Must-see entertainment in Australia

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    Sydney Opera House

    The glamorous jewel of Australian performance, Sydney's famous Opera House has five main stages. Opera may have star billing, but it's also an important…

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    Governor Hindmarsh Hotel

    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…

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    Deckchair Cinema

    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…

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    Esplanade Hotel

    You could spend all day going from room to room now that the beloved 'Espy' is back, after a $15 million renovation. Antiques complement its Victorian…

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    Sydney Cricket Ground

    During the cricket season (October to March), the stately SCG is the venue for interstate cricket matches (featuring the NSW Blues), family-friendly Big…

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    Adelaide Oval

    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…

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    Moonlight Cinema

    Melbourne's original outdoor cinema hits the Royal Botanic Gardens from the end of November through March, screening current releases and retro classics…

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    Swanpool Cinema

    The tiny hamlet of Swanpool – population 207 – is a blink and you'll miss it kind of place 38km north of Mansfield en route to Benalla, but the village's…

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    The Ship That Never Was

    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…

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    Golden Age Cinema & Bar

    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,…

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    City Recital Hall

    Based on the classic configuration of the 19th-century European concert hall, this custom-built 1200-seat venue boasts near-perfect acoustics. Catch top…

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    Republic Bar & Café

    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…

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    Royal Randwick Racecourse

    The action at Sydney's most famous racecourse peaks in April with several high-profile races, including the Queen Elizabeth Stakes; check the online…

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    State Cinema

    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…

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    Lazybones Lounge

    Roomy and decadently decorated with erotic ceiling paintings, Lazybones has live music nightly and a decent line in cocktails and food. At weekends it…

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    The Tote

    One of Melbourne's most iconic live-music venues, this divey pub has been hosting a roster of local and international punk, heavy metal and hardcore bands…

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    Sounds of Starlight Theatre

    This atmospheric 1½-hour musical performance evoking the spirit of the outback with didgeridoos, drums and keyboards, plus wonderful photography and…

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    Mareeba Drive-in

    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…

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    Belvoir St Theatre

    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…

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    Metro Theatre

    The Metro is easily Sydney’s best midsized venue for catching alternative local and international rock acts in intimate, well-ventilated, easy-seeing…