Adena Maier

Ready for a big weekend of eating, drinking and doing? Well, how fortunate that you've ended up here. We've collated a list of all the things worthy of your attention this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.   Keen to go back to a simpler time? Head over to the District Docklands and immerse yourself in the Throwback Lounge, a '90s-themed winter pop-up. Forget about the problems of our day and chow down on endless bowls of cereal while playing a few rounds of Daytona.  Wine seems to be the go-to beverage in winter, but it's time to give dark spirits some time in the spotlight. Enjoy a belly-warming feast and taste your way through artisanal rums, whiskies and bourbons at Craft and Co's Dark Spirits Festival. Still prefer wine? That's OK, head over to Nobu to enjoy the last few weeks of its delicious six-course collaboration with Petaluma Wines. Stay warm – and happy Melbourning! Looking for more ways to fill up your itinerary? These are the best things to do this month.

Planning the perfect wedding is no walk in the park, and one of the first — and most important — things to check off your list is picking your venue. Are you thinking beachside or inner-city converted warehouse? Atop the rolling hills of a vineyard, or in a cactus-filled desert oasis? Or maybe somewhere a bit kooky, like in a retro ice cream shop or at the carnival.  Whatever you fancy, there's a venue out there to suit your needs, and we've rounded up 30 of our top picks across Melbourne and Victoria. Don't forget to also plan your hen's party, and to pick out a romantic hotel and date-night restaurant for a bit of well-deserved R&R after your special day.  For your pre-wedding pampering, book in at one of Melbourne's best spas. Don't forget to schedule some time for a mani-pedi and hair styling session. 

School's out for spring from September 17 to October 2, so if you don't want bored kids on your hands, it's time to start planning. We've put together a list of the best family-friendly things to do right now, catering to a range of price points and ages. There are a few that you can do from the living room, too.  Need more things to do? Here’s what’s happening across Melbourne this week. 

When you live in a city, you tend to avoid the popular tourist traps and attractions in favour of things that are off the beaten path like hidden bars or secret gardens. And while a lot of tourist attractions are simply money sinks, many of them are popular with visitors for a reason.  That's why we've rounded up 26 experiences that we think are actually worth your while and showcase the best that Melbourne has to offer.  For more inspiration in Melbourne, work out your bucket list with 101 things to do in Melbourne before you die, or munch your way through the city with the 50 best restaurants in Melbourne. 

The Bellarine Peninsula is the lesser-known western cousin of the Mornington Peninsula, but it offers the same calibre of drinking, dining and gorgeous beaches. And while both are around the same distance by car from the Melbourne CBD (around an hour and a half), one thing that sets the Bellarine apart is its accessibility by ferry. Port Phillip Ferries takes off daily from the Docklands, and the journey only takes 70 minutes, making it an easy destination for those without a car.  Not sure what to do when you get there? To ensure you have a great holiday, we've rounded up our top picks for where to eat, drink and stay and play in the region.  Check out our travel guide to the Mornington Peninsula while you're at it.

Victoria is peppered with cascading rivers, some with plunge pools you can swim in and some dotted beside awe-inspiring bush walks. Forget what TLC said and go forth and chase down these magnificent waterfalls across our state. Be sure to pack a picnic so that you can sit back, relax and take in the views. Take a look at our favourites below then hop in the car and hunt down these majestic cascades.  Want something longer than a day trip? Here are our favourite weekend getaways.

With just over two weeks left of winter, there's still some time left to indulge in winter warmer activities. If you love rum and whisky, head over to the Craft and Co for its Dark Spirits Festival. Taste artisanal drops while feasting on a menu championing wintery produce.  MIFF is in full swing, and we've got the down-low on which flicks are worth your time. From the heartfelt and gritty War Pony and the whip-smart black comedy Sick of Myself to the melancholy, Melbourne-set Moja Vesna, there are heaps of fantastic movies to see. For more insight, consult our guide to the top ten Aussie films to see at MIFF. In the world of theatre, Alice Pung's beloved coming-of-age novel Laurinda has been brought to life at Southbank Theatre. And after the roaring success of Prima Facie, acclaimed playwright Suzie Miller has a new production at Malthouse Theatre. Anna K is inspired by Tolstoy's Anna Karenina and follows a top-rated TV journalist struggling under public scrutiny.  Looking for more ways to fill up your calendar? Plan a trip around our gorgeous state with our handy travel guides.

