Summer is bringing plenty of new stars to Sydney and NSW just in time for the holidays. Find coveted new tables at a slew of city restaurants, soar over the Murray River in a hot air balloon, learn to shuck oysters on the Sapphire Coast, and find the newest luxury stays in the state.

NEW STAYS 

Set up camp 
Luxury Riverina glamping business Luxe Camp Co offers stylish pop-up camping hire throughout NSW, perfect for special getaways, weddings and events. The Albury-based team will set up, style and pack away the camps, which includes queen-size bedding, quality linen and pillows, a side table, floor mats, lighting, and even portable bathrooms for large bookings. 

River cottage
The River Haus, a refurbished country cottage on the Hunter River has opened in Morpeth, just a 40-minute drive from Newcastle. The plush property features two queen bedrooms, fireplace, a fully equipped farmhouse kitchen, separate office, striking bathroom with freestanding tub, and every booking includes a bottle of Boydell’s Wine and Morpeth sourdough.

NEW FOOD, DRINK AND ENTERTAINMENT   

The new Ms G’s
MuMu is Merivale’s latest CBD restaurant, serving South East Asian street food-inspired cuisine alongside fun and fresh cocktails in the ivy precinct on George Street. Positioned as the older sibling of the restaurant group’s Ms G’s in Potts Point, MuMu will also be run by executive chef Dan Hong.

Fire up the barbie
American barbecue has arrived at Sean Connolly’s Steak & Co. restaurant in Rooty Hill’s entertainment complex, West HQ this summer. The celebrated Aussie chef has imported three Texas smokers for a special smoked menu on offer until the end of January.

Star Bar
With a nod to nostalgia and indulgence, Bar Nexus is a new cocktail bar and diner at The Star. Upscale burgers, Southern fried chicken and crinkle-cut fries are on the food menu, while drinks come in a rainbow of playful cocktails (Popcorn Espresso Martinis) and decadent thickshakes (Oreo Biscoff).

Bon appetit in Lavender Bay
Loulou, a new French bistro, bakery and traiteur (deli) will open up in Lavender Bay this month. A light French menu will be on offer at the bistro, led by head chef Billy Hannigan (Bistro Guillaume, The Ledbury London). While the boulangerie will serve fresh baguettes and pastries, and the traiteur offers house-made Toulouse sausage, country terrine, chicken liver parfait and more.

Totti’s in the Weeds
Bondi’s beloved Italian trattoria is coming to Sydney’s inner west as Totti’s opens in Rozelle. Set within the suburb’s local neighbourhood pub 3 Weeds, the new Totti’s will serve the restaurant’s famous potato bread, as well as handmade pasta and charcoal-roasted meats and fish.

Gosford’s new go-to
Just in time for summer days by the water, Drifter’s Wharf opens in Gosford this month. Run by the same team behind Terrigal’s Mumbo Jumbo’s and Avoca’s Shady Palms, this wharfside restaurant, bar and live music venue offers stunning views of Brisbane Waters.

Wagga for brunch
The latest addition to Wagga Wagga’s growing café scene is Mr. Lawrence, a café-restaurant-bar hybrid using food as a way to bring the community together. Located on the Murrumbidgee River, the modern eatery takes pride in its quality coffee, locally sourced produce and artful plating.

Queen Chow goes south
Sydney’s Cantonese diner Queen Chow is travelling down to Narooma for a seafood-focused pop-up at the Whale Inn. Launching 11 December, the menu will feature local Wagonga rock oysters, crayfish with XO sauce, as well as steamed, baked and fried dumplings overseen by dim sum master chef Eric Koh.

NEW EXPERIENCES   

Sydney on the water
Family-run harbour cruise company My Sydney Boat has launched two new on-the-water offerings: Sydney Sea Safari, a three-hour sojourn to the harbour’s most beautiful and secluded coves and beaches, with French Champagne included; and Watersports Adventure, a four-hour high-speed journey including stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, lilypad fun, swimming and snorkelling.

