23 May-14 June 2025), will present two extraordinary film events that go beyond the screen, featuring live performances and groundbreaking artistry.

Touch Football Australia (TFA) has today announced that The Championships has been rescheduled to occur from Friday, 30 May to Sunday, 1 June 2025.

Sydney, Australia: The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) is delighted to announce Shark Beauty as Presenting Partner of AFC Australian Fashion Week 2025, the nation’s premier fashion event. This partnership signals a bold new era for AFC Australian Fashion Week, with Shark Beauty bringing its commitment to innovation, creativity, and self-expression to the forefront of the Australian fashion industry.

Former NSW Amateur star and LPGA winner Grace Kim will headline next week's Australian Women's Classic at Coffs Harbour Golf Club, bringing her rising international reputation home to where her career began.
 

Touch Football Australia (TFA) has made the incredibly difficult but necessary decision to postpone The Championships due to the severe weather forecast caused by Category Two Tropical Cyclone Alfred off the South-East Queensland coast. The safety of our players, officials, staff, and spectators is our top priority – and after consulting with local authorities and emergency services, there is no other course of action.

Rehearsals have begun with gusto for Guys & Dolls on Sydney Harbour, which will debut at the annual outdoor Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour spectacular for a strictly limited four-week season from 21 March to 20 April at Mrs Macquaries Point. 

International recording artist Cody Simpson has started preparing for his role as high-roller Sky Masterson, opposite award-winning leading lady Annie Aitken as Sarah Brown. 

New South Wales will host Australia’s most promising young female footballers this July when the 2025 Emerging Matildas Championships take place at Valentine Sports Park in Sydney.

The countdown is officially on for Australia’s largest agricultural event, with tickets for the 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show (the Show) on sale from 12:00PM (AEDT) today.

Agriculture and Sydney Royal Easter Show General Manager, Murray Wilton, said the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) is excited to welcome the country back to the city to celebrate everything we love about the Show and rural Australia: farmers, food, and family fun. 

Disney Theatrical Group today announced Disney’s The Lion King the world’s #1 musical will return to Australia, premiering in Sydney in April 2026. Loved by millions globally, including audiences across Australia, the award-winning musical production will open at the Capitol Theatre with performances from April next year. 

On Saturday, 1 March 2025, Virgin Australia and Ovolo Hotels are turning up the pride and party vibes for the biggest LGBTQIA+ weekend of the year. Returning for another year, The Pride Flight Recovery Brunch at Ovolo Woolloomooloo is the ultimate pre parade event to kickstart a full day of rainbow celebrations.

Synchronise your watches for 10am this morning… Theatre-lovers, film buffs, DeLorean enthusiasts and time travelers alike are invited to come back in time with Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett Brown, with tickets on sale today for the Australian premiere season of BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical. The smash-hit production, winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, will welcome audiences for the first time on Australian soil at the Sydney Lyric from Friday 26th September.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is set to make 2025 one for the history books, announcing a jaw-dropping line-up of over 150 artists across its signature events, from the iconic Mardi Gras Party to the dazzling return of Fair Day. Adding to the excitement, this year welcomes a brand-new dance party, Club Gras Presented by Absolut X, taking over ivy in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.

Opera Australia has announced Angelina Thomson will play Miss Adelaide in its brand-new production of award-winning Broadway musical Guys & Dolls when it opens at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour on 21 March.

After an extensive nationwide search to find just the right performer who had the voice, the dance moves and the comedy chops to bring to the role, Director Shaun Rennie is looking forward to getting started on rehearsals with his cast now complete.

The Mudgee Classic, one of Australia’s premier cycling events, returns on May 3–4, 2025. With five courses across two days, showcasing the best of Mudgee’s road and gravel riding, there is something for every cycling enthusiast. But it’s not just the breathtaking landscapes or the challenging courses that make this event special—it’s the local volunteers who bring it to life.  

The TCS Sydney Marathon, presented by ASICS, has exceeded all expectations with a staggering 79,083 runners applying for a chance to participate in Sydney’s first year as an Abbott World Marathon Major (AbbottWMM). An estimated 35,000 participants from around the globe are expected to cross the finish line at the iconic Sydney Opera House on a Sunday, 31 August 2025.

Bluesfest 2025 continues to solidify its reputation as Australia’s premier music event with the announcement of its fourth wave of artists. Headlined by R&B legend Chaka Khan, rock icons Toto, the timeless sound of Christopher Cross, and the Polynesian vibes of Maoli.

It’s officially 2025, and Grain Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney is leaning into its iconic location and local roots and inviting Sydneysiders to indulge in the quintessential summer pairing: artisanal gin and fresh Sydney Rock Oysters, and inviting guests to become their own G&T connoisseur.

YHA Australia is excited to unveil the completion of a major $9.7 million seven-month long renovation. Driven by evolving travel trends and direct guest feedback, the revitalisation project aligns with YHA’s vision to provide connectivity, privacy, and modern, sustainable accommodation for a new kind of traveller. 

Golden Century at Crown Sydney will officially open on Monday, 20 January, with reservations opening today in time for Lunar New Year. Golden Century will reprise the menu from its original location in Sussex St, which has been unavailable since 2020.