Sustainable products have never been more accessible to the general public than they are today, and now the key lies in bridging the convenience gap. How do we motivate tired and busy shoppers to lug their empty jars and containers to a bulk-buy whole food store when there’s a Coles or Woolies just down the road?  When Mexico-born Caro Felton and her Australian partner moved to Melbourne from Denmark in 2018, they faced this exact conundrum. During Melbourne’s lockdowns, they strived to make sustainable choices like growing their own food, composting scraps and shopping local and plastic-free where possible. Still, it became increasingly difficult to do so while also juggling work and caring for their newborn child.  “I wanted to keep getting my groceries without all the unnecessary waste, but I just wished it was more convenient,” says Felton. “I think inconvenience is the main barrier that keeps people from changing their habits towards more sustainable consumption.”  Felton decided it was time to solve her own problem, and in August 2021, she launched Precycle Pantry — a plastic-free grocery store on wheels. She acquired a van that she lovingly named Pablo, inspired by her Hispanic roots, and then stocked it up with bulk pantry essentials like nuts, dried fruits, seeds and grains as well as personal care and home cleaning products. Photograph: Precycle Pantry It’s a one woman and one van operation, and Felton and Pablo started out by roaming just a handful of suburbs in

Yoga offers myriad physical and mental health benefits, including relieving depression, stress and anxiety and increasing flexibility, muscle strength and tone. Whether you're a beginner unsure of where to start or an advanced yogi after a challenge, we reckon there's a studio in Melbourne that meets your needs. To help you find your perfect fit, we've rounded up 15 studios across our city that offer everything from traditional practices like Vinyasa, Yin and Bikram hot yoga to soothing, candle-lit meditations.  Prefer your workout outdoors? Check out Melbourne's best bike paths or train for that 5km at one of Melbourne's best parks. 

During the warmer months, Melbourne's long days and balmy nights make for the perfect backdrop for an outdoor cinema. This is exactly why Melbourne has so many of them. From 1950's style drive-ins to outdoor rooftop cinemas scattered across the suburbs, our city has plenty of locations to catch an al fresco film – these are just a few of our favourites.  Interested in a drive-in cinema instead? Here are the best ones in Melbourne.

We all deserve to enjoy luxe products like lotions, perfumes, makeup and shampoos, but it truly doesn't have to come at the cost of our natural environment. There are heaps of small changes that you can make in your personal care routine that will still leave you feeling pampered while also helping you to lead a more environmentally conscious and sustainable lifestyle.  To make committing to that switch a little bit easier, we've rounded up a bunch of Australian brands that offer high-quality and eco-friendly products. From shampoo and conditioner bars to natural deodorants and perfumes, these are some easy ways to make some eco-friendly changes in your routine.  Looking for more ways to lead a more sustainable lifestyle? Here are 40 easy things you can do in Melbourne to make a difference. Want a greener wardrobe? Shop these eco-friendly fashion brands in Melbourne.

Sometimes you just need to break a sweat and get loose on the dance floor. If you've been wanting to plan a big night out, here are our favourite clubs for electronica, dance, house, trap, disco, hip-hop and everything in between. Put on your best dancing shoes and an Instagram-worthy outfit and get ready to paint the town red.  Looking for dancefloors? Here's our list of the best bars with dancefloors in Melbourne. Need some food to fuel all that dancing? Here are the best late-night eats around Melbourne. 

