Circular Quay & The Rocks
Right on the harbour, the outdoor three-storey screen here comes with surround sound, sunsets, skyline views and swanky food and wine. Most tickets are…
Must-see entertainment in Australia
Townsville & Mission Beach
Come nightfall Towers Hill, the site where gold was first discovered, is the atmospheric setting for an open-air cinema showing the 20-minute film Ghosts…
Melbourne
Down a typical Melbourne laneway, this eccentric little cabaret club stages acts from drag and improvised comedy to Glee singalongs and theatre. The rooms…
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
A barn-sized space with a dance floor that sees lots of action. Music is generally in the Latin, jazz or funk vein; check online for bigger gigs and exact…
Melbourne Region
A grand 1930s picture palace, Cameo has a main auditorium with plenty of art deco pizzazz, a number of smaller cinema spaces, and an outdoor screen where…
Adelaide
Adelaide’s funny bone took a hit when the old Rhino Room on Frome St was forced to close in 2016. But it has now re-opened on Pirie St, so we can all…
Brisbane
Straight out of the bayou, this tiny riverside jazz shack has been Brisbane’s jazz beacon since 1972. Anyone who’s anyone in the scene plays here when…
Southern NSW & The Murray
This popular hub prides itself on live music and craft beer rather than big screens and poker machines. Art and photography exhibitions line the walls…
Adelaide
The good ol' Cranker just keeps cranking out the cold beer and loud rock, despite the equally loud protestations of East End residents (many of whom who…
Surry Hills & Darlinghurst
In the 19th century this place was knee-high in horse dung; now it's home to the Griffin Theatre Company, dedicated to nurturing new Australian writers…
Adelaide
Big on musicals and comedy, this grand old city theatre was built in 1913 and originally had seating for around 1000 people. A major renovation project,…
Adelaide
In a converted theatre spangled with a brilliant mural, Jive caters to an off-beat crowd of student types who like their tunes funky, left-field and…
Sydney
Holding over 5000 heaving music fans, the historic white and grey Hordern (1924) hosts plenty of big-name rock gigs (Smashing Pumpkins, Sam Smith, The…
Townsville & Mission Beach
Capturing the town's strong echoes of another age, this fabulous little drive-in, one of Queensland oldest, is a very local way to spend an evening. Check…
Melbourne
An atmospheric venue well suited to cabaret, the Toff also works for intimate gigs by rock gods, avant-folksters and dance-hall queens. The moody bar next…
Brisbane
Near Roma St Station in the Barracks Centre, the plush, six-screen Palace Barracks (complete with bar) shows both mainstream and alternative fare. It also…
Kings Cross & Potts Point
Between 1955 and 1969 this was the city’s premier finger-snappin’, beret-wearing boho cellar bar, hosting performances by Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan…
Launceston
If you’re in town during the Australian Football League (AFL) season (April to August), come here to see the big men fly. Melbourne-based AFL team…
Melbourne
As theatre-lovers wait for La Mama Theatre (205 Faraday St) to rebuild following a fire in 2018, it's business as usual at the nearby larger venue, La…
Perth
A quintessential Perth experience, the Perth Festival's international film program is held outdoors, on the University of WA's beautiful grounds,…
Hobart
The bad old Brisbane has dragged itself up from the pit of old-man, sticky-carpet alcoholism to be reinvented as a progressive, student-filled live-music…
Fitzroy, Collingwood & Abbotsford
This bright red corner pub features a cosy front bar, an excellent line-up of bands most nights – from up-and-coming local acts to punk and indie big…
Australian Brandenburg Orchestra
Sydney
The ABO is a distinguished part of Australia's artistic landscape, playing baroque and classical music on period-perfect instruments. Leading…
Sydney
If you want your world walloped by hundreds of enthusiastic voices, this is your choir. It also has the 100-voice Symphony Chorus, the 32-voice Chamber…
Newtown & the Inner West
This famous Sydney venue is back in action after a period of closure. It's a likeably no-frills rock pub downstairs, with graffiti on the walls and food…
South Coast NSW
It's worth scanning the movie listings just for an excuse to be inside this attractive cinema, a beloved landmark since it opened in 1935.
Geelong
This Australian Football League (AFL) stadium is sacred ground for locals as the home of their beloved team, the Cats, who play here during the footy…
Brisbane
A short walk from South Bank Parklands, this is the cheapest complex for mainstream releases, screened in either 2D or 3D. Screenings are cheapest before…
Adelaide
The best place in Adelaide to catch some live jazz (on Tuesday nights, at any rate) the Gilbert is a renovated old pub but continues to ooze soul. Order a…
Melbourne
This beautiful amphitheatre in the park is used for a variety of outdoor events, from popular concerts (think AC/DC, Neil Diamond and Florence and the…
Melbourne
Dedicated to promoting Australian works, this exciting company stages interesting productions in its own theatre, converted from an atmospheric old brick…
Newtown & the Inner West
Good sightlines characterise this purpose-built venue that has a vibrant lineup of medium-sized touring and local bands in its main upstairs venue. The…
Newcastle
The pride of Newcastle, the Knights are the local rugby league side. They've had a rough trot of late, but there's plenty of passion around them here, and…
Bellarine Peninsula
Get your foot tapping with train trips that feature not one but four quality blues and roots bands on different carriages, along with dinner. The historic…
Brisbane
Evocatively set in the City Botanic Gardens, this outdoor arena hosts plenty of prolific national and international music acts, with past acts including…
West Coast Australia
Combining funky architecture that draws inspiration from the surrounding wilderness with state-of-the-art facilities, Karratha's cultural centre comprises…
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Circular Quay & The Rocks
This historic venue showcases the talents of its students and their teachers. Choral, jazz, operatic and chamber concerts happen from March to November;…
Darwin
Behind an imposing dungeonlike doorway, this cosy restaurant-bar has live local acts and top-notch cocktails. Tuesday night is a jam session where the…
Alice Springs
In the cultural heart of Alice, the 500-seat Araluen Theatre hosts a diverse range of performers, from dance troupes to comedians, while the Art House…
Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
West Coast Australia
The jewel of Mandurah's Cultural Precinct, the ManPAC is a stylish glass-and-steel auditorium hosting everything from twinkle-toed ballet troupes to stand…