Visitor spending has broken records in NSW, reaching $31.3 billion for domestic overnight expenditure across the state in the year ending September 2024.

Powerhouse today announces Powerhouse Food: Little India, a new dinner series spotlighting the vibrant Indian food culture in Western Sydney’s Harris Park.

Curated by acclaimed chef and Powerhouse Associate Kylie Kwong and founder of The Modern Desi Co Bhavna Kalra Shivalkar, this series invites guests on a culinary journey to explore the bold and diverse flavours, distinctive cooking styles and regional specialities from across India. 

BridgeClimb Sydney is thrilled to unveil its newly reimagined Climb Suit — the first major redesign in over 12 years. This vibrant new design, created in collaboration with renowned First Nations artist Taleena Simon, is more than just a grey onesie; it’s a powerful symbol of unity and respect.

A Celebration of Culture and Heritage

The much-anticipated Lismore to Bentley section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is set to officially open this Saturday and the community is invited to come along to explore this enchanting new experience.

Well-known local musician Luke Vassella will provide entertainment between 8.30am and 12.30pm, with lots of family friendly activities such as creating pedal-powered smoothies and trishaw rides.

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said the opening of this section meant people could now ride or trek all the way from Lismore to Casino.

Emerging national talent is set to shine when the 2025 National Netball Championships return next April. 

Netball Australia’s 17/U and 19/U pathway competitions will be contested across the week of April 10-16 at Sydney’s Netball Central.  

The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA Australia), on Friday 29 November opened the first major survey in Australia and the Asia Pacific region of renowned Ethiopian American artist Julie Mehretu, presented for its Sydney International Art Series 2024-2025 summer exhibition.  

Leading Western Sydney hotel PARKROYAL Parramatta has begun a major transformation set to be unveiled in April 2025. The hotel’s refurbishment will include extensive updates to over two thirds of its 286 rooms and suites within the hotel’s original tower.

The wait is over—The EVE Hotel Sydney is set to open its doors on 13 February 2025, bringing a bold new vision of boutique luxury to the vibrant Wunderlich Lane lifestyle precinct. 

Venerated Sydney restaurateurs Alessandro and Anna Pavoni (a’Mare, Ormeggio at the Spit, Chiosco, Postino Osteria) will open Cibaria Manly (and 55 North Bar) at the Manly Pacific Hotel on 16 December. From the word ‘Cibo’ meaning food in Italian, Cibaria will offer diners a variety of Italian dishes from open kitchens dotted throughout the beachfront venue, with a rooftop terrazza events space.

The A-Leagues has wrapped up the second edition of its Unite Round with a big increase in crowd numbers and exciting football headlining an action-packed weekend across Sydney.

33 goals were scored across 12 games, as the Ninja A-League Women and Isuzu UTE A-League Men descended on Sydney for a full round of attacking and exciting football.

Today, IMG announced the winners of the 2024 Australian Fashion Laureate, honouring outstanding accomplishments in Australian fashion. Established in 2008 in partnership with the NSW Government, the Australian Fashion Laureate celebrates excellence and highlights achievements in Australian design, sustainability, and leadership across the fashion industry.

Opera Australia today announced that pop star and champion swimmer Cody Simpson will make a spectacular return to the stage in 2025, making his Australian musical theatre debut alongside an all-star cast in a brand-new production of the award-winning Broadway musical Guys & Dolls at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour from 21 March to 20 April.

Australian producer Michael Cassel, alongside original Broadway producers Lia Vollack, John Branca, and John McClain, is thrilled to announce the cast of the Tony Award-winning musical MJ, set to make its Australian debut at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in February 2025.

The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2025, featuring the best restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs across NSW and ACT, launches tomorrow after Saint Peter was named Vittoria Coffee Restaurant of the Year at a chef-studded awards ceremony held in the Sydney Opera House tonight.

Photofields 2024, a photography event by Powerhouse, returns to Sydney this December 6–7, with an expanded program of workshops, talks, screenings and an exhibition. Held at Ace Hotel, Golden Age Cinema and Sydney Observatory, the program will bring together leading photographers, astronomers, and filmmakers to explore the powerful role of lens-based media in telling stories about the cosmos, the sky, and Country.

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival returns from 14 February to 2 March 2025, promising an extraordinary celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride, culture, and community. With a refocused approach, this year’s festival brings us back to the heart of what Sydney Mardi Gras is all about—unapologetic self-expression, powerful inclusivity, and joyous unity.

Producers of the Tony®, Olivier®, and Grammy® award-winning production THE BOOK OF MORMON, have announced principal casting for the production opening in Sydney in July 2025.  

The schedule for United Cup 2025 has been released as tickets to the tournament’s group stage go on sale today at 5.00pm local time in Perth and Sydney.

The world’s best tennis players are set for some thrilling match-ups at the third edition of the innovative mixed team event when action unfolds from Friday 27 December to Sunday 5 January.

‘For me, painting is bringing my thoughts to life. I very much like poets and writers, but I am not a writer, so I think in images, not in novels or in poems.’ – René Magritte, 1962