From September 17 to October 2, take in the magical sights of Japan right here in Victoria at the gorgeous CherryHill Orchards in Yarra Valley. You'll have the opportunity to wander through endless rows of gorgeous cherry blossoms, sip on cherry-based drinks, enjoy delicious cherry ice cream, listen to live music and participate in fun activities for the whole family.  Conveniently located only an hour from the Melbourne CBD, this festival is the perfect way to take in the spring weather and relax during the school holidays. This gorgeous locale is a prime spot for a picnic, and you can book a luxury picnic experience by The Posh Palais.  Some of the fun activities you can look forward to this year are a flower crown workshop, a class on the importance of bees to our ecosystem run by a local bee expert, a candle-making workshop and a hot air balloon ride over the Yarra Valley at sunrise.  Tickets are $8 for adults and $6.50 for children on weekdays and $14 for adults and $11.50 for children on weekends. And for the first time, dogs are welcome to come and join in on the fun. Learn more at the CherryHill website.  Looking for more things to do? Check out our round-up of the best things happening in Melbourne this week.

Get ready for loud, intense and full-throttle family fun when Monster Jam returns to AAMI Park on October 1. It's been three years since the action-packed motorsports event has been in Melbourne, and it's back just in time for the school holidays.  Rock up from 10am for the pre-event Monster Jam Pit Party, where you'll have the opportunity to get up close and personal to the 4,500kg monster trucks. Take pictures, meet the drivers and get an insider's look at how these massive trucks are built to withstand the competition.  There will be two two-hour sessions for the event itself, with the first kicking off at 2pm and the second at 7pm. This year, the roster includes 23-year-old Tristan England behind the wheels of his famed Megaladon truck, as well as fan favourites like Brandon Vinson driving Grave Digger, Colt Stephens in Max D and Armanda Castro behind the wheel of El Toro Loco.  Tickets start at $40 and are on sale now through the Ticketek website. Looking for more things to do? Check out our round-up of the best things happening in Melbourne this week.

It's been an incredible year for Lego fans, with a new Lego Certified Store popping up in Melbourne Central and Ryan 'the Brickman' McNaught's The Bricktionary hitting shelves. All good things come in threes, so from September 3, Melbourne Museum will host an exhibition inspired by McNaught's new book filled with creative builds and insider tips.  There will be six interactive build zones to explore, including four that are brand new. See if you can design a model that's capable of surviving an earthquake, invent your own Lego brick robot, take a walk through the imaginations of the Brickman team and see more than 150 models from the book, including some never-before-seen builds. The exhibition will run daily until January 29, and non-member tickets start at $17.50 for children and $27.50 for adults. If you're a museum member, tickets start at $14 for children and $22 for adults. Learn more at the Melbourne Museum website.  After some high-quality toys? Here are the best local toy shops in Melbourne.

Happy Melon's M.O. is that when you get your mind right, the body will follow. As a result, the teachers here really emphasise a combination of mental and physical practises that'll leave your mind relaxed and your body worked out. Choose between in-studio and online classes, and if you want a trial first, new clients can sign up for a three-week unlimited and full-access pass for just $50.  Looking for more classes? Here are Melbourne's best yoga studios.

Unable to head to a studio or prefer to practise at home? This centre offers private yoga and meditation classes at your home or workplace. Founder Malcolm H Clarke has been practising yoga and its associated disciplines since 1984, so he's also a wealth of knowledge on its historical and philosophical elements. The specialties offered are classical yoga and field yoga, and the latter integrates 12 styles of yoga and was founded by Clarke. Learn more and enquire about private classes here.  Looking for more classes? Here are Melbourne's best yoga studios.

This Fitzroy studio has been teaching traditional Mysore-style yoga for more than 25 years, opening after founders Greg and Tracy returned from studying with guru K. Pattabhi Jois. On top of regular classes, this studio also hosts specialist workshops and immersions with globally renowned teachers, who can offer supplementary knowledge on the history and philosophy of yoga disciplines. There's also a communal kitchen and lounge where you can enjoy freshly brewed Chai tea before or after your practice.  Looking for more classes? Here are Melbourne's best yoga studios.