Mimosa Rocks on electric wheels
The wild forests and coastline of Mimosa Rocks National Park and Tathra can be explored with ease on a guided e-bike tour from Sapphire Coast Guiding Co. The tour takes in hidden beaches, rugged cliff tops, and some of Australia’s most unique nature and wildlife.

Shuck like a pro
Learn to shuck oysters alongside pretty views of Pambula Lake at Broadwater Oyster’s new Oyster Shucking School. Located at their marine farm on the South Coast, the class includes everything needed for opening and tasting Sydney Rock oysters fresh from the water.

Float over the Murray
Blue Skies Ballooning has launched a new flight over the Murray River’s Corowa region. The Hunter Valley business began their Corowa flights this month, offering bird’s-eye views of Rutherglen Vineyards, Corowa town, sprawling farmland and ancient river forests.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2021 AACTA Awards | Sydney
8 December 2021 
Held annually in Sydney in recognition and celebration of Australia's highest achievements in film and television, the AACTA Awards present over 55 awards across two major ceremonies.

Come From Away | Capitol Theatre, Sydney
Until 9 January, 2022
On stage at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre, The Tony® and Olivier award-winning musical Come From Away tells the remarkable true story of thousands of stranded passengers and the small town in Canada that welcomed them all.

Hamilton | Sydney Lyric Theatre
Until 27 February, 2022
Cultural phenomenon Hamilton is back on its Sydney stage, blending Broadway theatre with hip hop, jazz and R&B to tell a story of American history. Its Australian cast brings an unmissable performance and a revolutionary moment in theatre. 

Jagged Little Pill | Theatre Royal Sydney 
2-19 December
Tony® award-nominated Broadway rock musical, Jagged Little Pill, takes the stage at Theatre Royal Sydney in December. Relive Alanis Morissette’s epic 1995 album, including beloved hits such as You Oughta Know and Ironic with music artist Natalie Bassingthwaighte leading the Australian cast.

Australia Sail Grand Prix | Sydney Presented by KPMG | Sydney Harbour
17-18 December
The seventh event of SailGP season 2 will return to Sydney Harbour, with heart-stopping racing and a range of free and ticketed experiences on and off the water.

ELEVATE Sydney | Sydney
1-6 January, 2022
ELEVATE Sydney is a six-day entertainment and cultural celebration featuring a blockbuster line-up of live music and performers from NSW performing on Sydney’s Cahill Expressway.

The Little Prince, West HQ’s Sydney Coliseum Theatre
1-23 January, 2022
After sell-out seasons in France, Dubai, and the Sydney Opera House earlier this year, the cosmic and fantastic world of The Little Prince returns to Sydney direct from Paris, making a triumphant return to Australia at West HQ’s Sydney Coliseum Theatre for a strictly limited three-week season.

Girl From the North Country | Theatre Royal Sydney
From 5 January, 2022
On stage at Theatre Royal Sydney as part of Sydney Festival, this joyful musical reimagines the songs of Bob Dylan through a story of American life set in 1930s Minnesota. Tickets are on sale now.

Tamworth Country Music Festival | Tamworth
14-23 January, 2022
The 50th anniversary of Australia’s biggest country music festival will be an unmissable event, with the line-up including John Williamson, Beccy Cole, Kasey Chambers, Troy Cassar-Daley, all part of more than 2800 scheduled events.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras | Sydney
18 February to 6 March, 2022
The Mardi Gras Festival will make a grand return next year from 18 February – 6 March 2022. Bigger and better than ever, next year’s Festival will feature a packed program of events spanning theatre, visual arts, parties, community gatherings, panel discussions and more.

True Grit | Lower Portland
5-6 March, 2022
With 30 obstacles to navigate over 10 kilometres, this military-inspired race is held at a farm on the Hawkesbury River. The obstacles will take you across grasslands, rainforest, swamps and sand.

Great Southern Nights | Sydney & various NSW locations
18 March to 10 April, 2022
Great Southern Nights is a celebration of live music that takes place right across New South Wales. The dynamic event features hundreds of COVID-safe performances at live music venues across Greater Sydney and regional NSW in March and April 2022.