“That sounds like the worst thing you could possibly do” is most people’s reaction when told about Bikram Hot Yoga, but when it comes to shaping up, damn it all if this slightly sadistic sport doesn’t get the job done. The internationally recognised set of 26 postures patented by the enigmatic Bikram Choudry, is designed to stretch, strengthen and relax you, but unlike other yoga styles, Bikram takes place in a sauna heated to a kill-me-now 40 degrees Celsius. Working every muscle in your body over 90 minutes, this is a detox and a workout all in one. It’s tough love, but persevere and nut-crushing thighs shall be yours. Looking for more classes? Here are Melbourne's best yoga studios.

Grass Roots Yoga was the first hot yoga studio to pop up in St Kilda, offering a style called Moksha that was popularised in Toronto, Canada. The studio offers a mix of hot yoga and power flow classes with yin yoga, and all classes aim to stretch, strengthen and tone your muscles while detoxifying the body and calming the mind. If you're keen to give it a whirl, you can opt for a $60 intro pack that entitles you to six classes within a 28-day period.  Looking for more classes? Here are Melbourne's best yoga studios.

Ready to feel the heat? This South Yarra hot yoga studio offers classes at two balmy temperatures: power flow at 27 degrees Celsius and slow hot flow at 37 degrees Celsius. Classes run from 6am to 6.30pm daily, so you have ample opportunity to fit a session into your busy schedule. Looking for more classes? Here are Melbourne's best yoga studios.

Located in Elsternwick, this multi-disciplinary studio offers sessions in practices including Vinyasa, Bikram, Jivamukti and Yin. The average class size is a manageable 15 to 20 people, allowing for ample one-on-one adjustment. And if you have any interest in visiting Nepal or India, the birthplaces of yoga practices Yoga Tree runs annual retreats where you can visit sacred spaces that are thousands of years old. You may even get to attend a talk with the Dalai Lama himself! Looking for more classes? Here are Melbourne's best yoga studios.

A central hub for the yogis of the area, Clifton Hill Yoga Studio bills itself as Melbourne’s largest Iyengar yoga studio. It runs 40 yoga classes throughout the week ranging from beginner sessions to advanced and pre-natal courses. If you're keen to try without committing to anything long-term, the studio runs a general attendance class at 10am every day.  Looking for more classes? Here are Melbourne's best yoga studios.

Mother and daughter duo Susan and Clare have now opened three studios across Melbourne, located in Balwyn, Ivanhoe and Mitcham. Each space encapsulates their love of beautiful spaces and contemporary yoga practices, and the studios offer three styles: vinyasa flow, yin yoga and a basics program for beginners. There is also complimentary organic fruit and tea available. Looking for more classes? Here are Melbourne's best yoga studios.

Victoria is home to Australia's best pie and one of the world's best pizzas, and now there's another jewel to add to our state's crown: one of the world's best road trips. The answer should be pretty obvious, but if you're stumped, here's a hint; it's nearly a century old and stretches to 243 kilometres.  Yep, that's right – it's our beloved Great Ocean Road, a four-hour drive that attracts millions of overnight and day trip visitors annually. The results come from a survey by Motorcycle Insurance, where 28 popular road trip routes across the world were ranked based on Instagram hashtag data, global average monthly search volume and TikTok views.  The data was averaged out for a 'Road Trip Score' with a possible 84 points on the rubric, and the Great Ocean Road came out in tenth place with a score of 54. Not bad, considering our competition. Big Sur, Salar de Uyuni and Costa Smeralda rounded out the top three, followed by Ocean Drive, Badlands National Park, Columbia River Gorge, Ruta 40, the Gobi Desert and Cabot Trail. That also makes the Great Ocean Road the only Australian entry to make the top ten.   After more road trip ideas? Buckle up and browse our favourite four-wheeled adventures here.

Picture this: an infinity pool with skyline views, an all-day fitness centre, a bar stocked with boutique gins and a sky-high restaurant with tapas and fresh European-style brekkie. Sound like a fancy hotel or a holiday? Well, it is – but thanks to a luxe 'Work From Hotel' offer by the swanky new AC Hotel by Marriott, it could also be your new home office.  Thanks to a nasty combination of the third wave of Omicron, the flu and the super cold, current health advice suggests that Australians work from home when possible. But if your heart sinks at the thought of dodging housemates or trying to get anything done in a lacklustre home office, this offer has arrived in the nick of time.  Now, you can trade in your daytime office and home office to do your nine-to-five at one of Melbourne's newest and coolest hotels. Start your morning with a blood-pumping work-out at the all-day fitness centre then refuel with a fresh European breakfast at in-house restaurant Sorolla before logging in for the day. Have a few meetings? Take them from the deck of the hotel's heated infinity pool – if your camera's off, no one has to know that you're taking a cheeky dip. And when your camera does need to be on, you can book out a private meeting space at the Media Salon. When 5pm rolls around, finish off your workday with a signature G&T at Bar Triana before bunkering down in your room for a well-deserved rest. Oh, and you can bring your dog, too – how's that for working from home?  Rates start from

If you've been struggling to find these beloved fruity chews at your local supermarket, we want to let you know that you're not going crazy. After a TikTok questioning where Starburst had gone went viral, Mars Wrigley came forward to reveal that they had discontinued the lolly in Australia back in June. You heard that right: two months ago, the American candy manufacturer quietly pulled the lolly from the shelves, without saying a peep. A spokesperson for the company confirmed that the decision was a result of supply chain issues and rising import costs and that the company would be shifting its focus toward locally made products like Snickers and M&Ms.  Hoping all was not lost, we rang up USA Foods to see if they had been hit by the same conundrum. Sadly, the answer is yes — so if you happen to come across a rogue packet, nab it before there's nary a Starburst to be found in Australia. In good news: we found a cute message in a bottle on a beach in Sydney Harbour, but in bad news: there were no Starburst pink chews in it .

If you've been struggling to find these beloved fruity chews at your local supermarket, we want to let you know that you're not going crazy. After a TikTok questioning where Starburst had gone went viral, Mars Wrigley came forward to reveal that they had discontinued the lolly in Australia back in June. You heard that right: two months ago, the American candy manufacturer quietly pulled the lolly from the shelves, without saying a peep. A spokesperson for the company confirmed that the decision was a result of supply chain issues and rising import costs and that the company would be shifting its focus toward locally made products like Snickers and M&Ms.  Hoping all was not lost, we rang up USA Foods to see if they had been hit by the same conundrum. Sadly, the answer is yes — so if you happen to come across a rogue packet, nab it before there's nary a Starburst to be found in Australia. In good news, Victoria is getting three new Costco stores — here's where the first one is landing. 

Earlier this year, Victorians scored 41 new and upgraded campsites as part of a $105.6-million-dollar investment in nature-based tourism by the Andrews Labor government. Now, the Labor government has set its sights on upgrading caravan parks, announcing that it will invest $4.6 million in upgrading the offerings in three regional parks. Wimmera Mallee Cabins will receive the bulk of that funding, with $3 million going towards constructing 16 state-of-the-art cabin accommodations in its three caravan parks in Hindmarsh, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack. More than $1 million will go towards modernising Edenhope Lakeside Caravan Park, with a primary focus on upgrading the park's capacity and providing visitors with a new common room with a kitchen and games area. The remaining $525,000 will be invested in Lilydale Pine Hill Caravan Park to build 14 new accommodation cabins, along with an amenities block featuring mountain bike equipment and a pet washing area.  "Many Victorians have cherished childhood memories from stays at caravan and holiday parks across the state," says Steve Dimopoulos, the minister for tourism, sport and major event. "These three projects will deliver even more holidaymakers to Victoria's region."  The three projects have a tentative completion date of between 2023 and 2024 and are expected to generate up to 37 construction jobs and 13 ongoing employment positions.  ICYMI: Victoria is getting three new Costco stores ⁠— here's where the first one is landing. 

Just a few months ago, Aussies were collectively laughing at memes about the rising price of lettuce. Well, it seems that the time for laughter has passed, with prices for just about everything soaring to exorbitant levels. If you're feeling the cost of living pinch, there's good news on the horizon: beloved bulk-buy supermarket Costco has just announced plans to open three new stores in Victoria. All three stores are set to open within the next two years, with two opening in Melbourne and the third landing in Geelong. And while most details are still under wraps, so far we know two things: a whopping $50 million has been allocated for each development, and a western suburbs address has been revealed for the first of the two Melbourne stores.  Brimbank Council has released a proposal to demolish an existing warehouse at 740 Ballarat Road in Ardeer to make way for a 14,252-square-metre Costco complete with an 18-pump petrol service station. The site will also feature more than 800 parking spaces, reserved space for 20 electric vehicle charging stations, a tyre centre and specialty departments including an optical centre and a hearing aid centre. After more ways to save a buck? Get $250 off your energy bill with this Vic Gov rebate.

Since moving to Australia from America, one of the things that I miss the most about my homeland is the sheer volume of fast food chains to choose from. Judge me if you want, but fast food is basically a part of our culture – and as a former Washingtonian, the best of the best is Five Guys. And while Sydney did beat us to the punch by opening two stores across the city in the last two years, Melburnians are finally going to get a taste of the cult-favourite burgers and chips. From August 8, you can pop over to Southbank to snag the gargantuan burgers and crispy peanut-oil fried chips. Five Guys is known for making everything to order, so you can say goodbye to soggy burgers and fries that have been sitting under a heat lamp, waiting for the next poor sod to place an order. You may notice it's a bit pricier than Macca's, but the serves are generous; even if you order small chips, the bottom of your bag is guaranteed to be filled with loose extras seeping oil onto your bag – gross, but delicious.  The no-frills menu is also highly customisable, boasting more than 250,000 different potential burger combinations and more than 1,000 ways to order your milkshake. I'm no mathematician, but you can likely go there once a week for the rest of your life and never have the same meal twice. If you're not sure where to begin, the classic order is a cheeseburger 'all the way', meaning it's decked out with pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, mushrooms, grilled onion, ketchup and mustard.  The

We're all guilty of making a few starry-eyed, lockdown-induced impulse purchases – we're looking at you, breadmakers, hobby kits, exercise equipment and mounds and mounds of clothing. It was a time when sitting at your laptop with a drink in one hand and a credit card in the other was top-tier entertainment, so we don't blame you. But if you've shoved all those regretful purchases into the closet, it's time to KonMari your life – and get a bit of money back in return.  From August 3 to 7, Melburnians can bring all of their impulse buys to The Maybuy Exchange, an experiential store hosted by Up Bank that's popping up on the corner of Swanston and Little Bourke Streets. You can trade your item for Up merchandise, or you can try your luck with a spin on the 'anti-impulse machine'. The machine will randomly generate a value between $10 and $500, and the amount will be deposited into your bank account. All of the items will later be donated to a charity partner, so you can walk away a few bucks richer, free of your regretful purchases and feeling charitable. And sure, you could put your winnings in savings – but since you'll be near Chinatown, you might as well grab some dumplings. Delicious food isn't an impulse buy, right? To participate, head to 226 Swanston Street between 11am to 4pm from August 3 to 7.  Tired of WFH? This CBD hotel is offering a bougie work-from-hotel package instead.

On January 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip's fleet landed at Warrane (Sydney Cove) and planted the Union flag. This act essentially opened the floodgates for British colonisers to invade and lay claim to the continent that more than 250 sovereign nations called home. First Nations peoples had no choice but to engage in conflict to defend their land, resulting in a massacre of anywhere between 20,000 and 40,000 Aboriginal people.  And how does Australia reckon with that bloody history? Well, there are records of January 26 celebrations dating back to 1808, but in 1994, it was officially declared Australia Day, a national public holiday for all states and territories that's often accompanied by fireworks, parades and ceremonies. That is, until now: after decades of protest led primarily by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Melburnians may finally be looking at a celebration-free January 26.  Melbourne city council has voted to launch a review into Australia Day celebrations, with all but two councillors supporting the motion that was put forward by lord mayor Sally Capp. A review and debate are now set to take place on September 6, with a potential result being to move celebrations to another date or cancel them entirely. It will have no effect on the day's status as a national public holiday.  "I recognise that for many people, celebrating Australia Day on the 26th of January is important – but there's a changing sentiment around celebrating what it means to be A

Covid-19, the super cold and the flu – Australians have truly been hit by the trifecta of nasty illnesses, and now we get to add monkeypox to the list. You may have a serious case of exotic-disease fatigue and not want to know a single bloody thing about this development, but in light of the World Health Organisation declaring it a global health emergency,  it feels like maybe we should get to know this zoonotic disease a bit better.  What is this whole monkey business, anyway? In truth, monkeypox is not new at all. Scientists first detected this infectious poxvirus in a colony of Asian monkeys in Copenhagen way back in 1958, with it presenting for the first time in a child in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was characterised by its pimple-like pustule rash in areas that are hard to see (eg; genitals, anal region and also across your face, arms and legs), fever, aches, headache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. This virus, whilst having a low fatality rate, is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, young children, older people and those who are immunocompromised, with it bringing about secondary infections that have proved fatal.  A younger, and less-lethal cousin of the smallpox virus, monkeypox has spread rapidly throughout Central and Western Africa since the ‘70s, with it now endemic in ten African countries. African scientists have warned about the dangers of monkeypox for years off the back of the plight of these nations, but unfortunatel

If you've ever flown out of Sydney Airport, you can likely relate to anxiously hoping you won't be hit with the trifecta of bad traffic en route to the airport, departure delays and flight cancellations. It's not great, but as the numbers show us, the situation is worse than you may have thought. According to data compiled for CNN Travel from flight tracking site FlightAware, Kingsford Smith International Airport cracks the top ten of the world’s worst airports. It came in at number nine in the world for most delays (between May 26 to July 19, 34.2 per cent of flights were delayed) and number six for most cancellations (5.9 per cent of flights were cancelled). Major airports in Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, London and Canada also broke into the list of the ten worst performers. Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Canada, topped the list, with 52.5 per cent of flights delayed.  My friend in the security queue at Sydney Airport this morning. Can’t even get into the building 😬. pic.twitter.com/HYaJZJPvVv — Tanya Selak (@GongGasGirl) July 24, 2022 Meanwhile, according to another set of data from the OAG Flight Database, Melbourne Airport takes the title of the country’s worst. In the month of June, only 45.6 per cent of departing flights from Melbourne Airport took off on time, and 8.1 per cent were cancelled. Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport narrowly scrapes in ahead of Melbourne – with 54.5 per cent of flights departing on time and 7.1 per cent being cancelled in the mo

If you've ever flown out of Melbourne Airport, you can likely relate to anxiously hoping you won't be hit with the trifecta of bad traffic en route to the airport, departure delays and flight cancellations. It's not great, but according to data from the OAG Flight Database, the situation is worse than you may have thought: Melbourne Airport has been crowned Australia's worst airport for delays and cancellations. In the month of June, only 45.6 per cent of departing flights from Melbourne Airport took off on time, and 8.1 per cent were cancelled. Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport doesn't trail far behind, with 54.5 per cent of flights departing on time and 7.1 per cent being cancelled. On the other end of the spectrum, Brisbane Airport is Australia's most on-time airport, with 63.4 per cent of flights departing on time and a cancellation rate of less than five per cent.  To put those figures into perspective, Melbourne Airport came in 631st place globally — that's only 11 spots ahead of Heathrow Airport, which has descended into utter chaos. The OAG's data does show that there's an overall uptick in global airport mayhem, likely spurred by poor weather, staff shortages and a surge in desire for post-Covid travel. In Australia, June has been a particularly bad month, with twice as many flights being cancelled compared to the long-term average.  With this in mind, if you're planning on doing any travelling any time soon, consider booking your flight with the airlines that have cloc